April 18, 20XX
Sunday

I was worried that Sungjae would be upset that I wanted our first date to be at a cookout with others.

Instead, he surprised me when he stated that he didn't mind at all.

"Whatever makes you comfortable."

I smile, letting my hands slip into his as he drove us to Jungkook.

Already smelling the meat grilling, my mouth waters.

As I emerge from the side of the house, I'm relieved when I don't see Taehyung or Yeri, instead I see the guys just fooling around.

"Hi..." I quietly greet everyone clutching onto the plate of corn my mother made me bring over.

Sungjae closely follows behind me, carrying a pack of beer for everyone to enjoy.

"Jennie!" Namjoon throws his arms up, excited to see me. When he spots Sungjae behind me he quickly puts his arms down, unable to hide his shock.

"Hi everyone, I'm sure you remember Sungjae from the club. He's my..." I turn to look at him, biting my tongue at not knowing how to introduce him exactly.

A smile stretches on his face, giving me a little wink. "Coworker and date for the day."

"Right," I look over at the guys, scared to see their reactions, but nobody gave away if they were upset with me. They all give him a friendly wave and offer him a seat at the table, making me feel better.

It's just you, Jennie.

Everyone understands there's nothing left between you and Taehyung.

"Have a seat guys. The first batch of meat should be ready soon." Jungkook gives me a cheesy grin as he continues grilling.

Leading Sungjae to the table, I have a seat beside him, calling Jungkook over to get the plate of corn.

Hoseok tilts his head as he looks at Sungjae. "You know...you still look familiar."

Sungjae licks his lips and awkwardly shifts in his chair.

"'ey, Jungkook! Jimin coming?" Yoongi suddenly asks.

"Later, I think?" Jungkook wipes his nose and closes the lid of the grill as the meat cooks.

"Jimin?" Sungjae raises an eyebrow, turning towards me.

Confused, I turn to him until it hits me. "Oh, that's right...If you knew Taehyung, you might have also known Jimin."

Hoseok leans in closer, more curious as he stares down at Sungjae.

Sungjae nods his head slowly, "Right, I saw them around."

"What was your name again?" Hoseok asks.

Sungjae locks eyes with him, wiping his palm on his leg. "Yook. Sungjae."

I look over at Hoseok who just nods to himself, clearly rattling the contents of his mind as to why Sungjae feels familiar to him.

It's really bothering him...

"Watch out, food's ready!" Jungkook cheerfully walks over with a tray of cooked meat.

Yoongi leaps out of his lawn chair and starts to grab some. "Finally, I haven't eaten all day."

"Did you work earlier?" I ask.

He nods. "Unfortunately. Takes even longer when people decide to take pictures of their drinks right at the register, like I'm sure their 15 followers care."

I chuckle.

Sungjae grabs some meat and places it on my plate before adding some on his. "Where do you work?"

"Line Cafe. Pretty much all of us do. Except Taehyung and soon Jungkook if he can finish his degree."

"Don't stress me out, please." Jungkook groans, "Grill the meat, not me."

"It's for your own good." I tease him to which he answers by sticking his tongue out and crossing his eyes.

"What kind of work do you do at Winter Bear?" Namjoon asks Sungjae, interested in joining the convo.

Sungjae finishes chewing. "Mm... Editing. I'm in charge of video editing and photo editing. All photos go through me before they go to clients."

"He's extraordinary," I add in, "He basically tailors them to whatever vibe fits the customer."

Sungjae smiles my way, "It's nothing."

I shake my head. "Don't say that. You take your time on them and a lot goes into than people might think."

Sungjae covers his face, being showered in my compliments, "Thank you."

"So he edits, Taehyung's photos." Hoseok says quietly, "I'm surprised he allows that."

I clench my jaw.

He's right by knowing the fact that Taehyung probably would not like anyone editing his own photos, but with all his responsibilities now, he doesn't have time to do it himself.

Besides, he would take too long trying to make them perfect.

"So you knew Taehyung before?" Hoseok quirks his eyebrow, eyes sharp.

Sungjae nods, stiffly, "We were in the same program."

"In Japan. In the photography program."

"...right."

"And now you're editing photos."

My heart starts to accelerate with the tension growing between Sungjae and Hoseok.

Why is he acting that way?

Why is he making Sungjae uncomfortable?

"I am. I hope to open my own studio one day. Just, I can't right now."

Hoseok nods, "Do you mind if I look up your work?"

Sungjae grips his pants.

"Go ahead," he practically whispers.

Hoseok quickly types up his name before staring at his screen, his eyes flickering directly at Sungjae's.

I lift my head up and look at Sungjae, not understanding the situation at all.

My phone starts to buzz and I look to see a number I don't recognize.

Excusing myself, I walk to the side of the house where I could answer it, thankful to get away.

"Hi, this is Jennie."

"Hi Jennie, this is Kris the admissions counselor from.."

I cover my mouth, shocked as he continues to inform me about what I've only dreamt about.

Running my fingers through my hair, I try to gather my words together.

"Thank you! I can't wait to get started."

When I hang up the phone, I lean against the house for a bit, trembling.

I did it.

I got into veterinary school.

Sungjae walks over, hands in his pocket.

"Sungjae," I look up at him, "I just got accepted into vet school." 

His eyebrows draw up and there's this twinkle in his eyes, like the happiness radiating off of  me was reflected in them.

He tilts my chin up with the side of his finger, a little touch that made my heart skip a beat.

"I'm proud of you."

And I'm not sure if it was just me getting caught up in my emotions, but I stretched up and placed my lips over his, just wanting more happiness.

At first, his lips were frozen against mine for so long that I started to wonder if I had gotten ahead of myself, but then his lips quickly moved against mine with care. 

I pull away, making it just a brief kiss. 

He rests his forehead against my own, "Congratulations."

Smiling, I pull away, but I catch something from the corner of my eyes: a new guest.

Locking eyes, he tilts his head back as he stares at Sungjae and I, all emotions lost in his eyes.

Taehyung.

He wasn't supposed to be here. 

Gripping onto Sungjae's arms, I turn his attention to Taehyung as well. He becomes so still, the wind rustles through his hair.

Taehyung ends up just turning away like it was nothing, continuing to eat the meat the Jungkook freshly cooked, Jungkook animatedly talking beside him.

My heart feels like it's been crushed.

"I-I'm sorry," I apologize to Sungjae, starting to regret my actions, all happiness evaporating from my body.

"Hey," Sungjae takes my hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze, "Quit being sorry for feeling the way you do. Don't make it a habit."

I bite my bottom lip and look at him as if asking if it really was okay.

"Hello~" A singing voice breaks my thought.

My eyes widen. 

It's Yeri. 

I confirm it is when I see her tiny figure walking out from the house and beside Jungkook and Taehyung.

She turns to me and Sungjae, who've isolated ourselves by the side of the house.

Her eyebrows knit together and she gives me a tiny wave. 

Returning the wave, I begin to feel nauseous. 

"U-um, Sungjae...Do you mind if we leave early?"

"Is everything alright?"

"I just...don't want to be here right now."

"Okay, I'll start the car right now. Do you want me to let them know we're leaving?"

I shake my head and cross my arms across my chest. "It's fine. I'll just let everyone know I'm not feeling well. I'll say goodbye for the both of us."

Sungjae gives my cheek a soft peck before he starts to jog towards the front of the house. 

Taking a deep breath, I turn back into the cookout.

Absent-minded, I hug the guys and let them know I was leaving early. The look in their eyes let me know that they knew why I had chosen to.

Walking over to Yeri, who looked like she was arguing with Taehyung, she comes over to meet me halfway. 

"Yeri, can I talk to you?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing." 

We pick a place to talk and as we walk over, my heart picks up speed.

Leaning against the house, I try to calm myself.

"Is everything alright?" Yeri gently holds my arm.

I get teary-eyed, "Not really."

She gives me a hug and I can only be there in her arms, wiping the corner of my eyes.

"Jennie, what's going on? Why are you with another guy? What about Taehyung?"

"He's given up on me, Yeri. I've decided to move on. I gave him the divorce papers yesterday."

She shakes her head, "Jennie-"

"It's okay, Yeri. It's okay. I used to believe that Taehyung was the best thing in my life, but lately  I've started to regret having him in my life... and I just think I need to move on because I don't want to remember him this way. I can't let it happen."

Yeri hugs me tightly, "I'm sorry this is happening to you both."

I wrap my arms around her.

"Yeri, there's something else I need to ask you and can you just be honest?"

She pulls away from the hug,"Yeah, go ahead."

"How do you know Irene?"

"Irene?" 

"Yes, Irene...Bae Joohyun."

"Why are you asking about her?" She cocks her head to the side.

"Just answer it, Yeri." I whisper, preparing myself for the worst.

"She's a family friend. The daughter of one my mother's friends. Why?"

I close my eyes. 

"Because she's ruined my life," I reveal, "She was by Taehyung's side in Japan, so much that she was remembered when I wasn't. Now, Taehyung and her work Winter Bear studio together and she hired me knowing the past Taehyung and I had. She's made my life a living hell."

Not expecting a reaction from Yeri, she surprises me with how mad she looks.

She was silent until she wasn't,

"That bitch."

Author's note;;

There was a whole fight here between different characters, but I had to save it for later (maybe). It wasn't the time for it, but when it will be oohohohoho it'll be bad.