Resting his chin on his palm, Jeongguk let out a soft sigh as he stared out the window of the bakery. He wasn't even hungry but needed to go somewhere, away from everything. A dull expression displayed itself on the boy's face, dull from confusion and a tinge of fear.

See, Jeongguk had no fucking clue how he was supposed to feel about Taehyung ever since the whole Jennie fiasco. He gazed at the strands of light piercing the clouds, the sight reflecting in his round eyes as he sat on one of the tables.

After Jeongguk had comforted Jennie, he was walking back with Taehyung to their dorms. Taehyung escorted him back to his own room, giving him a small smile as he waved him goodbye. Jeongguk didn't reply, merely shutting the door on the boy where he crashed into bed, wanting to forget everything for the rest of the evening.

One part of Jeongguk was definitely not over him, a hidden urge blooming to jump right back into Taehyung's arms but another wanted to stay away, to never look back and move forward with his life alone. This reminded him of everything he felt when Jimin admitted to those lies.

As if it was on cue, Jimin appeared through the door into the bakery, walking a few steps as his eyes scanned the store until they landed on Jeongguk. "I figured you'd be here, Gguk." He smiled, jogging over to Jeongguk's table where he took a seat opposite from him.

There were a handful of other students at the bakery as well as Jeongguk, most hanging around with friends to grab some breakfast before running to their classes. Jeongguk didn't have any classes until the afternoon so there he was. Jeongguk gave Jimin a slight wave, not bothering to hide the dull look in his eyes, going back to staring out the window that was behind Jimin.

"What's wrong?" Jimin asked, voice laced with concern and Jeongguk just shrugged his shoulders in response, puffy cheek now pressed against his palm. He wasn't sure what to think about the whole blackmailing thing either, it seemed like something out of a drama. It was all so confusing.

Jimin pursed his lips for a moment, not knowing how to respond before he perked up and got up from the table. "Wait there."

It wasn't like Jeongguk was going to go anywhere in the first place. He subconsciously traced small patterns on the table with his other hand, letting out yet another sigh. His mind was obviously thinking of nothing but Taehyung and that's what Jeongguk didn't like. He didn't want to be thinking about him, a part of him wanted to be alone for a while but the thoughts plaguing the boy's mind wouldn't let him.

Jimin returned not a while later, a plate of cookies in his hand. "Here you go. The girl at the counter said she knew you and told me you always order these so she gave you extra! Isn't that nice of her?" He beamed, placing the plate on the table before sitting down again.

Jeongguk looked at Jimin with furrowed brows and then realised what he was saying and nodded. He took a cookie from the plate and began nibbling on it, mind still occupied.

"You can have some if you like," Jeongguk mumbled off-handedly and saw Jimin smile before grabbing a cookie.

"Thanks." He grinned, taking a bite but his grin soon vanished and was replaced with a frown. "What's on your mind?"

That managed to snap Jeongguk out of it for a bit, he looked at Jimin with wide eyes before answering. "N-nothing much. It's not important." He tried but saw how Jimin squinted his eyes. Jeongguk nervously gulped.

"You're thinking about what happened yesterday, aren't you?" Jeongguk lightly gasped and nodded, thinking if he was that obvious as Jimin let out a half-laugh at that. "How are you and Taehyung?"

Jeongguk shrugged once more, having an idea why Jimin asked that question. "We haven't gotten back together." He muttered, grabbing another cookie when he finished with his last.

Jimin cocked up a brow, tilting his head slightly. "Why not? I thought you loved him?"

The boy felt himself stiffen from that, he didn't know if he did. His feelings were all over the place for all Jeongguk knew. Parts of him loved Taehyung, parts of him despised him. Jeongguk just wanted his mind to have a clear idea of his feelings, to save him from all this thinking.

"I- I'm scared, Jimin." Jeongguk let out, voice small and Jimin ushered for him to carry on. "What am I- I supposed to feel for him after all of this? Nothing makes sense."

Jimin sighed, reaching out to caress Jeongguk's arm. "When have our emotions ever made sense?" He laughed, Jeongguk gazing down at his lap. "Take your own advice. You told Jennie that things take time, that's how any of this will get sorted. You need to wait to figure out whether or not you love Taehyung. Besides, didn't he give you a whole speech about why you should trust him?"

Jeongguk glanced up at Jimin with round, widened eyes but then he shifted his gaze. "Yeah, b-but I don't know what to think of that after he told me everything was a lie, I'm j-just so confused and I don't wanna wait to figure everything out." He mumbled, toying with the sleeves of his loose white shirt. "I wanna know now."

Munching on a cookie, Jimin gave a smile to the boy. "He said that to protect you. I know you do wanna know everything now but you just have to wait if you wanna solve anything. More things will fall into place the more time passes." Jimin said softly, swallowing his mouthful before he blinked.

"How much do you know about the whole story by the way?" Jimin asked, drumming his fingers on the table. Jeongguk let out a slight yawn, he stopped playing with his sleeves.

"All I know was that Taehyung was blackmailed into breaking up with me. That's why he did it." Jeongguk slightly chuckled. "That's why he broke my heart."

Jimin slowly nodded, scratching his nose. "He never meant to." He let out and Jeongguk mumbled an 'I know'. "Jennie apparently had naked photos of you for some reason. Taehyung doesn't know how she got them either. She was threatening to post those photos all over social media to ruin your life if Taehyung didn't break up with you for the 'kid'."

Jeongguk looked at Jimin with big eyes, plump lips parted in shock. "T-to ruin my life?"

Jimin nodded once more, continued his explanation while Jeongguk grabbed the last cookie from the plate as he listened. "Taehyung loved you too much for that to happen to you and so he had to break up with you."

Jeongguk gulped thickly at that, trying to ignore the warm tingles in his chest from that. He was scared of his own feelings. "But- but couldn't he have told me everything? We could've figured something out together!"

Jimin shook his head as he looked down, his gaze returning to Jeongguk after. "Apparently, Jennie was right there when he was breaking up with you- look. I feel like you and Taehyung seriously need to talk about this. Maybe you'll get your answers about your feelings for him then."

Although reluctant, Jeongguk decided that Jimin was right. He usually was, however, Jimin wasn't finished. "I'll respect your decisions, either way, you're free to do whatever you like but I want you to keep whatever I told you in mind when you're making them, Gguk." He said with a smile.

Jeongguk didn't say anything and just nodded, going back into thought. The word 'scared' couldn't even begin to describe Jeongguk's emotions at that moment. He didn't want to be hurt again, he wanted to rush back to Taehyung, he wanted to stay away. His feelings were everywhere.

It hadn't even been a full day when Jeongguk told Taehyung to stay away and to let him get over him and now that he knew that the whole break up was all for him, Jeongguk was immensely conflicted. Just when he was about to get over the boy, this had to come back and slap him in the face. Jeongguk swore he could never catch a break.

However, Jimin's laugh at his dazed state brought him back to reality. Jeongguk blinked a couple of times and blankly glanced at the boy which increased his giggles.

"Sorry, I shouldn't be laughing." Jimin placed his hand on Jeongguk's shoulder. "Just promise you'll talk to Taehyung again, okay?"

Jeongguk slowly nodded, inwardly hating that it was the right thing to do but if that meant he could get an answer to his muddled feelings then so be it.

-

Taehyung and Jennie broke up shortly after.

Jeongguk didn't know what to think about that either since he found out that their relationship was fake to begin with so, therefore, he had no opinion. However, Jennie was still wearing the stuffing over her stomach for the sake of it but to make sure Taehyung didn't receive any backlash, she pretended that she was the one who broke up with him. Many students left it at that.

It was the next day when Jeongguk was in music that his teacher told him that the theatre teacher, Mr. Han, wanted him to be in his office as soon as possible. Jeongguk raised a brow at that since he left theatre a few weeks ago but nonetheless, he obliged and walked over to the office, hands slightly shaking.

It only got worse when he saw Taehyung walking to where Jeongguk was with his curls falling his forehead, what was he doing here?

Jeongguk ignored the way his heart fluttered at the sight. Both exchanged the most awkward glances ever, Jeongguk pursing his lips while Taehyung averted his gaze however Jeongguk swallowed his nervousness and said something. "G-going into Mr. Han's office?" He trailed, seeing Taehyung silently nod his head.

Hesitantly, Jeongguk nodded back and went to knock on the door, hearing a stern 'come in'. Jeongguk was the first to enter, eyes widening when he saw Jennie. So did Taehyung's.

"Ah, hello lovelies. Take a seat." Mr. Han smiled, pointed to the two chairs next to Jennie. Jeongguk slowly walked over and sat down beside Jennie, Taehyung following suit and sitting next to him with his head still hung low. Jeongguk had no clue what was going on or why Jennie was here, she was busy looking down at the floor with her legs pressed together.

The office still remained mostly the way it was from the last time Jeongguk visited, except there were different abstract paintings that cluttered the wall, some new some old. He would've continued to admire the decor but Mr. Han's voice snapped him back to reality.

"Jennie has told me that she plans on moving courses." He sighed and Jeongguk saw Taehyung shoot his head up abruptly, brows furrowed in the corner of his vision. "Obviously, that would affect the play as she's one of the leads but she told me that she wanted to give the role of Miranda back to you."

Jeongguk turned his head to Jennie in surprise, mouth slightly open while the girl just wrapped her arms around herself, her grip tightening on her black sweatshirt. She was silent. He didn't notice Taehyung's reaction and how he seemed a bit irritated.

Turning back to the teacher, Jeongguk bit his lip. "B-but I'm in music! How can I act when I'm in a different course."

Mr. Han took off his glasses, wiping the lenses with his shirt. "Well, music and theatre are merging to make a musical for the play. I can have a word with the teacher from there to see if you can temporarily move back to act in the play." He put his glasses back on, looking at Jeongguk. "However, that'll only happen if you want to act in the play. If not then I'll cast somebody else."

Jeongguk felt both Taehyung's and Jennie's gaze glued on him, Jennie had finally looked up as she looked at the boy in anticipation. His words were stuck in his throat, he didn't know what to answer but what confused him was why he was hesitating on answering.

A couple of seconds passed. Jeongguk was still silent, he knew what he was going to be in for if he accepted the role but he was scared that would confuse him even more. "W-what would happen to my grades?" Jeongguk let out, why did he ask that? Was he actually considering it?

Mr. Han sighed. "Depending on how well you do in theatre, I can have those marks transferred into your preferred subject." Jeongguk hesitated to open his mouth and saw the teacher massage the bridge of his nose.

"If you don't want to play the part then don't. I'm only asking you on Jennie's behalf as she practically pleaded me to even after I said that nobody was allowed to change their roles and I never like playing favourites yet here I am." Mr. Han explained, and Jeongguk froze at that.

"What will your answer be, love?" He asked for the final time, and Jeongguk glanced at Jennie, unsure of what her intentions were as to why she wanted Jeongguk to play her role instead after everything that had happened.

Then his gaze went to Taehyung who had a bit of an annoyed gaze fixated on Jennie, he gulped, unsure on why was that either. He looked back at the teacher as he blinked his big eyes and opened his mouth to say something and his response shocked both Taehyung and himself.

"Sure." He answered and Jeongguk widened his eyes at that. Why was he agreeing? Jeongguk loved music but what was convincing him to act with Taehyung again?

Jeongguk didn't fucking know however it was too late as a smile painted itself on Mr. Han's face, he turned to Taehyung. "Is that alright with you? I'm pretty sure the other actors wouldn't mind but I wanted to know if you're fine with it so we can avoid conflict and any other issues."

Taehyung blinked for a few seconds before nodding. "Yeah, it's fine."

"Okay, that's great! I'll discuss the details with your teacher shortly, lovely." He spoke to Jeongguk.

The boy stood still before nodding again, slowly rising from his seat when the teacher said that they could leave shortly after and Jeongguk was about to get moving. However, his conversation with Jimin yesterday flashed back in his mind.

He watched Taehyung get up from his seat and his heart rate quickened. Should he talk to him now? But before he could even decide on a choice, he saw the boy harshly grab Jennie's arm and drag her outside. Jeongguk was confused at that, slightly disheartened but tried to brush it off.

"I know it might be awkward to act with Taehyung, dear but try to think of your grades as motivation. You'll be back in music before you know it. I don't do this often with students so try your best, okay?" Mr. Han softly spoke and that's when Jeongguk realised he was still in his office.

"I- I will." He quickly said before stepping out of the room and into the hallway. He let out a breath with closed eyes.

What had he gotten himself into?

-

Meanwhile, Taehyung was still dragging Jennie by the arm, the girl's eyes were wide as they made it outside a building. Frustration and rage were evident in Taehyung's dark eyes, jaw clenched. He abruptly let go of Jennie's arm, turning to her with furrowed brows.

"Taehyung-"

"What the hell are you trying to do?" He interrupted, anger coursing through his veins and Jennie gulped.

"Nothing, I- I mean-"

"Is this your way of trying to fix things, Jennie?" He mockingly asked, arms crossed and saw how the girl hung her head low. She slowly nodded, and the boy scoffed at that.

"Jennie? Do you even have a fucking clue on what you've done because of your delusions?" Taehyung growled, Jennie bit her lip and looked up at the boy before slowly shaking her head, hands at her front.

Taehyung bitterly chuckled in disbelief, looking off to the side. "Not only did you blackmail me, but you also faked a goddamn pregnancy! I don't know if you've noticed, but that's fucked up a lot of shit."

Jennie gnawed on her bottom lip, light tears rising to her eyes but ignored it. Taehyung continued. "All these weeks I've felt absolutely horrible, I felt like such a shitty person for breaking up with Jeongguk and that added with you constantly following me, I couldn't even sleep at night!"

Taehyung noticed how much his palms were sweating, his breaths erratic but he had to carry on giving Jennie a piece of his mind. "And now I know that all of it was a fucking lie, that you weren't pregnant makes me feel like such a fool. I broke up with Jeongguk for nothing and that's basically ruined our relationship!"

Taehyung cursed under his breath, he still respected Jeongguk for his decision but he was still frustrated with Jennie for being the reason Jeongguk had to have that decision in the first place. Jennie still chose to stay silent, she had nothing to say.

"I don't think you know how lucky you are that I'm choosing not to report this or press charges against you for what you did. Don't even bother trying to do anything to 'fix' things." Taehyung's pent up rage was rising, he didn't know where he was getting all this confidence from as Jennie still had those photos of Jeongguk but anger blinded his senses.

"You're seriously fucked up!" He roared, Jennie flinching from that and that was when Taehyung realised the harshness of his words and his features immediately softened. He loosened his fists when he soon discovered the tears streaming down Jennie's cheeks.

"W-wait, I didn't mean to say that." Taehyung stammered out, his rage and frustration diminishing. This reminded him of his conversation with Jeongguk yesterday. "What I'm saying is, back then in high school, I saved you because that was a human thing to do. I defended you from the bullies because that was a human thing to do. I was doing all this because everyone deserves to be treated decently."

Jennie sniffled and nodded, wiping the tears from her flushed cheeks. "I'm really sorry about your father and everything else but like Jeongguk said, life isn't a fairytale. You couldn't just force yourself on me and think everything would work out in your favour. That's not how the world works." Taehyung sighed.

"If only you were a bit direct with your feeling to me at the start then-" Taehyung then quickly paused, mind flickering to Jimin when he said that but he felt Jennie's confused gaze on him. "Sorry, this- this just reminds me of a conversation I had with someone else a while ago."

Jennie's eyes gleamed with tears while Taehyung found the words to continue his speech with, gulping. "As I was saying, maybe if you did that, things could've been a bit different but instead you let your delusions get the better of you and drive you to commit a literal crime!"

The word 'crime' sunk into Jennie's brain, her mind was troubled with guilt for her actions but she was just getting used to the feeling and didn't know how to react. She was so lost, did she love Taehyung? Did she not? Jeongguk's words were playing with her mind and it hurt to think.

"But Jennie, it isn't too late. You- you can go to therapy to deal with your loss, you know? Get the help you need. Your mother's supportive, isn't she?" Jennie swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. Taehyung smiled at that.

"Good, if- if you want to do anything at all for us, just get the help for dealing with your problems. Get that support from your mother." He advised, voice soft. "The help or support I never got when I was younger." Taehyung's voice dropped to a whisper, his smile fading which went unnoticed by Jennie.