Rogue Hearts | PJM ✅

Chp. 15: Initial Here, Here, and Here

Jimin's POV 

"See ya, Jae! Bye, Jungkook!" I say as I give my friends some quick departing hugs.

"Bye, you two! JK, thanks again for setting this up!" Lily says while hugging Jae goodbye.

The two head out, and Dallia, Lily, and I also start heading to the exit.

"Hey, Yoongi is filming today. Do you two want to get some lunch with me?" Lily asks.

"Oh yeah, he's taking a woodworking class, right?" I ask.

"Yes, he's so excited he even spent all his spare time studying the videos on the company's website he is taking his class at, as well as some YouTube videos so that he would be prepared. He kept making me watch them with him before bed," she chuckles, but anyone can see how much his quirky personality makes her over the moon.

"He is going to ask them so many weird questions!" I laugh, trying to get her goat. Lily and I have a long history of intertwined energies and friendship, and it wouldn't be me if I didn't tease her once in a while.

"Awe, I think that is sweet that he wants to be prepared," Dallia smiles, nudging me in the arm with her elbow. Her little nudge sends a jolt through me, and I struggle to act like her touch doesn't affect me.

"I love that everyone says Hobi is a perfectionist, but that woodworking class is about to find out just how detailed-orientated Yoongi is when he creates something," I exclaim while giggles spill out of my mouth. I know Yoongi so well, he likes to be prepared, but I'm also guessing he's already going into that lesson with a plan already formulated in his mind. 

"Well, let's just say my sweetheart is not shy," Lily laughs. "So, what do you say? Lunch? It's so hot out today that nobody will be able to tell we just had a workout. We can just go as is."

Dallia and I agree to follow Lily over to a little restaurant she likes to frequent.

"Today was fun," I comment as I watch Dallia climb into the passenger side of my vehicle. I'm always careful to pick her up in the SUV, not my Porsche, so I don't garner unwanted attention.

"Yes, Coach was super nice. I'm so glad Jungkook set this up. I really like all your friends," she smiles, and I notice her tugging at her shorts again, trying to cover up a bit.

"Well, they are becoming your friends as well," I tell her, trying to build up her confidence. The damage Dae has done to Dallia's psyche is so obvious to me. "Remember, they invited you to come all on their own. I invited myself."

She giggles and seems to relax as we arrive at our destination. It's not long before we are sharing a meal in a private booth. I notice one of the waitstaff keeps eyeing me so I'm glad that Lily and Dallia sat on the same side of the booth together. We have pretty good luck when we go out for meals, but you never know when someone will break protocol and send rumors flying all over the internet or try and sneak a picture of me with their cellphone.

"What did you think of today's lesson, Lily?" Dallia asks as she adds ingredients to her bowl. I love seeing that she isn't afraid of eating, even if she has insecurities about her body, and it encourages me to feel free to eat as well.

"I loved it! To tell you the truth, it's the first time I've felt in real control since I was attacked. I always feel safe when I'm with Yoongi, but I'm still adjusting when I'm away from him.

The sincerity in Lily's tone really gets to me, and I can't imagine how freeing it must be to be able to face your fears the way she has. I wish I had an ounce of her courage for myself.

"What about you? Did you enjoy the class?" Lily asks.

"I loved it! It felt good to get some pent-up aggression out!" Dallia answers, and I'm surprised by her level of enthusiasm. "I didn't realize just how mad I am sometimes," she trails off for a moment, focused on some quiet thoughts inside her mind. A moment later, she seems to refocus on us again and adds, "Plus, it felt good to be moving. It was a great workout, and I learned some good skills if I need to protect myself!"