Vexatious || Ateez J.WY

chapter 18.

"you're that bitch." oops. that was supposed to be only in her head.

jihae halted her tracks, slowly turning her head. "excuse me?"

"nothing." sooyoung waved off and proceeded to walk ahead, taking out her phone and typing a message to minjee saying they were in the same group.

the older scoffed and raised a brow, squinting her eyes. "wanna see how bitchy i can get?"

"i'm good, thanks." the transferee lets out a tired chuckle, shrugging off the issue. she still had her eyes on her device.

"be more respectful." jihae sternly says, taking the lead again. "i'm older than you."

"okay?" sooyoung clears her throat as she place the phone back in her pocket, the two of them getting in the elevator. "eonnie?"

the honorific made jihae involuntarily gag, hastily pressing on the floor their room was in to get away from the other. "ew, call me jihae. that was gross."

sooyoung made a 'tch' sound. "you suggested it."

"right. my bad." jihae sighed deeply, not bothering to hide her dislike.

she impatiently tapped her foot as they both dreadfully waited for that ding sound. sooyoung wasn't really fond of the silence surrounding them, and she's wooyoung's friend, right? it wouldn't hurt to get to know her.

"so how come you're still in highschool?" she asked out of curiosity.

jihae closed her eyes and exhaled sharply. "you really can't keep your mouth shut, can you?"

the younger shook her head. "no, not really."

"i wasn't supposed to be going to school at all. just meant to be tutored and wait 'til i can take over our company." responded jihae, hoping to end the small talk. it wasn't that she was mean all the time, but juggling everything from her duties at school to her responsibilities at home was draining her.

the elevator doors finally opened which made jihae immediately step out and search for their room.

"oooh, you're rich and pretty just like me." sooyoung's eyes sparkled at her story as she trailed behind.

"yeah, but i'm not an asshole who leaves my boyfriend because of that." jihae spits out without hesitation, causing the other's jaw to drop.

with the new student's mouth still the agape, jihae already spotted their room number. she searched for the keys, setting her bags down.

"you're horrible." sooyoung manages to reply, making the older snicker.

"i'm rich and pretty, remember? i can be whatever i want." with the keys jiggling, jihae opened the door. "here we go."

the girls entered the hotel room, taking in the space. sooyoung took out her phone again, checking for any replies from minjee yet still got nothing.

"this is better than i expected. who's the other girl we're meant to share it with?" she asked the other.

"park byeol." jihae answers briefly, tying up her hair. "i don't know where she went, though. i'll look for her."

"i'll come with you. minjee's not answering her phone either."

jihae nodded and with that, both of them went down to check on their other groupmates.

"jihae!" someone called, making them turn their heads. jihae's face softened at the sight of her partner. they hugged for a bit before seonghwa excitedly said, "look, we're on the same floor."