December 22, 2019

It was nice to be back home, we rode with the hood of Olivia's car down, taking in the California air and the difference in temperature compared to Seoul. She got me up to date with everything that had happened back home in the past week, including how her chats with a certain mochi had increased in frequency. She tried to seem nonchalant about it, but I knew her better than that. Liv is the kind of girl to hide her feelings deep never truly letting them come out to their full extent afraid of getting hurt or disappointed.  It's one of the main differences between us while I was an open book, she was a vault with a hundred number combination.

Finishing her update, I proceeded to tell her all about my weekend away with Taehyung. She listened attentively absorbing all the details. There was no such thing as quiet with her as she constantly piped up to comment or coo at our "cuteness." When I told her about the car ride, she shot me a proud look about how bold I've gotten. This wasn't necessarily weird for me, embarrassing a little, but not weird Olivia is my best friend almost family. We've grown up together since we were in kindergarten and I know that she would never mock me or make me feel bad about the things I've done, and it was the same the other way around. I would always have her back no matter what you best believe if she kills someone I'll be by her side with a shovel and a lawyer. All this to say I don't care about sharing my sexual experiences with her because she does the same. It's... interesting.

Pulling up in front of my house she helped me log up my suitcases to the front door. Opening the door, I was startled by a group of people shouting "Surprise!" There in front of me were my parents, my brother, and Macy. Olivia pushed me inside the house where my mom enveloped me in a warm hug only a mother could give she was quickly followed by my dad who was more than happy his daughter was back home.

Macy left my brother's side to greet me next squealing in my ear about doing a proper girl's night soon with all the works the singing, the dancing, and the gossip. Eagerly I agreed ready to hear all about her and her relationship with my brother. Maybe I can get some blackmail material out of it. Youngjin came closer to us giving me a mysterious hello, rolling my eyes, I hugged him, admitting how much I missed him.

Mom spoke up telling me how she made my favorite for dinner, but to first go upstairs and freshen up. In a flash I was up the stairs and bursting through my room which was just the way I left it minus the dust. I was pretty sure mom rid it off the dust before I arrived. In the shower I remembered how I had to tell my parents about spending Taehyung's birthday in New York. My parents were great and understanding, but I'm not sure how they'll take their daughter leaving again a few days after arriving home, especially because of a boy they haven't met. I should do it soon most preferably today because the more I wait the worse they'll reaction might be.

Everyone sat around the table while mom and Youngjin placed bowls of food in the center, digging in as soon as they sat down. I stuffed my face with the famous spaghetti mom made, it never failed to leave me wanting more which is why she always made extra for me to eat the next day. Between mouthfuls of food, I told everyone of my experience in Seoul about the new places visited and the new friends made. I tried avoiding Taehyung's subject because I did not go to get a boyfriend it just happened. I could talk about him all day, which is why I also avoided it so my parent wouldn't think I only spent my time with him.

Soon after dinner, Olivia went home telling me she would be picking me up tomorrow for lunch and Youngjin left too to take Macy home. That reminded me, I need to ask for my car back and see the condition he left it in. If there is a scratch on my car I will flip that car was my baby and a graduation gift which is why I took so much care of it.

Taking advantage everyone had left I made my way to the kitchen where mom was doing the dishes and dad was putting everything in its place. Grabbing a rag, I helped mom dry up the plates and utensils.

"Mom? Dad?" I spoke up, drying the plate in my hands.

"Yes, honey?" Mom responded, washing a cup.

"I have something to tell you."

"You're not pregnant, are you?" Dad piped up from the fridge, hand frozen midair gripping a bottle of wine.

"Hell no," I blurted out loudly.

"Language Nari," mom scolded me.

"Sorry," I said with a sheepish smile.

"What is it then?"

"You guys know about Taehyung... my boyfriend," I began speaking hesitantly.

"The famous one that made me go over an NDA?" Dad facetiously asked.

"Bingo," I nodded, "So his birthday is December 30th and he invited me to spend it with him in New York, where he will be performing on the new year's show...obviously only if you allow me to," I finished. I lied about them giving me their permission. Taehyung didn't even think about what my parents thought, and I don't blame him, it's something he is not used to thinking about both because of who he is and because I spent the last 5 months prancing around Seoul without parent supervision. But it sounded better if he thought about their opinion.

My parents exchanged a look across the kitchen as if speaking telepathically.With a nod of mom's head my dad spoke up, "Nari you're a grown woman, you are 21, and you can do anything you want."

"Within reason," mom interrupted.

"Yes, within reason but we would like to meet him soon...in person," he then added knowing I was capable of doing it through Facetime, 

"Not because we don't trust you or anything of the sort, but it's important to meet him and get to know him if this is serious between you two. See what kind of person he is and what family he comes from." My mom had a point family was important to us and they wanted to see if it was for him too.

"Of course, this is as serious as it can be," I said with a genuine look, "In fact, he'll be spending quite some time in LA next month I'll make sure to invite him over for dinner one day."

"Good," she nodded, going back to doing the dishes.

Smiling to myself, I grabbed another utensil to dry off. Everything was going according to plan and I'll be going to New York next week. Next thing on my to do list was to invite Taehyung over I could not leave my parents waiting for a long time or they would get impatient and take matters into their own hands.

My phone was ringing in my desk while I was doing my makeup for the day. I picked it up without looking at who was calling, my hand carefully lining my eyes with black.

"Hello," I softly answered, concentrating on making the line even.

"Hi Nari," Jimin said from the other side of the line.

"Jimin? What's up?" I curiously answered, screwing the cap of the liner on.

"Taehyung told me you were coming to New York," he explained excitedly.

"Excited to see me?" I questioned him still wondering the cause of his call. 

He laughed before gravely saying, "Yes, but I'm also worried about your safety."

"Why are YOU worried?" This was weird coming from Jimin when Taehyung hadn't even brought it up. Did Taehyung put him up to this?

"New York is such a busy place and during the day we won't be there to keep you company...it worries me," he nervously explained, making me narrow my eyes.

This was suspicious, "What do you suggest we do to fix this 'problem'?"

"I don't know," he made a small paused before gasping, "Why don't you bring one of your friends with you? That way you also have someone to have fun during the day."

"Sure, I can bring Macy," I said testing a hypothesis I had.

Jimin choked, "I thought she was dating your brother," he squeaked out.

"What does dating have to do with anything?"

Exasperatedly he added, "It's new year's she'll want to kiss him at midnight."

"You're right, I guess I can ask Olivia but where will she stay? Taehyung told me I'd be staying with him those two nights," I was right this mochi wanted me to bring Olivia along. 

"Don't worry about that. I'll take care of it," he answered confidently.

"Alright," I said still suspicious about everything.

"Great, bye Nari!"

"Before you leave let me tell you one thing," I quickly spoke, "I don't know what's going on between you and Olivia but let me warn you. You know me and I'm a nice person, would never hurt a fly that is unless someone hurts my best friend so be careful Park Jimin I don't want to see her hurt. Or you for that matter." I hung up before he could answer and went back to finishing my make up.

I know Jimin and Olivia had a thing where they constantly flirted it's been going on since the day they met yet what were both of their intentions. Did they want a relationship? A friendship? A friend with benefits situation? Or were they just bored? I would have to get to the bottom of things soon last thing I want is a broken-hearted Olivia that girl doesn't know how to handle heartbreak well. Jimin too, he's a great guy and I don't want to see him hurt much less by my best friend. There was only one thing to do. Text Taehyung.

A/N:

This chapter was really something. First of all it got deleted when it was almost done. I had to write it all over again, I think it turned out better than the og.

What do you think is happening with Olivia and Jimin?

Yesterday, along with dappleddaisies I spent a good while doing memes of our stories lol. I'm gonna leave some of them here for your enjoyment.

As always, please, remember to vote, comment, and share with a friend.

Lol I'll post more next chapter if you'd like.
-Nikki Marie 💜