Catherine's POV

I wake up to sun hitting my face and I groan. Looking around I realize I'm in the room alone. Grabbing my phone I check the time. Noon... I see a zillion messages from Bridget, Ashley, and some of my other friends. I wonder what's up, but I set my phone aside and head to the bathroom.

I wash my face, put my hair up in a messy bun, and pull on a pair of shorts. Who's shirt is this? My stomach growls, and I head out of the room in search of food. I walk through the living room on my way to the kitchen and see noone here. Maybe they had practice.

I make some coffee, and search the refrigerator for something, but nothing looks good. I take my drink and a couple clementines and sit at the table. I realize I left my phone, but before I can get up to check it, Yoongi comes and sits down across from me. He looks like something is bothering him, but I don't ask.

"You sleep long."

"I guess I was tired."

"mmmmmmm... You ok?"

His question confuses me. Why would I not be ok?? Before I can ask him, the rest of the guys come through the door. Everyone is looking at me, and I feel like something is really wrong. Hobi doesn't even meet my eyes.

"Hey there. Did you sleep well?" Namjoon asks me.

"I did... What's with the looks?"

"Well... We have a small problem... But we're figuring it out."

Jungkook scoffs and walks out of the room in anger, confusing me more.

Hobi looks down at his feet "Cafferine... I so sorry... I not think this happen..."

"What? Is something wrong at home? I had a bunch of messages I didn't read... Wait... I'll go get my phone."

A chorus of "No" and "wait" stopped me. I looked around the room at them trying to understand...

"If something has happened to someone at home... Just tell me! What happened?!?"

Yoongi reaches out to take my hand. I look at him with pleading eyes because I'm really scared now...

"No. It not that. It really ok."

"Please... Someone tell me then..."

After a deep breath, Namjoon tells me what's going on. "There's a story that came out. A story about Hoseok having a midnight date with an American."

My world stopped... I know this can ruin his career... All their careers. All because of me...

"We just came from a meeting, and a statement will be made to try to calm people down."

"What statement? What will it say?"

"That you're just a friend visiting from America. That he took you to eat when he knew you wouldn't be mobbed."

"Oh...."

Hobi looks up at me with his sad eyes. "Cafferine... "

"No... It's fine. It's for the best. I wouldn't want for there to be trouble for you guys... I'm going to go change."

I got up quickly and went back to the bedroom. I don't know what I'm feeling... Scared for sure... A little sad... And strangely enough... Mad.

Hoseok's POV

I woke up to Namjoon shaking my shoulder. I don't want to wake Catherine, so I get out of bed and follow him to the living room. He hands me his cell phone and I look down at it. My eyes almost popped out seeing the article. How could this happen?

I know we were careful. I was careful!!! I read through the article and realize my mistake. The autographs for the chef and server's family members. One of those people reported to Dispatch, and shared the autograph. I'm so stupid...

The rest of the members come out and Namjoon tells everyone what's going on. I can't even make eye contact because I know they're going to be mad. We don't need this kind of attention, and things are about to get messy. Joon let's us know we have a meeting in 30 at Big Hit so we all go get changed. I thought of waking Catherine, but decided against it. I'll talk to her once we work this out with PD Nim.

Author's POV

The members enter the conference room and noone is talking. When PD Nim arrives with a few of their managers, the tension is intense. Hoseok feels his palms sweating, and he keeps his head hung low.

"Hoseok... Did you write these autographs?"

Hoseok just nods his head without looking up.

"I wish you wouldn't have done that. But since you did, we need to discuss the next steps."

Namjoon asks "What are you thinking?"

"We have to make a statement. But the decision is what that will be. Will she be a friend or a girlfriend in the statement?"

Hobi insists "She IS my girlfriend."

"Noone is arguing that Hobi... But think of the consequences of saying that publicly... Not only for you... But for the rest of us... Including Catherine..."

PD Nim continues "We can't leave this room without a decision, so let's discuss it. Everyone needs to participate here. This does not just affect one of you."

"If she's willing, I'd want to tell the world about her..."

Yoongi interjects "Hobi... I think that will be too much for her... Think about what YOU know... The kind of attention she'll receive after what she's been through... Think about that..."

Hoseok gasps at Yoongi's statement. He didn't even think through that part of this. Now he's not sure what to do... The members continue to talk and they end the meeting with a vote. Of course, any decision to share the truth would be dependent on Catherine, but they vote based on their band interest.

Hobi starts... "I want to tell the truth. Tell that she is my girlfriend."

Yoongi speaks next "If she accepts that, and understands the potential hate she'll get, then I'm with Hobi."

Nanjoon looks down while he speaks. "I'm sorry. I love you Hobi... And I love her, but I vote we keep this private. I think we say she's your friend and that's it."

Jin also doesn't meet Hoseok's eyes. "Sorry... I agree with Namjoon."

Jimin tries to support his hyung. "Hyung. I know you are in love. I want you to be able to claim it publicly. If she is alright with it, then I'll support you."

Taehyung next... "I don't know...  I think we should say she's your friend Hyung."

Jungkook keeps is short... "Friend"

PD Nim makes sure he is understanding.  "Jungkook... Do you mean we will say she's just a friend?"

Jungkook nods in agreement.

"That's settled then. We'll release a statement that she's a friend who came to visit. That a dinner was planned at a closed restaurant so there wouldn't be a mob. We'll deny any romance rumors. Please be very careful going forward until she leaves."

The meeting breaks and Hobi is heartbroken. He does understand his members... He doesn't hold it against them for the decisions they made. He just hates that he will have to publicly deny his love.

Jungkook's POV

I can't believe Hyung was so stupid. Love does things to people I guess. But now she's going to be in the line of fire, and we have to lie to ARMY. I know part of me is just jealous... I'm trying hard to keep those feelings out of my decision though. In the meeting, when it was my turn to vote... I thought about her, and what she'll go through if he says she is his girlfriend... Right?

Oh who the fuck am I kidding?!? I voted the way I did because a piece of me hopes for a chance... If she is publicly his girlfriend, then my chance is completely gone. I know I'm an asshole. I feel a connection with her, and I know she has felt it too... So letting Hyung claim her would kill me.

Bridget's POV

I was eating dinner when Ashley (Halsey) called me. She proceeds to tell me how there is an article about Hoseok taking an American on a romantic date. I know this is going to be a problem. Ashley tells me that Twitter is already blowing up with horrible comments. The saesangs are working to find out who she is, and I get scared for Cath.

There are 5 days before she leaves Korea, and I hope she'll be safe. She has been calling, and texting me about her trip. She's been so relaxed and happy that I'm glad she's seemingly moving on from her trauma. Ashley and I try to figure out how to help. We are too far away to be effective though.

After the phone call, I check Twitter. I shouldn't have. They don't even know who she is, and they're calling her "attention whore", "slut for fame", "gold-digger", and worse. I feel so sad for Hoseok and the rest of the members. Are they not allowed to have love?

I send a few texts to Catherine with no reply. I hope she's alright. I know my friend so well, and if she is reading these comments, she's believing them and taking all of it to heart. I continue to try though.

Author's POV

Big Hit released a statement, and all the members held their breath. They went about their day like nothing was happening, but each of them is worried. Will this cause a rift between them and Hoseok? Will Catherine be alright? Will ARMY find out the truth?

Catherine, on the other hand, is drowning in guilt. She feels responsible for creating drama for them, and had started to pack her suitcase. She hated that her particular shitty LUCK is going to affect these men she has come to care about so much. Her negative thoughts are overwhelming, but she's hiding it well.

She finishes packing, and is sitting on the bed, hugging the Kumamon plushie when Hoseok comes in the room. He looks around and sees her stuff packed and he panics.

"What going on? You pack?"

"Yeah... I'm thinking it's best for everyone if I go home. I don't want to cause any more problems."

A rogue tear escapes, and she roughly brushes it away.

"No no no... You not problem! Don't go!"

"I've had the best time... But I shouldn't stay... I can't be responsible for your career crashing... Let me go. It's better this way."

"Cafferine... You not... It my fault... I want you stay... PLEASE!"

"GOD!!! WHY DON'T YOU GET IT? I'M BAD FOR YOU! I'M BAD FOR EVERYONE! IT WOULD BE BEST FOR YOU TO FORGET ME!! I CAN'T BE HERE! I'M SUFFOCATING!!!"

Cath throws the plush in frustration knocking over the Kaws figurine, breaking it...

"SEE?!? I DESTROY EVERYTHING!! I WON'T STAY AND DESTROY YOU AND YOUR MEMBERS!! I'M GOING!!"

Hobi begins crying, feeling helpless. "Pleeeaasse... You not do this... I love you...  Cafferine... Stay..."

Catherine begins hyperventilating and Hobi tries to hug her, but she pushes him away.

"DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!!"

Yoongi comes into the room and grabs Catherine. She tries to fight back but she can't breathe.

"shhhh.... Breathe... You ok... It all ok... "

"NOOOO! NOTHING IS OK!! I RUIN EVERYTHING!!"

"This not true! Shhhhhh.... It be ok..."

Hoseok watches as Yoongi holds Catherine and talks to her. He wishes he could do that, but she pushed him away. He doesn't know it's because she is trying to make him angry so he'll let her go easier. Catherine continues to lose control. Her panic is growing thinking she's the cause of negativity for them with their fans. She breaks into loud heartbreaking sobs and almost collapses.

Yoongi held her and lays down with her. He continues to speak in a soothing manner, and caress her hair. She doesn't know what he is saying, but he makes her feel safe. He always seems to understand what she needs when she's like this. Seeing this, Hoseok decides to leave them alone.

3 hours later

Catherine fell asleep an hour ago. Yoongi stayed to watch over her until he was sure she wasn't going to wake up. When he gets to the living room, he finds Hoseok looking seriously dejected.

"Hobi... You alright?"

"How come she listens to you? I tried to make it better, but she screams at me... What did I do wrong?"

"Nothing. You didn't do anything wrong. I think she just sees that I've been where she is... She knows that I have that understanding about depression and anxiety..."

"I understand too... "

"It's one thing to understand from the outside... And a different thing to know someone has been where you are when you're deep into a panic attack... But it's nothing you did wrong. She's feeling awful about the article and the damage it could do. She's blaming herself for possibly hurting us..."

"I don't want her to leave Hyung..."

"I know Hobi. It might be better for her though... Let's see what happens when she wakes up tomorrow."

"I can't lose her like this Hyung... I love her so much..."

"I know. And it sucks that our jobs make that impossible to be open about it. But we chose this life Hoseok. She didn't..."

Hearing that, Hoseok starts to cry. He knows that he can't hold on too tight or he'll suffocate her, like she said. But he's not ready to give up. He and Yoongi decide it's best if Hobi sleeps in Yoongi's room with him. Tomorrow is a new day, and he's hoping things are calmed down, and Catherine will not leave.

Jungkook's POV

I hear Catherine breaking down and screaming at Hobi hyung. I really wish I could find a way to help. After Yoongi hyung helps to calm her down, I hear his conversation with Hobi hyung. I feel bad for everyone right now.

Not being able to sleep, I walk quietly to my room to check on Catherine. I open the door and watch her sleeping. She's looking very peaceful right now. It's hard to believe she was losing it a few hours ago. I notice the Kaws figurine on the floor, and I make my way to pick it up. As I bend down to grab the pieces, I accidentally hit my head on the nightstand.

"Jungkook?"

"Sorry. I not mean to wake you."

"it's ok..."

"You ok?"

"Yes..."
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"Jungkook?"

"hmm?"

"I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"I broke your figurine... I will replace it. I shouldn't have done that."

"No... It fine... It was accident."

"I will still replace it. I shouldn't have lost control."

I shake my head and touch her arm to let her know it's alright. I can see the tears starting so I sit on the bed and pull her into a hug. I don't know what to say, so I just hum some songs to her while rubbing her back.

She falls asleep again, and I lay her back down. Looking at her face I gently wipe away her tears with my fingers. I sit for a few minutes taking in her beauty, but force myself to get up. I want to just lay next to her and take her in my arms, but I can't. So with my heart heavy, I walk to the door and looking back one more time, I leave.

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