Jeon Jungkook flies out to Paris for two weeks with his parents, accompanying them with some work event for his mother. She learns because he doesn't attend class and when she asks, given that the deadline was approaching for the first part of their project, he informs her that he'll work on it as soon as he's back. Somehow, Park Chaeyoung wonders if it's irrational to miss him, especially since they'd only begun talking for a little over a day and barely knew one another. She realises specifically that she'd been zoning out, when Jennie Kim waves her hand over her face.

"Hello, earth to Chaeyoungie," she jokes, a laugh departing from her lips, "... are you okay?"

Park Chaeyoung responds with a sheepish smile, "... sorry, I've barely slept."

And it was true.

In between student council duties, tutoring, schoolwork and working on her applications for university scholarships, she'd barely had time to think, yet alone sleep. At times, she felt as though she were on autopilot, as though she'd blink for a minute only to end up back at her studio, or that she'd take a nap and suddenly it was morning.

But there was something constantly in her mind, and that was the countdown in her head, for when she'll see him next.

"You don't have anything on tomorrow afternoon right? Why don't we go somewhere and get your mind off things?" Jisoo Kim suggests, causing for the other girls to nod in excitement.

"I, uh—have groupwork with Jungkook," she explains, "... maybe another time?"

"That sucks. He doesn't even come to class half the time and you have to work around his schedule," Lalisa Manoban comments, "... I feel sorry for you."

"It's not like th—"

Before she could finish, someone calls her from the other side of the cafeteria.

"Class Pres!" One of her classmates, Min Yoongi rushes over, "... the teacher's looking for you in room 3912."

Park Chaeyoung takes a deep breath, smiling to her friends before getting up from her seat, not even having enough time to finish her meal.

Yet, even so, she somehow cannot wait for tomorrow when Jeon Jungkook returns.

-

Having a crush on Park Chaeyoung is difficult enough, but he finds out that it's a million times worse when your parents are even more obsessed with her. He accompanies his mother to a few exhibitions and talks by the biggest jewellery manufacturers, only that at every spare moment, she spends her time talking about the young girl.

"Jungkook, you should buy her something from Paris, it's common courtesy to bring back a souvenir," she suggestions, clearly a little too excited about the fact that his son for the first time, appears to be socialising with someone in his school, "... or should we give her one of our new diamonds from the collection?"

"Mom!" He groans, "... you're being too much."

Mrs. Jeon sheepishly smiles, "... you're right, but maybe you can bring back some macaroons at least."

"Okay, let's buy some before we head to the airport," he finally gives in, realising that his mother wasn't going to give him a break, "... we're going to study again tomorrow afternoon so please—don't be weird about it."

"When am I ever?" Mrs. Jeon mischievously comments, "... have you sent her any photos from our trip? My son looks so handsome in a suit, I'm sure she'll like it, how about the one's we took in the Eiffel Tower?"

"Mhmm, we're not close like that," he comments, though a part of him wonders whether they should, perhaps as some talking points outside of schoolwork, "... plus, it'll look like I am trying too hard."

"Well, you better make sure you guys get close," she tells him, "... you know, I'm telling you right now—she'll end up being your future wife. I can feel it in my bones, she's the one for you."

Jeon Jungkook really, really wishes that he didn't need to accompany his mother to Paris.

"Mom, we're literally group work partners, that's all," he reminds her, "... once this year ends we'll probably be strangers too, who knows where she'll go for university."

"Hmm, then you better win her over before then."

-

Jeon Jungkook texts her that he's just landed in Seoul, and she realises that it's just a little over 7pm. It'll take a little over an hour for him to get home. Realising that he might be tired, she tells him it's okay if they had a raincheck so he could rest, and she could start working on the project without him at home.

He said he doesn't want to and that he'll have one of his drivers pick her up from her home, considering that it was already dark.

Somehow, he wonders if it's normal that her heart pounds like crazy as she sits in the luxurious car, driving up the driveway. When they arrive, she's greeted by his mother who walks over and hugs her instantly, with a kind of warmth she'd rarely ever felt since losing her mother.

"Chaeyoung, it's so good to see you. Have you eaten? Jungkook's just showing now," she informs her, "... come in, come in."

Park Chaeyoung returns the hug, a smile on her face, "... thank you Mrs. Jeon, sorry for disturbing. Did you have a nice trip?"

The older woman nods, "... we did a lot of shopping, luckily Jungkook was there so he could do all the bag carrying, you know that's what men are for. He's such a good son, you know?"

Park Chaeyoung nods, and she agrees too, knowing that it was a rarity to meet someone so respectful nowadays, "... that's sweet of him."

As they make their way into the living room, she spots him—hair pushed back, still damp from a shower. He was wearing a white shirt, tucked into black sweatpants.

For a moment, she almost didn't recognise him.

"Chaeyoung, I'm sorry did you wait long?" He questions her as he walks closer to her, her eyes watching him carefully as he reaches for a paper bag that was sitting on the coffee table, "... here's a little something from our trip, hopefully you like it, I wasn't sure if it's your taste."

Park Chaeyoung regains her composure, accepting the bag before looking at him, "... I almost didn't recognise you."

He chuckles, "... the hair?"

She nods.

"I always tell him he needs to cut that damn thing; he literally looks unkempt with his long hair!" His mother chimes in, reaching out for her phone, "... Chaeyoung, I should show you the pictures we took in Paris. He had his hair styled back and was wearing a suit—he's much different to the version you know."

Jeon Jungkook holds his hand out against his mother's phone, "... mom, stop."

She can't help but giggle, thinking that it's sweet that the pair have such a nice relationship.

-

Halfway through their study session, Mr. Jeon comes, telling the two to take a break bringing fried chicken that had been sent by one of his business partners who'd just opened a new restaurant.

"Chaeyoung, would you like a drink? Cola? Juice? Let us know if there's anything you need, the kitchen can help whenever," he tells her.

"The water is fine," Park Chaeyoung smiles, "... thank you Mr. Jeon."

The older man smiles before excusing himself, and she can't help but turn to his classmate with fascination.

"Your parents are so nice," she comments, "... you guys seem close."

"Hmmm," he doesn't quite know whether it's true, "... they're only nice because you're here. They really love you. The entire time in Paris, my mother was more busy worried about what to get you, over her own work."

"Thank you for this, by the way," she holds up the bag, "... I've never been to Europe, so whatever it is, I'm sure it's good."

Later that night, when Jeon Jungkook drives her home (which she jokes about whether she can trust his driving skills) he turns to her at the red light. He remembers the way the boys were talking about her in the bathroom the other day, and yet, weeks later, it doesn't sit well with him.

"Don't go to prom with Hoseok," he tells her.

"W-why not? I m-mean, I didn't say I would—" she nervously tells him.

"Just trust me, he's not a good guy."

And she wonders right there, whether there's some sort of hidden meaning in his words.

-