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I walked down the street, tightening my grip on my bag and pulling my cap further down. Every now and again I looked around me, hoping no one had followed me. The panic only subsides for a few minutes before I feel the need to check my surroundings again.

Unfortunately, ever since Namjoon and Jin announced that they had adopted me, my life became incredibly hectic. Obviously my dads predicted some kind of public attention, but not this much. It wasn't as bad in the beginning, I suppose. Or at least, I hadn't paid much attention to it. For the most part, people tried to be respectful. That only lasted so long. Over the past few months, it's only grown worse.

I walked quickly home, glad that I didn't pass by anyone who wanted to talk with me or take a photo. That tends to happen a lot. Sometimes I don't mind it, but other times I just want to continue on with what I'm doing. Sometimes I don't want to be bothered. Sometimes I just want to go back to a little normality.

"How was your study session at the library?" My Dad asked as I walked through the door. I looked at Namjoon, put on a smile and nodded lightly.

"It was good." I assured him, but offered little else about my day. "I think I'll just head to my room for a bit. I need to organise my notes." I explain.

He seems satisfied with my answer and so I carry on towards my room. I close my door tight and fall to the floor, leaning my back against the hard wood. I tuck my knees into my chest and try to relax a bit.

I didn't want to tell Namjoon that on my way to the library this morning there were cameras clicking pictures of me. I didn't want to tell him that I opted to stay in the building for an extra two hours once I was finished, to make sure no one was outside. I didn't want to tell him of the anxiety I had walking home just now. I didn't ever want to tell him any of it. I don't want either him or my other dad to feel bad about it, like it's their fault. I don't want to put more of a burden on them than there already is.

I sigh lightly, getting up from the floor. I decide to unpack my things and open a book or two onto my desk. I don't organise any notes, I just make it look  like I am in case someone walks in. I sit down by my desk, scrolling through my phone. And then I see it, article after article about my outing today. I figured something like this would happen, so I'm not that surprised really. The lack of surprise doesn't make it any less frustrating though.

I see a text from Yeon, linking one of the articles I likely had already seen. He's asking if I'm alright. He's the only person I've shared my struggles with. Yeon doesn't exactly understand most of the time, but he's always there for me. I don't answer his text, just stare at it in my notifications bar and then swipe it away. I'm not sure I'm in the mood for a conversation right now.

I find my headphones and plug them into my phone. I turn on my favourite playlist, sinking into my seat as I turn my volume up all the way. I close my eyes and listen to my music, wanting to clear my head. It doesn't last too long. Within just a few songs I feel a tap on my right shoulder. I practically jump in my skin when it happens and quickly take my headphones off. It's just one of my Dads. Jin.

"Someone's jumpy." He laughs. I attempt a laugh and a smile too, but I know it likely looks fake. While I know I said I didn't want to bother my Dads with my problems, I can't help that a small part of me really wants them to ask and keep asking about how I am. Maybe if they keep asking, I might just crack and tell them.

"What's up?" I ask, trying further to mask my discomfort from the day. The smile stays on my face and I sit up straight in my seat.

"More like, what's down?" My Dad says to himself and laughs. "Dinner's on the table." He adds, which suddenly makes the joke make sense.

"I'll be there in a minute." I tell Jin. He nods his head and leaves my room to go downstairs. I give myself a minute to breathe and prepare to go downstairs and act like I'm fine.

Some days it's like a walk in the park for me. Sometimes it's like second nature to act like I'm fine and that nothing is bothering me. But days like today happen too. Days when, for some reason that I can't seem to pinpoint, it's just all a little too big to easily hide. Days like today it feels like I have to put in a million times more effort to act like I'm okay.

But with one more deep breath, I decide I'm ready to go downstairs. I get up and walk down to the kitchen. I see my Dads, Jungkook and Jimin at the table. I don't know where the others are. I don't ask. I'm too preoccupied with myself to care. I take a seat opposite Jungkook, giving him and then Jimin what feels like the last smile I can muster up.

Dinner is just some ramen with a couple side dishes. I say a quick thank you for my dinner and take my first bite. Though, I quickly find I haven't got much of an appetite. This also tends to happen. I pick at the food in front of me. At one point I see Jin looking at me, worried. I immediately shoot him a smile and take a couple bites of my food. To be honest, I'm not sure it even was a smile. I think it might have been just a look that wasn't entirely sad.

Regardless, it seems to put Jin's worried expression at bay. But not Namjoon's. I can see him glancing at me every now and again through the corner of my eye. I try to start up a conversation with Jimin and Jungkook so he might focus on it instead of me. He doesn't.

"Mina...." Namjoon suddenly gets my attention. I turn to look at him. "Are you alright?"

I nod my head immediately and honestly, a little too aggressively. I don't want him to have any doubts. I finish some more of my dinner but when I've reached my limit, I push the bowl away from me. I get up from my seat, taking my bowl with me and put it in the sink. Then I head straight back up to my room again.

Once in the comfort of my room, I grab my phone and headphones again. I put on some music and then scroll away on different apps. But then I see more articles, and more articles and even more new articles. Ones I haven't come across before now. I find myself furious when reading some of them. I can't stand it any longer.

By the time I'm downstairs again, I'm not so much angry as I am frustrated and quite simply, upset. I look into the kitchen for one of my Dads, but neither is there. I look through a couple more rooms and finally find Namjoon. He's sitting cross-legged in an armchair, reading.

"Dad..." I pipe up, feeling tears well up in my eyes. Namjoon looks up at me, his expression soft, but clearly concerned. "I really  need to talk to you."

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A/N

Happy 200K special~!!
I thought having another bonus chapter for this milestone was only fitting!

I wanted this chapter to be more in-depth into Mina's experience with the aftermath of such a public announcement. I realised with my ending, we didn't get to see the repercussions of exposing this kind of information, and how it effected everyone.

My writing is so much better here. Oh my word. I wish the whole thing could be this good. But to make it like that, I'd have to change SO much. Not happening.... Anyways, I hope you enjoyed~!! 💜💜