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future dates.

"He's cute." A voice whispered to Monica from the seat behind her. She knew exactly who it was though.

"And he's just a friend, Jimin." Monica claimed, turning her head just enough to see his wiggling eyebrows. Jimin taught mathematics in the room across from hers. Monica was the first one to speak to him in the teachers lounge amongst the middle-aged teachers. And with that came an amazing friendship.

"So, he's single?" Jimin whispered, Monica could practically hear the smirk in his voice. Monica tried her best to refrain from erupting in laughter. Feeling it would be disrespectful since an angered parent was now complaining and rambling about some bookbag issue.

"I guess but aren't you pining over Taehyung?" The girl jeered at the lovestruck man behind her. Monica could hear his breath get caught in his throat. Taehyung- who Monica had become familiar with through various mentions from Jimin and the fact he was the latter's wallpaper, was Jimin's longtime roommate. They had been friends since school days and Jimin had said he'd been in love with him for about three years.

The story always made her gooey, so she didn't like when he told it every time they got drunk together.

"Stop. It looks like he has the hots for you anyway." Jimin nudged his head to the side where Jackson was trying, desperately, to get Monica's attention.

Jackson was tired of this meeting. He missed his daughter's company and on top of that he felt like his cologne was suffocating him. The committee seemed like they were taking an intermission, so this was the best time to dip.

Monica stood from her seat and walked over to Jackson. Kneeling down by his seat once she got there. "Is there a problem, Jackson?"

"Listen, I know I said I'd stay but I can't do this. If I hear another parent complaining about the school lunch time I think my head is going to explode." He whispered rather harshly. Monica smiled, "Well, you're in luck. This is about the time I leave too. And most of the teachers who finally want to sleep."

"Good. Can we go now? I think they're about to start talking again."

Jackson and Monica walked through the school parking lot together. The once evening sky had turned to a midnight blue. The only light from the stars and streetlights. Coincidentally, they had parked beside each other. Only one space separating their cars.

"How'd you like tonight?" Monica teased once they reached their respected cars. Both of them leaning on their own cars.

"It was amazing." Jackson voiced sarcastically. They shared a brief laugh about how unnecessarily long the pta meeting was. Jackson realizing how lovely Monica's laugh was. At first, he couldn't believe his mind mustered such a thought. But as he continued to hear it, he began to come in terms with reality.

"Well, I'll see you next week?" Monica smiled lopsidedly while unlocking her car door.

"As always," Jackson responded, having something he wanted to get off his chest. Earlier this night he decided this would be the only time they'd meet outside of school. Yet, with the time he had spent with Monica he realized he'd want to do it again. While they walked out the school Jackson thought, why not just ask her to hang out?

It was a better plan in his head but now that he had to act it out, his confidence was plummeting.

Monica had gotten in her car. Getting ready to drive away to finally rest in her beloved bed. Jackson figured it was now or never and knocked on her window.

Startled, Monica rolled down her window immediately. Jackson's head popping into her vision. "What's wrong? Is your car not starting?" Monica's mind went to the possible worst scenario. Jackson smiled at her guess before fulfilling her curiosity.

"I-I want to hang out sometime. Tonight was really nice and I want to do it again sometime."

Monica couldn't believe what she was hearing. Jackson wanted to hang out again. Embarrassingly, it made her flustered.

Jackson noticed her sudden bashful smile and started to feel confident that she would actually say yes.

"so, it's not a date, right?" She wanted assurance about what she could be getting herself into.

"I mean if you want it to be a date then it can but we'd still be hanging out nonetheless."

Monica couldn't deny it. Jackson had grown on her in the time of three weeks. His charm made her heart flutter with glee. It was almost as if she had a small crush on him.

"Then it's settled, Wang. You have my phone number. Just text me the details." And with that, Jackson moved away from her car so she could drive home. The exchanged one last wave before Jackson was punching the night air in excitement. They were going on a date.

FIN.

AUTHOR'S THOUGHT
BUBBLE

you wow it's been a week,, sorry 😔.
i meant to update sooner but i kept getting distracted but i hope you liked this
part anyway. don't worry, the climax is
coming y'all. also, sorry if there's any
grammar or any mistakes.. this chapter
as of now is unedited.

till next time