╰┈➤ ❝ [ Maybe you ran with the wolves and refused to settle down ] ❞

WAKING UP BESIDE HAN SEO-JUN HAD BEEN A SURPRISE TO KIM JI-AN. The two had fallen asleep halfway through the second movie, too drained from the earlier events. Kim Ji-an's head had been lying on Seo-jun's shoulder while he laid his head on top of hers, his arm around her waist. The seconds after waking up had been awkward to say the least. Both of them not knowing how to act. Right after, Seo-jun took her back to her house. As much as she enjoyed her time away from the dreaded walls, she needed to change into something more comfortable than the dress from the night before.

As Ji-an got out of the motorcycle, Han Seo-jun lifted the shade of his helmet and turned to the girl. "Before you go." He said, making the girl turn to look at him. "Go-woon's birthday is coming soon and I want to know if you could come with me to buy her a present. She's been complaining about not having any makeup to practice with and you obviously know more about that than me."

Ji-an eyes widened, completely forgetting about Go-woon's birthday. She had never been good at remembering people's birthdays. The girl shifted on her spot, her hands holding her small shoulder bag. "Shouldn't you ask Jug-yeong? She's a lot better at makeup than I am. I'm sure she could-"

"I don't want Jug-yeong, sweetheart." Seo-jun interrupted, his feline-like eyes gazing intently at her.

Kim Ji-an staggered at his words. "Sure, then. I'll go with you."

Seo-jun nodded, "We can go next weekend."

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow at school." Ji-an said, but didn't make any move to leave. She shared eye contact with Seo-jun for a few seconds wondering if she should do it. After a moment of contemplation, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around the boy's shoulder's in a hug. "Thank you for everything, Seo-jun."

Seo-jun placed his arms around her waist, squeezing her frame gently. "Anytime, sweetheart."

They stayed like that for a couple of seconds before Ji-an slowly pulled away with a warm smile on her lips. She brought down the shade of Seo-jun's helmet and tapped his head. "Drive home safely." Seo-jun nodded and turned his attention back to the road, pulling away from her house and speeding away. Once Seo-jun was out of sight, Ji-an walked inside the house, already dreading everything by the mere sight of it.

The girl let out a sigh as she gently closed the front door behind her. The last thing she wanted to do was attract the attention of her parents, if they were even at the house. She didn't know if they had gone out so she wasn't about to take the risk. While making her way to her room, she bumped into Chin-Sun who was currently cleaning the hallway. The woman looked up from her hands that were holding a broom.

"Kim Ji-an?" She let out a sigh of relief. Letting go of the object and leaving it to lean against the wall, she quickly embraced the girl. "I was so worried about you, sweetie. You never came back last night and you also never replied to my messages. I thought something bad happened to you."

Kim Ji-an wrapped her arms around the shorter woman. A lump formed in her throat, the events from the night before crashing back on to her. "I'm sorry for not responding. I completely forgot." Her voice came out choked up, as she tried her hardest to not breakdown in front of the woman. She felt so weak and pathetic.

"Sweetie, you don't sound okay." The woman said as she pulled away to take a hold of the girl's cheek, scanning her face. "What happened?"

Ji-an shook her head fighting back her tears. She was not going to cry. At least not in front of Chin-Sun. "Just my brother and my so-called parents."

Chin-sun sighed. The woman didn't need to know more to have an idea of what happened. She had heard some yelling coming from the other side of the house, she should've figured out it was another fight. "I'm so sorry, sweetie."

"It's just how it is." She shrugged. "I'll get over it."

"Have you eaten? Do you want some breakfast?"

"Breakfast sounds nice." Ji-an smiled. "I'll take a shower and I'll come down to the kitchen."

Chin-sun nodded and slowly let the girl go. Ji-an walked inside her room and threw her bag on the bed. Taking off her sandals and the hair tie holding half of her hair, she took a look in the mirror. The girl grimaced at the sight that met her. She wondered how Seo-jun could even stand being around her when she looked like such a mess. Then she realized she was still wearing the hoodie he had given her the night before, and let out a sigh.

She grabbed her phone, deciding to call the group chat she had with Soo-ah, Soojin, and now as their latest addition, Jug-yeong. In a minute or so, all the girl's answered, some looking more awake than others. "Hey, guys."

"Hi." Jug-yeong greeted, the camera facing her ceiling. Ji-an was about to point it out until she remembered Jug-yeong was most likely wearing no make up as it was still morning.

"Hey." Soo-jin also greeted, looking more awake than the other two.

Soo-ah groaned, her eyes still half closed form sleep. "Why are you awake so early on our day off?"

"Don't worry I won't take long." Ji-an chuckled, "I just wanted to know if we could meet up at one of your houses? I would offer mine but I don't really feel like being here. I have some stuff to tell you guys."

"We can meet at my house." Soo-ah said, suddenly not feeling so sleepy anymore. "Is this about yesterday?"

"Yeah." Ji-an replied.

"I have some stuff to do but I can be there at 2:00." Soo-jin said.

"Me too." Jug-yeong added, making Ji-an nod.

"At 2:00 it is then." Ji-an said. "I'll see you guys later."

Soo-ah and Soo-jin nodded and Jug-yeong send a thumbs up. Ending the call, Ji-an went and took a long needed shower. Then she followed her usual morning routine and put on some cute but comfortable clothes. She placed her hair in a ponytail and called it a day. While doing her hair, her attention shifted to the pictures she had around her vanity. Her eyes fell on the picture she had with Se-yeon. Her heart clenched at the sight, guilty for not having visited his grave since the day he was buried. She'll have to go someday. Maybe I'll help her let some stuff out.

Then her gaze moved to the pictures she had with Su-ho. Remembering the night of the festival where he broke down in front of her, she let out a heavy breath. She could hope her words had helped him in some way. The heavy burden he was carrying will only eat him alive, and it hurt her to think she was of no help. Two days before he had been incredibly sweet with her. Her Su-ho was right there. One step away from completely coming out. It was not only her ex boyfriend she missed, but she also longed for her best friend. After all, he was her friend for longer than the amount of time they dated. He was her rock and her first love how could she stop loving him?

The girl closed her eyes and shook her head, pushing away the thoughts. Opening her eyes again, she scanned all the pictures, taking notice of the complete lack of pictures with Seo-jun. There were no pictures of them alone. The only pictures where he was present was the childhood pictures and ones where Su-ho and Se-yeon were present. And that was all because she had gotten rid of all the pictures she had with Seo-jun alone. It had been a spur of the moment. Years ago, one second she was crying at the sight of them and the next she was breaking them into tiny little pieces. She regretted it now, but it was too late.

Kim Ji-an turned away from the haunting pictures and grabbed her bag and took out the money, her money, the one Min-gi had returned, and she placed it back on the box where it belonged. She knew she needed to get a new one with a lock as she was not going to risk the same situation happening again. But for the time being, she moved the box from the spot she had it before just as a form of precaution.

Making her way downstairs to the kitchen, she stopped in her tracks at the sight of her brother. He immediately stood up from the table at her presence. "Ji-an, look I want to say I'm-"

"Save it, Ji-hun." The girl said, not wanting to hear any of his excuses. She took notice of the amount of new bruises covering his face, knowing they couldn't have been caused just by the punch Seo-jun gave him. Min-gi did not look happy when he had dragged Ji-hun away so she could only guess what had happened. Ji-hun owned him money a big amount of money so the reaction was valid and Ji-an could not be happier.

"I'm sorry, Ji-an! Please I was drunk and-"

"What part of I don't want to hear it don't you understand Ji-hun?" The girl asked growing angrier by the second. "Do me the favor and get out of my sight." She turned her attention to Chin-sun, letting her brother know the conversation was over with.

The older boy let out a sigh. Placing his dirty plate on the sink beside Chin-Sun, he left the kitchen, making Ji-an let out a breath of relief. Chin-sun turned to the girl with an apologetic look. "It was really that bad?"

Ji-an nodded, "He stole money from me and my parents couldn't even believe me."

Chin-sun shook her head. The woman didn't look surprised but she was disappointed. "You don't deserve that kind of treatment, Ji-an."

The girl shrugged and took a seat on one of the kitchen stools in front of the kitchen island while Chin-sun served her breakfast. "I don't think it's ever going to change. I'll just wait until I graduate to find my own place to live at."

Chin-sun nodded. "That would be great for you. I know this place doesn't make you happy." The woman said as she passed a plate full of food to Ji-an. The girl happily began eating, letting a hum of satisfaction.

"This is good." The girl complimented making the woman smile.

"Thank you, sweetie."

↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷

"They did what?!" The three girls exclaimed making Ji-an flinch at the loud voices.

"Exactly what you heard."

Soo-jin narrowed her eyes and grabbed one of Soo-ah's stuffed animals and began squeezing the life out of it. "I swear, if I ever come across your brother, I will make him regret being born."

Soo-ah snatched her stuffed animal from Soo-jin's hands. "Stop, why are you taking out your anger on my baby?!"

Soo-jin rolled her eyes. "It was the closest thing to me."

Kim Ji-an chuckled at their antics. "As much as I would enjoy watching you beat my brother, someone already took care of him." The girl revealed making them all shift their attention to her again.

"Who?" Jug-yeong asked, her eyes wide and curious. This was the most drama she had heard in a while. And that was a lot considering her mother's clients always had some wild stories to tell.

"Song Min-gi." Ji-an said, getting a few squeals in return.

"I told you he likes you!" Soo-ah yelled, jumping on her spot on the bed and hitting it with her stuffed animal.

"Seriously? I can't squeeze your plushie but you can beat it up." Soo-jin scoffed.

Soo-ah stuck her tongue out to her. "Only I can do it."

Ji-an rolled her eyes. They really could never stop bickering. "Anyways, the reason why Min-gi did it it's because my brother owns him money. That's why Ji-hun stole from me."

Jug-yeong frowned, "But what if he does like you?"

"Min-gi is a nice guy but I don't like him that way. I do appreciate what he did." Ji-an admitted, and it was true. Min-gi was a great guy and he was also unbelievably attractive. In another circumstances, she could see herself dating him, but that was not the case now. She still loved Lee Su-ho.

"Talking about nice guys. What happened with Han Seo-jun?" Soo-ah asked, a knowing glint in her eyes.

Ji-an leaned back on the bed. "He took me to the store and bought a bunch of my favorite snacks that by the way I did not chose. It was all stuff he remembered I liked." The girl said, feeling like she had to be specific with that part. She was still shocked by it herself. "Then he took me to his house and we watched movies." Ji-an finished, frowning when she noticed her friends staring at her with mouths hanging open. "What?"

"You do realize how all of that sounds, right?" Soo-jin raised an eyebrow at Ji-an.

"That is the sweetest thing I've ever heard." Jug-yeong smiled.

"You are telling me he remembered everything? All the stuff you like? After years of not being friends?" Soo-ah's eyes were wide, like she had realized something. "Did you never thought about the possibility of one of you falling in love while all of this fake relationship happens?

Ji-an choked with her own saliva. She started coughing uncontrollable. Jug-yeong patted her back as the girl tried to compose herself. "What?!"

"Come on, just hear me out!" Soo-ah exclaimed. "You're literally acting like a couple around everyone. It would be hard not to catch some type of feelings."

"Obviously, no!" Ji-an replied shaking her head furiously. "No way. Are you crazy? Literally, the very first rule I wrote down was Not Falling In Love." The girl stated. The idea of it all just baffling. Seo-jun used to be her best friend, so of course if he is being genuine, he's going to be caring and attentive. It did not mean he had feelings for her.

"Just remember I warned you." Soo-ah stated and shared a knowing look with Soo-jin and Jug-yeong.

↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷

"So how do you know that guy, Song Min-gi?" Han Seo-jun asked Ji-an as they sat on their respective desks inside the classroom.

A couple of days had passed since the exams and that whole party drama. Surprisingly, Seo-jun was beginning to enjoy his moments at school a lot more just because of a certain girl. Ever since he told Ji-an he still cares about her, their dynamic has changed for the better. The girl was skeptical at first and she had every right to be. But since the night of the party, she's been more comfortable around him and Seo-jun could not be happier.

It was small, but it was a glimmer of hope that maybe one day she could see him the same way he does. He knew he shouldn't think this way. As painful as it was, he was highly aware of the fact that Ji-an was still in love with Su-ho. The sneaky glances she sent his way was enough of a tell that she still cared about what he thought. And Seo-jun knew that this could all end in another heartbreak. Nonetheless, he was tired of putting up a fake front. He wanted to show the girl how he actually felt, specially if this was his one and only chance to shoot his shot. So he needed to take advantage of it and try his best to make her fall in love with him.

Kim Ji-an turned around to face Seo-jun, not having expected the question about Min-gi. She placed her hands on the back of her chair as she questioned the boy. "Why are you asking?"

Seo-jun shrugged as he looked away from the girl, trying to act as unbothered as possible. "I don't know. He seemed very comfortable with you. To the point of given you a nickname and everything."

Ji-an frowned, raising an eyebrow at the boy. "Says the one that calls me sweetheart."

"That is not the same." Seo-jun objected feeling offended by the comparison itself. "I've known you for years. How long have you known him?"

The girl tilted her head trying to remember. "A while now. Like a couple of years back."

Seo-jun shook his head. "It still doesn't count."

Ji-an couldn't help but genuinely laugh at his behavior. "You're so stupid." She said, trying to stop her giggles. After a few seconds she spoke again, deciding to change the subject. "Are we still on to go buy Go-woon her present?"

"Yeah."

"We'll have to go to the mall. That's where the best beauty supply stores are at." Ji-an said, making Seo-jun nod. He'll just have to trust whatever she says because he has no knowledge on the matter.

From the other side of the room, Lee Su-ho watched the interaction very intently as if he was looking for something. There was something different about how they were acting. Mostly on Ji-an's part. She seemed more open and relaxed than she usually did around Seo-jun. Her laugh was more genuine too. Su-ho frowned, not liking the sight at all. For some reason this particular moment angered him more than any of the other times he had seen them together.

——————— ↶*ೃ✧˚. ❃ ↷ ˊ—————

— Joy

This was more of a filler chapter. This wasn't really planned but I felt like it was needed. Specially with all the stuff that will be happening on the following chapters. I'm just warning you guys 🤗

Just let me know if anything feels rushed. PLEASEE 😭

I don't have anything to yap about (surprisingly) so I'll leave you with some memes.