In the days following Jungkook’s lunch proposal, he hadn’t returned to school. Zhen would make it, on time, and every morning Jae-Sun would ask her how the project was going. She would answer with well, and that he didn’t need to help with anything other than ideas, and then he would be on his way. She hadn’t purposely made it a habit of waiting for Jungkook at the lockers, but he would always show up before she could leave, and he would walk her to class, but since he hadn’t been in school, she would walk to class alone.

She would sit alone until class would start, and every day there were snickers. “Missing your boyfriend?” Ha Na would ask, and Zhen would stare down at her desk, her cheeks burning, until they stopped pestering her.

After school, she would walk to the Big Hit building and wait in the lobby for Cho Hee, but that day, she’d walked to the elevator. She pressed the button for the floor she thought the studio was located on, and the doors closed.

When they opened, she was happy to find that she was right, it was the correct floor, so she hurried to the door of the studio. With a quiet knock, she opened the door. Inside, J-Hope sat in front of the computer, playing a beat that sounded a little too familiar, but somehow different. Suga was chasing Kirby around the room, who was barking and pouncing playfully. He scooped him up as the door opened, to keep him from running out, and smiled. “Hey Jin Ae.” He said brightly.

J-Hope smiled. “I know who you’re looking for,” And Zhen was blushing again. “He’s down in the basement for dance practice.”

Zhen bit her lips. “This sounds familiar,” She said, trying to draw attention from the fact that J-Hope was right. She’d come to see how Jungkook was. “Have I heard this one before?”

“You have,” Suga said, walking to the couch and sitting with Kirby in his arms. “It was playing the last time you were here. We’ve just finished some of the revamping we did to it, so it sounds a little different.”

She nodded. “I like it.”

“It’s our title track.” Rap Monster said, moving into the room and closing the door. “We’re filming for the music video soon, and our jacket shoot is this…” He looked to Suga.

“Friday.”

Rap Monster nodded. “So when does Mallory come back?”

Zhen smiled playfully. “Why?”

“I want to get rid of the dog.” He said blatantly. “He’s so needy. And he always wakes up in the middle of the night and cries really loud.”

Suga made a face and rubbed between the dogs ears. “He can’t help if he has nightmares.” He said in a baby voice.

“She comes home tonight.” Zhen answered. “But she has an event to go to tonight.” Suga looked up at this. “So if you want, I can take Kirby and bring him home, since I don’t think she’ll be able to get him until late.”

Suga shook his head. “I can go by her apartment and drop him off, since I know you’re not headed there for any purpose other than to drop the dog off.” He smiled. “So you should probably get going. I’m sure Jungkookie will be very happy to see you.”

She bit her lip. “Actually, I should be getting to Cho Hee. She’ll want to leave soon anyways. It was nice seeing you guys again though.” She said, moving out of the room just after they said good bye. She hurried to the elevator and pressed the basement button.

Her stomach was flipping when the doors opened. What if she looked stupid, just showing up at their practice space? But she was his friend, and she wanted to make sure he was feeling okay, so it was okay, right? “Dear god,” She muttered, moving out into the hall. She could already hear music through the hall, so she followed the sound to the a room and pushed open the door.

Inside stood V, Jimin, Jin, and Jungkook. All four stopped their practicing and turned towards the door, giving Zhen bright smiles. “Hey!” Jimin said, bounding forward and tugging Zhen into the room. “Are you here to watch us practice?”

“Uh…” Zhen squeaked, looking to Jungkook, who had an easy grin on his face. “I was just-”

“Why would she want to watch you dance,” V teased. “You’re always too slow.”

Jimin pushed his friend, smiling. “Me? Have you seen yourself?”

“Guys, come on.” Jin groaned. “She definitely didn’t come to see the two of you fighting.”

Jungkook moved to her side. “Guys, go ahead and practice without me for a second.” He put a hand on the small of Zhen’s back and led her out of the room, closing the door behind them. “What are you doing here?” He asked, and when Zhen opened to speak, he continued. “Well, I mean I know you’re here for Cho Hee, but what are you doing down here, in the basement.”

She bit her lip, thinking of an answer, which Jungkook patiently waited for. “J-Hope and Suga said you were down here practicing.” He nodded. “And you haven’t been at school.”

“We’ve been so busy practicing that I had to take some time off.” He said easily, leaning back against the wall.

She nodded. “I just, uh, wanted to make sure you were feeling alright.”

He smiled. “I’m feeling alright. Great, actually, since you’ve come to visit.” Zhen stared at her feet, and Jungkook chuckled. “Zhen Ai,” He breathed, and she looked up, biting the inside of her cheek. “Why do you look so nervous?”

“Because I am nervous.” She answered softly.

“What? Why?”