THE BET (TripleS mochiz)

1 | something new

It was Chaewon's first day at her new school Hanwav Arts High School. Her family had just moved to Seoul after her dad had gotten a location transfer after getting a promotion. He was the new Chief executive officer of a famous company.

—

At first, Chaewon was upset about moving. It was her junior year of high school, and she had just started making friends at her old school before sophomore year ended and she was excited to see them again her Jr year. Making friends had never been easy for her, she was still incredibly shy and rarely spoke up around others. She never initiated conversations, and when someone tried to talk to her, she'd often just walk away.

People at her old school also knew she was pretty wealthy so they envied her because of it. Some people would even say out of pocket things to her, saying things like "daddy's money" "Show your actual personality" "You dont belong here". Words like that would make her a bit upset but she brushed it off every time because she knew she had better things to worry about.

When she heard she was transferring she felt a spark of relief well up inside her, despite her telling her dad she was against it atleast. She knew that this would mean a new beginning for her and that excited her. But she was also afraid people would bully her just like they did at her old school. Until she found out what school she was going to.

a couple weeks before . (convo with dad)

At the end of summer after her sophomore year, Chaewon and her dad went out to dinner at a fancy steakhouse. She was surprised—usually, they just ate whatever the cook made at home. Her dad explained that he had something important to tell her, and the mystery of it made her nervous.

When they arrived, they checked in and were seated by a large window, with a chandelier casting a soft glow from the ceiling above. After placing their orders, Chaewon got herself a strawberry smoothie. She sat across from her dad, hands wrapped around the glass, nervously waiting for him to speak.

"Chaewon-ni." Her dad's voice made her pause, straw still in her mouth, mid-sip of her smoothie.

"Yes?" she replied, a nervous grin spreading across her face. She could tell he had something serious to say, and the uneasy feeling in her stomach grew. Her fingers twisted together in her lap as she braced herself for whatever was coming.

"We're moving next week," he said, taking a calm sip from his glass of water.

The words hit her like a punch, and she felt the air leave her lungs. Moving? After everything she'd gone through to feel at home here? She'd just started finding her place, her friends...and now she was going to have to start all over again.

"Next week? But I just started making friends" Her voice was barely a whisper, laced with shock and disbelief.

Her dad nodded, looking at her with a sympathetic smile. "I know it's sudden. I'm sorry. But it's for work, I got a promotion and it's something we can't avoid."

Chaewon swallowed, her gaze falling to her smoothie, now melting slowly in its glass. All the excitement she'd had for her junior year seemed to dissolve in an instant. Starting over in a new place was the last thing she wanted, especially when she'd just begun to feel like she belonged.

"I don't want to" Chaewons voice came o ut barely above a whisper, but her dad caught the hurt in her tone. She avoided his gaze, staring down at her half-finished smoothie, watching as condensation pooled around the glass.

Her dad sighed, reaching across the table to place a comforting hand on hers. "I know this isn't easy. I know you've worked hard to find friends and feel at home here, Chaewon-ni." His voice was gentle, but she could tell he wasn't going to change his mind. "But sometimes, life pulls us in different directions, even when we don't want it to."

Chaewon pulled her hand back, folding her arms across her chest as if that could keep everything in. "Im scared I just found people who like me for me and don't bully me for being some 'rich' kid who goes to a public school" she muttered, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. She thought of her friends, the study sessions they'd just started, the school dance they'd promised to go to as a group, even if none of them had dates. Now it was all slipping away before it had even started.

Her dad nodded, acknowledging her frustration. "I know. But you're stronger than you realize, Chaewon. You've made friends before, and I know you will again, who knows you might like the school i chose for you"

Chaewon shook her head. "But it's not just about making friends. I finally feel like people see me for who I am. I don't want to go somewhere new and just be the quiet, shy girl again."

Her dad's face softened. He leaned forward, as if wanting to bridge the gap between them. "Chaewon, the friends you've made here—they saw you, right? They noticed you and wanted to be your friends because you're kind, smart, and genuine. Those things won't disappear just because you're moving."

She looked down, trying to absorb his words but still feeling the weight of her dread. He was right, but it didn't make the situation any easier. She took a deep breath, trying to keep herself from crying, but the words slipped out anyway. "It's just... I don't want to be alone again."

The silence hung between them, heavy and raw. Her dad's face softened even further as he reached across to her again. "You don't have to face this alone. I'll be with you every step of the way, and we'll work together to make this new place feel like home. I promise."

Chaewon nodded reluctantly, her throat tight. Deep down, she knew her dad was doing his best, that he wouldn't make them move unless he truly had to. But it still hurt.

"what school is it" she asked suddenly before the silence could get any louder.

"A private school, so don't worry about people envying you for being my daughter, because most likely everyone there comes from a wealthy family." He replied, giving her a reassuring smile.

"really!?" Chaewon exclaimed in excitement, her eyes widening.

This made chaewon feel more comfortable about moving. That was one weight lifted off her chest, knowing she didn't have to worry about people teasing her for being rich but not acting like it.

Chaewon smiled at her dad, she was happy she was going to go to a high ranked school. Her dad patted her head just before the waiter came with there food.

"Eat up!" he said with a cheerful smile, happy his daughter didn't throw too much of a fit.

But from this moment on Chaewon swore to herself she would have a personality switch when she moved schools. She will not be that girl people found boring or let them use her as a punching bag.