It was a few hours later into the Halloween party, when Jinyoung finally turned up again. He was walking towards Hyunsoo, who was eating the popcorn on the side with Jimin and catching up on anything they missed out on.

“Hyunsoo, can I talk to you alone?” Jinyoung asked, looking at Jimin.

Hyunsoo nodded, feeling her stomach drop. She had to do it now…

For the past few hours, she confessed all her feelings of the past week to Jimin and asked what he thought. She already knew he wouldn’t change what he had always said to her, but she wanted to ask anyway. It felt good to have a friend by her side again, but another reason she asked was because she was so scared. She knew deep inside what she wanted…

Hyunsoo and Jinyoung walked down from where Jimin stood, until they were out of earshot from everyone. For a while, they just looked at each other, not knowing how to start the conversation or what to say.

“Hyunsoo, I’m really sorry–” Jinyoung started.

Hyunsoo cut in. “No, Jinyoung. I think you should hear me out first. This may change things…” she said, feeling her heart beat faster already at the thought of what was to come.

“Hyunsoo, I just came to apologise. I still love you and don’t want to lose you–” This time, Jinyoung stopped himself suddenly. It was as if he realised something just then.

Hyunsoo took a deep breath and said, “I think, what happened today made me see things differently for the first time, or realise that I already felt like this. After you left, I talked to my friends again.”

“Do you not talk to them anyway?” Jinyoung’s tone had changed. It wasn’t apologetic anymore.

Hyunsoo felt slightly shocked, but continued. “No, I never got a chance to. You always kept me occupied at school and after. At first, I thought it was because we’re a new couple… but, Jinyoung, I think you’re…”

Hyunsoo couldn’t say it. She couldn’t bring herself to.

“Hyunsoo… are you trying to… end this relationship?”

Hyunsoo looked up at Jinyoung slowly. She could see the hurt in Jinyoung’s eyes, the pain that was to follow.

“I’m sorry Jinyoung,” she said quietly. It was all she could say.

Jinyoung stayed silent for a while, just looking at Hyunsoo with strong but painful eyes. Hyunsoo looked away, anywhere but at Jinyoung, when her eyes suddenly fell on Jungkook and Jimin. They were secretly watching the scene.

“I’m sorry Jinyoung,” Hyunsoo said again, this time turning around to leave, feeling embarrassed by the sudden audience.

However, Jinyoung grabbed Hyunsoo’s wrist swiftly and held her back. At the same time, Hyunsoo saw Jungkook walk over to them and stand in between her and Jinyoung.

“Let her go. She already said what she needed to,” Jungkook said, pushing Jinyoung back lightly.

Instead, Jinyoung held on tighter to Hyunsoo’s wrist and, with his other hand, pushed Jungkook away.

“Spying, are you?” Jinyoung said a little aggressively.

“Why not? I’m a curious guy,” Jungkook replied, sounding a lot calmer than Jinyoung.

“Being too curious and nosing into other people’s business can get you into trouble you know,” Jinyoung hissed.

“Exactly,” Jungkook said simply.

He held onto Hyunsoo’s arm, just above where Jinyoung was holding her, and pulled it out of Jinyoung’s grasp, surprising him.

“Please, stop this argument. People are starting to look,” Hyunsoo said desperately, rubbing her wrist.

The last thing Hyunsoo wanted was for Hyejin and her sidekicks to turn up with a new gossip rumour to spread.

“Are you okay?” Jungkook asked, but before anyone could say anymore, Jinyoung interrupted.

“Are you both together?” he asked, stepping back from them, “Do you both like each other?”

“No,” Jungkook and Hyunsoo said at the same time, making Jinyoung raise one of his eyebrows.

“Really,” Jinyoung said, “If you end up together later, I will have my answer then.” And he left, leaving an awkward atmosphere behind.

Jungkook turned to Hyunsoo and said, “Your welcome.”

“Oh, thank you Jungkook,” Hyunsoo said quickly.

“Is your wrist okay?” he asked.

Hyunsoo nodded. It went quiet.

“Well, I’ll go then…”

“Wait,” Hyunsoo said, stopping him, “I just want to ask… why, why do you help me so much? You used to hate me so much before. I can see that you hate me less now, but… why do you help me? I just want to know.”

Jungkook thought for a moment, and then answered, “I want to ask you something as well. How do you know that I hated you before? How do you know that I hate you still but less now?”

Hyunsoo went quiet thinking. She remembered Hoseok telling her something similar; he had told her that Jungkook didn’t hate Hyunsoo. It was still awkward. Hyunsoo started looking around, leaving their question unanswered.

Other people were starting to leave now. It was very late and the food was now finishing. There wasn’t anyone dancing or standing in big groups talking to each other excitedly. The music was quieter than before, and the teachers along with some cleaners were starting to come in, looking around at the mess they were going to deal with.

“Hey,” Jungkook said, returning Hyunsoo’s attention to him, “Do you want to walk back home with me and Jimin?”

Hyunsoo nodded happily. It was weird that Jungkook and Jimin were now close friends, when only a week ago or more, they hated each other… just like Hyunsoo thought she did and vice versa.