I Need U // Park Jimin

CHAPTER 26: The truth

-Melody's POV-
"Please take off your shoes," Layla opened the door.
We all took off our shoes, and sat on the couch.
I sit there, afraid of the truth. I suddenly feel like it would've been better to keep everything as a secret - But that's hiding, not getting over it. I tell myself that I need to listen. Katrina and Layla sat on the floor facing the sofa, while Jimin was next to me.

We stared at each other, waiting for someone to say something.
I spoke this time.
"So, please tell me the truth Layla," I looked deep into her eyes, "And you." I pointed to Katrina and frowned.
Jimin held my hand, to comfort me like he always does.
He gave me a warm smile.
"It's okay Melody, all will be explained."
I grinned back at him.

"Tsk. Like I need to explain anything. My plan was simple." Katrina smirked.
I feel my cheeks getting hot after hearing that.
"Katrina, listen. The plan wasn't simple. You don't know how much you've stressed me - you risked people's lives and messed up my life!" I stood up furiously, but Jimin pulled my arm, and I slumped back down.
"Layla, you know everything don't you. Please, tell me. If Katrina didn't die, then who did? She must have died for nothing." My hear burns, as if a hole was there.
Layla had a brooding look on her face.

She then started to sob, and covered her eyes with her hands.
"Layla, please tell me."
"T-the person who d-died instead was..." She turned her head to Jimin, who's eyes widened.
She opened her mouth to speak, and I nodded quickly so she would tell me.
"It was Park Yougi, Melody. Jimin's sister." Layla's cries got louder.

Jimin's sister.

"I'm so sorry, Jimin and Melody. I had no say in this. Yougi said she'd do it, and refused to be stopped." Layla's voice shook, and looked at me with pitiful eyes.
My body froze, gob smacked. Jimin's sister was the one who died?
"Why did it have to be her? WHY???" I walked over to Katrina and slapped her on the cheek. She gasped.
"YOU ARE A FRICKIN BEAST. WHY DID YOU TURN INTO A GIRL LIKE THIS. Why did you have to change..." I cried on the last sentence , directly staring down at Katrina.

She was shocked, and for the first time I saw guilt on her face. I turned around and saw Jimin running his fingers through his hair.
"Katrina, you owe us a reason on why you became like this. Look, this is getting too exaggerated." Jimin's head was in his hands, sounding fed up.
"We want to know. We've had enough Katrina." I added, a tear dropping down my cheek. We were on our limits ; All we wanted was to hear was an explanation - Or why the plan took place at all.

At the same time a tear trickled down Katrina's cheek too. Surprised at her reaction, I was also ready to listen.
"Melody, before I had to leave to America, I didn't tell you this - But, I tried to kill myself multiple times. I just felt like everything in my life was going wrong. In America, I got bullied. I was laughed at, punched and was called names. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, the dance studio kicked me out, saying that I was too weak. But that was because I got beaten up. I had-" Katrina was cut off by Jimin, which got me a little annoyed but he seemed to have something more important to say.

"I need to tell you something as well, Melody. : Me and Katrina are ex's..." Jimin bit his lip, not knowing how I would respond.
"W-what did you just say?" I laughed, unsure.
"Me and Katrina were going out, but by the time I had to go back to Korea I didn't love her anymore." Jimin looked worried.
My face drooped - I felt more upset for them and not me.
"Why?" I wanted to know.

"Because... I fell in love with you."

What? I muttered under my breath.
"I've always loved you, but I never thought you would feel the same. I apologize if this shocked you..." Jimin bowed his head down.
"Don't worry, we can talk about this later Jimin." I then faced Katrina. "I'm... So sorry. I didn't mean to steal your boyfriend." I apologized for the 100th time.
Katrina sighed.
"That's why I made the plan. It may sound silly, but it broke my heart. After all that happened in America, I thought I had Jimin. Knowing that, I was happy. But then he told me he loved you instead of me when I next saw him." Katrina sniffed, wiping her nose on her sleeve.

A flash of guilt clouded over me. If I knew that was the reason ; if she had told me what had happened in the first place ; then I wouldn't have been angry. I shouldn't have slapped her. I didn't realize what she had gone through, all I did was think about myself - Not how she was feeling.
This emotion Katrina was experiencing- It's so familiar. I used to feel that way, where you think life's going to get better but it gets worse.
"Katrina - When you threw yourself in front of the truck, did you want to do it?" I was concerned. But I know how she feels.
"Yea, I guess. I just felt worthless. Like I wasn't even needed in this planet."

Worthless.

That's exactly what I thought my life was.

"It was half for the plan and half for myself. It was kind of a reality check as well. That really, maybe I wanted to live. And to grow up and be that strong, positive person you are, Melody." Katrina faced me. Her eyes showed sadness.
"Katrina, you're the strong person. You had the courage to do things that, even if they were counted as bad, were so dangerous. If anything, you are the strong person here." I tried to sound sincere, and that is the truth.
"I should've thought about how difficult your life was, and so it's partly my fault too."

"It's okay Melody. I take all the blame. I just - childishly- wanted everyone to know how I felt, so they could support me. Now that I've seen how much I hurt all of you, I feel so evil." Katrina's voice shook, and stared at the floor.
"Then we can start again." I told her. This is the best thing to say.
"Mmhm?" Katrina suddenly lifted her head up and looked at me, confused.
"We can start again. Another chance in life, where we forget all our problems from the past and turn that negative energy into positive." I smiled at her.

"Really?" Katrina sniffed.
"Really. That's how we'll choose to be strong ; to get over the hard times, right?" I pointed at her like a mother. "No matter what you can talk to me. Don't ever hide anything from me, ever, okay?" I raised my eyebrow at her. I want to be there for her. I've been longing to have that inseparable friendship I used to have with her.

We both smiled at each other, for the first time in ages. I felt emotional, and we both started to cry. We embraced each other, knowing that there's always time to fix things.
I forgive her. Layla joins the hug, while Jimin just watches us. He's still upset about his sister, I thought.
I walk up to him and hug him.
"We've all got each other, and we've learnt from our mistakes. We can start fresh again Jimin." I spoke onto his shoulder. His grip on me tightened, and I let him hold on.

"I'm here." Those two words were said ; the ones which we said to each other ever since we became friends.
Jimin pulled away.
He gave me a warm smile.
"Melody, you're the best friend we've ever had." Layla spoke, and I saw her, Katrina and Jimin smiling at me. I felt overwhelmed by what she had said, and tears welled up in my eyes again.

"Guuyyysss!" I squealed, and we did a group hug. We are all happy again. I cry with joy. This is what we wanted.