"So let me get this straight," Jin says, looking up from the newspaper he has spread open before him at the breakfast table. "Hoseok said you were being too harsh to his ex, and you flipped?"

"More or less," I reply.

We are seated around the dining room table, waiting for the others to finish getting dressed so that we can eat.  Even if it is a Friday morning, it feels like a Monday, and I rub my eyes wearily.

I fidget beneath Jin's attention, waiting for his response. I'd asked him for advice this morning, having not slept the entire night over the situation at hand.

"There's more, " I reveal hesitantly, "he said something about her father, but I refused to listen."

"That's kind of silly, don't you think?"

I frown, but ultimately can't argue with him.

"Don't give me that face, you know I'm right." He scolds.

"And how exactly is it silly?" I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to keep myself from losing my temper and saying something that I might regret.

I know that Jin is right, even if I don't want to admit it to myself, but that doesn't make it any easier to hear.

"Well, " Jin begins, "it seems to me that Hoseok really likes you, and he doesn't strike me as the kind of person to betray you like that. But, by shutting him out and alienating him, you are basically handing him over to her. If you like Hoseok, and I know that you do, shouldn't you fight your hardest to keep him before giving up like this?"

I start, mouth hanging open as I attempt to reply, but no words come forth because my brain has drawn an absolute blank.

"Why, " I finally manage, "would I want to fight for someone who's going to turn around and cheat on me?"

Seokjin fixes me with a leveling gaze, compassionate eyes soft, and yet firm in their conviction.

"Do you really think he's the type to cheat?" He questions, voice soft and cautious.

But there is nothing soft about such a question, and I grimace.

"No, " I reveal, face falling as I admit it.

"Then why make this so complicated and messy?"

"I'm scared Jin." I confess.

"And what are you so scared of?" He asks, folding his hand over mine in a show of support.

"I don't want to be hurt again, " I murmur lowly, almost as if afraid to truly utter it aloud.

Seokjin, who always seems to have all the answers, and always knows just what to say, is speechless. I don't know if it's because he doesn't know what to say, or because he doesn't think there is anything he can say. And as he pulls me into a supportive hug, I admit to myself that I also don't know which is worse.

Suddenly, from the doorway sounds a ruckus. First we hear the sound of someone banging desperately upon the door, and then, the sound of voices locked in a heated argument.

"Please Jimin, I need to see her!"

"I'm sorry Hoseok, but I can't force Avelyn to talk to you, " Jimin replies. "I think it would be best if you leave for now, Avelyn will talk to you when she's ready."

Something wet trails down my cheek, and it is with a shaking hand that I wipe it away. I laugh bitterly, realizing that I am crying at just the sound of his voice.

But is it because I don't want to see him, because I am hurt and angry, or because I want to see him so badly in this moment that I feel pity for my future self?

"You can't-" Jimin is cut off as the door slams shut. "Hey! You can't just walk in here!"

But it seems as if Hoseok is no longer paying Jimin any attention. I can hear him calling my name.

"Avelyn!" He shouts, "please, let's talk about this!"

I sigh, realizing that if he is this tenacious about it, I won't receive any peace until I have catered to his request.

"Do you want me to make him go away?" Jin asks, genuine empathy on his face.

But I shake my head.

"No, " I tell him, "I'll talk to him."

No sooner had the words left my mouth than Hoseok is suddenly before us, having busted into the dining room, chest heaving and eyes panicked.

My own eyes widen in alarm as he grabs my wrist, yanks me up from my seat, and drags me from the dining room like a ragdoll. Despite Jimin's earlier words, he makes no move to stop Hoseok as he drags me out the front door, but to be fair, it isn't as if I am particularly struggling either.

At least, not until he's already dragged me a few blocks away.

Across the street the corner shop stands, several people coming and going, most leaving with cups of piping hot coffee or a brown paper bag.

"How far do you intend to drag me?" I demand angrily, snatching my wrist away from him as he slows to a stop.

"Avelyn, " he meekly murmurs, eyes shining with regret and sadness.

"I asked you a question."

Hoseok sighs, brows suddenly knitting themselves into a tight line.

"There is something I want to show you, " he replies.

His fingers reach out hesitantly for mine, stopping in the air for a moment before pulling away entirely. Every instinct I have tells me that I should turn around and walk away, so why is it that my heart hurts so much? Why is it that my heart tells me to trust him? And which should I listen to?

I nod slightly, a barely perceptible tilt of my head in acquiescence.

"I'll follow you, " I announce.

He holds one hand out hopefully, silently asking me to hold his hand. But I refuse.

"I'd rather not touch you right now, " I bite the inside if my cheek, silently berating myself for being so cold right now.

Why can't I seem to control my own damned tongue?

I didn't think that Hoseok's face could fall any farther, and I wince as hurt flashes in his eyes, and his hands ball into painfully rigid fists at his side.