The One I'll Be (JungKook Version)

Chapter Two

Ella took her fifth shot for the night. Her brain was foggy, filled with a blissful haze compared to her sober self. This was her escape from reality, from the memories, from the emotions that refused to hide away and leave her alone. She had struggled on a daily basis for the last couple of weeks to stay sane. The breakup with her boyfriend a year ago had taken a toll on her already fragile mental health.

"I can't believe you did this," Ella said in disbelief. Her voice was flat, devoid of emotion. She was numb to the things around her. "I don't even know what to say to you anymore."

His face was filled with sadness and confusion. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, sitting on the gray couch in his graphic shirt and shorts. He had just woken up from sleep. The clock hanging above the TV read 8 AM. Ella, in her sweater and jeans, with her hair down, hadn't blinked an eye the night before. She had officially been up for over 24 hours.

Ella was good at holding her emotions, at hiding them. She looked around the room, her friends all drunk and ready to party as they pre-gamed, waiting for their ride to the bar. Ella had a bad habit of drunk calling, and the night was young. She had a lot she needed to escape.

Her friends laughed and shouted, raising their glasses in a toast. Ella tried to join in, but her mind was elsewhere. The room spun around her as the alcohol took its toll. She pulled out her phone, scrolling through her contacts. Her thumb hovered over JungKook's name. They hadn't seen or heard from each other in the past two weeks. She knew JungKook led a life full of drinking, drugs, and late nights. He was known around town for partying and being with many girls. Almost everyone knew him as he hosted many parties. He was busy all the time.

She bit her lip, resisting the urge. Instead, she put the phone back in her pocket and grabbed another drink, hoping to drown out the thoughts that plagued her. Her friends were oblivious to her inner turmoil, too caught up in their own revelry.

"Ella, you okay?" one of her friends asked, slurring her words slightly.

Ella forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm good. Just thinking."

"Well, stop thinking and start drinking!" her friend laughed, handing her another shot.

Ella took it, the liquid burning down her throat. She closed her eyes, trying to let the alcohol do its work. But no matter how much she drank, the memories kept flooding back.

The night wore on, and the group finally decided it was time to head to the bar. Ella stumbled into the backseat of the car, her mind a blur. She leaned her head against the window, watching the city lights flash by. The laughter and chatter of her friends seemed distant, as if she were underwater.

At the bar, the music was loud, the lights were dim, and the atmosphere was charged with energy. Ella tried to lose herself in the crowd, to blend in and forget her troubles. She danced, drank, and laughed, but the emptiness remained.

In a moment of clarity, she slipped away from her friends and found a quiet corner. She pulled out her phone again, her fingers trembling. This time, she couldn't resist. She dialed JungKook's number, hoping for some semblance of comfort.

"Hello?" JungKook's voice was groggy, but concerned.

"JungKook," Ella said, her voice flat. "I'm at the bar. I just... I needed to hear your voice."

"Ella, are you okay?" he asked, fully awake now.

"I don't know," she admitted. "I just needed to escape, and nothing's working."

JungKook chuckled lightly, trying to keep the mood light. "You've had too much to drink, haven't you?"

"Maybe," Ella replied, forcing a laugh. "Can you come out to the bar? I just... need a friend."

"I'll see if I can," JungKook said, his tone noncommittal. "But no promises, okay?"

Ella nodded, even though he couldn't see her. She hung up and slumped against the wall, her mind a whirl of confusion. She felt like she was drowning, with no way out.

Back on the dance floor, Ella tried to lose herself in the music again. The DJ played a high-energy track, and her friends were dancing wildly, their movements erratic and joyful. Ella moved to the rhythm, letting the beat carry her away.

Then, through the haze of lights and bodies, she spotted JungKook. His sleeve tattoo was something she couldn't forget. His figure, his black hair, his style—she recognized him instantly. But he wasn't alone. He was with a blonde girl, laughing and holding her close.

Ella felt a surge of emotions she couldn't comprehend. Jealousy, hurt, anger—they all mixed together, creating a storm inside her. Seeing JungKook was a reminder of a life and normal toxicity that she had tried to abandon.

She watched as JungKook leaned in close to the blonde, whispering something in her ear. The girl laughed, her hand resting on his chest.

Ella turned away, her heart pounding. She didn't know what she had expected. JungKook was known for his wild lifestyle, for being with different girls. But seeing it in person was a blow she hadn't been prepared for.

She stumbled back to the bar, needing another drink to numb the pain. The bartender handed her a shot, and she downed it quickly, the alcohol burning her throat. She felt the confusion welling up again, but she blinked it away. She couldn't afford to break down here.

Ella's phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. It was a text from JungKook.

**JungKook**: "Hey, I'm here. Sorry, got caught up. You okay?"

Ella took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She typed out a quick reply.

**Ella**: "Yeah, I'm fine. See you around."

She put her phone away and forced herself to join her friends again. She couldn't let JungKook's presence ruin her night. She had come here to escape, and that's what she was going to do.

For the rest of the night, Ella danced and laughed with her friends, doing her best to push JungKook out of her mind. But deep down, the pain lingered, a constant reminder of the trust she had placed in others, and the hurt that always seemed to follow.

Later that night, Ella lay on her bed, drunk and ready to pass out. She had made it home with her roommate, surprised she wasn't at some guy's place. She kept going back to the blonde girl and JungKook. The emotional turmoil it brought, the sadness and anger. Why was she angry, she questioned herself.

As her mind swirled in a haze of alcohol and confusion, she tried to push the thoughts away. But they lingered, like a dark cloud over her heart. She wanted to escape her guilt and emotions, but they were always there, waiting for her in the quiet moments.

---