chapter 1

I laid there as still as a rock, while my phone pinged loudly. The noise wasn’t what woke me. It wa the light on the back of my phone constantly flashing every time my phone went off. Tae had set it so that it would do that, and I have yet to find the setting to turn it off.

I groaned loudly, reaching to grab my phone. A thousand and one texts were covering my lock screen, all from Taehyung. I groaned even louder, opening my phone and scrolling briefly through the messages, only paying close attention to the very last one.

From: TaeTae [2:10am] — Stop ignoring me… I know you’re awake. >->

I scoffed because I most certainly was not awake at two in the morning, not until he woke me with his barrage of texts.

I decided my eyes hurt too much to stare at the screen, so I decided to call him instead. As soon as he picked up, I put him on speaker and laid the phone down on my chest.

“What do you want, Tae?” I groaned, not making much of an effort to hide my annoyance.

“Oh good, you’re awake!” He said in an oddly chipper voice for it to have been two in the morning.

I was a little salty about having my precious sleep disturbed.

“Taehyung, what do you want?” I said more sternly. “I was having the best sleep I’ve had in weeks, and then your messages woke me up. If you don’t give me a good reason not to hang up, I’m going back to sleep.”

“Because you love me, and I’m your best friend, and you love talking t—“

I tapped the red button, effectively silencing him. I tossed my phone onto the foot of the bed and rolled over.

Not seconds later, the flashing light was back. I groaned for the nth time, sitting up to look at my angry phone.

All messages from Taehyung.

WHY DID YOU HANG UP??

I can’t sleep and I need someone to talk to.

Please????

I know you’re not asleep! Call me back!! >:(

I love you! You can’t do this to me!!

The messages following that last one were a literal ****-ton of angry emojis. I rolled my eyes, finally making an effort to respond to my overdramatic best friend.

To: TaeTae [2:16am] — Stop texting me weird stuff so late at night

From: TaeTae [2:17am] — What weird stuff? I’m only giving you the FACTS. I know you love me!

To: TaeTae [2:17am] — What gave you that idea?

From: TaeTae [2:18am] — You answered my texts didn’t you?

I rolled my eyes again, finally accepting the fact that I was not going back to sleep right now—not if Tae could help it.

To: TaeTae [2:19am] — What’s keeping you from sleeping?

From: TaeTae [2:20am] — Just general stress about life. Finals are coming up, my girlfriend broke up with me, and my friends are out getting drunk while my best friend ignores me…

I bit my lip, suddenly feeling a little guilty for brushing him off so easily. I didn’t realize he had so much on his mind.

To: TaeTae [2:21am] — OKAY, wait! She broke up with you? Why didn’t you start with that? Are you okay?

He didn’t respond to that one. I decided to keep the conversation going. If I couldn’t fix it, I could at least occupy his mind for a little while. I bit my lip as I typed my reply.

To: TaeTae [2:21am] — I’m always here for you. Do you need to talk about it?

His next reply took a few minutes. It was short, but it made me feel a little better.

From: TaeTae [2:24am] — I can always count on you. :)

To: TaeTae [2:24am] — Do you want me to call you?

Again, his reply took a minute or two, as though he were thinking about it. I chewed on my fingernail in anticipation.

From: TaeTae [2:26am] — Actually, can I come over? I don’t wanna be home alone.

To: TaeTae [2:26am] — Of course, I’ll wait on the front porch.

From: TaeTae [2:26am] — Thank you. I’m gonna put some clothes on and head over. I’ll be there in 15

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