Make it right

The sight of the beach house caused everyone in the vehicle to sigh in relief. The past couple hours had consisted of engaging conversation with moments of complete silence. Occasionally one or more of us would slip into a mini-nap while the rest kept Jimin company. Tae offered to drive, but Jimin assured him that he was fine.

We stopped to pick up their friend Jungkook and I was surprised to see that he was a year younger than them. He was very shy at first, but loosened up after the first forty minutes. I learned that he was Jimin's neighbor and childhood companion, well second to Taehyung. They pretty much did everything together. In conversation, he mentioned hearing that I was into video games. He was so energetic that it was hard for me to stay quiet. He only caught his breath long enough for Soo Min to point out the beach house.

"Woah! It looks awesome just from here!" he excitedly bounced in his seat.

"I see Hobi's car in the front," I pointed out.

Jimin pulled the car next to Hobi's truck and we all began to disperse to unload. Hearing all the clatter from inside, the others walked out to assist us. Namjoon and Hobi each hugged Jimin and I in greeting.

"Ri, I want you to meet Yoongi," Hobi pulled a fair skinned man from his position on the tailgate of the truck towards me in introduction. I had to admit that he looked very intimidating as he not too happily approached me. That intimidation diminished when he gave me the cutest gummy smile I've ever seen.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Nari," he gently shook my hand in a respectful manner, "I feel like I'm meeting my long lost sister with how Hobi goes on and on about his kid sister."

"Awe, Hobi!" I playfully gush.

"Yah," he smacks Yoongi on his shoulder, "I don't talk about her that much."

"Anyway, I'll take your bag, Nari," Yoongi kindly took my luggage into the house.

"How was the drive?" Namjoon asked Jimin who was leaning against the SUV, yawning.

"It wasn't bad, but I'm starving," he dramatically rubbed his stomach.

"Me too," Soo Min added.

"What's for dinner?" Jungkook eagerly asked.

"Come on in," Jin waved from the front door, "I just made a light dinner."

We cheered in union and began to enter the house.

***1 hour later***

Dinner was full of laughter and so much chaos. Jin and Yoongi bickered about who prepared what in a childish banter of who cooks better. In the end no one won, and we laughed as they begrudgingly accepted that this was one argument that we would not pick sides on. Jungkook pigged out and helped himself to thirds. Jimin and Tae talked to Hobi about their upcoming game and how the year was playing out. Namjoon talked to Mi Cha to my surprise. They had a similar interest in science and talked about a nearby aquarium that we should all plan to visit before the trip ended.

Soo Min lightly tapped my elbow drawing me away from my silent observation of the group.

"It's getting late, did you want to prepare for bed?" she asked.

It was almost ten in the evening. I hadn't paid much attention to the time, but sure enough it was dark outside. We had already settled on bedroom arrangements during dinner. Soo Min, Mi Cha and I would share the master bedroom as it had the master bathroom which would consist of privacy us girls. The room had a king size bed which we had no problem sharing. Tae, Jimin and Jungkook would share the bedroom next door as it had two full beds and two would bunk together. Of course this began a debate of who would share. Yoongi and Hobi were next door to them in the room with two twin beds. Namjoon and Jin would share that room across from them that had one king bed which they didn't battle over. Apparently more mature than the three guys, they didn't see anything wrong with sharing a bed.

"Well, it's late, we're gonna get ready for bed," Soo Min announced.

"First things first," Hobi said, "let's play to see who does dishes!"

Everyone groaned in annoyance. To be fair we excluded Yoongi and Jin since they cooked. They played referee as we played a game of rock, paper, scissors. The last two would be on kitchen duty, while the rest went upstairs to their rooms to prepare for bed.

Soo Min and Namjoon cheered as they both came out winner in the first round. Next Mi Cha was allowed to leave the room. Jimin and Hobi squealed like banshees and jumped like idiots when they came out winner, laughing at Jungkook, Tae and I. This last round would determine which two would stay.

"Ok, you three, remember if there's a tie, we keep going until there's two," Jin giggled. Yoongi counted down for us to begin.

I felt myself sweating, praying that either I would be excused or be left to clean with Jungkook. I hadn't spoken to Taehyung since the incident in the car. I really didn't want to be alone with him. Fate of course would have no such plans for me.

"Yeah!" Jungkook screamed in triumph, "Have fun cleaning, you two!"

"Sorry, Nari and Tae, you guys are stuck cleaning," Yoongi chuckled while handing a sponge to Taehyung. Jin handed me the first plate, patted my shoulder and left for upstairs.

We watched as they joined the others upstairs, leaving us in silence.

*Taehyung's POV*

Nari didn't say anything to me, nor did she look directly at me. She simply moved back to the dinning room and began gathering the dishes to empty any food into the trash. Not sure what to say to her, I followed suit and began to wipe the table with cleaning wipes. Once we cleared the table without so much as speaking, we stood in front of the sink full of dishes.

"Did you want to wash or dry?" she asked hesitantly.

"You pick what would make you comfortable," I replied. I wanted her to be at ease around me. I didn't want her to walk on eggshells round me.

Without responding to me, she grabbed the sponge and began washing the first dish. I grabbed a towel to begin drying. We continued at a steady pace for the first five minutes. When my fingers lightly rubbed hers as I grabbed a cup, she dropped it into the sink causing it to fall into the sink of water. Fortunately, the sink was full of water and nothing broke.

"I'm sorry," she sighed in frustration.

"Nari, I don't want us to be weird around each other," I found myself finally speaking, "Can we move past this?"

"I'm not even sure why this feels so weird," she turned to face me, "And I don't like that I'm like this around you."

"Then stop," I moved towards her, "Yes, I admitted to being attracted to you. I want us to be friends and if you start to feel something towards me, then I'd be more than happy to date."

I watched as her brows pulled together in confusion. Taking her moment of silence as an opening, I gently grabbed her hand and stared into her eyes. I needed to make things right. I needed her to understand that I wasn't Min Jae. I do like her and would like to use this trip to get to know her. I do not intend to hide behind our new friendship or my bond with Jimin as an excuse to sneak around. I'm better than that and would not treat her as if she was something to be ashamed of.

"What are you saying, Taehyung?" she said in a hushed voice. "Are you asking me out?"

"I never even asked if you like me, Nari. I'm not so arrogant to assume that you do," I honestly admitted while holding her stare, "I know you like Min Jae and that I may be alone in this confession, but I'm still hoping that you'd give me the chance to get to know you. If you don't feel anything during this trip, I'll accept that this was a one sided attraction and leave you alone."

She smiled to my astonishment. I thought she'd be annoyed with my offer. I expected her to storm off in anger, but she shocked me as she lightly squeezed my hand.

"Don't you care if I like you at all?" she asked.

"I worry I don't stand any chance because you've liked Min Jae for years. It's really easy to admit to finding someone attractive, but it takes time to get to know someone. I want us to hang out and get closer on this trip with all our friends. I'm hopeful that you will start liking me..."I wasn't sure what else to say. I felt like I was leaving myself vulnerable. All the cards were in her hands.

She could literally end this now and tell me to go to hell. She could tell me that I stood no chance, and that I would only be leaving on this trip as her acquaintance if I was lucky.

"I'll admit that I enjoy talking to you and that you're very attractive," my heart beat at her words, "You're right. I don't really know you though. I'm not sure what I'm feeling when I'm around you. I feel nervous and the butterflies in my stomach wont settle down. I'm not sure if it's because of what you confessed or if it's my own feelings."

She shyly looked away from me. She stared at the remaining dishes in the sink while I continued to stare at the emotions dancing across her face. She didn't exactly confess, but she did admit to feeling something towards me which was leaving her a confusing mess.

"Nari," I softly called her attention back to me, "Say the word and I'll back off. I don't want to pressure you into something you don't want."

"You're offering friendship," she grinned, "with a chance of something more if my heart feels the same."

I nodded and smiled at her words. In the end, if she doesn't like me back, I would still want to be friends. I wanted her to be in control of her feelings and this was her opening to say what she wanted.

"Ok, Tae," she giggled, "I'd like that. I'd love to be your friend."

I sighed in relief. Friend. It was a start. She didn't deny that there was a possibility that she was beginning to develop feelings for me. She was willing to explore what we were feeling through hanging out. We laughed at the situation and continued washing the rest of the dishes.

I grinned like an idiot as she didn't shy away when my hands lightly touched hers when she passed a dish. I enjoyed the pink tint on her cheeks as we parted upstairs to our rooms. I couldn't wait to officially begin the rest of this vacation.