𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐌𝐄

CHAPTER 25

★彡[ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ]彡★

A feeling of resolve took hold of Jungkook as he sat in the cafeteria, his pulse pounding with expectation as he waited for Lori to return. He realised he had to be honest with her about the internal turmoil he was experiencing and that he could not keep his genuine sentiments hidden any longer.

His determination became stronger with every second that went by, bracing himself for the tough talk that was ahead. Though he wasn't sure exactly what he would say, he was aware that he had to let go of the truth.

At last, Lori came back to their table and took a seat across from Jungkook, holding a lunch tray. He knew he couldn't put off this any longer since her very presence calmed the maelstrom of emotions racing inside of him.

A feeling of urgency overcame Jungkook as he plucked up the bravery to reveal his deepest sentiments and thoughts to Lori, his heart thumping in his chest. He was aware that he had to be honest with Lori about the struggle he was going through and that he couldn't hold his feelings within any longer.

"Lori! I want to say something to you! It's really bothering me!" In an attempt to end the lingering gap between them, Jungkook spoke first, his words coming out quickly. However, Lori cut him short before he could finish speaking, meeting his eyes with a knowing yet compassionate grin.

"I know something was up. You've been showing me faces since yesterday! Come on, Kook! Say it!" As she chewed her food, Lori encouraged her in an upbeat tone. Her steadfast encouragement just made Jungkook more determined, and he realised he could no longer afford to hide his emotions.

Taking a deep breath, Jungkook prepared himself mentally for what he was about to say, his words ready to come. However, before he could say anything, there was a loud noise surrounding them, diverting Jungkook and Lori's focus from their discussion.

They turned to see students moving quickly and frantically towards a certain section of the cafeteria. A look of confusion flashed across Jungkook's face as he looked at Lori, the sudden interruption breaking the moment of vulnerability he was about to share.

The young people crowded in to have a closer look at whatever had caught their interest as they watched. Jungkook had a wave of inquisitiveness mixed with apprehension, his gut telling him to look into the source of the disturbance.

Wordlessly, he and Lori got up from their chairs and joined the crush of students heading towards the centre of the chaos. Jungkook's mind raced, filled with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety with every stride.

As Jungkook and Lori got closer to the group of people gathering around the television, they were enveloped by the cacophonous din of the cafeteria. Through the commotion, Lori's worried voice could be heard. She was looking for clues in Jungkook's face. With a worried tone, she questioned, "What's wrong?"

In answer, Jungkook could only shrug, his own bewilderment reflecting Lori's. The television on the wall served as a centre of focus for the kids, whose conversation engulfed them. While images flickered on the television, Jungkook and Lori found it difficult to interpret the news story.

They both felt bewildered and confused as they got closer to the television since the students' hiss drowned out the newscaster's remarks. As he struggled to make sense of the visuals on the television, Jungkook felt a knot of tension tightening in his chest and his heart racing with dread.

YN's face showed up out of nowhere, her features fixed in a shocked and bewildered expression. When Jungkook saw her laying unmoving on the tile floor with her eyes fixed blankly on the ceiling, his eyes widened in fear. He had a sudden wave of terror as his mind tried to make sense of what he was seeing.

Before they could take in what they were seeing, YN's body was covered with a sheet by someone on the TV, making her invisible. Jungkook was taken aback by the abruptness of everything and found it difficult to accept the truth of what had happened.

The newscaster's voice broke through the uncertainty, "Apparently, they had a venomous snake at the party," and Jungkook felt a shudder go down his spine. "She lost her life in an instant when she was bit-." As Jungkook tried to make sense of the catastrophe that was happening in front of him, his mind was a muddled mess due to the weight of the news. A nauseating feeling of dread made his stomach turn as a wave of sickness passed over him.

Jungkook felt as though everything had stopped abruptly as he tried to digest the terrible news. As he battled to process the terrible truth of YN's horrible end, time seemed to slow to a crawl. The weight of their loss made him feel as though every breath was a battle, and his chest clenched with an oppressive sensation of despair. He turned to look at Lori and saw her on her knees, tears streaming down her face as she let out a cry of agony.

YN's body was brought back to Seoul, to her home. She lay in the coffin, her stillness a stark contrast to the life that once filled her with so much energy. The house was thick with sorrow, the kind of grief that lingers in the air and wraps itself around everyone, making every breath feel heavier than the last.

Lori couldn't bear it. She didn't care what Jungkook would think of her, or how she even knew YN—she had to say goodbye. But, deep down, she knew Jungkook was already broken. When he'd heard the news, it was as if he'd died inside too. His world was shattered, and he was too numb to feel anything else.

When they finally got the news that YN's body had arrived in Seoul, Jungkook couldn't wait anymore. He drove to YN's house, with Lori silently sitting in the back. She didn't ask how he knew where to go—her mind was too clouded with grief, her heart too raw to care. All she could think about was the loss of her friend.

The bike came to a stop outside YN's house. They both stepped out, and together they walked towards the room where YN lay. Lori's body shook with uncontrollable sobs, her heart breaking into pieces with each step. Her cries were desperate, filled with so much pain that it felt as though her chest might explode from the weight of it.

Jungkook, on the other hand, stood there—motionless. He hadn't cried; not a single tear had fallen since hearing the news. His heart ached, the emptiness gnawing at him, but he refused to let it show. He didn't want to cry. He didn't want to let go of YN's memory. He wanted to remember her as she was before everything fell apart. He wanted to hold on to the life she once had, the laughter, the smiles, before it all came crashing down.

There was so much he wanted to say to her. He wanted to tell Lori, too—how much he loved YN, how he wished he had confessed sooner, how he wished he hadn't left her alone with Mike. Maybe, just maybe, if he had been there, none of this would've happened. Maybe Mike wouldn't have taken her to Jeju. Maybe YN would still be here, alive and full of promise.

But those thoughts only drowned him deeper in regret. He stood frozen, his eyes glued to the coffin. Guilt poured over him in waves, so overwhelming that it felt like he was suffocating. He could barely breathe. He had failed her. He hadn't been there when she needed him most. And now, she was gone—forever.

The weight of it all left him speechless, unsure of what to do next. He couldn't go back to Lori. Not when his heart was this broken. He didn't even know if he could keep going without her, without the connection they'd once shared. But then again, could he stay with Lori now, knowing that his heart belonged to someone else? What was left of him? Was he meant to go back to her and try to make something work, to pretend that everything was okay when it wasn't? Could he live with the memory of YN haunting him every day?

And yet, abandoning Lori now didn't seem right either. She was hurting too, and how could he leave her when she was as lost as he was?

Jungkook stood there, caught in a storm of emotions. The questions swirled in his mind, each one more painful than the last. Could he move forward? Could he ever forgive himself for not being there when YN needed him most? Could he be the man Lori needed, or was he already too far gone?

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