Chapter 15 : Countdown to Forever

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The news of Winter and Jimin’s engagement spread like wildfire. At first, it was just whispered rumors, passed from student to student in the halls of their high school. But soon, everyone knew: Winter and Jimin were getting married—in just three months.

It was a whirlwind. One moment, Winter had been navigating the awkwardness of her parents trying to set her up with someone else, and the next, they had blessed her relationship with Jimin. But this… this was something else entirely.

Three months. Just ninety days, and her life would change forever.

---

At School: The Buzz of the Engagement

The following week, Winter walked into school, and the usual chatter and noise in the hallway seemed to have taken on a different tone. People were staring, whispering, and giving her curious looks. She could feel their eyes on her, but she tried her best to ignore it, focusing instead on finding Jimin.

When she reached their usual meeting spot, Jimin was already waiting for her, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his jacket. He smiled when he saw her, but Winter could tell that even he was feeling the weight of all the attention.

"Hey," Jimin greeted, pulling her into a quick hug. "You holding up okay?"

Winter let out a sigh, leaning into him for comfort. "Everyone’s talking about it."

Jimin chuckled softly, though his eyes held the same concern. "Yeah, I noticed. It’s not every day two high school seniors get engaged."

Winter pulled back to look at him, her expression a mix of anxiety and amusement. "I can’t believe this is happening. Three months, Jimin. We’re getting married in three months."

Jimin smiled, his hands gently squeezing hers. "I know. It’s crazy, but… it’s real. Are you okay with it? We could slow things down if you want—"

Winter shook her head before he could finish. "No. I mean, it’s overwhelming, but… I want this. I want us."

Jimin’s smile softened, and he leaned in to kiss her forehead. "Good. Because I want this too."

---

The Engagement Dinner: The Families’ Plans

That evening, Winter’s family and Jimin’s family gathered for a formal engagement dinner at a high-end restaurant. The table was covered with elegant place settings and candles, the atmosphere warm and celebratory. Both sets of parents were deep in conversation, discussing plans for the wedding, while Winter and Jimin sat beside each other, trying to wrap their heads around everything that was happening.

Winter’s mother was already discussing venues and dates, her excitement palpable. “I’ve been thinking of a spring wedding. The weather will be perfect, and there’s a lovely garden venue I’ve been eyeing for years.”

Jimin’s mother nodded in agreement. “That sounds wonderful. We can start sending out invitations soon. We’ll keep it intimate, of course, just family and close friends.”

Winter exchanged a glance with Jimin, both of them feeling slightly out of place amidst the flurry of wedding planning. It was their wedding, but it felt like their parents were the ones driving the process.

Jimin leaned closer to Winter, his voice low so only she could hear. “It feels like we’re just along for the ride, huh?”

Winter smiled softly, squeezing his hand under the table. “Yeah, but… as long as we’re in this together, I don’t mind.”

---

Three Weeks In: The Pressure Builds

As the weeks passed, the reality of their engagement began to sink in. The pressure wasn’t just from the wedding plans—although those were stressful enough. There were whispers in the hallways, classmates who didn’t understand why two teenagers would get engaged so young. Some thought it was romantic, others thought it was insane.

Winter found herself constantly defending their decision, even when she didn’t have the energy for it.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” one of her classmates asked during lunch. “You’re both so young. What if you change your mind later?”

Winter smiled politely, though inside, the constant questions were starting to wear on her. “I’m sure. Jimin and I know what we want.”

And she did know. She loved Jimin. But the weight of everyone’s opinions and expectations was heavier than she had anticipated.

Meanwhile, Jimin was dealing with his own set of challenges. His friends were supportive, but they couldn’t help but ask the same question over and over: “Why now?”

“Why not wait until after college?” one of his friends asked after basketball practice. “You guys have your whole lives ahead of you. What’s the rush?”

Jimin had expected the pushback, but it still frustrated him. “It’s not about rushing. We just… know what we want. And we don’t see the point in waiting.”

But deep down, Jimin understood the concern. They were young—there was no denying that. But what he felt for Winter was real, and he wasn’t going to let doubt cloud that.

---

One Month In: Doubts and Fears

As the wedding date grew closer, Winter began to feel the weight of the commitment she was about to make. She loved Jimin, but the reality of getting married at such a young age was starting to sink in. The questions from classmates, the endless wedding planning, and the pressure from both families—it all felt like too much, too fast.

One evening, Winter sat in her room, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She had her dress fitting in just a few days, and while she should have been excited, all she felt was anxious.

“What if we’re making a mistake?” she whispered to herself, the thought creeping in before she could stop it.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was Jimin.

“Can I come over?” the message read.

Winter sighed, relieved. She needed to talk to him. She needed to hear his voice, to know that they were still on the same page.

---

That Evening: A Heart-to-Heart

Jimin arrived at Winter’s house a few minutes later, and they sat together on the porch, the cool evening air wrapping around them. For a while, neither of them said anything. They didn’t need to—there was an unspoken understanding between them.

Finally, Jimin broke the silence. “I’ve been thinking.”

Winter looked at him, her heart pounding. “About what?”

Jimin sighed, running a hand through his hair. “About all of this. The wedding, the engagement… everything. I know it’s a lot. And I know people are saying we’re too young, that we should wait.”

Winter’s chest tightened. Was this it? Was Jimin having second thoughts?

“But,” Jimin continued, his voice steady, “I don’t care what they think. I know it’s fast, and I know it’s not easy. But I want this, Winter. I want us. No matter what anyone says.”

Winter felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had been so worried, so caught up in everyone else’s opinions, that she had almost forgotten why they were doing this in the first place.

“I want this too,” Winter said softly, leaning her head against his shoulder. “It’s just… scary, sometimes.”

Jimin wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. “I know. But we’ll figure it out. Together.”

Winter closed her eyes, letting the comfort of his words settle over her. Together. That was all that mattered.

---

Two Months In: Full Steam Ahead

With their fears laid to rest, Winter and Jimin threw themselves into the wedding preparations with renewed determination. They visited venues, met with planners, and even started writing their vows. It was overwhelming, but every step brought them closer to the day that would change their lives forever.

The wedding was just a month away, and while the pressure was still there, Winter knew one thing for certain: she was ready to marry Jimin.












TBC

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