Treading The Unknown

"I can pay you if you need me to," she said softly as she looked at him, "My class isn't long today I just need to take this test and I'll be done," she said gently as she chewed on her bottom lip lightly.

---

He looked at her then down at the papers on his desk and sighed, "It's my parents isn't it?" he asked lifting his head to look at her,

She sighed. "I can't deal with that, I'm sorry but I can't. Dating really isn't for me, no matter how much I like being with you. I still want to be friends with you though."

---

He shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I'll take her to the park until you're done." He said softly, reaching to carry Jenny who happily switched into his arms.

She nodded and handed him the diaper bag, "don't let her trick you she already ate," she said to him then kissed her head softly before jogging off to class before she was late.

He snorted a little then sighed as he nodded, "It's what always happens they always scare them away," he murmured softly.

"It isn't just your parents," She said to him. "I can't be with you how you want me to. You wanted too much from me," She said softly. "I can't be what you want me to, and I don't want to either."

---

He sighed a little and watched as she went before looking at Jenny. "Come on, lets go play," He smiled at her, bouncing her gently and turning to walk toward the park

"Then don't be," he murmured softly, "I never expected you to change, I expected you to just.. want me but I was never enough; I don't drink or party, I'm not like you," he murmured softly as he looked at her then shook his head. "it's whatever, I can't convince you otherwise so I won't bother trying,"

"But you did, you stopped me from drinking, slowly you kept me from parties until I stopped going all together. And now, your parents who definitely hate me, I remember what was said last night, mind you. What do you want from me? In a year or two to deal with your parents telling you how bad of a choice I was? Or in a year or so, when you realize yourself?" She said to him, beginning to get slightly angry. She hated herself for having feelings, something she normally did so well to avoid.

"What do you want from me?" he fired back, "You came to me, I was going to move on; I'd given up when you came to me telling me you couldn't bear to think of me with someone else." he said to her shaking his head. "You knew I didn't like going to parties and I cant drink because it hurts my stomach, I just wanted you to be healthy - I didn't want you to get hurt; there are other ways to have fun without getting smashed to hell,"

"You wanted me to!" She said angrily. "If you for a second had thought that you should move on, you should have! You knew I liked parties, you knew i liked getting drunk, and you knew I liked waking up in different places. You came after me with this fully in mind." She said, standing up and getting out of the bed. "So maybe I messed up and I shouldn't have come back to you, I'll admit it, I should have left it where it was, but you knew exactly the kind of girl I was, I made it very clear." She ran a hand through her hair and sighed.

Jaehyun shook his head at her, "You like putting yourself in danger and possibly raped or killed - liver failure with a possible alcohol addiction, thats all I heard just now - but you know whats fine because its not my responsibility anymore. You'll do whatever you want anyway," he said to her as he rubbed at his eyes a little. "I just wanted to keep you safe," he told her, "but if this is what you want there is nothing I can do or say to change your mind,"

She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head. "I never asked to be your responsibility. Whether I make stupid decisions or choose to stop, fine. But I told you from day one, that I don't like boyfriends. And I am not a good girlfriend." She said to him.

"But you were a good girlfriend," he whispered softly as he looked at her then sighed, "Just sorry I wasn't a good enough boyfriend for you to want to stay,"

"Was I? A good girlfriend?" She asked softly, before grabbing her phone. "The whole its not you it me thing sounds so cliche, but it strangely fits. I'm sorry, Jaehyun. Theres someone out there for you, I'm sure of it." She said, grabbing her keys and heading for the door.

It was break and she was happy to have two weeks of freedom. A few of her friends convinced her that going down for vacation would be fun, and a good distracton to save her from thinking about Jaehyun. She sat by the pool with a few of her other friends, drinking cocktails and doing everything in her power to make sure she had a good time.

Lily had just finished putting away laundry and now she was getting Jenny ready to go talk with a lawyer about the custody rights, so her sister couldn't just come back and take her. She'd had her for so long now she didn't know if she could handle not having her. As much as she didn't want to - she knew it'd be good to have reference there since he was there the night she dropped her off.

[To Yuta: I know you might be busy, or have plans but I texted you yesterday about the lawyer thing I was wondering if you were going to be able to make it; if not can you write a written statement about what happened the night my sister dropped her off? Thanks.

---

Jaehyun had been sulking - he didn't even know what to do anymore he took pleasure in watching Jenny for Lily as it took his mind of things but he didn't enjoy much else. He took a deep breath grabbing his keys and walking out the door - he needed to go do.. something, anything.

She got up and headed toward the boardwalk, needing a bit of time to herself. It felt forced, and though these were her good friends, she didn't really want to be with them. She was only out because she was forced to be. She went over to the pier above the water and sat down, looking out to nothing in particular.

---

Yuta picked up his phone and called her, setting the phone on speaker while he moved around his room. "What time is it again?" He asked the second she spoke.

"I'm getting Jenny ready now but it's in about two hours," she said as she held the phone with her should while she changed her diaper.

---

He somehow managed to get on the pier he ordered a snow cone and smiled a little to himself - it seemed rather depressing that he didn't have anyone to share it with.

She looked up and noticed Jaehyun and sighed, she didn't realize how much seeing him would hurt. "Oh, hey Jaehyun." She said softly, watching him. She moved to stand and then shrugged. "I didn't expect to see you here."

---

He nodded. "Alright. I'll meet you in the court house. Unless you need my help now?" He offered to her. He still wanted to be there for her, he just was't sure he could be there in the way she wanted.

"Nope, I got it - I'll meet you there, I still have to drop by the pharmacy to pick up her script," she said to him, "she has an ear infection but I'll be there,"

---

He lifted his head then tried not to look pained when he saw her, "Oh hey," he said then chewed on his bottom lip a little, "I thought you were going to cabo?"

She shrugged a little. "I... felt Cabo might be too much, and one of my friends caught something so we figured it might be better to stay here for break," She said softly. "And you? How have you been?" She asked softly.

---

"Alright, I'll see you then," He said softly. "Does she need anything for her ear?" He asked curiously. "Or do you need anything?"

"Uhm I think I have eveything but, If I don't have it I can grab it when I get her script from the pharmacy. And I'm fine, I'm bringing my coffee with me once we're out the door," she said to him and sighed, "What about you? Are you good?" she asked lightly.

---

He shrugged, "I've been alright I guess, just.. bored," he said as he looked out at the water then back at her, "I've been watching Jenny a bit more often - she's fun; finally able to scoot across the floor now,"