STUCK WITH YOU || JJK x Reader (ETL)

19. Pain deeper than I imagined (E)

Jungkook's POV

My heart shattered into countless pieces as I witnessed the vase colliding with the floor. I had made a promise to my brother-no matter what, we would never be apart.

"Jungkook, it's getting late for school. Aren't you coming?" Elijah's voice broke through, calling me for the sixth time that morning. Sleep had eluded me last night, my eyes fixated on the ceiling. "Come out, man. We're worried, especially Nina. She made you breakfast; please have some." Their assumption that I cared, either about her or her breakfast, irked me. "Leave me alone," I snapped. Elijah ceased his attempts and left for school with Taehyung.

An hour later, I returned to working on the shattered vase. Collecting every tiny piece proved challenging, and as I glued them together, it wasn't easy. I couldn't store my brother's ashes in a broken vase; I needed to replace it soon.

The bell rang abruptly, nearly causing me to drop the vase I had just finished glueing. Cursing and wondering who would bother me in the middle of the afternoon, I walked to the door. It turned out to be Nina. "Did you eat something? I got you a sandwich-" What was she trying to achieve after ruining my brother? I was about to close the door when she barged inside. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. I feel so bad...please forgive me," she quickly said. "I don't want your useless apologies, Nina. Just get out," I gritted.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn? I'm trying to apologise. Why won't you just let it go? I keep telling you it was an accident; I didn't mean to do it-" I harshly pushed her against the wall. She closed her eyes in fear. "Don't force me to beat the hell out of you, and why the heck would I let it go when you broke my brother's vase? How would you feel if I break your brother's vase of ashes? Oh wait... your brother doesn't even care if you're dead or alive-" I watched as she cried. She never expected me to say something like that. She opened up to me because she trusted me, and here I am doing nasty things. "I hate you..." She hit my chest so hard that it actually hurt.

"I just wanted to say I was sorry... and wanted to check if you were okay, and you are acting like a jerk," she sobbed, aggressively wiping her tears. Nudging me aside, she walked out before dropping the sandwiches on the couch. I am such an asshole.

..........

Refusing to stay locked in my room, I aimed to confront the aftermath of my brother's scattered ashes and the pain I caused Nina yesterday. Choosing to face the harsh realities, I went to school today, determined to handle the usual challenges like a mature person.

Upon entering, my initial plan unravelled worse than a cup of coffee with salt. What are these witches doing here? "Debate, brotha," Elijah reminded me out of nowhere. "Glad you came," he added as we entered our classroom. Random girls from Autumn High filled the room, alongside Nina, seated in a corner with her eyes fixed on her laptop. Frustration marred her face as she rubbed it and glared back at the screen. What could be causing her such frustration?

Taking my usual seat, I observed as the debate between Panther and Autumn commenced. Although the competition wasn't against each other, it began with a debate and culminated in the tournament.

"Next, Jeon Jungkook and Natalie," Mrs. Jones, my homeroom teacher, announced. I stood, walked to my side, and awaited the appearance of my opponent. However, she was conspicuously absent. "Ms. Sam? Where's your teammate?" Mrs. Jones asked a disoriented Nina, who stuttered, "I... Natalie? She couldn't join-"
"Ms. Sam, I don't have all day. Could you come to the front and do the debate yourself?" Mrs. Jones sounded irritated. I could sense Nina's embarrassment in front of the fifty students. If Mrs. Jones spoke to her like that again, she might face consequences. Nina, who is typically well-organized in her group, seemed off today.