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Taehyung's POV, 

The day was finally here. 

Clock showing 11.40. Only twenty minutes left to go on the stage. 

The backstage of the auditorium was crowded with participants expectantly waiting for their performances, psyching themselves up and getting ready to give their best. Sitting on a low bench beside Namjoon I was watching them. There were 26 teams participating so I was trying to guess the teams by their attire, bouncing my feet subconsciously, licking my lips every so often feeling the pre-show nerves where the guy beside me stayed cool and composed. 

Erelong a roll of cheer coming from the green room surprised me. What made the dancers doing their costumes and make-up inside outburst joyfully even before the performance! 

  "They're just shouting to relieve stress." Namjoon quietly told me after reading my expression. 

  "Shouldn't we do the same?" I liked the idea of doing something crazy to lessen the tension, but Namjoon's soft and sweet laugh confused me more. 

  "Are you tense?" He asked me, though knowing the answer. 

  "I couldn't sleep last night." My eyes were dry due to sleeplessness. I knew if I kept it closed for a minute, there was a chance that they wouldn't open anytime soon. But the excitement dancing within my bone-marrow prevented that from happening. 

In BT we didn't have an exam system like eartizens. The training for the fittest person to travel to the earth was practically my first hard challenge. As I was the weakest of them all, that was what shooky and my father thought, they did everything to make me change my decision. Ultimately it was my ambition that eclipsed all else, and started to erode their enthusiasm to make me fail. And because of my obstinate determination here I was now on the beautiful planet called Earth. 

  "It's hard to fall asleep when tomorrow is going to be a war of survival." I said jokingly. 

  "Yeah, me neither." Namjoon smiled at me. His dimples were adorable and his face became so cute that it reminded me of their cartoon bear Winnie the Pooh. 

  A moment later he spoke again. "You know, it's been almost eight months since Jungkook and I formed this band. Jennie joined us later. Jungkook wrote the songs I composed, sometimes we argued over the lyrics." A pause, "Making tunes wasn't easy. As a band we aren't even focused all the time. Jennie used to settle things between us when we doubted and thought we should remiss. But the thing that kept us enthralled till now, finding ourselves through the music. Our lives are going to totally change if we win the competition—that passion kept me awake all night." 

  "That's why you passionately called me a hundred times yesterday until I had to block your number." Jungkook's voice made me turn and look up at his face. 

I was so engrossed in Namjoon's words that I didn't even notice when he came. His crazy beautiful eyes fell on me for a second and I felt that rush of excitement that I was feeling lately whenever we met. 

In a black leather jacket over a black and white striped t-shirt, skinny ripped jeans he was looking like a rockstar. His guitar peeping over his shoulder, fingers with a rectangular metal ring lightly holding the strap; parted black messy hair falling over his temples, partly covering those eyebrow barbells and the steel stud on his left earlobe was so attractive! 

I felt a human-ly urge to hug him, but hearing his low growling tone I forced myself to stay seated.

  "You didn't have to go overboard to block your teammates right before the competition." Namjoon snorted when he raised up to match his eye level. However Jungkook was slightly shorter than him. 

  "My teammates are fucking annoying." Retorted Jungkook.  I cleared my throat, drawing his attention, hoping he would take his words back, but unexpectedly he said, "Including him." Looking at me, "He's the most annoying man I've ever seen." Only if I were a man,  "He kept changing sides, making noises over my head throughout the night." Well... "Damn I forgot to count the number of times he smashed that bathroom flush."

  "Were you counting?" Aakad Namjoon, frowning. 

  "Like I had a choice." Jungkook rolled his eyes and stared at me. 

  "Sorry." I mumbled. 

  "Fuck your sorry. If it happens again, I'm telling you I'll lock you inside the bathroom."

This was Jungkook and his adorable threats. 

I nodded, smiling. 

The art department had the biggest team with seventeen members. At the corner of the backstage room they were preparing the light and sound presentation of a famous fairy tale Pinocchio. Jennie and Lalisa passed them good luck while coming towards and greeted us with open arms. 

  "Hey guys, Tae," Jennie pat-patted the back of my shoulder when I rose up. The arm sling wasn't carried as her elbow was partly healed. "All the best my friend." 

  "Thank you." If things suddenly hadn't changed, the scene would be totally opposite. I would be cheering for her now, wishing her all the luck. 

  "You're looking fabulous with this designer tee." Lalisa noticed the uneven cuts in the t-shirt first. 

I was going to say thanks but at the same moment the green room's door opened and the team 'Tonight' came out looking like divas in shiny black silk shirts and pants, dangling earrings, chokers and black leather boots. They were going to perform the song Black Swan in the first round so their look was a bit contemporary. 

  "He's the designer himself." Jimin came, side-hugged and stood beside me. My eyes couldn't stop admiring his beauty. The rosy pink lipstick he was wearing was perfect for his pulpy lips. The shadow and liner on his cute monolids made his eyes dreamy. He said, opening my jacket wide, "This black Fila tee had been sitting in my closet for a year, collecting dust, but Tae said he wanted this and made all these cuts all by himself. Then paired up with this red bandana and this biker jacket."

  Seokjin let out a slow whistle checking me out from toe to head, "you look impressive."

  "You too." Namjoon fondly looked at him and only got an eye roll in return. 

  "Actually, it was my idea." Jimin told them, "I advised Tae that he would look sexy if he showed more of his skin." 

  "Well yes! You're looking so damn sexy bro." Hoseok flickered his brows in a sexy manner. 

I became shy for a moment as so many humans were talking about me. Couldn't relate to the first time I came to this school; I thought I would be treated as a ghost, but now my friends were here to talk with me, cheer for me and most of all they cared for me. 

All these made my little sonta-heart overwhelmed. 

  "There's nothing sexy about freezing your ass in the name of fashion." Jungkook puckered his lips looking straight at my heart, —actually over my heart. "Judges aren't going to focus on his tiddies."

I don't think he meant to flirt, but I blushed anyway. 

  "How could you say that?" Jimin frowned. 

  "Because," Jungkook took a step to reach me, holding the sides of my jacket's front he tugged them closer, covering my self-designed t-shirt. My eyes travelled to his dark eyes when they met mine and said in a serious tone, "I don't like it. Keep it covered."

  "Ok." I nodded, unable to break the stare when he gradually moved back. 

  "Oh it's a shame you're listening to everything your team leader is ordering." Seokjin commented, tsk-tsked shaking his head in slow motion, "You're letting him boss you. I thought you would be a cool type as even my teammates are whipped for you, but you seem more like a submissive nerd."

Submissive nerd? What the thing was that! 

  "And I think you should just focus on your own performance, not lecture others." Jungkook said lazily. 

  "Duh-uh! Sure." Seokjin huffed with a shrug.   "Well then good luck." He took my hand in his and shook it lightly, "I wished if you could win. But that is not going to happen sweetheart. We would be the one kissing the trophy." He winked. 

  "Good luck." I said, "I really wish your wish to come true." 

He huffed looking away. 

  "You know Tae," Jennie looked at me with proud eyes, "You're just amazing. The way you put all the effort into learning the tunes had me totally speechless. I mean I could not bear to think about doing that within a week. You seem to have some super powers to learn things faster than others."

  I shook my head shyly, "My powers are limited. If it was within my powers, I would have cured you already so that you could perform instead of me."

  She laughed out loud at my gesture. "You're really cute."

  Meanwhile the door of the auditorium opened and a young professor, the host, came out to announce— the judges had taken their seats and the competition was going to start shortly. 

  "Now comes the hardest part." Said Hoseok,  breathing deeply. "Waiting for the hell-call."

Though he didn't have to wait long as they were called right after the first team. 

  "We'll be the last according to the list. So let's just sit and relax." Namjoon went to the lone bench we left a moment ago, sat beside his covered drum sets dearly looking at them. 

Jungkook wasn't talking but I could feel the nervousness through his body language. I'd seen how hardworking he was when it came to his passion. He would completely immerse himself in the music instead of in himself. And sometimes he would ask, 'Taehyung you don't need to stay awake all night. You're doing it perfectly, take some rest for now.' He knew how tired I became after school and the nightclub duty. He'd consider it and help me learn the theory of music in between the classes and when we were on the road on his bicycle. 

Another thing I liked about this human, he was  honest. He liked to take every suggestion very seriously and spoke only when he felt it wasn't working out. Just like Namjoon had said, they fought over the lyrics and composition, mostly because he wanted all of his songs to reach perfection. So whether you like it or not, he would always speak his mind. 

And winning the compilation was his dream. I would do anything to make it reality. I promised myself. 

Forty minutes passed. We were called on the stage when all the participants came out of the door one by one. 

Jungkook lightly patted my shoulder, took the keyboard from my hand and told us to take a deep breath before we went on stage. 

Inside the auditorium there were five judges, basically the departmental heads of this academy and the guest judge, the president of Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage Mr. Park Se-won, was sitting beside the principal. Other than the few people who were in charge of the light and sounds and the host, the crowdless auditorium looked like a classic horror movie theatre.

We bowed very politely at everyone. When I raised my head, my eyes got animatedly bigger finding Shooky on one of the pulse judges' seats, beside the HOD of dance Ms. Lee Jieun. 

Our eyes met and his face changed into something surprised, confused and then angry. However he masked his expression real quick with a solemn stare. 

I left all the hope as I knew he wasn't going to let it go easily. I avoided him all this week, even his texts and phone calls. And here we meet again unexpectedly in front of so many people. 

  "Introduce yourselves." The host said in his microphonic tone, making me flinch. The cool ambient temperature and Shooky's cold stare  chilled me through my bones. I looked at Jungkook and Namjoon behind his drums. They were ready as ever. 

  "Band name Euphoria," Jungkook said. "We are going to present a song." 

  "Please go ahead." Mr Park Sewon asked. 

Jungkook bowed a little, looked straight at Jieun and smiled knowingly. Following his gaze I saw Jieun's lips were coated with the same smile and for an unknown reason I felt uneasy. 

Anyways, the song was perfectly executed, just as we rehearsed. Reading the judges' expression I could assume they'd enjoyed it as well. Even Mr. Park Sewon complimented this as a well balanced song with heart touching lyrics. 

Everything was favourable but the end result terribly shocked us. 

Where all the judges had given us 8+ out of 10, Shooky's point was 3 with an upsetting advice to prepare better songs next time. 

We bowed again when we were told to wait backstage for the overall result which was going to be announced shortly. 

  "Was it really that hard to impress Prof. Min? Why did he have to say that in front of everyone?" Namjoon said frustratedly. When Jennie asked him what happened inside, he detailed thoroughly. 

  "I didn't like that man the day I saw him for the first time. My instinct said there's something wrong with him. And that day when," Jungkook sighed, glancing at me. Let the remaining words be unspoken. Then dropped down beside Namjoon stretching his legs out. 

I wondered what had happened the day he mentioned. 

  "I know right." Namjoon crossed his hands while still holding the drumsticks.  "He sounded damn arrogant. I mean, Mrs. Lee was far better than him." 

  "Let's not talk about him. Let's just wait for the final result, huh?" Jungkook asked and we agreed. 

There was a guilt string up inside me. I couldn't tell them why professor Min acted like that. I'd seen it in Shooky's eyes, he was uncomfortable with my presence and maybe he was angry with me for hiding things but how could I know he would be there among the judges? He didn't tell me either.

A few moments later the announcer came out holding a thick piece of paper and started reading out the names selected for the final round. Like we'd hoped, Tonight was selected for the finals with the highest score in total. We congratulated them. Next was the art team with seventeen members, and we witnessed the biggest cheer of the afternoon. Two more dance teams were selected and an all girls Instrumental band 'Chimes' was the fifth one.

I glanced at Jungkook, sedate like before. Namjoon was chewing his nails looking worried. My eyes were dry, unblinkingly staring at Mr announcer. Everytime he opened his mouth, I was hoping to hear that one name. "Euphoria." He said at last and I finally closed my eyes, sighed out the breath I was holding for long. 

I opened my eyes to see the person who hugged me first. It was Jennie, smiling. I hugged her back. 

  "Sounds like we're blessed tonight." Namjoon said when we finally felt it wasn't a dream. 

  "Don't raise your hopes. The final round is going to be the toughest." Jungkook clearly reminded us. 

  "Aye aye captain." Namjoon threw him a salute. I couldn't help but smile.

The way I panicked a moment ago was so human. I felt a little embarrassed about it. 

  "Hey, I'm going to bring fruit juice," Hoseok said, "Any preferences?"

  "Orange juice for me." Jimin said first. 

  "Just some water, please." Jungkook requested. 

  "Taehyung," The cold deep voice came from behind, making me forget what I was going to say. I turned and gulped. "We need to talk." Shooky didn't wait for my response, and walked out of the door without giving me a second glance. 

There would be half an hour break before the final round, so I knew he wasn't going to take long. I had no option but to follow.

I followed him all the way to an abandoned storeroom which had become our secret place to converse when we were on the college campus. 

I locked the door behind us, slowly stepped forward counting, 

One, 

Two,

Three, 

Four,

  "What made you think of participating in this competition?"  His voice filled with acid, made me halt. "And with the boy I told you to stay away from!" 

I didn't get what made Jungkook and Shooky dislike each other! 

  "I wanted to know more about music. Joining their team, I was able to notice them better. It's all for the mission." I tried sounding unbothered, which seemed difficult at that moment. No matter how hard I was going to explain the situation, I knew I couldn't convince him.

  "You did that for the mission?"  He clicked his tongue inside his mouth.

  "Yeah." 

  "So you're telling me you remember our mission, where we were told to stay low and observe humans from a fair distance?" 

  "Shooky," I tried telling him the truth about Jennie's accident and how I had left no other choice but to replace her in the group, but that blue haired shortie was not in a mood to hear anything. 

 "What you did today, the whole school will know about you now." He said in his deepest voice, "And if you win the final and this team qualifies to participate in the national meet, the whole country will know."

  "Yes I know that."

  "No." His voice rose, so was my heartbeat, "You don't know anything you brainless little idiot. After today people will get curious about you. Of course they will want to know more about the college's superstar, and their backstories. When they'll come to know you've entered this institution with the fake certificate of yours, they'll definitely call the police and put you in the lock up as well as me. And then we would be imprisoned on some unknown island for the rest of our lives if they do not find out about our real identity."

The idea cut through me like a guillotine blade, splitting me into halves. Why hadn't I thought that before? 

  "I don't think that would ever happen." I  said but wasn't sure. "I did it to help my friends, and now I can't back down."

  Shooky readjusted his tie, loosening the knot he opened the first button of his white shirt. Looking a bit tense. 

  "Tata," He said calmly looking deep into my eyes, "You're forgetting you're not here to make friends. It's me who is your only friend here. No one can save you from danger except me. So you have to listen to me."

I stared at him helplessly when a dark shadow eclipsed his eyes. 

  "You have to withdraw, or have to ruin the performance willingly. If you don't, I'll have no choice but to give your team the lowest score to eliminate."

  "It's impossible. You can't do this." I stepped forward to hold his wrist. "Jungkook trusts me, his dreams will be shattered." I shook his hand, unable to explain. "Please,"

  "Thinking about that one human you can't put all our lives at risk." He pulled his hand away. "And what's in a dream? Dreams are meant to be broken."

  "Hurting someone intentionally is a crime. Whether it's physically or emotionally. I can't do this." I couldn't think of betraying Jungkook, Namjoon, all of them. 

  "You have totally lost it here."  Shooky pointed his index at my forehead, pushing it back lightly. "Seems like you forgot  the hope your father had put on you. And the things you said to him when he was seeing you off that day." Suddenly I felt panic wailing up inside and I looked away. "Don't you want to see your little brother again? Just think about him." My head was a mess now. "Our BT needs brave sontas to rule over the universe. That is our only goal. So don't make stupid decisions to disappoint me and your father." 

  "But this is unfair." I knew but Shooky wasn't wrong. One wrong move could destroy us. 

He walked past me to the door, I stared at his back. 

  He turned to look at me, one more question in his eyes, "You'll not listen, right? Fine. Let me settle this my way." 

It was unfair, it was unexpected, and I was totally clueless what I should do. 

  "Taehyung," Jungkook touched my shoulder and I almost jumped. I was so preoccupied with the thoughts that I didn't notice when I'd walked all the way to the auditorium. "Is everything alright?" He asked. 

  "Yes." No. Nothing was right. 

  He studied my face intently, refrained himself from asking questions of my meeting with Shooky respecting my privacy. 

  "Jimin was saying the judges are going to select the songs or themes this time, so don't get stressed and leave it to Namjoon and me. We'll handle everything, ok? You'll just have to play along with the beat. Uhm?"

  "What!"  I said, unable to pay attention at that moment. My mind was swimming in the words shooky threw at me. "Pardon, can you repeat?"

  Jungkook grabbed my shoulders and looked at me. "What's going on inside the pretty head of yours? Something happened. What is it?"

  I blinked, couldn't make eye contact longer, "I'm scared."

  "Why so suddenly? You are doing amazing. Just trust yourself more."

I trusted myself. But not the world. 

  "I don't know a lot of things." I hesitated, "What if I cannot recall, what if I mess up everything?" I felt so drained. Once again shooky's words came to haunt me. I didn't want to betray my friends. I didn't want them to lose because of me. What should I do? "I am sorry. I'm not good. I really have hoped to make things easier for you…"

  Suddenly he pulled me in a friendly hug that I needed the most. But I just stood there. Hands on the side. A pang of guilt stopping me from touching him. 

  "You've gone above and beyond." He softly whispered beside my ear. "I am so proud of you."

Stop! Please stop being so nice to me. I couldn't take it anymore. 

  "Whether we win or lose, I'll still be proud of you." His hand slowly, gently patted my back. If I could cry like humans, I might have cried a river on his shoulder. Amid those hostile noises and chaos in the backstage, my heart could only hear his sincere heartbeats. 

  "Jungkook is right." With Namjoon's voice, Jungkook pulled away. "I'm ashamed of doubting you that day. You've made us proud buddy." Namjoon tapped on my shoulder and I thanked him. 

Then they got busy talking with others. My mind was a roller coaster. I neither could join their discussion, nor could run away from here though I wished I could. 

The final stage call was heard a moment later. As expected our turn came at the last. We witnessed the same scenario as before as we walked on the stage. Only the principal wasn't present beside the guest judge Mr. Park this time. 

Intentionally I avoided looking at Shooky as I took my position two metres left to Jungkook. Namjoon at the back, arranging his drums hurriedly. 

  "So you're all vocal and music students?" Mr. Park asked. 

  "Yes." Our leader replied. 

  "Why did you choose music? Is there any specific reason that made you feel connected with music?" Mr. Park lightly tapped the nib of his pencil on the table beside the marksheet when he said, "I would like to hear from you that before the song." 

  "Yes sir." Jungkook's hand was gently placed on the soundboard of his guitar. He took a deep breath before speaking, "I believe there is no better way to express myself than through music. Music is a gift, I can be able to let go of all my emotions; joy and happiness or sadness and despair through rhythms, harmonies and the lyrics. Sometimes when I feel things aren't going well as expected, I just sit with my guitar and make up random lyrics about past experiences or what I’m going through at that moment. Sometimes a song reminisces on memories of my childhood. I remember my father who was also my first teacher when I hear the songs he used to sing.… . 

  Yes. Music has become my life." He ended with a soft bunny smile of his. 

If that weren't heart melting! 

  "Very well. The way you described," Mr. Park said, sitting straight, "I could feel the emotion very well."

  "Thank you so much sir." Jungkook slightly bent his head. 

  "Anyone else want to ask them something?" Mr. Park suggested. 

  "Yes, I have a question." Snooky turned his gaze directly at me. 

I wasn't surprised. 

  "You tell me, why do you want to win this compilation?" His voice and face  were vacant when he asked me. "Is it for money? Fame? Or is there any specific goal?" 

It would be a lie if I say I wasn't panicking inside. There was nothing I needed to win this competition. All I was doing was for my teammates and he knew that very well. 

He knew me so well that it bristled me that I couldn't beat him in his game. 

  "Should I repeat my question?" Shooky said not getting any response from me, 

Jungkook was looking at me. Everyone had their eyes on me. Time was running fast. Numerous scenarios were playing in my mind. My head was a mess. 

Should I say I don't know anything and run away from here? Definitely the judges would get us disqualified. What if the humans outside found out about me? Would they imprison me? Or kill me? Certainly. 

No! Stop, I told myself. Why are you scared? What are you afraid of, dying? You'll die a million deaths being a coward. 

No! 

  "Money." I filled my voice with a new found confidence, "Money can't buy happiness—I guess some rich old quixotic had invented this phase." I said from my experience here on earth. "Ask a poor, he'll say the opposite. So I think it's a bit offensive to ask this to someone who doesn't have money." 

There wasn't any sound other than me. 

  "Fame? Oh yes. I would love to be famous because it would boost my self-respect. I would love to grow as a person. Both economically and emotionally. And there's nothing wrong wishing to get a secured future in this city with my own money and self achieved fame."

I saw Jungkook give me a nod in my direction as a way of encouragement to continue. 

  "But those weren't the only things that made me participate in this competition. I wanted to illustrate my individual qualities. I wanted to prove myself through this platform. I've worked hard, practised day and night to improve my abilities, to overcome my weaknesses. And all that I did was for my love. Music is my love."  To me, music is Jungkook. Jungkook is my love— why did this thought cross my mind!  I lowered my head, eyes bore to the keys, panicking that they would hear my heart which was beating loudly. 

  "Mr. Min, I hope you've got your answer." Jieun said, mischievously glancing at Shooky who had his eyes only on me. 

  "Yes." He said a heartbeat later. "I got my answer." 

The judges asked us to perform an English romantic ballad. I played the opening tune of the song Purpose by Justin Bieber as we'd talked before and Jungkook catched the rhythm, sang so beautifully making the people present there overwhelmed with emotion. 

They called all the finalists on the stage for the final result. Team Tonight scored 46 out of 50 which was shockingly the highest score any team had achieved in the finals. The other teams were impressive but they couldn't match upto the level with Tonight. I could feel Jimin and his team already celebrating the victory in their minds. Good for them. Because I could assume what was going to happen ultimately. 

  "And now for the last but not the least team, Euphoria," The host began with a mysterious voice. 

I clenched my fists.

 "The honourable president of SICH Mr. Park Se-won has given nine points." The host announced. "Professor Choi gave them nine points. Professor Shin has also given nine points." He took a suspenseful pause, "What a coincidence! Professor Lee has also given nine points!"

I knew our journey was going to stop here, with an average 36 points. 

Couldn't help glancing at Jungkook, he looked back feeling my gaze. The understanding was showing in his features. His eyes were hopeful and sad at the same time, his lower lip was full  and flush as if he bit it nervously. I looked at Namjoon who was having a hard time controlling his hands to chew his remaining nails. 

  "And the last," The host paused for a moment looking at the marks. What was the expression! Why we're his lips stretching into a knowing smirk? My heart was pounding in my ears. "Professor Min has given ten points!" 

  "What the-" Jungkook couldn't even finish the sentence so I finished it for him. 

  "Fuck!" I was astounded by the recent news. I couldn't believe in my ears. Shooky writing the number 10 for us in that piece of paper was like a hallucination. 

I turned my eyes at that grumpy blue-head, expressionless, eyes were still on me. What are you thinking— I wished I could mind-read. 

  "Total 46 points, that means it's a tie between Tonight and Euphoria." The host declared what we'd already get. "Now it is upto the judges if they want to do a tie-breaker round or call both of the teams winners."

Not again! Not again please. 

  "I don't think there's any tie-breaker needed as both of the teams have proven their excellency." Said the principal who was called to announce the winner with the guest judge Mr Park.  "Both of the teams are the winners. And as for participating in the national championship, I am requesting both of the team leaders to join your teams to make a new team and come up with more creative ideas to give your best performance in the nationals." 

Jungkook and Seokjin glanced at each other. Settled the decision with a silent nod and let everyone know that they agreed to join their teams to make one. 

The sound of cheer and applause roared inside the auditorium.  There could be multiple times of people present when the golden trophy would be presented in front of the whole student body tomorrow, but to us this was the moment of greatest joy. This was the moment of happiness. We hugged. Smiled. Happy tears rolling down their eyes and I felt the happiest. 

The judges, the other teams left after congratulating us when we were already in heaven. 

Suddenly my phone vibrated inside my pocket. Sharply, I turned back to Shooky when his name popped up on the screen. I saw a faded smirk play on his thin lips before he walked out along with Ms Jieun. 

I swiped up to read the message, "The road you chose is full of snakes, so you better run." In that way was he telling me to be careful? 

When I looked up, he was already gone. 

  "Tae you did it." Jennie came laughing. Her smile reflected on me. I rested my chin over her narrow shoulder when we hugged. Her shorter hands squishing my broad shoulders, giggles couldn't stop. I glanced past her and saw Jungkook laughing freely, hugging his best friend. Our eyes met and he nodded, proudly looking at me. I mirrored his gesture as the well of happiness came bubbling up inside me.

I was happy to see him happy. 

__________

This chapter gave me a headache. Seriously. I'm relieved as it's done now. If you've enjoyed reading it, please vote and comment. 

💜:)