Waking up this morning felt worse than what I'd felt in a long time. I didn't remember much from the day before. Everything after the kiss with that guy, seemed blurry. And the worst part of all, I clearly didn't do a tactical vomiting, as I felt the liquor rush up through my throat and I ran to the toilet.

After flushing the toilet, I washed the sweat off my face and brushed my teeth before deciding to take a quick shower.

Of course when I went the club the day before, I intended to get drunk, but after that guy seated next to me, I didn't keep count of my drinks and I could tell by the nauseating feeling in my weak body that I had drunk way too much, considering I had work in an hour.

I had taken the year off school after I graduated high school last year. It was currently April and my first semester of college would've started last month, but after I lost someone dear to me, I couldn't seem to get my feet back on track, and I chose to stay working at the part time job I had instead of starting college. I couldn't go to school as if nothing had happened, when everything had changed.

I worked part time at a bakery in the streets of Seoul. I didn't bake anything, but just worked as a service assistant, assisting costumers and cleaning the quite popular bakery. I loved working there. My boss was the sweetest old woman ever—though she could be scary—and my colleagues weren't the worst either.

"Y/n, is that you?" My mother called from the living room when I exited the bathroom and closed the door after me.

"Yes mom." I called back before entering my own room again.

I fell back onto my bed, grunting as I felt sorry for myself. I felt so nauseous and my head hurt like hell.

After some time of laying still with closed eyes, I grabbed my phone to check if there was anything new.

I had received a few mails and a lot of other daily notifications, but my eyes fell on one particular message notification that stood out.

"From Jimin?" I muttered. I recognized the name belonging to the guy from the day before, but I didn't remember sharing my number. I pressed the notification and unlocked my phone.

As soon as I entered our conversation, I sat up in the bed and threw my phone. I mentally screamed, slapping my hands over my mouth to not let any screams come out.

I looked at my phone in terror, hesitantly picking it up after a while.

Above Jimin's message there was one sent from me, sent earlier the same morning at 3:04 am.

Me: Jimin you are such an attractive man

DID I SEND THAT?

I almost panicked, my cheeks growing warm from embarrassment and after reading his reply I grew even more embarrassed.

Jimin😘: I know, but thanks for telling me😉

I took a few deep breaths, pulling myself together and started typing.

Me: I don't remember sending that, sorry...

A surprisingly quick reply chimed in as I had only managed to let my legs out of the bed to sit on the edge of it.

Jimin😘: You didn't, I did to save your number.

That explains the emoji, I thought.

I only got to let out a sigh of relief as another message chimed in.

Jimin😘: But you told me that yourself, so it's not a lie

Me: No I did not!

Jimin😘: Yes you did😉 Guess you blacked out?

Me: Maybe a bit...

By now I didn't even know why I kept replying him. It was a man I met at a club. Those were always creepy, all about sex, and why would he be any different.

Jimin😘: So, you're a lightweight huh?

Me? A lightweight? If only he'd known how much I drunk before he got there.

Me: You clearly don't know me.

Jimin😘: So let me get to know you. You promised me a coffee date yesterday.

Me: I totally did not.

Jimin😘: You totally did though

Me: I don't even like coffee, why would I do that?

Jimin😘: Well how would I know? I asked you, and you didn't seem to be hesitant about that yes.

This is so embarrassing, I thought as I put my phone down for a minute.

Jimin😘: What about later today?

I'm not going on a date with a stranger I only met yesterday. I'm not looking for a relationship.

Me: I have work.

I didn't do much outside of work. The only other hobby of mine was drinking away my feelings on the weekends while lying to my parents about it. I usually explained that I was hanging out with my friends as I knew they wouldn't want me to drink all by myself, late at night, every weekend, only at the age of 19.

Jimin😘: When do you get off work?

Me: 3 pm

Fuck! Why didn't I even reply to that?

Jimin😘: Cool, where do you work? Let's meet up nearby.

Me: I don't even know you.

Jimin😘: Y/n, I'm not only trying to get in your pants. If that was what I wanted, I'd done it yesterday. You wouldn't have said no for sure.

Me: Stop!

Jimin😘: Come on, by those looks you gave me, I know you're just playing hard to get. You want to go on that date with me, don't lie to yourself.

His cockiness and arrogance pissed me off, just as I remembered from the bar, but somehow it made me unable to stop replying to him.

Me: Fine, I work at Seoul Bakery Street. There's a Starbucks nearby.

Jimin😘: You know Seoul Bakery Street is one of the most popular bakery chains in Seoul right? There's multiple of those.

I felt dumbfounded for a second, why did I expect him to just know where I was talking about? Why did I tell him where I work??

Jimin😘: Send me the address and I'll be there by 3.

I sent him the Starbucks I talked about, not wanting him to show up while I was working, covered in flour and sweaty from the busy hours which was on the weekends was usually 10 am until 2 pm.

"Bye, see you soon, right?" I questioned Daemi, my favorite co-worker, halting at the exit of the bakery after changing back into my own clothes.

"I have work tomorrow from 10 to 3 and next weekend too from opening to 2." She answered, while busily filling a paper bag with the things the costumer wanted.

"See you tomorrow then." I smiled.

"Bye Y/n." She smiled back and I waved before exiting the bakery.

As soon as I left the bakery, the world struck me and my smile faded. My job was like a free space of not worrying about anything. I was always too busy helping costumers to think about my life outside work, so when I finally got off work it all fell upon me at once, always.

But today was slightly different. Usually I would take a bus home and stay inside my room for the rest of the day until it was time to go to the club again, but I had weirdly enough said yes to meeting up with a stranger. One, whom I made out with yesterday because my mind was so far away from my body I couldn't stop myself.

Weirdly enough, it made a smile sneak onto my lips as I saw the Starbucks logo above the store a bit further down the street. I didn't know what made me smile, but it was the first time in a while I'd felt excitement.

I reached the entrance of the coffee shop, wondering why I said yes to meeting up here when I disliked coffee this much.

A small bell rang, indicating a new costumer had entered, which was me. The smell of freshly brewed coffee immediately reached my nose and made me wrinkle my nose in dislike as I searched the place for the familiar face, though not too familiar yet.

My eyes found his and he granted me an eye smile that seemed so genuine on his face. I made my way to the table, seating hesitantly on the chair in front of him.

"Good afternoon" He said with a smirk on his face and a teasing tone in his voice.

It made me blush, thinking of our kiss last night and how I usually wasn't the type to agree to go on a date.

I adverted his intense eyes, and lowered my eyes to the table instead, where I found a mug in his hand, "You already ordered?" I scoffed. What a lack of manners.

He looked down at the mug in his hand, before shrugging, "You said you didn't like coffee, so I thought I'd drink one before you came. I know it can have a strong scent." He said, putting the cup to his lips and finishing the coffee before putting the cup away.

I observed as he did so, regretting my quick way of judging what I thought was bad manners but really was an act of respect from a gentleman.

"How are you feeling?" He said after the brief silence between us.

"Better, though working at a bakery with a hangover is the worst." I chuckled.

The smell of breads, cakes and whatever was just bearable normally, but nauseating when having a hangover.

"You were pretty boozed last night." Jimin laughed.

I placed my elbows on the table, hiding my face in my hands, "Was it that bad?"

"You really don't remember?" He said, tilting his head to search for my eyes.

"No, why would I lie?" I said, removing my hands.

"I know you're not lying. You never promised me this date."

He chuckled, locking his eyes with mine. I rolled my eyes slightly.

"Did I do something embarrassing?"

"Depends what you think is embarrassing..." He paused, looking down at the table before running a hand through his hair only for his locks to fall back over his forehead, "I had to carry you to the taxi."

My eyes grew wide and I hid my face in my hands again, "Fuck, this is so embarrassing." I muttered.

"I thought it was cute. You fit quite well in my arms." He spoke.

His bluntness made blood rush to my cheeks and I felt my heart beat slightly faster. Jimin noticed the way I fisted my hair in my hands, clearly embarrassed by the situation. He laughed slightly, not saying more for a while.

"I'm sorry, I'll pay for the taxi." I said, looking back up at him.

"It's fine, this date will do." He said and leant back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

I didn't dare to argue that I wanted to pay myself. He was cocky and I had a feeling he would stick with his choice no matter what.

"So, how old are you? I never got to ask..." I said hesitantly, not knowing if I really got to ask.

"I'm 21." He answered, observing my reaction.

21.

He's 21.

A lump formed in my throat and my eyelids flickered before I got control of it.

"What, is there something wrong with that?" He spoke with a caring voice, leaning forward on his chair again.

I shook my head, "No, it's nothing..."

"I'm 19." I said, deflecting the uneasy feeling inside me.

"I know. You told me yesterday, and you had somewhat the same reaction to my age yesterday."

I looked up at him, staying quiet for a moment before letting out a forced chuckle, "It's nothing, I was just a bit surprised."

The rest of the date went by smoothly. Jimin was a really nice guy, and his attracting looks made it hard for my heart not to flutter whenever our eyes met. I found out he had danced ever since he was young and was now a dance student in one of the best dance companies in South Korea, while he also taught younger kids in the same studio on the side. He grew up in Busan, but moved to Seoul to pursue his career in dancing. I got a feeling that he was a fuckboy and one who did these type of dates often, but when I met his eyes it was like he was genuine about meeting up with me. Maybe he wasn't as bad as I had expected?

After we'd talked for a while, we agreed it was time to head home. Jimin asked if I wanted to go for a walk, but I kindly rejected due to my hangover that was still there and my body that felt sticky after work. I didn't feel the prettiest and honestly I was weirdly aware of how I looked around him.

Jimin had a car, which surprised me but then again, he was 21 years old and living in Seoul. When we got to his car, I told him goodbye and was about to leave.

"Don't you want a ride?" He asked, taking a step forward as I had walked a bit away from him.

I looked at the black car next to Jimin and back to him.

"I can just take the bus." I said with a smile.

"Oh come on, it's right here." Jimin pushed, but he noticed the hesitant expression I was wearing, "It's fine Y/n, I insist." He said with a warm voice extending his hand for me to take.

I took a deep breath and took his hand, walking to the side of the car. Jimin opened the door for me, but the gesture didn't reach me as I nervously entered the vehicle.

Jimin went to the other side and entered the drivers seat, turning on the car.

I caught myself thinking I was an idiot sitting in this car with a driver I didn't even know. I wanted to open the door, walk out and just leave. I didn't want to be in the car, yet somehow Jimin's aura had eased me into entering it in the first place.

"Drive safely, please." I asked him. My heart was beating fast and I suddenly felt the nausea well up in me again.

"Always." He chuckled, and switched the gear lever to first gear.

"I'm being serious." I said, looking at him with pleading eyes. I fiddled with the rings on my fingers, hiding my hands between my thighs.

Jimin switched the gear back to neutral and the car stopped making sounds.

"Is that why you don't have a drivers license? Are you scared of cars?" He questioned, his eyebrows wriggled and a worried expression appeared on his face.

"How do you know I don't have a drivers license?" I answered with a question, finding it weird because we'd never talked about that.

Jimin shrugged, turning to look out the windshield, "I guessed. You seemed hesitant to enter the vehicle and the way you're behaving right now... it doesn't seem as if you're comfortable with cars."

I sighed, looking down into my lap and at my fiddling hands again, "I don't like driving with strangers." I admitted, succinctly.

Jimin let out something between a laugh and a scoff, "Ouch, am I still a stranger?"

I looked at him, not finding the situation funny, but still—his eyes made me rather calm.

"I don't like driving with people who are not my parents."

Jimin reached his hand over and laid it on top of mine. The gesture took me aback. My hands stopped fiddling under his and I looked at him with wide eyes.

"You can trust me." He said with a genuine tone in his voice, before he showed an encouraging smile.

My heartbeat slowed down a bit and I felt myself relax in the seat more than before. I took a deep breath before I nodded. His hands then left mine to grab around the steering wheel and I felt the cold immediately hit my skin and the worry return as his eyes detached from mine and focused out the windshield. But I still felt better than before.

Why did he make it all seem a little less scary?

a.n.

There's a reason of her anxiety, she's not just overreacting... find out what the reason is soon🤪

I know it's only the second chapter, but... how do you like it so far?