It felt to Zhen as if the week had passed in the blink of an eye. One day it was Monday, the next day it was Friday. She didn’t necessarily mind. Everything was beginning to become a schedule. She woke up, got dressed, ate breakfast with Cho Hee, Dae Hyun, and Mallory, who was invited over constantly for meals. Cho Hee didn’t like the fact that Mallory was alone, and Zhen liked having her around. She liked to pretend that Mallory was slowly getting softer, less uptight. Then the two would go to school. Zhen would sit through hours of agonizingly slow work, as well as sit through Jae-Sun’s terrible jokes, and the glaring hatred of Ha Na, which Zhen couldn’t quite figure out.

After school, she and Jungkook would walk to the shoe lockers and converse about their project. They would change their shoes and walk to Mallory’s car, since she insisted on driving Jungkook, as they always stopped by the building to visit Cho Hee. And after that, they would return Mallory’s apartment, where Zhen would do her homework and Mallory would make her business calls, before returning to the Shins’ for dinner.

That day was like any other day. Zhen strode along beside Jungkook as they made their way down to the shoe lockers, talking about their project. “So maybe tomorrow we can go to the Gyeongbokgung Palace.” Jungkook offered.

Zhen dropped her bag and sat down on the bench. “That sounds good,” She said, reaching and taking her shoes from Jungkook, who had retrieved them from her locker. “Is that the only landmark you want to go to this weekend?”

Jungkook nodded, sitting beside her and sliding off his slippers. “The project isn’t due until the day before the last day of the semester, so I think it’s okay if we take our time on this.”

“And,” Zhen started, smiling. “We’ll have enough time to create Jae-Sun’s presentation.” Jae-Sun was adamant on doing the presentation on the school’s uniforms, and since Zhen didn’t want to do a topic that they could blow in one week and get a simple grade for, she had devised a plan to make two presentations. And since Jae-Sun was basically making her and Jungkook do all the work, she felt no remorse for it.

Jungkook winced. “Are you sure about that?”

“Positive.” Zhen said, standing. “You don’t even need to help. I can handle it.” She grabbed her bag and pulled it onto her shoulder. “So just the Gyeongbokgung Palace then.”

Jungkook nodded and stood, walking with Zhen towards the door. “I have a digital camera we can use. Or a polaroid.”

Zhen smiled. “How are we supposed to upload pictures off a polaroid?”

Jungkook shrugged, smirking at Zhen. “The polaroid was to make memories.”

Zhen held her breath and strode forward. “Anyways,” She said after a moment. “I have a few professional grade cameras we could use.” She came to a stop beside Mallory’s car. “I mean, I’m kind of into photography, so I have a variety of them.”

Mallory appeared at the driver’s side of the car. “You two ready to go?” She asked, her face pinched together in a serious expression. Both nodded, saying nothing as they climbed into the car. Mallory started the engine and tore out of the parking lot. “Cho Hee knows you’re coming home with me, correct?” Mallory asked.

Zhen nodded. “Yes. She knows I’ll be staying tonight.”

“Perfect. We need to get ready when we get back to the apartment. The schedule has changed.” That must have been why Mallory was so annoyed. Mallory hated when plans changed. “We need to get there a little earlier.”

They were at the building in record time. Mallory sighed and climbed out of the car, not bothering to turn it off. It would only take a few minutes to check in with Cho Hee. The three started towards the building, Mallory’s mood hanging over them like a black cloud.

“So you guys have a photo shoot, right?” Jungkook asked.

Zhen shook her head. “Just Mallory. I like to tag along though, help out with the cameras and stuff.” Jungkook nodded, opening the door for the girls. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Is nine too early? I want to get there close to when it opens, before there’s a crowd.” He said, backpedaling towards the elevator.

Zhen nodded, noting the group moving towards him made up of Rap Monster, Suga, and J-Hope. They looked a little more than exhausted, but were laughing at something J-Hope was saying, when their eyes fell on Jungkook and his company. “Sounds good. You still have Mallory’s address, right?”

Jungkook nodded. “Of course. I’ll see you then.”

“Of course!” His hyungs teased, poking and prodding at him. “Making plans, Jungkookie?” Suga asked.

Rap Monster looked to the girls. “Sounds pretty good,” He teased.

Jungkook adjusted his bag on his shoulders. “It’s for a project guys, can we just get to practice?”