"Alright! You should be good to go, Miss Lee."

The doctor gave me a bright smile as he finished removing the stitches in my thigh. "It took a little while longer given your profession, but now you'll be fine to dance as much as you'd like. I'll get you some pain meds to take for the next few days, but the pain shouldn't be more than a slight annoyance now."

Gisselle stands and makes her way over to me from her seat, handing me a change of clothes. I couldn't go in here by myself, of course. I despise hospitals with a burning passion, but I still thank the doctor as he leaves the room.

"Girl, the boys are going to be so excited to see that you're back on your feet!" My best friend says as I quickly pull on the pants she brought for me. "Why did you decide not to tell them though? I'm sure they would have been more than happy to come along. Not that I mind of course."

I smile a little more as the fabric slips over my skin, man I fucking love jeans. "Well, I wanted it to be a surprise. The only reason they even let me out of the house was because you were going with me, which your acting was spot on by the way."

"Thank you, thank you. It was smart to say I was going to take you to get your hair done, which honestly wasn't a complete lie. Just a trim, which takes like five minutes, but for all they know you're getting it dyed yet again!"

I roll my eyes as the doctor returns, handing me a small bottle of pills. "You ladies take care now, alright? The roads get slippery this time of year."

"We will sir. Taylor, do you want to drive?"

"Of course, Unnie!" I say with a bright smile as the woman dangles her keys in front of me.

I take them and put the pills in my bag, hurriedly slipping on my shoes on our way out. Gisselle laughs a bit as I hobble towards the exit with her, barely able to get my black converse over my foot.

We've gotten more in the habit of using the correct honorifics, at least with each other. I still forget sometimes with the boys, but I try to remember as best as I can. I've gotten more and more used to the TXT boys calling me Noona too, but I haven't heard much from them lately.

We hurry our asses over to the car, setting my stuff in the backseat before taking the driver's seat. It's been so long since I've gotten to drive, I think to myself in excitement as I start up the car.

Frost had begun to cover the roads and a blanket of ice coated the ground. The boys think it's going to snow soon, and I wonder just how beautiful this city will look bathed in white.

I drive a bit slower than I normally would, the last thing we need is to get into an accident on the way home. I hear my phone go off beside me, thankfully Gisselle picks it up and answers before putting whoever it is on speaker.

"Taylor? Are you and Gisselle almost done?"

I smile to myself as Jin's worried voice echoes through the phone. "Don't worry love, we're on our way back now. I've got a big surprise for you all!"

"You didn't burn down the kitchen in the offices, did you?"

I gasp in mock offense as we pull up to a stop light. "You have no faith in me. I didn't burn or destroy anything, it's a good surprise."

"Alright, I'll try to get Jungkook out of his room when you come home. We love you!"

"Love you too!" Gisselle hangs up before placing my phone back down, giving me a bright smile.

I notice from the corner of my eye and return it with one of my own, but there is something else that gains my attention. Her blue bracelet that was made alongside mine and Choi's hangs from her rearview mirror.

After the incident, neither of us could bring ourselves to wear our bracelets. Mine lays in the bottom of my jewelry box, and we both agreed that it wouldn't be right to wear them after everything that happened. Gisselle also has Choi's bracelet, it was returned after the woman was arrested.

They serve as mementos, reminding us that we can't trust anyone but our soulmates and each other.

Gisselle waves goodbye to me in the driver's seat, pulling out of our garage and heading off to her own place. I hold my purse in my hands as I make my way to the door, practically bouncing as I enter the house. 

"Boys, I'm home!" I call, setting my bag down on the table beside the door.

Namjoon was the first to greet me, with Jin trailing close behind. Both men stopped in their tracks as soon as they saw me, eyes wide in shock as more footsteps were heard coming down the stairs.

My true soulmate rushes forward once he snaps himself out of his daze, wrapping me up in his arms and spinning me around. A laugh bubbles up from my lips, Namjoon holding me tightly even as he sets me down.

"Tajang!" I hear Jimin call, gaining both of our attention. "Holy shit, you don't have crutches anymore!" Taehyung, Hoseok and Yoongi have joined us as well, all of them with bright smiles on their faces.

"Language!" Jin says, crossing his arms before turning to me. "So, you didn't really get your hair done?"

I pull some of my pink hair to the side as I shake my head. "Nope, Gisselle took me to get the stitches taken out of my thigh. I can officially walk and dance and everything else that I've missed out on."

"Well then," Hobi says with a sly grin. "Don't think I'll go easy on you in dance practice!"

"I wouldn't dream of it!" I reply, but as I look around I notice one of us is still missing. "Where is Jungkook?"

All of their smiles disappear, and I realize it was a stupid question to ask. "He's... where he usually is," Jin says, rubbing the back of his neck. "I tried but he said he's too tired to come down. If you want to go see him you can though."

I give him a sad smile as Namjoon and I walk over to them. "It's okay, I'll go see him in a few. What have you guys been up to?"

"Just the usual," Yoongi says sleepily, letting out a small yawn but still holding a smile on his face. "Speaking of, I should be heading to the studio soon."

I can't help but pout a little as the little meow meow places a gentle kiss on my cheek. "But oppa, you've been there every day..."

Yoongi lets out a small sigh before ruffling up my hair. "I know, but I have so much work to do. I'll come see you as soon as I get home, okay princess?"

I merely nod in response, my mood already dampened as he gives me a sad smile before walking off, probably to get his stuff. I look up at the rest of the guys, all of them wearing the same guilty expression.

"Don't tell me the rest of you have to go too," I whimper, and Hoseok rubs the back of his neck before responding.

"Sorry Tajang, all of us have meetings this afternoon. Well, everyone except for Jungkook."

"But I'll be the first one home!" Taehyung says with a semi-bright smile. "I just have to meet about my schedule, so we can hang out once I'm back if you want."

The man wraps me up into a hug, and I can't help but lean into him as my heart sinks a little from the news. I was hoping I'd get to spend the day with them, but we are getting pretty busy preparing for our next few concerts, I think to myself.

I hear the sound of multiple pairs of footsteps and some shuffling around, so I assume the rest of them are getting their things together. "I wish I could say I had something else to do," I say quietly as Taehyung lets go of me.

"I'm glad you don't," Jin says with a frown. "You should allow yourself to rest as much as you can since you just got your stitches out."

"Why don't you bake something today, if you're feeling up to it?" Jimin asks as he pulls his duffel bag over his shoulder. I'm assuming he's going to do some extra dance practicing then. "It's been a long time, since my birthday I think."

"That's not a bad idea!" Namjoon chimes in as the boys all make their way towards me, beings as I'm still in the entryway. "I don't know about the rest of you, but I could probably eat three of her cakes right now!"

A small smile forms on my face as the boys chuckle at the leader's response. "Alright, we're off princess," Jin says, walking over to kiss my forehead. "Don't burn down the kitchen while we are gone."

"Be safe.." I reply after rolling my eyes at his comment, and the eldest gives me a sad smile before heading out the door. The rest of the boys follow suit, each giving me a kiss on my cheek or against the side of my head before making their way out.

I can't help but notice the way their shoulders droop as soon as they leave the doorway, just as they had been every day since the incident.

Namjoon was the last one, and he stopped in front of me for a moment before wrapping his arms around my waist. "You stay safe too, okay?" he says in a soft tone, and I quickly nod in response.

My true soulmate leans down to place a gentle kiss on my lips, lingering for a moment before pulling away. "If you need me or feel lonely, don't hesitate to call. I'll come running as fast as I can."

"I know," I reply, reaching up to kiss him once more. "I'll be okay, and you all will come home to some cake or something along those lines. I'm going to make you all gain a few pounds, that's for damn sure!"

"That's my girl," Namjoon says with a brighter smile, tapping my nose before heading out and closing the door softly behind him.

I let out a light sigh as I turn back to the almost empty house, knowing Jungkook is probably still in his room. I debate to myself on whether or not to just start baking, or go check up on him first.

I shake my head and make my way to the kitchen, pulling my apron off of the rack beside Jin's.

HOLY SHIT I JUST FINISHED CHAPTER 1!!! Ah the sequel to A Rose Between Thorns is upon us, my children!

I know this has been long awaited, especially since I decided to work on Concerto of the Sun first before this. I hope some of you are still with me as I start yet another journey with Lee, Gisselle and our boys.

Daily quote:

Me: "Koda, I need a quote! Say something stupid!"

Koda: "Something stupid."

~Author-chan