I pull up to the gallery and quickly turn my car off to run inside. I'm hardly ever late, but of course today of all days, my professor decided to continue to lecture us even after class was supposed to be over.

"Ava, come on! They're not here yet." Lucas waves over to me to rush inside as he holds the door open.

I rush past him, thanking him as I run into the office to set my things down and take a deep breath.

"I'm so sorry I'm late Mrs. Bailey." I apologize as I try to steady my breathing. "My class ran late."

"It's okay, Ava. I'm just glad you got here before they did." She smiles and hands me an unopened bottle of water.

A well known artist and his wife were due to be here any minute. Mrs. Bailey wanted me to help persuade them into letting us host his new collection since I did such a good job with Ethan's show and his works were almost completely sold out already.

"They just pulled up." Lucas states as he peeks inside of the office.

Mrs. Bailey and I walk out, both of us checking our teeth in the wall mirror before greeting them in the lobby.

"Hello! Welcome to Bailey's Fine Arts." I reach out to shake his hand with a bright smile as well as shake his wife's hand.

"Hello. You must be Miss Young." The gentleman dressed very fashionable in all designer clothes says back to me.

"Yes, I am. Nice to meet you Mr. Bradford. Would either of you like some water while we discuss any questions you may have?" I ask as I gesture for him to follow me into the main part of the gallery.

"No, thank you." He smiles down at me. His wife was silent but polite as she shakes her head with a smile.

Mrs. Bailey and Lucas introduce themselves before Mr. Bradford starts walking around on his own to look at the paintings and sculptures up close.

"He gets like this. Very involved in the details." His wife whispers to me as she stands beside me.

"I get it." I whisper back. "I'm the exact same way."

"I heard from the person who recommended me to you that you have almost completely sold all of the last artist's paintings. Even up-selling some." Mr. Bradford stops to look at me, placing his hands inside of his coat pockets.

"That's true. There's actually only one painting left to be sold. That one right over there to your left." I point to the large painting hanging by itself on the wall. "The artist decided to go with oil paints instead of acrylic to give it the desired effect he was looking for which I think he captured beautifully."

He walks over to it and admires it like he had the rest, but with a wide grin spreading across his face this time. His chocolate brown skin glowing with joy as he views the details up close.

"That one has been harder to sell due to the price and size. Not many people can afford it or they just simply don't have the wall space for it." Mrs. Bailey adds.

Lucas walks over and stands on the other side of me, clasping his hands in front of him.

"How much?" Mr. Bradford questions.

"$1,500." I answer, tucking my hair behind my ear.

"I'll take it." He firmly states.

"Excuse me?" Lucas asks with a shocked expression. We've never sold a painting for that price.

"I like it. I'll take it." He reiterates as he walks back over to where we all stood. "Now, let's discuss the details of hosting my art show here in the early spring."

Mrs. Bailey directs the couple to join her in the office where she will handle the business side of things while Lucas and I hang back in the lobby. As soon as the door shuts, Lucas and I look at each other with wide eyes.

"You're going to get such a huge commission on that sale." He smiles at me excitedly.

"Me? I didn't do anything but mention it was an oil painting." I shake my head.

"Ava, you were basically the only one talking. Even Mrs. Bailey didn't feel the need to step up. She's definitely giving you that commission." He states . "And Ethan is going to get a nice fat check that he can pick up this week. It didn't even take him until the New Year to sell all of his artwork. You really have found your niche in life."

He walks off to go look at the painting that's being sold and I calculate the commission in my head.

"If I get 10% commission and I've sold this painting, that's $150 on top of the $520 commission check that I'll be getting right before Christmas. That's $670! Now I can definitely get some things I want and get some Christmas presents for everyone." I think to myself as I pull out my phone to text Taehyung the good news. He's currently sleeping, but I'm sure he'll be happy for me when he wakes up to see it.

It's been over thirty minutes since Mr. and Mrs. Bradford went into the office and while I'm ecstatic about the sale and him wanting to do the art show here, it's supposed to be my day off and I have a ton of homework and studying to get to.

"So how are things with you and Kinsley?" I ask as he walks back in my direction.

"She's a really cool girl. I knew her in college, but we never really talked." He smiles.

It's really cute seeing Lucas fall for a girl of his own and seeing him in this light makes me soften around him. Especially since I don't feel like I have to have my guard up around him anymore. Not to mention, over the last few days since the party, I've texted Kinsley a few times and I think she's great. I'm interested in seeing where things go with the two of them because she is crushing on Lucas hard.

The door to the office finally opens up and Lucas and I straighten ourselves up immediately so that we look a bit more professional.

"Thank you, Mr. Bradford. I look forward to seeing your new collection." Mrs. Bailey says as she shakes his hand.

Mr. and Mrs. Bradford both say their goodbyes and turn to leave, but before he walks out of the door, he comes over to me to shake my hand. I'm not really sure why. It's not like this is my place of business.

"It was really nice meeting you, Ava Young. I'll be sure to let my friend know that I decided to have my show here and that I bought his painting." He smiles.

"Wait. His painting?" I question with my brow furrowed and head tilted.

"Yes, Ethan is the one who recommended you to me." He leans in closer and begins to talk in a much quieter tone of voice. "You know, if it wasn't for me, he wouldn't be as good of an artist as what he is now."

He winks and I smile at him, confusion still resting in between my brows.

I had no idea Mr. Bradford even knew Ethan, but thanks for sending him our way I guess. It'll be a good commission check for the both of us. I wave them goodbye and turn to make my way into the office to grab my things so I can finally leave. As I walk through the door, I see Lucas eyeing me with a smirk.

"What?" I ask as I pull my purse out of the drawer.

"That man has it bad for you." He huffs out a chuckle and shakes his head. "I thought I was crushing on you hard."

"What are you even talking about?" I fold my arms and pop out my hip.

"Ethan. Don't act like you can't tell."

"Maybe he's attracted to me. Okay, I know he's attracted to me, but he hasn't crossed any lines. Something you clearly didn't learn to not do until recently." I raise my eyebrows and purse my lips.

He mimics my expression sarcastically and begins follow me out to my car. I wave goodbye to Mrs. Bailey and let her know I'll see her tomorrow.

"Anyway, have you talked to Kinsley at all? Does she like me?"

He sounds like a young boy with his first crush and it's honestly so adorable.

"I did and that's for her to tell you, Lucas." I smile up him as he reaches down to open my car door for me.

"Please! I'll bring some snacks when you come to work tomorrow or something. I just need to know if I'm wasting my time or not." He begs as I sit down in the driver's seat and start the engine.

"Ah, sorry buddy. Watching my figure." I wink and pull the door closed. He rolls his eyes and steps away as I begin to back away from the parking spot.

Back at the dorms, I sigh out as I turn to the third chapter to read in Art History. As much as I love art, I could do without the constant chapters I'm required to read every class. I look over to my math book and scrunch up my nose. At least I'm not having to do any homework in that class today, but maybe I should think about getting tutored so I don't end up having to retake it at least. By the time I force myself to try to concentrate on the words in front of me, my phone dings with a notification which I gladly use it as an excuse to take a break.

Taehyung 💙:
That's amazing jagi!
I'm so happy for you.
More money for you to splurge.

Thanks babe! I need to get
some more clothes and
go Christmas shopping still.
I'll probably do that this
weekend so that I'm not
rushing around the
weekend before I leave.

Taehyung 💙:
Why didn't you tell me you
needed clothes? I could have sent you my card info.

You're so sweet, but I got it.
You already wouldn't let me
pay for my plane ticket or hotel.

Taehyung 💙:
Why would I?

I roll my eyes with a smile at his constant need to want to take care of me. It's sweet, but I want him to know that I'm not relying on him either.

You'll have plenty of chances
to take care of me soon

Taehyung 💙:
I'm counting down
the minutes 🥰

I decide to take a break from homework since my brain feels like it's turning to mush and give him a call instead. His deep voice answering the phone brings an instant smile to my face and I'm so glad I caught him before he had to go to his first class.

"Jimin said you're welcome to stay at here with us, but we'd have to sneak you around." Taehyung mentions as he's finishing getting dressed for the day.

"I wouldn't want to get you in trouble. I'm pretty sure the school wouldn't be too fond of a girl staying with two guys for a week before you go on vacation." I smile and rip open a bag of chips to start munching on.

"But I'd want to see you all of the time." He pouts. "I can cancel the hotel reservation. It's not like anyone would come check on us."

"You really don't think you'd get in trouble? I mean, a little American girl walking around will surely turn some heads." I bite down into a Dorito.

"You make a point." He sighs. "How about I just come stay with you at the hotel over night. You can hang out here during the day."

"That works for me. Jimin doesn't mind me hanging around? What about Jungkook?"

"They're both excited to meet you. Jungkook kept asking me to pay for a friend of yours to come with you. That kid, I swear." He chuckles and his laugh is music to my ears.

"Oh, come on. He told me you used to help him get girls." I giggle.

"He said that?" He lets out an annoyed sound from his throat.

"Yeah, he did. Is that true?"

"I used to flirt with girls and then pass them over to Jungkook before he grew up and was no longer shy to do his own flirting." He explains as I hear him begin to brush his teeth.

"Oh."

I know I asked him and I know it was before he even knew I existed, but hearing that he used to flirt with girls all of the sudden makes me feel jealous.

"Ava...gongju. It was before us and it's not like I wanted them for myself." He replies, knowing what I'm thinking.

"I know, I know. But still." I roll my eyes and bite on another chip.

"I understand. I get jealous, too. But it's so much cuter when you're jealous." He flirts and I can't help but to smile.

"Don't make it a habit." I playfully scold.

I hear Jungkook and Jimin yell out at him in their native tongue and Taehyung yells back to them. I'm not really sure what's being said, but I hear the term pali-pali so I know they're telling him to hurry up.

"Do I need to let you go?" I ask before he can yell at them again.

"Yeah, they're being some ASSHOLES!" He shouts, causing the two guys in the background to start laughing. "Sorry jagi. I'll text you after my second class to see if you're still awake."

We end up saying our goodbyes just as Madison and Emma walk in to the room. Madison specifically eyes me as she sits down in front of me and grabs  the bag of chips.

"Tae or Ethan?" She quirks her brow at me.

"Taehyung, of course. I don't even have Ethan's phone number." I roll my eyes and snatch the bag away from her.

"But do you want Ethan's phone number?" Emma questions as she plops down on her bed.

"No, I don't. What is this all about?" I look at both of them, wondering why I'm suddenly being interrogated.

"You looked mighty relaxed around him at the party. I know you, you don't relax around guys. Tae has been the only guy I've ever seen you that relaxed with until Mr. Michaels started coming around." Madison scoots back on the bed and snatches the bag back from me.

"I just already knew him and he hasn't been weird. It's not like the friends I went with were around to chill with me."

"That's true, Madison. We did leave her hanging." Emma apologetically looks at me.

I shake my head with a smile to let her know it was okay. She deserved to find a man she likes. I know she didn't mean anything by it, but Madison on the other hand was notorious for leaving me hanging for a guy.

"I do that a lot, huh?" Madison looks at me with sad eyes.

"You do. I'm used to it, but I do wish that we could go out for once where I'm not left behind. Just a girl's night." I grab a chip out of the bag without yanking it away from her.

"Okay. We'll have a girl's night only before you go on your trip because I'm really not sure if you'll come back." Madison teases. "But on a serious note, you're not having feelings for Ethan, are you? Tae is a good guy and I know this is your first relationship."

Emma looks over to me with raised eyebrows and I look back to Madison who looks equally as curious.

"No, I'm not. I can talk to a guy without having feelings for him, you know?" I shake my head.

"Well, just keep in mind that he's made it known he finds you attractive. He may not push it, but I can guarantee you that he's thinking about it or may even be catching feelings himself. You might not mean to, but you could end up hurting someone in the long run."

I sit back into my pillows and think about what Madison just said. I do know he finds me attractive, but falling for someone is something completely different. Apparently everyone else is noticing something that I'm not. Maybe the next time I run into him, if I ever even see him again, I'll have a discussion with him. I wouldn't mind him being a friend to me, but if it's going to hurt him when I always choose Taehyung then I don't think I'd want to do that to him. Or anyone else.

"On another note, have you been studying your Korean? You only have like two more weeks, right?" Madison asks, breaking me from my thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I have been studying. I'm not sure if my pronunciation is that good but Taehyung and Uncle Kim seem to be impressed so far." I reply back with a shrug.

"Your kids are going to be bilingual, aren't they? Don't let them talk shit about me in another language." She laughs and Emma and I giggle.

"Shut up, Maddie and pass me my Art History book so I can finish this chapter." I roll my eyes and hold out my hand.