A/N: The chapter discusses self-harm, suicide, and depression however, it is quick and important so I don't think it should be skipped. Thank you.

Hope you enjoy the chapter!!

(1422 words)
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April 13, 2017

It wasn't strange to see the cafe moderately full around this time of day. Students had their open laptops on the table and others were talking and laughing with their friends over a cup of coffee. It was a comfortable place to meet up after a day of stress. A mother and son entered, craning their necks as they searched for decent seats. With his iPad and headphones in hand, Jimin walked to a clean, empty table of four as his mom walked to the counter.

Once he sat down, he logged onto his Archive of our own account, proceeding to read the story he began days ago. A few minutes passed before his mother returned with two mugs of hot coffee. They didn't speak to each other once they were sitting across from one another. As Jimin read, his mom proceeded to log onto Facebook. The talking of people, the glass mugs hitting wooden tables, and the chimes of the entry bell were the sounds that surrounded Jimin's ears.

He could barely hear the music from the overhead speaker, let alone focus on what he was reading. The later it got, the more the entry bell rang. As soon as he managed to block out the sounds by getting lost in the book, the people they were waiting for arrived. "They're here."

Jimin's mother waved her arm in the direction of the door. He craned his neck to glance where she was waving, spotting Yoongi's eyes. Mentally, Jimin prepared himself.

Don't get them wrong. Jimin and Yoongi were friends, even attended the same middle and elementary school, yet Jimin wouldn't consider themselves "close".

He shut his iPad, a polite smile on his lips, standing up to address the newcomers. "Daeum! Jimin! Hi!" the overly enthusiastic woman greeted.

She embraced Jimin's mom tightly, then headed toward him. Jimin was prepared to welcome her with a side hug, however unexpectedly, the lady folded her arms around his dainty body. Since it was unforeseen, the hug was awkward still he let it occur. Yoongi received Jimin's mother in a side hug with an amiable grin, like Jimin; he proceeded to greet the latter with a straightforward hand wave once Yoongi's mom let go of him.

After they welcomed one another, they took a seat at the table. Yoongi sat with Jimin while their mothers sat together. The teenagers were too timid to talk. They wished to retrieve their electronic devices since they were not having a good time. Yoongi's mother proposed that the two young men find a spot at the unfilled table close to them. Not given much of a choice, the young men agreed.

That is how they ended up where they are currently. Jimin wanted desperately to grab his iPad, yet he felt that would be inconsiderate on Yoongi's behalf. Since the two wouldn't address one another, some sort of awkward pressure developed between them. The pressure lasted until the waitress came with Jimin's food and Yoongi's lemonade. The two boys thanked her, letting her leave with a grateful smile.

Yoongi sipped his beverage and Jimin took bites of his pasta. More awkward seconds passed before Yoongi began to use his phone. If it wasn't for the mothers having a great time at the table near them, Jimin would have grabbed his iPad in a heartbeat. As he watched the moms laugh at whatever the other would say, Jimin felt the need to not disappoint anyone because he was too shy to talk. After all, Yoongi was not a stranger.

Uneasily, Jimin leaned his hand enough for Yoongi to notice him. With curious eyes, he looked up, waiting for Jimin to speak. "So how was your day?" Jimin felt uncomfortable, especially when he assumed Yoongi didn't hear him by how quiet his voice was.

To Jimin's surprise, Yoongi tugged an earbud out. "It was good. And yours?"

On the bright side, Jimin was grateful Yoongi wanted to break the silence too. He could tell by the way he responded.

"Good. Um..." But then the pressure to keep the conversation going caught up to him. To not let himself overthink, he asked whatever was on his mind. "Did you already take the end-of-the-year test?"

Yoongi tugged the other earbud out and clicked his phone off, setting it on the table. "No, next week." Jimin nodded, humming in response. "How's it been? In the new district, I mean." At the thought, Jimin found himself smiling a little.

"It's good, I guess. What about you? How's Wills High?"

"It's good." Yoongi nodded. "A lot of drama, actually."

"Really? What kind? Is it worse than middle school?" Yoongi shrugged. The waiter arrived, serving Yoongi's food. He thanked her then directed his attention to Jimin once she left.

"Uh. I don't know. Fights here and there. Actually..." Yoongi spoke so casually but soon, his attitude shifted, careful about his next words. It caused Jimin to worry about what he'd say next.

"Many people, especially girls, they... hurt themselves." Jimin's eyes widened.

"Really?! Because at my school, just the other day, a girl tried to kill herself in the bathroom," Jimin exclaimed. Yoongi hummed at the story, taking a bite of his food. "It's sad they do that. I don't understand why though."

There was once a time when Jimin could easily voice his opinions about depression and self-harm, regardless whether they were sensitive topics to others. But when Jimin was able to step into the shoes of self-blame and self-hate, he understood the reason behind such actions. Jimin's experience wouldn't come until a year later after this conversation. Yet, at this moment, sitting here talking to Yoongi, Jimin never imagined he would end up like the ones they were talking about.

Their discussion paused as they finished their food in silence. "Hey. Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," Yoongi responded without taking his eyes off his plate.

"Do you remember Taehyung? Kim Taehyung?" Yoongi nodded. "How is he?" Jimin's sudden interest surfaced.

"To be honest, I don't talk to him. He's just... really damn annoying..."

"I don't think he's annoying," Jimin mumbled softly. So soft, Yoongi didn't hear him as he spoke.

"... As far as I know, he has a reputation for sleeping around a lot." Yoongi paused. "And he hurts himself too."

Jimin gasped in terror. "He what?"

"But I don't know," Yoongi defended quickly from witnessing Jimin's reaction. "It's just what I hear. Doesn't mean it's true." Jimin nodded but he couldn't brush the thought away.

It wasn't his fault. Jimin still cared about Taehyung, despite not communicating with him for a year. Still, Jimin subconsciously knew he would never see his first love again. It's how life works. People, friends, lovers: they drift apart and that is normal.

Maybe Jimin will never stop worrying about him, but at some point or another, he must accept they're no longer in each others' lives.

And they never will be again.

Closure was what Jimin needed. He cleared his throat. "Do you have a picture of him?"

"No, but I can show you his Instagram." Yoongi unplugged the earbuds from his phone, directly clicking the multi-colorful app that showed up as soon as he unlocked the mobile device. Jimin waited patiently, looking around the cafe since he had finished his food long ago. Dark was the only way Jimin could describe the Instagram page Yoongi showed him. Yoongi lent Jimin his phone for a better look.

But in all honesty, there was no point. One could barely see the person in the pictures. Most of them were mirror selcas in a dark room and the bright flashlight covered the person's face. In other photos, the person wore a hoodie in a room that was lit by maroon lights.

The account didn't have many posts either way.

Jimin questioned whether it was really Taehyung's account; Yoongi nodded sincerely. "Can you send it to me?"

At that moment, their mothers announced they were leaving. The four said goodbye to each other and went their separate ways.

Jimin forgot what he asked for.

Yoongi forgot too.

Junior year, Jimin's nightmares about Taehyung got worse. And finally, Yoongi sent Jimin the link to Taehyung's Instagram.

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A/N: Ok, so if I'm being honest, I started this book without a plot and I honestly don't want this book to be incomplete because I don't have any ideas. So if you guys have any ideas or any plots, I'd be happy to answer them in the comments and give you credits😁

thank you 😊 hope you're having a great day