My New Addiction / Taekook

15.

Taehyung went back to school, trying to pick up the pieces of his life and move on from the heartache of losing Jeongguk.

It was difficult, and he often found himself lost in thoughts of Jeongguk, wondering where he was and what he was doing. But he knew that he had to keep going, had to focus on his studies and his future, even if it was hard. And as time passed, things started to get a little easier. He made new friends, and he started to feel like he was finding his way again.

One day, as he was walking to class, he saw Jimin approaching from the other direction. He had come out of the hospital a few days before, and Taehyung was glad to see him "Hey, Taehyung," Jimin said, smiling as he approached. "How's it going?"

"It's going okay," Taehyung said, returning the smile. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling much better," Jimin said. "I'm glad to be back at school and to be able to see everyone again. It's been a rough few weeks, but I'm feeling more like myself again."

Taehyung nodded, happy to see Jimin doing so well. "That's great, Jimin," he said. "I'm really glad to see you looking so much better. Do you want to walk to class together?"

"Sure," Jimin said, and the two of them walked to class together, chatting and catching up on everything that had happened while Jimin was in the hospital.

It was nice to be able to spend time with Jimin again, and Taehyung was grateful for the distraction and the company. Even though he still missed Jeongguk, he was glad to be able to spend time with his friend.

When the classes were over Taehyung got a call. Taehyung's heart skipped a beat as he saw Jin's name flash on his phone.

He hadn't heard from Jin in weeks, and he was both nervous and excited to find out what he had to say. He quickly excused himself from his friends and answered the call. "Hey, Jin," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "What's up? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything's fine," Jin said, though he didn't sound entirely convinced. "I just wanted to let you know that I've found Jeongguk......"

Taehyung took a deep breath, trying to decide what to do. Part of him wanted to hang up the phone and forget about Jeongguk, to move on with his life and leave the past behind but he just couldn't.

"How is he doing?" Taehyung asked

"I won't go into too many details, but he is in a recovery home right now," Jin said, his voice filled with concern. "I'm really sorry to bother you with this, Taehyung, but I thought you would want to know that he is at least alive."

"Thank you for telling me, Jin," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I appreciate it. Do you think...do you think I could visit him? Taehyung knows he shouldn't but he just wanted to talk. Weeks went by and the only thing Taehyung wanted is to talk to Jeongguk.

"I don't think that would be such a good idea Taehyung..." Jin said, his voice gentle. "As I said before please move on, I just wanted to let you know he was alive" and with that Jin hung up the phone.

Jin was right Taehyung could do this without Jeongguk and know at least he didn't have to worry anymore about the fact that he may be dead in a gutter somewhere.

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Jeongguk knew that he had really messed up this time. He couldn't believe that he had left the hospital that night, that he had run away from his problems and his friends. He knew that he had hurt Taehyung badly, and he regretted it more than anything. He just wished that he could turn back time and make things right, but he knew that it was too late for that.

Jin had found Jeongguk at the police office a few weeks later after he had been arrested for causing a disturbance at a bar. Jeongguk had been drunk and depressed, and he had lashed out at the bouncers when they tried to kick him out.

Jeongguk knew that he had made a huge mistake, and he was terrified of what would happen to him. He had only one person who could help him out of this situation and that was Jin.

Jin had been a lifesaver, bailing Jeongguk out of jail and taking him back to his apartment. Jeongguk knew that he owed Jin a lot, and he was grateful for his help and support. "So what now, Jeongguk?" Jin asked as they sat in his living room, trying to figure out what to do next.

Jeongguk sighed, feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. "I don't know," he said, shaking his head. "I think I should be admitted, you know? I think I need some help, some structure and support. I don't think I can do this on my own."

Jin nodded, looking sad but understanding. "Okay," he said, patting Jeongguk's shoulder. "We'll find you a good place, okay? Something that will help you get back on track and stay clean."

And that's exactly what they did. Jin drove Jeongguk to the closest recovery home, and they checked him in. Jeongguk was nervous and uncertain, but he knew that this was the right thing to do.

Jeongguk had a long road ahead of him, but for now, he scanned his new room, taking in the stark white walls and the empty bed. It was really empty, just like him. He felt a pang of sadness as he thought about all that he had lost, all the mistakes he had made.

There wasn't a day that went by where Jeongguk didn't think about Taehyung. He missed him terribly, and he longed to hear his voice, to see his face.

He had wanted to call Taehyung several times in the weeks he had been gone, but he knew that it would be better if Taehyung was rid of him. He had caused him so much pain, and he didn't deserve to be forgiven.

But as the days passed and Jeongguk worked on his recovery, he couldn't help but wonder if there was a way for him to make things right with Taehyung.

He knew that it wouldn't be easy and that he would have to work hard to earn back his trust and his friendship. But he was determined to try, to do whatever it took to make things right. He just hoped that it wasn't too late, that Taehyung could find it in his heart to forgive him and give him another chance.

One day, Jin came to visit Jeongguk in the hospital. "Hi, Jeongguk, how are you doing?" Jin asked, concern etched on his face.

Jeongguk sighed. "I think I'm getting better," he said slowly. "I had a question, and I know I shouldn't ask for anything, especially not from you, after everything you did for me..." Jeongguk trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jin could sense that Jeongguk was struggling to speak, and he gently prodded him to continue. "What do you want to ask?"

Jeongguk hesitated before finally mustering up the courage to speak. "Could you maybe ask Taehyung to come by?" he stuttered.

Jin's heart sank. He knew how much Jeongguk meant to Taehyung, and he couldn't bear to see his friend in such pain. "No, Jeongguk," he said firmly.

"You should have seen him when you were missing. You absolutely gutted that boy. He was a mess. I don't think it's a good idea for him to come to visit right now."

Jeongguk nodded, feeling a surge of guilt and shame. He knew that Jin was right, and that he had no right to ask for anything from Taehyung. He had hurt him badly, and he didn't deserve his forgiveness or his friendship.

"I understand," he said, lowering his head. "I just...I miss him so much, Jin. I can't stop thinking about him, about all the things I said and did. I just wish I could go back and do things differently, you know?"

Jin sighed, feeling a sense of helplessness. He knew that Jeongguk was going through a tough time and that he was struggling with a lot of guilt and regret. But he also knew that Jeongguk needed to take responsibility for his actions, and to work on himself before he could try to make things right with Taehyung.

"I know, Jeongguk," he said, patting his shoulder. "But you can't go back and change the past. You can only move forward and try to make things right. And that's what you need to focus on right now, okay? You need to work on yourself, and get your life back on track. And then, maybe, in time, you can try to reach out to Taehyung and see if he's open to talking. But you have to be patient, and you have to be willing to do the work. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Jeongguk nodded, feeling a sense of determination. He knew that Jin was right. Jin always seem to be right.