“It's ringing,” Abigail informed the two men, Jungkook and Taehyung, that the phone was ringing as she plopped between them. Taehyung had asked her to call Jimin, as some explanations still needed to be revealed, particularly about the fact that the three of them lived together. Taehyung hadn't had the chance to inform Jimin about this yet. He had asked Jungkook to talk to their friend, but Jungkook had considered not saying anything at all, as he thought Abigail would move out before Jimin's return. However, they all agreed that it was the right thing to do.

“My lovely baby-sister, how are you? Did you call because you missed me? How is everything going? Did you have the chance to look for a fitting apartment?” Jimin's voice was filled with genuine curiosity and warmth as he bombarded Abigail with questions, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Abigail's response was a moment of silence that seemed to stretch on, causing Jimin to raise an eyebrow in confusion. Suddenly, she moved the phone away from her face, revealing not just herself but also Jungkook and Taehyung on the screen. Jimin's expression shifted from surprise to mild irritation, his eyes widening and brows furrowing in a mix of emotions.

"What the heck are you doing there? Weren't you supposed to be on a road trip?" Jimin's tone shifted from sweet to slightly annoyed as he processed the unexpected sight of his friends. In response to the surprising turn of events, Jimin swiftly rose from his relaxed position on the bed, moving to a nearby chair and placing his phone on the table. His body language spoke volumes, conveying a mix of confusion and frustration. A clear indicator of his agitation was his characteristic habit of running his hand through his hair, a sign that the sudden change in plans and unexpected company unsettled him.

Taehyung moved quickly to intervene, sensing Jimin's rising frustration before recounting the events that had transpired since their caravan had broken down with him and Jungkook. He began when they found themselves stranded, detailing how some kind-hearted women had rescued them from the roadside and provided assistance until they reached the airport and returned home to their apartment, where they unexpectedly encountered Abigail.

Jimin's expression remained stoic, a sight that Taehyung recognized as a troubling indication; he understood Jimin's tendency to be excessively protective of his younger sister. "Jimin, you can trust us. She's in good hands," Taehyung reassured him, carefully choosing his words. "Jungkook and I will help find a suitable apartment near her college. We've got this covered."

Glancing at Jungkook, Taehyung silently urged him to contribute or at least show his support in the matter at hand. Abigail appeared at ease, sipping on her iced coffee. Jungkook toyed with his lip-piercing before speaking, a mischievous grin spreading across his face, "Rest assured, we'll take good care of her." Taehyung sensed Jimin's skepticism in the air, knowing that his words alone might not be enough to ease Jimin's concerns, quite the opposite.

“Taking care of her, huh?” Jimin's jaw clenched as he leaned closer to the screen, his eyes darkening with intensity. Taehyung felt a surge of anger rise within him, wishing he could punch Jungkook in the gut.

“Jimin—” Taehyung attempted to intervene and defuse the tension, but Jimin cut him off before he could explain.

“Jungkook, I swear, if you so much as lay a finger on her, I will make you regret it. Don't you fucking dare bring anyone to our place when she's with you!” Jimin’s voice was filled with anger, his face flushed with emotion, his words barely audible amidst his fury.

“Too late,” Abigail interjected casually. Taehyung and Jungkook's gazes immediately snapped to her in disbelief.

“What do you mean by that, Abby?” Jimin’s voice softened slightly as he addressed his sister. “Did he do something to you?” Despite the slight softening, his words still carried a menacing undertone.

Abigail shook her head vigorously, “Absolutely not!” She choked on her iced coffee and thumped her chest with a flat hand. “As if he would ever lay a hand on me. No way.”

“So he brought someone over.” Jimin's tone carried a hint of relief in response to Abigail's clarification. She simply nodded once, prompting Jimin to release a heavy sigh. “Alright, I’ll head back. I'll book the next flight—”

“There's no need for that. I've already discussed with Jungkook not to bring anyone home while Abigail is with us,” Taehyung interjected, taking charge of the situation. “I've got everything under control, so just relax and enjoy your time in Croatia.”

“He's right, Chim. You've been looking forward to this trip for so long. Trust me, I'll find an apartment soon,” Abigail chimed in unexpectedly, surprising Taehyung with her proactive stance.

“I'm not sure.” Jimin fell silent for a moment, contemplating his decision whether to return or not. The room was filled with tension, each person waiting for the next move. Eventually, Jimin broke the silence, meeting the screen with a stern gaze as he pointed at Taehyung and Jungkook. “I trust you both. Don't ever cross the line with her. Don't make me regret this.” The warning was weighty, but Taehyung understood its necessity.

Jungkook had been casting lingering glances at Abigail ever since she entered their apartment. It wasn't his usual innocent, Jimin's-sweet-little-sister gaze; it was a more intense, almost inappropriate look. Taehyung felt a wave of concern wash over him, hoping that his friend wouldn't do anything reckless.

"Come on, Chim-Chim, why would they ever lay hands on me? This is ridiculous," Abigail snorted, but Jimin's poker face showed zero sympathy for her statement.

"There's actually another reason we called you," Taehyung chimed in, trying to defuse the tension. "I'm thinking about adopting a puppy and want your opinion." Taehyung glanced at Jimin and then at Jungkook, who was grinning from ear to ear.

"If he's getting a pup, count me in for one, too," Jungkook teased, sticking his pierced tongue out at Taehyung. This sudden display of metal caused Abigail to freeze beside him, clearly caught off guard by Jungkook's edgy accessory. He wondered how she'd react If she discovered he had one, too. Taehyung couldn't help but stifle a laugh before turning serious again.

"Do you even have a valid reason for wanting a dog?" Taehyung questioned Jungkook's impulsive declaration.

"Do I need a reason when it comes to adorable puppies?" Jungkook shot back with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

"Well, yes, Jungkook. We're talking about living beings, not just cool accessories," Taehyung retorted.

"Alright, let's stop this doggy debate. I'm all for it, but Jungkook, please promise to think it through. Taehyung, you've got some pet-parent experience, so you're the responsible one here," Jimin quipped, earning a playful glare from Jungkook.

•♡•

After the long face-time call with her brother, they headed to the mall. They called it their weekly grocery shopping. Abigail knew that from Jimin; he had once told her about their rituals, and the weekly shopping was one of the few they had. Taehyung, Jungkook, and Abigail entered the bustling grocery store on a sunny afternoon, the bright fluorescent lights overhead casting a warm glow over the aisles. The familiar smell of fresh produce and baked goods greeted them as they grabbed a cart and began their leisurely stroll through the store.

Taehyung, clad in a stylish outfit and sunglasses, led the way to the fruits and vegetables section. His eyes scanned the colorful array of produce, and he deftly plucked out the ripest apples, the juiciest oranges, and the crispiest lettuce, his hands moving with practiced ease.

Jungkook, with his adventurous spirit, dashed off to the international foods aisle, drawn by the exotic aromas wafting from the shelves. His eyes widened as he spotted a box of uniquely flavored snacks, and he eagerly tossed it into the cart, already imagining the taste sensations that awaited him.

Meanwhile, Abigail, the picture of the organization, consulted her carefully curated shopping list. With a pen in hand, she checked off items one by one, ensuring that they didn't overlook anything essential. Her attention to detail kept the group on track but also got cheeky comments from Jungkook, of course, the one and only.

"You and your list, can't you just indulge your cravings for once?" Jungkook teased Abigail as they stood before the tempting display of pastries and cookies.

Abigail shot him a thin-lipped smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she defended her organizational skills, "That's exactly what I'm doing now. Having a list makes our shopping more efficient. It helps us stay on track and prevents any last-minute dashes back through the store for forgotten items. Plus, it ensures we have everything we need for our meal without any surprises.” She grabbed the last two lemon-cheese donuts, and Jungkook crunched his face.

"Ew, lemon, really?" he exclaimed as he carefully selected the donuts and muffins that he and Taehyung enjoyed. "Lemon-flavored sweets should be banned." Abigail was aware that he and Taehyung disliked anything sweet with lemon. Once, her mother had baked a lemon cake that she adored, but they couldn't bring themselves to eat it. However, out of respect, they managed to finish their plates.

Just as Abigail was about to challenge his opinion, a woman beside her huffed and sighed loudly. "Oh, crap, it's sold out!"

"Just pick another one, love," a man, presumably her husband, suggested as he wrapped his arms around her. Abigail couldn't help but notice the matching rings on their fingers. As they shifted slightly in her direction, she caught sight of the woman's baby bump. Her long, silky black hair was elegantly braided on one side, adding to her already stunning appearance in Abigail's eyes.

"But I really wanted the lemon-cheese one. We have a long drive ahead, and I thought it would be nice to bring some home," the beautiful woman lamented, turning to her husband, who was equally handsome. They made such a striking couple that Abigail found herself unable to look away.

"My lovely panda, we can try to find that lemon-cheese donut at another store. I'm sure we'll come across the same one somewhere," he reassured her, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. The woman's face lit up with a sweet smile, a dimple appearing on her left cheek. Their affection for each other was palpable, and Abigail couldn't help but be captivated by their love.

As Abigail stepped closer and offered the box of donuts to the woman, a look of confusion crossed her face. Abigail was too stunned to speak, but Jungkook intervened and whispered in her ear, "Do you want her to have them?" She nodded in agreement, and Jungkook continued, "My friend here insists you take them. These were the last two lemon-cheese donuts available.”

The woman's mouth formed a slight frown, and her brows knit together as she asked, "Really? Are you sure?" Abigail responded with two firm nods, and without hesitation, the woman pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Crissy, don't—" Her husband's voice trailed off, a hint of apology in his tone as he addressed Jungkook and Abigail. Normally averse to physical contact, Abigail found herself surprisingly at ease with this stranger, their faces almost touching, skin against skin. Time seemed to stand still as they shared this moment.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally parted, Crissy, affectionately nicknamed Panda by her husband, showered Abigail with a torrent of heartfelt thanks, her eyes glistening with appreciation and a newfound sense of camaraderie. With a final smile and a wave, she and her husband departed, leaving behind a lingering sense of warmth in the mall.

Jungkook noticed a shift in Abigail's demeanor as she observed the interactions of the married couple. Taehyung approached them, carrying equipment for his future pup in his arms. Jungkook could sense the confusion on his friend's face but simply shrugged his shoulders in response.

"They seem so happy," Abigail mumbled softly. "Do you think I'll ever have a relationship like that with someone?"

Taehyung glanced at Jungkook, silently questioning him with his eyes. Jungkook gestured towards the married couple on the other side of the aisle, indicating that he understood what Abigail was feeling. The couple radiated happiness and shared a beautiful aura that was hard to ignore.

"They're a rare find," Taehyung replied. "It's not easy to find someone who truly compliments you."

Abigail shifted her gaze away from the couple and turned to face Taehyung. "But it's not impossible," she insisted.

Taehyung shrugged nonchalantly. "They were fortunate. Maybe they met in high school, fell in love, and now they're happily married and about to become parents. It's possible they never faced significant challenges. If they had endured pain and desperation, they might not have ended up together. Not everyone is equipped to handle major obstacles." His tone darkened, revealing a side of him that Abigail had not seen before. “Most of them would go, even though they promised never to leave you, but in the end, everyone's the same.”

"Oh, come on, Tae, don't scare her," Jungkook chuckled, his voice laced with amusement, as he playfully threw his arm around Taehyung's shoulders, guiding him forward with a grin dancing on his lips.

"I'm not scared by that. I think I'm just not cut out for romantic relationships, or any kind of relationship, really," Abigail remarked with a composed expression, her eyes scanning the items displayed at the checkout counter.

A mischievous glint sparkled in Jungkook's eyes as he teased, "You seemed perfectly fine when the woman hugged you, though." However, his playful jab failed to elicit any reaction from Abigail, who maintained her neutral demeanor, giving nothing away.

She found herself taken aback by her own response. Her body didn't react as expected—it didn't tingle or feel aflame, and she didn't experience the usual feelings of unworthiness or embarrassment that typically arose when someone came too close. Could it be because the woman was about to become a mother? Abigail noticed that she was perfectly at ease when her mother or other family members embraced her; though she had her boundaries, it was never an issue.

•••

[I put a little easter egg in this chapter. Hope you liked the tiny character appearance from my finished work. I miss them so much😭. This was a little filler chapter. The next update will be interesting 🤭]