trouble ¦ lee jeno (UNDER REWRITING)

ch ; 20

.・。.・゜⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽ 20 ☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅・゜・。.

disclaimer: this chapter is heavy with mentions of self-exit, and dark 'concepts'. the author is no shape or form romanticize such topics.

_______________

Seojin stood before the bathroom mirror on Monday morning, her reflection a stark reminder of the events of the previous weekend. Her gaze traced the clean stitches that sealed the small gash on her side, a souvenir from her harrowing experience.

After Mark dropped her off that night, she'd been met with a barrage of questions from her worried parents. Explaining her absence, the kidnapping, and the encounter with Jeno was a draining experience. The sight of the cuts and bruises on her arms and legs only served to fuel their concern.

Sunday brought a new wave of chaos. The police arrived at their house, accompanied by a somber-faced Mark. They bombarded her with questions about the incident, finally settling on the question that hung heavy in the air: would she press charges?

Jeno's connection to the whole ordeal had thrown a wrench in the situation. His father, with Mark relaying the message, insisted on keeping things private.

Apparently, public charges would only burden Jeno further. Seojin felt trapped, caught in the crossfire of their family drama. The weight of it all had been too much to bear. Yesterday, overwhelmed and exhausted, she'd simply passed out.

Now, pulling on a comfortable sweatshirt and grabbing her bag, Seojin stared out the window. Despite the offer of additional days off, she couldn't remain cooped up in her room any longer.

She ventured out into the familiar bustle of NCU, the sight of students hurrying to class offering a strange sense of normalcy.

Reaching her locker, Seojin began organizing her things, a small sense of routine grounding her. Just as she slammed her locker shut, a voice pierced the hallway chatter.

"Hey, Shin Seojin!"

Seojin whirled around to see Daerin approaching, a malicious glint in her eyes. Before Seojin could react, Daerin slammed her shoulders against the locker. The impact sent a jolt of pain through Seojin's injured side, a gasp escaping her lips.

"What the hell do you want?" Seojin hissed, anger flaring despite her throbbing side.

Daerin, unfazed, puffed out her chest in a pathetic attempt to appear intimidating. Seojin, however, stood her ground, her gaze unwavering.

"Have you gone mad?" Daerin spat. "Here I thought you and Mark Lee got together, but sleeping with his brother? Wow, how shameless could you be?"

Seojin's eyes narrowed into slits. The accusation felt like a physical blow, her jaw dropping in disbelief. Gathering her remaining strength, Seojin shoved Daerin back, ignoring the surprised gasps and curious stares that had gathered around them.

"What the heck are you talking about?!" she demanded, her voice laced with disbelief.

Daerin scoffed, leaning back with a self-satisfied smirk. "Don't play dumb, Seojin. Everyone's talking about it. How you seduced Lee Jeno, Mark's younger brother!"

Seojin's blood ran cold. How could something so private, something that happened under such extenuating circumstances, become a schoolyard rumor?

Her mind raced, piecing together the events. The sleepover at Jaemin and Renjun's dorm, the exhaustion that had claimed her, and waking up tangled with Jeno. But that wasn't... it wasn't like that!