Winter Falls || Lee Know ✓

🎓:Jiho's up to something

~🎬~

The days leading up to the festival were filled with energy and excitement, a stark contrast to the internal turmoil brewing within Jiho. As he leaned against a wall in the hallway, he watched the lively interactions between Minho and the group, particularly the way he seemed to light up whenever Suhyun was near. It was infuriating.

"What's so special about him?" Jiho muttered to himself, the bitterness thick in his voice. He had always loathed Minho, the so-called "bad boy," who effortlessly drew people in with his charm. But lately, it was more than just jealousy; it felt like a gaping wound that refused to heal.

He observed from a distance as Minho laughed at something Suhyun said, his usual cool demeanor cracking just a little. Jiho clenched his fists, his heart racing with a mixture of anger and envy.

"He's happy again," Jiho spat under his breath. "Just when I thought I'd gotten through to him."

It was all too familiar, this cycle of Minho building walls only to have them torn down again by those around him. Jiho recalled the years they spent in school together, the way Minho's reputation as the bad boy had started to unravel after he befriended Jisung and the others. It was as if Minho had forgotten the pain of their shared past—the accident that took both of their parents, an event that had forever altered the course of their lives.

Jiho's thoughts turned dark as he remembered the fateful day. The screeching tires, the horrific crash, and the aftermath—the weight of it all hung heavy on his heart. He had watched Minho emerge from the tragedy with a resilience that only fueled Jiho's resentment. "It should have been you, not them," he whispered, staring daggers at Minho from afar.

"Get a grip, Jiho," he told himself, shaking his head. "You're not going to let him win." Minho's happiness was a slap in the face, a reminder that while he was spiraling into darkness, Minho was thriving, laughing, and enjoying life.

He glanced back at Minho, who was now animatedly discussing something with Suhyun, a soft smile playing on his lips. The image ignited a fire within Jiho. "I won't let this go on," he vowed. "Not while I'm stuck in this hell."

Although Jiho felt a surge of anger, he understood that confrontation would be foolish. Not now. He needed to be patient, to watch, and to plan. After all, Jiho had learned the hard way that striking when emotions ran high could lead to disaster. Instead, he would wait for the perfect opportunity to make his move.

As the group continued their banter, Jiho's gaze lingered on Minho and Suhyun. "Enjoy your little moments," he muttered. "They won't last. You'll see."

In the following days, Jiho kept his distance, observing Minho's interactions from the sidelines. He couldn't shake the feeling that the happiness Minho had found with Suhyun was fragile, like a beautiful glass ornament just waiting to shatter. Jiho had no intention of letting Minho rebuild the walls that protected him.

Meanwhile, Minho continued to enjoy the camaraderie with his friends, the laughter shared at lunch, and the thrill of the festival planning. Yet, Jiho's presence loomed like a dark cloud, always just out of sight, whispering reminders of the past that threatened to suffocate the fragile happiness he had started to rediscover.

One afternoon, as they gathered in the cafeteria, the conversation drifted toward the festival preparations. Jisung, ever the enthusiastic planner, was rallying the group to finalize their roles.

"Okay, so we need volunteers for the haunted house!" Jisung exclaimed, waving a piece of paper. "Who's in?"

"I'll be the ghost!" Hyerin shouted, raising her hand with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Sure, you can scare people while they're trying to enjoy themselves," Soyeon joked, nudging her friend.

Minho chuckled, but his laughter faltered as he caught a glimpse of Jiho entering the cafeteria, his expression dark and unreadable. He felt a flicker of unease, the familiar tension creeping back in.

~🎬~