Her Bully | PURINZ

020

C H A E W O N
—

"Thank you for helping me, Chaewon," Rei said as she dumped one of the last trash bags while we cleaned up all the dirty mess in her living room.

We decided to clean this place last because it literally had every single disgusting thing you can find.

I found a ripped-out panty between one of the couch cushions, and that was gross.

"No problem," I reply simply, tying up another bag to throw away as I wipe sweat from my forehead, staring blankly at the now-clean floor where cups of beer were once splashed.

What did bitch-face Ahyeon and Yunjin do when they left the party? Probably suck each other's faces or something.

I roll my eyes at myself and cross my arms.

What does it matter to me anyway?

Just as l open another bag, Rei eyes me warily before sighing, catching my attention as she leans back on one of the tables.

"Hope you don't mind me asking, but why was Yunjin bullied at my college party last night?" she asks me with an arched eyebrow.

I clear my throat and busy myself with putting more garbage into the bags when I feel my nose scrunch together as I pick up a solo cup mixed with—I can't even describe it.

Rei sighs. "Don't ignore the question, Chaewon, this is my house."

I throw her a glare and bite my lower lip. "This is my house too," I shoot back, hissing.

Rei doesn't seem to be amused, though.

"Used to be—it's not my fault your parents wanted a home for just the three of you."

That's right, Rei isn't my actual sister; she's my stepsister.

My dad married her mother, but when Rei's mother died, he moved on pretty quickly and married my mom. Now they're in love and traveling around the world while working at the same time.

Rei hated Dad—she did—because she thought he'd be in love with her mother forever, but that never happened. Yet she never hated my mom or me.

In fact, the only reason she's still in touch with us is because of us. At first, she didn't want to talk to me when we were kids, but now we're like best friends, and I really appreciate all Rei has done for me.

That's why she calls our dad 'my' parents. She calls our dad, Rico, while she calls my mom, Mom—it's weird but it makes sense at the same time.

"And you're lucky Dad left the mansion to you," I reply, tying another bag.

"Okay—so what's wrong with asking why Yunjin got drenched in beer last night?" she asks, arching an eyebrow. "It's not like it's that bad of a question."

I clench my fists and avoid her look, not wanting to answer that question. Rei always left me vulnerable.

"Like—you called me and told me she was your girlfriend—that's why you were holding hands and doing stuff in the bathroom," Rei goes on, scratching her head. "So, isn't it obvious that I'd be asking you why your girlfriend was bullied by your weird cheerleading friends?"

"She's not my girlfriend," I hiss, rolling my eyes at her as I feel a sweat drip down the back of my neck. "She's just someone in my school that we all prank a lot."

She crinkles her brown orbs at me. "What? She's too pretty to be the one pranked on," she mumbles, tapping her chin. "And still, Chaewon—that was uncalled for. This is my party and I don't accept violence." She huffs, clucking her tongue.