After (Jikook version)

Chapter 58

During my walk back to my room I realize how foolish I have been, expecting Jungkook to be different than before. I should have known better. I should have known that this was too good to be true. Jungkook kissing me in front of Jin, Jungkook being nice and wanting "more." Jungkook telling me about his childhood. I should have known that as soon as his friends came along he would go right back to the Jungkook that up until two weeks ago I despised. 

"Hey, boy! You coming tonight?" Hoseok asks as I walk into our room. Taehyung is sitting on his bed staring at him in the adoring way I wish Jungkook would stare at me. 

"No, I'm going to study," I say. It's nice to know that everyone was invited, yet Jungkook didn't see fit to even mention the party to me. Probably so he could hang out with Molly without any distractions. 

"Oh come on! It will be fun. Jungkook will be there." He smiles and I force one back to him. 

"Really, it's okay. I need to call my mother and catch up with her and plan my assignments for next week." 

"Laaaame!" J-Hope teases and grabs his bag. "Suit yourself. I'll be out all night, so if you need anything let me know," he says and hugs me goodbye. 

I call my mother and tell her about my internship, and of course she is beyond pleased by my amazing opportunity. I leave Jungkook out of the explanation, but I do mention Ken, though I say he is Seokjin's soon-to-be stepfather, which is true. She asks about Seulgi and me, but I dodge her questions. I'm surprised and grateful to find that Seulgi hasn't told my mother everything. She doesn't owe me anything, but I'm thankful for her omission. After listening to mother talk for far too long about her new coworker, who she believes is having an affair with her boss, I finally tell her I really need to study and I get off the phone. Immediately, my mind goes back to Jungkook, as always.

My life was much more simple before I met Jungkook, and now after . . . it is complicated and stressful, and I am either extremely happy or there is this burning in my chest when I think of him with Molly. I will go insane if I just sit here, and it's only six o'clock by the time I give up trying to study. Maybe I should go for a walk? I really need some more friends. I grab my phone and call Seokjin. 

"Hey, Jimin!" His voice is friendly and soothes some of my anxiety. 

"Hey, Jin, are you busy?" I ask him. 

"No, just watching the game. Why, is something wrong?" 

"No, I was just wondering if maybe I could come over and hang out . . . or maybe if your mom doesn't mind I could take her up on those baking lessons." I let out a weak laugh. 

"Yeah, of course. She would love that—I'll let her know you're coming." 

"Okay, the next bus isn't for thirty minutes, but I will be there as soon as I can," I tell him. 

"Bus? Oh yeah, I forgot you haven't found a car. I will come get you." 

"No, really, it's okay. I don't mind, I don't want you to go out of your way." 

"Jimin, it's less than ten miles. I'll leave now," he says and I finally agree. 

I grab my bag and check my phone one last time. Of course Jungkook hasn't texted or called me. I hate the way I feel dependent on him, especially when I obviously can't depend on him.

Determined to be independent, I turn my phone off. If I leave it on, I will go crazy checking it every few minutes. Figuring that I really should just leave it here, I put it in the top drawer of my dresser before I go out to wait for Seokjin to pick me up. 

Minutes later he pulls up and honks lightly. I jump off the curb in surprise and we both laugh as I climb into the car. 

"My mother is going insane in the kitchen right now, so be prepared for a very detailed baking lesson," he says.