Catch 22 - JJK (21+)

Chapter 23 - Falling

JUNGKOOK

Namjoon's smile faded into a more stoic gaze. Gulping anxiously, I slid my free hand into my other pocket to keep from fidgeting under his intent stare. I'd never been this nervous to talk to Namjoon before, and his silence made me shift uncomfortably in my chair. I wish he'd say something alread—

"Jungkook, what are you doing sleeping with your professor, man? Do you know how much trouble she could get into if the school found out?"

"Of course I do, Hyung!  I don't know; it just... happened I guess."

"Really?  Come on, man. That's your excuse?"

"It's the truth. What else do you want me to say?" I huffed, sitting back in my chair and folding my arms.

I know I agreed to meet, but after dealing with Jimin, I really wasn't in the mood for another interrogation.  This was the exact reason I'd been avoiding the guys all this time. They always felt the need to treat me like a baby, questioning everything I did and my ability to make my own decisions.

"I want you to tell me what's really going on. We've all been reaching out to you for weeks, and you've been blowing everyone off. Have you been that wrapped up with this woman that you couldn't be bothered with anyone?"

"Well, no... that situation kinda just started."

"Is she the reason your girlfriend broke up with you?"

That damn Jimin. I should kick his ass when I see him again.

"So Jimin told you that too, huh?  I don't know why he couldn't keep his damn mouth shut."

"He was worried about you, and quite frankly, so am I. He'd told me that a week or two ago.... said she'd ended things with you because you'd been blowing her off too."

"Chunae and I were over long before anything started between my professor and me. Her choice. So no, I didn't cheat on her if that's what you're implying. I'm tired of everyone accusing me of shit I didn't do when you have no fucking idea what's going on or what I've been through."

"I didn't accuse you. I was simply asking you a question. Cus you're right, I don't know what's going on or what you've been through. So, why don't you tell me. I'm not the enemy here, man. I'm just trying to help. What happened that has you so angry and defensive?" He asked calmly which soothed and annoyed me all at the same time.

I took a slow, deep breath, let it fill my lungs, and let out a long, hard exhale, just the way Aria had taught me to do whenever I felt overwhelmed. And I always felt overwhelmed when it came to discussing my parents' break up.

"Long story short... my dad has been fucking around on my mom with his assistant for who knows how long. She left him and moved back to Busan. Their divorce will be final sometime early in the new year. The whole situation just rocked me to the core, and I'd been struggling to maintain any semblance of normalcy in my life after feeling so betrayed by the two people I loved most...

Well, until... her."

"Wait! Are you serious? I'm so sad to hear this about your parents. I had no idea all of that had been going on. Why didn't you reach out to any of us, so we could have been there for you? You shouldn't have had to go through that alone."