The Love Triangle (Short Story)

Chapter 7: Mending Bridges

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The following weeks were challenging. Taehyung and Lisa continued their relationship, but the joy was overshadowed by Jungkook’s absence.

Taehyung often found himself looking for his friend in the hallways, but Jungkook seemed to avoid him at all costs.

Even their mutual friends noticed the tension, casting worried glances between the three of them.

“Taehyung, have you talked to Jungkook?” Jimin asked one day as they sat together during lunch.

“Not really. He needs space,” Taehyung replied, pushing his food around his plate. “I just hope he’s okay.”

“You need to reach out, though,” Jimin encouraged. “He’s hurting, but he’ll come around. He always does.”

Meanwhile, Lisa continued to be supportive, her presence a comforting constant in Taehyung’s life.

They found solace in each other, but the joy of their relationship felt muted without Jungkook’s warmth.

One afternoon, while studying together at Taehyung’s house, Lisa looked at him thoughtfully. “Taehyung, I think we should invite Jungkook over. Maybe it’ll help to talk things through.”

“Invite him?” Taehyung echoed, panic rising in his chest. “What if he doesn’t want to see me? What if it only makes things worse?”

“Or it could be the chance you both need to heal,” Lisa replied gently. “You can’t keep avoiding each other. It’ll only make it harder.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Taehyung nodded, reluctantly accepting her suggestion. “Okay. I’ll call him.”

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the sky, Taehyung texted Jungkook, his heart pounding in his chest. “Hey, can we talk? Lisa and I would love for you to come over.”

He hit send and anxiously waited for Jungkook’s response.

Minutes felt like hours, but just as Taehyung began to lose hope, his phone buzzed.

“Fine. I’ll be there.”