14. 𝘼 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙩𝙚𝙧

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Jungwon and Bora stood side by side, the silence between them filled with unspoken words. Bora's heart raced, a mixture of excitement and nervousness building within her. She took a deep breath and turned to Jungwon.

"Jungwon, can I tell you something?"

He looked at her, his expression curious yet attentive. "Of course, Bora. You can tell me anything."

Bora's heart pounded in her chest. She looked into his eyes, finding a sense of comfort in their warmth. "I... I like you, Jungwon. More than just a friend."---

--BEEP BEEP BEEP (alarm sound)

The soft tendrils of morning light slipped through Bora's curtains, gently coaxing her out of the embrace of her dreams. As her eyelids fluttered open, the remnants of a dream still clung to her mind—the dream where she had confessed her feelings to Jungwon. A smile tugged at her lips as she lingered in that dreamy haze for a moment longer.

Reality beckoned, however, and with a sigh, she pushed the covers aside and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. The events of the past weeks had been a rollercoaster, but today was a new day—a day she had decided to face with newfound strength.

With a determined spirit, Bora got ready for school, her movements imbued with a sense of purpose. The whispers of her dreams still lingered in her mind, propelling her forward as she stepped out into the crisp morning air. The journey to school was like a pilgrimage, each step a testament to her resilience.

As she walked through the school gates, the usual buzz of gossip and whispers seemed to fade into the background. Bora's gaze remained steadfast ahead, her heart resolute in its decision not to be swayed by the harsh judgments of others. She knew her worth, and that was all that truly mattered.

Spotting Hana and Minji waiting for her by the entrance, a genuine smile broke across her face. They enveloped her in a tight embrace, words of concern and relief tumbling out in a rush. Bora listened to their voices, grateful for friends who stood by her even when the world seemed against her.

"So, how does it feel to be back?" Hana asked cautiously.

Bora's smile was genuine as she answered, "It feels like taking back control. I won't let the rumors define me anymore."

Minji nodded in agreement. "You've always been strong, Bora. We knew you wouldn't let this break you."

As the trio made their way down the hallway, Bora's eyes caught a flash of familiar silver earbuds. Jungwon walked with his characteristic air of quiet confidence, lost in the music that streamed into his ears. Bora's heart skipped a beat, and before she could overthink it, she allowed herself to smile at him. To her delight, he returned the gesture with a small nod, a silent acknowledgment that spoke volumes.

The bell chimed, signaling the start of classes, and Bora turned her attention to her path. But fate had other plans. Just as she was about to round a corner, she found herself face-to-face with Jake. The sight of him ignited a fire within her—an anger she had suppressed for far too long.

"Look who we have here-"

Before he could say another word, Bora's hand swung out, delivering a sharp slap across his cheek. His surprised expression quickly turned into a smug grin, infuriating her even more.

"You've got a lot of nerve," she hissed, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. "I don't know what sick game you're playing, but I want no part of it."

Jake's girlfriend, Miya, appeared at his side, confusion etched on her features as she looked between Bora and Jake. Bora's heart raced, her emotions teetering on the edge as she struggled to keep her composure.

Miya's gaze fell on Bora, her curiosity evident. "And you are?"

"Oh! Right, the girl who killed her own brother?" She laughed, 

Summoning all her strength, Bora looked Miya in the eye, her voice firm but steady. "It's easy to believe rumors, isn't it? But you don't know the truth. You don't know the pain or the reasons behind things."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving behind a stunned Jake and a bewildered Miya.

As the distance between them grew, Bora couldn't help but feel a sense of victory—a victory over her fears and insecurities. She had confronted her demons, faced the storm head-on, and emerged stronger on the other side.


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The final bell of the school day rang, signaling the end of classes, Bora gathered her books and felt a sense of relief. She had managed to get through the day despite the challenges and judgment that had come her way. Glancing out of the window, her heart sank as she noticed the dark clouds that had gathered in the sky. Rain was imminent.

Bora's thoughts raced, berating herself for not checking the weather forecast that morning. She could already see the heavy droplets beginning to fall, splattering against the windows. She hesitated, hoping that the rain might subside, but it only grew more intense, turning into a full-blown downpour.

With a sigh of frustration, Bora knew she had no choice but to leave the shelter of the school building and brave the rain. She pulled her backpack over her head in a makeshift attempt at shielding herself from the rain, and with a determined expression, she stepped out.

Her sneakers were quickly soaked, and her hair clung to her forehead as the rain continued to pour. She squinted through the water, trying to make her way towards the bus stop. However, the rain showed no signs of stopping, and each step she took seemed to bring her closer to being drenched.

Just as frustration threatened to overwhelm her, a shadow fell over her, and a large umbrella appeared above her head. Bora blinked in surprise, looking up to see Jungwon standing beside her, holding the umbrella protectively over both of them. The raindrops pelted against the umbrella's fabric, creating a soothing rhythm.

She opened her mouth to protest, to tell him that she didn't want to burden him with her lack of preparation, but the words caught in her throat as their eyes met. There was a softness in his gaze, a silent understanding that spoke volumes.

"Here," he said quietly, his voice barely audible over the sound of the rain. He extended the umbrella toward her, his fingers brushing against hers as he let go.

Bora hesitated, torn between her stubborn independence and the practicality of staying dry. With a reluctant smile, she finally took the umbrella from him, feeling a mixture of gratitude and embarrassment. "Thank you," she mumbled, her cheeks flushing.

Jungwon simply nodded, his own hair beginning to get wet from the rain. "Don't worry about it," he replied, his tone casual.

They stood there for a moment, the rain creating a cocoon around them as they shared the shelter of the umbrella. Bora couldn't help but steal glances at him, her heart warming at the unexpected gesture.

"I'm sorry," she finally said, breaking the comfortable silence. "I should have checked the weather forecast. You didn't have to do this."

Jungwon shrugged, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "It's just rain. And I happened to have an umbrella."

Bora's worry resurfaced. "But what if you catch a cold?" she asked, her concern genuine.

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I'll be fine. Besides, it's not like I'm going to melt."

Her lips twitched into a smile, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for his presence. As they continued to stand together under the umbrella, the rain seemed to lose its chill, and Bora realized that sometimes, unexpected moments like this could bring people closer in ways she could never have anticipated.


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Thanks for reading my book, 

lots of love,

Emy

𝙎𝙄𝙇𝙀𝙉𝙏 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙎 𝙎𝙋𝙀𝘼𝙆 || Yang JungwonTempat cerita menjadi hidup. Temukan sekarang