The venue was absolutely packed. More so than I thought I could handle. I grabbed onto Jungwoo's hand and squeezed it tightly.
"I don't know if I can do this," I whispered to my friend. The music was loud, echoing throughout the place, the sound vibrating the ground we walked on. It would have been an exhilarating experience if only there weren't so many people.
Jungwoo squeezed my hand back and glanced at me as we walked around.
"You got this, girlfriend. I'm right here if you need me," she said reassuringly. The tightness in my chest eased the tiniest bit, but my claustrophobia was still very agitated.
"Oh, Hee-yong! Hey, babe!" Jungwoo let go of my hand and hugged a girl I'd never met before. The girl, whose name I assumed was Hee-yong, had long, dark brown hair and freckles spattered across her cute face. Her facial features reminded me heavily of-
"Yongie!" A voice bellowed from behind me, interrupting my thoughts. Suddenly, Kim Seokjin was making his way over to Jungwoo, Hee-yong and I. My jaw dropped. I hadn't expected to see him at the party. The broad shouldered man enveloped Hee-yong into a hug, and that's when it clicked in my head.
"Jin, is this your sister?" I asked. Jungwoo stood completely still, starstruck by Jin' presence.
"Oh my God, Rosie!" Jin exclaimed, now throwing his arms around me.
"Yeah, that's my little sister," he confirmed, jabbing his thumb in Hee-yong's direction. Hee-yong shrugged playfully and smiled. I found myself smiling, as well, amused by the resemblance the two siblings had.
"So who invited you here, Rosella?" Jin asked me. He didn't ask it in an unpleased way, more like pure curiousity. I jabbed my thumb at my friend, who had been uncharacteristically quiet.
"My friend Jungwoo here invited me," I said to Jin. Jungwoo, seeming to snap out of her daze as I mentioned her name, smiled widely and nodded her confirmation.
"Yes, I sure did," she said. Then I realized that if Jin was here, then-
"Oh my God, is Jungkook here?" I asked, panic settling in my features. I hadn't seen him since our 'kiss' if you could call it that. Our lips had touched but just barely before Link interrupted. And then he went and kissed my cheek before he left! I hadn't found the courage to confront Jungkook, or myself, about it. Jin nodded happily, unaware of my panicked state.
"We're all here. Jungkook and Jimin have been talking about you non-stop," Jin said, exaggerating the last bit. I gave Jin my very best fake smile, but inside I was screaming. Some part of me thought I had feelings for Jimin but then the other part of me was willing and ready to have a make-out session with Jungkook in front of my home just a day ago. I didn't think I was ready to see either of them. I felt Jungwoo's questioning eyes trained on me, so I glanced over to my friend and asked her what was wrong.
"You know BTS?" She asked. (Lol) I simply nodded and said, "it's a long story, but I'm kind of friends with them?" It sounded more like a question and Jin snorted.
"Rosella is our bestest friend," Jin said interrupting. A blush bloomed across my face as I smiled at the man. Jungwoo looked shocked, her eyes wide and mouth open.
"I want details!" She screeched. Jin, Hee-yong and I shared a laugh. Jin opened his mouth as if to tell the story but was cut off by another voice.
"Hyung!" The voice called. I immediately recognized the voice as none other than that of my boss. I quickly hid behind Jungwoo, bringing everyone to look at me weirdly as Jungkook approached.
"Hyung what are you-" Jungkook stopped talking suddenly, and I knew he must've caught sight of me despite my poor hiding spot.
"Rosie?" Jungkook asked out loud. I sighed and peeked out around Jungwoo's shoulder.
"O-oh hi, Jungkook. Didn't see you there," I said sheepishly, stepping around Jungwoo. Everyone looked at me funny and I gulped.
"Um, you know, there are a lot of people in here, I think I need some air. You guys know how I get," I said with a short, fake laugh and hightailed it away from the group of people. I felt bad for leaving Jungwoo but I could've just explained my situation to her later and I was sure she'd understand. I pushed my way through the throng of people at the party, my claustrophobia actually beginning to get to me. The doors seemed so far away even as I got closer and closer to them.
When I finally made my way outside, I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
"I shouldn't have come here tonight, stupid Lincoln Adkins, I'm gonna beat you up," I mumbled quietly. Even though my brother hadn't done anything other than ask me to leave the house, I blamed him for my awkwardness. I sighed deeply and began walking around the venue, exploring. There wasn't much to see, as it was all concrete and metal everywhere. There were no secret gardens full of beautiful flowers and butterflies. There were no hidden playgrounds with tall slides and sturdy swings. There was nothing but concrete - everywhere. I sighed, thinking it would've been better for me to just walk back to Jungwoo's place and get my car.
"Rosie!" A voice called from behind me. I mentally groaned as I recognized the voice. I still wasn't ready to face the boy, but he just kept showing up.
"Hey, Jungkook," I said, plastering a smile on my face. Jungkook reached me, and examined my face.
"Are you okay?" He asked. The worry in his voice caught me off guard and I sputtered.
"Y-yeah, I'm okay. Why do you ask?" I asked him. Jungkook suddenly pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back. Volts of electricity erupted at every site where our bodies met. The suddenness of it shocked me, but I couldn't pull away.
"There were so many people in there, Rosie. You shouldn't put yourself into a position where you know you could get hurt," Jungkook said. He had never sounded so caring toward me, and I didn't know what to think or say so I just mumbled,
"I'm sorry." Jungkook laughed and the vibrations of his laughter hit me through his chest.
"Don't be sorry, Rosie, you're okay and that's all that matters," Jungkook said as he placed a tender kiss on my head. Jimin watched the exchange from the entrance to the venue, unbeknownst to Jungkook and I. Jimin bit his lip in thought and turned around, throwing himself back into the party.