Never ever || jjk FF

Part 12

Haejin's POV

It had been five days since I last saw my friends, and Jungkook. His sudden apology still lingered in my mind. Why was he apologising? What had happened?

Graduation day was two weeks away, and it seemed like it was the only event where I might finally get some clarity and see Jungkook and ask him about everything.

I had Commerce as my high school subject, the same as my brother. He was already managing our father's business in Korea while our father handled the global headquarters in London. 

Now, my father was considering moving back to Korea, and to make the transition easier, he had decided to leave the London branch under my brother's care. 

Once I completed my degree in Business, which I was aiming for the next. I was expected to take over the Korean branch.

I hadn't yet decided where I would continue my education. I had applied for scholarships at some of the world's top business schools. If I got accepted, I would study abroad; if not, I would stay in Korea.

Another week passed, the days blurred together, but one thing remained constant: I couldn't stop thinking about Jungkook. 

His absence pressed on my chest like a weight I couldn't shake off. I had tried calling him, texting him, but no answer.

I did talk to Jimin. Just a casual conversation about plans and finals. I asked him about Jungkook. He said he hadn't been able to talk to him either.

Something was wrong. I could feel it. And then, out of nowhere, Jimin messaged me.

"Coffee Tomorrow? Just us?"

I stared at the message for a long time before replying with a simple, "Sure."

Jimin's POV

I shouldn't have asked. That was the first thought that hit me after she said yes.

But I needed to see her. I needed to know if she was okay. If maybe I still had some kind of chance, even if it was just to be the one she leaned on. I wanted to be there. For her.

I had spent the past week wrestling with guilt, anger, and something dangerously close to regret. 

Jungkook had disappeared. He hadn't answered my calls or texts, and though it wasn't like him to ghost us, I couldn't help but think maybe he was avoiding both of us.

Because of what I had done. Because of what we had both done. Because of the miscommunication that we had.

I should've stopped Jungkook from going near her when I realised he was falling too.

But I couldn't.

And now? Now she was the one hurting, waiting for answers from someone who wasn't showing up. And me? I was just a friend. She had never shown interest in me, but still I stayed in hope, but I knew she would never choose me.

Later that evening 

It was quiet, too perfect, music playing softly in the background. We sat by the window. She stirred her coffee slowly, lost in thought.

We talked about casual things first—classes, graduation plans, her book. She smiled when she said she hadn't written a word in two days. 

I smiled back, though something inside me ached. And then she asked again. Carefully.

"You haven't heard from Jungkook?" I shook my head. "No. Not a word."

It wasn't a lie. But it wasn't the whole truth either.

She looked away, disappointed but not surprised. I took a breath.

I can't see her like that.

Jungkook's POV

Present Day

It's been a week since the last exam.

Seven days.
One hundred and sixty-eight hours.
And not a single moment has passed without her on my mind.

I hadn't seen any of them. Not Taehyung. Not Jisoo. Not even Jimin. But it was her absence that haunted me.

Haejin.

The silence felt heavier than I expected. I tried to distract myself—music, gym, games—but everything blurred into background noise. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her—her laugh, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear, the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled, her scent, her way of talking, her blushed cheeks, everything about her.

And the worst part?

I had no right to miss her. Not after what I found out.

Not after what Jimin said.

Not after taking a bet and falling for her.