I stepped out of the house, the cool night air washing over me. Lying isn't easy, I thought, my hand instinctively going to my chest, feeling the rapid beat of my heart. A mix of thrill and guilt twisted in my stomach. I pulled out my phone and called Lisa.
"Hey, Lisa! Yoongi finally let me out. I'm heading towards the pub. Have all the girls arrived?" My voice wavered slightly.
Lisa's voice burst through the phone, bright and eager. "Oh my god, finally! We've been waiting for you. We're all here at the pub already, just waiting! Get over here soon!"
With a mix of relief and excitement, I drove the short five minutes to the pub, my palms clammy against the steering wheel. I pulled into a parking spot and quickly typed out a message to Yoongi: "Arrived safely." I added a smiley face emoji, my thumb hovering over the send button. Just a quick text, I thought. I'll explain later, a small, nervous voice whispered in the back of my mind. Even as I hit send, the weight of my deception lingered.
I stepped inside the pub, the vibrant atmosphere enveloping me. "Hey, gags!! Wassup!!" I called out.
The other girls turned to greet me, their faces lighting up. They cheered as I entered, a wave of colourful makeup and flashy outfits dazzling under the dim lights. Lisa waved me over, her enthusiasm infectious.
"Hey!! Our gorgeous girl has finally arrived! About time! We were starting to worry Yoongi wouldn't let you out," she teased, her smile wide.
I scanned the room, a flicker of worry crossing my mind. "There aren't any boys here, right?" I asked.
The girls surrounding me shook their heads, some rolling their eyes dramatically. Lisa giggled, nudging me playfully. "No, no boys! It's a girls' night. You know none of us would dare bring a guy to a girls' night. That's basically a crime!"
Relief washed over me, but beneath it, the guilt lingered. I pushed those thoughts aside, determined to immerse myself in the fun, even if it meant dancing on the tightrope of my own choices.
As we hit the dance floor, the pulsating music reverberated through my body. The lights flashed in vibrant colours as we moved to the music, and I twirled around, trying to forget the nagging worries that followed me from home. But every giggle and shout from my friends reminded me of the distance growing between Yoongi and me.
"Look at you!" Chaeyoung shouted over the music, pulling me into the dance circle. "You're glowing! This is your night!"
"Yeah!" Lisa cheered, throwing her arms around me. "Let's forget everything and just enjoy ourselves!"
I forced a smile, but the knot in my stomach tightened. "Right! Just a night of fun!"
Later, as we sipped our drinks, their playful teasing about Yoongi resurfaced. I tried to laugh it off, but each comment felt like a dagger.
Jennie leaned in, her voice softer. "You know, we're just looking out for you, right? We love you, and we don't want you to lose yourself in this relationship."
I swallowed hard. "I know you do. It's just… he cares for me. I don't want to lose that."
"Caring is one thing," Jisoo interjected, her tone serious. "But when does it cross the line into control? You deserve to be happy and free, not trapped."
The room around me began to blur. What if they're right? What if this love I cherish is becoming a chain? I felt a mix of fear and anger.
"Yoongi loves me, okay?" I said, my voice rising. "He just wants what's best for me!"
The girls exchanged glances. Lisa reached for my hand, her grip firm yet comforting. "We're not saying he doesn't love you, but it shouldn't feel like a burden. Love should lift you, not weigh you down."
I pulled away, overwhelmed. "You don't understand! You don't see how much he cares for me!"
"Then show us," Chaeyoung said gently. "Let us see the side of him that you see. But right now, we need you to be here with us, not caught up in his world."
Their concern felt suffocating. "Let's just dance!" I shouted, desperation in my voice. "Let's forget about him for tonight!"
I led the way back to the dance floor, trying to drown out the rising doubts. But as the music blared, I felt a tear slip down my cheek. I missed the carefree girl I used to be.
As I danced, the laughter and music blurred into a cacophony of emotions, and for a moment, I lost myself in the rhythm. But in the back of my mind, Yoongi's worried eyes lingered.
We hit the dance floor, the pulsating music enveloping us. Laughter filled the air as we danced, our bodies moving freely, intoxicated by the music and the alcohol. As the night progressed, the atmosphere turned electric, and the world outside faded away.
A little later, I caught Lisa's eye. "Hey, what's the time?" I shouted over the music.
Lisa checked her watch, her expression slightly hazy. "Umm... It's around 10:30. Why? Don't tell me you have to go home early!"
A chuckle bubbled up from the other girls. I tried to laugh it off, but anxiety twisted in my stomach. "I need to leave by 12:30… or else Yoongi will whack me!"
The girls burst into laughter. They exchanged knowing glances, amusement in their eyes.
"Wow, such a strict boyfriend," Lisa teased, raising her drink. "It's 12:30 then! Come on, let's have a few more shots before you turn into a pumpkin!"
With apprehension and excitement, I joined them for a few more shots. Each drink burned, lighting a fire in my veins, and soon the room was filled with laughter and exuberant dancing. But I wasn't a heavy drinker, and as the night spiralled into a haze of fun, I lost track of time.
Suddenly, I glanced at my watch, and my heart plummeted. It was 1 am. Panic surged through me. "Fvck!! It's already 1. Yoongi will whack the shit outta me! I'm in trouble!"
Lisa's laughter cut through my panic. She doubled over, clutching her stomach as the other girls joined in. "Whoa, chill! It's just half an hour past the deadline! Yoongi will probably be pissed, but I'm sure he won't beat you up or anything. Just go home and… deal with the wrath of Yoongi," she said, still giggling.
I felt a mix of frustration and amusement. "Easy for you to say! You're not the one who has to face his wrath!" I retorted.
"C'mon, it's just a little rebellion!" Jisoo chimed in, waving her drink. "What's life without a little excitement? You're young, wild, and free… at least for tonight!"
"Yeah, you've got to live a little!" Chaeyoung added, her eyes sparkling. "Just tell him you lost track of time! It'll be fine!"
As they cheered me on, excitement bubbled in my chest, mingling with the alcohol. Maybe I could pull this off. Maybe I could just walk in with a smile and charm my way out of trouble.
"Okay, okay!" I relented, a smile creeping onto my face. "Let's make this night unforgettable!"
The girls cheered, raising their glasses. "To freedom! And to our girl who's living on the edge!"
We clinked our glasses, the sound ringing with laughter and camaraderie. The tension began to dissolve, replaced by the thrill of the moment. For a fleeting instant, the worries faded away, and I embraced the night, letting the music guide me into a wild dance.
But as I spun around, the weight of my deception loomed. I was breaking the trust we had built, and each twirl felt like a step further away from the love I had sworn to cherish. Still, the thrill of the night kept me going, and as the music pulsed, I let go, at least for now, drowning in the moment.