Athena’s POV

I open my eyes. The first thing I see is the arm that served as my pillow. My left hand is entwined with his while his other arm is wrapped around my waist.

            “Good morning....”

I hear his husky morning voice. Slowly, I turn around and face him.

            “You’re already awake?” I ask.

            “Just a few minutes ago....”

            “Isn’t your arm feeling numb?”

            “A bit.”

I lift my head to free his arm but he stops me.

            “But your arm is numb…” I say.

            “I said, only for a bit….It’s getting fine now.” He says.

He gives me a peck on the lips and stares at me after.

            “Coming all the way here is worth it.” he utters with a smile.

I smile.

            “You really surprised me when you arrived……but I like it.” I say.

            “I know.” He replies while some strands of my hair with his fingers.

The alarm clock on the bedside table rings.

            “You need to go to studio now.” He says.

            “I’m feeling bit strange…I don’t feel like going today…” I admit.

I want to stay home with him for the whole day.

He smiles and pinches my nose lightly.

            “You have to go….The lead actress should be there.” He says.

I left out a sigh.

            “You’re right.” Then I get up for a shower.

Before I could climb off the bed, he pulls me back.

            “Omo!”

            “Now I feel like stopping you from going…..”

            “Huh?”

He wraps his arm and leg across my body.

            “Give me five minutes more…” he requests making me chuckle.

__________________________________________________________________

I called Ms. Go to tell her to just meet me at the studio because Jaejoong will drop me off today. Holding each other’s hands, we walk together to get there.

            “Are you sure, it’s just fine that you are here?” I ask him.

He’ll be taking a flight to Japan tomorrow morning for his concert.

He nods.

            “How about your schedules at Seoul?”

            “I only have one left….Yoochun and Junsu took charge of it. I called manager hyung earlier while you were on shower. I told him that I’ll just meet them in Japan.”

            “They have to go all that troubles…I somehow feel sorry for them…How could you act so impulsively? You could have just waited for my return next week…”

He just smiles shyly.

            “What are you going to do while I’m here?” I ask him when we reach the studio.

            “I’ll sleep and wait for you.” He replies.

I give him the key to my rented apartment.

            “There’s food in the fridge so help yourself.” I say.

He nods.

            “I’ll pick you up later okay?” he says.

            “Okay.”

I was about to go but he still not letting my hand go.

            “Kiss.” He points his lips.

I smile and give him a light peck on the cheek.

            “See you later!” I say as I wave my hand at him.

            “On the cheek only? So stingy.......” he mutters like a kid.

_____________________________________________________________________

Jaejoong’s POV

            “I’m so full...” Athena expresses.

I picked her up from the studio and we had dinner in a restaurant.

            “Should we go for some coffee?” I suggest.

            “Hmm.....alright.” she replies.

So we enter a coffee shop and order some take-outs. Then we walk around the park nearby.

            “Look....they start lighting the fountain!” Athena says pulling me towards the fountain.

We look at the huge fountain. It seems to be dancing because of the water’s movement combined with the beautiful lightning.

I’m gathering my courage to tell her about my enlistment. I don’t want to ruin the mood but I think this is the timing I’ve been waiting for.

            “I have something to tell you...” I start.

            “Don’t tell me that you changed your mind about paying for these coffees....I told you that I’d pay for it but you insisted to pay. I’m not gonna give back your money...” she jokes.

I couldn’t help but smile. We look again to the fountain in front of us. I tighten my grip on the steel bar which serves as the fence to the giant fountain.

            “I received my military notice.” I finally break it to her.

She blinks her eye and turn to me.

            “Ah...really? That can’t be helped....you’re a man...” she takes a sip of her coffee before asking. “On what department did they assign you?”

            “Air force.”

She smiles slightly.

            “Whaaa.....Air force....Sounds impressive.”

I give her a half smile.

            “Yoochun and Junsu decided to enlist too. We think it’s the best for JYJ....The agency already released a public announcement yesterday.”

            “So...when are you going?” she asks.

            “Third day of the next month. Exactly eight days from now.”

            “Ah....I see.....” she nods. “It’s too soon though..” she tries to smile.

I stare at her. Before I tell her this, I’ve been thinking a lot on what kind of reaction will she have.....Now, I’m somewhat feel glad that she’s taking it positively.

We both ran out of words to say and just stare at the fountain silently.

_____________________________________________________________________

Park Ha’s POV

           “Park Ha ah! I have good news and bad news for you. Which one do you want to hear first?” Myung Hee says once she enters the door.

            “Myung Hee ah….”

She goes straight to the fridge to get a glass of water. I watch her chug down the cold water.

            “Ahh….refreshing….” she utters.

            “Why did you come in such a hurry?”

            “Ah, right! I came here because I can’t wait to tell you the good news.” She sits comfortably on the chair.

            “Good news?” I ask with furrowed eyebrows.

            “Soon Ji won’t bug you anymore….She got herself imprisoned.”

            “I-mprisoned?” I can’t believe what she said.

She nods.

            “She worked for drug dealers….I heard that she’s been doing that for almost a year now. Unfortunately, the police caught her red handed last night while she was delivering drugs. There….she’ll serve some jail time…”

            “Myung Hee ah, you…”

She quickly got what I mean.

            “No! I’m not involved in any activity like that! I learned my lesson last time…Believe me, I’m now working in a gas station.” She says.

I trust her and with that look on her face, I know that she’s telling the truth.

            “That’s right….Don’t even think of it…..”

            “Promise!” she raises her right hand to swear.

            “Okay, how about the bad news?”

            “Huh!” she gasps. “Alright….I’ll tell you but you have to sit first.” She makes me sit.

            “W-hy?”

            “Take a deep breathe…You have to prepare yourself for this….”

            “What is it? Chincha….tell me!”

Chae Kyung rushes in.

            “Park Ha! Yoochun is entering the army!” she says.

            “W-hat?” I feel like my heart stop beating for a moment.

            “Chae Kyung sshi!” Myung Hee yells at her.

            “Why?!”

            “Must you say it that way?! I was trying to break it to her gently……Aishh….so upsetting…”

I stand and walk.

            “Park Ha!” they both call me.

I didn’t look back and just go inside my room.

_____________________________________________________________________

Jaejoong’s POV

We are walking back to her apartment.

            “I’ll be in Japan for four days….then I will only be left with four days. I have a lot of things in mind…those four days are not enough….” I say.

            “How could I go to army just like that?  I’m really bad right?” I say glancing at her. Athena just smiles slightly.

I was shocked and sad when I first found out about the notification. I’m pretty sure that it’s even worse for her even though she doesn’t express it.

            “Two years is quite long…..Aishh….If only I knew, I would’ve let you run away from me when you tried to end things between us that day. I should have accepted it and didn’t try to get you back, then you won’t have to put up with this.” I joke.

She quickly let go of my hand so I look back at her. Her face is serious.

            “If only you knew, you would’ve let me walk away? How could you say such thing?”

I blink my eyes.

            “So you are saying that we only wasted our time together?” she follows.

            “Athena....”

            “Tell me, are you thinking that’s impossible for us once you leave for army?” her face shows how upset she is.

            “Athena, it was just a joke...”

            “Ah....joke....should I laugh then?”

I tried touching her but she swishes my hand.

            “If you think that way, we should call it quits then.” She utters leaving me behind.

_____________________________________________________________________

Athena’s POV

Sadness rushed in once he told me that he’ll be enlisting. For other people, two years is not that long but I know that it won’t be like that. I couldn’t possibly think how much I’ll miss him once he leaves but we won’t be able to do anything but wait.

We should be spending more time together for as long as possible but we ended up having a misunderstanding.

I hug my knees close.

            “Why am I so upset?” I ask myself.

Jaejoong said that he was just joking when he said that but still; I blow my top off and made a big deal out of it. I didn’t like what he said. When I hear that, it doesn’t feel right making me annoyed.

I look at the wall clock. I arrive home around an hour ago and he hasn’t come yet. Where did he go?

An unregistered number registers in my phone’s screen as it rings. I press the receive button.

            “Athena...” It’s him.

I remain silent.

            “As much as it is for me, I know that with my sudden leaving….You will have a tough time. Yet, I was a fool to make you feel upset. I’m sorry…..” I hear him sigh.

My upset feeling fades. I know that he’s reflecting sincerely on it.

I breathe in before speaking.

            “Where are you?”

            “I’m in the park…I sit here to reflect on my insensitive words.”

So he spent an hour sitting there all alone thinking on how upset I am.

            “How about your phone?”

            “The battery’s dead….I have to use the payphone instead.”

            “Come back here.” I say.

He arrives after fifteen minutes.

            “Are you still mad at me?” he asks.

            “Come here.” I tap the space next to me.

He comes near and sits in the couch next to me.

            “Still mad?” he repeats.

I shake my head.

            “Sorry.” He says.

            “I’m sorry too…Maybe I overreacted.”

            “No. I understand…You have every right to be angry. I will too if I’m on your shoes.” He says while touching my face.

            “So don’t say foolish things like that again or I’m gonna get really really mad.” I say.

He nods.

I smile.

            “Let’s go to bed now. You have a flight to catch tomorrow morning.”

            “Okay. Let’s sleep.” He says and scoops me from my seat.

            “Don’t think of anything naughty. You have to go early tomorrow…” I warn him.

He smiles.

            “Yep…”

____________________________________________________________________

[Author's Note]:

Happy Friday people! 

[Next Chapter Preview]

            “Jaejoong hyung! Yoochun hyung!” Junsu calls us with surprise in his voice.

            “Why?”

            “Look!”

He places his phone on the table and presses the play button. A familiar figure appears.

            “Hyungs.....annyeong!” Changmin waves his hand a bit in the camera.

This is unexpected. We continue to watch.