The Third Wheel • JJK

---Siri’s POV---

Have you ever been in a relationship and felt that maybe the two of you just aren’t meant to be?

Have you ever thought there might be someone who’s a better match for your partner?

Have you ever wondered if you’re standing in the way of your partner finding their soulmate, their ‘one and only’?

I felt this way. I felt that my boyfriend, Jungkook, might be better suited with my friend, Rosé.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Jungkook with all my heart, and for the past three years we’ve been together (one year living together), I was sure he loved me too. I was sure he was the one for me, that he was the man I was going to marry one day. We even had talks after our third anniversary about what kind of wedding we’d eventually want, and how many kids and dogs we’d like to have.

We were perfect together. Happy. Content.

But then Rosé came back into my life. She’s an old highschool friend who recently moved back into town, and us two reconnected to the point where Rosé became one of my best friends. She’d drop by our apartment often, joining Jungkook and I for meals, and she became a regular part of our lives.

And unfortunately for me, it seemed that Rosé had also become besties with my boyfriend.

At first, I didn’t think much of Rosé and Jungkook’s friendship. I thought it was great that they got along and shared similar interests. Whenever Rosé came over to our apartment, she and Jungkook would animatedly talk about Marvel movies, or they’d play games against each other, laughing and having a good time—all while I was in the kitchen, happily preparing snacks or cooking dinner. It comforted me to know that the people I loved enjoyed each other’s company.

However, I started noticing things I couldn’t ignore.

Every time Rosé came over, Jungkook seemed to light up. He would race to the door to greet her with a big smile, and pour her a drink before I even had the chance to offer. Then, little things began to pile up.

I was excited to watch the Twilight movies after reading the books, but Jungkook didn’t want to watch them.

“The movies won’t be as good as the books,” he said, scrolling through his phone.

“But you like vampires!” I argued, my excitement dimming.

“Nah, I’m good,” he replied with a shrug.

I let it go with a pout, trying not to let the rejection sting. But then, a week later, Rosé casually suggested watching Twilight during one of her visits.

“You know what? Why not? Let’s see what the hype is about,” Jungkook said, to my disbelief.

It felt like a slap in the face. I wanted to be the one to share that experience with him, but it seemed my voice and excitement weren’t enough when I suggested it. Ever since then, watching every Twilight movie wasn’t as exciting for me because, in the back of my mind, I knew I was only able to watch them because of my friend.

Another moment I couldn’t ignore was when I noticed Jungkook’s freshly cut hair. It was short and sleek, styled in a way he’s never had it before.

“You cut your hair??” I asked, unable to hide my surprise as I set down the laundry basket on the couch. I was so used to seeing his hair slightly long and fluffy, or in that wolf-cut-mullet style.

“Yeah... don’t you like it?” Jungkook responded with what looked like worry behind his doe eyes.

I hesitated, but managed to give him a small smile. “It looks good. You look really handsome, actually. But why did you cut it?”

He shrugged casually, running a hand through his shorter hair. “Felt like a change, and I thought you might like it. Plus, it’s getting hotter with summer coming up.”

I nodded slowly, trying to mask the uneasiness twisting in my stomach. I wanted to believe him, to take his words at face value, but the timing gnawed at me.

Just a week earlier, during a FaceTime call, Rosé was telling me how she liked men with clean-cut hairstyles, calling it a ‘smarter’ look. At the time, I hadn’t thought much of it, but now... it felt too coincidental.

My mind and heart raced. Was I overthinking things?

“It suits you,” I said quietly, folding one of Jungkook’s shirts to distract myself from the knots forming in my stomach.

“Thanks,” he said, flashing me a warm smile before heading to our bedroom.

As if that wasn’t enough to fuel my worries, there was another incident I couldn’t ignore—a cheesecake incident.

I had gone out of my way to bring home what was known to be the best lemon cheesecake in town, excited to share it with my boyfriend who tends to eat anything and everything. But all I got in return was a grimace on his face.

“You know I don’t like sour things. Why’d you get a lemon-flavored cheesecake?” he complained with a frown, as if I had purposely chosen something he hated.

“It’s not that sour though,” I tried to explain, my voice soft with disappointment as I felt a pinch in my chest. “It’s more sweet than anything, and it’s rated the best in town...”

But Jungkook didn’t bother to try it. He just pushed it aside, telling me I could have it all or take it to work with me where I could share it with my colleagues.

Until, a couple weeks later, Rosé brought over the exact same cheesecake.

“This is supposed to be amazing!" she said with a grin, placing it on the counter.

I stood frozen, my stomach twisting as I watched my boyfriend eagerly dig into the dessert without hesitation. And what hurt my heart the most was when Jungkook made his cute angry face while eating it—proof that he liked it—and he even went back for seconds.

Later that night, as we cleaned up after Rosé had left, I couldn’t help but stare at the empty cheesecake box on the counter, bitterness growing within me. It was the same cheesecake Jungkook had refused to try just weeks ago, yet this one was reduced to crumbs—all because Rosé had brought it.

“You know,” I started to say, trying to keep the little fire of anger in my chest at bay, “that’s the same cheesecake I bought a couple weeks ago. The one you didn’t want to try.”

Jungkook glanced up from rinsing a plate, his brows raised in slight surprise. “Oh, was it?” He chuckled lightly, as if it was just a harmless coincidence. “Damn, it was actually really good. Sorry for not trying it back then.”

I gave a tight lipped smile, trying to not show my jealousy or bitterness. I wanted to ask him, Why didn’t you trust me when I said it was good? Why was it so easy for you to try it when Rosé bought it?

But I didn’t say anything. I knew how I would sound. Petty, insecure, like I was overreacting to something so insignificant.

But to me, it wasn’t insignificant. It wasn’t about the cheesecake. It wasn’t about the Twilight movies or the haircut. It was about how my opinions and my efforts seemed to matter less. It was about how Rosé seemed to matter more to Jungkook than I did. It made me feel inferior, like I’ve been outshined in my own relationship.

Jungkook went back to scrubbing the dishes after that conversation, completely unaware of how I was feeling. I turned away, pretending to focus on wiping down the counter, but my mind was spinning, and my heart was aching.

His apology felt hollow, not because it wasn’t sincere, but because he didn’t understand. He didn’t see the bigger picture; the way his actions made me feel worthless and sometimes even invisible. It’s like I’m not enough for him anymore.

I took a deep breath, trying to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat. “I’m glad you liked it,” I said quietly, trying to stop the negative emotions within me from bringing tears to my eyes.

Jungkook glanced over his shoulder with a soft smile. “Next time, we should get another one to share with Rosé.”

And just like that, the lump in my throat grew thicker, and my chest felt tighter. I nodded and hummed wordlessly, my heart aching even more as I realised my darling boyfriend didn’t notice my slumped demeanor or the pain in my eyes. He didn’t notice how hurt I was.

And it didn’t help that things only got worse from that point.

Jungkook started complimenting Rosé in ways that felt too personal. He admired her new hair colour, going from black to blonde, while patting the cute buns she had styled on the sides of her head.

Another day, he made a comment that caught me completely off guard, calling Rosé cute.

“She’s cute when she eats, don’tcha think?” he said casually one evening after our friend had gone home. “She takes such small bites of her food. It’s adorable.”

“Uh... I hadn’t noticed,” I replied, my voice flat as the green flame of jealousy sparked uncomfortably in my chest—again.

I used to feel secure in my relationship with Jungkook because I never had a reason not to trust him. He always treated me like his number one. He would spoil me by buying me my favorite snacks randomly just because he could. He would pick me up after work since my workplace was on his way home, and he would usually suggest things for us to do together on the weekends. Whether it was jogging through a park, eating ice cream on the beach, or just staying in to watch Netflix, we always found ways to enjoy each other’s company.

But ever since Rosé stepped back into my life, my insecurities and uncertainty about our relationship grew.

I tried to brush off the uneasiness I’ve been feeling over the last month. I kept telling myself I was just jealous and overthinking. I tried to remind myself that Jungkook and I were still good together. We still made love a few times a week, and when it was just the two of us, we were good—great, even.

But whenever moments between Jungkook and Rosé replayed in my mind—his smiles toward her, his easy laughter, the way he seemed to just naturally gravitate towards her—my confidence in us wavered.

What didn’t make things any easier was that Rosé would frequently gush to me about how lucky I was to have someone like Jungkook. She would call him the sweetest boyfriend ever, saying how she hoped to find someone like him one day. And the worst part? She always said it so innocently, with genuine admiration in her voice. I couldn’t even be upset with her. Instead, it made my stomach twist as it was obvious that my boyfriend and best friend clearly admired each other.

Unfortunately for me, there were two more situations that really pushed my insecurities over the edge.

One night, I sat on the couch with my laptop on my lap, heart pounding as I stared at an email about a promotion. Jungkook was on the other end of the couch, focused on his phone, chuckling softly at something on the screen.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. This promotion was something I had been striving for over the last year, but I didn’t realise it would come with a major condition—a condition that could change everything.

“Koo?” I said a little hesitantly as I placed the laptop on the coffee table in front of me.

“Hmm?” Jungkook didn’t look up, still scrolling on his phone.

“I got that promotion,” I told him, my voice filled with both excitement and nervousness.

“That’s awesome, baby!” he said with a big grin, finally glancing up at me. “I knew you’d get it!”

My heart fluttered at his words, but it pounded harder at what I needed to tell him next. “There’s something else about it, though...”

“Yeah?” he asked, his attention drifting back to his phone.

“It’s not here,” I explained. “The position is in London. I’d have to leave in six weeks.”

“London? That’s cool,” he replied casually. “Six weeks, huh? Plenty of time to get ready.”

“Well, the other thing is...” I said softly, twisting my hands in my lap, “I’d be gone for a year...”

“Mhm, sounds good,” he muttered, still scrolling.

My chest tightened and my brows furrowed. “Did you even hear me?”

“Yeah?” he said, glancing at me briefly. “A year is nothing. You’ll be back before you know it. You should totally do it.”

I froze and just stared at him. Did he really understand what I just said?

Before I could say more, Jungkook suddenly sat up straighter with a deep frown on his face as he gazed at his phone. “What the heck? Rosé’s going speed dating??”

“What?” I asked, frowning too as I was confused as to why my boyfriend would care about that.

Jungkook didn’t even notice the confusion in my voice. “She’s going speed dating!” he said incredulously. “Why the hell would she do that? She doesn’t need to stoop to that level. She could do so much better.”

“Koo, can we—” I tried to get his attention, but he cut me off.

“I mean, seriously, what’s the point of speed dating? She’s way out of those guys’ leagues. She’s perfect already.”

I felt like I had just been punched in the chest.

My throat tightened with a lump, and I tried to ignore the awful ache in my chest and churning in my stomach. “Why do you even care, Koo? She can do what she wants,” I said bitterly—which he didn’t even notice.

“Well, yeah, but come on, speed dating?? I could easily find her someone better.”

What? Like you? Is what I wanted to say but I bit my tongue. Instead, I ended up saying, “Koo, I’m trying to talk about something important here.”

“I’m listening,” he grumbled, even though his eyes were still glued to his phone, thumbs going crazy as he flicked through Rosé’s posts. “You’re taking the promotion, right?” He returns to a casual tone. “I think you should do it. Six weeks will fly by.”

My heart dropped to a depth so low. Jungkook wasn’t listening. He hadn’t heard me. He didn’t hear me say a year.

I felt tears sting my eyes as I looked down at my lap, fiddling with a ring on my right pointer finger that Jungkook had gifted me for our one year anniversary.

“Yeah,” I said quietly, feeling disappointed and empty inside. “It’ll fly by...”

Jungkook glanced at me with that sweet smile he always gives. “See? It’s perfect. I’ll hold things down here, and you’ll be back before you know it. No big deal.”

I nodded silently, the ache in my chest growing heavier as I watched him look back at his phone. I tried to share something important with him. I wanted to talk about my fears of being in a long-distance relationship, but my supposed darling boyfriend didn’t even give me the chance to bring it up, too focused on someone else.

The words I wanted to say stayed stuck in my throat. I didn’t correct him. I didn’t repeat myself. If he couldn’t be bothered to listen the first time, why should I?

While Jungkook continued muttering about Rosé and her speed dating, I sat in silence, my thoughts swimming with doubt about our relationship. I always thought we were a team, but tonight, I felt alone. I felt like I was the only one carrying the burden of what could be a life-changing decision.

And the worst part?

Jungkook didn’t even realise it. He didn’t even care.

The final situation that pushed me over the edge happened a month later, on my 25th birthday.

All I wanted was to spend the day with Jungkook. Just us two. Him and I. No Rosé.

For the most part, the day was perfect. We had lunch by the beach, played tenpin bowling, and then we went to the mall where Jungkook insisted on buying me a new charm for my bracelet.

I felt hopeful that maybe this was his way of reminding me that I still mattered, that I was still his priority.

But as we walked through the mall, my heart sank. Standing by a café, laughing into her phone, was Rosé. It felt like fate was testing my patience one final time.

“Oh, hey!” She called out, waving enthusiastically when she saw us.

I forced a smile, even though my stomach was twisting. Not today. Please, not today...

“Rosé!” Jungkook greeted her happily with his face lighting up. “What are you doing here?”

“Just running errands,” she said, joining us so easily. “What about you guys? Oh yes! Happy birthday, babes!” She gave me a side hug, which I half-smiled back at.

“We’re getting Siri a charm for her birthday,” Jungkook tells her.

“Nice! Mind if I tag along?” she asked.

I wanted to scream, Yes, I mind! It’s my birthday. Just one day! Just one moment without you is all I want! But I bit my tongue, nodding reluctantly as Jungkook said, “Of course not!”

As we strolled through the mall, my excitement and happiness for my birthday dwindled. Jungkook and Rosé had somehow fallen behind me, talking about something I didn’t catch. I walked ahead, clutching my purse tightly to my side, my heart sinking each time I heard them laugh.

I glanced over my shoulder, hoping to catch Jungkook’s gaze, to silently urge him to walk beside me and hold my hand. Instead, my eyes took in a sight that broke my heart a little.

Jungkook and Rosé walked side by side, their heads tilted toward each other as if the rest of the world didn’t exist. Her hand brushed against his arm as she spoke, and he leaned closer, nodding enthusiastically, smiling at whatever she was saying.

The ache in my chest spread to my stomach making it churn, and to my eyes, making them prickle and glossy.

From a distance, they looked like a couple. They looked like they belonged together.

It’s my birthday, I thought, biting my bottom lip, trying to stop any tears from coming through. He’s supposed to be with me. This was supposed to be our day...

I couldn’t help but feel like an outsider in my own relationship. I was embarrassed because it felt like I was the third wheel, watching from the sidelines as my boyfriend and my best friend shared a connection that felt too intimate, too natural.

When we finally reached the jewellery store I wanted to shop in, I stopped at the entrance, plastering on a smile as I turned to my boyfriend. “Ready to pick out the charm?” I asked, trying to make my voice sound light and happy—which was the opposite to how I really felt.

Jungkook looked at me, then at Rosé who gave an awkward smile at both of us, and for some reason, he hesitated before looking back at me. “Why don’t you go in, baby? I’ll wait out here with Rosé.”

My heart felt like an arrow had shot through it. I furrowed my brows in confusion as Jungkook handed me his eftpos card. “But… it’s my birthday… Don’t you want to help me pick out my gift?”

He shrugged and smiled, completely oblivious to how bad this looked to me. “I trust your taste,” he said.

I stared at him, then at her, my heart pounding in my ears. My boyfriend and best friend were already talking again, both unaware of my hurt.

The lump in my throat grew, and I felt another crack in my heart as I stepped into the shop alone, my eyes glossing over more with unshed tears as I browsed the jewellery on display.

My fingers brushed over a charm of a small bunny which reminded me of Jungkook. There was once a time when I would have excitedly shown it to him, but now, I hesitated.

I checked to see where Jungkook and Rosé were last standing, and my heart sank even further when I saw them sitting on a bench. Jungkook’s hand was deep in a packet of lollies Rosé must have bought earlier.

I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that had been on my mind for the past few weeks... What if I am the outsider here? What if they are the ones who are meant to be together, and I’m just in the way?

The thought sent another crack through my heart, and I felt a wave of shame and sadness wash over me. I didn’t want to feel this way. Jealous, insecure, or questioning my place in a relationship I once thought would last forever.

But I had justifiable doubts, and I think it was time I should do something about them.

I was sure I knew what I had to do next.

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