6:50 AM
I wake, stretching stiffly. My gaze flicks down to the crumpled note, then snaps away just as quickly. I head to the kitchen, remembering where I thought I’d ditched my phone. It’s there, lying on the counter. No notifications. I unlock it and navigate to Instagram. If Jimin was out last night, he’ll have posted pictures. I yawn, clicking the app icon… and freeze. It’s the old cover photo. The one from four years ago… what the hell?
I rub my eyes, but the image remains. I open my calendar.
My hand trembles as I drop the phone, stepping back.
“This is crazy…” I whisper, “There’s no way I’ve gone back four years. 2015! If I had, there’d have been a traffic report about a jam forcing me to walk instead of drive—”
My phone buzzes.
A traffic alert. The exact one that caused me to walk that day. The reason.
“YOONGI!” I yell, already dressed. I grab my bag – still packed from that dance class – and rush out of my apartment. If this isn’t some elaborate prank, he’s alive, and I can finally tell him.
I consciously slow down, realizing I hadn’t rushed then, not like this. I retrace my steps, hazy memories surfacing. I remember this walk, how it led me to him. I plug in my music, clicking on “Just Right.” Just like I did then. I start to dance as I walk, losing myself in the rhythm.
“Hey! Watch it!” A voice snaps me back to attention. I pull out an earbud.
“I am so, so sorry! I was looking for someone, then got caught up in the song. I’m so sorry!” I apologize automatically, not even looking at the person I’d bumped into. This wasn't the spot I spun into Yoongi.
“Then look where you’re fucking going! You spilled my coffee,” the guy grumbles.
Wait. That’s… Yoongi.
“Oh my god! I’ll buy you a new one!” I blurt out. “There’s a great cafe around the corner!”
“Hurry up, I’ve got somewhere to be.”
I nod, smiling, and lead him toward the cafe that started our friendship. We walk in, and it’s exactly as I remember: the aroma of coffee, minimal crowd, just the way Yoongi likes it.
“What do you want… um?” I play dumb.
“Yoongi. And a black coffee,” he rolls his eyes.
“Nice to meet you, Yoongi. I’m Hoseok!” I smile brightly.
His stoic facade flickers. Emotions I hadn’t noticed before swim across his face. He quickly composes himself. I order a caramel macchiato for myself and a black coffee for him, just as we always did. I bring him his coffee and smile.
“Sorry again for earlier, Yoongi!” I apologize.
“It’s fine, I guess. What’s with the bag and casual clothes?” He asks.
“Oh! I’m a dancer. I was walking to my studio to practice,” I explain.
“Huh. Cool, I guess,” he shrugs, looking out the window.
“If you need to go, I don’t want to keep you busy,” I bounce on my feet nervously.
“Oh, um. I do, but… shit, give me your hand.” He pulls out a pen and scribbles a number on my palm. He leaves.
I look down at it. It’s the exact number. I really have gone back in time. I’m in 2015, three years before he dies. I can tell him. I smile and head to the studio, entering the practice room. I plug in my music and start dancing a choreo I already know by heart, moving with the rhythm.
“Whoa, looking good, Hoseok!” Jimin smiles as I finish.
“Oh… thanks!” I pant.
“No problem!” He giggles, setting his bag down beside me in front of the mirror.
I check my phone and realize I hadn’t saved the number yet. I quickly add it to my contacts.
“Hey, what are you doing?” Jimin asks, glancing at my screen. “You got somebody’s number!”
He starts shaking me as I finish typing. I almost forgot how he reacted. I laugh as he stops.
“Who is this person!”
“All I got was Yoongi. He’s about your height, pale, brown hair and eyes… he’s really good looking!” I list off.
“So totally my type!” He jokes.
“Nah, he’s kinda rude, but also super cute when he gets flustered!”
“Shit. So your type!” Jimin smiles, catching on.
“I don’t know about that…”
“Hobi, I’ve known you for a while, so no use in lying!” He teases.
“Damn, okay! Yes, but I only ran into him!” We start bantering and laughing.
We start dancing again, and I feel alive, no longer spiraling in circles. Technically, I am, but this time it’s not a bad spiral, but a good one. We finish, and I head home. I text Yoongi.
Me: Hey, it’s the guy who spilled your coffee! Hoseok
Yoongs: Oh hi
Me: Such a great greeting ????
Yoongs: Oh, hello, mysterious boy who is my soulmate in all the dramas.
Me: XD Better.
Me: So…
Yoongs: So?
Me: Why’d ya give me your #
Yoongs: I don’t know.
Yoongs: I felt like it.
Me: Hmmmmn
Yoongs: Bitch, stfu.
Me: Ouch.
Me: My sweet heart
Yoongs: Suck it up.
Me: Shit ok.
Me: Anyway, wanna meet up again?
Yoongs:….
Yoongs: Sure?
Me: Really! Wanna get lunch on Friday?!
Yoongs: Sure, I guess.
Yoongs: Just text me when your break is.
Me: Kk! Gtg
Yoongs: Bye?
I end the conversation and lock my phone. I process what’s happening. I’m four years in the past, reliving the time I spent with Yoongi. I’m getting a second chance to tell him I love him. I just have to wait for the perfect timing. I can’t mess this up now. I can’t bear the thought of finding him dead again.