444 (BTS Hyung Line x OCs)

Twenty-Seven: The Calm Before the Storm

The atmosphere in the house had shifted. The girls had two weeks left on the island, and though the idea of returning to their normal lives loomed over them, there was a new tension rippling beneath the surface. Secrets were piling up, ready to explode at any moment.

Morgan sat on her bed, her eyes drawn to the small vial she'd found in Lola's drawer just days before. She rolled the glass bottle between her fingers, her mind swirling with questions. How long has she been using ? Why hasn't she told anyone? The weight of the secret gnawed at her, but she wasn't ready to confront Lola yet. Not until she knew what to say, not until she understood the full story.

The day had been uneventful, the usual routine of the girls lounging around, trying to ignore the countdown that hung in the air like a ticking clock. It was only when Morgan needed to borrow some lip gloss that she stumbled across the vial in the first place. Lola, without thinking, had told her she could borrow whatever she needed from the drawer. And now, Morgan couldn't look at her friend the same way, even if she didn't let it show.

Downstairs, the girls gathered in the living room, sprawled out on couches and beanbags. Justice was flipping through channels on the TV, looking for something to distract herself, while Julissa sipped her iced coffee, lost in thought. Lola sat next to her, oblivious to Morgan's secret discoveries.

Morgan, glancing around at the relaxed group, felt her stomach twist. How long can I keep this from them? she thought. How long can I act like nothing's wrong?

Before her thoughts could spiral further, a notification dinged from Julissa's phone, breaking the silence.

"Party at the beach club tonight!" Julissa read the message aloud, excitement flashing in her eyes. "San just texted me. ATEEZ is hosting, and everyone's invited—including the guys."

The room lit up at the mention of the boys. A night out, with both ATEEZ and BTS? That was exactly what they needed.

Lola, her anxiety momentarily forgotten, grinned. "I could use a good party."

Morgan nodded, her heart still heavy, but knowing she couldn't show it. "We all could."

Justice, who had been distant lately, arched an eyebrow. "I don't know if I'm in the mood."

"You will be once you get dressed," Morgan teased, forcing a smile. "Come on, it's going to be fun."

Despite the turmoil boiling beneath the surface, the girls started getting ready, transforming into a sight that would undoubtedly turn heads. **Dress to impress** had become their unspoken motto since arriving on the island, and tonight would be no different.

Lola stood in front of the mirror, slipping into a black satin dress that clung to her curves and accentuated her every feature. It was backless, bold, and a distraction from the thoughts gnawing at her about the missing vial. She checked her reflection one more time before turning to Julissa, who was zipping up a red bodycon dress that hugged her hips. Her hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, the red fabric popping against her complexion.

Justice, surprising everyone, had chosen a silver mini-dress that shimmered in the light. It was short and daring, but she owned every inch of it as she applied her eyeliner with a steady hand.

Morgan, meanwhile, slipped into a sleek, midnight blue dress with a plunging neckline and long sleeves to cover the marks she so desperately needed to hide. The bruises from her father's abuse, which had plagued her for years, were her own secret to keep, and she wasn't about to let anyone see them tonight. She took a deep breath and looked at herself in the mirror, making sure everything was covered before turning to face the others.