♣ ♣ ♣

The night that followed easily topped my list of worst sleepless nights ever.

I couldn't stop my brain from replaying our fight over and over and over again, wondering what would've happened if Jungkook and I hadn't left them like that, or if I had just agreed to not see Minhyuk, Wonho or their other friends ever again.

But the bigger part of me genuinely believes that Taehyung is the one overreacting and being unhealthily overprotective. If he only trusted me he wouldn't have any problem with me talking to Minhyuk, especially if we're literally sitting next to each other in the same damn dining table while everyone are eating together.

Gosh, he makes me so damn frustrated sometimes.

"Hey," Areum's soft voice speaks, breaking through my thinking barrier. I never noticed her getting out of bed, even less getting dressed.

I let out some kind of pained groan, slowly sitting up on the bed and turn to look at her.

"Mh?" I mumble, barely able to keep my eyes open.

"Damn, you look like you didn't get any sleep at all," she sighs, voice laced with concern.

"I didn't," I reply, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand.

"Do you want me to get you some breakfast?"

Hunger was the last thing on my mind since my stomach still felt like it was tangled up in several double knots. Only thinking about food made me gag. I just shake my head, receiving a sad frown in return from my friend.

"Do you want me to stay with you?" she asks gently.

"I'll only feel worse if I keep you here. It's our last day after all, and it'd be sad to not make the best out of it," I assure her without hesitation.

"But I don't want to leave you alone like this! I'd be more sad knowing that you're here by yourself while me and the others are out."

I manage to crack the smallest smile at that. "Areum, it's okay. I actually want to be alone for a while, I need to clear my thoughts. It's fine, I promise."

"You sure?" she presses, and I start waving my hand in the air.

"One-hundred and fifty percent sure! Go now," I dismiss her. She sighs and eventually gets up to close the curtains.

"Try to get some rest. And text me when you've eaten because I don't want my best friend to starve, got it?"

"Yes mom," I mumble, pulling the cover over my head.

I miraculously managed to fall asleep after twisting and turning for I don't know how many hours. When I peeled my eyes open again, I managed to gather strength to actually get up from the bed and drag my lead-like body to the shower. In there I end up sitting on the tiled floor, keeping my eyes closed and just enjoying the hot water from the shower running over my skin.

Once back in the room, I sit on the edge of the bed staring at my phone that I haven't touched since I called Jin yesterday. I grow anxious to check if he has texted me, deeply hoping that he has but I have a feeling that I will be disappointed.

My heart sinks in dejection when I unlock it and see no messages from Taehyung. I bite my lip and inhale deeply through my nose, trying hard not to freak out.

Don't assume the worst. Don't assume the worst. Don't assume the worst.

He always takes the first initiative; I'm sure he's just waiting for me to do it this time.

I didn't feel like replying.

Instead, I stare at Taehyung's contact for several minutes, contemplating.

Should I?

❤️️

My stomach turns again as if I just texted my crush for the first time. I did contemplate getting out of the room to get some fresh air and eat something, but my non-existing appetite doesn't let me. And it only gets worse when I wait and wait, but never get a reply.

❤️️

I pick on the skin around my nails, being way too aware of my heart pounding in growing fear as I wait for his reply.

Eventually the clock strikes seven in the evening. Two hours has passed since I showered, and an hour and a half has passed since I sent him that last text. I wanted to believe that he was sleeping, but I had a feeling that he was deliberately ignoring me.

He's that angry?

I bite my quivering lip, eyes filling up with tears as I curl my knees up to my chin, hugging my legs. Is this how he felt when we didn't talk for two days after that Yuna drama?

It's pure torture.

A heavy sigh seeps out, the feeling of emptiness embracing me like a cold, wet blanket.

I hear the door open after a while of not leaving the bed, not even bothering to turn around. Areum doesn't say anything when she walks in, but it doesn't take long before I feel the mattress sinking and her hand gently stroking my arm.

"Did you manage to get some rest?" she asks, voice soft as a feather.

"Somehow yeah. I wish someone could hit my head with a frying pan so I pass out," I joke, making her laugh.

"Trust me, if it was scientifically proven to work then I'd do the honor."

We both laugh at that, giving me enough willpower to finally face her by laying on my back. She gives me a warm but concerned smile.

"You don't feel like going to the party with us, right?" she carefully asks. I shake my head.

"It's kind of the last thing I want right now," I sigh. "I feel like it would just make things worse."

She nods, seeming to understand my reasoning. "Then take it easy here. Do you mind helping me getting ready?" I smile and nod. "Yay! I'm just going to jump into the shower super quick and we'll get started right away!" she says excitedly before running into the bathroom.

I chuckle, an overwhelming feeling of thankfulness towards her engulfs me, making me wonder what I'd do without her. My smile then fades when I catch the sight of my phone, reminding me that he still hasn't replied yet.

❤️️

I exhale deeply for what feels like the hundredth time this hour, feeling extremely mentally drained at this point. But just as my heart rate barely reaches a normal level, it skyrockets back to mortal levels again as I finally hear the sound from my phone I've been desperate to hear. I waste not even a millisecond to open the message, only to have my stomach sinking in disappointment.

I sigh yet again, appreciating that he cared to check on me, but I can't help but feel disappointed that it wasn't Tae, especially regarding the circumstance.

"Why does it look like someone just told you that your imaginary dog has died?" Areum questions when she finally steps out of the bathroom, watching me with furrowed eyebrows.

"I've been trying to get Taehyung to talk to me, but he's ignoring my texts. And now I got a text from Minhyuk asking me how I'm doing," I reply with a sigh, grabbing Areum's pillow and hugging it with all my might.

"Christ, even Minhyuk is doing a better job at acting like your boyfriend than your actual frickin' boyfriend. I don't get why he acts so stuck up about this whole stupid situation!" she rants, groaning while searching through her bag and picking up a dress. "Like, I admit it was pretty hot of him to threaten Wonho like that, but accusing you of flirting with them? It's like he doesn't know you after all this time!"

I sigh at that, feeling a little bit relieved that I wasn't the only one thinking that he was overreacting. "So you think what I did was right?"

"Me and Hoseok are on your side, that much you can be certain on. And I bet Baekhyun, Jimin and the others are too. Heck, he didn't even let Namjoon talk to him. Damn it, even I get frustrated over this, I can't imagine what it's like for you."

"It sucks but I hope he'll get over himself soon so we can talk things out. I should've just told him from the start that Minhyuk's gay."

"But why would he knowing that matter? He had no right to accuse you of crushing on them. Talk about being paranoid."

I let out a sad chuckle. "Because he is. He still has trust issues."

"Oh my god can he just get over it already? You're not his mom for crying out loud!"

I stay quiet for a moment, thinking. Maybe he just needs reassurance from me? I reach for my phone and start typing one last message to him.

❤️️

I sent the message while Areum was getting dressed. If he doesn't react to this, I guess I just have to wait a few days before he's ready to talk to me. But I'm tired of feeling this much guilt, so until then I'll try to keep my spirit up.

"So, how do you want your hair?" I ask her as I haul myself up from the bed.

"I'm thinking light curls, nothing too wild because I don't want to bother trying to brush it out in the morning," she says as I untangle the wire of the curling wand. Just as we were stepping into the bathroom, a knock was heard coming from the door.

We instantly freeze in our motions and share a wide-eyed stare.

"Do you think..?" she starts.

"Taehyung?" I end, my voice a whisper.

Almost running up to the door, I take a deep breath before grabbing the handle and swinging the door open.

"Oh thank god this was the right room," Minhyuk breathes with a hand on his heart. "Hi!"

"Minhyuk? What are.. How did you know we were here?" I ask, not sure if this is a pleasant surprise or the opposite.

"Oh I asked Jungkook because you seemed really down. So I brought some fried chicken and tteokbokki! It's the best comfort food, so I thought it could make you feel a bit better," he says with a bright smile, holding up a big take-out bag that radiates the most delicious scent. My stomach growls loudly. "And it sounds like someone is hungry~"

I pout. "Aww you didn't have to," I coo, stepping to the side to let him into the room. Areum then pokes her head out of the bathroom, smiles and waves at our unexpected guest.

"Hi Minhyuk! Did you seriously bring fried chicken?" she asks in awe.

"I indeed did," he replies with a grin.

"Good! Blue here hasn't eaten anything today so your timing was perfect."

He looks at me with raised eyebrows. "You haven't eaten anything at all?" he asks, worry evident behind his voice. I sigh heavily.

"I haven't really had the best appetite," I explain with a shrug.

"Well, nothing gets your appetite going better than fried chicken," he tempts me with a smirk. I can't help but smile at his much needed positive energy.

"Thanks. I really, really appreciate it," I say, smiling. "But first I have to make Areum here ready for the party."

"You're not going?"

I lightly shake my head. "Couldn't be more unmotivated to be honest."

"I'll keep you company then, if you don't mind of course."

"Of course not!" I assure. Then we cramp ourselves into the small bathroom -- Minhyuk ended up sitting in the shower while Areum found a spot on the toilet seat. I start curling her hair, instantly having troubles with not accidentally burning her because of how much we were laughing already.

"Areum sit still I'm trying not to burn your ear off!" I scold through laughter when she leaned forward when gasping for air.

"Sorry but I can't frickin' breathe!" she wheezes. "Did she actually say she'd un-gay you?!"

The three of us break out into another laughing fit at Minhyuk's bizarre story.

"That's the cringiest shit I've ever heard!" I squeal, both shocked and disgusted. "The audacity of some people, seriously."

"It sounds like she banged G-Dragon twice with the amount of confidence she seemed to have."

"What did you say to her after that?" I ask.

He chuckles before replying, "I said something like 'honey, I wouldn't even date you even if I was straight.'" And so we proceed to die laughing once more.

We kept talking through the rest of the hair-curling session, then Minhyuk and I left the bathroom to let Areum quickly finish her makeup on her own. He takes out the containers of food from the bag when we settle on the floor, not wanting to risk staining the beds.

"Come on, you have to eat something," Minhyuk says gently, handing me a pair of chopsticks. I accept them with a smile, pinch one rice cake and start munching on it slowly.

"You know that time I drove you home after that party?" Minhyuk says suddenly. "That guy you were upset over, the one named TaeRude in your contacts. I can't believe it was Taehyung out of all people."

I can't help but chuckle at that. "He has some reputation, doesn't he?"

"You could say that," he chuckles. "How did you do it?"

I scrunch my eyebrows while grabbing a new rice cake to chew on. "What do you mean?"

"Make him fall for you."

"Oh, I didn't do much. I thought he was a frustrating asshole at first," I say, making him choke in laughter. "He still is sometimes, though, but once I got to know him... I don't know, something just clicked? I never thought he'd ever like me back, but when he told me he's been in love with me for a while I seriously thought I'd burst out of happiness."

He gives me the warmest smile, though a hint of sadness behind his eyes. "If I knew I would've told Wonho to not flirt with you. I thought Taehyung was going to kill him then and there."

"Believe me, I thought that too. But hey, don't worry about it, it's not your fault. He's just really overprotective and he has his reasons. I'm in the process of helping him with getting over some personal.. issues. It just sucks that this blew out of proportion."

"That's why you should stop beating yourself up over this!" Areum shouts from the bathroom before she walks into the room, looking glammed up. "He's acting like a frickin' cockatoo throwing a tantrum. I don't care what stupid issues he has, but accusing you of cheating on him for no reason is just immature of him."

"Really? He said that?" Minhyuk questions, looking disappointed. I simply nod in response.

"Ugh, I need to get out of here before my mood drops further than it already has," Areum sighs, crossing the room to grab her jacket and heels. "I'm going to freeze my ass off getting there in these thin-ass tights."

"Is it a long walk?" I ask, worrying for my friend's health.

"Barely ten minutes I think, but long enough for these heels."

"Tell the others that I'm sorry that I'm not going with you. Just enjoy yourself, and have fun for me!"

She smiles brightly at us both before she finally opens the door. "I'll still miss you!" is the last thing she says before heading out.

Minhyuk and I get back to munching on our chicken.

"Are your friends also going?" I ask.

"They've been dreaming of this moment since they were born," he says with a smirk, shaking his head.

"What about you then?"

"I don't really care. I'm too old for loud music and immature guys who doesn't know what they want."

"I feel you. They don't deserve you anyway."

He smiles and nudges me with his shoulder. "Aww, thank you. I hope he comes around soon. You really are a good person, Blue. I hope he realizes that if he haven't already."

I chuckle sadly. "You too."

It's weird how close we seem to be, despite not having spent that much time together. I really appreciate his company, though, I'd honestly feel pretty lonely (and hungry) if he hadn't showed up.

♣

After finishing the food, we decided to spend our evening listening to music and playing card games. There was seriously never a dull moment with Minhyuk. I don't know how he does it, but he managed to crack me up multiple times these last couple of hours. My mood went from borderline depressive, to the huge weight in my heart being lifted, and it feels amazing. He constantly reminded me that things were going to be okay again, and for a moment I actually relaxed and believed his words.

Until my phone vibrated out of nowhere, and the simple two words were enough for my stomach to knot itself up again.

My face falls prominently, which does not go unnoticed by Minhyuk.

"What's wrong?" he asks as I type an answer with visibly shaky hands.

I provide no answer to neither Areum nor Minhyuk. With a frantically beating heart and shaky hands, I get up on my feet and step into my boots. Just when I stretched my hand out to grab my jacket, Minhyuk's hand wrap around my wrist to halt my movements.

"Where are you going?"

"The party," I mumble, suddenly feeling like I'm trapped in a nightmare.

"What's going on?"

"He's there."

He didn't need more explanation than that since he also proceeds to put on his shoes and coat. Then we're off descending the stairs, almost running out of the hotel and stepping out into the biting cold. Every breath I took hurts. I can't even begin to explain how badly the stress was eating me from the inside. As we keep up a brisk pace towards the party location, I prayed to every supernatural entity and overlords I could come up with that I would successfully talk him into coming with me.