Her Distraction || Kang Sae-Byeok

chapter 13

Sae-Byeok's POV

I overreacted a little. No, actually a lot.

I don't know what got into me. I just hated seeing her with that girl, and not being able to talk to her was like hell. And it's weird, because if someone told me that I'll get so attached to a person in my life at some point a week ago, I would have told them that they're crazy.

What is this? What is this thing I'm feeling?

I don't- understand.

Is this what they call love?

No, that can't be. I cant.. love. I don't know how to. It just can't be love, I'm sure that it's not. And it's Y/n we're talking about. Me, love her? Nah.

Right now I'm on my bed eating and Y/n went to the toilet. I decide to have a quick chat with Ji-yeong and apologize to her.

— Hey.

Ji-yeong turns around and looks at me with a surprised look on her face.

— Hello? she says.

— I want to talk to you, I say.

— Oh wow, you're the last person on this planet I expected to talk to me right now, she says laughing a little.

— Look, I wanted to apologize. I was being immature and childish and shitty and-

— Woah, it's okay, you don't have to apologize. I get it, she says winking.

— You get.. what? I ask.

— Oh c'mon, maybe Y/n is stupid but I'm not.

— What are you talking about? I ask confused.

— Are you for real? Man, you two are so blind. Whatever, you don't have to apologize. It's really okay, she says.

— Okay, I say.

I turn around and want to walk away but she stops me.

— Hey, wait. Let's talk for a while. We might as well be friends too, if you don't mind, she says.

I think about it for a few seconds and then sit next to her. I guess talking to her a little is okay. I'm bored anyways.

— So, why are you here? I ask.

— I need money, obviously, she says.

— Why? Do you not get money from your parents? Or are you one of these people who are never satisfied no matter how much they have? I ask.

— My parents are dead.

A feeling of guilt rushes through my body.

— Oh, I'm so sorry, really. I didn't-

— Oh it's okay, don't worry, it's no big deal. My dad was a pastor, really religious, like that old man from before, and he killed my mom. And I.. I came home and saw it. Saw my mom dead and my dad just standing next to her. So I murdered him. Spent most of my childhood in jail, and was recruited to the game as soon as I was released. Yeah, that's my life story. What about you?

It concerns me that she talks about all of this with such calmness. Now I feel even worse for the way I treated her.

— Uhm, I came here for my brother and my mother. She's stuck in the North and I want to bring her to Seoul. My brother is at an orphanage. I want to use the prize money to buy a house for us all and maybe go to Jeju Island, I say.

— Jeju Island? Wow, that's nice. Maybe we could go there together, you, Y/n and me one day, she says smiling.

I look away and the smile on her face drops.

— Oh.. right.

I open my mouth wanting so say something but see Y/n talking to a guard. Oh no, it seems like they're fighting.

— Oh, I better be going before she gets herself killed, I say standing up.

— Wait!

I turn around and look at Ji-yeong.

— Yes? I ask.

— Don't keep her waiting, just tell her, she says.

— Tell who what? I ask confused.

— Tell Y/n that you're in love with her.