It was already six in the evening and Joohyeon sat inside their car, with her parents at either sides of her. Her heart was beating fast from excitement and nervousness. This was the day she looked forward too. Even though her brother wasn’t around, she was surprisingly pleased. After hearing his conversation over the phone with someone she didn’t really know, the way her brother obviously was talking about her and her inability to remember things from the past, it hurt her, especially when he said that she didn’t need to remember anything. Maybe her brother was right. Past is past. Yes. But for her, it meant more than it.

Three years of not knowing anything from her past, whether she left some people hurting, she didn’t know. It hurt her too, after seeing people recognize her but she couldn’t. Every time she tries, she was lucky if she wouldn’t get a head ache but most of the time, she did and the people from her present is the one who hurts. It was really a hard decision for her, to know the past and to not. As of now, she didn’t want to tell anything to her brother, nor to her eleven oppas, especially to her boyfriend, Jae.

“We’re here.” Her eyes snapped to look out the window as the gate to the house opened and their car rolled in to stop at the driveway. The driver stepped down to open the door for them and they went down. Two lovely couple that looked very familiar to her welcomed them at the doorway to the house.

“Mr. and Mrs. Kim! Welcome!” The woman who didn’t look like in her forties, said lively. “And of course, your princess, Joohyeon. Welcome my dear.” The woman was smiling so brightly you couldn’t help but smile back. Joohyeon slightly bowed in respect.

The man of the house suggested for them to go in already so they did. Warily did Joohyeon enter the house. She tried to stop her curiosity but when her eyes saw the big picture frame hung at the living room, she can’t help but stare at it.

“That’s our only son.” Joohyeon snapped out of her trance in surprise. Her eyes turned to look at the lady of the house and she smiled politely.

“He looks…so much like you, Mrs. Jeon,” she smiled and Mrs. Jeon beamed.

“You think so? Many tells me that too.” With how Mrs. Jeon talked to her, she felt so comfortable. They weren’t like other typical rich families who cared too much about how they act, even if it was already too much.

“The dinner is ready. Should we go eat?” Mr. Jeon said after a few minutes of greetings. They also said for Joohyeon not to be so formal with them already since when they were young, she almost stayed in their house for most of the time although it was where they were living then.

They headed for the dining room then and Joohyeon wondered where their son is. Afterall, he was who she really like to see. When they all settled around the dining room, the food were already prepared on the table and they began.

“I’m sorry because my son would be running late. You know that kid. He loves hanging out with his friends a lot,” Mr. Jeon said and her parents shook their heads with a smile.

“No, it’s okay. We came quite suddenly too. Oh, and it’s really our daughter who wanted to go meet you,” her mom said and her cheeks flushed. The two Jeons slightly chuckled and she bit her lower lip in embarrassment.

“I think she missed how she often stay with you before,” her dad said and it made her turn redder.

“Well, I’m fluttered to hear that. Then I suppose you miss our son the most, I mean, you were playmates,” Mrs. Jeon said and she didn’t know what to answer so she just nodded her head with a small smile. It was awkward and she was relieved when someone entered the dining room and they all turned to look who it was. She couldn’t be more delighted to see it the boy she had been waiting for.

“Oh… Annyeong uncle, aunt,” he bowed. As soon as he straightened up, his eyes met Joohyeon’s and they stared at each other for seconds before her dad broke it.

“Good evening to you too, Jungkook. You grew up so much from the last time I’ve seen you. I wasn’t able to meet you during Joohyeon’s party. Were you there?” Her dad said and she saw how Jungkook’s eyes shifted to look at her father.

“A..Ah… Neh. I wasn’t feeling well then so I had to leave early. I’m sorry about it, uncle,” he said and smiled.

“Since you’re already here, go join us already. Joohyeon here is really looking forward to see you,” her mom said and she looked down on her food.

“Do they have to keep on repeating it…” She thought as the said boy settled down opposite of her.

It was so awkward for the both of them as they just sat there and eat while their parents talked about business and the economy. She glanced to look at Jungkook and found him slowly eating his dinner. As she looked at him, she couldn’t be mistaken that he was the boy in the Han Gang Park, the one in the lock screen, and the boy in every picture she saw. It was Jungkook, and she knew that he might have the answers for her unending questions that nobody wanted to answer for her. When she saw him about to look up, she looked down on her food.

Jungkook had just gone out to meet his friends at Seokjin’s place. They were all called there suddenly by Seokjin, saying Taehyung wanted for them to all meet. Without second thoughts, he left the house. They were gathered in Seokjin’s room, his sister was also present and even though it was almost always just them, for the topic they would have, they knew she had to hear it.

They sat there, talking about the recent happenings until they come up with plan and a conclusion. He wasn’t able to finish everything because his parents called and told him to be home before six. His parents didn’t tell him that they were going to meet the Kim’s so he was surprised when she saw Joohyeon sitting at the dining table with her parents present and his parents.

It was an understatement to say that he was surprised. He felt so nervous, so overwhelmed by her presence. It was like just a few hours ago, they were talking about her, and now, he was sitting opposite her, eating together like before. It was too much for the day but he was indeed happy to see her.

An hour and a half later, they were already heading to the living room. The both of them were just following behind their parents when Mr. Jeon looked around to face them.

“Jungkook, why won’t you go around with Joohyeon? It had been a long time since she came here. What do you think, Joohyeon?” Mr. Jeon said, smiling and Joohyeon hesitatingly looked over at Jungkook who turned to her as well before looking back to his father.

“It’s okay,” he replied with a small smile and Joohyeon nodded after.

“That’s good then. You can catch up while we do our talk as well,” Mr. Kim said and while they elders chuckled, they awkwardly smiled and nodded before they turned to leave their parents.

They walked around the house, not really having a place in mind. Jungkook stole glances at her, wondering whether it was safe to talk to her. Did she really like to see him, like what her mother said? But why? It were questions he knew would be left unanswered. After a few more minutes of silence, he decided to break the silence. It was driving him nuts because they weren’t naturally like that. They used to joke around a lot, even though there was a year difference. The silence that covered them is so unfamiliar to him and he wasn’t going to let himself to get used to it. Never.

“So…long time no see?” He said, his voice sounding a little weird and he didn’t know why. Joohyeon was caught by surprise but she smiled and nodded.

“I guess. I…” She really doesn’t know how to tell him she doesn’t remember so much of the past, that she only knew him from the pictures they had when they were young and vague memories of them playing before but it was too long she really couldn’t remember too much of it.

“Are you alright?” Jungkook noticed the troubled expression on her face and he worried that she was already having a head ache but keeping it. They were already at the second floor’s living room. Joohyeon looked up at him and the way her eyes glistened from the moonlight outside the window. He haven’t seen it upclose for so long and he didn’t know it was even possible to miss even that.

She slightly smiled and nodded. “I’m sorry. I…don’t know if you know but… I kind of have a hard time remembering the past. Accident and yeah,” she blurted out warily and Jungkook was hurt to hear her say that but she didn’t want her feel more pained than she already is so he acted normal and nodded.

“I do…I guess. Sort of. Meh, I don’t know. Does it even matter?” Jungkook’s childish side was already showing and Joohyeon looked at him, amused at how he took it so casually when others would go, “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” She was happy to have a different response.

She shrugged with a little smile. “I guess, I don’t know.”

Jungkook slightly smiled. He scanned her face for a moment before grinning and saying, “Noona.” Joohyeon looked at him surprised.

“N…Noona?” She said and he nodded before telling her to sit on the couch.

“I’m younger than you by a year,” he said smiling.

“Oh…” She said nodding. It was quiet after that, neither knowing what to say. Jungkook was being careful with his words because he didn’t want to hurt her in any way. He was surprised when it was Joohyeon who initiated the conversation next. “How are you doing?”

Jungkook was stunned for a moment before his lips formed a small smile. “Great. Every day is fun even if college preparation is quite hard. The hyungs never left me—“ He stopped realizing what he just said but Joohyeon seemed to not react or anything and he stopped himself from sighing. “…and helped me.”

“Hyungs…? You have brothers?” Joohyeon asked and Jungkook shook his head.

“Nope. My friends. They’re all older than me so I refer to them as hyungs,” he said and he doesn’t know why he just kept on waiting for her face to show some kind of expression but she would often just look confused before nodding.

“Ah… I hope I’m not being rude about it but are you talking about the boys…with you last time?” It took courage for her to say that but if she kept on holding back, she wouldn’t get answers to her questions.

Jungkook was surprised and hesitated to answer. “So she saw us…” was what entered his mind. He thought for a while before nodding. “You saw me?” He asked and she nodded slowly.

“Yeah. I’m sorry if I didn’t talk to you. I…”

“No. It’s okay. I should be the one talking to you first since you...I’m the guy,” he changed quickly and Joohyeon understood what he meant. “I hope I’m not hurting you with what I’m saying.” Joohyeon shook her head.

“You’re not saying anything that could hurt me so why would I?” She grinned and Jungkook smiled.

There was silence later on as both thought about what to say, both hesitating. Joohyeon bit her lip, wondering if it was okay to ask him about his friends since she find it not necessary because she shouldn’t even be concerned about them. Something was telling her otherwise though and it was that that pushed her to ask him.

“You really are close with them, huh?” She asked and Jungkook nodded, smiling widely.

“They're the craziest friends I knew for my whole life but I don't regret letting them in." Something inside Joohyeon’s stomach fluttered and she looked down on her lap. Jungkook noticed the change in her enthusiasm and slightly panicked inside. Before he could say anything though, she said softly, “Looks like it. You’re very lucky… How… I hope I have friends like yours who I knew since…before.” She was smiling when she looked up at him after that, but tears were slowly pooling on her eyes and Jungkook felt a pang in his chest.

Jungkook hesitated because he was afraid that he would say something and she would suddenly have a head ache. Taehyung had warned him so many times that if ever he, or any of them encounters Joohyeon, they better be careful not to hurt her or they would have to face him. It wasn’t that Taehyung had to tell them that because without even having told, they would not want to put her in any pain.

“Can I ask something?” Jungkook asked, looking over to her, a little hesitant and Joohyeon turned to him, nodding with a small smile.

“Sure. What is it?” She asked and Jungkook bit his lower lip, looking down to his lap.

“I…Uh…” He didn’t know how to let out the words without triggering any memories so he stumbled on his words, stuttering. Joohyeon noticed him and slightly chuckled, mking Jungkook look up to her.

“Sorry. It’s just that…you look cute stuttering. Don’t worry about me. What is it that you want to ask?” Joohyeon said stifling her laugh, making Jungkook faintly blush.

“I’m…here. You might not…remember but we’ve been close friends since before. So you don’t have to think that you have no friends even way back. You know what I mean right?” He said grinning and Joohyeon’s lips curved up to a smile, nodding.

“Thank you, Jungkook.” Joohyeon felt her heart fluttering at the thought. She was happy because she finally gained another friend, but just not any friend, but a childhood friend at that.

They spent the time talking about random stuff. Jungkook told her how they moved out just two years back to their current house so most probably, she doesn’t recognize it. Jungkook further toured her around the house, showing her the entertainment room and his room. He was a little hesitant on showing her his room because of the photos around but it doesn’t seem to bother her so she let her in. As soon as they got in, Jungkook discreetly put the picture which has her together with the other boys down, afraid that when she sees it, she suddenly gets an attack.

Joohyeon was careful as she entered the room. It was neat, like Jae’s room, far from the typical boy rooms which is messy. It was as big as her room with a study desk, shelves, cabinets and the likes. What was different though was the piano keyboard that stood in front of his window.

Her eyes twitched as a memory entered her mind. Slightly blurry figures appeared in her mind. A boy playing the piano, surrounded by several guys and two girls. She was sure enough that one of the girls was her. The sudden rush of memories made her hold onto the shelf nearest to her, catching Jungkook off-guard as he ran to her side.

“Hey, are you alright?” He asked, panic rising within. She closed her eyes momentarily, trying to relax her nerves before nodding and smiling.

“I’m okay. I’m sorry. I just…this is something that normally happens. Don’t worry,” she said, giving him a reassuring smile before Jungkook just frowned, worried. He sighed trying to act passive before nodding.

“Do you want to sit?” He asked and she nodded. He led her to the small couch at one side of his room and Joohyeon thanked him.

He sat on the beanie bag adjacent to the couch and watched her as she took heavy breathes one of the other, her chest heaving up and down before her breathing came back to normal. He bit the insides of his cheeks, stopping himself from sighing. Seeing her like this pained him and he just couldn’t imagine what their other friends would just do when they see her like this although he hoped it won’t happen.

Joohyeon let her eyes scan the room until she saw the frame standing on one of his shelf. She could make out the picture as a vacation photo taken by the beach with five other boys she assumes as the boys she had seen before. One face struck her though. The boy who she had eye contact with at the line in Namsan tower. He was smiling so brightly at the picture, different from the straight face she had seen then.

“Noona.” She snapped out of her trance and looked at him. Jungkook was tapping his foot on the floor and for some reason, she knew that he was having an internal debate. She doesn’t even know how she knew that.

“What is it…Kook?” Jungkook’s eyes turned to her, a little surprised by hearing her call him ‘Kook.’ Joohyeon didn’t know how that name rolled out of her lips as if she had said to far too many times. “Sorry. I think I’ve been to comfortable—“

“Ah, no. It’s okay. It’s actually…how you call me before. It’s great hearing it again,” he said, smiling and Joohyeon smiled back.

“So what do want to say? Don’t hesitate to say anything. Like you said, you were my friend since way back. You don’t need to feel uncomfortable with me. You can say just anything. I wouldn’t mind,” she said, giving him a lopsided grin and Jungkook can’t help but grin back. He was so happy, too happy for words.

He had been thinking over this since they were left alone and he thought that giving it a try wouldn’t hurt. He just hopes that the others wouldn’t get mad at him for doing it.

“Okay then. If you say so… One of our friends is celebrating his birthday soon, and I’m wondering if you want to come?”

A/N:

Hello guise! I know it's been a while. I'm really sorry. I've been heartbroken lately because of what's happening in my fandom. My motivation to type up something worthy is hard to find. I hope you understand. But yeah, I'm back and hopefully I could type something for the next chapter soon. Please wait for it. 

Thank you for reading! :)