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Singularity
Chapter Seventy-Four
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IT WAS as if the world had gone still. Sunny moved through the front door of the boys' dorm, searching for the young girl. It only took her a few moments. Each of the members of Bangtan hugged her and cooed soothing words into her space. Her almond shaped eyes were rimmed red, sparkling from previous tear shed. Sunny felt her heart tug at the sight of her best friend so broken down. Once Eunjeong's eyes met hers, she felt her whole body crumble. She crossed the silent room, all eyes watching her, and climbed onto the couch. Her arms wrapped protectively around the girl, bringing her close. Eunnie sighed, reveling in her friend's warmth, her body curling into the older member. "You're my best friend, Eunnie. I told you I would always be here," Sunny spoke, her voice gentle and so full of emotion.

          Eunnie held onto Sunny's shirt, her warm tears turning the fabric a darker shade. Sunny's nimble fingers fluttered through the girl's messy hair, her cheek pressed against the top of her head. It felt like it was just the two of them fighting off the disgusting words people sent. It felt like Sunny and Eunnie against the world. And as the boys looked at the two girls in awe and adoration, they felt as if they were too far away. They were never truly close enough to penetrate the veil shadowing them, protecting them from the vile world around them. The two girls holding each other in that moment were two of the strongest women the boys had ever met. Hiding their training and diving head first into the idol world alone, yet they never truly understood that they weren't alone.

          Through all of the hardships getting to where they are, they had one important person by their side. Though that connection seemed to fade with the wind for a short while, both girls knew that they would never stray far enough to vanish forever. They had each other. They were best friends. They were family. And Sunny would never abandon her family in a time of need.

—

          Eunnie had woken Sunny up early to go back to their dorms and get ready for her date. The Park twin had complied, and both girls rushes out of the dorms without a sound. Now, two hours later, Sunny sat on the edge of her bed, completely dressed. She knew that the date wouldn't be expensive. She had a detour, anyway, that she wanted to take him on. Her floral sundress rested on her body gently, hugging her hips and flowing around her legs comfortably, stopping an inch above her knees. She wore a pair of white Vans that she and Eunnie had gotten to match when they released their first song. Her curly hair was straightened into loose waves, her bangs curled toward her forehead. "You look great," Eunjeong assured her friend, who looked warily in the mirror.

          It wasn't that she thought different. She thought the dress looked good on her and complimented herself fantastically. She was just worried it wasn't enough. "I want to impress him," she voiced, tucking her hair behind her ears. "He's really special to me and I want to be my best." She turned, her eyes roaming over the smooth fabric in the mirror. Eunnie sat on the edge of her bed, sighing. She still felt ill from the restriction of nutrients. "You don't need to impress Namjoon oppa. He's already madly in love with you." Red stained the orange haired girl's cheeks as she tore her eyes away from her reflection. Eunnie was right. He wouldn't have confessed if he didn't truly love her. That wasn't who Namjoon was. He was honest, and kind, and handsome... Snap out of it, her conscience snapped.

"You're right. I should chill out." Her hair fell like the sun setting in the sky, the orange hue brightening against the white of her dress. She chewed on her glossy, bottom lip. Her eyes were bare except for the mascara caressing her short lashes. Her brown eyes looked gentle and warm, her blush color cheeks widened into a small smile. "Where do you think he's going to take me?" she asked the younger girl, finally sitting down. Her fingers, though, continued to jump in her lap. "Maybe the park or a museum. You know how he is," the younger sighed before she took a sip of her banana milk. Sunny nodded absentmindedly. Eunnie was right. A smile crept across the female's mouth as her mind drifted toward the thought. A museum date... A park date; either was perfect. Just embracing nature and culture alongside him, knowing that the gears in his mind would be turning and he'd interpret things in such a unique way.

          "You're really happy," Eunnie chuckled, her heart warming at the sight. "I like that version far more." Her own eyes reflected the happiness that radiated inside the small room. The flash of color covering the older member's cheeks didn't go unnoticed. Her hands frantically covered her face as a silly, school girl giggle slipped through her smiling lips. "Namjoon is just... I don't know," she hummed, breathless. "He's so... He's otherworldly. He's so different; his own person, you know?" Eunjeong nodded along to the girl's words. It had been so long since she had seen the sunshine that had rested in the girl's eyes. Those bright, glowing rays sparkled like glitter in the warm, brown irises. "I'm happy for you. I truly am." Then she turned her gaze and focused on her screen, not meeting Sunny's gaze anymore

          "Thanks, Eunnie," she replied. Just as she was going to ask the girl what she was looking at, a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Both girls turned toward the sound. "That's probably him," the Park breathed out nervously. Why was she nervous now? It was just Namjoon... Kim Namjoon, the boy she had known for four years; the boy she had expressed her love for music with far too many times; the boy who captivated her with his kind eyes and warm smile, and his deep dimples. Eunnie eyed the orange haired girl in confusion. Another knock ripped Sunny of her pleasant daydream. "Go!" the younger girl pushed, laughing as Sunny jumped onto her feet. You can do this, she chanted within her head like a mantra as her feet walked her toward the door.

          Eunnie rolled her eyes at the nervous twitch in Sunny's hands and took the liberty to push her again. Her small hands gripped Sunny's shoulders and sent her legs into overdrive. In a matter of seconds, they were both standing in front of the door, Eunnie forcing Sunny's hand onto the knob. "Don't back out now," the maknae whispered. Sunny twisted the knob and pulled the door open, her lips cracking into a smile. The boy wore a baggy shirt over her tall frame, his jeans hugging his muscular legs. His hair was pushed back into a baseball cap, a black mask over his mouth. "Mask!" the girl gasped, quickly turning on her heels to retrieve her own. Namjoon's eyes lead to Eunjeong, who stood there, chuckling. "Do I look okay?" he asked, causing the girl's eyes to widen a bit. "Yeah! I think you sent her into a love frenzy," she laughed out.

          Soon, Sunny reappeared, a white mask looped around her ears. "Okay, I'm ready now." Namjoon bowed respectfully toward Sunny, who stumbled to do the same. "Tell me everything when you're back!" Eunjeong waved at the male, who only had eyes for Sunny. Sunny bid her goodbye before closing the door tight behind her, her shoulder brushing against Namjoon's arm. She could feel her palms starting to sweat just by standing near him. "I, um," she began, gaining Namjoon's full and undivided attention. "I actually have some place I want to take you... Have you eaten yet?" His eyebrows raised and Sunny cursed the mask on his face for hiding his dimpled smile that made her heart beat stutter. "I haven't actually," he replied with a small, nervous laugh. She smiled brightly, nodding her head, her hair wisping behind her from the cool breeze. "Okay.. Good. The first time Eunnie brought me, I immediately thought of you."

She thought of me. An unconscious smile crept along his pillowy lips, the action hidden behind his mask. She hesitantly took his hand within her grasp, lacing her fingers between his. She shyly avoided his eyes, only tugging him forward. Silence enwreathed the two as they walked through the bustling streets, both of their cheeks a vibrant pink. It didn't take long for them to approach the small restaurant. Excitement began to bubble within the small girl as they neared the door. "It's pretty hidden, so we should be able to eat freely." Namjoon nodded silently, taking the lead. He opened the door for Sunny, who thanked him meekly and entered the place. Upon noticing the flora decorating the small space, Namjoon's eyes brightened, stars exploding within his dark irises. The sight made Sunny's heart stutter.

          He pulled down his mask, breathing in the sweet scent of the nature. His head felt dizzy with pleasure, his heart hammering against his ribcage. The restaurant felt like heaven on earth and he was truly happy he was standing there with Chinsun by his side. He wordlessly reached for her hand, his other reaching out to touch the smooth leaves of a hanging fern plant. "You like it?" she asked nervously, pulling down her own mask. That was when she spotted the warm smile gracing his lips. He turned to face the girl, his eyes twinkling. "This place is perfect," he responded with a slight laugh. "This is what I want the dorms to look like!" She laughed at his exclamation. She intertwined their fingers and leaned into his warmth. "The boys would kill all of them in the span of a day," she replied.

          "Look! There's a tiny bonsai tree like mine!" He pointed toward the decorative pot sitting beside the front counter. He glanced around the room, taking in the different plants with an interest that rivaled his taste for music. "Tulips, wow." He leant forward and took a large whiff of the flower. Sunny silently admired the boy from the sidelines, letting him pull her toward different plants. She enjoyed listening to him talk about them and gush over how pretty they were. They're pretty, but not as pretty as you, she thought. Nothing is as pretty as you, Kim Namjoon.

—

          After eating, Namjoon continued his plan. Both wore their masks, walking hand and hand down the sidewalks. They knew their puny disguises wouldn't fool everyone. Namjoon was very famous, and very distinguishable apart from those around him. Sunny could merely pick Namjoon in a crowd just by his thighs alone. She knew that, eventually, they would be stopped by a few fans, but most respected their privacy. Or at least, that's what they had hoped. Neither knew of the pictures taken as they entered the beautiful park and approached their favorite bench that pointed them in the direction of the soft waters of the Han River.

          "I'm having a lot of fun," Sunny hummed, relaxing against the wood. Her hand was sweating, she knew that, but she couldn't tear her hand away; she didn't want to. Namjoon smiled, his eyes scanning over the surface of
the rippling water. The sun stood high in the sky, warming everyone below with its rays. Its reflection on the water looked almost like a painting. "Me too," he replied with a sigh, his back falling against the wooden planks of the bench behind him. She scooted closer, her arm looping with his. He sighed, content with his surroundings. "Joon?" He felt the weight of her head shift to his shoulder, her hair tickling his cheek. He hummed in response, resting his cheek against her head. "When did you realize that you cared for me?" she asked softly.

          His thumb traced along her knuckles, his eyes casted toward the grass at their feet. A soft sigh slipped past his parted lips. He could remember the moment he recognized the racing of his heart being toward the Park twin. He could remember the way his chest constricted upon seeing her so carefree and happy up on that stage, her eyes resembling the warmest chocolate. He remembered the way he dreamed about her the whole night after, imagining the way it would feel to hold her in his arms as she ran her slender fingers through his hair, her lips on his or his cheek. "Your debut concert," he answered truthfully. "When I saw you up on that stage, living so happily and free, I realized that I didn't see you as Jimin's sister anymore. I didn't see you as a friend anymore. I saw you as Sunny, a girl that I wanted so desperately to have."

A smile cracked across the girl's face at his words. "I was going to confess, but you had met Junhui.." The mention of his name tore at the healing wound on her heart. She sat up slowly, Namjoon's face turning to find the gentle blush caressing her cheeks. "That's another question I would like to ask." She turned her body to face the boy head on, her knees brushing his. He nodded for her to continue, his free hand talking hold of her other one. "You felt this for me, yet you helped me through the beginning troubles of my relationship. Why?.. Why didn't you do what the others did?" Joon's head fell forward, his eyes locked on their conjoined hands. Her fingers were so small compared to his own. "Because you were happy." He glanced back up toward the girl, taking in the confusion on her features.

"I would rather you be happy, even at the expense of my own feelings. You loved him and I.." He paused, drawing in a breath. He lifted her hands to his face, burying his nose into the warmth. Through the fabric of his mask, her pressed kisses against the back of her hands. "I loved you enough that I let you go." She felt her eyes sting. She hadn't planned on crying on her date. She had cried enough within the span of her idol life. She wanted to enjoy this moment. She wanted to smile and laugh alongside him. She wanted to love him. "You know what they say," she began, cracking a slight laugh. "When you love something, set it free. And if it's meant to be, it'll come back." She cupped his cheek, tracing his cheekbones with her thumb. "I came back."

—

julia says!

my baby don't like it when you come around..

okay, so this chapter took forever to write
because i wanted it PERFECT.
and, honestly, i had more planned but
i feel like this ending was best.

she came back y'all :,)