nobody knows | hierarchy

5. party

When the guest of honor, aka Kang Ha, arrived, Bitna could already tell he was up for a long night. The boy seemed confused, and it was evident this was not a setting he was comfortable in, yet he tried to make the best of it.

"Oh my god, Hera," Yeji laughed at her close friend before taking out her phone and filming her. The other three that were surrounding the table Bitna was at didn't seem to notice Kang Ha, so Bitna just decided to ignore him for the time being.

"What are you doing later?" Yunseok pulled her away from the table before letting go of her hand.

"Why are you asking?" Bitna played dumb.

"You know exactly why I'm asking," Yunseok smirked, "Come on. One day you'll have to admit to yourself that I'm the best you've ever had."

"You are the only boyfriend I've ever had, but I'm sure the next one will give you a run for your money," Bitna replied.

"You already moved on?" Yunseok seemed shocked, "It's only been a few months since we've broken up."

"An amazing few months, dare I say," Bitna nodded.

"So you really don't want me back, do you?" Yunseok asked, all his hope seemingly shattered.

"Don't act surprised," Bitna scoffed, "You broke up with me as soon as you found out I was adopted. I'd never want to get back with someone who cares more about heritage and DNA than actual human relationships."

"I was wrong," Yunseok admitted, "I immediately realized how much you actually meant to me. You made me truly happy."

"Well, I don't think I can say the same," Bitna sighed. She knew the boy was hurt by her words, but telling him white lies would get her nowhere, "You were a nice experience, I'll give you that. One day, Kim Rian will tell you everything that was going on before we got together. He owes you that much."

It wasn't her place to say what Kim Rian had set them up for, but both Bitna and Yunseok knew their relationship was set to fail from the moment they got together. Sure, there were moments where they both felt loved, but for what cost?

"All right. Should we officially get the welcome party underway?" Hera asked the crowd, "Starting with a welcome drink."

Baek Chanmin, one of the scholarship students, brought a tray with six shot glasses, all filled to the brim with alcohol.

"It's a tradition at scholarship student welcome parties." Hera smiled sweetly at him.

"A lucky draw?" the boy asked, looking at the colors of the drinks.

"Five of these shots are regular alcohol, but one is something seriously incredible," Hera said.

"Incredible?" Kang Ha seemed confused.

"You'll know if you drink it," Hera smirked, "I'll choose first."

The girl picked up the red-filled glass, making everyone cheer her on. Kang Ha made brief eye contact with Bitna, and he could tell her unnoticeable head shaking was a signal for him to not take a shot.

"I don't drink," Kang Ha told Hera after she motioned for him to choose a glass.

"Think of everyone who helped with this party, scholarship kid," Hera told the boy. Bitna knew she put something in the other drinks as soon as the girl offered to take the first shot.

Kang Ha downed the shot, and Bitna knew she wasn't going to drink anything at that party. She made that mistake at Woojin's birthday party and never again.

"Jaei," Bitna greeted the girl gently, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Jaei smiled lightly, but Bitna could tell something was wrong, "Actually-"

"You can tell me what's bothering you another time," Bitna cut her off, "there's quite a lot of people here, I wouldn't want anyone eavesdropping."

"Right," Jaei nodded. Her phone suddenly lit up with an Instagram message, making her pick it up and read it.

"I have to go to the toilet, don't wait on me," Jaei told Bitna before standing up and leaving. Bitna could only sigh at her best friend's behavior, knowing she would keep whatever was bothering her to herself for as long as she could.

She got up and went back to where most of the guests were playing truth or dare.

"One more time, this is the last one," she could hear Yunseok say before she sat down next to Yeji.

The arrow landed on Kang Ha, making everyone cheer. Yeji took it upon herself to ask him a question, "Are there any girls here you'd want to sleep with?"

"Choose wisely," Yunseok looked at him, "If you single someone out, it might happen."

"Truth," Kang Ha said and leaned back into the armchair. By now, he was fully sober and clear-minded, yet he knew he couldn't say his answer out loud. At least, not in front of all those kids, "No. Dare."

"Dare, all right," Yeji nodded, "French kiss one of the girls here for three minutes."

Kang Ha stood up before looking at each one of the girls there. His eyes stayed on Bitna a bit longer than he intended, but she didn't budge and just stood there, staring back at him. The glance turned into eye contact, and before they knew it, Kang Ha was leaving the table.

What are you thinking? Bitna watched his figure walk further away before stopping and looking back.

Everyone scrambled up to follow him, but Bitna waited for everyone to leave before getting up and going after them as well.

She knew Kang Ha came for revenge, and her best bet was that his first move was getting Jung Jaei to like him.

What better way than to kiss her in front of her ex-boyfriend right before his eyes?

Bitna could only smirk. It didn't hurt, she could even say she felt proud of his quick thinking.

But why did she kind of want to be in Jaei's position?