once friends, now more

Chapter 8

Jiyoon's pov: 

It's been a few days since the second discussion I had with Jungeun, but I already can't wait for the third one. The thought of being able to talk to her one-on-one fills me with excitement. I find myself replaying our last meeting in my mind, the way her smile lit up the room and how effortlessly we fell back into our rhythm. Every moment we spent together felt like a glimpse into what we once had, and I long for more of those moments. I can't shake the feeling that something is shifting between us, and I'm eager to see where it might lead.

"Jiyoon. Jiyoon. Yoon Jiyoon!" Jeemin's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.

"What?" I blinked, glancing at my friends. Mai and Koko were watching me with curious expressions.

"I asked how is your situation with Jungeun." Mai inquired, her tone light but laced with genuine interest.

I nodded, a smile creeping onto my face. "Yea, we made up! I even confronted Jiyeon about the rumors she spread. It felt good to clear the air."

Koko grinned, clearly pleased. "That's great! I knew you two would work things out. It was about time!"

Just then, a commotion erupted in the hallway, drawing our attention. The sound of laughter and shouts echoed through the corridor, creating a buzz of curiosity among the students.

"What's going on over there?" Jeemin asked, her eyes wide with intrigue.

I shrugged, sharing a glance with my friends. "Let's check it out."

Third person pov:

As they approached, Jiyoon's heart sank at the sight before her.

There, on the floor, Jungeun sat with her knees drawn to her chest, tears streaming down her cheeks. Around her lay a scattering of photos, each one a cruel reminder of a private moment invaded. They were secretly-taken photos of Jungeun in the toilet.

Jiyoon felt a deep anger bubble within her as she recognised the content of the images. Without thinking, she rushed forward, dropping to her knees to gather the scattered pictures, shoving them into her pocket as quickly as she could.

"Jungeun, hey, it's okay." Jiyoon murmured, her voice soothing despite the panic rising within her. She placed a comforting hand on Jungeun's back, feeling her friend's body tremble with silent sobs. "I'm here. Just breathe."

As she checked on Jungeun, Jiyoon's gaze drifted to the crowd. Among the onlookers, she spotted Jiyeon, her lips twisted into a smirk as she hid in the chaos she had caused. "That bloody bastard..." Jiyoon muttered to herself, realising it was Jiyeon's doing. At that point, she was more than enraged, giving Jiyeon a murderous look. 

"OKAY ENOUGH. Nothing to see here, scram!" Koko yelled at the crowd to get lost. "Stay with her." Jiyoon instructed Jeemin and Mai, her tone brokering no argument. "I'll be right back." Without waiting for a response, she pushed her way through the throng of students, her heart pounding with every step. 

Jiyoon's eyes locked onto Jiyeon, who stood with a self-satisfied expression, enjoying the spectacle of humiliation. As Jiyoon closed the distance between them, she could feel her fury boiling over.

"PARK JIYEON!" Jiyoon shouted. Before Jiyeon could respond, a punch landed squarely on her face in full view of the crowd.

Jiyeon staggered backward, collapsing to the floor as Jiyoon continued, each hit delivering the full force of her anger.

"WHAT DID I SAY? I TOLD YOU I WASN'T GONNA LET IT SLIDE! COUNT YOURSELF LUCKY IF YOU EVEN GET HOME ALIVE!" With every strike, Jiyoon poured out her rage, infuriated at how Jiyeon could stoop to such a cruel act.

Seeing Jiyeon nearly unconscious, Koko rushed forward, grabbing Jiyoon's arm. "Hey hey that's enough, you're going to kill her." Held back from doing more, Jiyoon stood there panting, her gaze fixed on the bruised girl crumpled on the floor.

"What is going on here?" A teacher's voice cut through the crowd, stern and alarmed, as he approached the scene.