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My eyes opened slowly, before a gave a loud yawn. I blinked a couple of times, trying to get used to the lighting. Thankfully though, it was dark enough that my eyes didn't strain from any extreme bright light.

I managed to get up slowly, rubbing my eyes in the process. How long did I sleep for? I looked around for my phone, seeing it on my locker. Quickly grabbing it to check the time, I saw it was eight o'clock. Groaning in frustration, as I noticed I didn't eat any dinner, I made my way to the kitchen to see what I had.

Life however, seems to want to give me a hard time. I wouldn't blame it, I'd do the same, knowing what a trainwreck of a person I've been over the past while. I had nothing. Well, okay....not exactly nothing. But close to it.

My stomach growled loudly, as I searched every cabinet for something quick and easy to put on. But after failing a second time, I gave up. So, I decided to grab my bag, purse, phone and keys, and head to the corner shop.

I rushed to put on my shoes, then headed outside. As I opened the door to the building, I noticed just how dark it was. Had I to go anywhere further, I would've been pretty scared to do so. But seeing as this place is only around the corner, I knew I could get there quickly and without any trouble.

Trouble however, followed anyways. All of a sudden and conveniently, when I took a step out from under shelter, it began to rain. And not just a simple drizzle, not a lightly shower. No, it poured down. The sky was having a huge meltdown, and decided to take it out on me.

Having no coat with or on me, I basically ran to the shop. Lucky for me, the door to the shop was an automatic one, so I got cover quickly. I brushed the rain from my hands onto my skirt, before trying to fix my hair.

I walked over to where I knew the ramen was, having went to that aisle numerous times. I looked around for my favorite brand, but couldn't see it anywhere. Luck just isn't on my side today. I picked up one that I knew of, though not as good as the usual, and headed to the counter.

There was no one at it, so I waited while I put my food on the counter and fished out my purse from my bag. Thankfully though, a member of staff came right away.

"Sorry about that, Miss." The guy said, and I looked up quickly, about to say it was alright. But when I did, not a word came out. "My goodness, two times in one day."

"Wow, you're kinda everywhere, aren't you?" I muttered, not realising how loud I said it, until Jisung laughed. "Ah, sorry...."

"You're not wrong." He smiled, as he scanned my item. "But in your defense, today is my first day working here, so I guess it's just a mad coincidence."

"Jisung, about the coffee thing-

"No no, it's alright." He shook his head, while giving a small half-hearted smile. "I know a lot of people don't date, because of wanting to wait for their soulmates. I get it."

"N-no, it wasn't that." I replied defensively. I rattled my brain, trying to come up with an excuse, so I used the only thing I could think of. "I actually have one already...."

"Ah, well my sincere apologies to both you and your soulmate then." He chuckled. Though for whatever reason, I don't think he believed me. Not that he would be wrong, seeing as at the time I met him, I hadn't met Yoongi just yet.

Trying not to keep the guy waiting too long, I handed over the money, once I saw the price. I awkwardly stood there, waiting for him to finish up, so I could get the hell out of there.

But once he finished, and I said a quiet goodbye, I found myself stalling to go outside. The rain seemed heavier than before, and I really didn't want to experience being under it without a coat.

"You wouldn't happen to sell umbrellas, would you?" I asked, walking back up to the til. Jisung thought for a moment, then walked away, down some aisle.

"This colour okay?" He shouted, so I quickly walked over to where I thought he was. I gave a nod, seeing the red foldable umbrella. He quickly brought it back, scanned it and I paid for it as quickly as I could, so I could finally leave.

It might have just been me, honestly it probably was just me, but the atmosphere was super awkward. Jisung however, didn't seem as fazed. Though, with that, I decided I wouldn't torture myself any longer and get out soon.

"Thanks." I mumbled, giving a small smile, before grabbing my purchases and hurrying to the door. The door opened in front of me, I put up my umbrella and walked out.

This time, walking in the rain felt a little more soothing before. Probably because I wasn't being drenched in the process. It was nice to hear the rain, falling onto different surfaces and hearing the difference in the pitch. But as much as I loved the rain, I loved being in my home and eating ramen more. With that in mind I sped up, so I could reach my apartment as quick as possible.

Once I was home, I was quick to put on the kettle so I could finally stop my stomach from rumbling. While I sat and waited, I looked through my phone a bit. I noticed Soomin had texted me, seeing if I was alright. I quickly sent a text, assuring her nothing was wrong.

Then I noticed Yoongi's name. I clicked on it, and scrolled through the chat log. There wasn't much on it. Though, I smiled fondly once I saw the past messages, seeing Yoongi he had asked if I was alright, due to him feeling something off.

-

Yoongi : Everything alright?

Yoongi : You seem a little....

Yoongi : Scared?

Yoongi : Worried?

-

That was back when I turned down Mr. Lee's offer. It feels like that was ages ago, given everything that's happened.

I turned off my phone, once I heard the kettle go off. I was quick to finish making my dinner of sorts. I sat at the table, quietly, alone, trying to clear my head. I picked up my phone again, and after unlocking it, noticed I was still in Yoongi and I's chat log. Should I text him? I should really apologise, or something, anything.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage to say anything to him. I wanted to, but remembering how mad he seemed at me, I decided against it. He might still need time, to cool off, maybe? He probably doesn't, to be honest, given that it happened much earlier in the day. But I think I just need some time myself, to work through all my....emotions.

So with that, I put my phone down and began to eat. But while I did, I thought back to the few memories I had with Yoongi. The last pleasant one, being just before I met with my mother in the hospital. Had that not happened, had I stood my ground and not made my mother a promise I now know I wouldn't be able to keep....would things have carried out differently?

If I came back from the hospital, with the same intention of giving soulmate bonding a fair shot, would he and I be on better terms? Would I be going away with him, supporting him on his photo shoot tomorrow, if things had gone another way?

I shook my head vigorously, trying to stop thinking about all this. Though, when one little memory came back to mind, I could help but let myself think about it.

"Statistically speaking, if you high-fived enough times throughout the day, it may give you enough energy to go about your day."

"That's got to be a whole lot of high-fives."

"I wonder if there has ever been an experiment carried out....I'll get back to you on that one."

Smiling to myself, I picked my phone back up, and did a little research. Maybe this could be a simple conversation starter, for the next time I see Yoongi. So I went to good old Dr. Google, and searched it up. Of course, finding a reliable source took some time, but alas, I found my answer.

I quickly saved the page and took a screenshot too, just in case. Then finally, I finished off my dinner, before heading straight to bed. Thankfully for me, I get a later start to the day, due to an awfully long meeting at work. One, that I would have had to attend, had I not stepped down a department.

Now that I have I find that, even though it hasn't been long since the change, I have more free time. And since I do, I'll be sure to take advantage of it. For a couple of years now, I've wanted nothing more than to do an event management course. Oddly specific, I know. At least now, I have the time.

It's true, I have always wanted to be in my current field of work. But as time went on, I realised the only reason I wanted to do it, was to get answers; those of which I still don't have. When I really though about what I wanted, this course path came to mind. I've never actually been able to think about where this could lead me to, in the future. But now, for the first time, I can.

To think, that one of the main reasons I became a soulmate bonding researcher, was to help my mother. The same person that wishes to distance me from a special bond I have with someone.

"I just need you to promise me something."

"Don't get attached."

"Set boundaries, don't be vulnerable. Don't fall for all this....soulmate shit."

Now thinking back on that moment, I wish I could've stood up for myself. Back when I first met Yoongi, I was fucking terrified of what would happen next. Hell, I was scared before we even bonded. But that day he was over at my place for the first time, I tried putting it all behind me. I tried not to sound or act as afraid as I really was.

If only I could go back to that day, that wretched day where I took five steps back, instead of moving forward, I know I'd do things a little different. I'd be a little more brave.

In reality though, I can't. However, I can do something similar, something almost on par with it. I can go to my mother, tomorrow maybe. I can sort this all out once and for all.

Well, I can try.

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