everyone returning to Swan Academy = chaos

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JOY

"Don't stress about things too much or you'll get wrinkles!" Taehyung yelled from the doorsteps of our home.

I sat inside the car, speaking to him through the window. Rey, my family's driver, chauffeur, and basically one of my family's closest friends, sat in the driver's seat, ready to drive me back to campus.

"Don't let mom and dad argue without me around!" I yelled back, waving him goodbye. "Visit me! I love you!"

"Gross!" He waved back as I rolled up my window. Rey began to steer out of the driveway, and from the corner of my eye, I saw my brother blow me a kiss.

"Did you enjoy your Christmas this year, Ms. Valentine?" Rey asked, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.

"It was the same as always, Rey," I replied with a sigh. "I'll be napping now, so speak up if you need me." I let my head drop back against the headrest.

"Of course, Ms. Valentine."

***

JUNGKOOK

I learned over the two years I've known Namjoon that his coping mechanism was to drink and forget. Although it's definitely not the best way to deal with problems, it seemed to work for him. So, if anything, I expected my dorm to be full of empty beer cans and my roommate who had way too many drinks.

Instead, the dorm was empty and clean; it was the exact way I had left it.

Had Namjoon gone somewhere else for now?

I pulled out my phone, dialing his number then placing the screen up to my ear. It rang, but sent me to voicemail shortly after.

Maybe he didn't want to talk to me right now. It was understandable.

These last few days of winter break were additional time for me to think about what I could do. I didn't contact Joy to ask her how she was doing with the break-up; I felt like that would be overstepping, especially because of my feelings towards her. I didn't contact Namjoon either; I assumed he probably wouldn't want to hear anything from me at the moment.

Geez, I haven't even spoken to Ezra!

Then again I would be the last person she wants to talk to but I can't help but want to talk. I was never given that freedom to talk willingly as a kid so I'm making up for that loss. Am I doing it correctly though? Everything that I've said or haven't said has led up to nothing but headaches and hurtful words. If I stay quiet now what good would it do? The damage is already done.

I sighed and decided I needed a walk.

Stepping outside the dorm building, I thought I'd stop by the coffee shop. I realized it was a bad idea when the girls' dorm was in my sight — I had forgotten that it was on the way.

I pulled my hoodie over my head as I passed it. It was probably better for me not to speak to anyone right now. I felt like a criminal, hiding and avoiding any sort of conversation. That was until I heard a voice.

Sweet and nostalgic. It made me crack a smile.

"Rey, would you help me bring my bags up?" Joy's silky tone rang through my ears, and I turned to see where she might be.

Then I saw her. Her back was turned to me, but I could spot her anywhere with her red suitcases, a man in a suit, and a jet black van. She wore a monochrome white outfit and a red hat; the wind was not cooperating with her dark hair.

Before I knew it I was approaching her. Peaking from behind her, I chimed, "I can help with some."

She jumped, shrieking at my sudden appearance.

The man in the suit next to her immediately stood between us. "Who are you and what is your business with Ms. Valentine?"

I gave the man a curious look and peered over at Joy, who had realized who I was but seemed to have decided to play along with the man. Now she was holding onto his arm, as if she didn't know who I was.

I smirked. Fine then. "She goes to the lesbian club here at school and I wanted to remind her they have a meeting — " I created air quotations with my fingers " — next week."

The man glanced at Joy and she giggled, stepping towards me. "Oh Rey, you've known me for how long now? I would have been disowned by now." She motioned towards me. "This is my friend, Jungkook."

Rey's straightened lips became a smile and held out his hand for me. "The Valentine's chauffeur, sir. Happy to see Ms. Valentine is making good friends."

"Of course, Rey! Who do you think I am?" Joy looked up at me and the sun seemed to hit her face perfectly.

"Can I snap a picture of you?" I asked unexpectedly.

"What?" She asked, flabbergasted but still smiling.

I looked around, realizing what I had asked. "The lighting is really good, that's all."

She laughed and I wished I had snapped a picture right then and there.

"Rey, would you take my bags up! I'm going to catch up with my friend."

Before I could intervene and help, Rey nodded and without a word picked up a suitcase in one hand and a bag in the other and began walking towards the girls' dorm. I frowned.

"I was going to help him." I looked down at her.

Then looking towards the dorms where Rey had entered she waved a hand out. "It's alright; he likes individual work anyway."

Joy turned back to me with her bright smile, and I realized I had missed her over break. A lot.

"So, where should we take pictures, camera man? I'm all yours."

***

TAEGAN

"I didn't realize how big this campus was until now." Penelope scoffed while driving around to find parking.

"Well everyone and their mother is returning to campus today so I sort of guess this would happen." I looked out the window, continuing to keep my eyes open for an available spot to park. "I guess we should have left earlier."

"If only Momma Rivera's morning brownies weren't so good." Penelope smiled, as if she could reminisce the taste within her mouth.

I blushed. "It's so sweet to hear you call her momma, Penny."

Penelope laughed. "I didn't even realize I started calling her that. It's basically second nature now." She glanced at me for a small second. Then when she turned back she asked, "Hey isn't that Joy?"

I looked forward and indeed it was. "Wait a second, is that Jungkook?" I watched as Jungkook inched closer to Joy. "Okay where the hell is Namjoon?"

"Maybe he's helping bring bags up." Penelope shrugged. "Oh look an open spot!"

As Penelope drove into a parking lot I continued to wonder where Namjoon was. The two of them had left together why are they not returning together?

I watched, curiously, as the two of them walked off together.

Penelope's words snapped me out of it. "I'm sure it's nothing, Tia."

She's right. Last time I saw them, Joy and Namjoon were head over heels for one another.

It was probably nothing.

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oh tia i wish it was nothing