444 (BTS Hyung Line x OCs)

Five: Secrets in the Air

The dinner had ended, and the once-bustling house now stood quiet. The girls walked back to their own rented house, the evening air cool against their skin. Laughter had faded, replaced by a comfortable silence that settled between them. But under the surface, each of them was deep in thought.

Inside the girls' house, the mood shifted. As soon as the door closed behind them, the weight of their personal secrets pressed back in—secrets they had managed to push aside for a few hours of distraction. Now, though, in the quiet of their home, those secrets felt heavier than ever.

Morgan

Morgan sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her reflection in the vanity mirror. Her fingers traced the edge of her phone, but she wasn't about to call anyone. Not her mom, and definitely not her dad.

She let out a slow breath, her thoughts circling Namjoon. She had spent most of the night talking to him, and it had been easy—almost too easy. His kindness had pulled her in, his thoughtful questions, the way he'd really listened to her. He had seemed so genuine, so real. She hadn't felt that kind of connection in so long.

But now, as she sat alone in the dim light, fear crept in. What if he found out? Her father had taught her that trusting people could be dangerous. Her whole life had been about running, hiding, keeping people at arm's length. Could she really let someone like Namjoon get close?

"He seems different," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the stillness. "But how can I trust him? How can I trust anyone?"

The thought of opening up to him, of letting him in, terrified her. What would he think if he knew the truth? The truth about why she had run to Jeju, why she was constantly looking over her shoulder. Would he still look at her the same way if he knew about the man she was trying to escape from?

Morgan shook her head, trying to push the thoughts away. It's too soon to get attached. I can't afford to.

Justice

Justice paced back and forth in the small living room, her mind racing. She couldn't stop thinking about Yoongi. The way he had made her feel seen tonight—like she didn't have to pretend to be okay all the time. There was something about him, something quiet but solid, that had drawn her in.

But now, alone with her thoughts, her mind drifted back to her past. The abortion. It was a weight she carried every day, a decision that had changed her life in ways she hadn't expected. She had never told anyone about it. Not her family, not her friends. No one knew the depth of that pain except her.

As she paced, her heart pounded in her chest. What if Yoongi found out?

Would he look at her differently? Would he judge her? She barely knew him, but the connection they'd made tonight had felt real, and it scared her. She couldn't imagine letting him in, only to have him turn away when he learned the truth.

Justice stopped pacing, staring out the window at the dark night sky. She hugged herself tightly, feeling the familiar pang of guilt and shame. "I can't let him in," she whispered, the words heavy on her tongue. "Not until I know he won't leave."

Julissa

Julissa sat at the dining table, tracing circles on the surface with her finger. She could still hear Seokjin's laughter in her mind, the way his eyes had crinkled at the corners when he smiled. He was funny, charming, and had made her feel like she could let go and just enjoy the moment.

But even as she smiled at the memory, doubt began to creep in. Her thoughts shifted back to the friend she had betrayed—someone she had been close to for years, until one reckless decision tore them apart. That friendship had meant everything to her, and losing it had been like losing a piece of herself.