𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇

two.

"how was school?"

"pretty okay," taehyun says before eating a spoon of rice. "it looks like this semester is going to be pretty easy."

their dad laughs. "i see. i'm happy to hear that, taehyun. what about you, jieun? how was school?"

"it was fine," she says, moving some of her food around on the plate. "i made some friends. everyone seems to like me... and they asked why i decided to transfer a month before summer break, and i told them it was because my previous school burned down."

at this, their dad snorts. "that's funny, but it's okay to tell them the truth that we moved back to korea because of my job."

jieun shakes her head, sighing. "well, i kind of told them that it was because i didn't like my old school... which, well..."

the table falls silent.

"i, uh, are you feeling better now?" their dad asks. "i can enroll you into an onli—"

jieun shakes her head, smiling at her dad as she gets up from her seat, heading towards the kitchen with her plate and bowl. "i'm better now, don't worry dad. i'm done eating... thank you for the food."

-

"come in."

jieun watches from her bed as the door to her room opens. taehyun walks in and shuts the door before shuffling over to her, the bed dipping on the edge when he sits beside her.

"are you sure you're feeling better, sis?"

jieun looks away from taehyun's stare. "stop looking at me."

taehyun tuts. "no," he says.

"why not?"

"because then you'll lie."

jieun turns her head back to peer at taehyun. "you suck."

the boy hums. "mhm, love ya, too, sis. now spill. do you feel better now?"

frowning, she swallows the lump in her throat. "i—well, i can still be like before, so..." she trails off, and taehyun reaches out to grab her hand, squeezing it.

"hey," he says, quietly. "you know you can tell me the truth, jieun. i won't judge... besides, i promised i'd always be here for you, didn't i?"

jieun nods and clears her throat. "i, uh," she pauses before continuing, "i'm still recovering. i still... i still think about what happened. i don't want it to happen again... don't want it to happen again, taehyun..."

he frowns as jieun looks up at him with glossy eyes. he takes her hands into his own and holds tightly. "jieun," taehyun says, "i'm here for you. i will always be here for you. as long as i'm around, nothing bad will happen to you, i promise."

"what if you get hurt because of me?" she whispers. "what if—"

taehyun shakes his head. "jieun, you're doing it again. i already told you, nothings going to happen. i'll be fine and so will you... so please, don't hide yourself from me. don't hide yourself from dad and i. we're here for you."

at this, the girl starts to cry and slumps into taehyun's open arms.

"i just don't want to be a burden to you guys."

"you were never one and will never be a burden, sis," he says, patting her back. "we love you. i know you find that hard to believe, but we really do. i know dad has some trouble expressing it since he's busy and gone most of the time... but he's trying. and i know i tease you a lot and i may not be the best brother ever, but i love you a lot."

"i'm trying... i'll try to get better, i swear," jieun says, now clinging onto taehyun's clothes. "i'll get better and then everything can go back to the way it was... the good ol' days..."

taehyun shakes his head. "it's okay to take your time, jieun. there's no need to rush. and... things don't have to go back to the way it was. instead... let's make new memories, okay?"

jieun sniffles. "...okay."