Rogue Hearts | PJM ✅

Chp. 3: A Little Paint Goes a Long Way

Dallia's POV 🌼

My uncle and his crew came and helped me soundproof my part of the building at cost, which was so nice of them to do to help me save some money. I've been working non-stop to get my academy back up and running again.

I'm taking my time painting a fresh coat of white paint in my chorus room so it's bright and cheery for our once-a-week sing-a-longs. I'm wearing baggy jeans with holes in the knees and an old t-shirt, my hair tied under a bandana to help keep paint out of it.

"I can't believe how much work you've put into a space you don't even own," Dae complains, and I can't help but be disappointed by her tone.

"This is my life's work we are talking about, and I don't have any intention of leaving this space any time soon," I defend casually, trying to keep things light.

Lately, it seems like Dae will take any opportunity to start a fight between us, and it's starting to weigh on me. When we first started dating, we would always talk things out, but in the last six months, she's been less than interested in doing that. In fact, this is the first time she has stepped into my new space since I signed the lease, regardless of my countless invitations. I feel like she has been avoiding it, and now she seems unimpressed by it, and it's putting a bit of a crack in my heart.

I pick up my paint roller, applying another crisp white coat of paint on the wall, watching as the space starts to come back to life, and start singing the chorus to 1950 by King Princess. Dae used to love it when I sang this to her, but today she seems to blow off my gesture and instead returns to her negative commentary.

"You don't know what these people you're renting from are going to do. How do you know that you aren't putting all this time and money into this space, and they aren't just going to snatch it right back from you?" Dae asks in a condescending tone.

"Because they would never do that to anyone," a sweet voice answers, and we both turn to see Jimin standing in the doorway.

I can't help but be utterly shocked this man is standing in my doorway. I honestly didn't think I'd hear from him again, and I'm still sort of reeling from the fact that I've even met him at all. He looks ethereal, leaning against the door jamb, and I can't help but smile at him. He returns a broad smile that I don't think is supposed to be sexy but is, and I quickly avert my eyes, pushing the thought out of my mind while turning my attention back to my girlfriend.

Dae's eyes widen for a moment when she recognizes him, but instead of being the polite woman I fell in love with years ago, she continues with her sarcastic tone, "Of course, you would say that...Dispatch reports you guys are all best friends!"

Jimin nods for a moment and scrunches his nose. I'm guessing people aren't usually so rude to his face, and quite honestly, I'm in complete shock myself, "Dae!" I exclaim, "Don't be rude!"

Dae rolls her eyes and grabs her bag, "I just think you're making a mistake," she trails off as she walks to the doorway.

"Are you still coming to my place for dinner tonight...." I call out. Dae brushes by Jimin without acknowledgment as she begins to exit the room.

"No, I...I have to work unexpectedly."

"Again?" I ask quietly with an eyebrow raised.

"Yes, please don't give me a hard time about it. I'll text you tomorrow!" Dae calls back as if she isn't interested in conversing with me. No, hug. No, kiss. She just leaves me standing there feeling like a bit of a fool.

"I'm so sorry, Jimin. I don't know what has gotten into her lately. She has never been like this; she used to be so caring," I apologize.

"Friend of yours?" he asks, seemingly unphased by the rudeness.