"Have you already kissed?" he breaks the silence, and my heart skips a beat. "I...no. Why?"

"I feel like, the way he looks at you," he instantly makes my breathing go back to normal as I thought he asked that question for another reason. "Sometimes, it looks like you've been intimate with each other."

I deny it, feeling weird after the misunderstanding there was in my head. "We haven't."

"Hm. Alright," he nods and glances down. "'Cause...I know he's into friends with benefits relationships, and I know you're not. So, I feel like you're just...if you like him, you could be disappointed."

"I know, he told me he doesn't mind that type of thing, but we both know we're just friends," I do not get surprised by his statement as I already heard Angelo talk about it. "Alright, but anyway, when are you going out?" he walks up to the door and puts his shoes back on, so I do the same.

"He comes pick me up at seven p.m," I tell him, and he opens the door. "Be careful, and if you're not feeling good, text me. Okay?"

"I will, you do too," I hold the door once he steps out, and he turns around to look at me one more time. "I forgot about something," he runs his fingers through his fluffy hair and slides both hands in his pockets. "I...You remember the last time we hung out?" he revives the memories, and I nod, as obvious as it is. "I was actually supposed to give you something on that day, and honestly, I'm not quite sure why I brought it with me today, but I feel like...if I don't give it to you now, I'll regret it even more, so...here," he pulls a small box out of his leather jacket and hands it to me, getting my eyes to land on it.

I grab it, and without waiting or thinking, I open it. 

This is a bracelet, but a special one. It matches the one I gifted him on his birthday, and which I never saw him without.

"You don't have to accept it if you don't want or feel comfortable enough to do it," he warns me in case I would need to, but I do not reject such a sweet gesture. I take the jewelry out of the box and close it, and I put this beautiful, shiny bracelet around my wrist. "Is it the same as yours?"

"Yeah, I went to the same store and asked for the female one," he slides his hands in his pockets, the wind softly blowing through his fluffy hair. I smile and move towards him to end with my arms around his neck. "Thank you. I love it."

In a short second, he embraces my body and hugs me back, tightly. "I'm really happy you do," he grips my waist, and my stomach becomes full of butterflies.

His hands not letting go, he keeps me close, presses my body against his, and tilts his head forward to nestle it in the crook of my neck.

My heart beating hard against his chest for sure, he slides one hand up my side and kisses my jawline, knowing what state this can put me in. "I'm sorry. I don't want to lose you again..."

"You won't lose me," I reassure him, hoping for this to be true. I move back to let him go and not let the feeling inside me overwhelm me, and I look up into his eyes. "It's okay. I forgive you. I mean it."

He holds one side of my face and presses his lips against my cheek. Unable to not smile, I gaze down at my bracelet and touch it.

"Take care and be careful on that date," he brings my head back up. "It's not a date, dummy."

"Who invited first?" he barely shows any positive emotion, not seeming happy for me whenever this is about him. "He did."

"Then yeah, that's definitely a date to him, but whatever, it doesn't matter. I have to go," he steps back without willing to say more. "See you."

"See you, and be careful as well," I answer and watch him leave.

I sometimes wonder where we would be if he or I confessed in the past.

No matter what, this can only belong to my imagination and nothing else anymore, so I think of something else and go back inside my house.

I head towards my phone and check what Angelo answered me with.

< I know some small and nearly invisible cameras so this argument dont work ]

[ well, sorry, but I don't know any. Thanks for the info tho >

< I'm gonna give you free content and shower with it on a shelf ]

[ who said I wanna see you naked? >

< who wouldn't? ]

[ me? >

< why the question mark then? ]

[ idk? >

< yes yk but fine, I won't let you have what many people would pay for ]

[ there's no camera in it so I wont see anything. I'll just get it back and know you showered with it >

< I'll rub it all over my naked body if you want ]

[ no. Leave my hairpin alone >

< its mine now so I'm gonna do what I want and come back with it tonight just for you<3 ]

[ I dont want it anymore >

< I'll still give it to you:) ]

[ :) >

I do not say anything more but leave the conversation to head back to my bedroom.

•••

3:20 pm.

'JUNGKOOK'S P.O.V'

After grocery shopping for tonight and tomorrow's meals, I head out of the shop and get my car keys out while walking back to my car.

Making sure I am not going in the wrong direction, I look up in front of me but notice a familiar person near my car, parked two spots next to it.

He pats his niece's head and puts his items in his trunk, but out of horrible bad luck, his hyperenergetic niece notices me after moving to the shopping cart, and she excitedly waves at me and shouts my name.

Angelo turns towards me, but I ignore him and only say hi to the six year old girl.

I unlock the doors of my car and open the trunk, but she comes towards me. "How are you, Jungkook?" she gives me a hug, so I put the heavy bag down and wrap one arm around her. "I'm doing fine, how about you, sweetie?" I comb her hair, always feeling soft around respectful and adorable kids. "I'm good too."

"Milana, come here," he calls her name, and she goes back to him. "Get inside the car and put your seat belt on, alright?"

She listens and enters the car, and he closes the trunk, but before he could leave without addressing me, I warn him. "Don't drink when you're around y/n."

He sets his eyes on me and grins. "Don't tell me what to do," he states and heads to the front of the car, but I stop him. "I'm not joking. I know you're enjoying that little game, but if I ever get to know you got drunk with her, you'll regret it."

"That little game? You're the only one playing a game, bro. And you've been doing that for a very long time already," he never lets this go, holding on to the same thing. "It's hard for you not to bring that up, right? I make one mistake, and you keep shitting on me with it."

"You're the one always picking a fight, so stop. Alright?" he blames me for feeling the way I do when he is the one causing it. "It's all your fault. If you weren't so flirty with her just to provoke me, I wouldn't act the way I do with you."

He chuckles in a breathy way and breaks eye contact. "It's insane how much you believe the world revolves around you," he expresses some disappointment with his eyes. "I treat y/n the same way I would if you weren't here. I understood you at the beginning, but you've went too far, so I don't care about what or how you feel anymore. If y/n and I feel comfortable enough to touch each other, I won't hold back or do it just because you're around. You need to grow up."

"Really? That's why I sometimes catch you looking at me after touching her or being sexual with her?" I expose his behavior he is denying like a dishonest piece of shit. "I know you don't like her. You don't belong with her."

"True, you know better than I do. I forgot," he opens the door to be ready to put an end to this. "You should question yourself and pay more attention to her, to the way she feels or what she wants and needs. You know? Like this, you'd realize that, maybe, you only cause her pain and stress and that she's not happy with you anymore."

"You know this isn't—"

"I've gotta go and take care of Milana. So, leave me alone," he cuts me off and goes inside his car to join his niece.

I keep my eyes fixed on him without saying another word, and I feel my jaw clench hard enough to cause tension in my face.

•••

7:30 pm.

'YOUR P.O.V'

"I'm going to spend time with Enna, so I'll come back late," I warn my mother with a lie and avoid my father at all costs, and she nods to me, letting me go, so I hurry to step out of the house and walk up to Angelo's car, which he parked nearby.

In short minutes, I reach it but come face to face with him, standing in front of his car with his hands in his pockets. "You took so long just to walk down your stairs and come here."

"I know you want to see me, but you should be a little patient sometimes," I do not let him complain so easily, and he scoffs. "Funny girl," he moves away and opens the passenger's side. "Get in."

I do as told to enter the vehicle, and he closes the door behind me to join. Now that we are in, he does not turn the ignition on, but locks all the doors. "What do you think could happen if I keep you stuck in here with me?"

I take this threat as a joke and look him in the eyes. "I don't know. I'll sleep on the back seat. What else should I do?"

His lips curve up, and he peeks down at mine. "Well, what if I don't allow you to sleep?"

"I'll look outside the window until I can leave. What are you trying with those questions?" I play along and attempt to have the upper hand, but his face tells me he is not enjoying it the way he would have if I was giving him what he wants. "Fine, I get it," he turns the ignition on, acting upset. "What? What do you get?"

"Nothing, I just get it," he grabs the steering wheel with one hand and go on the way towards an arcade. "Great then," I smile and look away.

•••

10:30 pm.

The tension in my neck feeling a little better now that I am lying down and resting my head on a pillow, I receive a text from Jungkook as Angelo is in the bathroom.

< are you home? ]

[ no, why? >

< you're still with him? It's late y/n ]

[ he'll drive me back home so it's okay >

I drift my eyes away from the screen when I see Angelo pass before me, but instead of sitting down, he lies down right behind me. I do not move but stay on my side to keep a pillow against my stomach, and Angelo sticks his body to the back of mine and back hugs me. "How bad is the pain right now?"

"It's less intense," I answer him, and out of confusion, I turn around to look at him. "What's happening?"

"What do you mean?" he brushes some strands of my hair away, his bright blue eyes staring deep into mine. "I don't know...You're being very close today..."

"You're in pain, I'm just trying to comfort you," he rests his head on his fist and glances away. "Does it make you uncomfortable?"

"No...I just," I shrug and cannot find the courage to tell him the truth. "I'm just asking..." I look back at my phone to avoid his gaze and read what Jungkook said.

< no its not... ]

[ why? >

< y/n you know it. Are you really just friend with him? ]

[ yes I am >

< can we see each other tomorrow after school? ]

[ I have to study for a test and finish my homework tomorrow, I can't go out >

Angelo's arm moving away from me, I turn around to check up on him but fall in his tender stare. He rests his head on his hand and smiles at me, his gaze always being powerful. "Can I ask you something?" I lie down on my back and put my phone down on my stomach. "Tell me."

"Did Jungkook know about my feelings before dating her?" I ask him, and for some reason, he smiles and licks his lips. "Kinda yeah. He noticed but wasn't sure, he talked about it with Felix and I, so he kinda knew but at that point, he wasn't certain, but a little after that he was sure, but he just watched you hurting for a whole year, then let you go like a piece of shit. And he still dares to come at me and hate me for showing you some care and love," he lowers his big blue eyes to my lips and cups my face, gently. "I'm not even sure the girl was indeed a cheater. I think her ex was actually just mistreating her, and she went to another guy, but I don't know, and I don't care, to be honest."

"So he really just used her for sex? Have you never seen them kiss, has he never showed her affection?" I never look away from his pretty eyes, and he presses on my cheeks to pucker my lips, but runs his thumb over them. "Whenever she'd be with him, he'd seem kinda cold while she wasn't. Don't get me wrong, I never stood that girl, never liked to have her with us, but it did seem like she liked him. And I remember one day, Felix and I were drinking with him, but he got drunk, and he started telling us about how he couldn't stand to see how jealous and hurt you seemed, that he wanted you but that sex was so good with her he didn't wanna break up until you'd confess. He was scared to 'lose you' he said."

"Then Felix told him not to say that, but he kept going and told us she was so hot, he liked how she'd do anything he wanted or asked for, so he couldn't help it, but the next day when we told him about it, he acted like it was just the alcohol that made him say some bullshit and that he didn't mean it, but I don't believe in that excuse, so yeah," he goes even further and details someone I cannot picture as Jungkook at all.

My heart stops for a moment, those words aching me and making me wish I never heard them. "He said that...?"

"Yeah. You can ask Felix, he'll tell you. That's why I don't want you around him anymore because I know how you still feel, and he doesn't deserve it. You're too good for him," he brushes his finger past the tip of my nose, and I smile, painfully. "What do you mean you know how I feel?"

"You still got feelings for him, or at the very least, very attached, it's obvious," he smiles and says it without feeling the way I feared he would. "I...I don't know. I'm just...you don't...think I'm using you to move on, right? I really like being with you."

"Well, I don't know, maybe—"

"No, please," I grab his forearm and hold it. "I mean it. I genuinely like spending time with you. It feels good, and I don't ever want you to think such a thing. Even if Jungkook wasn't here, I'd still feel the same way."

"I know, I'm just teasing you," he grins and leans in to kiss my cheekbone, and I smile but glance away, my heart still hurting. I sharply breathe out and grab my phone to check if Jungkook sent me a text.

< what about next week? ]

[ yes, it's okay. We can talk on the phone tomorrow if you want though >

< yeah I'd love to ]

I am so disappointed in him now. I feel weird. I do not know what to think.

Angelo not speaking, he takes my phone and leans forth to put it down on the table. He grabs my wrist and turns my body towards his, and he wraps his arms around me.

I nestle my head against his chest and close my eyes, and he pats the side of it. "Is the pain still bad?" he tangles his fingers in my hair and rubs his thumb over my ear. "It's getting better because of you."

"I'm glad to hear it. I'll cuddle you as long as you need and want," he softly speaks in my ear and soothes me.

— Next day —

Monday, June 5th, 2023.

2:30 pm.

Finally taking a break after studying for three hours, I grab my phone and get out of my room but notice I have received a text from Jungkook a few minutes ago.

< eat something and don't skip a meal ]

[ I'm getting some food rn. You do too >

I send my message and grab the my mom cooked for me this morning and left in the fridge, and I put it in the microwave for a few minutes.

Jungkook already answered me, so I check his text.

< are you free rn? Do you mind if I call you? ]

To make it easier, I do not answer yet but wait for my food to be ready, and once the microwave rings, I take the dish out and head back to my room.

I close the door behind me and sit on my desk chair, take a bite of my food, and let Jungkook know he can call me, no matter how nervous this makes me.

In only short second, he does, so I pick up and swallow what I have in my mouth.

"Hey," he initiates it, and I answer while staring at my meal. "Hey. Are you doing alright?" I ignore the feelings that have not left me since last night, those ones that ache so much. "Yeah, and you? What are you eating?"

"Me too. I'm eating some pasta that my mom cooked," I tell him while munching on them, the warmth and taste brightening up my mood. "Oh, that must be delicious then. Your mom always cooks the best meals."

"Yeah, she always does, unlike my dad," I agree but feel slightly awkward, wondering why he wanted to call so badly. "What about you though? Aren't you eating?"

"It's still in the oven, so I have to wait," he tells me. "But it doesn't matter. How did it go last night? Did you have fun?"

"It was great. I enjoyed it and came back with two plushies," I nod and do not even feel surprised by this topic he immediately broached. "Hm. I'm glad you did.  You didn't go to bed too late, right?"

"No, I was tired when I got home, so I fell asleep right when I landed on my bed. I think it was around midnight?" I cannot give an exact time, not remembering it well. "Oh. You stayed at his house for a long time then."

"I fell asleep because I was in pain and felt better with him, so I stayed for longer than expected," I put some pasta in my mouth, feeling like he only called me to know about last night and nothing else. "You fell asleep?"

"Yes, but what about you? What did you do last night?" I return the question to not be the main subject anymore. "Nothing much. I was just worried about you."

"Worried? Why would you be?" I do not understand why he speaks of Angelo as if he was a dangerous person when no one other than him see him that way. "Because you were alone with him," he does not make it any better. "And? I'm safe with him."

Right after my anger, he remains silent for a few seconds, then sighs. "I just don't like it. I know what he wants from you."

"And what do you think he wants?" I leave my fork in my dish and lean back on my chair. "Sex. I'm pretty sure that's the thing he wants the most, and I can't stand it."

This reminds me of what Angelo told me about him last night.

"Can I ask you a question?" my heart beats faster with apprehension, fearing what he reaction, his answer will be. "Yeah?"

"When you were with that girl, why didn't you break up with her and confess to me if you did have feelings for me?"