The Definition Of Forever (Inked Hearts 1)

One hundred-twelve

AN:

Hello all!

This chapter is dedicated to @aninjasdaughter 💜

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Diana first person POV:

Everyone is gathered around in a circle in the living room, sadness and sorrow fill the usually bright and joy-filled room. And it breaks my heart to have to do this. I don't want to. They're my family too now, and just having to say this goodbye is enough to bring tears to my eyes.

"I still can't believe this is happening." Hoseok Oppa sighs from where he leans against the wall and my heart goes out to him. I hate seeing him like this. I hate that I'm doing this to them.

"It seems like a pretty disruptive thing to do with such short notice." Jin Oppa grumbles and Kate nudges him in the side. She knows that this isn't making it any easier for me, but I won't ask them to stop.

"I know," I sigh. I don't know what else to say. I don't know what else to do.

"I can't believe you're really going." Tae sniffles and I walk over to give him a hug, letting him cry on my shoulder.

"We're going to miss you, Noona." Jimin chokes and plops down next to us on the couch, hugging us both.

"I'm going to miss you guys too." I smile sadly and squeeze them both in my arms.

Looking over Jimin's small shoulder I catch sight of my soulmate.

We haven't exactly been our best lately with the horrible knowledge that I'm leaving hanging over us, but I don't blame him. During the time we've spent together since, we haven't spoken much and instead remain in each other's company in silence. Who's to say whether that's the right or wrong thing. But for now, it's all we can do.

Jungkook stands by the stairs with his back braced on the rails behind him, watching me. Yes, throughout the past days, I've always known his eyes are on me when we're in the same room. As if he's trying to memorize everything about me before I go, or he's trying to read my mind and see what I'm thinking.

But honestly, I have no idea what goes through my head these days.

"Come on, come on," Namjoon Oppa says and Taehyung and Jimin release me from their embrace. "Let's not get into this now. Dinner will be here soon."

Nodding, the boys get up and I throw Namjoon a grateful smile. I need to be strong right now. I need to keep it together. Even though it's getting harder by the minute.

"Well then," Jin Oppa says uselessly. "We should set the table."

"I'll go." I immediately volunteer, glad to have an excuse to move and get away from the overhanging sadness, and I get up to walk for the kitchen.

"I'll join you," Kate says and gets up to follow me out. And together we leave the others staring after us in the living room, my eye trained on the hall in front of me, but I feel each of their stares on my back like a laser-hot beam.

"Plates or bowls?" I ask as we enter the kitchen and I head for the cabinets.

"Plates I think," she answers, but there's a tremor in her voice, and it makes the air clog in my throat.

Silently we work at no more than a snail's pace, getting everything out on the counter, and organized: plates, glasses, forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, everything, until there's nothing left to gather and we're required to head back into the other room.

Just as I pick up the stack of plates, Kate spills water from the pitcher and it sloshes on the floor. Cursing quietly, she sets the pitcher back down and grabs a cloth to start wiping it up. "clumsy," she mutters to herself.