Yoongi thought about the pretty girl that had surprised him.  He wanted to see her again but if he was honest with himself he was scared of her and her questions.  It was like she was a character from one of his books.  Pretty and mysterious and he couldn't wait to discover what she would do next.  All night he pondered if she was real or if his own active imagination had put her there to keep him company.  

She didn't talk much, like himself, so he felt comfortable around her like a soft comfy blanket fresh out of the dryer, soothing and warm.  Yoongi wasn't ready to open up but he did want a friend desperately.  Maybe she could be the one but it was scary to let people back in after spending so much time blocking people out.  He didn't want to care cause he didn't want to get hurt.  Besides, she was probably nothing like him.  How was he going to explain to her how he had retreated from his former life to live a more gentle existence?  He spent most of his day reading and losing himself in his imagination.  He liked to draw and paint and unlike her lived without schedules or the pressures of daily life.  He was 'eccentric' his aunt had said, 'a free spirit.'  In other words, a weirdo.

But what exactly made him different?  Was it the fact that he actually had time to think?  Although he had retreated from his former life avoiding people at all cost, he wasn't a shut-in.  He enjoyed the outdoors immensely. Every day taking the time to enjoy every sunrise and every sunset as if he had to for all those his loved ones had missed.  He would take long walks to ease the loneliness making friends with the neighbor's pets that had grown fond of his daily visits.  They knew him better than his neighbors knew him and the pets welcomed him as eagerly as their own owners because of the love he showed and the little treats he brought.  

At first, Yoongi had been frightened by this one feisty little dog that always barked at him furiously showing his teeth but eventually, the angry little fluff got used to his daily visits and would lick his hand through the gate.  Yoongi would throw sticks into the yard which the dog would return to him every time wagging his tail happily.

When he wasn't out exploring or lost in a book, Yoongi was curious about his former friends and sometimes would spy on them.  They were so into their own thing that they didn't even notice his presence.  He was starting to believe he was a ghost or maybe just invisible.  But she had seen him.  

The beautiful girl that walked alone humming the music in her mind.  That wasn't the first time he had seen her but it was the first time she had gazed into his eyes.  Her beautiful eyes had looked at me and my heart nearly stopped and my skin tingled like after a great fright. He felt alive. This made him smile.  Maybe he was finally coming out of his cocoon.  Maybe he could finally have what he was missing. A friend.

Yoongi had someone in his life but it wasn't the same as a friend.  His aunt was a nice lady.  After all, she had rearranged her whole life to give him a place in her home.  She had taken him from his familiar painful surroundings and brought him to her clean white house that smelled like pine and soap.  It was still in the same neighborhood but the new surroundings offered a calming balm to his pain.  

Her house was modern and immaculate the complete opposite of her sister's house that was homey and comfortable.  Whenever he smelled cinnamon apples or baked bread he was transported to his mother's kitchen.  She was a baker and always made treats for him and his brother. Those scents were like a warm hug from his mother that he rarely got to enjoy.

His room at his aunt's house felt like a cell at a mental hospital although a nice one.  It was too plain so Yoongi tried to remedy that with his photographs, art or by bringing nature into his room.  On his walks, he collected plant cuttings and put them in many kinds of containers and jars he could find and placed them by his window to capture the light.  After all, he wanted to be a gardener or own his own garden shop. 

His new little garden had made him smile for once but when his aunt found it she made him throw it away cause she said it was dirty and brought bugs.  She tried to understand his love of nature and allowed a few plants on the front patio.  Not that she was a mean person, she just wasn't warm but she tried to be pleasant.  At least she would buy him books, Yoongi thought.  

Their favorite activity was going to the bookstore browsing the shelves for literary treasures.  His aunt would always treat him to a coffee and a cookie when they were done.  It was the only unhealthy treat he was allowed.  

It's no wonder Yoongi would escape as often as he could.  During the day when people were off to work or school was the best time to explore.  He would go into people's gardens and take pictures of the beautiful things he wanted to capture.  His favorite place to go was a large empty field that led to the woods near his home.  

That is until one day a dog chased him till he couldn't run anymore and he climbed a tree like a scared kitten.  Yoongi cried feeling sorry for himself until the dog finally gave up and left him alone.  It was dark by the time he got home and his aunt had been very worried.  He promised her he would not go there again, his favorite place.  

One day his solo adventures ended up at a familiar house.  He made his way to the backyard through the side gate and his eyes glowed in wonder at the magical treehouse.  He had found his safe space where he could come every day and read his books and look out at the surrounding gardens without anyone noticing him.

Yoongi walked to Jungkook's house climbed the ladder to the treehouse and just as he did every day, made himself comfortable on the beanbag chairs to read.  The huge bean bag engulfed his skinny frame hiding him further from the world. 

After a while, Yoongi was lost in his thoughts, the book he was reading discarded on the floor.  Yoongi felt sorry for himself.  He was bored and he wished Tae and Jungkook would give him another chance.  But it was actually him that was not giving his friends a chance.

Every day he would go to their hideout and leave before the boys would get there but today Yoongi had fallen asleep.  

That's how Jennie found him sleeping on the pillows she had brought.  She put down the lunch bag she was carrying and sat in the bean bag across from him.  She had been released early from school so she could go to the dentist.  It would be a while till Tae could join her here as they had planned so she had brought a book to read.  

As she sat there staring at the sleeping boy, she pondered why Yoongi came here. Maybe to relive the happier moments of his life.  Maybe he felt safe here.  In any case, she knew better than to bombard him with questions.  She would wait until he felt like sharing.  She simply wanted to be his friend.

When his eyes fluttered open, Jennie smiled and said, "Hi, it's me, Jennie."

"I know."  He squeaked, shyly hiding his eyes with his bangs.

"How are you?"

"Fine, thank you," he mumbled.  Oh no. Yoongi thought here come the questions his anxiety rising.

"Would you like a snack?"  She offered him the small fruit cup in one hand and a chocolate twinkie in the other.

Yoongi's eyes twinkled at the treats and he couldn't help smiling.  He felt suddenly safe and at ease with that simple gesture that reminded him of his mom.  She wasn't going to question him about his life or why he was there she just wanted to be friends.  

He reached out to get the chocolate treat and grapes and looked up at Jennie.  Before he could open the plastic she was already back in the chair balancing the small bowl on her leg as she plucked grapes and popped them in her mouth.  He looked at her as she continued to read her book. 

Jennie stayed quiet enjoying the peaceful afternoon sharing her snacks with him.

"I see you liked the pillows I brought," she finally commented looking up.

Yoongi simply nodded his head.

"What are you reading?"  She inquired pausing from reading her own book.  Yoongi showed her the cover but didn't elaborate and they both went back to reading.

"Tae will be here soon.  Do you want to see him?"

"No. I think I'll go home."

"He misses you."

Yoongi smiled.  "Maybe, next time. Bye Jennie."

Jennie could hear Tae and Jungkook laughing outside.  She looked out the window and saw them running around.  She made her way down the steps to join them and noticed that every step had a little flower on it.  It had to be Yoongi before he left.  He must really like flowers.  

Jennie told Taehyung about Yoongi hanging out in the treehouse. "I told him you miss him.  He seemed glad."

"Does he want to see me?"

"I think so."

"Good."

"Did he say anything to you?"

"Nothing, he's really quiet."

"You're sweet. Thanks for being so nice to my friend."

She leaned over and kissed him.

A week had passed and there was no sign of Yoongi. Jennie was starting to think he was a ghost.  She was the only one who had seen him. She missed his company though. There was something about him that made her feel calm.  At the same time, she wanted to protect him and take away his sadness.  

What is it about tortured souls that make us want to heal them?  As she walked home with Tae, she asked him again if he had seen him but neither of them had.  Tae kissed her and left promising to call her when he got home.  That's when she noticed something odd.  There was a flower by her doorstep but there was no flower like that in their garden. She smiled and picked it up knowing Yoongi had put it there for her.  He missed her too.

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