“Grandma, guess what?”
“What? What happened?”
She brushes my hair with her fingers as I share my good news.
“I officially got a job last night!”
“Oh, that’s wonderful, dear! What did you end up going with?”
“It’s not much, but I have a job cleaning at a barbecue restaurant.”
“That’s just enough, dear! That should definitely help us stay in this apartment.”
She gives me a peck on the cheek before playfully shoving me towards the door.
“Now go to your fancy school.”
“Alright, alright, love you.”
“Love you too, angel.”
She continues to push my back until my feet reach the hallway.
I run down the stairs, actually feeling excited for what the day will bring…
“Aah!”
I was too excited, losing track of where the steps were beneath my feet and tripping. My ankle twisted, and I crashed onto my knees at the bottom.
“Ouch…”
It takes a moment to feel well enough to stand again.
After taking the first step towards the door, a sharp sting shoots through my ankle…
“Aish!”
I lean against the wall, trying to recover.
“This is going to be fun going to school like this…”
•••
I head straight to my locker without looking at anyone, too close to being late.
After pulling my books out, I hear the bell ring and notice the halls are empty.
Crap! Am I *that* late?
I slam my locker shut and dash for math class.
The music teacher gives me a pointed look as I enter…
“Please take your seat, Miss Leera.”
He hands me a slip, and I snatch it quickly before taking a bow.
“Yes sir, I’m so sorry…”
Without another word, I limp between desks to my own.
I trip again, landing on my hands and knees.
Immediately after, I hear Taehyung shout.
“Hey! Don’t trip someone like that!”
As I get back on my feet, Taehyung reaches out to help. The teacher sends him back to his desk instead of scolding the one who tripped me.
What a great way to start the day.
I look down at my hands to see what the teacher handed me… detention.
Wow, that’s a little strict. I was only seconds late…
•••
Once inside detention, I feel intimidated by the mean-looking guys and the cheerleader girls who think they’re all that.
I choose a seat in the back corner, hoping to grind through some new homework.
I unzip my backpack and search for my science books, finding them last, of course.
“Ah, Jungkook. You actually came to detention today.”
“Well, it’s your fault you didn’t accept my bribe this time.”
My jaw drops, but I quickly shut it, trying to keep my eyes down.
He must be rich or something…
I plop my books down and sharpen my pencil before starting to work.
*thunk thunk*
Ugh…
I look over to my left to see Jungkook with his legs propped up on his desk beside me.
Why did he have to choose *here* out of all places?
He doesn’t look over at me, so I continue working.
Suddenly, my hand is pulled away. I look over to see Jungkook examining it closely…
“Looks like your hand healed.”
I pull my hand from his grip to focus on my homework. My time shouldn’t be wasted by him…
“Jimin wanted me to talk to you.”
“Would you shush?”
“We’re not in a library.”
“No, but I need to study…”
The teacher interrupts.
“Leera? Do you have something to say to me or the class?”
“No, sir.”
“Then keep your words to yourself.”
Once the teacher returns to his papers, I punch Jungkook in the shoulder.
He doesn’t even budge. He’s like made of rock…
“Jimin wanted…”
Did he still not learn he can’t be loud?
“Shh! Be quiet!”
He rolls his eyes before finally whispering.
“Jimin wanted to invite you to a party tomorrow night. Are you coming?”
“No, I can’t.”
“You didn’t even think about it for a second.”
“Yeah, that’s how badly I can’t go.”
“Why?”
“Would you just leave me alone and let me study so I can get at least one good grade?”
“Who cares?”
“I care, now shut up.”
He furrows his eyebrows as I see anger grow in his eyes.
I go back to my work and leave him with his thoughts.
•••
As I try to walk to the cafeteria, I hear a call down the hallway…
“Hey Leera! Wait up!”
I turn to see Hoseok jogging towards me.
“Want to eat lunch together? We can talk about what song we’ll make the choreography to!”
“Yeah…sure.”
I’m not sure if I’ll be able to dance my best with my ankle, but I can try.
•••
On my way out of school, I run into Jimin heading the same way.
“Oh hey! So did Jungkook tell you about the party tomorrow?”
I feel him slowly wrap his arm around my waist, making me tense since I’ve never really had this feeling before.
“Uh yeah he did.”
“Great! So are you coming?”
“I don’t think so, I’m sorry.”
“Aaaw why not? You were the one I was looking forward to coming the most.”
“Really?”
I stop, turning to face him.
He nods with a saddened face.
“Well…I guess I could try to come.”
“Really? The night will be amazing with you! See ya there.”
He leaves a sudden, soft kiss on my cheek before running off.
I almost blush, but I wipe my cheek, remembering how he hooks up with girls for fun.
What if he only invited me so he could hook up with me? I sure hope I’m not being used…
•••
Hoseok wrote down his address during lunch, so I’ve been carrying the paper along the sidewalks.
Eventually, I reach a huge house with a big gate.
Is this the right house? I didn’t know he was rich too…
I walk up to the gate and look around for a way in.
There’s an intercom to the left, so I go over and press the button.
“Hello? This is Leera here, for Hoseok…”
After a moment, the gate automatically opens, making me jump.
Hoseok’s voice comes from the intercom.
“Great! Come right on in!”
Once it fully opens, I walk down the driveway.
Soon, he opens the front door with an excited wave.
I wave back, limping towards him.
His smile fades as he lets his hand fall to his side.
“What happened? Are you hurt?”
As I walk up the stairs, I reply.
“I just twisted my ankle a little this morning, so it hurts a bit.”
“You twisted it this morning and it still hurts? We need to get that checked out.”
He takes my hand softly before leading me to a chair in his huge living room.
“Wow your house is ginormous…”
He laughs before leaving me in silence.
*ding dong*
“Hoseok, open your gate.”
I look around the room before realizing the voice came from the intercom.
Hoseok runs back into the room to press a button.
“Come on in!”
He jogs back out.
What the heck is he doing?
I hear the front door open, so I brush off my clothes for whoever Hoseok’s guest is.
“My parents were trying to fight with me again, so I came…”
Jungkook stops when he sees me instead of Hoseok.
“Why the hell are you here?”
“Nice to see you again too.”
He rolls his eyes.
“Where’s Hoseok?”
I shrug.
“I have no clue.”
He scoffs before turning to go into a different room.
“Oh hey Jungkook! Come on in the living room with us!”
Hoseok drags Jungkook over to sit on a couch.
“Since it seems Leera is too hurt, we can’t dance like we planned. Do you want to hang out with us, Jungkook?”
He quickly shakes his head.
“I’d rather go to Jimin’s party tonight.”
“Oh! Let’s all go to his party then! Do you want to, Leera?”
They both look at me, making me feel obligated to say yes, especially after promising Jimin I’d go.
“Yeah sure.”
“You didn’t even think about it for a second.”
“Yeah, that’s how badly I can’t go.”
“Why?”
“Would you just leave me alone and let me study so I can get at least one good grade?”
“Who cares?”
“I care, now shut up.”
He furrows his eyebrows as I see anger grow in his eyes.
I go back to my work and leave him with his thoughts.