collateral damage 🔞 - COMPLETE

•five• before (M)

It's been a few months, and I'm a regular guest at Jeongguk's house. His parents are actually very sweet. I was so convinced that they thought of me as an ungrateful brat when I told them I didn't want to run my parents business. Tonight we are sitting together, along with Jimin in the comfortable living room. We are watching some of the videos I've filmed, and edited for school. It was so fun, and everyone really enjoyed what I'd brought with me.

"You have a gift Haerin."

"Thank you Aunty. I really love doing it."

Jeongguk's parents went to bed after a while, leaving the 3 of us to clean up and hang out. It's always fun to be around these guys. They don't ever make me feel anything but accepted for who I am. After the drama with Somi, I had a long talk with Jimin. At the end it was agreed that I wouldn't buy gifts for them anymore. It was mostly so I could feel confident that they loved me for who I am and not what I have. I appreciated both of them for making sure that if we hung out, they brought money with them, and often didn't allow me to pay.

"So, are we going to the pre-graduation party tomorrow?"

I looked up at Jimin and just shrugged my shoulders. The truth is I don't want to go. Jeongguk is not in our class, and my only other friend is Jimin. Everyone else is fake, and only talks to me because of my money. That sad fact has been made abundantly clear.

"Jeongguk can come with us... come on Hae it's going to be fun!"

"I don't want to go... No-one will care anyway."

"I'll go Haerin. Jimin's right... It'll be fun. And you've worked hard, so you should be celebrating your graduation..."

I look at Jeongguk's smile, and reluctantly agree. As long as these 2 will be with me, then I'm sure it'll be fun.

"YESSS!! We're going to have such a good time!!"

Jimin is just too excited. I noticed Jeongguk looks a little down and I get up and sit on his lap, making him look at me.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing... I just realized that you're both leaving school in a few weeks..."

Laying my head on his chest, I run my fingers through his hair. I don't know what to say because he's not wrong. He's not the only one that is sad about it, but I don't tell him right now. I am worried that if I go to school in Seoul, he'll move on and find another girlfriend. When I expressed that to him the last time, he got pissed at me. The disappointment he had  thinking that I don't believe our relationship is serious to him, made me ashamed. I never express these fears anymore to not have another fight.

"I'm sorry Jeongguk-ah... You know we'll never leave you behind right?!?"

Jimin's silly voice and his sudden attack on Jeongguk's hair, leaves us all laughing. The night finishes, and Jeongguk drives us both home. When we get to my house, I just sit in the car with him. He seems deep in thought, and I don't want to disturb him so I just sit and look out the window.

"Are you tired Haerin?"

His voice reaches out to me like a warm hand. I turn to see that he's staring at me with a look I don't recognize.

"Not really... Are you?"

"No..."

"Do you want to come inside? We could go swimming..."

"Sure... Sounds perfect."

We get out of the car and he follows me to the door. His hand on my hip gives me a chill, but I open the door and we head inside. The lights are dim as no-one is here. The staff always leaves just a few lights on when they leave and I'm out of the house. After we remove our shoes, we walk to the pool house.