Present, Y/n POV
A satisfied smile spreads across my lips as I walk out of the classroom.
I got the highest mark again. At this rate, my future will definitely be much better than before.
"Ya! Kim Y/n! Why are you smiling like an idiot?" Nami hooks her arm around me from behind.
"Oh nothing special. I just got the highest mark again in class for this midterm." I shrug nonchalantly.
"Woah, snobbish aren't you? I can't believe that you study so hard these days. You used to be so lazy, even lazier than me. What exactly happened? Tell me your secret. You seemed to change over night." She nudges my shoulder.
"I just realize that you don't always get second chances in life. Now that I'm given the gift to try again, I'll make the most out of it." I smile at her.
"Jeez, I don't understand a word you said, but you definitely sound like a middle-aged lady now. Anw, what should we do after school?"
"Hmm.. I need to go to the library to borrow some books &-"
"Y/n ssi!" Someone's calling my name makes both of us turn our heads.
It's a guy from my econ class, whose name I don't even remember.
"Hi, sorry but do you have a few minutes?" He says as he stops in front of me.
"Uhm.. yeah sure. What's up?" I glance at Nami, who's covering her giggles with her hand.
"I've been watching you for a while. I think that you're smart & beautiful, so I would like to get to know you better. Uhm.. so.. may I have your number?" He shyly says.
He's actually quite cute in that nerdy sort of way, but I'm not interested in being in a relationship. I just want to focus on studying & preparing for my future.
"I'm really flattered that you think that way, but I need to focus on my study now. I hope you understand." I bow at him, then quickly link my arm with Nami & walk away.
"Yaa, he looks really cute. Why did you reject him?" Nami asks in disbelief.
"I told you I'm not in the mood for a relationship right now. Let's go to the library then have some ice cream afterwards."

Woah, it's been so long since I last came here.
I stare at the ice cream shop that I used to frequent back then. Nostalgia washes over me, but some bits & pieces have Jimin in them, so I instantly squash the thought.
"Pick whatever you want. My treat today." I say to Nami.
"Really? Ok, I want pistachio, chocolate chip, raspberry sorbet & milk chocolate." She points at the flavors & tells the girl behind the counter.
"Ya, isn't that a bit too much?"
"You told me to pick whatever I want, right?" She grins at me, as she bites the plastic spoon in between her rows of perfect white teeth.
"Tsk.. I totally regret saying that." I pull out my wallet & accidentally drop it on the floor.
A small hand picks it up & hands it to me.
"Excuse me, you dropped your wallet." The little boy looks up at me & says.
My heart clenches. He is obviously a few years older, but he reminds me so much of Jisung.
Without realizing, tears begin to well up in my eyes & there's such a strong urge to pull him into a hug.
"Y/n ah, what are you doing? Aren't you going to pay?" Nami's call wakes me from my daze.
"Huh? Oh ok. Wait a minute. Thank you kid. As my gratitude, would you like it if I buy you some ice cream?" Smilingly, I bend down & stroke the kid's head.
"No, thank you. My mother told me not to accept things from strangers. Have a good day." He bows at me & scurries away.
I watch his back diminish into the crowd & a pang of sadness hits my chest.
Jisung ah, how are you doing? Eomma misses you so much.
"Are you crying?" Nami searches my face in concern.
"Nah, I got dust in my eyes, that's all. Come on, I'll pay." I change the subject right away to prevent her from probing further.
We're enjoying our ice cream when suddenly Nami's phone rings. She checks the caller ID & her eyes immediately light up.
"Who is it?" I ask as I put a spoonful of ice cream in my mouth.
"Oh. Uhm.. A friend. I need to take this call. Give me a minute." She steps away from the table & goes to a quiet corner.
"Why so secretive?" I mutter to myself & keep eating.
"Y/n ah, do you want to go to the club with me tonight?" Nami asks as soon as she comes back.
"Club? You mean the place where you drink & dance?"
"Duhhh, what else?" She rolls her eyes at me.
"Why suddenly? I'm not interested in going to such place. The loud music gives me headache."
"Awww come on. I promise you it'll be fun. My friend asked me to come but I don't want to go there alone. So accompany me, pleaseeee.." She clasps her hands together & pleads.
Clubbing has never been my thing. I've only done that a few times because of Jimin & I remember hating it.
"Pleaseee Y/n ah. I have no one else to ask other than you." She shakes my arm & pouts.
"Huh.. Fine. But promise that we'll leave before midnight. And no getting drunk. No dancing with weird strangers. No-"
"Ok ok. Omg, you're even worse than my mom now. I promise I won't cause any trouble, dwaesso?" She clicks her tongue.
Although I agreed to go with her, uneasiness still tugs at the back of my mind. Something doesn't feel right.

Later that night
"Kang Nami, don't you think your dress is a bit too revealing?" My mouth gapes open as I look her up & down.
"Really? I don't think so. This is the trend nowadays." She scans her reflection in the storefront window.
"People can literally see your panties!" I exclaim.
"Shhh.. I'm wearing safety pants. Stop acting like a 50 year old ajumma." She muffles my mouth & whispers.
"Who is this friend that you're meeting?" I ask her suspiciously.
"You look good btw. Your style has gotten so much better, I gotta give you that." She ignores my question on purpose.
"Nami ya.." I continue nagging her.
"Ah, it's our turn. Let's go." She pulls me into the club as the bouncer opens the gate for us.
"Kamsahamnida." She smiles cheerfully at the bouncer.
The deafening music hurts my eardrums as soon as we walk in. The dark interior & dim lighting make it so difficult to see.
"Y/n ah, my friend is on the second floor. Follow me." Nami yells at my ear.
We sneak through the sea of people & reach a winding staircase that leads to the second floor.
Restlessness fills my mind as I climb the steps behind her.
"Nami ya, you came!"
That voice. Shit.
I reach the top of the stairs & am immediately greeted by the guy with the boxy grin.
Kim Taehyung.

"Hi, you're Y/n, right? We met the other day." Taehyung nods & smiles at me.
I immediately turn to Nami, her eyes are filled with adoration as she stares at Taehyung.
Shit.
"Kang Nami, we need to leave. Now." I pull her to the side & whisper in her ear.
"Why? We just got here!" She shakes my hand off & backs away from me.
"I'll explain to you later. Let's get out of here first." I try to snatch her wrist, but she avoids my grasp.
"I really like him Y/n ah, can't we just stay for a while? Please?" She pleads.
That's precisely the problem.
"I can't let you repeat the same mistake! How did you get in contact with each other anw? I thought you'd never seen each other again after that day at BigHit." I hiss.
"Well, he asked for my number before you appeared. I gave it to him & we've stayed in contact ever since." She sheepishly explained.
"Is everything ok?" Taehyung asks in concern.
"Yes! Sorry, I just need to talk to her for a moment." Nami smiles awkwardly at Taehyung & then turns back to me.
"I don't understand why you hate him so much. Is it because he's an idol? He's a really sweet guy. I promise you'll like him once you get to know him." Nami says urgently.
"I won't & I know you'll grow to hate him too. So, let's go." I coldly reply.
"Yaaa Kim Y/n. What's wrong you? Fine, you can go if you want to, but I'm staying." She crosses her arms stubbornly.
"Kang Nami-" I begin to get anxious.
"Y/n ssi?" The familiar voice makes me turn my head.
Oh God.
"N-Namjoon ssi, annyeong haseyo." Not knowing what else to do, I readily bow at him.
"I didn't expect to see you here, but it's a pleasant surprise tho." He smiles at me, his cute dimples visible even under the dim lighting.
"Ahh Kim Namjoon ssi, I'm sorry but can you please keep Y/n company for a while? I need to talk to Taehyung. Thanks!" Nami takes her chance & escapes.
"Ya Kang Nami!" I helplessly watch Taehyung take her hand & disappear into the crowd.
"Uhm.. Do you want to sit down?" Namjoon asks as he scratches the back of his head.
I don't want to stay but I can't leave Nami alone. I need to make sure that she doesn't go too far with Taehyung.
"Ok. Sure." I agree in the end.
The two of us sit down with the other people at the table, which apparently consist of BigHit staffs & trainees.
"Uhm.. do you want to drink anything?" Namjoon shouts over the blaring music.
"No, thanks. I'm good." I flatly reject him.
"Uhm.. You look pretty tonight btw." He tries to strike a conversation with me again.
"Thanks."
"This is awkward." He chuckles while rubbing his neck.
Feeling extremely uncomfortable, I flash him a thin smile & play with my hands.
"Hyung!" Namjoon's head instantly perks up, most probably feeling relieved that someone is finally coming to rescue him.
I follow his gaze & my heart stops.
Jimin is walking towards us with a huge grin on his face, which gradually turns into a frown when he sees me sitting beside Namjoon.
"What is she doing here?" He asks.
"Uhm I guess she's here with Taehyung? Right?" Namjoon turns to me for confirmation.
"Namjoon sunbaenim, annyeong." A petite girl suddenly jumps out behind Jimin.
Her long brown hair frames her small face, accentuating her big doe eyes & cherry red lips. The tight short dress she's wearing hugs her curves perfectly, making me feel like a middle school girl in comparison to her in my modest outfit.
My eyes dart to her fingers, which are clutching Jimin's arm tightly, & an indescribable annoyance rises within me.
"Oh Yeonhee ya, you came too?" Namjoon seems to recognize the girl.
"네 (Ne=Yes), Jimin oppa asked me to come so I did." She smiles sweetly at Namjoon.
Oppa??
I turn to Jimin & widen my eyes. He only mouths a "뭐 (mwo=what)" in return & quickly averts his gaze.
"Ommo, is this your girl friend? Annyeong eonni, my name is Yeonhee. I'm a trainee in BigHit." She waves at me & I reciprocate hesitantly.
"Girl friend? Come on, Namjoon hyung has a better taste than that." Jimin scoffs.
Why you little piece of-
I glare at him & grit my teeth to control my fury.
"Park Jimin-" Namjoon glances back & forth between me & Jimin, seemingly perturbed by Jimin's remark.
"Namjoon ssi, I've changed my mind about that drink you offered earlier. I'd like to have a gin & tonic, please." I turn to Namjoon, rest my hand on his arm & flash him my most charming smile.
"Really? Ok, I'll get it for you. Wait a minute." Namjoon stands up abruptly & rushes to the bar.
A triumphant smirk lifts my lips as I sense Jimin's death glare on my face.
"Yeonhee ya, let's go sit with the others over there." Jimin snakes his arm around Yeonhee's tiny waist & guides her to another table.
"Oh ok. I'll see you again later eonni." She nods at me.
While she isn't looking, Jimin turns around & shows me his smug face.
Oh so this is how you wanna play the game? Fine! Let's see who wins in the end.
I clench my fist & fume inwardly.
"Sorry, the bar was very crowded. Here you go." Namjoon plops down beside me & hands me my gin & tonic.
"Thanks." I mumble as I take a sip.
From the corner of my eyes, I can see that Jimin is staring at us, so I lean closer to Namjoon & whisper into his ear.
"Thanks for the drink." I say while flashing him my brightest smile.
"Y-You're welcome." Flustered by my sudden intimate action, he bites his lip & rubs the back of his neck sheepishly.
That would show you, Park Jimin.
I smirk in triumph as my periphery vision catches Jimin fuming.
But then, he abruptly pulls Yeonhee's arm, letting her stumble onto his lap.
She's visibly startled, but her body melts into his as soon as he circles his arms around her petite waist. Then, she lowers her face & kisses him right on his lips.
The crowd cheers loudly, including Namjoon, but my heart clenches at the sight. I don't want it to affect me, but it does. In fact, it hurts really bad.
"Namjoon ssi, please excuse me. I need to go to the restroom." I turn to Namjoon & hastily excuse myself. Instead of going to the restroom, I find myself a seat at the bar.
"Tequila, please." I hate drinking alcohol, but I need something to erase the scene I just witnessed from my head.
After a couple more shots, my heart feels lighter & the pain in my chest has numbed.
"One more shot, please." I slur to the bartender.
Just as I am about to pour the golden liquid into my mouth, a hand snatches the shot glass away from my hand.
"Hey! That's mine!" I turn around & yell at the person.
"Don't you think you've had enough?" It's Jimin, standing right in front of me with a deep frown in between his brows.
"Why do you care, huh? Go back to that little girl friend of yours. Gimme that." I try to grab the glass from him but I miss because my movement has become sluggish due to the alcohol.
"You're drunk. Go home." He downs the shot in one go & put the empty glass on the bar.
"Ya! Who are you to tell me what to do? You're no one to me now!" I shout at him, ignoring the weird looks coming from the crowd around us.
"Shhh! Don't make a scene." He hisses.
"Why? Coz you're Park idol-freaking Jimin? Are you afraid that I'll hurt your reputation? Don't worry you're not that famous yet." I laugh out loud.
"Come with me." He grabs my arm & pulls me away from the bar.
"Ya! Let go of me! Let go of me now!" I scream, but that only makes him tighten his grip.
"Let.. go!" He finally releases me once we reach a quiet nook.
"Why are you acting this way? Didn't we agree that we shouldn't see each other again?" He asks as he pushes his hair back in frustration.
"Do you think I want to see you again? I got dragged here by Nami who despite all my effort is still falling for Taehyung!" I yell at him.
I feel dizzy suddenly & my legs wobble causing me to slightly lose my balance.
"Careful." Jimin instantaneously extends his hand to support me.
"Don't touch me! Just go back to your pretty Yeonhee. Gosh, I can't believe you've moved on so fast. You must've been craving for this moment when we were married." I scoff bitterly.
"I didn't expect her to kiss me! Besides, it was you who started it first!" He shouts.
"Me? I started it?"
"Yes! You were the one who flirted with Namjoon hyung first! Did you think I didn't notice the way you looked at him? Are you wearing that provocative dress just to get his attention? I knew you had a crush on him, even after we got married you still kept in contact with him. Was he on your mind every time we fucked?!"
My palm lands hard on his cheek, shutting his rant.
"How dare you?" I mutter lowly. I can't believe he throws such atrocious accusation at me, when he was the one who got caught cheating.
Anger & pain mix together inside my chest, bringing hot tears to my eyes.
"I worked my ass off as hard as I could. I'd tried my best, but it still wasn't enough. I'm not a dog. All I wanted was to be appreciated & treated like human. Was that too much to ask?" He looks coldly at me in the eyes before turning around & walking away.
I clench my fists, so many words of retort running through my head.
I didn't treat him like human? I didn't appreciate him? Isn't it the other way around?
I wipe my tears with the back of my hand, straighten myself, & walk back upstairs to look for Nami.
"Y/n ssi, where did you go? I've been searching for you everywhere." Namjoon comes from behind & taps my shoulder.
"Sorry, I was searching for Nami. Have you seen her?"
"Oh, your friend who's with Tae? I haven't seen her. Do you want me to help find her?" He kindly offers.
My vision darts to Jimin, who's back to his seat with Yeonhee clinging onto him like a wet blanket.
He's laughing like nothing's happened & it makes my blood boil.
"It's ok. I'll just call her later. I'm going first, thanks for the drink earlier." I faintly smile at him & head back towards the stairs.
"Hey, are you ok? You look pale." Namjoon follows you & asks in concern.
"I'm fine." Right then, my foot slips & I fall down onto the floor.
"Y/n ssi!" Namjoon immediately rushes to me & helps me stand up.
I feel deeply embarrassed because all eyes are on me now, including Yeonhee's & Jimin's.
"Y/n ah! Are you alright? What happened?" Nami suddenly emerges from the crowd.
"Nami ya, can we go home please?" I try my hardest to suppress the tears that are about to fall.
"O-Ok. Let's go. I'll see you again Taehyung ssi, I need to get her home now." She notices the distress in my face & immediately bids goodbye to Taehyung.
"Ow!" I wince in pain as Namjoon lets go of me.
"Why? What's wrong? Where does it hurt?" Nami & Namjoon asks in unison as they frantically scan my body.
"I'm fine. Let's just go."
"Are you sure? Let me walk you downstairs." Namjoon says, his brows knitted into a deep frown.
"It's ok. I-" The rest of my sentence gets caught in my throat because Namjoon lifts me up & carries me in his arms.
"N-Namjoon ssi, let me down." I shyly whisper as I hear the crowd cheering around me.
"No. I'll let you down once we reach the exit. Let's go Nami ssi." He says to a mouth-gaping Nami.
I lower my head to hide my face & glance back one last time only to be met by Jimin's burning eyes.