THE HEIRS | JK FF✔️

Chapter 2

                                Jiah

It's been two weeks since we returned to Busan, and today marked my first day at my new school. The morning air was crisp as the car pulled up to the front gate, the familiar sights of my hometown mingling with the fluttering nerves of starting somewhere new. I adjusted my uniform meticulously, smoothing down imaginary creases - a small attempt to calm my rising anxiety.

Walking into the school, my steps echoed slightly in the almost empty hallway, everyone was already in the classroom. I was directed straight to the staff room where I met my classroom teacher. His warm smile was a small comfort.

“you must be kim jiah ,”  he said, glancing at the papers on his desk before looking up at me with a nod of approval.   “your transcripts are impressive, especially your scores in foreign languages. We're quite excited to have you here.” I murmured a polite thank you, feeling a mix of pride and relief. It was good to know that my efforts were recognized, at least here.

Just then, the door swung open, and in stepped a familiar not much familiar figure, carrying a stack of papers. Mr. Kim brightened even more, if that was possible. For a moment, I couldn't fathom it - how could it be him? I looked at him trying to make sense. It seemed like the biggest coincidence ever, one I never thought possible. But for my dad, everything's possible if that's what he wanted.

Taehyung, here, in the same school as me?

“Ahh, no wonder it suddenly got brighter in here, our topper is heree...” Mr. Kim said proudly.

“... Taehyung”. he added, and it made sense that I wasn't hallucinating in bright day. It was really him.

Taehyung nodded, his expression unreadable. When Mr. Kim requested him to show me the classroom.

Not only same school but same classroom, nothing can be worse than this.

As we walked through the corridors, I broke the silence,   “I wonder, if you really didn't recognize me, or if you're just acting?”

He kept his eyes forward, ignoring my question. Undeterred, I continued,

“then I must have mistaken you for someone else -- someone who's betrothed to me. Anyways, I don't care.”

There was a sharpness in my voice, a challenge. He didn't respond, and just as I was considering whether to push further, he abruptly stopped, causing me to bump into his back.

“listen, jiah,”. he said without turning around, his voice low and firm.  “I'm aware of your arrival, but. while we're at school, don't talk to me. I don't need any distractions or rumors about us.”

His words stung, a sharp contrast to the polite student who had just been praised in the staff room. I clenched my fists at my sides, struggling to keep my composure.

Distraction? Is that all I am to him?

This was not the welcome I had anticipated, nor the treatment I deserved, betrothed or not. As he walked away, I was left standing there, my mind racing with thoughts of the long year ahead. How could someone who was supposed to be my future partner dismiss me so easily.

And yet, as I stepped into the classroom, I squared my shoulders. If Taehyung wanted indifference, I'd show him just how indifferent I could be.

As I stepped into the classroom, all eyes turned towards me, their gazes curious and probing, I felt a flush of self-consciousness wash over me.

The teacher, Mr. Kim, cleared his throat and mentioned for me to stand beside him at the front of the class,   “class, this is Jiah Kim, our new transfer student. She comes to us from seoul, where she was not only the top student in her previous school but also... A bit of bully.”   Mr. Kim's eyes twinkled with amusement, and I couldn't help but cringe inwardly. Word traveled fast than the students themselves.