BTS American Love Story *COMPLETED*

Part 40

Suga's POV:

Claire runs into the room and lets out a huge breath, "am I late!?" "No, you're right on time," I go up to her and pull her close. "Ugh, the cab took longer than usual. I have no idea why Jr wanted to hang out today." "Time is running out. And considering today is the day we start our teaser photo, it cuts back your time hanging out with everyone." She rests her head on my chest and I rub her head. "I'm just not used to this type of schedule." "Hey, please look up at me." She looks up at me and I kiss her forehead. "You're doing great. Just remember to relax and everything will be fine." She takes a deep breath, "feel better?" "Thanks Suga." She stands on her toes and I lean down to kiss her. It feels so good to kiss her, to hold her in my arms, to actually call her mine. And no one is going to steal that from me again. "Hey. Suga." "Yeah." "I've been-" "Time to get ready everyone!," manager yells and everyone starts to scramble. "Sorry Claire, but it has to wait till later. You're dressing room is over there," I point in the direction and run off to our dressing room. I look through the outfits and find mine, "I like this style." It's still a school uniform, slightly like the ones we wore in Boy In Luv, but different. "I guess they liked the school uniform pictures," Jungkook says and gets dressed. I put my outfit on and look in the mirror. Looks good. I get put into hair and makeup and the stylists do their work. 

I finally get done and we get called out for the shoot. We make our way out and I spot Claire. "Claire," I say in her ear and she jumps. She looks up at me and I smile at her, the same style of makeup from last time. "Let me look at you." She turns around and I look over her, "you look great Claire." "Still not used to the makeup though. I also wonder why its school uniforms again." "I think they like the concept. Also, looking at the lyrics, it makes since for it to be a school setting." "What are the lyrics? Since I haven't them yet." "It's basically how we want to confess to a girl and how we feel about her. It has a high school feel to it." "Well that sounds cute." "And I can't wait to act with you." "Oh gosh," she blushes and hides her face. "Yah, that's enough you two. It's time we start the photos," Jimin tells us. 

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Mark's POV:
Manager told me that I need to spend some time with Claire, he feels like we're not as close as we used to be. Obviously because we're not dating. But I can see where he's coming from. Maybe Claire feels like she can't fully be friends with me because of our past. I hear a knock and I quickly run to the door. I open it and see Claire shyly looking doing. This is going to be the first time that we're going to be alone together since we dated. "Hey Claire." "Hi Mark." I let her in and she goes into the living room. I hear Coco bark and she runs out from one of the bedrooms. She runs up to Claire and she smiles down at Coco. "I think this is my first time meeting Coco." She kneels down and starts petting her, I smile at them and kneel down beside her. "She's so cute." Coco starts licking her and makes her laugh. "Can I hold her?" "Yeah." Claire scoops her up into her arms and Coco starts licking her face. "She's a crazy little girl." "Yeah, but we love her." "I'm sure she loves you guys." Maybe Coco staying here was a good idea, breaking the awkwardness between us. "So how was the photo shoot today?" "Stressful. That's all I'm going to say." "Not used to our schedule?" "Really not used to it. It's one thing managing the guys' schedule, and then there's actually doing it." "I get what you're saying though." 

We sit down and let Coco run around the room. "Hey.. Mark.." "Yeah?" "I really need an opinion on this.." "What is it?" "I tried to talk to Suga about this earlier, but with the photo shoot I wasn't able to. And I have a feeling I won't be able to talk to him about it with how the schedule is." "What is it that you need to talk to him about?" "It's about going home.." I knew this was going to be brought up some time.. "Are you thinking about going home?" "I am... It's just, I have my whole life over there. But over here, I've made a new life. I know I can keep my job with BigHit, and if I did stay over here, I'll get a permanent place to live. But my life back at home. My family and friends. My job. My degree that I'm so close to earning. It's just so confusing to choose." "Have you talked to manager about it?" "Yeah, he said he'll give me some more time to think about it. He understands if I leave. But I could hear the hope in his voice that I would stay." "I know this isn't an easy decision for you. But don't think of us. Don't think of the people back home. Think of you. Just you. This is your life and your decision. No one else can make this decision for you." "What do you think I should do?" 

She looks at me with those eyes, those eyes I fell in love with the first time I met her. Just by her eyes, I could tell how sweet she was. I knew I wanted to keep staring in her eyes. But I no longer can. "You need to make the decision that's best for you. I don't want to influence you in any way." She scoots closer and holds my hand. "Thanks Mark..." I let go of her hand and put my arm around her, she lets me pull her close and I kiss her head. God I miss this... I wish I can go back to this.. "No problem Claire.." She looks up at me, oh god.. I feel my heart beat faster. No. Stop. Don't do it Mark... Don't... I start leaning down and she doesn't move. I gently hold her chin and lean in closer. I feel her breath hit my lips...oh god... "Mark!," she yells and pushes on my chest. We stare at each other shocked and she quickly backs away from me. "Claire. I-I'm so sorry." Her breathing is fast and she starts curling up into a ball. "No. Claire. Don't go there. Please." "You almost kissed me. I almost let it happen," she cries and I go over to her. I hold her close and start rocking her, "Claire. It's not your fault. It's mine." "But I almost let it happen." "But you didn't. You stopped it." "I almost cheated on Suga," she cries harder. 

"But you didn't," I softly say near her ear. "You stayed loyal to him. You didn't cheat on him. You stopped it." Coco barks and runs over to us, well mainly to Claire. Maybe Coco can tell that Claire isn't okay. Coco puts her front paws on Claire's leg and starts whining. "Coco wants you to hold her." "I don't think I should..." "Maybe it'll help." Claire slowly lets go over her legs and looks down at Coco. Coco barks again and Claire slowly scoops her up into her arms and holds her close. Coco licks her a bit and snuggles into her. Claire laughs a bit, "thanks Coco..." I smile at them, Coco knew exactly what Claire needed. "I'm going to find way where I can still see you guys and Suga... And to find a way where I can still have my life back home.. I know I can find a way..." "I believe that you can.." "Thanks Mark.." "No problem Claire.."