Friendships Desires and Secrets

Alters When It Alteration Finds

Namjoon snapped his phone shut and threw it down on his couch. It bounced softly on the off-white cushions and precariously close to the edge. He made no move to save it, opting to bury his face in his hands and sigh. He rubbed his face roughly and snached the Z-flip up once again and texted Alex.

He hadn't heard from her in three days.

He knew she needed time, especially once he had learned that he had to file a petition to dissolve the marriage agreement, and Lori had to agree. His mother had filed with their family attorney the very next day after the incident in the park, but it could take a month or more to hear back.
She had moved into a hotel because her lease had gone up while she was with him, and she hadn't renewed it. He had begged her to let him cover the cost, but she refused. And because she had refused, he didn't know where she was staying. Her silence was deafening and driving him out of his sanity. He went to his room and dropped onto his bed.
He stared at the ceiling above him. The light was quickly fading, and though his eyes adjusted in the growing darkness, his body was keenly aware of her absence. He reached across the bed and ran his fingers across her pillow before pulling it to his chest. He was on the edges of sleep when he heard his phone ringing.
He leapt up and almost upended the lamp beside him on the table. He popped the phone open, harshly calling "여보세요?" more than once before realizing the line was disconnected. He looked down and pulled the menu with his fingers. It had been Yoongi. Before he could call back, a text came through.
(Y) Tara said Alex went home
(N) she can't go home, her lease was up
(Y) not her apartment, Joonah. Home. Georgia.
Namjoon stood stunned, and his chin shook. He took two rapid, shaking breaths and crumpled to the floor.
(N) did she say anything else?
(Y) dunno. I won't ask, you know that. Tara said she would come back. She loves you, brother. Just let her catch her breath.
Namjoon wanted to be angry with her because of how much this hurt, but he could only be shitty at himself. There was no way to make this right. No way to speed up time and no point in going after her and crowding her when she obviously wanted to get away for now. She would call. She would.
He dropped his phone and pulled his knees up. Gripping his short hair, he wanted to rip it out. So childish. So like him. Bullshit of relationships. "Fuck!" He yelled out into the dark apartment. What if he did go? What if he canceled everything on his calendar? All of his schedules and,  flew over? And what...he was still technically engaged. The helplessness threatened to swallow him up.
Namjoon decided to just be normal until he heard from her. Numbly, he stood and walked to the bathroom. He took a shower and quickly dried and got back into bed.
The next day, he distracted himself with his meetings and recording time. He wrote two songs back to back that came pouring out like a confession. He was still roughing out the melody for the first one when JK texted.
(JK) Sorry to hear. She'll b bk hyung. Wanna work out later?
JK hadn't ever really invited him like that.
(N) Sure. Time?
(JK) after 20?
(N) kk ttyt
He needed this. Jungkook wouldn't pry or pity him. He had a calming effect when he was being caring that was difficult to describe to someone who had never been close to him while hurting. JK could enclose you from the world and tuck you away beside him. Sure, he could be goofy and did things you would never expect, but he could also have the zen moments of balance and peace.
This was what it was like working out with him as well. JK didn't say much. A few encouraging pats on the back and an occasional "Whew!" After hard reps was the extent of the conversation. The cathartic effects, however, brought Namjoon back the next day and the next.
Suddenly, two weeks were gone, and although Joon felt more numb than ever, he also knew he was more centered. Focused. At ease.
Then his mother called.
Lori wanted to fight the termination.
Namjoon sighed. This was always a possibility. "What does she want?"
"What has she always wanted? Fame and money." She replied angrily.
"Eomma. Whatever the bitch wants. I want my girl back."
She could hear the sharp pain in his voice, and she simply replied. "Nae." before hanging up.
Three days later, Namjoon was on a plane to Georgia. He had found out from Amy and Tara that Alex was staying with her son and his wife. Although they were both younger, Nickolas was in a good place at work, and Alex had left the family home to him when she left.
He was all nerves and shitty mind talk when the taxi rolled up at her large yellow house. The bright blue trim around the windows made for an eyesore, and he wondered for a moment if this was the work of the manipulative ex. He paid the driver and asked him to stay for just a moment.
"3 minutes, buddy." The driver jawed crudly and popped his gum.
Namjoon nodded and thanked him. He stood up and turned tword the house at the same time, only to see Alex standing on the porch looking stunned.
He smiled sheepishly, and she rushed into his open arms. She knew he wouldn't be here if things weren't all settled.
"I missed you!" She inhaled the scent of him deeply.
"You never called me baby."
"You never accepted me on IG, you big goof. I messaged you every day!"
"But you talked to Amy and Tara?"
"On messenger! You don't have messenger!" She was laughing and crying.
He held her tighter and chuckled at his own stupidity. Not the first time...not the last. He was nothing if not consistently caught unawares.