"Hey, you alright?"
Jieun was in a daze, thinking about so many things, that she didn't even notice Taehyung sitting down next to her in Jungkook's seat.
Jieun sighed. "Mmhmm."
Taehyung frowned. "What's wrong?"
"I just feel sad that bad people exist in this world." Jieun began.
Taehyung raised his eyebrows.
"Taehyung, why do you think people do bad things?" Jieun frowned. "Everyone must have their reason, right? People aren't born bad by nature, are they?"
Taehyung laughed. "What kind of books have you been early this morning? Since when did you become so... philosophical."
Jieun sighed again.
"Did something happen? I saw Yoojung and Yoongi bickering as usual earlier, but something must have happened." Taehyung pursed his lips. "Did something happen?"
"Yoojung says... Lisa might be the one who framed me..."
Taehyung gasped. "No way-"
Jieun and Taehyung heard a cough from behind them and turned around, only to see Jungkook standing right behind them.
"Oh, you're here." Taehyung grinned and stood up, still looking at Jieun. "Talk to you later," he said as he patted her head lightly, then walked away.
Jungkook threw his bag down and took his seat.
"Morning," Jieun looked at Jungkook and said cautiously. Her mind went back to last night, when Jungkook didn't look too good before boarding the bus.
She waited for his reply, patiently.
"Morning," Jungkook finally responded after a while. He wasn't looking her in the eye, but at least he responded. He must really be upset about something.
"Did you get home safely yesterday?"
"Mm."
Jieun couldn't take it anymore. "Are you upset with me about something I said last night?"
Jungkook shook his head. "Nope."
Jieun frowned. "Then why are you acting this way?" She really hadn't seen Jungkook in such a bad mood in a long time.
Jungkook swallowed hard. "It's just... personal problems."
"Personal problems?" Jieun probed. "Like what?"
Jungkook sighed. "You not telling your parents things, it really gets to me."
"Why?" Jieun frowned. "I'm doing it for their sake-"
"That's why, I said it's got nothing to do with you," Jungkook said quietly. "It's just that..."
"Just that what?"
"I don't have parents I can tell stuff to."
Jieun froze. He didn't have parents? Since when?
"Yeah, they've gone a long time ago." Jungkook chuckled sadly. "It's not a big deal."
"Oh," Jieun pursed her lips, her eyes open wide. "Oh, no. No, no, no. I'm so sorry."
"No, it's really not a big deal," Jungkook shook his head. "It's just that- seeing your family be so happy around each other... makes me kind of miss them."
"I'm so sorry-" Jieun frowned, apologising sincerely. "Oh my god, I must have sound like such a whiny ungrateful-"
"Stop, Jieun," Jungkook smiled slightly. "It's really not your fault. Like you said, that was your way of protecting your parents. I don't know what happened in the past, but you must have your reasons. It's just that- I think it's always good to be honest with your parents..." Jungkook pursed his lips. "Before it's too late."
Jieun frowned, deep in thought. "Something really did happen in the past. My dad has a weak heart and the time he learnt about my 'cheating' in school, his heart acted up... It was so scary for me..." Jieun took a deep breath. "I almost lost him."
Jungkook smiled. "I knew you must have had your reasons. But it adds up, Jieun. What if they find out everything all at once in the future? The outcome might be horrendous."
Jieun nodded slowly. "You're right."
"It's up to you, though." Jungkook said. "Ultimately, they're your parents." Jungkook chuckled sadly. "Just don't find it weird if I'm a bit down these few days."
Jieun nodded. "Again, I'm really sorry."
Jungkook smiled back.
No wonder his grandma picked up the phone. No wonder he was taking care of her so tenderly. No wonder it sounded like there was no one else in the house. Everything in Jieun's mind clicked at once. Just why, why did he never tell her about it?
At that moment, Hoseok walked into class and Jieun immediately froze. She hadn't thought about how she was going to face Hoseok. Even though she was innocent, she couldn't help but feel awkward around him. It wasn't guilt, it was... it was... there was no word to describe it.
Hoseok saw her and his eyes widened slightly.
"Hoseok, I-" Jieun began.
"I heard about it," Hoseok glanced at Jungkook. "Don't worry, I won't give you any trouble till then."
Jieun frowned. Till then? When? "Wha-"
"That doesn't mean I forgive you, Lee Jieun." Hoseok said nonchalantly, not even looking Jieun in the eye. "I'm just giving you time. But beware of the consequences."
Time...?
Consequences...?
~
"I'm thinking... If she knew that the watch was in Jieun's bag... she must have put it there herself, or..." Yoojung spoke to herself, her eyes darting back and forth. "She might even have an accomplice. Who's close to Lisa?"
"Eat, Yoojung." Taehyung said, shoving food into his mouth. "You've been thinking about this literally the entire day."
"No, I haven't!"
"Yes, you have- You literally haven't spoke a word to any of us from just now till now. You didn't even look up when I called you stupid earlier-"
And so she had. It was halfway through the day, and also lunchtime. F5 were finally having a meal together with all five members present for the very first time, but Yoojung was too distracted.
"No, but-"
"Your noodles are getting soggy," Jimin said. "Eat first, we'll help you think about it later."
Yoojung sighed, putting down her notebook slowly and picking up her chopsticks instead. "Oh well, okay then."
Yoojung took a bite of her food and looked up. She spotted Jungkook and her mouth fell open, the food pouring out of her mouth.
"Ew! Choi Yoojung!" Taehyung yelled, covering his eyes. "Can you have like basic manners-"
Jimin handed Yoojung a piece of tissue.
"W-What-" Yoojung stammered. "Am I seeing things or is Jungkook really here at the table with us?"
The rest of them seemed unfazed.
"That's why I said you're too engrossed," Taehyung sighed. "We literally got over our shock like... an hour ago."
Yoojung raised her eyebrows. "What brings you here, young lad?"
Jungkook shrugged. "Just feel like it."
"Yoojung!"
Someone called Yoojung's name from behind her. The five of them looked up, only to see Doyeon, with her tray of food standing right behind her.
Yoojung raised her eyebrows. "Doyeon?"
Doyeon smiled shyly. "Well... Jennie isn't in school today... Do you think I could... well-"
"Oh, have a seat!" Yoojung smiled kindly, moving over closer to Jieun so that Doyeon could take a seat next to her. "Join us, we don't mind. We're really inclusive-"
"Is that good?" Jungkook asked Jieun, cutting Yoojung off abruptly without even realising.
Yoojung looked over at Jieun, who was halfway through her pork cutlet.
Jieun looked up, her mouth still full of cutlet. "What?"
"Is that cutlet tasty?" Jungkook asked again nonchalantly, prodding at his own plate of cutlet.
Jieun chewed quickly and swallowed. "Why? Is it not good to you?"
"No, I'm just asking if you find it good."
Taehyung glanced over briefly.
"Well..." Jieun thought for a while. "I guess it's pretty good."
"Then..." Jungkook pursed his lips. "Do you consider it one of your favourite foods?"
Jieun stared at Jungkook blankly. Why was he acting so weird?
"Ahem," Yoojung cleared her throat loudly, snapping Jieun back to attention. "Sorry to interrupt you guys, but we have someone who just joined us."
Doyeon smiled awkwardly, waving at the other four members. "Hi guys, I hope you don't mind me joining you all."
"No problem," Jimin said kindly. "We're all classmates, there's no need to be so polite."
Yoojung glanced over.
"Yeah," Doyeon smiled. "We were in the same art project group too, weren't we? Together with Yoojung and Taehyung."
"Yeah, we were," Jimin smiled back. "It's really a relief we did well, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, it sure was-"
"Doyeon!" Yoojung exclaimed, cutting in. "I need to ask you something."
"Sure, Yoojung. What is it?"
"Um..." Yoojung pursed her lips. "Do you happen to know who Lisa is close to? I don't see her hanging around school that much."
"Lisa?" Doyeon scratched her chin. "Lisa..."
"Mmhmm, I need it for..." Yoojung hesitated for a bit, before deciding to be honest. "Well, I suspect she was the one who framed Jieun."
Doyeon's eyes widened. "For real?"
"Mmhmm," Yoojung frowned. "So it'd be really helpful if you could tell us anything you know about her. I thought since you sit pretty close to her, you might know more."
"To be honest... I don't know much either." Doyeon frowned. "She always seems to be alone. She doesn't go for lunch, doesn't really hang out that much with the jocks and... well, after school she always rushes home. I think her mom picks her up from school or something."
"I've seen her mom," Yoojung shuddered, glancing at Jimin. "She's so- how should I put it... well, demanding."
Doyeon nodded. "I feel like Lisa's mom is really tough on her. Lisa never really seems to smile much either. She only seems to smile a lot in front of..." Doyeon's eyes drifted towards Jungkook.
Jungkook didn't seem to notice. He was too busy watching Jieun- well, he was too busy eating.
"If I am right about her being the culprit..." Yoojung lowered her voice, glancing at Jungkook. "I've got a bad feeling... he's got something to do with it."