"Why don't you go out and try to make some friends?" my mom suggests as she bumps my legs off the back of the couch.

"Why would I subject myself to that before school's even started?" I sass, and my mom rolls her eyes.

"Because Jo, books aren't friends, and you can't spend your summer on the couch."

"Well, I'll eventually finish these last few chapters, and then I'll help unpack."

"Josephine, if you do not get out of this house and at least try to be social, I'll go absolutely mad," she snatches the book out of my hand, and I gasp.

"Mom! Haven't I given up enough?" I watch as my mom deflates, and she hands back my book.

"Jo, I'm sorry. It's just that this is a new chance for us, and I don't want to see you keeping yourself locked away. Your dad and–" I stand up abruptly and grab my bag.

"Dad's not here anymore. It's fine. I'll be back later," I quickly rushed out, not knowing where I was going.

I spend time following the cliffs that line the beach until I find a small path leading down to a cluster of rocks. There's a large one I can sit on high enough that the water doesn't splash up to me but surrounded by enough smaller rocks and foliage that I feel safe and no one else can see me.

I spend hours reading, and by the time I get home, Mom's already passed out on the couch. I can tell she's cried, but I can't keep discussing this.

Dad's gone, he left us, and there's nothing either of us can do to bring him back...

♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨_____________

"How was your day today? Did you happen to meet anyone this time?" Mom asks hopefully as I step into the house.

I don't have the heart to tell her I have spent the last three weeks avoiding people and her in my little hidey spot, so I grit my teeth and force a fake smile.

"Yeah, I met some kids over by the high school, and we went to the arcade," I lie easily and watch as relief washes over her and her shoulders visibly relax.

"That's great, Jo! At least you will start high school with some new friends."

"Yeah, it will be nice," I say, keeping the charade up.

"You should invite them over for dinner on Friday," she suggests just as I go to make my way upstairs, and I freeze.

Fuck what do I do?

"I'll ask them," I say and run up the stairs, taking two at a time.

I throw myself on my bed; my chest feels heavy as I contemplate what to do for dinner on Friday. I could tell her they couldn't make it, but I doubt Mom would buy it. I could ask her to reschedule for another day, but that would only work for so long, considering I don't actually have any friends to bring over.

A tear slides down the side of my face, and I leave it be as I wallow in my sorrow.

I miss home, my friends...I miss Dad.

I slowly pull myself up and pull out the tiny box I hid under my bed. Carefully opening the lid, I unravel the scarf that protects my treasure. My tears are freely flowing as I caress the janky popsicle stick frame. It's my favorite picture of me and Dad.

I'm six, and my hair is a hot mess because it was Dad's day to get me ready for school; he had tried to put it into two pigtails that he just couldn't get to be even. He had let me pick out my clothes that day, which just happened to be one of my princess dresses, a jean jacket, and some glittery boots that I adored. I remember asking him if I looked like a princess, and he shook his head, saying no, causing me to pout.

"No, baby, you look like someone even better," he had said, beaming his full smile on me. "She's really one of a kind; she's smart, funny, and faces all her fears boldly."

"Who's that?" I asked excitedly, wanting nothing more than to be the person my dad was describing.

"You, baby," he had said, pulling me into his arms. "You, my little girl, will grow every day, and it won't always be easy, but you are strong and can do anything you put your mind to, and if you ever fall, remember your daddy will be here to pick you back up and cheer you on."

He pulled his phone out right after that conversation and pressed his face close to mine as we cheesed so hard.

My heart clenches painfully in my chest, and I feel my anger building, so I quickly place the frame back into the scarf and shove it back under my bed.

"Dinner's ready!" my mom shouts up the stairs.

I wipe my tears and head to wash my face. I will deal with everything else tomorrow.

♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨_____________

Well, it's Friday, and guess what? I've not met a single other soul while I've been here hiding in my little hidey hole reading. Mom's never going to let this go...

I'm contemplating what to do when I hear some rocks tumble down the hill and see this young guy making his way down. Just as he reached the bottom, he noticed me and froze, his lips forming a cute O, his eyes blown wide, and short black hair not covering his big ears. His eyes take me in before he shakes his head, and then he clears his throat.

"There's not usually anyone else here," his voice is soft and velvety. It is a lot deeper than I was expecting.

I've no idea what to say, so I continue to sit there quietly watching him fidget nervously.

"You're not from around here, huh?" he asks, and I shake my head no.

"My name's Tae," his face lights up as he smiles, and I offer him a tight-lipped smile in return.

"I uh, well, I guess I'll go, don't want to disturb you. I usually just come here to read," he waves a paperback in my direction.

"Me too," I wave my thick hardback in his direction.

"Oh, cool. If you don't mind, I swear I'm quiet, and I'll just sit on that rock there and not bother you while I read."

"That sounds okay," I turn slightly, putting my back to him and opening my book to my place.

He shuffles over to a smaller rock close to me and sits. All is quiet for about two minutes and then he starts to clear his throat aggressively.

"Are you okay?" I finally ask, and he sheepishly looks at me, nodding.

I go back to my book, and then he clears his throat again. I look at him, and when our eyes meet, he suddenly starts coughing. His face turns bright red, and he thumps his chest a few times until he stops.

"Are you sure?" I ask again and pull a water bottle from my bag, offering it to him.

He takes it and drinks half of it in one go before nodding again and handing it back.

"Positive. Thanks."

We go back to our silence, but I can feel his eyes on me, and try to ignore him before finally huffing and closing my book.

"Yes?"

"What's your name?" he says with a goofy smile.

"Jo," I say flatly.

"Oh, like Josephine from Little Women?" I'm shocked that he even made that connection, and can't stop the smile that takes over my whole face.

"Exactly like that."

"Well, Josephine, what are you reading?"

I don't even care that he's a stranger; I love talking books and if he's willing to listen. I. Will. Talk.

"Oh, it's my favorite book. It's called Beauty in Lies, and it's about this mafia king who sees a girl when she's 17 and well, he inserts people into her life for a year, then has her take a trip to his country and woos her. Then she finds out who he is, so he kidnaps her, brands her, carves her name on his chest, and they get matching tattoos, and oh gosh, it's just soooo good," I ramble on, and then my voice starts to falter as I see him again with his mouth open.

His laugh washes over me, and I can feel my face heating.

"You're a little crazy, huh? If that happened to you, there's no way you would feel like it's true love."

"I'll have you know that I would absolutely thrive as a mafia wife," I defend myself, and he laughs at me.

"I like you; I guess I'll keep you," he says seriously.

"Um, you don't even know me. That's not how it works," I bristle and meet his intense stare.

"Then how are we going to fall in love, Josephine?"

I choke on my spit, and he laughs again.

"Let me walk you home; it's getting late. I wouldn't want you to be kidnapped on the way home and ruin my chance of making you fall for me," he grins and offers me his extended hand.

I roll my eyes and stand up on my own. "Fat chance of that ever happening."

We walk home, and it's surprisingly easy to talk to him. I learned he goes to the same high school, but he's a junior, lives with his grandparents, and has a close group of friends he's known his whole life. I tell him my dad's gone and mom and I have moved here for a fresh start. I'm worried about starting school next week about my love of books and music and how I wouldn't say I like spicy food.

"Well, you'll have me there. Plus, I'm sure the guys will love you," he offers me a soft smile that I find myself returning.

"Oh! Koo starts as a freshman this year, so I'm sure you'll have him for a couple of classes, which is honestly the best news yet cause we were all worried about him being alone. He's a pretty shy kid," I can see the love in his eyes as he talks about his friend, and I feel some of the stress and anxiety I've been feeling lifted right off my shoulders.

"This is me," I say, pausing in front of my house; he hums and turns to face me.

He tucks a loose strand of my hair behind my ear and leans in slowly. My breath hitches, and my eyes slowly close as I wait for him to kiss me. My heart is beating fast, and all I can think is what a great way to have a high school romance. I, the new girl, and he, a local heart-throb, fell in love from our first meeting.

I've read so many books that I know exactly how this is supposed to go.

"Have a good night, Josephine. Meet you tomorrow at the same spot," he stands to his full height with a shit-eating grin, and I blush profusely.

At that exact moment, my mom decided to open the front door like she hadn't been watching the whole time.

"I'm so glad you guys made it for dinner; where are the others?" she asks, looking between the two.

I'm panicking, definitely stammering, and Mom's eyes narrow on to me. But Tae doesn't miss a beat; he turns his beautiful smile onto Mom, and she can't stop herself from smiling back either.

"They were busy, so it is just me tonight."

"That's perfectly fine; I'll make sure to invite them over again on a different night. Come in, come in," she waves us inside.

Tae is a real lifesaver; he has no trouble at all winning Mom over and convincing her that I'm all set for high school, that I won't be alone, and that I'll be well taken care of. And as the night continued, I couldn't help but feel hopeful that he was telling the truth.

"Make sure to come over again, Taehyung; it was nice to meet you!" my mom beams, handing him a to-go plate.

"I promise I will. Josephine can't get rid of me that easily."

My mom looks at me, shocked and then she's also grinning like a fool.

"You let him call you Josephine?" she says, wiggling her eyebrows and I can't help but roll my eyes.

"Oh, just me, though. Cause I'm her favorite out of the other six," Tae inserts, and Mom is just glowing at the knowledge.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Tae," I say, practically shoving him out the door.

♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨_____________

"So, what did you think of the others?" Tae asks, lying on the rock beside me as I finally get to the good part of my book.

I groan and close my book, knowing from previous experience that he won't stop talking until I answer him. We have spent every day of this week together, and today was the day he finally introduced me to his other friends.

"They seemed nice," I say with a shrug, and he frowns.

To be fair, they did seem nice; they all welcomed me in, but man were they rambunctious. I barely got a word between them all, except for Jungkook. Tae wasn't joking when he said he was shy; he had only said a soft hi and didn't speak the rest of the time until I think he noticed I was getting a little overwhelmed with the chaos and pulled me into the backyard.

"The guys are great, I promise. They forget everyone isn't used to our brand of fun," he says with the cutest little smile.

"It's okay. My social battery isn't used to this much energy," I say, sitting next to him on the grass.

"I get that. If it isn't those guys in that room, I have a hard time socializing."

"Well, I guess we will have to keep each other's batteries from depleting tomorrow," I nudge his shoulder, and he grins, nudging mine back.

"Deal, Josephine."

"Please just call me Jo," I whine, and he laughs, agreeing.

"I think it was a lot for a first meeting. But I do think Jungkook and I will get on just fine. I hope he's in a few of my classes," I say, and Tae is full-on pouting.

I laugh and flick his lower lip, "Don't be sad. You'll still be my favorite, Tae."

He rolls his eyes and wraps his arm around my shoulder, "I'll just have to talk to him about dating my little sister. Gotta make sure he knows we'll have a problem if he hurts you."

"God, it's not like that," he nods his head but doesn't seem like he believes me.

I feel nervous and try to brush it off, but I definitely don't want Tae to think it's Jungkook I'm interested in...but it doesn't really matter since he clearly thinks of me as a sister...

♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨_____________

"Why are you pouting, Josephine?" Tae asks as he ruffles my hair.

"Gosh, you're annoying," I whine playfully and he grins at me as he pulls me into his arms.

"You're going to miss me."

"Every single day," I say softly and feel his arms tighten around me.

"You're so dramatic, you will literally see me every day and all day on the weekends."

"Not true! What if you have a lot of work or a party on the weekend? You're gonna be in college, too cool and surrounded by hot girls to hang out with a high school kid," he full-on laughs in my face and rolls his eyes when I pull away.

"First, it will be just like when Jin, Yoongi, Nam, and Hobi went to college, they always made time for us. Two, you have Koo still and there's no way that boy will let you miss me too much, he's been after the big brother role ever since he found out he was six months older than you. And three, we both know there's no way I'd ever give it up to him, so even if I'm swamped with work or have a super hot girl willing and waiting for me, I'll always show if you need me," he turns to make me look at him and his eyes show nothing but how serious he is.

"You know you're my favorite, right?" I say as my heart races and threatens to jump right out of my chest into his hands.

"Mhm, make sure you remember that next time Nam corrects your paper or Yoongs makes his hangover tonic."

"Damn, you might be right, they do have their appeal," I tease him and he gapes at me.

"Promise me something,"

"Depends," his eyes narrow onto me not trusting what I'm about to ask.

"Sundays are for me. No one else, no guys, no parents, just me and you," I hold up my pinkie and he quickly latches onto it with his.

"Always."

♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨_____________

"I don't know, Jo. It doesn't sound like a good time to me," Jungkook says as he lays back on my bed trying to fold my yellow dog plush in on itself.

I snatch it out of his hands and smooth it out before placing it safely on top of my pillows.

"Please," I plead giving him my best puppy eyes. "I would have brought Tae but he has a big paper due so I don't want to bother him. I was really counting on you, I know you'll watch over me the same way he does."

He groans and sits up. "It should be illegal the way you play me. I'll go."

I squeal and quickly engulf him in a hug. "You're the absolute best! Now quick, go home and get ready. I expect you back here in two hours."

"Okay okay, just make sure you're actually ready," he calls over his shoulder as he leaves my room.

Tonight's the night! After I'd finally given up on the idea of becoming Tae's girl, I started to broaden my horizons, and boy were there some big fish in the sea. I'd been crushing on Taemin from biology for the last few months and he was actually great friends with Jimin, and well, if Jimin trusted him then so could I.

It's been weeks of us hanging out and talking and well, we haven't labeled anything yet, but I just knew him inviting me to his party tonight was a sign we were finally going to make it official. Tae wasn't really into it but nobody was good enough in his eyes so I've not really brought it up to him.

I got myself ready, straightened my hair until it laid silky down my back, and wore some black shorts with a white long-sleeve crop top. My make-up has never looked so good, my lips the perfect shade of Kiss Me pink.

"Wow, you really dressed up for me," Jungkook says as he leans against the door frame.

"You wish, Romeo," I giggle as he clutches his chest.

"You wound me, Juliette. Perhaps in another life," he wraps his arm around my shoulder and leads me out to his car.

He gallantly opens my door keeping the act up before winking at me and jogging to his side of the car.

My phone goes off in my pocket and I know the ringtone all too well. "TAE! I greet as soon as I answer it."

"Little Josephine, what are you up to tonight?"

"Oh, Jungkook and I are going to a house party..."

I bite my lip nervously as the call grows quiet.

"Tae?"

"Are you wearing our bracelet?"

"Shit! Jungkook wait I have to grab something from inside. Talk to Tae," I say passing him the phone and rushing back inside.

I race upstairs flinging my door open and ignoring how it slams against the wall. I grab my silver bracelet off my dresser and clip it back onto my wrist. I quickly tap the moon and star design on the face of it and feel it vibrate back knowing Tae has also tapped his.

I rush back downstairs and Jungkook looks to be talking pretty adamantly on the phone. "Okay! I got it," he says and passes me the phone back.

"Josephine, promise me you will not take off that bracelet, and if you need anything you tap the hell out of it," he says seriously.

"Yes, Dad. Now go work on your paper. I can't wait to see you tomorrow for our day," I huff out.

"Promise me."

"I promise."

♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨_____________

I've been lying in my dark room for the last hour debating on if I should bother him. He's out on a date tonight, I could call anyone and they'd come hang out with me, but they aren't him. They wouldn't be able to comfort me the way he does.

My phone rings again and I see Taemin's name flash across the screen. He's been calling nonstop trying to explain what I saw, but there's no need to explain, I saw him pull her in and kiss that girl. I'm not even hurt so much that he wanted someone else, we both could see the end coming, he couldn't accept my friendship with the guys and I wasn't into babysitting him every weekend when he got drunk. I'm hurt that he didn't just end it with me but I can't be too upset because I could have ended it too. I just didn't want to be single while Tae was dating around.

I stare down at my phone and decide to scroll my social to see if maybe one of the guys is up to something. Jin and Yoongs are on a fishing trip, Hobi and Joon look like they are at a bar and Jimin and Tae look like they are at the local pizza place.

My feed refreshes and Tae pops up, he's standing full length in front of his hallway mirror, dressed in some slacks and a white button up holding a bouquet of flowers with the caption saying. "Grandma raised a gentleman!" #datenight #don'tw8up.

I nix the idea of seeing any of the guys, I stand a little too fast and get caught in my blanket falling face-first onto the floor. I lay there wallowing in my sadness and just trying to recollect the air I've just knocked out of me when I see the box I try and forget is hiding under my bed.

Dad...

He'd know how to handle this. He was supposed to be here to pick me up when I fell.

"You, my little girl, will grow every day and it won't always be easy but you are strong and can do anything you put your mind to..."

None of this is easy now that he's gone. I pull myself up and silently open my door so I can creep down the stairs. Mom works long shifts at the hospital and I know she needs her sleep. I make a pitstop in the kitchen swipe a bottle of liquor my mom keeps in the house and make it to our spot.

I lay on our rock and stared up at the stars as I took swigs straight out of the bottle. the sky blurs and I'm crying before I even realize it's happening. I thought it was okay, that I didn't care, but it was just another person I wasn't good enough for. The air chills my skin but I can't bring myself to get up and go home so mom can hear me crying.

I fling my arm over my eyes and my bracelet knocks against my skin a little too hard. I look at it debating if he'd be mad if I called him from his date. Before I can talk myself out of it, I begin tapping it, over and over, hoping he's wearing his, but can't remember if I saw it in the picture. I figure he must not have worn it when I don't get a response back. My eyes feel tired and heavy from crying and I roll over onto my side.

I feel my bracelet finally vibrate back and smile before I close my eyes and drift off for a nap.

"God damn it, Josephine, are you trying to kill me?!" my eyes spring open and I see Tae rushing down the incline as carefully as he can.

"Tae?"

"Why aren't you answering your phone?! You can't tap me like that and then not pick up. I nearly lost 15 years of my life with the amount of worry you have caused me," he is huffing and puffing as he stands over me and when our eyes meet I see the worry written all over him.

His face softens and he crouches down and I'm crying all over again. "You came for me."

"Always," he says pulling me into his arms.

♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨_____________

"What were you thinking? A whole bottle, Jo! Do you know what could have happened?" Mom screams at me as I try and sip my coffee to ease the throbbing in my head.

I keep my head down and try to ignore her but the lack of response is working her up even more.

"Do you have nothing to say for yourself? What if it had been someone else and not Taehyung who had found you?" I feel his hand rubbing my back and I shrug him off and stand to face Mom.

"I'm sorry, okay! It won't happen again! Can you just drop it?" I say harshly.

"Drop it? You can't be serious! There are going to be severe consequences, young lady. What would your father think?" the words leave Mom's mouth and I watch her freeze.

"Well, it doesn't matter what he thinks because he's dead!" I shout at her and her face drops.

"Jo..." my mom starts.

"If he was here at least he'd ask why I decided to drink instead of just screaming at me! If you were maybe here at all you would know what was going on!" I push away from the table and rush upstairs slamming the door behind me.

I hear my door open shortly after and feel Tae lie beside me on the bed.

"Josephine, why did you say your dad left?"

"Because he did. No one stays for me, not Dad, not Taemin, and you'll eventually leave too," I mumble out and Tae turns my face so I'm looking at him.

"Your dad did not leave you, Josephine, he died. Taemin is some dumb high school kid who doesn't know what he wants in life yet and, honestly, you dodged a bullet with that one because if the rumors are true, he's not once satisfied a single girlfriend, and if you look hard enough you'll find a good guy," Tae says with a smile and I can't help but scoff at his response.

"And as for me, you'll never get away from me. I'll still be here when we're both in our 50s with families of our own to tell our grandkids about that time you threw up on the merry-go-round because you insisted on riding over and over and got too dizzy."

"Ugh, you promised to never bring that up!" I grin up at him and he ruffles my hair.

"Be easy on your mom, she is just worried about you," he offers me his hand and pulls me to stand back up with him.

"I'll pick you up in an hour for our day. Go talk to your mom," he pulls me down the stairs and offers me a little wave before he leaves.

Mom's sitting at the table, her head resting in her palms, while her shoulders shake from crying.

"I'm sorry, Mom," I say as I sit next to her and take her hand from her face. This talk won't be easy but it needs to be done.

♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨_____________

"How are you liking your first year of college?" Tae asks Jungkook and me as we all meet in the quad waiting for the others so we can go and grab some lunch.

"Oh, I'm living my best life. The girls are all over me since my face is so cute and you know the tattoos are a huge plus. They love my duality," he brags making finger quotes after the last word.

I roll my eyes and kick his shin. "Not a single girl has said that to you."

"How would you know? You stay sucking face with Mingyu," he nudges my side and I glare at him.

"You're jealous of our love," I tease and Tae laughs and we both turn to glare at him.

"You two truly are siblings," I smile because he's absolutely right, Jungkook is the brother I never had and I couldn't picture a day without him.

"How's Jennie? I feel like we haven't seen her in a while," I ask Tae and he looks away from the two of us nervously.

I don't press the matter knowing we can talk about it later, privately. It just so happens the others show up saving us from growing awkward.

I'm back in my dorm when I feel my bracelet vibrate on my wrist. I gather the supplies I know I'll need and make my way to Tae's dorm. The door's already slightly ajar and I let myself in, dumping the snacks on Tae's bed and snuggling close to him.

"What happened?" I whisper holding him tightly.

"She said she couldn't handle being last," he sighs and I feel my brows furrow in confusion.

"She said I put everything else before her. Gran, school, work, you..."

I groan, knowing that she let her insecurities ruin a wonderful relationship. We've both been through it. Others have a hard time understanding me and Tae's closeness, and we both have given up partners rather than giving up each other. But it's never once been like that with us. Hell, even the crush I used to have for him has fully disappeared and we are strictly best friends.

"She definitely didn't deserve you."

I lean up to hover over him as he stares at the ceiling. "Are you sad?"

"Not really. She stopped wanting to just be. If I hadn't planned an extravagant date or offered her a present she would have been unhappy. She never wanted to just hang out, watch a movie, or have dinner here with me."

"Then, honestly, you dodged a bullet," I grin repeating the words he always told me when I went through a breakup.

"You're damn right, I did," he grins back sitting up to lean against the wall.

"Wanna watch a movie?" I offer and he nods reaching for some of the snacks I brought with me.

"How's Howie coming along?" I ask as he sets up his laptop at the foot of the bed.

"You got to stop calling him that," he groans and I giggle.

"You can't make a robot and not give him a name," I argue and he rolls his eyes.

"I think we have finally gotten his coding right and that military guy has been really interested so it looks like I might have a job once I graduate in the spring.

"That's amazing! I bet Gran is excited," I snuggle next to him and spread out our blanket as the credits start playing.

"She's actually pretty sad about it. If I take the contract, I'd be stationed away for a year," he says quietly and my head whips in his direction.

"What?! Why am I just hearing this?"

"I was going to tell you last Sunday but it was the anniversary," and I soften slightly.

After finding out about my dad's death, Tae made it his mission to spend the day with me in honor of my father. We would play Catan with Mom because it was his favorite game, we ate pigs in a blanket and then we always watched a Spiderman movie. Being in college was no exception, he showed up last Sunday with all the gear and we roped Namjoon and Jimin into playing with us.

"Just one year?" I ask and he nods his head.

"We can do that! Plus this is what you have been working so hard for, you need to go for it," I said clapping my hands and deciding for the both of us.

"Well, you took this better than I would have thought."

"You're never getting rid of me, Tae. Plus I want to be able to tell our grandkids about that time you thought you had dropped chocolate on that white carpet but after you picked it up with your bare hands realized Tannie had left you a surprise.

"That was traumatizing! I was off chocolate for months! And to this day I don't trust it," he whines and I laugh as we settle in to watch the movie.

♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨_____________

"Happy Sunday!" we both greet once the video connects.

"I heard you'll be home next week?" I ask and he frowns.

"Who ruined the surprise?"

"Gran, she told Mom and both said we will have a family dinner. Don't pout, you big baby, I convinced Mom to make you japchae."

His face lights up when the smile takes over and I laugh at how predictable he's become.

"I'll be back permanently."

"SHUT UP!" I squeal and he nods happily.

"Yup, my time is up and I'll be back home to stay from now on."

"Wait until I tell the guys! They were just complaining that nothing feels right without you. Oh god, that means you'll be here for Yoong's wedding so I don't need to find a date!"

"What if I already have a date?" he asks seriously and I frown.

"Since when? Why would you hide a girl from me? Are we not best friends anymore? This is tragic! Gone for three years and you forgot all about how I'm your ride or die!"

"Can you relax, you damn drama queen! I'm just joking I'll be your date."

"Stand by date," I correct him and he looks shocked.

"What does that even mean, Josephine?"

"Well, we have like four months and you know I could always be kidnapped by a super hot extremely jealous mafia lord, and in that case I'd want to protect you so you wouldn't be able to be my date so he doesn't snap your neck." I shrug like I've made complete sense.

"You really need to stop reading those books of yours, they are warping your view of reality," he laughs and I glare at him.

"We both know I'd thrive in a reverse harem or as a mafia wife."

"That's an absolute lie!" He says indigently.

"For one, you hate when the attention is not on you, and, secondly, if someone tried to tell you what you can and can't do you'd riot!"

"Okay BUT! If it was Zade, I think I could get behind it," I say with a grin and he continues to laugh.

"I miss your crazy ass," he says with a sigh and I nod in agreement.

"I can't wait for next week when your plane lands. I'll grab you from the airport," I offer.

"I already have Jimin coming for me, he said I could no longer be his testi brother if I didn't let him come for me," Tae says looking a little guilty.

"I really hate that you two call each other that. It's gross," I make a face of disgust.

"Stop being jealous. I'll head over to yours once I'm settled in."

"Sure sure, I'll see if I have some time for a pair of balls to visit my house."

"You're so annoying!"

"I love you too!"

"I've got formation in a little so I need to get ready to head out but I'll catch you later for our movie?" he asks shifting in his seat.

"Yup yup yup, please for the love of god make sure you have all your snacks before you join the room to watch," I wiggle my finger at him in a playful scolding.

"God, you're bossy. I'll be ready. Talk to you later!" I wave and the call ends.

♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨_____________

"Am I picking you up tonight? If so I might be a little late 'cause I'm coming straight from the lab," Tae says over the phone.

"Nah, I'll meet you there and grab us a table."

"Okay, I'll be there around six. See you then!"

The line goes dead and I relax back onto the couch. It's Sunday and after 14 years me and Tae have yet to miss a single one with each other. Even while he was working all over the country we still managed to Skype and have movie nights. The last few years he's been home have only brought us closer to each other.

He works quite a bit and claims that's why he hasn't been into dating, but for me, I can't use that excuse. Work is steady but I have decent hours and could have a social life if I wanted to but I find that no one lights me up the way Tae does.

My crush is back in full force but even I know that if it was going to happen it would have already. Despite knowing that I can't bring myself to actively pursue someone else. I'm kinda hoping it would just happen naturally, I'll meet a stranger, it will be love at first sight, but unfortunately, I only have eyes for Tae.

I tug on my jeans and one of Tae's old college hoodies before heading out to our favorite wing place. I grab us a table and order our drinks and food as I wait for Tae to show up.

He rushes into the building and smiles as soon as he sees me. "Is that my hoodie?" he asks while he hugs me.

"Pretty sure it's mine now since I took it from your closet years ago and you are only now realizing it's gone," I laugh and he rolls his eyes.

"Stealing is stealing, Josephine."

I giggle as our food is brought to the table. We catch up and make plans to go and see a movie next week and as we sit there I feel my heart just soaking up his presence. The way he is gentle, as he coos to a baby, sitting a few tables away, how he is respectful when he stands to make room for an elderly lady to pass behind him.

"Do you wanna split a dessert?" he asks pulling me from my thoughts and I hum in agreement, then he waves down the waitress.

He's smiling as he speaks to her asking her something, his hair is softly tousled and falling over his forehead in that sexy I didn't even try way. He's filled out the last few years, his chest is more defined and his arms have grown in size. I don't know what he's saying to the waitress but his voice caresses and soothes me as he speaks.

"I have a crush on you," I say out loud before I even realize what's happening.

He looks at me in complete shock and I start panicking immediately. He waves the waitress back over and asks for the check instead and does not say a single thing to me.

I've blown it. It's been years, how could I just blurt that out? It's probably my damn hormones, I haven't been with anyone in a year, I'm just lonely and now I've ruined our friendship and I'll be miserable. Oh god, how do I explain to the guys how I've gone and fumbled this?

Dread is filling me and I want to just run out of here. Tae pays before I even have a chance to grab my wallet so I quickly stand and gather my things.

"Uh, anyways this was nice. I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay?" I turn my back and speed walk out of the building.

Just as I go to pull my car door open, it's slammed shut.

"Turn around, Josephine," I hear him close behind me.

"Uh, well, no I've really got to get home. My apartment is really dirty and I really need to get back and take the fish for a walk," I say like an absolute idiot but I need to get out of here.

"Turn. Around. Josephine," he says each word pointedly so I know I have no choice.

I turn around and he just stares taking in my features.

"Uh yeah, so what's up?" I ask with a nervous laugh.

"Did you say what I thought you said back there?"

"Umm, I can't remember what I said. The beer must be making me fuzzy."

"You had a sprite for dinner, Josephine," he says flatly.

"Ugh, can we just drop this? It's fine. Let's just pretend like it didn't happen and move on with our lives," I'm pleading hoping he will agree and we can move past this awkwardness.

"I'll ask one more time. Did you say what I thought you said?"

♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨_____________

I'm staring at her cutely fidgeting as she leans up against her car.

I've known her since we were teens, I've always liked her but when she seemed to be into Jungkook, I didn't pursue her and then when I learned about her dad I realized she needed a friend and not a boyfriend. But I loved her anyway and when she never showed any interest I learned to be content with just being around her.

But this right here... it changed everything.

"I'll ask one more time. Did you say what I thought you said?" I ask caging her in and staring her down.

"I mean well, I did say words. But it doesn't matter cause you obviously don't feel the same way, so I'd rather just move on and not ruin our friendship," her voice grows quiet and her head hangs as she looks down at her feet.

I swear this woman was just put into my life to drive me mad.

"Do you really believe I don't feel the same?" her head snaps up and she stares up at me in shock.

"If I did not feel the same, do you think I would block off every single Sunday for you despite having to work or being dirt tired? If I didn't feel the same, the thought of not seeing you every week wouldn't make me physically sick. Or what about how I'm the one who's always here to pick up the pieces after you let one of those assholes break your heart."

"I uh, I mean," she's stammering, and I smile at her.

"What do I always tell you, Josephine?"

"That if I look hard enough, I'll find a good guy," I lean in closer to her and hear her breath hitch.

"Well, guess what? I am the good guy. I'm the one who's always here for you. Of course, I have those feelings for you!"

"What?" Her eyes are blown wide, and I know her heart is racing as fast as mine. I smirked at her because I could already see the answer.

"I'll ask you one last time. Do you have feelings for me?" She holds my stare, and she finally nods.

"Yeah, I do. I always have."

Our gazes meet, and neither of us makes a move until I break the trance and whisper.

"Prove it then."

She releases her breath, wraps her arms around my neck, and pulls me down, pressing her lips softly against mine.

♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ﮩ٨ﮩ٨ﮩ٨