"Remind me again why it is that I allow you to talk me into these things?" I ask, peering at Lani with an entirely I unamused countenance.

Dressed to the nines for no other reason than 'just because', as Lani puts it, we shuffle in line at the local theater. 

How she managed to convince me to go and see a movie on a Friday night, when literally everyone else is, is beyond me. 

"You know, we could have just stayed home and watched a drama on the television, " I inform her. "In fact, it isn't too late to turn around and go back home."

"Nonsense, " she says dismissively. "You need to get out more often. Besides, you've been sulking majorly ever since you took Jeonguk out to lunch, it'll do you some good to have a Friday night out."

"I have no been sulking, " I pout. "I'm a grown ass woman, and grown ass women don't sulk."

"Mhm, " she murmurs sarcastically. "Look, I'm sorry he hasn't texted you back, but there are other fish in the sea."

There is a half-formed retort on my tongue, ready to be released from my lips, but I am halted by the sight of a familiar head full of rose gold hair.

"I can't believe it, " I murmur, completely ignoring Lani as I exit the line, unconsciously walking into Jeonguk's direction.

"I just keep running into you, " I announce, stopping before him and startling him as he has yet to recognize me.

He is flanked by two other men, each of them every bit as attractive as Jeonguk. One of them is shorter than the others, with a head full of straight up pink hair. His eyes crinkle merrily at my approach, elbowing Jeonguk, not so subtly, in the ribs. There is a teasing smile on his plump lips, and I smile in return.

"Nice to meet you, my name's Alice, " I tell him, offering my hand for a good, old fashioned handshake.

As he takes it, shaking, once, twice, and then releasing my hand, the man on the other side of Jeonguk chuckles merrily.

"So you've got eyes on our Kookie, huh?" He asks, amusement clear as day upon his sublimely sculpted face. 

With one hand, he pushes the dark brown fringe from his eyes, smiling at me with a sort of debonair charm.

"That's Jimin, " he says, pointing to the pink haired man whose hand I'd just shaken. "And my name is Jin."

He offers his hand to me, and I shake it graciously.

"We're this blushing bag of muscle's brothers, " he tells me, jerking his thumb in Jeonguk's direction.

True to form, he is blushing heavily, and I wonder if perhaps I should have just left him alone.

"How do you know Jeonguk anyway?" The man called Jimin asks, "He's painfully shy, so it's just odd to us that he would know such a pretty woman."

I blush, even as Jeonguk scowls, smacking his brother harshly in displeasure.

"Ow!" Jimin yells, "what was that for?"

Jeonguk, though, stays silent, aside from a small and annoyed huff.

"Are you not even gonna say hello to your pretty friend?" Jin, obviously the ringleader, prods. 

Jeonguk blushes profusely, and though I can't help but feel sorry for him, I also can't seem to restrain myself from teasing him myself.

"Hello Jeonguk, " I greet, grinning mischievously. "How've you been?"

I can hear Lani snickering behind me, and realize that I am probably embarrassing myself. There's no way I'm going to hear the end of this one, and I inwardly wince. 

And Jeonguk jumps as if he's been startled, as if maybe, for just a moment, he'd forgotten that I were here at all. He regards me with an alarmed expression, very reminiscent of the metaphorical deer in the headlights.

"Hi, " he blurts, blush now spreading across his cheeks to dust the tips of his ears.

He looks so soft and pink, the very epitome of adorable.

A part of me wants to laugh, but I feel as if it would be cruel, so I do my best to reign it in, opting instead for a fond smile. 

"Wait, where's her phone number?"

Jeonguk and I both snap our attention to Jimin, who is currently digging through Jeonguk's phone.

"How did you get that?" Jeonguk demands,  irritation painted on his face in suddenly harsh lines.

For a moment I am startled.

His normally soft, doe-like eyes have lit up, manifestion of his obvious anger towards his brother shining from beneath his coffee colored irises.

For just that split second, I can see something beneath his boyish shyness. Something so intangible and indescribable that I couldn't find the words to describe it if I tried. I honestly can't explain what it is that compels me so, but I want to see more of it.

Though, maybe not in circumstances such as this one, and perhaps not that particular emotion. 

I want him to feel open with me, I'll admit it. And since I'm already admitting things, I'll also confess that I really like him. The warning bells in the back of my mind still tell me that it's a bad idea, I really could lose my job over this. 

But for once in my life, I want to be bold. Daring. Reckless even. I'm so sick and tired of my boring, daily routine, and despite anything I might tell Lani to the contrary, I am very much interested in romance.

Jeonguk remains still, waiting for his brother's explanation. His face, though smooth, nearly impassive, is also clearly that of someone who is fuming. I'm tempted. So tempted, to just lean in and press a kiss against his brow. Briefly, I wonder whether he would furrow his brow if I did.

Or if he'd crinkle his nose in disgust.

Jimin grins sheepishly, looking not in the least apologetic as he tosses the device back to Jeonguk. 

"You don't have her contact info, " Jimin shrugs. "I thought I'd poach it from you, but I can't."