Broken Hearts

1

"I still can't believe you're here with me!" Jennie spoke with enthusiasm in her voice. "I had lost hope after talking to your mother."

Alice rolled her eyes. "Don't even mention her to me. Do you know how hard it was to convince her? I nearly lost my soul over it."

"Anyway, at least it worked out for you," they continued walking towards the school campus. "But under what conditions? I don't know which is worse."

"What conditions?" Jennie asked, and Alice looked disgusted.

"My stepbrother, Zachary, is coming to stay with me for a while. Trust me, you don't want him here."

Jennie laughed. "He can't be worse than my stepbrother."

Jennie and Alice entered the bustling campus of the University of Marketing in Seoul, their eyes widened in awe as they gazed at the large buildings adorning the surroundings. The campus was a picturesque blend of traditional Korean architecture and modern design, with elegant glass structures juxtaposed with serene gardens and landscaped courtyards. As they strolled along tree-lined pathways, they couldn't help but notice the vibrant mix of students who filled the campus. Students gathered in groups, their voices filled with laughter and conversation. Some sat in the shade of trees, engrossed in their books or typing on their laptops, while others engaged in lively discussions on benches scattered throughout the campus. The air was filled with anticipation as new students, like Jennie and Alice, mingled with older ones who exuded an air of confidence and familiarity. As they made their way through the crowd, they spotted the colourful booths of various student clubs lining the central square. The clubs ranged from academic societies and sports teams to creative arts and cultural organizations. Each booth displayed lively posters and enthusiastic club members inviting passersby to join and explore their passions. Jennie's gaze shifted to a group of students practising dance moves in an open courtyard. Their synchronized movements and infectious energy drew a crowd and captured everyone's attention. The music blended with the hum of conversations, creating an almost palpable rhythm in the air. In the midst of the crowd, they finally spotted their group of freshman students. With anticipation, they joined them and attentively listened to an older student who was in charge. Everything felt so different from high school, and they were thrilled about it. As icebreakers were being played, the girls had a great time. To their surprise, many girls knew Taehyung, which brought back unpleasant memories for Jennie. Although they claimed to know him only from Instagram, it still reminded her of high school. It was harder to trust Taehyung, but she did her best. She loved him, and that wouldn't change his past. During the summer break, they spent almost every day together, deepening their connection. She looked forward to telling him about her day at the university. After the games, she pulled out her phone and sent him a message. She wanted to have a video call with him and show him the school. After a while, he replied, and they could start the call. Alice approached the phone as well and waited to see Taehyung's face.

"Hello," came from the other end of the phone, bringing a smile to Jennie's face.

"Hi, how's your first day going?" she asked him, and he began to tell her. They were just waiting for the games to start. Behind him, Jimin could be seen glancing at the female students.

"Hey, Jimin, wipe your drool," Alice chimed in with a laugh, and they all laughed, including Jimin. Jimin approached the phone and looked at Alice.

"New haircut? Short hair suits you," he winked at her, and she smiled.

"As far as I can see, I'm not the only one with new hair. Blonde looks good on you," she returned the wink. Jennie and Taehyung laughed.

"Remind me not to leave them alone," Tae chuckled.