Do you want water - JM
It was Tuesday morning, the second morning since we'd arrived and my alarm sounded at the same time each day while we toured. It was the only way I could bring some kind of continuity to the crazy that was my life. Just like yesterday I opened up the curtains and watched the world go by for a few minutes. My view was the street, far enough up to not be seen but to people watch as they went about their day, vastly different to mine.
I could see the corner and watched a woman jog up, resting on the traffic light while she waited to be able to cross. She wiped her mouth and in passing I thought how she probably needed a drink of water. I also couldn't help notice the fitness clothes she was wearing, tight leggings and a cropped sports top. Truly, when we travelled overseas, the clothing people wore out in public was some of the best things about my job and I couldn't help but admire her.
The lights went red and the pedestrian walkway green. She took off jogging across the road, a beautiful sight of flesh hitting pavement and she was gone. I turned away from the window, already thinking about breakfast and my day.
The next day felt like I was on repeat as I climbed out of bed and opened the curtain. We had a concert tonight, practices yesterday with more today and I groaned as I stretched my muscles out, watching the world again. It was a little misty, light drizzle creating a much softer and quieter day outside, less people on the street to watch.
I was about to turn away to order breakfast when I saw her again, jogging up to the lights. Different running gear but definitely the same person. Her hair was pulled back in a baseball cap this time, possibly to prevent her head getting too wet. I watched as she leaned over slightly to catch her breath, hands on knees, and I wondered how far she ran to get to this point.
Then she tilted her neck back, head towards the sky, drinking in the rain and I watched as she swallowed it down, swallowing myself along with her at the sight. And somehow I wanted to meet her, even if just for a moment. As she ran off, in the same direction as yesterday, I was formulating a plan and crossing fingers that it was the way she ran every morning.
I'd set my alarm 20 minutes earlier so I could have plenty of time. It was fairly simple and if it didn't work, we'd be leaving the city in a few days anyway and I'd just hide out in my room and watch from a distance when she ran past like some weird stalker. Security was coming downstairs with me, a necessary thing but I'd asked the staff who I knew could keep things to themselves and I'd jut given a vague outline of what I was doing, rolling my eyes at his amused expression. But he'd agreed and was waiting outside my door when I opened it.
"Morning Jimin," he greeted me.
"Morning hyung," I answered, voice a little scratchy, still waking up. In my hand was a bottle of water and I wore a mask. My plan was simple, wait until she approached and offer her the bottle of water since she had seemed thirsty the last two mornings.
I felt a little nervous, my English wasn't great and I'd been going over a few phrases hoping they were correct. Without Namjoon right next to me, I was on my own with getting the language right but I didn't want to draw attention to what I was doing by asking for his help. We exited the hotel and walked towards the pedestrian crossing where she usually rested. There was an awning that overhung the shop at that corner and we stopped, tucking ourselves under. Hyung had promised to stay out of the way unless absolutely necessary.
My nerves kicked up a gear as I looked at the time on my phone. Everything hinged on her keeping the same schedule every morning and I was counting on it. Then I saw her approaching, a few blocks back, jogging easily towards us. I tapped hyung and gestured in her direction and he nodded with a smile as I licked my lips a few times to moisten them when they suddenly felt dry. And as she approached I suddenly panicked. Was I meant to just appear out of nowhere? Wouldn't it freak her out for a random man to talk to her? This was a terrible idea after all and with just a few steps until she would be there, I was preparing to back out on my plan. But then I saw her eyes and I didn't think as she came to a stop, leaning a little breathlessly on her legs as I stepped forward and spoke.
"Excuse me. Do you want water?"
She looked up and met my eyes with a start, looking to the bottle in my hand and back to my face with a confused look.
"It is a new bottle," I said carefully, indicating where the top was locked in place. I'd already considered that no-one who was sane would take an opened water bottle from a stranger.
"Thank you," she said, reaching for it, still confused but her thirst obviously winning out.
"You're welcome," I replied as she popped the cap and took a long drink of the cool liquid. I watched carefully, thinking I shouldn't be staring at her so intently while standing so close but her eyes were a shade of green I'd never seen before, something unexpected that I couldn't have seen from my window. And, to my relief, she didn't seem to know who I was.
"Thank you for that," she said, handing the bottle back and her light went green to cross. "Ah, well, I'd better go, thanks again," and she made a heart against her chest with her hands as she took a few steps backwards while I took a big breath in. So she did know who I was. As she turned to jog off, she smiled and her eyes darkened a little, the green changing from a bright green towards a brown. It must've been a trick of the light but it caused my chest to constrict for a moment and then she turned fully and jogged off, the view very enjoyable as she moved away.
I rubbed the back of my neck, stepping back under the awning as I watched her leave.
"All OK?" hyung asked and I nodded, chewing on my lip while he laughed quietly to himself. "Shall we go back to the hotel then?" he asked as she disappeared out of sight and I nodded again. I didn't say anything in the lift on the way up or the walk back to my room but when we got there I turned.
"Same time again tomorrow?" and he grinned with a nod.
I was up early again, bottle in hand as I greeted hyung at the door, feeling chirpier than yesterday. I'd thought a lot yesterday and realised it hadn't been as scary as I thought it would be. It was Friday and we flew out tomorrow so it was my last chance to have even a small moment with her. Our last concert was tonight and the whole day was packed with practices and interviews. This small moment felt a little like a lifeline at the start of the day.
The plan was much the same as yesterday with a small addition and that was the only thing making me nervous. Still, I was willing to try. So, we headed down to the same place, the day slightly overcast but the perfect kind of day for a run. I hoped.
As she approached, my heart beat a little faster and I took a big breath.
"Do you want water?" I asked, just like yesterday.
She smiled, reaching for it and I held it a little longer than necessary, our fingers brushing. "Thanks again. I would've known you by your voice yesterday but then I saw your eyes above your mask. You have very beautiful eyes."
I blushed a little. "When I saw yours yesterday I thought the same thing. But I mean it, they are very pretty. I have not seen that green before."
"Why are you giving me water Jimin," she asked, confirming she did know who I was.
"You looked thirsty, how far do you run each morning?"
"10km," she replied, watching as her light moved to green but she stayed in place. I flicked my eyes to watch as her light went red again and she was still there, giving us a little more time.
"I have a question," I said as she handed me back the water and I reached into my pocket, pulling out the paper. "I have tickets to our concert tonight if you can come?" My heart beating a little quickly as I waited for her answer.
She paused and I could see her brain ticking over in her facial expressions. "I ummmm, I have plans," she replied. "But, thank you, that is very kind of you."
I was disappointed, definitely disappointed but smiled. "No problem, it was a small chance. I don't think you run on Saturdays?"
"I don't, only on the days I go to work. But, maybe I could tomorrow, just because exercise is always good."
"I'll be here, waiting with water," I said, still disappointed she couldn't come see us perform but happy to have one small moment tomorrow. Her light had turned green again and she was standing with her hands on her hips, ready to go again.
"You are very sweet Jimin, good luck at the concert tonight."
"Goodbye, oh, I don't know your name?"
"Ask me tomorrow," she called back as she set off jogging again and I smiled at the cute banter.
"Well, Jimin, I'm guessing we're meeting the same time again tomorrow then," hyung said as we walked away.
"Yes please," I replied with a smile, trying to think what I could do tomorrow to leave a final impression on her.
As I went about my day, the interviews were a blur and we arrived at the concert venue to run through soundcheck.
"You seem distracted," Taehyung said, slapping me on the back.
"Just thinking," I replied, reaching for my drink bottle. That action alone reminded me of the girl on the corner and I sighed. "Do you think we'll ever be able to have a normal relationship?"
"What brought this on hyung or should I say who?" He had his mic resting down by his side, one eyebrow cocked in a wry smile.
"It doesn't matter who, I just know work always comes first and sometimes I wish it didn't."
"One day we'll be able to settle down but you know we'll miss all of this when we do. In the meantime, it's OK to play, without getting caught." He winked as he strolled off to run through his part and I got lost in my thoughts again. It wasn't that I thought she was 'the one', it was that I never had a chance to find out if anyone was 'the one'.
"Your brain will explode," Yoongi commented from where he was watching me and I walked over to sit down, resting my head back against a prop near him.
"What do you mean hyung?"
"I know you Jimin-ssi, you're overthinking something."
"I am. Relationship stuff."
"Ah. Just be like me, love 'em and leave 'em."
"You don't mean that Yoongi hyung," I replied, turning to look at him. He got labelled as lots of things, including cold but he was far from that, his huge heart just hid behind his music most of the time.
"No, I don't but that seems like the easiest way when our life is this crazy."
We gazed out at the thousands of empty seats that would be filled tonight with ARMY and now was a buzz of staff setting up while we practiced.
"You should go for it," Yoongi broke into the silence. "Even if nothing comes of it, worth trying right?"
"I literally have 2 minutes tomorrow morning to make an impression."
"You're Park Jimin, you make an impression just breathing," he said, slapping my back as he stood up. "I'm tired," he stated into thin air as he walked away and I laughed, the feeling making my mood lift.
Hours later the roar of the crowd rang in my ears and I looked out at the swaying sea of purple, undulating in time with the beat. We were nearing the end of the concert and I had the adrenaline buzz that came with my job and the feeling of loss that seemed to engage with my soul when I realised I had to say goodbye to ARMY soon. I wiped at the sweat on my brow, running my hand through my hair as I stepped forward onto the edge of the stage, out of the beams of bright light to where I could see some of the ARMY who had seats nearby. Not that anyone was sitting, all on their feet and cheering as I bounded in their direction. I'd stockpile that sound to playback when I was alone in my room later.
My eyes flowed over the crowd, connecting briefly with some, seeing smiles and tears, mouths moving along with the music, some chanting our names. 'We really have the best fans,' I thought as I went to turn away to move to a different section then I did a double take. Because water girl was in the crowd, looking up at me, huge beautiful eyes stopping me in my tracks. This was her plans, the reason she couldn't take my tickets? And my smile stretched across my face as I momentarily lost sight of her, my eyes squeezing tight into wide crescents. When I opened them again, I could hear the song was changing and knew I had to head to the middle of the stage soon to join the rest of the members but I made eye contact and mimed asking if she needed a drink. She nodded and I beckoned one of the staff over, reaching for a bottle and handing it to him, pointing to where she stood. She bowed her head in thanks, a blush on her cheeks as I jogged away, determined to somehow make it back to this point to see her again before the concert finished.
Water girl
I stretched as the light came through the curtain, reaching for my phone to see what the time was, knowing I needed to head out for a run. Then I sat up, clutching the sheets to myself as I realised the phone wasn't plugged in next to the bed as it wasn't my room, my sheets or my bed. Dropping the sheet as both hands came to my cheeks, the flush of colour set in as I remembered, glancing at the rumpled and empty bed next to me, hearing the sound of the shower running and his singing in the ensuite, feeling my limbs achy in a good way.
My mind flicked back to the concert the night before, remembering when he'd seen me in the crowd, when whole his face lit up with a smile that made my heartbeat erratic, the bottle of water delivered by staff to remind me it was our thing. I'd been hoping he would come back my way again but he hadn't although I thought he had looked in my direction a number of times. I'd convinced myself it was just wishful thinking but when staff came over at the end they handing me another bottle of water, this time with a note attached. I want to know your name – Jimin followed by a phone number. I'd looked around at all the bodies leaving, eyes huge. I'd come alone, none of my friends were ARMY and didn't understand the way they'd changed me so I'd opted to just celebrate the concert with a sea of real ARMY surrounding me instead. No-one to notice my intake of breath or see me sink slowly back down into my seat.
Taking out my phone, I carefully put in the number, triple checking the digits were right. Isn't water girl enough? I didn't know if he would be able to text back straight away or what was actually happening but I needed to contact him. The feeling that had come over me when he'd first handed me the bottle a few mornings ago had been overwhelming. It wasn't even my normal running route. I had decided to add an extra few blocks to my run that week and when I'd reached that particular corner, I was definitely thirsty but I didn't like to carry things when I ran so the relief at the liquid had been immense. And his face, so close to mine, expression so sweet had left a mark. Especially as I knew exactly who he was.
Definitely not enough. Would you rather tell me in person?
A strangled noise left my throat, only audible to my ears with the sounds of the stadium all around me. In person? Was he serious? I mean, we'd seen each other in person already in those quiet moments of water bottles and running sweat, not exactly ideal. And we had pretty much agreed I'd run past again tomorrow. But this was better, so much better. Name a time and place, unless you're thinking tomorrow morning at our corner?
I don't want to wait that long. Can you come to this address at this time tonight?
I looked at the address, a hotel popping up when I Googled it and saw it was right near the corner where I'd been stopping every morning. I swallowed at what this could mean, did he want just my name or did he want more? I can. My hands were shaking as I sent my short reply, all I could manage with my head spinning.
Great! I'm getting ready to head back there now and we have some work things to do quickly but then, I want to know you more watergirl. Room 707
I'd had to put my phone down and clutch my chest, feeling like I couldn't stop the sound of it racing too fast. Breathing in and out I looked around, hoping no-one was looking at me, hoping he couldn't see me through some pulled back curtain or side door. Attempting to gain control of myself, I stood up and smoothed down my clothing, gathering my bag and the few things I had with me, keeping a tight hold on my water bottle. Walking towards an exit door, I felt like I was in a daze as the cool night air hit me, waking me up. I was definitely ARMY, had been for four years since they found me one day while I was scrolling youTube and changed my life. I didn't have a bias, or at least I didn't used to, I adored them all. Jimin could move so fluidly and tonight I'd been watching him more than I would've before we'd met, more than the other six.
Looking at my phone, I saw I had half an hour, enough time to clear my head while I walked. The streets were full of other ARMY chatting excitedly as they leisurely made their way home and I felt like I harboured a secret from them all as my evening wasn't over. The last few days had felt a little unreal and as I walked towards his hotel, I took lots of breaths to savour the night air. As the hotel loomed in front of me, the entrance lush and huge when I stepped inside, each footstep felt measured. The noise the elevator made as it dinged to announce it had arrived, the swish of the doors as they closed behind me, soaring me up into the centre of the hotel. Each sound left an impression on me and I wanted to memorise everything about today.
Walking quietly along the carpeted hallway in the hotel corridor, I paused in front of the room, gold 707 boldly calling to me. Knocking lightly, I heard quick footsteps and the door was thrown open, his whole face was a smile, spreading across his cheeks when he saw me. Standing for a moment, staring at each other, I pursed my lips together and he grazed his teeth across his bottom lip before I broke the silence.
"It's Marley," and his eyes closed briefly from his grin before he reached for my hand, pulling me into the room.