cliff • kpop au

three.

After school that day, Jisoo and I rode to her house on our bikes.

She didn't have any extra change of clothes so I just gave her my jacket to cover up.

Her hair had dried, but it was still sticky, filled with the fruity substance that was dumped all over her head in the cafeteria.

It angered me to see that basically no one cared that she was blatantly bullied. Not even the teachers seemed to care, except for our Korean Lit teacher Ms. Kwon, who always had a soft spot for Jisoo. At least someone besides me finally cared.

We soon reached her house, leading our bikes into her backyard. A stiff silence was in the air, but even though she wasn't speaking, I knew what she wanted to tell me.

"Jisoo...you have to tell your parents about this. They have to know that you're being bullied."

"I can't Chae! They cannot find out about this...if they knew about what I did...in that video...who knows what they'll think of me..." She said, her tone full of panic.

I shook my head, pushing the bike stopper down and facing her.

"They're your parents Jisoo. No matter what, they will always support you," I rested my hand on her shoulder softly, and I heard her sigh.

I continued, brushing the strands of hair out of her face. "Besides, none of this was your fault, ok? That jerk Taehyung did this to you..."

There was silence for a couple of seconds, and I could see her visibly thinking about it. I knew she must've been hurting inside, but I had no idea how much her world started to crumble.

"I-I'm sorry Chae...I just can't right now...I need some time to get over it...then I promise I'll tell them, ok?" She looked at me, eyes full of a look that basically told me: 'Please don't tell my parents, I'll die if you do.'.

"I...fine...take your time Jisoo.. I'll be here to support you throughout all of this, you know that right?"

"Of course I know... you're my knight in shining armor Rosie.." she cracked a smile, nudging my shoulder and leading me to the door. "Let's go inside, hm? If they ask, just say I tripped and spilled it on myself."

I chuckled, nudging her as well and stepping into her house.

"That seems like something your clumsy ass would do."

💮💮💮

After hanging out at Jisoo's for a while, I pedaled back to my house, the sky already stained with orange and a darkening blue.

Even though I had a great time being with Jisoo and her family at the time, not once had the events from earlier today left my mind.

It replayed in my mind over and over again, and each time I couldn't help but feel at fault for everything. I watched the video in advance, but I didn't tell Jisoo. I could've slapped or kicked or punched those girls that were holding onto me, pulled on their hair, maybe even spit on their expensive shoes, but I didn't.

There was so much more that I could've done earlier, and I started becoming worried that Jisoo felt the same disappointment towards me that I felt in myself.

I let my feet push on the bike pedals until the vehicle eventually carried me to my backyard. Not even caring to lock my bike up, I sat it near the garage and dragged my body to the back door, opening it like I would each day after school.

Except, something that was usually waiting for me after my school days was missing. My dad's warm welcome.

Instead, he was leaning against the kitchen island, his arms crossed and his usually happy eyes full of concern.

"Dad..?" I questioned, walking in reluctantly and closing the door behind me.

Something was definitely wrong, and though I doubted he even knew about this, I immediately wondered if he saw the video.

How could he..? That's impossible...unless, Jisoo's parents found out and told him? No, that can't be right. They didn't look like they knew anything earlier...but of course they could've been faking it..? No, that's not like them--

My thoughts were interrupted when my Dad cleared his throat, sighing and sitting up from his position against the island.

"Rosie, I...I don't know how to say this but--"

"Dad, please let me explain--"

"It's your Mom honey... she's getting married, and she wants us to attend."

I froze. A part of me rejoiced over the fact that my Dad didn't see the video. But once his words sunk in, my celebration came to a quick stop.

"I...huh?" Was all I could say, his words still ringing in my ears.

Mom..? What does she want, after all of these years of abandoning us..?

"Honey...I-I'm so sorry...it was last minute.." My Dad tried to comfort me, walking forward and about to take my hand.

This was not at all what I was expecting so suddenly, and my Dad knew this, because when I ran up the stairs to my room, my vision starting to blur and my mind about to combust, he didn't try to stop me, not in the slightest bit.