After setting up the food for breakfast, I called for everyone to join. Jimin came and sat down first, followed by the others.

Yet, it was silent at first, eerily quiet. The five boys sat down, glancing at each other cautiously, before digging into their food and not saying a word to one another or even me. It was the same treatment from last night as well — quiet, respectful, but strangely uncomfortable.

The fear was evident in their eyes, from the way their gaze wandered throughout the room, and focus glued on their food. It was obvious they didn't like me there. I may have been socially inept, but this was painfully noticeable. I sighed, trying to repeat Ryujin's words from earlier.

But that tiny, insecure voice lingering in the back of my head remained.

"How's the food?" I asked quietly.

"Fine." Seokjin said, not even looking me in the eye.

I licked my lips, staring down into my food, separating it to distract my thoughts.

"Is something wrong?" I asked cautiously, looking up to glance at each of the boys.

The moment those words exited my mouth, Namjoon replied dully. "Nothing's wrong."

"Are you sure? 'cause you've been acting weird ever since we got here," I responded, my emotions overcoming my thoughts.

The five boys' eyes flickered up to mine, eyes aflame with an emotion I couldn't put my finger on.

"Everything's fine." Namjoon said flatly.

I looked back at each of them with as much concern as I could accumulate —  but I didn't think it was enough, since seconds later, they each stood up and left the room, bringing their plate of food with them.

I sighed, leaning back in my chair, folding my arms impatiently. I shook my head before looking forward to see a confused, but pissed off Taehyung, jaw ticking as he sent glares in the direction of the boys. Meanwhile Jimin kept quiet, trying to stay out of the drama — although he appeared concerned.

"You can go join them," I whispered bitterly. "I don't care."

Taehyung's gaze flickered over to mine, before he shook his head. "I'm fine where I am."

My eyes softened at the unexpected response, but I shook my head in protest to the warm feeling building in my chest.

***

Staring off into the distance while cleaning the counters seemed to be the only useful thing. After finishing breakfast — which was a rather awkward endeavour — I began to clean up. It seemed sensible, and the only way to take my mind off of what happened.

My impatience and lack of shutting my mouth once again surfaced into my life at the worst of times, unfortunately. Yet, in some ways I was glad to have put the question out there, for it was eating me alive.

I needed to know what they were truly feeling, and now I felt a sense of relief that I knew. Although they avoided answering my question by running away, I didn't need the verbal response to know the truth.

They were just like everyone else.

I sighed, swiping my cloth across the table and letting out a huff when it slipped from my fingers to the floor.

"Shit," I muttered, leaning forward to pick up the cloth.

Little did I expect to see a pair of white socks in front of my eyes, and I gulped before looking up at the familiar face that used to make my insides twist with pure hatred. Although I still found him a bit annoying, but I didn't hate his guts — at least not to the extent I used to.

I no longer had the urge to jump off a cliff due to his presence. I suppose that was a good sign.

Taehyung smug smirk grew on his face. "I didn't think you'd get on your knees for me that easily."

I take back what I said. He's very annoying.

I stood to my feet with narrowed eyes, and swatted at his chest, before heading over to the sink. I turned it on, and began washing it with soap and water.

He laughed behind me, "sorry, couldn't help myself."

"If you can't help yourself, then go shower, you reek of testosterone." I replied, a small smile on my face at my reply.

Taehyung scoffed, smelling his shirt, "but I already showered."

"You clearly didn't get the joke then."

The room went silent, the only sound being boy huffing in defeat before stepping beside me. I noticed the atmosphere shift, from the way his face was no longer playful, but more serious. "Do you need help with anything?" he asked softly, eyes roaming my face.

"I'm fine." I replied coldly.

He nodded, stepping back a little. I suppose my cold reply gave him the idea to back off.

"I'm sorry about the guys, they're...not used to this." Taehyung said shaking his head, "they're kinda being dickheads."

"I understand why they are acting this way," I stopped the water, placing the cloth on the counter and turning to face Taehyung. "But it still is hard."

Taehyung nodded. "Yeah, I'm sorry about their behaviour, I'll talk to them."

I pursed my lips, Taehyung's words giving me a bit of hope.

Before I could speak, everything halted when a loud scream echoed through the walls of the house.

"Hoseok?" Taehyung asked, immediately recognizing the voice.

Promptly, a golden-haired Gem came bursting through the front door and into the house, squealing and screaming in fear. Eyes wide, and face pale with shock.

"I hate this place!" Hoseok shouted, running into the kitchen, shaking in fear. "I can't do this anymore!"

Upon hearing erratic yelling, the five other boys exited their rooms and into the kitchen, eyes narrowed with confusion.

"What happened?" Namjoon asked, trying to calm Hoseok down. "No need to yell."

"A fucking horse chased me, Joon!" Hoseok responded. "Of course I'm freaking out."

All them listened to the panicked boy, who dug his fingers in his hair, and breathed irregularly. "Everything is so dirty, there's rats all over the place, my hair is not its natural colour,"

"I'm living like a fucking human!"

I jolted a bit at the derogatory comment toward me, gulping.

Hoseok shook his head, face red with anger and fear. "I want to go home! But unfortunately this... human brought us here! Had she stayed with her own people then they wouldn't have invaded, and we wouldn't be here!"

The other boys looked at him empathetically, and I frowned in disbelief, having the sudden urge to punch a wall.

They all agreed with him.

"They should have proof that she's guilty by now!" Hoseok cried, tears starting to run down his face. "I miss my family..."

Namjoon approached the boy, wrapping his arms around his frame and pulling him close.

I bit back my tongue from saying something I would regret, before heading to my room and slamming the door.

Taehyung's POV

My hands clenched into fists, watching as Juliana angrily prowled into her room.

"That was unfair for you to say Hobi," I said to Hoseok, with an angry frown. "She never did anything to you."

Seokjin scoffed turning to face me. "We're here because of her, I hope you realize that, Tae."

"The attack from the humans is why we're here, not her." I turned to Jimin, trying to grab his attention so that he would back me up. But instead, he backed off, keeping his head down.

"Don't tell me you've come to trust and care for her?" Yoongi folded his arms across his chest. "You know better, we can't trust them."

I shook my head, "listen to yourselves! You guys should know better than to just categorize everyone to be the same."

"Categories keep everyone in line, and keep them organized. Without them, we wouldn't have been living the nice lives we have now." Yoongi responded, trying to get me to agree.

"Yeah, but the categories benefited us. No one else." I respond angrily.

I couldn't do it. I realized that Juliana was innocent, nor did she fit the category they wanted her to — she wasn't that type of person. She learned to kill, and had the mouth to hurt, but she never used those things to do bad.

Namjoon sighed before pulling away from Hoseok, stepping closer to me. "When I became leader, I made an oath to protect you all. I made decisions to keep you safe, even if it meant mistaking someone as evil. I want to ensure your protection, rather than risk you getting hurt."

"I understand, but this isn't something to be mistaken. If we trust her, we can prove to the Order that Juliana isn't bad, right?" I explained, my eyes flickering between Namjoon's.

"The humans' problems aren't ours, it shouldn't matter if the Order knows of her innocence." Seokjin intervened. "We're just here to be protected, so that we'll avoid more issues."

I licked my lips in thought, looking down at the ground. After the attack, I started to question why the humans hated us in the first place, why they wouldn't hesitate to kill us...

My eyes softened when I realized it now — as I stood before someone I viewed as an older brother my whole life, someone I wouldn't expect to tell it to. I knew what the truth was.

"The humans' problems are ours, because they're angry." I said boldly, looking all of them straight in the eyes. "We wonder why they hate us, because it's our fault."

Namjoon and the other members' eyes widened a bit in shock at the realization. Since childhood, we were taught to accept things for how they were — without a question. Like memorizing content for an exam without questioning it.

"Juliana is innocent," I said lastly. "I think it's fair we give her a chance — because she isn't what you've all molded her to be... what I molded her to be." I said the last words quietly.

I'd only been talking to Juliana for a bit, but I've learned so much from our interactions to realize that I was wrong. Though she was irritating at times, she wasn't the evil being we all thought she was — she was funny, stubborn, bold and clever. Juliana was more than the category she was put in.

Namjoon's head fell in defeat, eyes glancing up to meet mine after a moment. "Fine. We'll give her a chance, but if any of you are put in danger I won't hesitate."

I nodded, "I understand."

I sighed in relief, as I watched the boys reluctantly agree to the offer.

They were finally giving her a chance.

[A/N]

Holy shit it's been a while since i've been here. Wow. I'll try to be more consistent with updates guys, cuz i'm literally quaking with excitement to start writing again.

ANYWAYSSS- Taehyung, my boy, finally stood up for Annie! So adorable- what do y'all think of these two?? I personally love their banter 😂

Okie dokie, lmk if you liked the chapter, vote, and see ya (maybe) next week!💜💜💜

byeeee