Author's POV:

"70."
"73-" "It's 71!"
"Sorry! 71..."

"90..."

"100..."

Jumping jacks. That's what you all were doing. It was 11 pm right now and your entire gang was being punished for sneaking out. Somehow, the other kids weren't caught. It was just you guys who were too late. So, the teachers figured some kids were missing during the roll call. 

And those kids were you all. 

"Gosh! I'm never sneaking out again!" Mina groaned as Jungkook cried out in pain. You sighed as Taehyung shook his head. 
"Ugh!" Jimin cursed under his breath, complaining about his fate as the teacher supervised the punishment. No slacking off was allowed. Gosh, it was hard.

---Time skip

"I'm gonna die tonight," Mina spoke as you all were sitting in your tents. 
"I honestly have never been punished in University before." You said, shaking your head. Taehyung scratched his nape and said, "Sorry guys... we kind of involved you both in this."
"But it was fun." You said and chuckled.
"I honestly enjoyed 100 jumping jacks. It was the first time my punishment wasn't mockings or being grounded at home. This feels better." You were laughing. Taehyung looked at you with a faint smile. Everyone listened to you and smiled.

"Me too. I usually don't get punishments. If I do, it's my teacher insulting me for my drawing skills. We don't get punishments like these. It's refreshing." Mina said. Jungkook and Jimin smiled as Taehyung sat there, giving you and Mina a water bottle. He was holding 5 water bottles for all of you. 

"Punishments are never pleasant, honestly. But being punished together feels nice." Jimin said, smiling. You all were sitting in your tent, chatting and laughing. 
"How is it like at home, Y/N? You often say things related to your house. I'm curious. Are you free to share?" Mina asked as Taehyung looked at her. He knew it, he was the only one who knew about your situation at home. You smiled and took a few moments.

"Well... my father is nice. But, he doesn't like what I do... art. He hates art. He thinks it's useless. So, he always mocks me for it. He thinks I am not good at it. I've never shown him my artwork so... I don't know. He wanted me to study another subject but I chose this. He is quite against it. That's it. It's just hard at home because he is always against what I like and all... it's just exhausting." You said. Everyone listened to you quietly. 
"What about you all?" You asked. 
"For me... it's my dream. I want to be a musician but my family isn't wealthy. So sometimes, I worry that maybe my saved-up money and the money I earn from part-time jobs won't be enough. It's kind of... unsure. MY future." Jimin said. 

"I'm pretty rich, I'll give you my savings, Jimin!" Mina spoke as Jimin chuckled, "You would?"
"Yes, investing in your music!" Mina said, giggling.
"Me too!" You said.
"We all will," Taehyung said as Jungkook nodded. He smiled and said, "Ah, it's touching!" He wiped his tears as Jungkook hugged him. Taehyung patted his back. 
"What about you, Ms Rich?" Jimin asked as Mina chuckled.

She clicked her tongue saying, "What else? Being rich comes with a price. I'm lonely. My parents are always away for work. I live at home alone mostly... with the maids. I like art but I'm also confused about whether I'm good at it or not."
"That's sad. Invite us to your house." Jungkook said as Jimin nodded. You smiled and said, "I've seen your drawings. I like them, you know. I once even got inspired by a drawing of yours." 
"Really? I never knew!" Mina spoke as you nodded, smiling. 

"Jungkook?" You asked, looking at him who said, "My sob story? There's none! I'm happy."
"Really?" Mina asked as Jungkook said, "I am... but sometimes, my heart aches so much... it's hard. Life is hard but I try to be happy. Even trying to be happy is hard at times."
"Now only Taehyung is left," Jimin said as Taehyung sighed. You held his hand as he smiled saying, "My father passed away when I was young. So, I take care of my mom and my younger brother. I want to be a musician but for some time, my mom asked me not to. She was against it because my father also chose the same route and... he couldn't succeed. But I believe I can. It's hard to see my family... without my father. He was special. I don't have someone to share my sorrows with because I'm the strong support in my family. But it's better... now. With my friends." 

"So, we all have sad stories," Mina said and smiled.
"And happy ones," Jungkook spoke. 

You all smiled together and said, "Life never goes as expected, does it? May our futures be brighter than the brightest star in the sky!" 
"May our future!" You said and smiled. You all cheered together and discussed happily. It was happy and warm. It was a comfortable and heartfelt company. 

And soon, a beautiful and memorable night passed away... just like that. 

2021. 7. 25 

You walked towards Jimin and Jungkook who were sitting at the table. 
"Am I late?" You asked as they shook their heads, chuckling. Soon, Mina came and you all were eating. 
"Guys, my mom asked me to go on a blind date tomorrow." You said as they all looked at you.
"You should!" Jungkook urged as Mina smiled saying, "I swear it'll be better than that date you went on a year ago... it was forced but this was sure will be better!" 
"I believe it too." 

You smiled and nodded, sighing in relief. 
"Right? It'd be good." You smiled and looked at the food. 
"But the butterflies never come, honestly." You sighed. 
"Hey, you don't necessarily need to feel all those butterflies! It'll come naturally." Mina spoke. 
"Right... hopefully." 

You all were eating as Jimin said, "My new music got 10M plays! I hit a record by the way!" 
"Woah! Congratulations! I like the song you uploaded!" You said. Jimin chuckled and said, "I know right? It'll be 10 years soon. So..." 
"He'll love it, trust me." Jungkook spoke as you nodded saying, "How could he not?" 

"I visited Mrs Kim yesterday. She made me dumplings again. Taewoo grew up you know. He created a project for his brother. A beautiful fluorescent light thing... it's really pretty. Something Tae would love." You said. 
"Life goes on," Mina said and smiled.
"It's funny how we still include him in our conversations like he's still here."
"He is... I mean, he told us he'd be, right?" You spoke, looking at your food. 

"My new art got the first prize in the competition." You said as Mina gasped saying, "So it was you who beat me! Gosh, I'm jealous now!"
"You should be~" You giggled. Everyone chatted again and laughed. It had been 10 years yet that ever-lasting friendship didn't change. 

2009. 11. 25

You entered the cafe to see Taehyung sitting there with the traditional sweet drink as always. You waved at him as he smiled, gesturing for you to sit beside him.
"Y/N!" He smiled widely as you spoke, "How are you today?"
"Good, you?"
"Yeah... me too." You smiled. 

"Uh... so, I'm going to be recording an album tonight. It's a song. About my life..." He said. You nodded excitedly and asked, "Woah... can I also hear it when you're done?"
"Of course, you'll be one of the very few to listen to it first." 
You grinned and looked at the drink he forwarded toward you. 
"Have a sip." You did as he said and sighed in satisfaction. Better than any black coffee with no sugar.

You both continued talking about your day, University, and old tales. It was fun. There were some hilarious stories that had you cackling to death. Taehyung grinned every time you laughed. It was as if your laugh was enough to make him happy. And it wasn't just him. Every time he laughed, your felt your heart leaping in your chest. You loved seeing him happy. 

A month passed by in this way. You both enjoyed being together. With exams, tests, friendship and family, you all improved and matured. Christmas was gone and it was New year now. Your first Christmas with him was so good. Mina, Jungkook and Jimin were there, it was the best day of your life. One of the best. 

Tomorrow was Taehyung's birthday. You all went to his house to surprise him at late night and he was surprised, actually. With Taewoo and his mom, it was a warm celebration. With your 4 people squad, it felt perfect. 

"Happy Birthday, Tae." You smiled at him. He looked at the cake and then at you, "Thank you... so much." 

You gestured for him to walk to the balcony as he followed you there.
"Here is my gift for you." You handed him a bracelet. There was a crafted wooden heart on it.
"Did you do this?" He asked.
"Yeah... we had an extra crafting course so. I made this." You smiled. He forwarded his hands as you put it on for him with a smile. 
"Thank you.. so much. It's pretty." His eyes glistened as he admired the bracelet. You smiled and nodded, looking around. 

Under the moonlight, you could see his lightened face and your heart ached. You felt so much for him, you couldn't explain. You walked towards him saying, "Thank you so much for being born... and for... being my friend and letting me be myself around you. For appreciating me... Thank you so much. Happy Birthday." 
He hugged you as you smiled, hugging him back. You pressed a kiss on his cheek as he looked at you, placing a kiss on your lips. 
"Thank you... I..." He was about to say something but didn't. He shook his head and said, "I am grateful." 

You sort of wished he had continued but you smiled anyway. At least he looked happy.

And tomorrow was New Year's Eve. You all were celebrating tonight with snacks, balloons and sky lanterns with wishes written on them. 

"It'll be 12 in a few minutes," Mina said, excitedly. You grinned and looked at Taehyung who grinned back at you. Jungkook brought a few cans of cola while Jimin brought chips and chocolates. 
"2 minutes! Everyone, get your lanterns ready!" Mina said. You all were at Taehyung's terrace, getting the lanterns ready. Taehyung helped you with yours and you smiled at him, thanking him. 
"In 5...4...3...2...1!!!!"
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!"
"Happy New Year everyone!" 
"New Year, New Happiness!!!!" 
"I think we'll be getting new pain but okay, New year!" 

You all let go of your sky lanterns with wishes. You could see firecrackers blown by other people around the neighbourhood. Taehyung looked at you with his happiest smile and said, "Happy New Year, Y/N."
There was something in his eyes that warmed your heart. You smiled and said, "Happy New Year, Tae..." 

Mina opened the cans of cola, handing them to everyone as Jungkook ripped the chip packets, digging in. 
"New year, new parties~" Jungkook cooed as Jimin sighed, "What a lousy slogan."
You chuckled at them as you all sat on the plastic table and chairs on the terrace with food and chatter filled with giggles and laughter. You all were definitely crashing at Taehyung's place tonight while songs of Girls' Generation, BigBang, 2NE1 and Super Junior filled the background. 

And with that night, you all welcomed 2010, saying goodbye to 2009 that turned everyone's lives around.