Starting Over •JJK• ✔️

Eight

The Run episode went smoothly, as always. Everyone had a great time and the guys had everyone in stitches for most of the taping.

They each began at an easel and had to start painting the portrait of the member whose name was attached to the canvas. They had five minutes at a time before having to move to the station to their right, continuing with the next portrait where the previous member left off. This continued for an hour, then time was called.

I moved around the circle of easels and ridiculous looking portraits to photograph each one. They were a hilarious compilation of their personalities and artistic talents, if you could call it that. Splatters of color made up the caricatures before me, and I kind of wished that I could keep them all for myself. But they'd planned to have them auctioned off for charity after the episode aired.

I clicked through the photos on my camera as I walked back towards my bag, chuckling at the laughing faces that appeared on the small screen. The boys had a lot of fun today.

At least I got to keep these pictures, and I was thankful for that.

I picked up my bag and stowed my camera away. Only the crew was left as the guys had to head down to their rehearsals.

Pulling my phone from my back pocket, I noticed that I had 3 messages waiting for me on a social media account that I barely used anymore. My eyes widened when I saw who they were from and immediately closed them out.

I didn't have time for this. And I certainly didn't need this right now.

Tucking my phone back into my pocket, I grabbed my bag, said goodbye to everyone, and started making my way back home. My heart was pounding and I couldn't tell if it was more out of annoyance or anger. It's been more than a year since I last saw him, so what the hell did he want? I had nothing to say to him.

Well, I had a lot of things that I wanted to say to him, but none of it mattered at this point. All I really wanted was for him to be out of my life for good.

I entered my apartment, tossed my keys onto the coffee table, and fell onto my couch. I rubbed my face with a heavy sigh. I jumped when my phone started buzzing beneath me and I quickly grabbed it from my back pocket. I hesitated to see who it was but smiled when I saw that it was a video call from Jin. I answered it and was immediately met with loud voices and commotion. I saw four faces trying to cram themselves into the screen but none of them were Jin's.

Those faces were exactly what I needed to see.

"Maddie!" Tae's boxy smile greeted me first. "Are you coming down?" Yoongi was peering over Tae's left shoulder, Joon was making faces over his right, and JK's head was tilted sideways in front of him with a cheesy grin.

I laughed and nodded. "I'll be there in a little bit. I just got home." I couldn't help but take a screenshot of them. This was another moment I wanted to remember.

Jin's voice in the background asked where his phone was and the faces before me suddenly looked scared. Tae nervously looked around. "Okay, we'll see you soon. Don't take too long!" They all waved and started to scatter when Jin appeared, reaching for his phone.

The video ended before I could say goodbye. I could envision Jin chasing them around and scolding them for taking his phone. They never missed an opportunity to annoy their hyung.

My smile lingered as I got up to go change into some different clothes and freshen up. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and pulled the elastic out of my hair, allowing the thick waves to fall around my shoulders.

My hands rested on the bathroom sink and I leaned closer to the mirror. My eyes scanned my face. I never thought of myself as anything much more than average. I don't have any interesting features and I certainly wouldn't say that I have a memorable face. I've always said that's why I was so drawn to photography. I belong behind the camera far more than I do in front of it.

I thought back on my conversation with Joon again, and JK's face popped into my head. What if he was right? What if it actually did work out?

I snickered and shook my head, standing upright again. Who was I kidding? Someone who looks like him has no business being with someone who looks like me.

I left my bathroom and went to put on a different t-shirt. After tying my Chuck Taylors, I grabbed my keys and phone and started making my way downstairs to the massive rehearsal room in the basement of the building. I couldn't get there fast enough.

I couldn't wait to see my boys.