Be with someone who travels. You will grow to understand that learning how to be apart is just as important as learning how to be together. As a partner of someone who would go to lengths to follow his heart, you would have to be okay with him going on adventures without you. That doesn’t mean he’s leaving you out of his plans, he will come back bearing photos, stories and gifts that reminded him of you while he was on his own. 

Things got more hectic for Jackson and their group after their official debut. He had less time to talk to __________ but he did however kept her in his mind. He proved it by sending her text messages and post cards whenever he travels. Jackson also collects souvenirs from the countries he visits and  puts them in a box at the dorm so he has a ready gift for _________. 
As much as possible, _________ tried to watch all the shows that Jackson is in. However, it’s a different story for Roommate. _________ was slowly getting jealous of Youngji’s consistent ‘love line’ with Jackson. People around the world ship them while the real girlfriend can only hopelessly look. She was in denial and hinted some of her feelings to Jackson by teasing him about her. He was quick to deny and assured her that it’s just for the show, it’s all in the editing. She believed him...well 80% still counts as trust, right? The longer the show went on, the more people shipped the two and __________ was unconsciously being distant and aloof with Jackson. The sad thing is, Jackson doesn’t even notice they’re drifting apart. 

‘We’re going to Hong Kong baby! You have to be in the show, alright?  
I’ll send you the details soon. 
Love, your boy J.’

 Not going to lie, ________ felt excited upon reading Jackson’s text. Maybe she was just feeling down and seeing him in person would finally clear her worries away.  
The day of the fan-meeting arrived. __________ dressed up in the outfit that Jackson sent her before through an online shop they were sponsoring. _________ took in the crowd, proud that Jackson and the rest of GOT7 were being loved by many. Her wandering eyes did not miss the ‘JackJi’ banners, with Jackson & Youngji’s photos surrounded with hearts. 
________ mentally scolded herself for letting those shippers get to her head. ‘You’re over thinking things again.’ She tried to shake the malicious thoughts away and it worked once GOT7’s intro played. _________ enjoyed herself throughout the show and quickly made a move towards the backstage area as soon as it finished.
________ just entered the dressing room with a big smile on her face. Jackson spotted her and grinned, he was just about to greet her when a staff from Roommate, who went along to film for SBS, got his attention. The cameraman showed Jackson a video message that Youngji sent to wish him luck.  
_________ saw Jackson laugh when Youngji at the end of the clip. The staff then asked him to send a video message to his ‘on screen’ partner. ________ was just standing a few meters away but Jackson didn’t even hesitate and recorded a playful clip full with smiles and winks. Needless to say, ________ felt ‘smaller’ afterwards.
Jackson asked his girlfriend if they can go to his house so they could both bond with his parents. Of course _________ adored his family so she had no problems with the plan, it was just hard for her to keep up when deep inside a hurricane of feelings was brewing. Dinner went well and Jackson’s parents excused themselves to rest early. Once Jackson was alone with ________ he couldn’t help but ask her what was bugging her. It was obvious to him that she wasn’t being herself. 
“Do you want me to be honest?” She sighed before looking back at Jacskon. 
“You know I always do. What’s wrong?”
_________ let her feelings out. She wondered if she should have just hid it from Jackson but she wanted answers too.    
Jackson removed his snapback and ran his hands through his hair as a sign of frustration. “I told you, it’s nothing. It’s just how the show works. It’s how they edit things.” Jackson tried to clarify to his girlfriend that she had nothing to be jealous of with his ‘roommate’ Youngji. 
“It’s collective Jackson. It’s just not the editing because the way I saw how you reacted about her earlier seems like you give everyone a reason to want you two to be together.”
“I’m not acting shady, the act was out in the open so you shouldn’t think that I’m hiding anything. I talk to her often.  I’m just that comfortable with her, with everyone.”
“Exactly. Do you even remember the last time we talked before today?” _________ answered back, all her pent up emotions seeping.  
“You know how my schedule goes but does that mean that I don’t try? You said it yourself, we don’t talk much so I don’t understand why you’re suddenly bringing all these up when we could be catching up..” Jackson was getting more frustrated. They could be making the most out of his short time but here she is blowing things out of proportion. 
“Jackson, I think we both know where this is going. Relationships like ours that have so much factors involved make it more complicated. I don’t know want to strain the relationship anymore, before our image of each other gets worse...” ________ trailed off. She didn’t think she would even suggest it but maybe it’s come to that point.
“Are you breaking up with me??” Jackson asked, not being able to believe that the ‘break up’ term has come up. 
“I think it’s best for both of us.” She looked away and cleared , trying to buy time to blink the tears away.
“This is isn’t fair! You promised me you’d try.” Jackson stood up, he didn’t know if he was going to be angry at her or if he was going to hold her close and beg her to reconsider. 
“Don’t you think I’ve been trying hard?!” _________ snapped. “I let a lot of slip but it’s not just the same anymore. I can’t be on a one-sided relationship, when my boyfriend can’t even remember our anniversary.”
Jackson scoffed before replying “Is this what it’s all about?? You know I was never good with dates and details like that.” 
“You never forgot before.” _________ countered.  
“It’s just a date ________! Stop being insecure and trivial about these things!” Jackson unconsciously raised his voice.  
That statement did it for her.
He regretted his words the moment he realized what he said. “, look I -”
“No maybe you’re right. I guess I don’t feel emotionally secure with you anymore. I’m not the strong enough for this. That’s why I think we should call it quits.” Her voice trembled but she tried to control her tears, scolding herself not to cry in front of him.
“So what do you want me to do? How can I make it up to you?” Jackson sat as close as he could to _________ and held her hands. 
“It’s not something we can fix right now Jackson. It isn’t negotiable.”
“Babe please, we can’t end it like this.” Jackson doesn’t usually show his vulnerable side but this is the reality that he doesn’t want to accept. 
“We’ve had our run...now find someone better, someone who’ll understand your life more.” __________ squeezed Jacksons hands one last time before she willed herself to stand up and walk away from the guy she loves.
Jackson went back to Korea, single and depressed. 

You will start to value and love one another more because you realize that it feels like something is missing when they’re not there with you. You will find more and more things and places that remind you of them and simply reminisce.

-Half a year later- 
“Hello” ________ removed her fencing mask and answered her phone after one of her friends told it’s been ringing for quite some time.
“Hi, is this still _________’s number?” The stranger with a familiar voice spoke on the other line. 
“Yes, speaking. Who’s this?” 
“It’s uh Mark, Mark Tuan. I’m in the same group as Jackson, GOT7.” He spoke with an unsure tone. 
“Oh, yeah I remember you. Uhm, what’s this about?” _________  stepped out of the practice room to get some privacy. ‘Why is he calling me?’ _________ wondered right before her over-thinking, worrying thoughts rushed through her mind. 
“Jackson got injured a few days ago. He fractured his right ankle when he landed badly after a flip. It’s pretty serious but he will get better, it’s just that the recovery time isn’t quick.” Mark shared the details casually.
“Uhm, well I wish he gets better soon. Sorry but why are you calling me?” Although ________’s worried and relieved that he’ll heal, she’s not sure why he was telling her all this information. 
“It may be asking for a lot but it is possible that you come to Korea soon? He’s taking it really bad and you know how his mom can’t fly often cause of her condition. We’re wondering if you can visit, stay with him at the dorm and cheer him up?” Mark knew they were asking for a big favor but they all couldn’t stand seeing Jacskon so beat up and disappointed at himself.
“I’m not sure if you know but we're not together anymore. We broke up last year.” And since then, Jackson and _________ have not communicated at at all.
“Believe me, we know, we all witnessed the post-break up syndrome. But he hasn’t moved on. You still care about him right? Unless you have a boyfriend that won’t allow you to leave?” Mark was trying to get all the answers that he can gather.
 “I don’t have a boyfriend.” ________ didn’t know why she had to state that fact. “But I don’t think I’m the right person to ask.” 
“You still love him, right?” This Mark...he just knew all the words to say to dig deep in her heart.
“I...I'll write him? I’ll talk to him on the phone if that’ll help.” 
Mark let out a sigh, and he made sure she heard it. “He doesn’t know that I contacted you. Let me know if you ever change your mind.”
___________ leaned her head back against and took deep breaths. What did he want from her? ‘Jackson...why did this have to happen to us?”
The same night _________ received another phone call concerning Jacskon. His parents actually called her, pleading and persuading her to check up on him in behalf of them.
“The rest of  his group members will resume their activities and Jackson will be left  alone in the dorm half of the time. Please dear, you know how hard he is on himself. We know you broke up but even just as a good friend from home, can you do this for him? For us?” His mom’s weak voice was heartbreaking. _________ couldn’t really say no that, could she? 
Honestly ________ felt the urge to book the next flight out the moment Mark mentioned Jackson’s accident but with the way they ended things, she knew it wouldn’t be for the best. Even if her schedule permits her on taking a vacation. However his parents please just gave her more ‘legit’ reasons to go.  

Take advantage of your time alone to grow as an individual. You will appreciate each others presence even more when you return in each others arms.

_________ went inside the cab after putting her luggage on the trunk. She showed the address of the guys’ dorm and the driver sped off. ________ was deep in thought during the whole duration of the trip. As if she hasn’t been thinking too hard the moment she booked her flight.
‘Am I really going to go through this? Well it’s too late to back out now.’ _________ argued with herself as she stood in front of the door. All she has to do is press the code to enter. She wanted to come earlier before the guys left but her delayed flight hampered their initial plans.
With a deep breath, _________ finally walked inside. It was quiet and her eyes wandered around the place. As expected (and wished for), Jackson was out of sight as he was in his room. 
‘Do I go inside his room and check up on him? But what if he turns me away? Maybe I should just cook first so I have something to present him.’ _________ brought out the groceries she brought over to make recipe that Jackson loved from home. 
_________ started preparing her ingredients and decided to make a portion good enough the rest of the members to share when they come back. __________ looked through the cabinets for the necessary pots and utensils, unconsciously bringing attention to herself with the sounds she was making in the kitchen. . 
Jackson heard some commotion coming from outside and he thought his group mates came back early. He got his crutch  and quietly came out of his room out and heard someone talking.
He finally spots _______ alone, mumbling to herself and looking frustrated. Jackson was confused. 
‘It’s not the pain medicines right? She’s really here?’ He furrowed his eyebrows and tried to think how she ended up here. After a while he lets his presence known. 
Jackson cleared his throat and called out her name in a serious tone. 
________ was startled and accidentally cut herself.  She immediately grabbed some tissue and wrapped it around her finger while Jackson questioned her. 
“I heard you hurt yourself.” And seeing it in person made ________’s heart swell. 
Jackson scoffed and connected the dots. “I know you're here cause of sympathy and whoever called you to pity me. I don’t need any more of that. So just save yourself the trouble and go sight seeing or whatever instead of playing caregiver.” Jackson was cold and she wasn’t used to it. 
“Jackson I just wanted to do something for you.”
“Well that would have been great half a year ago. Just go _________,  I can do things for myself, alright? I don’t need one more person thinking I can’t handle whatever this is.” Jackson handed her bag over and motioned the door. 
She gave Jackson what he asked for and she walked herself out as the tears finally poured down and stained her cheeks.  She crouched down on the floor and let the tears roll. 
“Well what did I expect? For him to welcome me with a smile and open arms? I really shouldn’t have come here. Ugh.” _________ was feelings all sorts of emotions. One moment she’s irritated and mad at Jackson,  the next second she feels   heartbroken.
‘How did we end up like this?’ _________ tried to calm herself down. Does she simply leave and waste the chance? 
After a while she decided that she wouldn’t go there for nothing. __________ stood up and fixed her clothes. With a resolute mindset, _________ decided to finish what she started...the dish that is and hopefully the rest will follow.
__________ re-entered the room and immediately saw Jackson sitting on the couch in the living room with his head down.  
“I thought you left.” 
“And I thought you know me well enough that I have my stubborn side. I’m just going to cook and go so don’t be bothered so much.”
___________  resumed with her activities in the kitchen and got to the cooking part. 
Jackson bit back a smile when he smelled the dish. He hopped towards the table near the stove so he could watch her. She didn’t even spare him a glance. 
_________ sat on a stool as she waited for the stew to boil.
After a few minutes Jackson discovered her cut as he saw the blood seeping through the tissue she wrapped her finger.
“Are you going to continue cooking like that.” Jackson asked as he pointed towards her hand. That made __________ look up at him and down on her minor injury. 
“I didn’t have a band aid on me.” She was about to replace the tissue when Jackson muttered “Still clumsy.” before going towards the bathroom to get their first aid kit. 
Jackson came back and attended to ________’s cut. She tried to pull back but he gave her a gaze that said that he wasn’t playing around. He first cleaned her wound and then put antibiotic cream before covering it with a bandaid. 
“What if I can never dance like i used to?” Jackson suddenly broke the deafening silence. 
“I’m sure you will be back to your old flipping self in no time. I’m sure JYP will hire the best rehab team for you or else they won’t be able to tire you out with that amount of energy of yours.” __________ tried to lighten the mood. 
“What if this is a sign that I should just stop? What if I just go back to Hong Kong?” Jackson looked at her seriously.
“Are you crazy?! Jackson, you trained hard and endured a lot for your dreams to come true. You’re more than just a triple threat and you’ll let this temporary injury defeat you?” She couldn’t believe that he was considering quitting.
“What if I go back to Hong Kong, will you come back to me?”
She looked away, caught off guard with his question.  _________ tried to stand up to check on her dish but but Jackson held on to her.
“Which path should I take for you to be back in my life? Yes I am ‘living the dream’ according to many but our time apart is killing me. I want to be doing all of this with the one I want to spend my future with. The one I know who’ll stick with me even when the time comes that I lose my popularity and the fans.  The one who’ll light up my days when the spotlight is gone, just like how she brought me up during my struggles. The one I’ll wake up next to so when I roll over on my side I can kiss the love of my life and we both know that’s not Mark...don’t tell him that though or he'll be more silent in our room.” 
“Jackson...” _________ couldn’t help but chuckle at his last sentence. He really knew how to make her smile despite the tense situation.
“I still love you ________, it never stopped. I’ll assure you that you have nothing to worry about. How can I look at any other woman when you’ve overtaken all my senses? I will work harder if you’ll be there holding my hand. Please, will you love me again?”
“I’ve always loved you Jackson, my feelings never changed. When Mark called me I thought something worse happened to you and I got scared that I might have lost you. I do want to be with you Jackson, every step of the way.”  _________ didn’t try to cover her feelings anymore. Sure she had her doubts when she missed Jackson but it was hell when he wasn’t in her life.  ________ made the first move and hugged Jackson, in return  he wrapped his arms around her tight, showing how much he longed for her. “I will try to be moe understanding. I'll hold your hand and go with you as far as we can go together.” 
“Then that will be for forever.” Jackson replied back, giving her a loving kiss on the forehead before pulling back to see her face. He cupped her face and kissed her like it was the first, showing how thirsty he is of her love.  

Be with someone who travels. At first your heart will break with every goodbye, but eventually you both you will learn the balance of holding on and letting go and that will replace the hurt. You’ll learn that love, real love, is limitless. You’ll learn that love knows no distance, and distance means so little when someone means so much
Be with someone who travels. You will grow to understand that learning how to be apart is just as important as learning how to be together. You will start to value and love one another more because you realize that it feels like something is missing when they’re not there with you. You will find more and more things and places that remind you of them on every trip. You will want to bring them back to those places to experience them together.

Should my next one-shot feature GOT7's Jackson or a member from BTS?? Hmmm...yes they're now my latest 'obsession'.haha

On a serious note though, as much as I want to writing, it's hard for me to continue when I don't get to read any feedback :|