18.

Namjoon P.O.V

I walked past the sweaty crowd, towards the other end of the hall, where I had left Jin hyung with Jungkook.

Sooya wanted our 'gang', as she called our friends' circle, to formally meet Jungkook, who was unofficially a part of us now.

Everyone here seemed to be having a good time. I felt proud.

Organizing this party was one of the best things I had done, as well as the worst; it was obviously fun planning it out, but it was super exhausting and tiring, especially because my sister had a hand in planning too.

She was super fussy about the theme, and the food, as well as the choice of music.

But now, I see that it has paid off. The entire place was eerily lit with light pink lights, but at the same time, the baby pink paired with the black decorations and the general darkness of the place, succeeded in making the surroundings seem comfortable.

The food stalls were almost out of food by now, and it's only been about three hours into the party. We had ordered plenty of food, since college kids eat like pigs, especially when the food is free.

'Turns out that it was so delicious, that people just had to take more than three servings,' I thought sarcastically.

As for the music, well, everyone seemed to have a smile on their faces, and were moving along with the catchy beat of the music blasting from the speakers.

As always, Jisoo's choices turned out to be the best ones.

I would never admit that to her, though. Oh, no. Her ego is already painfully large, and doesn't need more fuel.

But, I assumed that she already knew that the party was a success. Everything she puts her mind into, turns out perfect. Well, with my help, of course.

I'm there to make sure that she doesn't blow all the budget amount on minuscule and unimportant things. Being a business student, I'm aware of all business tactics and strategies.

I would consider myself as a perfectionist, although I don't really mind if things aren't exactly perfect. Does that make sense?

I do everything in my power to get it perfect, but if it doesn't, I don't really mind because I can't do anything more about it.

The beat of the music is actually amazing. I distracted myself from my never ending thoughts.

I appreciated the song being played right now. It didn't have any lyrics, yet, but still gave off a message. This song gives a healing vibe, with a twist of EDM.

I hummed along with the song, because, although I had never heard of this song before, I understood how the pace is, and how it'll sound.

Yes, I had knowledge about music too. I made music in my free time, but mostly, I would write lyrics.

Lyrics, poems, little words which, when framed together, give out a very deep message. I took inspiration from all around me.

Nature, especially. I always got brilliant ideas when I'm one with nature.

I decided to ask Sooya later where she got the music from. Many were famous songs, which everyone knew. Some, however, like the one playing right now, were unknown to me, and had no lyrics as well.

I craned my neck trying to spot my sister, and smiled softly when I saw her.

However, that smile was slapped off my face when I saw her next to a guy whose build seemed familiar. . . who was way too close to her for my liking.

'Oh no, protective brother mode has been activated,' I thought to myself, shaking my head.

I didn't want to ruin anything like last time, so I just turned away from them, and walked in the opposite way.

I finally reached the other end of the hall, where I recalled leaving Jin hyung and Jungkook together.

Jin hyung's words replayed in my mind. 'I don't like it when people call me hyung. It makes me feel old.'

Pfft. But he is old. Although he doesn't really look old.

He literally looks younger than me.

He's handsome. No one in their right mind would deny that. Unless they had a death wish.

I snorted internally, recalling the time when some foolishly brave freshman told Jin hyung that he wasn't that handsome.

Oh, boy. Jin hyung was so angry that he was literally rapping angrily at the kid about being an insolent brat who can't respect his elders, and can't respect other's opinions, and that he was nothing but an ugly, jealous pig.

The poor kid, now a Junior like me, was traumatised, and ran away every time he made eye contact with Jin hyung.

But, in all fairness, he brought it upon himself. Why would he even say something so foolish like that?

I may or may not have the tiniest little crush on Jin hyung. Mind you, very tiny.

He's such a goofball and spreads so much positivity just with his smile. His laugh. That's the thing I like most about him, after his face.

If I closed my eyes and heard Jin hyung laugh, I would assume that someone was wiping the windows. That was how it sounded.

Like a windshield wiper.

He's a carefree dude who doesn't give a shit about what others think of him, which makes him all the more alluring.

And then there's me, a person who overthinks about literally everything.

I sighed, and looked ahead to see a mop of greyish coloured hair alongside Jungkook's black one. Ah, Jimin.

I went closer and saw Jungkook talking, his eyes wide with excitement, his stance slightly bopping like a rabbit. Jimin was just staring at him, an amused smile on his face.

"I hope I'm not disturbing anything," I said, as I made my way in between them.

"Oh, hi hyung! No, you're not disturbing anything," Jungkook said, smiling in such a way, that his adorable front teeth peeked out of his lips.

I automatically smiled, my famous dimples making an appearance.

"Were you looking for us, hyung?" Jimin asked.

"Yes, I was. Sooya wants everyone to formally meet Jungkook."

"Everyone?!" Jungkook exclaimed.

"No, not literally everyone. We have this friend group, and she wants them all to meet you. Although, I'm sure most have already met and introduced themselves to you," I said, amused at the dissolving look of panic on Jungkook's face.

Doesn't seem like a person who loves to meet new people.

"Oh. That's good, then," he said, a look of relief on his face.

"Where's Jin hyung? Wasn't he here with you a while ago?" I asked Jungkook, looking around for the missing handsome man.

"He went with Tae, that way," Jimin said, pointing towards where the washrooms were.

"Okay, thanks. I'll bring them and come, you both can head towards the centre of the hall, Sooya will be waiting there," I said, before heading towards the restrooms.

I was about to push the door open, when the sound of sniffling halted my movements. They're crying?

I cautiously opened the door and stopped when I saw that Taehyung and Jin hyung were indeed crying. Not to mention that they were hugging each other.

I felt a pang of jealousy.

They're siblings Namjoon, stop being an idiot. Something very serious must have happened, now is not the time to be a hoe.

"Before you ask if everything is okay, no, everything is not okay," Taehyung said, rubbing Jin hyung's back.

I ignored the twist of my gut, and instead asked, "Can I do anything to help?"

"Just. . . pretend as if you never saw any of this," Jin hyung said, scrunching his red nose.

I was feeling a hurricane of emotions; jealousy at their close proximity, sadness and a feeling of being broken, seeing Jin hyung in this state, confusion as to what I can do to help them.

"Wait outside hyung, we'll wash our faces and come out," Taehyung said, to which I gladly obliged.

I went outside and waited, fully absorbing what happened inside.

Jin hyung was crying. And so was Taehyung.

They were two of the strongest people I knew, who would never cry. They would just brush away all the pain, and never break down. It would take a lot to break them, to this extent especially.

Their eyes were really puffy and their noses were very red, which indicated that they had been crying for a while before I had come.

I decided not to pester them about what happened, they would tell me themselves if they wanted me to know.

The door opened, and the brothers walked out, hand-in-hand.

I decided to not react to it, although I wanted to. So badly.

They need time to themselves, stop being selfish.

I cleared my throat. "Let's go, Sooya is waiting."

We walked through the crowd, and almost none of them seemed to be sober anymore.

They were either drunkenly dancing, or flopped on the ground and counters, or just talking, gripping onto anything and everything they found to maintain their balance.

None of us spoke during our walk, though I did notice a silent interaction between Taehyung and Jin hyung once.

We reached the centre of the hall, where almost everyone was present. Jungkook was sitting stiffly beside Sooya, who had an arm around his neck.

"Everyone's here?" I asked, making myself comfortable on a spare chair.

I did a mental head count and found only ten people, including Taehyung, Jin hyung and myself.

Wait. Ten?

I counted once again and realised that Yoongi hyung was missing.

Jin hyung must have realised the same thing, because he said, "Aish, Yoongi is again missing. Y'all wait here, I'll go, and get him."

Once he was out of our sight, Taehyung went to sit next to his best friend, Jimin.

He looked at Taehyung worriedly, asking him if he was okay. Taehyung responded with a curt nod of his head.

Jimin, however, didn't look satisfied with the response, and put his arm around his shoulder, side-hugging him comfortingly.

A small smile made its way on Taehyung's face.

Being honest, their relationship made me envious. I was jealous of the bond they have, how they can just communicate with a few glances, or silently agree with anything and everything.

They were the example of true friends. Soulmates, even.

I had friends too. All through school, I did have friends, but none of them were permanent. They were only my friends, because I could easily give them all the notes and help them out with academics.

They were only friends with me for my brain.

Not with me. No one wanted to be friends with Kim Namjoon.

They just wanted Kim Namjoon's brain.

I played along with them all. At least, because of that, I didn't have to sit alone during breaks and during lunch.

It hurt, of course, but it's better having fake people than being truly, completely alone.

However, during the beginning of my time here at Golden Valley University, I met Jung Hoseok. Literal sunshine.

Everything he does is captivating and just makes me laugh for no reason, he's my happy pill. I was, am, really glad that he's my roommate.

Jung Hoseok befriended me. Not for my brain, but for me. For my clumsy and disastrous personality.

Though, I cherished our friendship, it was nothing like Jimin and Taehyung's. Their friendship is an example of the perfect friendship.

Friendship goals.

But, being honest, as much as I envied them, I was more than content with my friendship with Hobi.

We weren't perfect; far from it, actually. We had our fair share of arguments and misunderstandings, but we always made up, and that's what counts.

We may fight, but we get even closer after. We understand each other, and love each other for who we are, and not for what we show others.

And what exactly is a friend? Maybe not more than a parent, or more than a sibling, but someone equally as important: a traveling companion, with whom, you can conquer the impossible, even if you must lose it later.

Friendship marks a life even more deeply than love. Love risks degenerating into obsession, friendship is never anything but sharing.

I was brought out of my reverie upon hearing a very familiar and endearing laugh. Jin hyung.

I turned around to see him dragging a grumpy Yoongi in our direction. I could see that Jin hyung was speaking to Yoongi hyung, who just nodded his head occasionally, an evident frown on his face.

A smile automatically made its way on my face seeing Jin hyung.

Although, it faltered slightly when he sat down exactly opposite to me, which happened to be the farthest seat from me.

That's the only remaining seat, he didn't intentionally sit far from you.

I sighed, and looked at Sooya, who was already looking at me with an amused glint in her beautiful almond eyes.

***

Jisoo P.O.V

Everyone around me were busy in their own minds, so I clinked the glass in my hand, trying to get their attention, and I smiled in satisfaction when I received it.

"Ah, took you guys long enough. Anyways, how is everyone liking the party?" I asked, sitting back, and swirling the drink in my hand.

"It's great, sis," Joonie said, grinning.

"I'm glad, but you helped too, so I can't take all the credit now, can I?" I said, taking a sip. My brother just laughed, shaking his head.

I looked beside me and saw Jungkook shift uncomfortably, looking everywhere, but me. I was confused, but shrugged it off, thinking he was just another person intimidated by me.

That's when I remembered the reason I had asked for us to meet up.

"Now, coming to what I was saying. I'm pretty sure most of y'all have met this dashing man here, but if you haven't, he's Jeon Jungkook. Our newest gang member."

Everyone nodded and smiled in Jungkook's direction, who just said, "Is this some type of Mafia shit, where we're all gang members, and Jisoo's like the gang leader?"

I was initially amused, but it quickly turned into a flabbergasted look when I heard Yoongi nonchalantly say, "You could say that, yes."

Everyone burst into laughter at that.

Indeed, someone's pain is someone else's happiness.

I sighed, however a soft smile was present on my face.

"Anyways—"

"Sorry to interrupt, but it's really noisy here, and I can barely make out what you guys are saying," Tae said, interrupting me.

"I had a feeling this would happen, so I already made some. . . arrangements," I said mysteriously, trailing off.

They all looked confused, so I continued smiling, and got up, brushing my skirt. I finished the rest of my drink in one sip and beckoned for them to follow me, quickly turning on my heel and walking towards the end of the Sports Centre.

I looked back, and saw them following behind me, talking amongst themselves. I turned ahead, and went 'round a corner.

It was a rather secluded region, and from the dazed chatter behind me, I guessed they hadn't been here before.

I turned back once again, and saw the others cautiously make their way towards me.

"Uh, there's nothing here Sooya. Where are you taking us?" Rosé asked, extremely confused.

I chuckled, and got out my phone, switching the flashlight on, and shining it on something I had come across very recently, while planning the party.

I let out a, 'There you are,' upon finding it.

'It' being a small button.

I clicked on it, and a door slid open, revealing a set of staircases leading upwards.

I heard gasps erupt from around me, and I looked at them with a smirk. "That's where I'm taking you," I said, gesturing to the staircase.

"How did you—"

"Shh, I'll tell you once we're up there," I said, shutting Jennie up.

She grumbled, and pulled Jimin closer by the arm.

Once everyone was out, I slid the door behind me, not wanting anyone else to interrupt us, before following the others.

I reached the top of the staircase, and immediately felt at peace.

The October night was slightly windy, but it wasn't too much. Just a slight breeze enough to be calming and cooling.

I walked over to my friends, who were already seated on the chairs, that I had placed just before the party had started. I realised that they all unintentionally agreed upon sitting in the exact same seating arrangement as before.

All except Jungkook, that is.

He just awkwardly stood there, and when he noticed me coming over, he immediately took a step back.

That's when I realised that there was actually one chair short, and he was standing, so that I had place to sit. I smiled at the small gesture, but I felt bad.

"Aw, well, it seems that we are missing a chair. I'm not sure if we have any left, but I'll just go check, okay? Jungkook, you can take this seat," I said, pointing towards the chair in front of me.

He looked at the chair, and then back at me. "Are you sure?"

I wondered why he seemed so nervous and unsure of himself, but nodded nevertheless. I smiled when he finally sat down, rubbing his palms on his thighs.

I was about to turn back and search for a chair, when I saw Jennie suddenly stand up.

"Jennie, what happened? Why are you standing?" I asked looking at Jennie who was pushing the chair she had previously occupied, towards me.

"There's one less chair. Nowhere for you to sit. You're the party host, we can't have you standing the whole time. Plus, you said it yourself, there may not be any chairs left," she said with an innocent face, but the look in her eyes was anything but innocent.

"Thanks for being so caring, but where will you sit?" I asked, sitting on the chair she had given me.

"Oh, there's a special chair here, reserved for me, and me only," Jennie said.

She then carefully made her way towards Jimin.

Once she reached his chair, she very slowly, not to mention seductively, climbed onto Jimin's lap and settled comfortably there.

I heard groans and complaints of disgust from many people, mainly Taehyung, who was closest to them.

Jimin, on the other hand, was staring at the girl in his lap intensely and put his hand around her body slowly. Jennie hummed and leaned back, her head in the crook of Jimin's neck. He stroked her head softly.

"You both are disgusting," Yoongi muttered.

"What? At least we aren't fucking or anything. Just cuddling," Jimin shot back.

"You both don't realise that majority of us here are single. So insensitive," Lisa said, tsking.

"You're acting as if we're stopping you from dating anyone! You can date whoever you wanna, whenever you wanna. Probably even the person sitting on your left," Jennie said, still cuddling with Jimin.

Rosé, who just happened to be sitting on Lisa's left, widened her eyes and frantically made an X with her hand, indicating Jennie to stop.

Lisa just blushed and stared at her feet.

Jungkook sat there, looking amused. I suspected he knew about them, and had maybe even witnessed something, to be smirking like that.

I decided to speak up before the situation got even more awkward.

"If everyone is done complaining and whining, let the fun begin."

___________________________________

A / N

[051221,, this chapter has been revamped.]

Shorter chapter ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

And FINALLLYYYY the fun has started skdjskdjskdjsk

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