"We ignored truths for temporary happiness." —Anonymous

**

HUMANS are selfish creatures.

We buy things to have them. We name stuff to own them. We take pictures of memories to keep them. All because we want them for ourselves.

Sometimes, we have an odd fascination with things we cannot have... Or we are not bound to have... Or we are not allowed to have— yet, we still crave for those things.

We crave for them and we reach for them... Just to have a taste for ourselves.

Even unconsciously, we are all selfish.

"You befriended who, again?!" Jisoo flinched as Lisa slammed her hands on the table. She bowed her head and stayed quiet.

They are currently at the convenience store. She sits beside Bona while Lisa and Hoseok are across from them. There are no customers around, they made sure it's dead hours.

"Lisa, chill. You are overreacting," Bona interjected awkwardly and tried to calm her friend.

Lisa turned her head towards her, "Seriously, Bona? Seriously?" she looked at her in disbelief. She licked her lips and exhaled. She looked around until her eyes settled on Hoseok, who was beside her.

Hoseok gulped secretly. He can feel himself sweating but he refused to meet her gaze. His eyes traveled anywhere else but her, humming softly to fake innocence.

Lisa poked his shoulder and he jumped a little. She put her hands on her waist, "You knew this and you let her?" her brow shot up.

Hoseok raised his hands in defeat, "Well, how can you say no to Jisoo?! Not like I had a choice! I tried my best to stop her!" he defended while doing exaggerated hand gestures, as if defending his thesis.

"You didn't try enough then," she smiled sarcastically and glared at him.

"Lisa..." Jisoo tried to interrupt but she quickly raised her hand, telling her to stop.

"No, don't start with that," she spat and glanced at Jisoo briefly.

"He may not be that—" Bona attempted to defend Jisoo but was cut when Lisa shifted her eyes to her. She almost felt chills because of her stares.

They went silent for a second until Lisa decided to sit. She massaged her temple before calmly staring at Jisoo who had a gloomy look on her face.

"Jisoo, I don't understand why you are doing this. Have you met him before? Is he a friend or acquaintance from the past?" she started.

Jisoo gulped, she looked down and played with her fingers, "Not really..."

"See! You don't even know him until recently. What am I missing? What are you thinking?" Lisa questioned.

Jisoo looked up to her, "He looks... Sad and lonely."

Lisa scoffed, "And so?"

"And... I... I thought that maybe I... could help him," she bit her lip and looked down again.

"Help him? Are you a comedian? Why should it be your concern when he is sad?" Lisa asked, displeased.

Jisoo stared at her, "Because maybe he just needs someone to be there for him."

"Why does it have to be you? You're strangers!"

"Is it wrong for me to be that person?"

"You are not a rehabilitation center for sad assholes, Jisoo," Lisa stated and leaned back.

"You are not the heroine of a movie. You can't miraculously turn a bad guy good! You're being too naive, idealistic and just simply careless!" she continued lecturing her.

Hoseok moved in his seat, "Lisa, chill... You don't have to go far," his eyes exchanged between the two girls.

"She needs to hear it," Lisa told him.

"Listen, that guy's bad news! He does drugs! He smokes, drinks, cuts classes, he's involved in fights, he bullies people! Someone you cannot change overnight. Why would you associate yourself with someone that toxic?"

"He doesn't do anything bad to me!" Jisoo defended his name.

"So do we wait for him to do something bad?" Lisa instantly answered.

"No!" she exclaimed and sighed, "I just think the rumors about him are too much. I just want to give him the chance that everyone else deprived him of. And... Things happened. I discovered some... Stuff. I've thought about this already, I swear."

Lisa combed her hair in frustration, "Jisoo, doesn't mean you hope for the best, it will turn out better. It's always your unrealistic idealism that you don't try and think about your own sake. That positivity is so toxic, you would end up in trouble because of that."

"I promise to take care of myself. I know my limits, I know my boundaries," she reasoned out.

"But you stayed the night over at his house the other day, right? The reason why you skipped your class," Lisa stared at her. Jisoo was shocked and wasn't able to answer right away.

"You did what?!" Hoseok was the one to raise his voice this time, "Jisoo, you texted me and said you went home! I thought we talked about that?"

Instead of answering, Jisoo glanced at Bona, "You said you won't tell?"

After their scene at the cafeteria yesterday, before they went home, Jisoo decided to at least tell Bona and Rosé what happened the past few days since they were obviously confused about the scene they witnessed.

Well, Jisoo did not tell them entirely. Also, she wanted to tell the other girls too, but she didn't know how to start. That's why she asked the two of them to keep it secret for the meantime.

"Sorry..." Bona apologized guilty, "I really can't hide it from Lisa."

"Look at you now lying and keeping secrets. You even go as far to take your guard down so much around him and sleep in his place. Where's the limit you are saying?" Lisa raised her eyebrow as she eyed her friend.

"I hate to say this but I'm with Lisa," Hoseok said disappointed too, "He's influencing you already."

"He's not! It's my choice really, I'm the one who insisted on staying there. He even told me to leave, he asked if I told anyone and I said I did..." Jisoo explained as if she was caught red-handed by her parents.

"I didn't plan to stay the night over, it just happened... We didn't do anything bad! Promise!" she added.

"Are you in love with him?" Lisa interrogated her with squinted eyes.

"Huh? No!" Jisoo denied and waved her hands, "I'm just really concerned."

"Well stop that 'concern' now before it turns to something bad," Lisa stated, "Quit hanging out with him."

Lisa expected Jisoo to sigh in defeat and agree. Or perhaps say that she would think about it and settle. She thought she would understand what they were lecturing her for but Jisoo's responsed took her by surprise.

"I..." she muttered in a low voice, "I can't... Do that."

Lisa was taken aback, "But why?"

Jisoo wanted to tell them that she's afraid of leaving him alone because he might harm himself. His trauma, his attacks and the way he isolates himself. It worries her. She cannot sit in a corner after knowing that all. She's the only one who can help him, even if it's just little by little. Even just by simply being there. She doesn't want to watch and let him drown like that. She cannot take it.

Because he reminds her of someone very, very, familiar.

And that's what scares her all this time.

Of course, she cannot tell them those. So instead, she said, "Because... we're already friends! He's not evil, believe me. Maybe if you try to hang around sometimes...?"

"I don't trust him!" Lisa exclaimed, "Why do you trust him too much?"

Jisoo looked straight into her eyes, "Because I've seen him in ways you didn't."

They held their gazes for minutes. The tension is heavy in the room. Everyone weighed each other's reactions. Until it was Lisa who broke their staring contest.

"Huh," she laughed, "Really, now? Wow! Ain't you being too heroic?" she sarcastically added.

"Lisa..." Jisoo tried to reach her friend but the latter moved away.

"Don't," she firmly stated and stared at her blankly.

"Sorry for being concerned about your well being and sorry for worrying about you," Lisa continued.

"I know that. I understand but—"

"You won't listen," she finished her sentence with a sigh.

"If you could just—"

"You know what? Then do it," Lisa stated exasperatedly and stood up, "Do all those little savings of yours you want for him. I don't care anymore."

"Hey, Lisa, calm down," Bona also stood up and reached for her shoulders, "We can talk this over. You guys just need proper communication, we can reach an agreement."

Lisa shrugged off her hands, "She won't listen anyway," she glanced at Jisoo, "She's too fed up with the idea of fixing that asshole. I won't stop her but I won't care anymore. It will be just like talking to a wall."

"Lisa... Please understand—" Jisoo was teary-eyed but she was interrupted again.

"No, Jisoo, you understand," Lisa emphasized and shook her head.

"Wake up, this is not Disney."

Lisa left their table. But the moment she turned her back from her friends, she faced the counter and saw the reason why they were arguing, standing there.

Taehyung was leaning on the counter. They didn't notice but he looked like he was already there for quite a while. He didn't look bothered. His face showed no emotions as he chewed his bubblegum silently.

Lisa glared at him and scoffed. She didn't say a word but she marched outside the store.

Taehyung just stared at Jisoo who's conflicted while looking at him and at Lisa who just left. Bona and Hoseok felt the tension heavier this time as they looked at Taehyung.

"I... I'm just gonna follow her, okay?" Bona excuses herself in an awkward manner before she squeezed Jisoo's shoulder and quietly followed Lisa outside.

Jisoo and Taehyung stared at each other. Hoseok clicked his tongue and sighed after seeing their situation. He stood up.

"Let's talk," he suddenly said, which caught Taehyung's attention.

"Hoseok—"

"You stay here Jisoo," he cut her off. Jisoo stayed quiet and bit her lip. She looked down on her hands while Hoseok went to Taehyung and gestured outside.

Taehyung gave one last glance to her before he trailed along. The bell chime clanked as they closed it.

Jisoo sighed to stop herself from crying. She covered her face and tried to calm down before she put her head on the table silently.

—

"WHAT do you want from her?" Hoseok started. They are at the back of the store. He was standing in front of Taehyung who was leaning beside the dumpster and the back door.

The latter lit a cigar and looked at him, "Me?" he asked and point himself in a bored manner, "Last time I checked, it's her who bothers me here."

Hoseok rolled his eyes, "Oh, I see," he sarcastically retorted, "So that means you can tell her off, right? Since you don't want her around anyway."

Taehyung raised his brow, "You think I haven't?" he puffed a smoke, "Your friend is hard headed and persistent, I'm sure you know that already."

"Then push her more," he insisted, "You're good with that, right? You can stop her from hanging around with you if you wanted," Hoseok added with his arms over his chest.

"Are you bossing me now, wimp?" his brows furrowed as he looked at him in disbelief.

"No. I'm warning you," he bravely answered, "Spare her from getting ruined just because she wanted to save your ass."

Hoseok sighed as he observed Taehyung, "Don't take her kindness for granted."

Taehyung let out a hollow chuckle and looked to the other side, "Wow, I'm really that bad, huh," he mumbled.

"Are you not?" Hoseok asked him. He wasn't able to respond.

Even he cannot answer that no.

He hates himself way more than they probably loathe him for.

When Taehyung didn't reply and refused to look at him, Hoseok shrugged, "Thought so."

"Look, if you don't have any plans of doing better for her, just stay away." he continued but still got no response.

Taehyung was just looking far on his empty left side. Hoseok shook his head in disappointment.

There was a slight hope in him that maybe he would say something good to give him peace, even a little, but he was mistaken. He felt silly giving him the benefit of a doubt for a split second.

Then, he noticed how he puffed more smoke. He was looking up at the dispersing air, like he never listened to his lectures or warnings. It made him more annoyed. Hoseok scrunched his nose.

"Do you also smoke around Jisoo?" he asked, pissed. His question made Taehyung glance at him.

When he looked like he confirmed the answer with that stare, he added, "She has asthma, she gets suffocated around people smoking."

Taehyung diverted his eyes from him again and still didn't say a word. Hoseok was exhausted from their conversation at that point— if it is even considered a conversation.

"Seems like talking to you is a waste of time," he rubbed his nape, "But I do guess you get the message, yeah?" he said and turned his back to him.

"Leave Jisoo alone," he emphasized one last time before he entered the store.

—

"ARE YOU mad?" Jisoo looked at Hoseok who was beside her. He insisted on taking her home in order to make sure she goes straight to her house.

Hoseok is staring in front, hands in his pockets. They haven't talked to each other ever since the little confrontation earlier. Jisoo couldn't blame them, she knows she is also at fault.

"I'm sorry," she whispered and watched her footsteps, she couldn't lift her head and face him.

He let out an audible sigh, "You lied," he said with obvious disappointment, "You never lie before Jisoo."

She closed her eyes for a second and bit her lip, "I know," her voice is getting softer each word, "It's wrong. I'm sorry."

They stopped on their tracks, in front of the gate of her house. Hoseok was in front of a bowing Jisoo. She is fidgeting with her fingers. She looked like a child getting scolded.

He combed his hair in frustration, "Do you know why I'm acting like this?" Jisoo looked up to him.

"Because what if something bad happened to you? It's my fault. I agreed to your little agenda of helping that bastard when I shouldn't have. Can't you see the red flags?" he started.

Hoseok stared at her while she couldn't meet his gaze, "We talked about the conditions and limitations of you hanging out with him but you did not listen. Just to what extent would you go for him?"

"It's not that we forbid you from befriending others, we're just worried while you seem to not even think about yourself," his voice became gentler.

He tried to get in line of her sight as he asked, "Do you understand?"

"Yes..." she mumbled guilty with teary eyes.

Hoseok's eyes widened and he clicked his tongue, "Ugh," he groaned, "Don't cry on me!" he exclaimed.

"Sorry," she said again as she went to hug him. The latter rolled his eyes as he tap her on the back.

"Okay, okay," he said nonchalantly, "Stop crying, geez. Just don't do it again," he told her and pulled away. He wiped her tears a little as she nodded.

Hoseok pat her head and took steps backward, gesturing that he was leaving.

"Good night," he said after a little distance and waved before walking away.

"Good night. Take care on your way," she said. Jisoo stood in her spot to watch him leave. He just gave her a thumbs up without looking back. She released a sigh of relief.

At least he's not mad at me... Hopefully.

Jisoo entered her house and did her usual routines before she sprawled on her bed. She grabbed her favorite plushie and hugged it as she buried her face on the soft stuff toy.

What am I gonna do now?

She felt bothered by what happened by the small misunderstanding she had with Lisa. She needs to talk to her again when things subside a bit.

But something else bothers her more.

She looked at her phone on the side table. She reached for it and slide it open. There's someone she also needs to talk to.

So she typed the message.

To: Taehyung
Let's talk tomorrow?

—

A MESSAGE on his screen. The day after, he stood across the street and stared at the opened store. His eyes traveled between his screen and her figure from the glass doors.

Fuck it.

Taehyung let his body move on its own as he crossed the street and pushed the door open, making the chime clank with his arrival.

Just in time, their eyes met.

It was awkward. He remained standing while holding the door to prevent it from closing. She tilted her head to him from where she was. Until then, Jisoo smiled weakly.

"Lunch?" she asked as she raised the lunch bag to show him. Her voice lacked its usual cheerfulness. He did not answer but he entered.

Taehyung sat on the table. She followed quietly and simply placed the packed lunch in front of him. Unlike their normal days, she didn't sit with him but she went back to her position at the counter.

His eyes watched her but she refused to look his way.

I thought we're talking but why the fuck am I getting ignored here? He mumbled to himself.

Irritated, he opened the lunch bag and started his meal. Well, she still gave him food and who will not say no to it. Why should he? It's free.

There was an awful silence inside the store until they were interrupted by the door opening. Jisoo welcomed the customer but stopped when she recognized who it was.

"Jinyoung?" she asked, confused and shocked.

"Jisoo," he looked at her and smiled, "You work here? Hm, what a coincidence."

She composed herself right away and chuckled, "Yeah, this is a surprise."

Jinyoung's smile widened, "Do you have a coke in can? I'm kinda thirsty."

"Of course! I'll get you one. Please wait here," Jisoo said enthusiastically and left.

Jinyoung looked around the place until his eyes landed on the spot of a man sitting beside the window.

They instantly glared at each other's presence, even having the same question in mind.

What the hell is he doing here?

**

Author's Note:

I'm very, very, sorry for not updating for almost a month! Anyone still here, waiting? ಥ_ಥ

[SHARE] I'm in my last year of SHS and gotta graduate for colleges so I have many to finish and do— really, busy. I'm trying! I just don't wanna give half-hearted updates. This has been drafted for long, I didn't post it because of some concerns. I kinda am a slow writer, just a heads up :((

Btw, loved Lisa's character here so much. She raised some points I wanna relay about the story. So I hope you liked this and forgive me (╥_╥).

I cut this in half because it's a long arc and kinda dramatic~

That's all actually, sorry for talking too much, hehe. Until next chapter! Thank you for staying :">