Every Rule Has an Exception

Jo felt her body lighter, allowing the good vibes to collide with her system. A long time had passed since she had felt relaxed, even more so since she had felt that she could express herself freely.

All I need / Is a beauty and a beat / Who can make my life complete...

At some point, Jackson and Jo twisted and came to face one another, just as if the Universe had plotted to lock them on the same frequency. It did not take long for Jackson to capture Jo's full attention, and the woman inched closer to him, accepting his exclusive invitation.

You know I know how / To make 'em stop and stare / Watching you watching me I go all out...

Smiles turning into smirks turning into alluring movements had Jo in Jackson's utmost proximity. Neither of them took it one step further, to break the suspense of a first touch. Jo was testing the waters, with the tips of the fingers tracing ghostly touches under Jackson's chin. He smirked right back at her, licking his lips with the tip of his tongue. Yet he was patient, he was telling himself. As a matter of fact, Jackson took his sweet time memorizing Jo's silhouette and fantasizing how he would grab her by the waist in a moment of weakness—

"EVERYONE!!!" Bambam shouted through the music, "Fireworks are out, now!!"

Rushed movements ferried the group into the private garden of the house, where Bambam prepared himself to press on a very ominous red button on a remote. Amidst the chaos, Samantha observed the way Jo and Jackson danced with one another, unconsciously yet attentively isolating themselves from the crowd.

"What's the time?" Jaebum asked, laughing and positioned himself by Bam's side to break the surprise loose.

Jinyoung cupped his hands around his mouth to shout back at them. He was careful enough to leave his glasses inside the house. "3 minutes to midnight!"

Jaebum and Bambam then nodded to one another, and it was enough of a signal for Bam to press the red button. Once pressed, sudden popping sounds erupted from some nearby devices, sending fireworks into the sky. Simultaneously, the garden sprinkles went off, covering the group in droplets of water. Jo let out a shriek and instinctively put her hands in the air to cover her face. Jackson took out his jacket to cover Jo's frame as best as he could, bravely facing the water himself. The silence was broken by hearty laughter that burst out of their chests. Jo turned to Jackson. Under Jackson's improvised cloth shield, where the water caused Jo's mascara to smear and Jackson's hair to ruin, they were laughing, and they were happy.

The sprinklers ceased fire, and Jackson lowered his jacket. Youngjae came out of the house with an impressive green cake, with multiple candles burning brightly.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Mark!"

Everyone heeded Youngjae's singing to celebrate Mark. He blew into a party horn, still wearing those ridiculous party glasses, and then grasped his hands together to make a wish before blowing out the candles.

"This is definitely one of the happiest moments of my life," Jackson spoke, throwing his jacket somewhere on the lawn to rake his wet hair.

Jo was silent for a while. Watching Mark blowing the candles, Samantha taking a video of the entire moment, and the boys' friends earnestly celebrating their bond and Mark, everything reminded Jo of her college days. Between time and life, where she once stood in Mark's shoes, she could not remember the last time she had that genuine feeling in her chest. She missed the sensation.

"Me too," Jo finally spoke and leaned her head against Jackson's shoulder. "Thank you."

The party came to an end in the depth of the night. The guests gradually started leaving and it was 3AM when Jo went outside in the garden to grab some fresh air. Summer was still strong in the breeze, in the movements of the trees, and in the shining stars of the sky. The lawn was covered into spaghetti confetti, a piece of the cake was still lying where Mark was pushed with his face into the whipped cream with an empty bottle of champagne next to it. Jo remembered Jackson was supposed to be in charge of cleaning and she felt bad for him.