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THIRD PERSON

It seemed like clock work between the two, Penelope and Taegan that is. One just couldn't seem to stop chasing after the other.

"Fucking hell—Penelope!" Taegan's back arched as her legs were spread over Penelope's shoulder laying flat against the thin carpet. In a totally different setting this time, something more romantic and abstract, and it was Penelope's suggestion to do it in the tree house at a Halloween party.

Not too many people were out in the backyard at this hour. For Taegan it made it even more exciting as the wind blew against her skin and her fingers ran so smoothly through Penelope's blonde hair. A color she'd grown fond of every time she unravels underneath her.

"I think you should keep it down, Doctor Quinzel. I don't think the other patients would appreciate this tone of yours."

"As if you're doing me any justice here Mister J. The only patient I'm serving here is you." Taegan smiled, too deep into the role play to realize the glint of mischief fired up in Penelope's eyes. The older blonde kissed her, almost leaving her breathless as Taegan gripped onto the dark green suit.

"Don't tease me like that," Penelope whispered into her ear, her lips slowly traveling down the side of Taegan's neck causing her to shiver under her touch.

"I'm your biggest tease yet." Taegan chuckled meanwhile Penelope leaned back and looked down at her in all her glory. The Harley Quinn costume was enough to set her off not to mention them mistakenly matching as the infamous Gothom couple.

It twisted Penelope's mind so much so that it started to hurt a bit. How she could admire someone that has only ever slept with her from night to night, living their lives as if they don't know each other.

Because we don't.

"Penelope?"

"I gotta go. So sorry." Penelope scrambled to her feet, fixing the buttons on her shirt and taking her jacket off. She gently covered Taegan's half naked body and fixed her hair.

"It's chilly out here." She said. For a moment there she saw the desperation in Taegan's eyes. Whether it was for her body or her heart, Penelope had no clue. But for right now, it wasn't her business.

Before Taegan could comprehend what was happening Penelope had already left her.

***

JUNGKOOK

"CHEESE!"

"Ezra, no! This is embarrassing." I quickly covered my face before I could be caught in her photo because this entire thing was a circus show. Not just the costumes but the stupidly drunk college kids throwing themselves at each other like a mosh pit.

The music had no rhythm to it and honestly I don't really know how people listen to EDM, just a personal preference.

"Stop being a party pooper! It's Halloween, we're supposed to be having fun." Ezra pouted and took a hold of my arm, pulling me through the crowd. We headed upstairs where it was less crowded but it seemed just as risqué than being downstairs.

We passed by students slurping each other's faces off. I made no eye contact as I walked by. I would avoid awkward eye contact at all costs.

Half these people reeked. Note to self: take a three hour shower once you get back to the dorm.

Ezra continued to pull me towards the stairs and my heart began to pound. Would something happen between us upstairs? Something my body, once again, wouldn't be able to stop?

It's so secluded upstairs I don't know what might happen. People were on each other left and right so there's no reason why Ezra wouldn't want to do something tonight either.

I needed an excuse. Something to get me away for just a few minutes. What could I—

"Sorry," Someone muttered after bumping into me.

I turned to see a smaller, female figure in orange hair and a purple dress. She looked like Daphne from— Wait a second.

"Joy?"

She looked up with teary eyes and my heart dropped. Immediately, she sank into my chest crying her eyes out. I took my hand out of Ezra's and used it to rub her back while my other one held her.

"Hey, what's wrong—" Ezra turned around. "Joy, what the hell?"

I looked at her and paused, trying to think of a way to leave Ezra in the kindest way possible. "I'll catch up with you in a bit."

"Jungkook, what? Are you bailing on me? For her?"

"No, never." I shook my head, taking Joy out of my arms and moving her to the side. "I just think she needs someone right now."

"Because her crummy boyfriend couldn't do it, huh," Ezra said, enunciating her words sternly.

"Ezra, stop," I said as Joy's grip on my hand tightened.

"Y'know, I warned her about what Namjoon would do. I just knew it. No one can change that much."

"Ezra," I said in a warning tone, gritting my teeth.

"Of course it's not my business so I shouldn't be saying anything, should I? But then again, Namjoon isn't here to defend you, is he?"

All I heard was a "that's it" from Joy before she
let go of my hand and launched herself at Ezra.

"You BITCH!" Joy pulled Ezra's hair until extensions fell out. "Ha! I knew your hair was fake! Every part of you is!"

"You're a psychopath!" Ezra held onto Joy's wrists trying to pull Joy off of herself. She brought her knee up to kick Joy's stomach.
Joy let go of Ezra's hair, bending over and holding the ache in her abdomen.

"Not so high and mighty now, huh, princess— AHH!"

Joy butthead Ezra's gut, sending her stumbling backwards and against the crowd that started to form.

Joy laughed, pointing her head at a furious Ezra. "Bitches end up in ditches. Suck it up your stuck up—"

Joy gagged, then closed her mouth, placing a hand over it.

"Joy," I crept closer to her. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!" She yelled out, then shut her mouth again. "I'm perfectly—" Her mouth opened and vomit pour out onto the ground before her.

"Joy!" I ran to her side, letting her rest against me as Ezra began to laugh.

"That's what you get!"

The crowd surrounding us began to laugh, too. Pointing fingers and shouting out all sorts of things.

Joy's eyes teared up again and I looked around for any sign of Namjoon. Why wasn't he here? She had to be crying because of him, there was no other reasonable reason.

"Out of the way!" I screamed, throwing my arms out and everyone fell silent, even the music died down a bit. "Get on my back."

I knelt down for Joy and she climbed on, wrapping her arms around my neck and leaning her head on my back. "Let's get you out of here."

Everyone continued to be quiet, making a way for me to get to the door with Joy on my back.

//

"Here, drink this."

Joy took the spare water bottle and downed it all in one go. She crumbled it up in her hands when she was done and placed it in her lap. She sat back in her chair and placed her hands over her face.

"I just humiliated myself in front of every person at this school." She let her hands fall into her lap and another tear fell down her cheek.

Since we got out of the party and to the park bench we sat on, she hasn't stopped crying. Sure, maybe she wasn't huffing and puffing sobs anymore but there were still tears.

"Thank you for getting me out of there," She mumbled, looking down at her lap. "I was looking for Taegan, or Val, or Yuna," She let out a small laugh then looked up, "but I ran into you."

I tried to smile, but seeing her in pain... she was pretty even when she cried.

Don't think like that, Jungkook, comfort her.

"So um, I met Namjoon's soccer buddies." She wiped her eyes and exhaled harshly. "Not so friendly. Well, I bet they think they are."

"Ah, I met them awhile back, too. Not the coolest guys."

Joy nodded and looked away. "The worst part is," her voice cracked and she paused, two staggered breaths, "My own boyfriend wouldn't even defend me. No matter how many insults they threw at me, and insults they thought were funny!"

So Namjoon did have something to do with her crying. God, of course. Of course he was a good boyfriend up until it counted.

"At least you're here with me." She hooked her arm around mine. "At least I have you." She leaned her head on my shoulder, still sniffling.

I froze up. What did she want me to do?

But she never asked for anything more than for me to just sit... and listen to her speak.

Were guy friends and girl friends supposed to be this close? Or this... touchy? No, she wasn't being touchy she just needed comfort ...

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Namjoon couldn't comfort her right now, so I would.

Just for tonight.

I'd be her shelter just for tonight.

//

"Thanks for walking me back."

"No worries." I shrugged, hands in my pockets.

We stood there, silent.

"Well, I'll get going, then." She smiled her pretty, close-mouthed smile that in that moment I pretended only I ever got to see.

"Wait," I blurted out and she turned around.

"Just, uh, just goodnight."

She smiled again and then embraced me. My heart warmed and I gulped, my hands remaining in my pockets.

Joy pulled away and laughed wholeheartedly. "Goodnight, Jungkook. I'll see you."

She closed the door and I stood there, smiling like an idiot.

"Goodnight, Joy."

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