Jimin's P.O.V

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[SUNDAY, EARLY OCTOBER]

Naturally, after coming to America I got used to a few things. Reading signs I'm not familiar with, seeing plenty of diversity, and meeting people I have no clue about. Well, obviously, Jungkook is the only true stranger I've met-not that I dislike it- but I had strong feelings there are numerous people I could run into, especially in the situation I'm currently sitting at.

For the majority of the night, my eyes we're practically on the verge of drying out as I played tug of war with the thoughts implanted in my mind after yesterday's events. The imagery from yesterday vandalized my train of thought; when I saw Taehyung sitting on the ground looking awfully hallow, a few of the rubber bands holding emotions where snipped.

My phone, sitting on my lap as I laid flat on the couch of Jungkook's condo, had a strange pull. My fingers mindlessly swiped over of the back and randomly, I'd even pick it up at times to check the clock. The sun had barely been up, as it was only 7 AM, and I still hadn't answered the questions I had for myself in full.

How will I celebrate my birthday?

Is Taehyung any better?

Did I completely waste my trip?

The back of my neck and forehead suddenly felt a wave of heat with a harsh breeze of frustration added onto it. I sat up from the couch, my hands running though my hair and sliding down my face as I stared forward at the wall pensively. Jungkook went to sleep relatively early after he bought me street food. Which resulted in me wondering if he was waiting on today as well; Did he care about my birthday even a tad?

"Nineteen, huh? Wow... I feel totally different." I huffed, deflated.

I pushed off the comforter that covered my legs and picked up my phone once more. I swiped past the lock screen and rushed to the contact list to pick out one of the three phone numbers I had. I began typing as my mind set off like a sprinkler and my fingers moved faster than they ever had before.

______

[TEXT MESSAGE]

JM= Park Jimin
HO= Halmoni

JM: Hey Halmoni...

JM: So I just woke up. Like literally.

JM: And I've been thinking... About today.

JM: IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

JM: I know it's a big deal. And I'm supposed to be celebrating.

JM: But I don't think I should so soon on Monday?

JM: I'm thinking maybe Tuesday? Wednesday even? I don't know?

JM: The friend I talked to you about isn't well.

JM: I want to go and see them today, just to check in and maybe help them?

JM: I know doesn't sound good. I but I think it would be good if stayed a while. Please?

_______

Looking down at the ten messages I have yet to gain a response from, my fingers tap aimlessly at the back of my phone. My Halmoni, normally, woken up early because she loved to make breakfast for me. Even though I wasn't home, I could picture the exact motions she would be preforming; she'd be flipping pancakes and frying her eggs lightly. I had gotten used to waking up to the fantastic aroma of what she had been cooking in the kitchen, my body practically levitating each weekend.

As of now, there wasn't any of that. Even though the time zones are different, there was still missed the small things about home; to attest that, things that are starting to brew up here in Chicago, and strangely, it seemed to rest heavier in my heart. Not a day in my life did I think I'd have to make such big decisions that would tear apart my judgement.

Nor did I ever expect a time where the buzz of my phone chiming with a call felt this detrimental to my entire mentality. Knowing exactly who was dialing dug deeper into the stakes I had been set to play for.

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[PHONE CALL]

JM: Park Jimin

HO: Halmoni

HO: Jimin-ah... Now, you know if you needed to speak to me, you could've called sooner; it's 7 PM, there's no shame in wanting advice from your-

JM: Halmoni, I know, I know... It's- It's just that I've been thinking about this for- for most of last night and this morning. I actually didn't get much sleep and woke up early... I had this idea of how my birthday was supposed to be, and it's... It's not going the way I hoped it would.

HO: So, what you're saying is that you're feeling stressed, Jimin? That's not-

JM: I know that too! I know I'm supposed to be having fun, a-and making memories while I'm young, but... I mean, I'm still doing it. It's just... A little different now. Plans are changing-fast.

HO: Well, you can lower your voice, and calm down. It's still very early where you are... You shouldn't work yourself up on your day.

JM: Yeah... Yeah, I get it, Halmoni. Today is supposed to be special. It still is. I'm... I'm going to make it that way.

HO: By staying longer? Do you think can handle-

JM: I think I can- no... I-I will. I'll-I'll do as much as I can today with my friend. He's struggling, and I'm afraid-I'm really afraid- that if I left tomorrow morning without ever caring about him, I'd just... I'd just make things worse. I have to do something, at least try.

HO: Mh... You know the man you met? The one you took a picture with? Jungkook, is it?

JM: Yeah-yes?

HO: Did you ever consider asking him about the situation? You said they were stepbrothers, sweetheart. Don't you think it would be best if he-

JM: He doesn't want to speak to Taehyung. It's not much of my- my business to talk about it... Why are you asking?

HO: Because if my boy is going to be staying in Chicago for a few more days, you're going need more support than your Halmoni who's across the globe... You should speak to him; maybe he can help.

JM: Ah- guess... Wait... Wait, really? I can-I can-

HO: Jimin-ah, you know I'd never forget who you are even though you're not with me. Jimin-ah... I know I can't control all of what you do anymore. You're nineteen, you're living. I'm not going to stop you, but-

JM: Of course, there's a 'but'.

HO: But... I want to see your face. In person and live and well. If you're going to stay, I need to know you're making decisions that are good for you as much as they are for others. Don't get caught up in things you're not supposed to be involved in, alright?

JM: A-alright. I won't. I think I'm doing the right thing, Halmoni... I'll talk to Jungkook about it too.

HO: Okay then... I'm sure everything will be fine. Please, just call me when you need me. You know I'll pick up.

JM: Yeah... Sure. I love you!

HO: Love you too, Jimin-ah. Happy birthday, my sweet boy.

JM: Thanks... Talk to you later.

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Pulling the phone away from my ear, I allowed my skin breathe for a moment. As I gazed down at the red button to hang up, there was a small sprinkler of joy that set off to hydrate my spirit. The weight on my heart alleviating the very second the call ended; It created an escape, a pathway for my morning to finally begin.

However, there were just a few more tricky steps added in aside from brushing my teeth.

I sucked in a large pocket of air, savoring it in my lungs until I was ready to release it, and cleared my head just for a few moments before swinging my legs off the cushions of a couch. With my feet planted firmly on the carpet, it felt as though I was stepping into a different threshold completely. The playing field had been set and the goals were aligned. There was no way I was going to back down now.

For me, my decision was already made up the day I saw my best-friend shriveled and hollowed like something forgotten.

When I pushed myself up from the couch, adjusting my pants and shirt, I knew I had more things to accomplish other than celebrating. It was going to take lots of work, and one of the first tasks I had to complete was with a person who was sleeping in the bedroom just down the hallway.

Creeping down the hall, as inconspicuous as a small housefly on the ceiling, my ear tuned into the small rustles sounding from behind the wall where Jungkook and I were separated.

I paused for a moment when I reached Jungkook's closed bedroom door. I leaned forward, my ear just a few inches away from the wood while I listened to the small bits of morning audio. Keeping my breath steady, I heard faint groans and sighs along with the muffled sound of footsteps that got further away, and only stopped when the familiar noise of water running from a faucet began.

My thoughts stalled just as I raised my hand toward the door knob, thinking to twist it but hesitating due to the fact what lied behind the door could be one of two things. Jungkook could just be getting up, and starting to brush his teeth, or he could very well be in the process of undressing and showering. My breathing began to pick up as I loomed next to the entrance for a few seconds longer, until the sound of the water ceased and there was an unbearable silence that left me at an automatic stand still between two passages.

Those were always the options in life.

There's the cowardly decision of standing by; unmoving like tree, but ultimately living the same immutable life.

But there's an alternative.

The one that breaks the box of limitations, and erodes that daunting and doubtful compartment in the human mind that holds us like eternal infants.

Choosing which way to turn when the sands of time withers and decreases just before your eyes is never so easy going.

However, it was reality.

Such a simple, yet painful version of it all.

As of right now, there was only one doorknob that barricaded my way to seeing the outcome.

A doorknob my hand trembled and flinched at grabbing, the cold metal resting against my palm that electrified my wrist to create the one twist I needed to push myself beyond a decision, and into the fray of the after effects.

I made sure my grip was tight as I finally managed to push the door open and refresh my eyes to an empty bedroom that looked the same as all the other times I'd seen it. Except, one person was missing, and I could see just a slither of their body in the crack of the bathroom door. My sight rolled from wall to wall while I eased my way into the almost-vacant room.

I shuffled my feet on the ground for a solution to keeping the noise level to a minimum, which became an instant regret when I came to a stop toward the middle of the room. With my heartbeat on the rise, and my palms beginning to perspire, the bathroom door creaked further open to unveil the tall, older male I came this far to see.

Jungkook's stature was straight and seemingly stiff, not to mention his paled skin was on full display as he didn't wear a shirt this morning. My mouth fell open a bit at the image I'd save mentally for rainy day or two. Luckily for me, Jungkook was wearing a pair of gray jogging pants that saved my eyes the trip of sinking downward past his finely sculpted chest and biceps, plus his obvious strong core that proved he could out match me in pull ups any day.

The older male's brown eyes locked with mine as he leaned out of the door frame with a toothbrush in one hand, and his eyebrows raised inquisitively while scratching the back of his tied up, messy black hair.

"Ah-um... Good morning, Jimin-ah." My hands naturally felt out of place in a situation like this. Both of my palms fell to my sides and my fingers clutched at the thick fabric of my pants to release any of the nerves that were locked in my body.

"Hi... Uh, yeah, so- I just wanted to-to talk." I admitted, exhaling a little after speaking.

Jungkook nodded, taking a step forward to toss his toothbrush on the bathroom counter and exited with both of his hands stuffed in his pockets as he strolled to the bed and took a seat. He huffed out a breath, not seeming annoyed as of yet.

A miniature smile tugged at his lips before he spoke. "Mh... Okay. Whenever you're ready... Happy Birthday."

My mouth felt a strange dryness as I attempted at breathing normally, so I gave him a quick nod. However, knowing how Jungkook operated, there shouldn't be much to fear coming from him. His eyes weren't drills trying to hollow me out, or puncture my skin. His smile wasn't manipulative or knavish, but rather inviting like usual. The more I stared at him, the more I felt my hardened shell of anxiety crack underneath his warm scrutiny.

There was an odd blanket of comfort layered over my mind just from his gaze alone.

I stepped forward, my arms rising from my sides to fold over my chest. "It's um... Well, good morning. Uh-you-You know--" I paused to ponder a for seconds on way I could say what I wanted without sounding a nut-case. My eyes scrolled up to the ceiling as if it would help somehow, "-- So I was-I was talking to my halmoni this morning. She wanted to know if I was doing okay, and I told her I was, but I wasn't? At the time I felt- because... I know we talked about this already... But Tae, he's not... Okay. And you-you have to deal with me. Which isn't how things were supposed to be. None of this is."

Jungkook held up at hand to halt the words that free-fell from my lips. My lips sealed shut at the sight, and Jungkook let out a small sigh and wet lips before beginning.

"I have a feeling what you're about to say is going to be somehow connected to my step-brother... Correct me if I am wrong, please..." My mouth couldn't even bear a squeak. Jungkook sputtered with a faint chuckle, "... Right." He muttered; a twinge of disappointment laced.

He brought his hand up to the side of his face where he rubbed at his cheek and slid up to his temples and massaged them for moment. From then on, I could feel the air dampen as I barely stood still at this point. A peculiar sense and instinct popped in the back of my mind to leave the area, to scatter and forget about it all.

"I just want to help him. I told you yesterday that..." I managed to whisper out, but couldn't quite finish. I was desperate for a response that didn't sound like he wanted kick me out.

I watched as Jungkook closed his eyes and sucked his teeth, his right elbow rested on his thigh. Yet his eyes were still not open when he started out.

"Alright... It's early, I know. You've had time to sleep on this... So what I'm going to say might not matter to you... However, it doesn't mean you don't need to hear it..." His voice was riding dangerously low, but no less pounding with reason as he continued, "... I want you to know this, and don't forget it either--" Jungkook's eye lips snapped open to capture me with his darkened stare just as he finished his statement, "-- changing a person, in this circumstance, has everything thing to with him, not you, Jimin. This is who he is. Trust me, he knows the decision he made."

I swallowed a bit, trying to center myself before I hit the ground running and got lost. What Jungkook said wasn't wrong, but there was an opening I could see right through. A small tear in the manufacturing of his truthful statement. A swelling feel accumulated in my chest while I took a step forward as if I were up on a podium of promise, and I watched as Jungkook leaned forward to listen.

"But-that's... He-he needed help. I don't think he meant for things to go... Like this. He just needs someone... Someone who cares. Everyone needs someone who-who cares... I feel like you know that too, Jungkook." It took me some time to catch my breath, my chest rising and falling when I finished. My words may have been fragmented, but the tight, sorrowful grip that encased my heart when I pictured Taehyung on ground in yesterday's situation kept it from crumbling apart, the ever-burning determination had not yet been extinguished.

Jungkook held his head up high and nodded. I waited patiently for his reply as he stood up from the bed, mimicking my stance just a few feet away. "Okay, well since you're so confident... Say I do agree with you on this, and I take you to his house or workplace... What're you going to do? Mh? What are you going to do if he doesn't want your help?"

There was a string of silence that followed his inquiry. His eyes not leaving mine put immense pressure on my response, however, I couldn't pull a single thing out of my brain. That question, although it had been phrased so simply, was truck loaded with complications. Truthfully, I didn't have any real answer other than one.

I just need a chance to see him.

I stared at the empty bed behind the older man, not to get distracted by his enticing stare. "I don't have much of a plan, I'll admit... I can't really explain it, but it's like I can't leave it alone unless I- I try? That's- that's why... I came to you, so..." My fingers mindlessly intertwined as I spoke, meanwhile I was mustering up the oxygen left in my lungs to project my voice louder, "... So if it doesn't work. I won't ask you anything else, but I won't forget what I saw. I won't just forget how-how terrible he looked. I'd-I'd ever seen anything like that in person before."

My vocal cords teetered on squeaking at the end of my statement. My eyes closed as my voice came to its volume peak before dwindling into a mutter once again.

Jungkook's reply wasn't immediate, but it was worth waiting on.

"Open your eyes." He softly commanded, attaching a sigh.

I didn't dare defy him, and my eyelids slowly creaked their way open like a snail slithering up a steep hill. When I saw him again, my vision-- not blurred by tears or doubled by weariness-- with just the right amount of morning light shedding on his face, I lifted my chin up high to take it all in.

The after-effects in motion.

The reasoning for those 10 messages this morning.

"You know," he paused to chuckle, pointing at me with his index finger, "if I would've met you six years ago, at eighteen years old, I would've cursed you and called you crazy. We wouldn't even be talking for this long."

I could help it when an unrequited, closed lipped smile tugged at my lips. "Why don't you do that now?"

Jungkook rolled his eyes to the side, a quick throat clearing followed soon after. "Christ, just yesterday you looked at a cloud and pictured it as a bag of oranges... We see things differently, Jimin. I accept that, and envy it even, but I don't want to control you. I just want to make sure you know what you're doing."

My eyebrow quirked, curious about the destination in which his verdict was leading. "What's the worst that could happen? I know things can get- ugly. I know there can be bad outcomes, but... I can do something here, something... Life changing, Jungkook."

Jungkook's face, although it was several feet away, felt as near and easy to read like a magazine cover. There was something in the way his deluding gaze flickered to the side, and how his Adam's apple dipped and bobbed when he gulped. It was as if I could hear his report before it eventually published in the conversation. Right now, I was staring at a book and judging it before cracking it open for a read, a forbidden task for most people; unfortunately, it was the last resort for me.

A hovering dome of anticipation was placed over the both of us. Just as the queues were given, and Jungkook exhaled as if he were trapped behind a mask that withheld his honesty, my mind tapped into the infinite supply of memories from the day before. Mentally, I was flipping through a photo book of horrors, each page I turned ramped up my heart like a car speeding toward a cliff. Soon, the vehicle departed from the ground and slowed in mid-air.

With my heartbeat decreasing its rate, all I had left were the seconds in between.

The miniature time slot where Jungkook hadn't spoken.

The parts of a minute that were dedicated to remembering the important sections of the past.

There was a moment in time where I could hear Taehyung's battered voice in my ear, even though it wasn't booming with passion, it was a sorrowful chime I engraved in my head.

"You don't have time to fix this. It's going to take more than just you, Jimin."

My mouth could barely fix itself to repeat the words he had told me back then. They flowed so perfectly, yet so painfully it ached to recite.

"Taehyung said something to me before I left... He-he said I didn't have time to fix anything... It was going to take more than just me to patch things up," I sucked in a breath while shaking my head at the memory. Jungkook's lips were parting as he heeded, "none of that's true anymore. I have more time, and-and you're here now... I'd rather be crazy, than be afraid."

The older male's lips zipped shut for while, his eyes hooded and less focused. His shoulder placement eroded from squared to a relaxed slump. After a while, I watched Jungkook places his hands in his pocket and suck his teeth, while tilting his head to the side, seeming ultimately exhausted.

"Listen," he started out, his tone laced with a shot of sovereignty as be edged on. "If we show up, and things don't pan out well, we're going to the settle the day as if it didn't happen. It's still your birthday day. You can't let it go uncelebrated... I'm sure your Halmoni will appreciate a photo."

Laughter peppered my lungs as my lips split into a toothy grin. I nodded, perking up on tips of my toes. "Sure! I-I mean, yes!"

Jungkook snickered, but stopped to run a hand over his face and groan. "God, it's still early... If we're going to do this, be thinking of a plan to follow. I'll shower first. We can talk when I'm not in the middle of my morning routine."

"O-okay... I'll start thinking." I stammered, my lips jolting with excitement.

Jungkook let his hand drop to his side, and he flashed me a quick smile before pivoting to face the bathroom.

"I'll be out in 15 minutes or so." Jungkook informed, opening up the bathroom door and taking a step inside on the tiled flooring.

I began to walk backwards, my eyes never leaving Jungkook's bare back and inked arms. My teeth subconsciously clamped down on my bottom lip as I neared the bedroom door.

"I'll make it count!" I shouted, just moments after Jungkook closed the bathroom door.

Once again, I was left standing in the vacant room without the older male in sight.

However, I wasn't alone anymore.

Not by a long shot.

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About 45 minutes flew by, but the morning was far from over. For the time I put into showering was not only for cleaning myself, but utilized as a thinking a cap for conversation with Taehyung later. I ran though the loopholes and tied the loose ends to strap together a friendly and welcoming idea that Jungkook could follow along with. I decided that showing up to Taehyung's job and bombarding him with questions, would be undoubtably rude; so, to counter this problem, I settled on stopping by the diner likes and grabbing breakfast as an easy way to hopefully earn a few minutes with him.

I dressed myself swiftly in an outfit that I planned to wear on this very day. My halmoni didn't like the price of it back in Korea, however, the tag on it was the least of my worries when I slipped the pastel outfit on. The steam clouding the bathroom blurred the top of the mirror so I hurried to examine my clothing in full. My eyes climbed down from my teal ice-cream patterned sweater and matching jogging pants that were made with the same cotton feel.

I folded up my dirty clothes, and slipped my way out of the bathroom. Upon my exit from the bedroom, I could hear Jungkook's dress shoes clicking on the kitchen floor. He always bleated that the kitchen was more or less empty. But apparently, I took so long in the shower he began scouring the cabinets and drawers to keep busy.

I suppressed a snicker as I inched down the hall and peeked over the wall where Jungkook was, his hair now let down and gelled in place with his classic attire of a black dress shirt and pants draped over his frame and fitting correctly in all the best places. I spectated, without a word, as he stood before the stove and reached up to the wooden cabinet above him.

He rummaged until he found something of his liking, and his arm lowered to reveal a metal box with a lid that shook with the sound of objects on the inside.

Jungkook removed the top to snatch a look of the interior contents of the item, only to gasp and shut when he gained knowledge.

Just as Jungkook steered his gaze away from the box, he lifted his head up where he and I made eye contact.

He flinched, pulling the box closer to his chest with a small yelp. "Oh! Jeez, Jimin... Were you standing there the whole time?"

The laugh I dug grave for resurrected in a joyous manner. I shook my head. "Just long enough to see you get excited over a metal box. What's on the inside?"

Jungkook nodded, holding the box up with a gentle shake and his trademark, thin-lipped smile. "Coffee grounds and filters."

I groaned at his answer, my memory drawing back to the airport where I attempted to tame the same beast. I stuck my tongue out to gag at the sad taste of the piping hot liquid. "How can you even stand the taste of that stuff?"

Jungkook turned to the stainless-steel counters and sat the box down so could grab for the coffee maker located at the back with minimum dust collecting on it. He plugged up the machine and picked up the empty decanter. He whirled around to the sink and filled the glass up with water. His movements were as facile and poised as dancer waltzing on their floor of entertainment. I was the crowd waiting patiently for his last to applaud and cheer.

"Did you think of a plan yet?" Jungkook asked, his back to me as he hovered over the coffee machine, putting the filter in and dumping the grounds on top before closing the lid.

I blinked, suddenly feeling a shift in mindset. "Yeah... I thought we could head to that diner? You know, just to be nice and grab him some breakfast before we talk."

Jungkook tidied up his space as his coffee heated and brewed. The male raised both his eyebrows as he leaned back on the counter behind him for support. "And where does doing that get you?"

"It-- could calm him down? It's from a place he likes to go, and--" I started out, feeling my voice get carried away until Jungkook cut me off with a knowing look.

"It gives you an alibi... That's good thinking." My ears muffled for a split second at Jungkook's compliment. I took a stepped forward into the kitchen to lean against the wall near the fridge, my cheeks fizzled with a wave of unruly heat.

"Thanks, officer. I thought it was pretty genius too." I confessed, and Jungkook rolled his eyes with sly smirk.

"Well, since you're in the 'thinking' mood... I was wondering if you ever have any plans to celebrate your birthday while you were here?" Jungkook scratched at the side of his neck. "I know things aren't entirely the same, but there is no way you didn't come up with something, right?"

"I-- I had a-a whole list... Actually." Jungkook's eyes widened, seeming fairly intrigued with my answer.

"Really now? That's-- ambitious." He replied, and I could hear the chuckle he withheld.

Back then, when I was just writing dreams in a notebook, the lines on the paper were phantom rocket ships. They soared so high in mind that I couldn't fathom them being real. Back then, in Korea, it was easier to have a wistful daydream than an active mind where nothing new was happening. When I wrote the list, I didn't have a clue of the steps it would take clear it. I didn't map out the corners and section of the trip that were rocky and lined with potholes.

In retrospect, my list was nothing but a heap of rushed, concocted envisions.

I don't know who how halmoni put up with me.

My right hand cupped my left elbow and I shrugged. "I... Yeah, I don't know. It was fun in moment when I wrote everything. I wanted to- go to museums, swim in rivers, watch movies, meet... Someone new. It sounds sort of crazy now that I'm here..." I began to shake my head at the highlight reel of the night prior to my flight played in my subconscious; it appeared almost foolish how giddy I was , "... I don't know what I was thinking."

"Well..." Jungkook stood up from the counter and turned to face the newly filled decanter of coffee. He scooted over and reached into a cabinet above for a mug, and began to pour the dark brown liquid in right away. "It's not crazy. It's called being honest... You wanted to do things that would last in your brain forever. There's nothing wrong with that. You're nineteen, Jimin... Your life is important."

My teeth nipped at the insides of my cheeks as my lips pursed in thought. Jungkook unplugged the coffee maker and swung around the kitchen to take a seat on the bar stool, his mug of coffee steaming with a heavily caffeinated aroma.

"I just--" My eyebrows furrowed as I tried to piece together this shredded worksheet of my emotions, "--I wanted to make memories, and none of it-I just feel sort of... Stupid for- for dreaming like I would ever
get to travel and have fun, like- like every other person my age. My life in Korea was never that way, and I... I was hoping... So much." I inhaled, keeping my eyes level with Jungkook's who didn't waver in the slightest at my blabbering.

Jungkook's focus trailed downward and flicked back to my face. It took me a second to realize my hands were balling up like boxing gloves. My neck suddenly experienced a rush of mortifying warmth, the heat traveling up to my ears with embarrassment of my portrayed frustration.

Jungkook took a sip from his mug and narrowed his eyes gently. "Hey, uh- I have a question. You don't have to answer if you don't feel up to it, but... It would just put some things into perspective... We can head out after this."

I hummed to agree, allowing Jungkook a slot to speak.

Jungkook sucked a breath, licking his lips right after as he eyed me to finally ask.

"Did your parents ever let you out of the house when you were younger?" The older man questioned me, sitting high up on the metal barstool, his legs spread open while a taking a sip of his black coffee.

I rolled my eyes, my neck flicking for our pupils to coincidentally align with one another; his gaze was like a furnace of mystery, obliterating everything I thought I once knew about him.

"I did what I could when I wanted." The taller man raised his eyebrows.

"And when was that?" He deadpanned.

I gulped, "never."

Jungkook held up his index finger and wagged it side to side, then pointed at me with a smile that looked like honey glistening in the sun. "There's your answer, Jimin. You're not stupid, and you're not crazy. You're young. You haven't had many... Real life experiences, and this is new. Obstacles like this are new. And... I'm going to tell you right now; life is full of twists. Not all clouds are going to like look bags of oranges. Some things just are what they are, and you have to face it. It's tough, but... It's reality."

My eyes were spritzed with tears clouded up my vision. I held my head up to blink them away and close my eyes just to feel grounded.

The weight of Jungkook's words were stacking like the floors of a skyscraper, constantly climbing floor after floor, and syllable after syllable.

"I'm sorry for getting so... Emotional. I bet it's kinda weird... You listening to a teenager's problems." I croaked out, my voice chasing its stolen bass.

Jungkook whistled, shaking his head before sitting his mug on the island counter. "No... I have my own fair share of issues..." his lips puckered a bit before continuing on, "... I have a- a therapist back home in Busan, actually, so... I know how it feels. I've had problems since I was ten, and some of them have not left yet. There are some new ones too... But I'm here. I'm trying to work through them, and-I know you can too."

I fiddled with my fingers, sniffling a bit while Jungkook's sayings rolled off his tongue like butter on toast. I took to moment for it to spread evenly across my brain and seep into the crust.

"It's just... Sucks having so many feelings all at once." I admitted, my chest overwhelmingly tight.

Jungkook tilted his head to side and nodded before he hopped off the barstool, and brushed off his pants to adjust. "Yeah... Yeah it does... But you want to get a hold of it now. Tighten those reins while you can..." Jungkook sighed, his hard bottoms pounding the floor as he walked toward me. The volume of his voices on a steady decrease. Just two feet away from me, Jungkook placed a hand on my left shoulder, "...You've got it... I know so."

My lips were clamped shut as I nodded slowly and Jungkook joined in, shaking my shoulder to jolt me awake from my daze. My vision blurred when I his last words ping pong from ear to ear on repeat. Soon, there was steak of wetness steaming from my eye.

"I-I'm-- yeah, I'm sorry..." I wiped at my eyes to rid my face of the dampness. Jungkook's proximity gradually became too much pressure, more than my heart could handle. I backed up from his hold, my face grilling at this point as I stepped to the side to distance myself, "I'm sorry for... Crying. I didn't-- we can just-- go now."

Jungkook delayed his response, almost like he hadn't heard me. He blinked after a while to shuttle out his skeptical reply. "Are you... Are you sure? We can take a second--"

"I-I don't need a second. We can... Make this happen..." I clenched and unclenched my hands to just to feel as in control as possible. My legs were bicycle pedals as I scurried out of the kitchen to the front door, my heartbeat wasn't slowing either, "... I got it."

Jungkook's lips twitched as if he wanted to protest, but his words didn't match up. He stiffed his hands on in pocket with a delightful hum.

He dug in his pocket and held out the keys to his rental SUV, the metal clanked with a familiar tune.

"You do."

I turned to face the condo's door, my hands resting on the metal. Determination rumbled under my feet when I twisted the knob. I whispered a small prayer and wish for things to be smooth sailing from here on out, hoping that someone heard it.

I looked out at the condo's empty hallways and breathed, relishing in the feeling of being introduced to the real world.

Where obstacles are new.

Where things are what they are.

Where I was finally making memories by doing the right thing.

By possibly changing a life.

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

After departing from Jungkook's condo, and peeling off on the road toward the diner, it felt like I had all the time in the world to stare off like it was my last. Sitting on the passenger seat, and watching the sky fade from blue to a dreary gray on each turn suddenly, wasn't so bad. The cool AC blowing on my heated skin, and the crater of comfortable silence was nothing but an armchair for my thoughts to rest in.

However, when I caught a glimpse of Jungkook every so often-- at red lights or just waiting for turn signal-- it was clear he and I weren't on the same page. It was a pestilent itch I didn't have the energy to scratch.

But luckily, I didn't have to reach far for that feeling to recede.

A yellow light up ahead switched to red, making Jungkook ease up on the gas and brake behind two cars. He adjusted his seatbelt and rearview mirror, expelling a puff of air to fill the crater, if only for a second.

"We're getting close... I hope you're excited." He said, looking forward to keep an eye out for the light change.

I thought about answering, but wasn't much to be said as of now. Not until I got to my destination, not until I jumped the hurtles blocking on my track. I was too busy thinking of the different ways this day could end. How if I failed, I wouldn't be able to scrape it off and lick the spoon. How this will be one of the most unforgettable days on this trip.

The oppressive, and frightening idea of failure was a hurtle within itself.

We waited about two minutes before the light was green again, and the vehicle's movement was reintroduced. Jungkook made another turn where just down the street, the brick exterior of the diner had came into view. Incontinently, my hands slithered their way to unbuckle my seatbelt at the sight.

As we rode closer, I zeroed in on the parking lot that was void of many costumers. Jungkook pulled into the lot with ease and had no trouble finding a place. He docked the car in front of the glass doors, taking his foot of the brake finally.

I kept my eyes forward, picturing my movements before they were made.

It all felt so superficial.

More vivid than anything I could ever daydream.

For the second time, I felt the same rush I had when I laid my shielded eyes on the airport in Korea.

I wasn't physically moving, but my life was treading to a place that circulated with problems other than mine, but was surging with importance.

"Like a starfish." I mumbled to myself, remembering Jungkook's soulful words from that day at the aquarium.

Although we had only known each other for around five days, the things he said were beginning to permeate each decision I was making. Standing next to him, there was always a gap between his knowledge and mind; what he knew about Taehyung was drastically different than what I did, and his view on the world had an odd glare that I didn't have. It was an obvious gap I wanted to bridge before my trip ended. I expected it to be harder; but to be frank, he and I weren't so distant from each other.

So far, it had been five days of us looking at two skies, and one day of squinting at the same sun.

Jungkook unbuckled his seat belt, opening his car door, ultimately forcing me to do the same on my side. Thankfully it hadn't rained yet, which kept my birthday fit from unfortunate ruin.

Jungkook's paces were long and quick as he made strides to the front doors of the diner. The wind was at his back and so was I. He stopped when he got to the door, placing his hand on the knob and swinging it open without walking through.

I stalled my entry, gawking at his gesture. Jungkook nodded his head toward the inside of the diner where there wasn't a cashier to lock my sights on just yet. "Go ahead, do what you need. Right behind you."

My naturally tense hand jerked at his encouragement, making me shake them to free my body from its doubtful prison. My lips quirked into a smile, my chest rising with a fresh breath.

"Right... Going then."

I strutted forward, taking my precautions as I looked around at the diner's booths and tables. There was a heavy fog situated over this place, the wasn't any radio or even a good stranger's gossip to overhear. I couldn't really conjure an idea of why else Taehyung would come here so often unless it was for the food.

Just as I was gliding my way to the cashier counter, I could hear Jungkook's footsteps click behind me until they were silenced, meaning he probably taken seat. When I made it to the register, my hand sliding on the counter while glancing up at their plainly presented menu, I waited for a few minutes before someone finally decided to fulfill their job.

Soon, a man about my height with red and black dual-colored hair, and a nose piercing dragged themselves to the counter. My eyes scanned down the person's strikingly familiar face to their nametag that only opened up another window of options in this new house of choices I was making. The older male stared back at me with dull, and dark pupils that skinned me of my initial confusion.

"Yoongi." I whispered, leaning forward a bit, blowing dust off an old book of memories as I connected the points of yesterday to the present.

The man, who apparently didn't care for my speech looked down at his wristwatch and sighed. "Alright, good morning... What can I get for you?"

My mouth hung open for few seconds as I my fumbled my way through how to start off the jumbled ideas in my mind. My tongue dried out as I thought, so I swallowed to start things out easily. "Um... Waffles. Just one, with syrup."

The man nodded, looking back at the register and typing in the order patiently. "Cool... You--" he jumped back after raised his head from the register to make eye contact, "-- why're you staring at me like that?"

I felt my hand grow moist from the wave of embarrassment. I blinked, shaking my head and stepping back. "I'm sorry... I kinda- You just look- I've seen you before, right?"

I pointed at him with furrowed eyebrows. Yoongi shrugged, his eyes flickering to the side and behind me. "I don't know... You got something you want from me?"

My lips pressed into a flat line as I sucked up the tiny ounces of nervousness in hopes of it taking me somewhere. "I mean... You haven't really met me yet, but my name is Jimin... I'm a friend of Taehyung's." Yoongi suddenly folded his arms and backed from the counter with suspicion wrinkling on his forehead. I exhaled, closing my eyes briefly so I could get to my point. "I know you're his boyfriend, which means you probably know him better than I do... You were at his house yesterday... You walked out on him... What happened?"

The older male's nostril's flared as he poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue. "Look, I don't know what you want me to say... Tae and I- we're not even that serious. Yesterday, was just... A fucked-up day for him and he called me... We did what we always do. If that bothers you, take it up with him."

Yoongi's harsh tone was shallower than bathwater, but had no clarity whatsoever. The subtle things about his speech popped out to me like suds; how he constantly looked over my shoulder as if someone were standing there, and spoke as if a time clock or referee was keeping him in check. However, what he was saying didn't exactly correspond with his apathetic attitude.

The things I'd been unaware of where compiling into a list.

Taehyung told me he and Yoongi were in a relationship, but that doesn't seem to be case.

Taehyung never told me he had a brother.

Taehyung also won't tell me why yesterday played out the way it did or how.

These were pieces of information I wouldn't even have a grasp on if I gave up today. My throat was filled with cotton, keeping me from a speedy response while I processed. There was plenty I had left to do, and this conversation was the starting line to a race for answers and solutions.

Yoongi disappeared from the counter to walk around to the back where I was left alone with the foggiest of mindsets. I ran a hand through my hair, scrunching the strands at the end. My feet suddenly sizzled for me pace around the diner's tiled floor. I tapped my foot, beginning to feel a rush of impatience sprout as I waited for Yoongi's return.

I assumed my hearing was muffled until the ear-rattling sound of Jungkook's low voice revealed itself behind me, causing me to twist around and face him nearing with both hands in pockets.

"Seems like things are getting wrapped up? Ready to go?" My shoulders slumped like an avalanche that only I could feel weighing me down.

Just as I opened my mouth, the sound of Yoongi's return to the counter interrupted me. I turned my head back and set my sights on the container of waffles and syrup. He typed another set of numbers into the register and casually looked up until he froze the second time around.

His arms fell to his side as if he had lost a championship sports game. "Oh, what the hell do you want, man? I don't have time for this shit today."

It took me second to realize his venomous words weren't directed at me anymore; instead, Jungkook seemed to be the golden target.

Jungkook scoffed, shaking his head. "Hey, I'm not here for you. Just coming to get my brother breakfast. What's the total?"

Yoongi let out a deep chuckled of disagreement. "You mean the brother you screamed at like a bitch the other day? Hard to believe that... $10.15 please."

Although Jungkook's face didn't carry even as miniscule amount of displeasure, I could sense the brooding tension that draped over the three of us. Nothing but kitchen sounds filling the cracks of the unspoken phases that each wanted to deliver. I couldn't help but think my presence was adding to feeling.

Jungkook rolled his eyes to the left while fishing out his wallet from his pocket. He pulled out his credit card, licking his lips to start off his reply. "Yesterday was a mess, and you know that... You have no right to tell me how to react when my brother was just a pill away from a death sentence... You're part of that problem now."

"Yeah, and you aren't?" Yoongi swiped Jungkook's card, waiting, for a recite to print as he slammed on the counter next to the waffles. "I'm just some guy he likes to fuck with... Why should I give a hell--"

"Because you were there..." Jungkook boomed beside me, his voice on elevating as he stared Yoongi down like a hawk searching for its prey on the ground. He snatched his card from the counter and placed back in his wallet with ease. When he began again, his voice simmered into a casual tone that bordered on acidity, "... You were there the night before. You allowed my brother to-to do molly. That's why all this is happening right now, and you have nothing to say."

My ears were practically ringing after witnessing Jungkook's pounding vowels for the first time, his neck blooming with a reddened hue as worked himself up. Jungkook's breathing uneven like mine, the restraints he wore for these past view days were loosening.

Yoongi's jaw tightened as he adjusted his nose ring before looking up at the ceiling with a smirk. His eyes sailed over to me for moment as well. In one swift motion, he reached around to his back pocket and powered on his phone to swipe through it.

"What're you doing now?" Jungkook questioned, the underlying wrath he stored depleting.

Yoongi ignored his inquiry and instead, held up his phone with the screen facing the both us.

I leaned in to read the what seemed like an ongoing text conversation between him and Taehyung. "You wanna be some sort of superhero? Read 'em if makes your day any better."

Jungkook hesitated for a moment, glancing over at me for split second before reach his arm out and grabbing the device slowly. I slid over to peak at the screen along with him as he mumbled the texts while reading through. Each time he scrolled, there was an endless stream of panicked, midnight message bubbles from Taehyung's number, garnering words I wouldn't use even on the worst day of my life.

The messages made a great leap from lowercase to capital, only to suddenly stop when a photo was sent, breaking the flow.

The image was filled chaos and blurred darkness, with the red and blue hues of police cars, and the neon yellows of the tape covering the broken windows of an unfamiliar building.

A robbery?

My squinted as Jungkook zoomed in on the top of the photo to clarify things. Soon, he removed his fingers from the screen and I became a spectator once his wrist grew weak and began to tremble.

I narrowed my eyes to get a better look at Jungkook's revelation.

Just seconds later, graininess of the picture was smoothed out when I noticed Jungkook hadn't just zoomed in to observe the scene, but he zoomed in to read it.

My eyes followed along the path I figured Jungkook would've taken, and found the banner that hung solemnly in front of the building.

'KT's BLOSSOMS SHOP'

I blinked down at the phone; my lungs were shriveling as I eyed Yoongi's screen while it darkened to blackness. Jungkook's hand trembled as he stared down at the blank screen for a bit longer as if to tattoo it in his retinas. There wasn't a shred of nervousness left in the diner from neither Jungkook or I. Only heaps of worry and distress making a foul stench on the mood.

Again, there wasn't any movement in the area.

Just stillness that veiled the working minds of each one of us.

I rose my head, taking it upon myself to change things as I reached for the waffle container. Jungkook followed suit and even his shaky limbs, he returned the phone to Yoongi by setting on the counter. Without saying word, Jungkook nodded at him, and turned on his heels to begin exiting the restaurant.

Yoongi picked up his phone and kept his eyes trained on Jungkook's back, all the way until the front door was opened and closed.

I cleared my throat. "You can keep the recite... I don't need anything else."

The older man didn't bother to replay, which led to me back away from the counter with waffles in hand. Once I turned around, my chest cruelly wrenched, and my heart hammered each time my feet brought me closer to the glass doors.

When I got near, I could not only see my reflection through it, but I could obtain the SUV just beyond it where Jungkook and I locked eyes through the windshield.

My hand leapt up to the door's handle and pushed it forward.

Yet again, Jungkook's saying made their way back into my head.

The puzzle pieces were clicking, and the messages were being sent.

Life is full of twists.

Not all clouds are going to like look bags of oranges.

Some things just are what they are, and you have to face it.

It's tough, but...

It's reality.

Now as I am exiting.

I'm entering a new world, with new obstacles.

It was going to take more than just me work through it.

But as of right now, I wasn't nervous.

Because I wasn't alone anymore.

▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎ ▪︎

A/N: SOOO... HOW WAS IT!

It's been while! This chapter is long, but I hope you enjoyed the story movement! Thank you all for hanging on and standing by, I have a half chapter coming up next!

Q: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT JIMIN'S DECISION TO POSTPONE HIS DEPARTURE?

Q: THOUGHTS ON JUNGKOOK TELLING JIMIN THE REALITY OF LIFE?

Q: OPINIONS ON YOONMINKOOK'S CONVERSATION AND OUTCOME?

Q: HALF-CHAPTER PREDICTIONS?

Well as you all know...

You'll just have to wait and see for the next chapter!

Love you guys!

XxxS