and always finds its way back

. . .

"Hyeri! Hyeri!" My body was shaken up by a strong grip on my arm and a presence behind me.

I jolted up, realizing I was lying down on the floor. "Lizzy! What happened?"

"Your s.tupid ex-boyfriend called me. He won't be here for a week." Her face frowned upon revealing the words. He won't be here for a week. Why? I was eager to know.

"A week? Is he on a vacation or something? That d.ouche!" I should be happy, he's away. But the feeling was rather melancholic.

I was silently hoping he's here. Not Lizzy. I wish he had woken me up. Not Lizzy. She bit her pinkish lips, struggling to find the right words to say.

"His...umm," she was taking all the time she got, "his parents died."

Her words jumpstarted my tears. His parents have always been kind to me. Even kinder than my parents. They made me feel I was family.

"I need to call him." I immediately stood up, but I felt a burning pain on my thighs, causing me to fall on my knees.

"Hyeri? Are you okay?" I heard her ask while she helped me lift myself back up.

"Yes. Yes, I'm fine." After opening my phone, I saw four missed calls beside his name. "Lizzy, you may leave. Thank you for waking me up!"

"But he told me not to leave you."

"Huh? Hello? Jungkook? I heard what happened."

Lizzy didn't move from her position until I gestured my hand, asking her to leave the room. She obeyed, and closed the door after her.

"Hi. I'm really—I don't know what to do. They're gone, Hyeri. They're gone, and all the papers are coming in. Everything is a mess. I wish —I wish you're with me right now." His voice sounded tired from crying and talking. I couldn't imagine the pain he's going  through right now. I wish I could be there for him.

"I'm sorry, Jungkook. Condolence. But, how did this happen?" His parents had been good people. I didn't see how they deserved death that instant.

"A—According to the in—investigators, they were on their way home when dad suddenly lost control of the wheels. The car—the car rolled down the highway. Mom was—" His sorrow was louder. It was heartbreaking to hear him crying. Jungkook has always been tough, but that was just a facade, a cover up for the soft child inside him. "She was declared dead on arrival. And dad, he was able to make it to the hospital b—but his heart gave up."

"Jungkook."

"Hyeri, please don't drop the call."

"I won't."

Lizzy's:

Hyeri asked me out of the room, and I went straight ahead to the kitchen to check for food.

"You shouldn't be going through their food," a man's voice advised me from the living room.

"Shut up, Kihyun! I'm hungry!" I grabbed on a bucket of chicken from KFC and took one to my mouth. I sat beside Kihyun whose been checking the obituary section of the newspaper.

"Hmm? I thought you've changed."

"Did she already notice?"

"I guess not? She's almost fainted a while ago. You should slow down."

"Whatever you say! I'm leaving, just tell me when she's ready to stay on my place for a while. Don't disappoint me, Lizzy!" He bounced off the couch and let himself out.

After I finished appetizing the chicken, I knocked on her door. She was sobbing on the floor, her arms embraced her legs. I called out her name but it seems like her mind's in another world.

"You could stay in my place for a while," I blurted.

She looked at me, her eyes were swollen from crying. I hope she declines. Come on!

"It's fine. I could stay here."

"You don't want my place then. How 'bout Kihyun's? Hmm?"

She buried her face back on her knees. "I can't stay with him. Don't worry about me, Lizzy."

"Oh please, I insist. He was here to check on you a while ago. He called, and he must've heard you crying so he came by."

She looked at me and wiped the tears from her eyes. After sniffing a few times, I gave her my handkerchief and helped her get up.

"Wait, it hurts!" she grunted as she slid her hand between her thighs.

"I'd take a bath and fix my things. I should also probably talk to him. Are you sure he's okay with it?"

"D.amn right, he sure is."

Hyeri's:

After Jungkook dropped the call, I curled myself on the floor and cried my heart out. Minutes later, my best friend came in offering me a place to stay. I guess I'll be staying with Kihyun for a week, then.

I removed my pajamas as I submerged myself into the tub and relaxed my head on the edge. I lifted my left leg and noticed two bruises lying around my thigh. This might be the cause of pain. I lifted the other one, and saw one more bruise. I started to question myself.

"Where did I get this?" I was more puzzled as I started at them.

Oh, I remember Kihyun and I... but, this is weird. I remember him on top of me, but I don't remember the rest of the night. Like it was deleted from my mind or something. Thinking I may have hit something while I was being dragged back to the apartment, I paid no mind to the bruises. Although, I should've.

"Hey, I've packed your stuff. I'll be downstairs. Meet me by the car," I heard Lizzy call from the outside. Not to keep her waiting, I dressed up and helped myself inside the car.

"Are you still thinking about staying in Kihyun's place?" She may have noticed I was not myself.

"I'm thinking about Jungkook's parents, and his brother," I bit my lip and a tear barely escaped my eye, "and him."

"I'm sure he's fine!" she tried to cheer me up.

She parked the car opposite a large building, which I assume is a condominium. She took us to the 20th floor where his room was situated.

He opened the door with a smile on his lips. He's such a delight.

"Welcome to Narnia!"

"Thank you for letting me stay."

"My pleasure, milady." He took my hand and kissed it. Like a gentleman.

Lizzy pushed my bags in and hurriedly left.

"Don't do something I wouldn't do!" she whispered after grabbing my butt and squeezed it softly. I slapped her hand away, and she let out a teasing laugh.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of you."

There was something about his words that leaves me satisfied each time. He knows the way to my heart. And it felt weird. But it was nice.

He was not like Jungkook, he was different. Though all this time I have spent with him I felt close, I didn't learn to love him. I just cared, I cared so much, and I think that's enough.

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🌻 note:

This chapter is dedicated to my friend victoriquextaemin ! Read her stories too, they're really good.