When Truth Hurts

Chapter -9

"Part-time job?" Yugyeom said from the phone."You serious? Why do you need a part-time job when you have six hyungs and four of them have incomes?"

Jungkook sighed before  getting up to another bus and sat by the window saying ," It's not about needing the money... it's about... giving back. They've done so much for me. I want to show them I'm not just a burden."

There was a moment of silence on Yugyeom's end before he spoke again, softer this time. "I get that, but you don't need to rush into something like this. If you want to pay them back then a real job after graduation. Wait you attend'jasupsil' for extra study time today didn't you ? This doesn't sound like you Kook.  Are you really okay?"

Jungkook paused for a moment, then said to himself, I wasn't, but I am now.

" Hello Jungkook ? You there."

"Yes I am here and I just called to tell you it's the same shop where you work, and I need you to send me your schedule."

"Wait, what? We need to talk first—"

"Just send it. I'm hanging up now, my stop's here." With that Jungkook hang up the call and stepped off the bus.

As he reached the front door of his house, he slowed his steps when he heard voices inside. Pressing his back against the door frame, he could hear Jin's angry voice from the living room. So, he stood near the door and listened.

"What's wrong with people? Everyone's losing things lately! Yoongi, did you check properly?"

"Of course, hyung, I did," Yoongi replied, sounding a bit exasperated. "Maybe you didn't give it to me in the first place."

Jin huffed. "I did give you everything! Don't—"He was cut off by Namjoon's voice entering the conversation. "Hyung, what happened?"

"Yoongi lost some of his lyric papers, and we've been searching for hours, but no luck. " Jin sighed heavily.
"By the way, are you going? Did Jungkook pick up your call?"

Jungkook's heart skipped a beat. They were talking about him. He had missed their calls earlier, too caught up in his thoughts.

"No, he didn't. I called him twice, and no answer?" Namjoon said, his voice laced with worry. "So, I was thinking of picking him up from school, like you suggested, if it gets past ten."

Jungkook stood frozen at the door for a moment, his hand hovering over the knob. He hadn't meant to ignore their calls, but now he was facing all their concerns at once. Taking a deep breath, he quietly opened the door and stepped inside.

The moment he entered, all eyes turned to him.

"Jungkook?" Jin's voice was the first to cut through the silence, his expression shifting from shock. Then he became worried "Why are you so late, hun?"

"We've been trying to call you. Why didn't you pick up?"Yoongi said while walked toward him.. "You okay? We were thinking of coming to get you."Namjoon asked concerned.

Jungkook scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, feeling all their eyes on him. "I, uh... sorry, hyungs. I missed your calls because... I was on the bus. And my phone was on silent," Jungkook mumbled, looking down.

Jin walked over to him, his worry now overtaken by big-brother concern. "Why didn't you just text us, though? We were really worried." He gently cares Jungkook's cheeks.

Jungkook glanced up and forced a small smile. "I didn't mean to make you worry. I am sorry."

" No no it's fine." Jin hugged him." Just don't ignore our calls hmm." Jungkook nodded in Jin's arm.