I'm Fine

@ yoongisgummysmile

Soon, they arrived at the sushi place, everybody hopping out. Nari looked over at Taehyung when they got out before pulling her attention back to Solar. "All I want is a spicy tuna roll. And Gimbap. So much Gimbap," she said, licking her lips. "Also, mango boba tea. I'm really hungry."

"Me too, Noona," Jungkook said, poking his tummy.

"Next time we'll have to bring food out with us, like a picnic," Jin suggested.

"I'd love for there to be a next time," Nari agreed, "Especially with food." When they went inside, Nari sat down between Solar and Taehyung, feeling bad for blowing him off earlier.

---

Yoongi watched everybody talk around the table, not really sure he had anything to add. Instead, he looked around the Sushi restaurant, which reminded him of the places his mom would take him before she died. He felt the frown on his face, wishing she was still here.

"Hyung," Jimin caught his attention, letting him know the waitress was there and waiting for him to order.

@ Taehyung

Once the orders were placed, the waitress walked off to get their drinks. Jin pulled his phone out to text his parents the good news about Yoongi accepting the offer, before putting his phone away.

“So when is next time?” Hoseok smiled.

“Probably a couple weeks from now?” Jin suggested, seeing everyone nod.

“Sounds good to me.” Solar smiled.

@ yoongisgummysmile

Nari was excited when their food got to the table. Just as she had planned, she had gotten spicy tuna rolls and Gimbap. She rubbed the palms of her hands together before breaking open her chopsticks and eating.

"So I start tomorrow?" Yoongi asked Jin between bites. That overthrew Yoongi's plans of drinking all day, but being dragged out to the beach and spending time with his friends reminded him how much fun he could drink without looking for the bottom of a bottle. It still didn't change a lot, though.

"This must be the best Gimbap I've ever had," Nari claimed enthusiastically. Almost like it was muscle memory, she offered a piece to Taehyung, holding her chopsticks up to his face.

@ Taehyung

“Yeah. They texted back just I’ll check it when we’re done eating.” Jin said, grabbing a piece of Gimbap and putting it in his mouth.

Taehyung smiled and happily took the Gimbap that Nari offered him and chewed it up before taking more of his noodles.

Solar had gotten kimchi, fish cake noodles and Gimbap and was happily enjoying eating them all. “Jimin slow down before you choke.” She said, seeing Jimin stuffing ramen in his mouth.

@ yoongisgummysmile

"Do you think we can find somewhere to watch the sunset from?" Nari asked. The sunrise had been beautiful this morning, but the sunset was always her favorite. She loved the multitudes of pinks and purples, and oranges and golds, that covered the sky as the sun was going down. Watching the sunset had also felt ritualistic for her after an amazing day, no matter where she watched it from.

"There's a spot at the end of the bridge when we pass that river, the place where tourists are always bungee jumping. We can watch from there," Namjoon suggested.

"We need to leave soon if we're going to make it in time," Yoongi said, slurping up the rest of his noodles. "But it's cold so I'm sitting on the inside of the truck this time.

"You can have my spot, Yoongi-Oppa. I'll sit in back," Nari offered, smiling at her older friend. She got another boba tea to go before they left.

@ Taehyung

Solar also got another tea and then headed out to the truck. Jin was driving again and since Yoongi was sitting inside, Solar decided to sit in the back with Nari, Tae, Jimin and Jungkook. She wrapped an extra blanket around her as Jin started pulling away, heading to the bridge.

“We basically spent the whole day at the beach.” Tae chuckled.

“I know. It was fun.” Solar smiled, sipping her tea.

@ yoongisgummysmile

"I would honestly just love to live at the beach," Nari sighed, "If I ever go missing, you guys know where to find me." She already longed to go back to the beach, dreading what she would find when she got back home.

"Me too," Jimin said, "Maybe one day we can all get a house out here together." Nari shot a look at Solar, smiling about their secret.

---

Yoongi spent the time in the truck asking Jin about work; what he would need to bring, what he had to wear, if there would be on the job training. He loved Jin's parents, and didn't want to disappoint him like he did his friends. Yoongi felt this was a big step in the right direction, but wondered if it would last. How long until he got bored and fucked it all up?

@ Taehyung

“Me too. Maybe we can get one of those cute beach houses off the boardwalk or something.” Solar said, also giving Nari a smile. Luckily the boys didn’t notice.

“That would be cool but we’d all need jobs that pay good. Those things are probably expensive.” Taehyung said.

---

“Remember that white dress shirt and black slacks you wore for Joon and Hoseok’s graduation? Wear that, and the dress shoes. Since you’re alredy pretty good at cooking, you don’t really need much training but you’ll still have to shadow me for the first week.” Jin explained.

@ yoongisgummysmile

The sun hadn't started setting yet by the time they reached the spot overlooking the river at the end of the bridge. Nari jumped out to stretch her legs. She looked over the barrier, and at the river that rapidly moved at the bottom of the cliffs. The company that ran the bungee jumping business had already closed for the day, so the overpass was empty besides Nari and her friend. She looked down the horizon to where the sun would end up setting, realizing they'd have a perfect view of the sun hitting the water.

She looked over at Taehyung, wondering if she'd ever bring up the conversation they had started having at the beach. She didn't want Tae to think she was just pushing him away because of something he did. She sighed heavily, looking back at the river.

---

"Black pants. White shirt. Got it," Yoongi said, hopping out of the cab. This was the first actual job he'd ever have; he'd been selling music since he was 15, trying to scrape enough cash together to live and to eat. He managed it, but just barely.

"What time is the sun supposed to set?" Namjoon asked, putting his jacket on. It was starting to get a little cold now.

"Within the hour," Jin said, going into the woods surrounding the area to take a piss.

@ Taehyung

Jungkook, Jimin and Tae pulled their jackets on as they got out and joined Nari at the overpass. Solar soon joined them but kept looking over at Yoongi, when she realized he wouldn’t look at her, she sighed and turned her head, looking at the water.

Namjoon and Hoseok joined them and they all looked out at the water and the sun. “We should make a wish.” Jungkook said suddenly. “My mom always told me if you make a wish when the sun is setting and throw a quarter into the river right before the sun hits it, it’ll come true.” He said.

“Sounds fake but okay.” Taehyung teased the younger boy.

“It’s worth a try.” Solar said, reaching into her bag to pull out some extra change.

@ yoongisgummysmile

Nari had agreed with Taehyung, it did sound pretty fake. If wishes just came true like that, then everybody would have what they wanted. But what could it hurt? She accepted a count from Solar, and thought long and hard about what she would wish for. There wasn't much she would change about her life, but she wanted so much for her friends. She decided on her wish, now, content with it.

She looked at Tae, and even though he wasn't looking back at her, she smiled at him. She hoped, for his sake, that her wish came true.

Yoongi decided to take a coin from Solar. He didn't have a wish and he probably wouldn't wish for anything; he just wanted to throw something, and throwing Hobi into the river wouldn't have been well received among the group. None of them talked much before the sun set, and they all got ready to throw their coins as they made a wish.

Nari closed her eyes. I wish for Taehyung-Oppa to find strength. She recited it perfectly in her head, confidently even, before flicking her coin into the river.

@ Taehyung

Solar smiled, her only wish was that Yoongi would overcome his inner demons and that was what she wished for, repeating it over and over in her head, as she tossed the coin into the river.

“Let’s hope all of our wishes come true.” Jungkook said with his friends, as the sun finally raised over the water.

It was beautiful. Solar was glad she was able to spend all day with her friends, seeing the sunrise and now setting, she was so content and happy. But she knew it wouldn’t last long.

She knew she’d be walking back into hell when she got home, everyone knew this moment wouldn’t last, no matter how many wishes they made.

@ yoongisgummysmile

"You can't tell people your wish, pabo," Yoongi sneered at Jungkook, only playing around. Yoongi hadn't wished for anything, because he didn't believe in stupid superstitions.

"That wasn't my wish, hyung," Jungkook smiled back at him. The youngest had never gotten a temper around his friends, despite how much he had been picked on.

"Yes, let's hope our wishes come true," Nari smiled.

"I think we should leave now," Namjoon said, "If we wait any longer, it will be freezing on the rest of the trip."

@ Taehyung

Jin smiled, “let’s go.” He said, twirling his keys around. He was in charge of dropping everyone off.

Jungkook first, than Hoseok, than Jimin, than Namjoon and soon it was only Tae, Nari, Yoongi and Solar.

Jin made them all sit in the truck since the weather was getting chillier. Yoongi opted for the passenger seat while the girls and Tae sat in the backseat.

Jin pulled up to Nari’s house, “if anything happens, don’t be afraid to call us, okay?” Jin told the younger girl as he unlocked the door for her.

“Bye Nari.” Solar said, hugging her friend, she had been sitting in the middle between Nari and Taehyung.

“Bye Nari.” Tae flashed her a smile, he would have given her a hug but he didn’t want to squish Solar.

@ yoongisgummysmile

"Bye," Nari hugged Solar, and waved at Teahyung. She waved again as Jin drove off, and felt the weight of reality hit her like a wrecking ball once the truck was no longer in sight. She looked at the house she shared with her mother, seeing all the lights off except for the living room light. She took a deep breath before walking in, and seeing her deepest fear come to life as she looked at the couch.

Her mom was sprawled out on the couch, her head leaning back against the arm, her eyes wide open. Nari could see from where she stood that she wasn't breathing, and had been too shocked to move any closer to her. She pulled her phone out, immediately dialing 119 and telling the dispatcher what she had just walked in on. Tears now streaming from her face, she called Jin.

"Oppa," she cried, "Please come back."

---

Yoongi didn't acknowledge Taehyung or Solar as they were dropped off at their houses, but he had hoped that Taehyung would be okay tonight. Jin's phone started ringing as he pulled up to Yoongi's apartment complex.

"Nari?" he asked, making Yoongi furrow his eyebrows. "I'll be right there," he said reassuringly. He stopped in front of the complex, and Yoongi wanted to ask what was going on before getting out, but realized Jin would probably be in a hurry.

"Be safe, hyung," Yoongi said as he got out, "Thanks for today."

@ Taehyung

Taehyung sighed as he looked at the apartment where he lived with his dad and older sister. He dreaded going inside but he felt bad for leaving Soohee by herself all day, especially with their dad being on a drunken binge.

He opened the door and saw his dad passed out, a beer bottle still in hand. Soohee was laying on the mattress that they shared. Taehyung walked over and laid down behind his sister, wrapping an arm around her as she slept.

---

Solar stopped outside of her house, taking a few deep breaths before going inside. The place was trashed, which was no surprise. Her mother was passed out, another guy who wasn’t her father, was also there. He eyed Solar as she walked in and went for the stairs.

She wondered where her father was, but figured he was in his room when he noticed the door was locked.

She went to her own room and went to close the door when it was stopped by someone. Solar turned and saw the man from the living room, stopping her from closing the door.

“Get out.” Solar said.

“Your parents didn’t tell you? Your father is paying me 7000 won to have my way with you.” The man said, approaching Solar.

“That’s pretty cheap.” Solar said, trying to move away from the drunk guy in her room.

She backed into something, or someone, realizing it was her father. “Dad...” she started before her father knocked her to the ground.

Solar let out a scream as her father her arms back while the man pulled her jeans and panties off. She was screaming for her mother to wake up and help her but she knew she wouldn’t be able to hear her.

After everything was said and done, Solar grabbed her phone and dialed Yoongi’s number, sniffling as she waited for him to answer, hoping he would answer.

@ yoongisgummysmile

Jin had patiently waited in his truck as Nari gave the police her statement, watching as the paramedics brought her mother out on a gurney, wrapped inside a body bag. She couldn't imagine what she could be feeling right now; he was one of the only ones in the group to have a normal, loving relationship with his Parents. Jungkook still had his mom and dad, but they were always putting so much pressure on him. The rest of them, not so much. He pulled out his phone, sending a text to Taehyung.

'Nari is staying over, you might need to come,' he texted, putting his phone back in his pocket. Nari got into the passenger seat of his truck after throwing a bag filled with some of her stuff.

"My mom said you're welcome to stay in my sister's room for now, since she's off at University," he said, offering her a smile before driving off. Nari looked out the window as Jin drove, trying to keep herself from crying. She hadn't had a good relationship with her for the longest time, but that didn't make finding her dead any easier.

---

Yoongi would have ignored Solar's call, if Solar had been the type of person just to call somebody. Because she only did in emergencies, he didn't hesitate before answering his phone. "Is everything okay?" Even though he told himself he didn't want anything to do with her romantically, she was still his friend, and he cared about her well being.

@ Taehyung

Taehyung felt his phone vibrate and reached into his pocket for it, seeing the text. He immediately sat up, fearing the worse. He slipped his shoes back on and stood up. He felt bad for leaving his sister once again, but hopefully their dad would stay passed out for now.

He walked out of the apartment making the walk towards Jin’s house.

---

“No..” Solar said, still sniffling. She wiped her face, “my dad...paid some guy to have his way with me...can I come over, please? I don’t want to stay here tonight..” she said, barely above a whisper.

@ yoongisgummysmile

Nari thanked Jin as he put her bag down next to the empty bed she would be staying in. He gave her a hug before letting her know he'd leave food out and leaving, closing the door behind him. She sat on the edge of the bed, tears now rolling down her cheeks. She felt like a fractured dam, as if any second she would break. She knew if she started crying, she wouldn't be able to stop.

How had her life become like this? She laid down on the bed, curling up into a ball on top of the blanket. She tightly hugged herself as a couple of sobs escaped.

---

"Meet me at the end of your street," he said quickly before hanging up. He'd only been one bottle of beer in, and still sober. He ran out of his apartment, and once his feet hit the pavement of the sidewalk, he started sprinting towards her house. He wanted to kill her stupid dad, and if he couldn't get his emotions under control in the next five minutes, he probably would.

@ Taehyung

Taehyung made it to Jin’s house and walked in. He looked at Jin, who was in the kitchen making some food. “Where’s Nari? What happened?” He asked. He grabbed a piece of food off the plate without Jin seeing, waiting for him to explain what had happened.

---

Solar hung up before standing up. Her legs were shaky still, and she pulled on a pair of sweat pants. She grabbed a hoodie and pulled it on, hiding the marks on her arms from being held down.

She couldn’t hide the mark on her face from her dad hitting her, but she didn’t care. She slipped her shoes back on and stuffed her phone in her pocket before slipping out of her house and going to the end of the street.