✔The Nerd and The Popular One [Taennie Adaption]

17

17: Treasure Hunt

The first thing I notice when I wake up is the smell of bacon, sight of the meal sitting on my desk following soon after. Running a hand through my tangled hair, I grab the note sitting next to the plate and read it.

Happy birthday! Hope your day goes as well as planned!

Planned? I haven't planned anything. As I finish eating, I start going through my closet. If I supposedly have plans, I might as well look nice. I have no idea what to wear. I don't have a clue what I'll end up doing. How are you supposed to pick an outfit for something you aren't prepared for?

I finally decide to just pick out something after, then head to the bathroom to get ready for the day. To my surprise, I find a box with a large bow on top sitting on the counter. I move the ribbon out of the way and remove the lid. Inside, I find an outfit. How convenient. I pull out the shirt first and admire the white, long sleeved, lace crop top with an attached tank top underneath. Next, I find a simple, black high-waisted skirt. It was a cute outfit. At the bottom of the box was another note.

Wear this. You'll find your next clue soon.A clue. I start to put the pieces together. Someone planned a scavenger hunt for my birthday. The last time I was involved in a scavenger hunt was for my seventh birthday. After a quick shower, I put on the outfit and brush my hair. Thankfully, I don't have to curl it. Benefits to having naturally wavy hair. When I open the bathroom door, I find another box with a bow. It's a bigger box, but isn't heavy when I pick it up. Inside is a pair of black heels with a bow and another note.

You'll find the next note before you even leave your room.

I slip on the shoes before I start looking around my room. It has to be somewhere close. I look to my desk to see the tray gone. There aren't any new notes, but the first one was sitting next to my laptop. I collect all the notes, which for some reason were left behind. My gaze skims around the room before I notice something on the back of my closed door. I usually leave it opened. I thought of last night. I had closed it because Taehyung was staying. Taehyung. Oh, crap. I walk over to the door and read the note.

Hope breakfast wasn't too filling. The trip there will be long enough if you aren't too hungry. Lunch at Castle Falls. Under the name Thompson.

Lunch at Castle Falls. There aren't many people who know that I love the place. I open the door and head across the hall to guest room Taehyung stayed in. The bed is made and he is no where to be seen. Could he have planned all of this? It was possible. I walk down the stairs as quickly as I can in heels.

"Maria," I call out. Waiting a moment, I hear no response. I check the kitchen to find it empty. I call her name again to get no answer. I scribble a quick note to Maria before grabbing my keys and heading out the front door.There are very few cars as I pull up. I park and head inside. The restaurant is as dead as the parking lot. The hostess smiles politely as I walk up and asks if I have a reservation. I tell her the name and she leads me back to a table. There are two seats, both empty. I sit down on one side of the table. I feel awkward sitting alone. A waiter comes by and asks me what I would like. I order my usual.

I don't expect anyone to show up by this point, but I hear a familiar voice ask, "Do you mind if I join?"

I look up at Taehyung and smile. "Not at all." As he sits down, I ask, "What's going on? Did you plan this?"

He smiles. "I can't tell." Before I could ask anything else, he asks, "Did you already order?"

When we finish our food, Taehyung pays and hands me a note that looks like the others I've gotten.

Enjoy lunch? Next is a movie. Theater by your house.

The message was vague. Would someone be there or was there a certain time or movie? I look up to see Taehyung is gone. So much for asking him. The car ride to the theater, even with the radio on, feels too quiet. The theater is busy and the line for tickets is long. As I look at what's playing, I hear my name called out. I turn to see Mark walking toward me.