Eliza's pov

"Ok then bye, Ema." I slid the phone back into my pocket as entering the living room. Jin was sitting there with his phone browsing through something.

"Let's go then shall we?" He stood up adjusting his v-neck full sleeved sweater. I nodded trying to be enthusiastic about this outing which I am not. The only reason why I agreed to meet up with Hannah and Jimin was because Nate will also be there. And he knows nothing about my aversion to go out, for him all I had was an accident which caused me grave injuries needing weeks of rest.

Before stepping out of the house Jin stopped me to help me wear the white fleece jacket. These days all I have been doing was spending time with him and him alone. And I didn't want anything more than that either. With him I was safe, he never pushes me to do something against my interest, never tries to pull out the things I preferred to be kept inside. So it never bothered me when I had him near me which was not the case with everyone else. They either nags me or makes me reach my last thread of sanity, until I burst out. Which was the main reason I preferred not to go out.

The ride to the restaurant was silent, listening to the music on the radio while watching the snow coated footpaths was refreshing in some ways. Not needing to fill the silent moments with needless talks was something that we both could calmly live with. I still find it difficult to walk in fast steps and my hands are yet to be readied to move on my will, that is the main reason why we chose a simple restaurant than somewhere that requires long walks or tiresome activities.

"We are here." He informed me as he pulled on the driveway and helped me out. The others were already there waiting for us in the reserved seats. Seeing us Han waved her hands indicating us to join.

I took a seat with Jimin and Jin flanking my sides and Nate and Han sat at the opposite, with a seat left astray on her left. It is our first time with Nate and Jin together with us, with no lies hanging out in between. After the incident Nate came to visit me along with Jimin and Han and it became impossible to keep him in the dark especially when he saw me with Jin all the time. And he is now a part of our little gang too so without waiting anymore we told him about us. Fortunately Nate was happy for us, a little surprised but happy.

"You guys are late as always." Jimin complained while nudging me lightly on the elbow.

"You should know better by now." I countered taking in all the faces around me.

The restaurant was not too crowded but not empty either. Just the right amount to show it is a good customer preferred restaurant. A new one actually, which we all were planning to visit after our graduation before everything else struck in.

As I skimmed through the customers, most were of our age, which I guess could be the university students. The ones sitting with their faces to our direction seemed to be bikers which seemed quite impossible in this winter. Their bulky bone structure with their beards, dark eyes, and onyx outfits screamed my assumption again.

I felt a warm hand squeezing my palm under the table bringing me back to the faces in front of me, with a questioning glance at my direction.

"I am sorry did you say something?" I asked particularly to no one. Jin must have seen me glancing at the other table, zoning out and the eerie feeling sliding in me to give a reassuring hold in my palm which I gladly held onto easing my nerves.

"I was just asking if you gave out any job applications." Nate asked.

"I didn't, I think I am gonna wait out a little more." I said hesitantly, going out on my own did not seem like a good idea at the moment. Han just looked at me and nodded.

"There is no hurry, is it? I am not planning to send you anywhere until you are capable of carrying my shopping bags along with yours." She pointed out aggressively making me let out a chuckle and feel more comfortable with the small gathering.

The food arrived shortly and the rest of the evening was filled with our talks and laughs. It seemed so long since we all gathered together like this. Somehow it felt refreshing, a burden being lifted out of my chest, a pull to hold onto this thread a little longer and cherish it.

Another thing I noticed was the occasional stolen glances between Han and Nate. The way their fingers brushed subtly against the cold steel of the silverware. It was not just me who noticed, Jin's quizzical glances at me made sure of that. I didn't know what was happening but I felt happy seeing my best friend's smile.

Maybe this getaway was actually what I needed all along, to pull myself back together. The fear can be instilled in me but the minor joy and the love can make it invisible and transform it to more beautiful cherishable important memories. Which helped me get to take a decision as I realised I will never be alone.

"I will apply for the job." I said, taking Jin by surprise who was driving. He glanced at me curiously. "I want some time but I will be okay, I know I am not alone." I looked at him, his eyes were fixed on the road but a small smile tugged on his lips. I took his hand in mine, mine looked very small in his but perfectly fitting as if a puzzle put together. I brushed my lips lightly against the back of his palm before intertwining it with mine.