Four days later

Professor Jang enters the guest room. It was an early Thursday morning, four days since the incident happened, and four days since Jungkook had been at her house. She enjoyed his company and helping him feel better. They would watch movies, talk, cook, and so much more. It made her glad that the other was enjoying her company just as much.

As to how Jungkook had been feeling, she guesses he's been better but he still gets anxious at the thought of returning to school as well as when he remembered what happened at the party. He was still deeply embarrassed and in a state of hiding, but she knew he knew that he would have to return at some point. He thought people would look down on him, but based on what she'd heard, people actually defended Jungkook on social media and felt bad for him.

The professors were also very understanding of the situation. The school was taking care of whatever needed to be cared for. When she called the next day after she and Jungkook went bowling, she had already been told that someone had spread the word about what had happened at the party. She didn't know who did so very quickly, but she was glad that those who had the fault, ended up being expelled from the school.

She had stayed in contact with the members and has given them updates on Jungkook. There was not a day in these past couple of days when they didn't ask about him and she felt happy that they cared. She really hoped Jungkook would talk with them soon. She could tell that they wanted to see how he was in person.

She goes over to Jungkooks bed and shakes him lightly. She always found it cute how he sleeps with a pout, it reminded her of Jungsuk when he was a baby. "Hey JungKookie, wake up for a little while, I know you love sleeping but you also need to eat." She spoke warmly to the boy as he shook his shoulder.

Jungkook woke up confused. His hair sticking up in different places. "Hmm?" He asks with his eyes open.

"Look, I made breakfast for you to eat when you fully feel like waking up, okay? I have to go to campus now but the food is done. Heat it up if it's cold by then. Call me if anything happens, okay?" She says softly, and Jungkook nods, hearing every word she said even if he was half awake.

'Okay, thank you. Have a good day." He speaks hoarsely but also gently.

"I will, thank you!" She responds back and watches him adjust his pillow to sleep some more. She smiles and leaves his room. She goes to the living room to put on her coat and take her car keys. She puts on her shoes and walks out the door.

------

Jungkook was standing on a big stage. He looks around and sees many fans cheering for them. He smiles. Their cheers always brought him so much adrenaline and happiness. He knew that they were waiting for his commentary, but he wanted to acknowledge their cheers a little.

"Come on Jk! You aren't going to leave the fans  hanging now are you?" A voice says through the mic and Jungkook looks to the side to see Jin teasing him.

"Yeah! Come on maknae! Tell them how much you love them! Or tell them how much you love us. Don't worry, your cheers are probably music to his ears right now." Hobi says putting a hand on his shoulder and then speaking to the audience. Jungkook shakes his head.

"Don't be that way! Our fans know I would never leave them hanging!" She speaks into the mic and the cheers get louder.

"I just wanted to soak in so much love and support from you all. Anyways, I want to start off by thanking each and every one of you for coming today! I've had an amazing time. Every concert, every cheer, shows me just how much you all mean to us and how important you guys are to us. I wouldn't be anywhere if it wasn't without you guys. I also wouldn't be anywhere if it wasn't for my hyungs. So hyungs, thank you. You guys mean so much to me and to our fans, I love you all so much!" He looks at the others when he says the word hyungs and then at the fans who cheer after his sentence.

He smiles and sees the 6 members coming to him and hugging him. They went in for a group hug and he felt so much love. "You mean so much to us too Jungkookie." They say and he closes his eyes feeling content, happy, and safe.

Jungkook opens his eye wide open. It was all a dream. He just dreamt of him performing at a concert venue with all the others next to him. However, for the first time in so long, the dream made him feel warm and not scared or sad like the others had been.

Even if it was only his dreams, the dream was beautiful. Hearing so many cheers from people who love and support you. It was truly an indescribable emotion, and he's only a little sad that it ended.

However, there was an even more important piece in the dreams. The hyungs. They were there too as they all shared the same feeling. They were there telling him how much he means to them, and he was there, in that dream feeling so happy and calm. He wish he didn't have to wake up from feeling such affection too because I'm the dream every word felt true to their hearts.

He sighs, shaking his head. He didn't want to think further about what the dream meant, just yet.

He looked at the time and it was 10. He thought it was earlier, yet it was already ten in the morning. He did feel Professor Jang waking him up to tell him she was leaving but the bed and sleep were so good that he wanted to keep sleeping.

He stretched out his limbs and sat up on the bed. He then went to the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day. Once he was out of the shower Jungkook wore a comfortable sweatshirt and some joggers.

He went to the kitchen to heat up the food that Ms. Jang had left for him. He started eating it happily, he really loved her cooking. Once he was done, he washed the dishes and went back to the table to finish some assignments. He knew he needed to go back to school soon, but he still wasn't as ready, and he hated that he wasn't. He had not even seen social media for fear he would see comments that would make him feel bad or see videos of that night.

Once he was done he started thinking about the dream again, and as he thought about what it could possibly mean, he realized he was feeling a little lonely. Of course, Ms. Jang was of great company and he loved the time he has been with her, but with her being gone during some parts of the day, he ends up being alone in the apartment with nothing to do. Of course, he had always been lonely so he shouldn't feel bad, but he realized that ever since they began the project, Jungkook hasn't been alone anymore. He's spent his time with the hyungs and if not with them then with Yugyeom. He ended up having someone no matter what. He had his own time, obviously, but he was starting to get used to having company.

"Wow, I miss them. I guess I maybe dreamt of them because I missed them and because I have hope that they could end up becoming longtime friends." He says as he analyzes the dream and his feelings. He hadn't said anything to them because he was still picking himself up, but now that he somewhat has organized himself more, he realizes maybe it's time to answer them.

"I'm scared of what we can be, and what can happen, but If I want to change, I have to take the risk." He told himself and reached for his phone. He decided that it was time to talk to the others and settle thing. He needed to face them. Not only to give them an answer to their request, but also because no matter what, they still were in the middle of a project, and it wasn't fair of them to be left hanging because of his complicated emotions.

Deciding on what to do Jungkook reached over for his phone that was on top of a stand next to the couch. He unlocks his phone and heads to the message group chat he has from the others. He looks over their messages from the night of the party and tell how worried they were for him.

They also had messages from after they took care of him and the one he had last sent to them about wanting to gather his feelings and thoughts more.

"Uhm hello" he sent first

"I wanted to say thank you all for giving me the time to gather myself, I still haven't fully done so but I've made some progress.

"Because of this progress, I think I can meet you guys again and talk. Is anyone willing to meet up today after you are done with classes? If not then no worries I understand."

"So yeah..."

He texted and then dropped his phone. He didn't know how long it would take them to respond. He then laid his head back on the rest of the back of the couch and looked up at the fueling wondering how to kill time from here on out. He then decides to go use the music room Professor Jang has.

He then went to the small piano she had. He didn't feel like writing any music, he only felt like singing something or just playing instruments.

He started playing just the piano for a couple of minutes when he heard his cell phone vibrate. He picked it up and saw that the others had already responded.

"Of course we are willing to meet up with you Jungkookie, we've been waiting for you to be ready. Meet us at the grove park. We need to finish some classes but we will get there by 3!" Namjoon wrote and Jungkook sent in a thumbs up to them.

"Let's change my life." Jungkook says to himself after the message and continues to play some music and sing a little for a while until he goes and gets ready to meet up with the others.

"Guys! Did you all see the group chat?!" Namjoon asks in a small desperation to the other when he meets up with them at a table that's outside the canteen. They were all in a gap hour. This gap was for their last class which they all started at the same time even if some had different professors.

"No, well I at least haven't seen it since this morning," Yoongi replies as he drinks his juice. The rest shake their head and explain their reason for it.

"Really? Thought you guys would be more eager but seeing how classes have been busy. Not to mention the cleaning we've been doing...anyways well, Jungkook texted back. He says he's ready to meet with us and talk." Namjoon relays the information which has the others immediately checking their phones to see Jungkook's text that was sent 10 minutes ago.

"I told him we'd meet him at 3, that's fine no?"

"Yes! Finally, we are going to see him. I truly wonder how he is. Professor says he's getting better which is good, but we all know that it's not fully if he hasn't arrived to campus." Taehyung answers eating his own food and putting his phone down.

"Well, it's one thing to start feeling better and another to be fully better and face people. You saw how the news spread like wildfire earlier in the week. It was everywhere in the campus social media and talk on campus." Jimin points out that it had been bad.

When they arrived to campus on Monday they knew the whispers, and they know what the people were talking about. It was all about Jungkook and what had happened to him. But it was also about them and how they defended the younger boy.

People knew that they were on neutral terms but never realized that they had become friends. People knew they didn't get along at the start. The boys didn't want to check social media the day after the party or the day they arrived on campus again, but at some point, they were curious to know what people truly were thinking.

Fortunately, the moment that they entered social media and the moment they heard some feedback from a couple do acquaintances, Jungkook was getting support from the students at campus. A lot of people spoke about how they felt bad about the rough past he had and reasoned why he was the way he was now.

Overall, Jungkook was considered a bad boy, fuck boy, whatever you wanted or whatever people rumored about him, but he never actually hurt people. Of course he scared them off and maybe garbed their shirt, but he never truly bullied them even the slightest and everyone took it into account.

Of course it didn't fully clean his image, because people also tied out his way of being with other non true rumors about him. However, they were happy that for the most part, people felt bad for him and thought what happened was stupid. Of course you also had the small amount of people who disliked him and thought he deserved it but the support he was getting was more than then hate.

They were also very glad that the second day of the week the videos were all erased and that Sungchul along with his friends had been kicked out from the school. It meant that Jungkook wouldn't get further exposed and hurt. Though they didn't know who made his videos disappear so fast for Professor Jang said that someone had beat her to telling the staff on the video. That the higher ups in the school already knew and had it taken care of. They didn't tell anything either, but they were thankful on behalf of the youngest that whoever was that got actions done quick did it.

"That's true. Well at least we are seeing him again and will see how he's doing. Do you guys think he will accept our friendship? I mean we started in the wrong foot, but after the project we became better. It feels better when he's around." Jin adds in with a smile.

"I hope he does. He really does make a great member of our group. Also in the end, he's like one of us too. Maybe we haven't suffered the same amount or the same ways but they've all been similar. We found each other and help each other through hardships. He doesn't really have that. I hope we  can be that and a safe place too. However, we should also respect if he doesn't want us to." Yoongi gives his own opinion about the situation.

"I agree. Whatever he decides let's be there either way and respect him as well. If he accepts, do you think he will be up for some fun? It's been a while since we've have some great fun, don't you guys thinks?" Hobi smirks looking at the members.

"Well I hope so because it be great. Plus it's our Friday too. If not then we can have some other type of fun too. Anyways, let's all meet up at the entrance when we finish classes and head the park together." Jimin says.

"Agreed. Sounds like a plan." Jin answers for the rest who nod along. They'd hope everything turns out okay. They also hope Jungkook looks more vibrant.

                              ———————-

"I think we got here too early." Namjoon comments once they had arrived at the park that they told Jungkook to meet them at. It was around 15 minutes before 3. They probably could have arrived on time but truthfully they were eager to the see younger.

"Guess we will just wait for him then. Let's just enjoy the scenery while we wait for him." Jin says and they all sit down at a big bench under a shade.

Meanwhile Jungkook was about to arrive to the park when he got a call from his sister. He wondered what she wanted. Since the last time they fought they haven't contacted each other. His sister only put a sorry text after their argument but he didn't respond. He still didn't feel like answering to her and just hearing her complain or say something bad about him.

He already had a bad event, he didn't need his sister adding to his emotions and how he feels about himself. He wasn't ready. So, he shuts the phone and parks the car. He grabs the keys and phone and heads out.

He messages the group chat that he has arrived and rapidly gets a shared location. He click go and follows the way. "Let's do this." He says beginning to walk to the destination. After four mins of walking he sees six group of guys smiling and pointing at different items in the park.

He slowly approaches them. "Hello guys." Jungkook speaks out once he's near. He gathers their attention as they look back at him with a smile.

"Jungkook!" Some said excited.

"Did I come very late? I didn't make you guys wait did I?" He asks, showing that he was kind of worried that he made them wait long.

"No, you didn't come late, we just came early. I guess we were very eager. Come, sit down. I'd we are going to talk then you can't be standing." Jimin replies gesturing for the boy to sit in the spot they had saved for him. Jungkook nods and sits down.

"Before we talk about anything else. The main thing we want to know is how have you been these days? Are you okay? Professor has told us you've been alright, but not much other than that." Namjoon starts off their conversation. Jungkook nods looking down.

"Well, the day after I everything was rough. Having to recall everything that happened that night when I woke up wasn't the best. It's hard. Well, I guess in general I've been rough still. I'm still feeling very exposed and vulnerable. Embarrassed too I guess? However, it's not as much as it was. Professor Jang has helped me a lot and I guess I'm healing or at least doing better. I'm at least not alone this time. I don't know really know how to explain. I'm getting there, is what I'm trying to say. I'm sorry if I'm being awkward." Jungkook explains and apologizes at the end. He didn't know how to address them.

"You don't have to feel awkward Jungkook. We won't judge you. We are glad to hear that you are doing better and that someone is taking care of you. It's okay for you to feel vulnerable and exposed still. But you shouldn't feel embarrassed. We get that having everyone see your past and your true self wasn't the best. But you should never be shamed of who you are." Yoongi spoke calmly.

"I know. I know I shouldn't, but I'll  try to get better at it. Anyways, I wanted to apologize and thank you guys for staying by my side that night. Looking back at that night, I'd it wasn't for you guys chasing me, finding me, comforting me, I don't know how I would have ended up or where. You didn't have to help me, yet you did. Thank you. I'm also sorry I was a work. I'm sorry you all had to see how much of weak link I was back then. How I still am. I'm sorry for ruining you guys night too." He apologizes deeply and then looks at the others who shake their head in disapproval of his words.

"When will you ever stop apologizing for things that weren't caused by you? That you had no fault in? We went over this the night it all happened. You have no need to apologize to us for having to take care of you. We didn't do it as a task or because we saw it as a chore. We took care of you because we wanted to. We helped you because that's what WE wanted to do. It was not burden for us as much as you think it was. Something in us told us that we needed to be there for you and that's because we ended up caring for you. You don't need to apologize. Please stop apologizing." Taehyung spoke up after Jungkook apologized. He wanted the other to know that he didn't do anything wrong.

"He's right. We did it because we ended up caring for you because in the end...you weren't as bad as we thought you were. It wasn't pity either. It came from our hearts Jungkookie. Don't feel bad we had to see your hardship either. Of course, it wasn't right for the whole campus to see. But it allowed us to kind of guess why you shut people out. You've been through a lot." Jin looks at him and puts a hand in the youngest shoulders who paid attention to their words very carefully. 

"You think you are weak. You are no where near as weak Jungkook. Yes maybe you have small weaknesses, but who doesn't ? We all do. Yet, that shouldn't define who we are completely. Don't discredit yourself too much. You may not think so, but you are strong. You've been through a lot and you are still here standing some way. That shows a lot." Hobi looks in his direction.

"Love yourself more Jungkookie. I know it's hard and will be hard, but in the end it heals a lot." Jimin adds in.

"I know. I know I should. But like I said...it's so hard. It's so hard to love myself when all I've been told is that  I'm a horrible person. That every trait of what makes me be me is a flaw and a mistake. It's hard to go and see what I love about myself. Don't get me wrong though, I do want to love myself." He expresses with a small pout at the end.

"But anyways, I didn't ask you to meet to thank and apologize for that night. I also asked to meet with you guys because after some good thinking and some semi good scolding,  I have an answer for you all." He said rather quickly so  that the others didn't say anything more after what he expressed.

The others look at him attentively, ready to listen to what the younger one has to say. "You asked me to allow you all into my life and start a friendship, no? To start well and try to forget how we were to each other in the past. At first, I told you all that I would think about it. So I did. I accept to be friends with you guys. However, I want to be sure that this is what you all truly want. I want to be sure that you guys know what you are signing yourself up for and that you won't regret it in the future. I'm not easy to handle and I have a lot of insecurities and walls built up." He warns them shyly, but all the other can do is smile and feel a determination of a goal building inside them.

"We are sure Jungkookie. We are more than sure of what we are doing and we won't regret it. We promise you that we won't regret it. You joining us is what we want, and we are sure of it. There's no doubt or second thoughts." Namjoon starts and looks at him with a pleasant smile that makes the younger feel relieved.

"So you have a lot of insecurities  and walls? That's okay, we will try to do the best we can to break into those walls. Though it won't be so hard seeing How we've been able to make a crack. We will do our best to help you love yourself and not feel so many insecurities." Yoongi adds up and also ends with a smile.

"Believe us when we say we don't have any second thoughts kook. We will show you what it's like to have true, genuine, and loyal friends in your life that care for you. It's okay if we have to be slow in some areas. We will help you make you into the Jungkook you deserve to be." Jimin speaks as he squeezes the others shoulder a little.

"We will. You will see how much you will grow and change. Thank you for accepting to be our friend. We won't let you down." Jin speaks with sincerity as he looks at the other in care. Jungkook smiles feeling warmth and safety from them.

"I also won't let you guys down." Jungkook adjust his sweater as he says this but he wants them to know that he too will try his best to be a good friend to them.

"We already know you won't. We know." Taehyung pats his free shoulder.

"I also wanted to thank you guys for telling the campus so early. You guys beat professor Jang at it. She was surprised."

The others looked at Jungkook confused.

"Uhh, we didn't tell them straight away though. We put in complaints to have the video be taken down but after the next morning a few hours later when we were putting the complaint, we were told the videos had been taken down." Hobi replies to Jungkook who is now surprised and confused yourself.

"Oh. Then I wonder who ended up doing such help in the end, and that fast too. Either way thank you."

"No problem Jungkookie. Anything we can do to help. Speaking of, how are you feeling right now after the talk?" Jimin asks.

"I mean I guess I feel relieved? I'm scared shitless of how our friendship will blossom or go seeing how we started, but I'm willing to take the risk. Though I promise a part of me for sure feels good." He smiles feeling that every word was truly how he felt at that time.

"Great! Then as to celebrate our friendship, we were thinking of doing something fun. Our Friday is today. Wanna join us? We promise you will have fun." Taehyung asks with a smirk. Jungkook looks at the others who have the same expression.

"I guess. I wouldn't mind if we did." Jungkook replies and that was all it took for the others to get up energized. Jungkook only looked at them to see what their next action was.

"You know Jungkookie. You did a good job at fooling us and others that you are a bad boy. Sadly, you aren't a true bad boy, you don't know what it's like to be a bad boy. So, today Jeon Jungkook. You will know what it's like to be a real bad boy." Yoongi puts his hands on the table and smirks at Jungkook who is confused.

"What do you mean by that?" He asks shyly.

"It means, that our fun had to do with us being bad. Don't worry, it won't be anything illegal or that could get us in trouble because we won't get caught." Namjoon puts a hand on Jungkooks shoulder. The younger looks at him and sees a thrill in his eyes.

The thrill wasn't only showing in Namjoons eyes because as the younger looked at the others around, he could see that they too had the same look in their eyes. He didn't know what their idea or bad was, and it scared him a little but it also excited him.

"Up for the challenge Jeon, or is it too much for you?" Taehyung challenges the other who knew that it was playful role-play banter that referred to the time they disliked each other.

Jungkook smiled back at them. "I'm up for anything. Who's to say I didn't truly do any bad boy things? You still have a lot to know of me. I'm not always a coward." He spits back playfully and the others laugh.

"Well then supposed bad boy. Let's get going!" Jin waves with his hand to have Jungkook come over.

"Wait! I have my car! Maybe not all of us fit but it's not so small. Who says we have to do this in a poor way?" Jungkook adds in and the rest nod.

"Good idea! We need a getaway driver in case anything happens. What is your car brand?" Namjoon asks.

"Mercedes." Jungkook says.

"Well then, lead the way, and let's truly get this started! We will be showing you what fun and bad truly mean!" Jimin pats him and Jungkook smiles. He starts walking with the rest behind him, a spark of adrenaline igniting within him.