Butterflies

[TEXT] Min Jae: It feels like I haven't talked to you in weeks but it's only been three days.

[TEXT] Min Jae: How were finals?

[TEXT] Min Jae: How's your first day of Spring Break?

I woke up to the insistent dinging of my cell phone. I glanced at the clock and groaned in annoyance as it was nearing seven in the morning. Although I was used to waking up early for school, this was my first official day of Spring Break and I had hoped to get in a good two hours of sleep before venturing out.

Who would be messaging me this early in the morning. Mom expected a message before bed each night, and didn't really message me during the day. She would most likely contact Hobi if she had any concerns. The fact that he was here put her mind at ease. I sigh in frustration as another message notification rings out.

"Yah, Nari!" Soo Min grumbled, "Either check your messages or put it on silent."

"Sorry," I mumble and grab my phone to leave the room. I quickly wash my face and brush my teeth in the master restroom then quietly leave the bedroom. I put my phone in my pocket as I pass the other rooms, still silent with no activity from the guys.

I made my way to the kitchen and poured myself a cup of cold water and walked out onto the patio to enjoy the nice morning breeze with the sounds of the sea splashing onto the shore. I found my foul mood easing at the sight to ocean. I'm once again amazed at the lodging that Soo Min was able to provide us. I never thought we'd be so close to the beach, but I would be able to touch the water in a short walking distance. 'I guess it's not so bad that I'm up this early,' I think to myself.

"Let's see who's messaging this early," I sigh as I sit on a recliner on the patio facing the beach.

[TEXT] Min Jae: I miss you

I frown slightly at the messages that Min Jae just sent me. He hadn't spoken to me since the day in the classroom and was off for his early break without so much as a wave. No text wishing me a good break. His suggestion that we get closer still didn't sit right with me. His offer was different from what Tae presented to me last night. Unlike Min Jae, he didn't insinuate that we do what actual couples do in the process of building our relationship. He wanted to honestly become friends and not treat me as if I'm not worthy of more. Min Jae "likes" me but wasn't offering to openly date me. I don't understand his reasoning, but I swore that I wouldn't waste my break thinking about it.

"You're up early."

I smile up at Taehyung as he sits on the recliner next to me. He returned my smile and offered a sweet roll he brought out with his cup of milk.

"Thank you," I don't reply to the message and place my phone on the small table between our chairs.

"The others are slowly making their way to the kitchen, but I was too impatient to wait for Jin hyung," he chuckles as he takes a sip from his drink, "I hope I didn't interrupt you."

He gestured his chin in the direction of my phone that I nonchalantly placed down and raised his eyebrow in question. I shook my head in denial.

"It wasn't anything important," I brushed it off, not sure if I should tell him. We are friends but I would never want him to feel as if his feelings meant nothing.

"Whatever," he shrugs in acceptance, "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I did. How about you? Did you have to bunk with anyone?"

"Jimin claimed the elder role and booted me to sleep with Jungkook," he laughed.

"Wow, he played the hyung card?" I couldn't contain my laughter at Jimin's ploy.

"He always treats us as equals until it benefits him," he chuckled. There was no malice in the comment and I could see the love for Jimin in his eyes. A true friend and brother.

"Was it too uncomfortable?" I giggled.

"Tae slept like a baby! I was the one uncomfortable," Jungkook accused, startling both of us. He must have closed the door gently, going undetected.

"What did I do to you?" Tae sniffed in denial of the claim. I grinned at the exchange.

"What did you do? Well for one, you clung onto me like a koala and would not let go. Second, you snored in my ear until I had to pry you off me. Not to mention-"

"Yah!" Taehyung shouted in a between both our laughter, "Nari doesn't need to know all that."

"I feel bad for your future wife, hyung. She'll be in for a lifetime of suffering," Jungkook tsked.

I unconsciously glanced at Taehyung to find that the comment had brought his eyes towards my own. I was the first to break the stare and silently prayed my face wasn't as red as I thought it was.

"Is everyone up yet?" Tae asked Jungkook.

"Yeah, they wanted to spend the morning on the beach until lunch and then maybe venture off to do our own stuff in the afternoon."

"Oh? That sounds like fun," I agreed.

"We'll go over the details during breakfast, so let's see if Jin and Yoongi need help,"

*****Beach: About 9 AM*****

Breakfast was as lively as dinner had been. Jin, Yoongi, Tae and I made break fast...well, they put us on making fresh orange juice and coffee. The task was simple enough and I had fun making the juice with Tae since the juicer was broken and we did it old school and used device used to squeezed oranges and lemons manually. We demanded appreciation for our efforts and would jokingly glare at anyone that commented on seeds.

Hobi and Namjoon were stuck cleaning the mess this time around while the rest of us ran upstairs to dress for the beach.

The guys were the first to head out with plans to set up a net for beach volleyball and set up chairs for those that wished to rest under the large umbrella propped in the sand.

Soo Min sported a bikini that covered her body but was still more revealing than I'd have the confidence to ever wear. Mi Cha wore a one piece fitted with a cute skirt. I wore swim shorts that were short but not revealing in any way and paired with a bikini top that I covered with a pink, sleeveless top.

"Wow, Soo Min," Jungkook blushed as she plopped herself on the towel that was covering when we left the beach house but was now under the umbrella.

"Thank you, Kookie," she sweetly smiled at him while watching Jimin who pretended she wasn't there. He'd never admit to sneaking a peek, but I caught his reaction when she took the towel off. Fortunate for him, she didn't notice.

"Ri, that top better stay on," Hobi ordered as he checked that the volleyball was ready.

"What if she gets hot, oppa?" Soo Min argued.

"That's what the umbrella's for," he pointed for emphasis.

"Hobi, I'm not a baby," I rolled my eyes, "IF I wanted to take it off, it's my choice. Lucky for you, I'M choosing to keep it on."

"Don't be like that, hyung," Jimin said in my defense, "Nari is safe as long as we're here."

"Yeah," Yoongi agreed, "She's our little sister too, so she's in great hands."

Jimin, Jin and Namjoon nodded in agreement with Yoongi's statement. Hobi put his hands on his hips and pointed at the two boys that were working on inflating a few floaties.

"They're neither related or old enough to see her as a baby sister," he huffed.

Jungkook and Taehyung glanced in my direction then back at Hobi in confusion.

"Hyung, I would never do anything to disrespect, noona," Jungkook placed his hand over heart to pledge his loyalty.

Taehyung glanced at me and smiled. I gulped, suddenly becoming nervous that he'd say something that would lead to a lecture. I wasn't ready to tell anyone about what we discussed. I hoped to not discuss it until there was something worth sharing. Right now, I simply want to explore our friendship. No need to worry Hobi if there's a chance we might not even date.

"Hobi hyung, I value Nari's friendship and wouldn't do something so careless to ruin that. I also don't want all of her new big brothers to kill me," he bowed in respect.

Hobi grinned and sighed in relief. He approached both of them and patted their shoulders.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you two," he chuckled, "I'm being way to protective when she's old enough to date as it is."

"It's understandable," Tae smiled, "None of us would want her to be taken advantaged of."

Everyone in the group nodded in agreement. Soo Min nudged me and smiled cheekily. Leaning into me, she whispered, "I sense a deeper meaning to Tae Tae's words."

I felt my ears begin to burn, and she giggled. She stood up to join the group that was in the middle of making teams. I found myself seeking Taehyung. He was with Jimin and in the middle of laughing at something he must have said. As if feeling my eyes on him, he glanced my way. His smile widened into his boxy grin causing my heart to thump in awe and the butterflies in my stomach swarm in excitement.