Heartbound Enemies

6| Blood Ties

The crumpled red paper slipped from Seokjin's fingers, hitting the floor with a faint rustle. He stared at it for a second, heart pounding in his chest, but the sound of footsteps coming toward him snapped him back to reality. The urgency in those steps sent a chill down his spine. Without another thought, he slammed his locker shut and bolted down the hallway, desperate to escape whoever was coming for him.

As he ran, Seokjin felt adrenaline pumping through his veins. He could hear the footsteps behind him growing louder, closer, and his pulse quickened with fear. Just when he thought he might be able to lose them, one of the students ahead of him in the hallway deliberately stuck out their foot. Seokjin didn't see it until it was too late. He tripped and fell hard onto the cold, unforgiving floor. His bag flew out of his grasp, skidding across the tiles, and he landed awkwardly on his hands and knees, pain shooting through his legs and wrists.

Before Seokjin could even gather himself, he saw another student snatch up his bag. He watched in horror as they rifled through it and pulled out a wristwatch—his father's wristwatch. The sight of it made Seokjin's heart stop.

"Don't touch that!" Seokjin yelled, scrambling to his feet. He tried to grab the student, but others crowded around him, shoving him back and forth like a plaything, laughing and jeering. The frustration and fear boiled up inside him, and with a sudden burst of anger, Seokjin punched one of the students, only to realize too late it was a girl. She stumbled back, eyes wide with shock, but Seokjin didn't care. He wasn't sorry. Not about this. He shoved past her, pushing his way through the crowd, determined to get his father's watch back.

"Please! Stop!" Seokjin pleaded, his voice raw as he chased after the boy with the wristwatch. The student was fast, darting through the hallways with Seokjin in hot pursuit. The chase led them outside, toward the isolated area behind the school. Seokjin's heart sank as he realized where they were heading. The space in front of the secluded spot was packed with students, all eyes on Taehyung, who was waiting there with an air of calm authority.

Seokjin skidded to a halt, breathing heavily, his eyes locked on Taehyung. The student with the wristwatch walked straight up to Taehyung and handed it to him like a trophy. Taehyung took it, examining it with a casual interest before turning his gaze to Seokjin, who stood a few feet away, chest heaving, eyes wide with desperation.

"Please, don't do anything to it," Seokjin begged, his voice breaking slightly. The sound of mocking laughter rippled through the crowd. Taehyung held up the wristwatch, letting it dangle from his fingers.

"Is this important to you?" Taehyung asked, his voice dripping with mock concern.

"Yes," Seokjin replied, his voice firm but pleading. The students erupted into more laughter, enjoying the rare sight of Seokjin, usually so defiant, reduced to begging. Jungkook bit his lip, clearly uncomfortable with what he was witnessing.

Taehyung's expression shifted from mocking to coldly amused. "Apologize," he demanded. "Or lick my shoes." Taehyung's foot came down hard on the ground, the sole just inches away from Seokjin's face, dust marking a small spot on his pristine shoe.

Seokjin's hands clenched into fists. He looked around at the sea of faces, students eagerly waiting for him to submit. "Never," he spat out. "You're a jerk, and I bet your mom isn't happy to have a son like you."

A collective gasp spread through the crowd, and one student shouted, "Taehyung's mom is dead! You bitch!"

Taehyung's eyes darkened, his breathing becoming heavier, and for the first time, Seokjin saw genuine rage flash across his face. The tension was thick, the air heavy with the weight of what had just been said. Taehyung threw the wristwatch onto the ground with a vicious sneer and stomped on it repeatedly, grinding it into the dirt. Seokjin watched in horror as the watch shattered, pieces scattering across the pavement, some landing in a puddle of dirty water.