"Is that him?" Hyerin asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Uh...yeah," I said, reading over the text for a second time.

Just like that he had to leave. I shoved the device back into my pocket and carried on with my job.

When all the dye was in, I decided to take a five minute break while it settled.

Seonmi was chatting with her customer, who was also waiting for some hair dye to work, so I decided to just text our groupchat.

Cat Crazy Boo: Yoongi just texted me. He said he's
gonna move into the dorm
for a bit until all the relationship
rumours calm down.

Jinnie 2.0 is typing...

Jinnie 2.0: I was gonna ask you about that bb.
How are you holding up?

Cat Crazy Boo: Idek at this point.
I guess I just feel a bit deflated.

Jinnie 2.0: HOLY FUUUCKKK
I just got the same message from Kook T^T
He's gonna be staying at the dorm, too.

Cat Crazy Boo: Wait, seriously? Why?

Jinnie 2.0 is typing...
LatTae is typing...

LatTae: Sh*t, Tae just messaged me as well.
He said all the members are staying there
until this all eases up.
I really can't with this sh*t ☹️

Jinnie 2.0: Ig it's to protect our
personal lives.
I can't really blame BigHit tbh.

LatTae: Hybe*

Jinnie 2.0: Whatever sEonMeANiE

LatTae: OMG I JUST HAD AN IDEAAAA
DO YOU GUYS WANNA STAY OVER AT
MY HOUSE? SINCE THE BOYS ARE
GONNA BE GONE FOR A WHILE
WE CAN LIVE TOGETHER FOR THE TIME BEING??!!

Cat Crazy Boo: SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN!
WHEN ME AND MI-MI FINISH
OUR DAY, I'LL GO GET MY STUFF
FROM THE HOUSE

Jinnie 2.0: YES BISHES LET GET ITTT!!
OMG IT'S GONNA BE JUST LIKE WHEN
WE WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL
THIS IS GONNA BE SO FUNNN 😜

Cat Crazy Boo: Listen y'all I gotta finish
my customer's hair
so I'll chat later
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
SEE YOU CRACKHEADS SOON!! 😘😘

LatTae: Yeah me too.
Also, YEEE I'M SO EXCITED ILY BABIES ❤️😘😘

Jinnie 2.0: I'm finishing early today idfc
ily2❤️❤️

I beamed at my phone and put it away, before finishing Hyerin's hair.

After a quick brush, I ran the straightener over her new hairdo and with that she paid and was out of the store, leaving me free for my lunch break.
Few customers came in after that - one for a pixi cut and the other for a trim and by then, work was over and I was driving with Seonmi to my house.

I quickly packed everything I would need into a medium-sized suitcase. A toothbrush, hairbrush, skincare items, pyjamas, underwear, hair ties, a few outfits that could be mixed and matched, socks, a pair of sneakers and boots, sanitary supplies, and most importantly snacks.

When I was done, I got back into Seonmi's car and we headed to her house. Yeojin arrived barely a few minutes after and we were all excited as hell.

By evening, the three of us were in the kitchen, radio blasting tunes from our childhood while we cooked dinner together.

We decided to make pasta - simple and easy. That way, we couldn't burn the house down.

Late night came and by 10PM, we were huddled in Seonmi's bedroom on the double bed with our pyjamas on, face masks on and casually talking.

"Do you remember when we were in high school and we had a sleepover at Ji-ah's house and Jin had all the members downstairs and we ran down chasing after each other with facemasks on and then-"

"And then we didn't realise our crushes were all there. Oh my f*cking gosh that was sooo embarrassing."

"Yeahh ohmygoshhh...Hehe, do you remember Kook was in his junior year and there were all these seniors and we were like yIkeS."

"Yeah because Yoongi, Hobi and Joon were the only ones in Jin's year. So I don't think any of us really minded. We were more awkward because Jimin and Tae were in our year group," Seonmi said, giggling.

"UMM excuse me? I had the hugest crush on Yoongi of course I minded!" I exclaimed, hitting her with a cushion.

"Yeah but like it was more embarrassing seeing the kids from our year group outside of school because...it just was," Seonmi emphasised.

"Yeah I get that. It's 'cause I had so many classes where I was seatmates with Jimin so it was kinda awkward...but also I get where Yeonie's coming from, too. I was super phased by Jungkook. I knew him from the student council board and I found it weird because he was representative for his year . I was kinda like why is he hanging out with these guys who are older than him? Then oppa told me that it was fine because they were just his bandmates and I was just like 'ohhh okay' and then I ran at the speed of light back up the stairs."

We laughed at the memory.

That was a truly chaotic day.

"Not gonna lie, I miss the old days," I said, chewing on a dorito and opening a cola can.

"Honestly, same," Yeojin said, sipping from my can.

"We had so much fun together," Seonmi said, a genuine smile painted across her face.

"I know. But I'm glad our friendship didn't end there. Look at us. Twenty freakin six and still chilling together like kids."

"I'm glad though...I love y'all," Seonmi mumbled, in the hope we wouldn't hear, but also probably wanting us to hear a little bit.

"YIKE MI-MI, DON'T GET ALL CHEESY ON ME," Yeojin said, slapping a pillow in her face.

I hugged Seonmi's side, and rested my chin on her shoulder.

"I love you, too, idiot," I said, ruffling her hair.

"Omg wifey vibes," Yeojin mused. Both Seonmi and I chucked our pillows at her head, leading to an out-of-hand pillow-fight and various curses becoming lost in hysteric laughter.

-----

At 1AM, I lay awake, Seonmi asleep on my side, her lips parted slightly as she cuddled my form. Yeojin was peacefully sleeping, wrapped in the duvet and holding onto my shoulder. I took out my phone and remembered I left Yoongi on read.

I texted him back a reply.

'Hey bub. It's okay don't worry about it. I'mjust going to be staying over at Seonmi's place until you can move back in. Yeojin's here, too.

And I'll stay strong, bub. Try not to miss me too much!
;) xoxo'

| Yoongi |

My phone buzzed and I quickly checked it.

It was a message from Yeona.

I read over it and smirked.

'What an idiot', I thought, chuckling at the little winking emoticon.

"OooOh look! Yoongi hyung's smiling at his phone!" Taehyung teased.

I slipped him a scowl, to which he only giggled at.

"Is it a message from your dear 'Wifey'?"

"You idiot, were you going through my phone?"

"Maybe," he said, raising his eyebrow.

"She's staying at your place. Yeojin's there, too."

"How's my babygirl?" Jungkook asked, munching on a sesame snap.

"Please don't call my sister that. At least not in front of me," Jin piped up, looking up from his phone and shooting him a glare.

Jungkook blushed in embarrassment, chewing faster.

"Sorry, hyung."

I laughed, the thought of Yeona's smile being the last thing on my mind before I fell asleep.