Sinners, Saints & Jeon Jungkook

Chapter 2

-Jimins loft-

Moving slightly on the bed, awakened by a noise nearby, I furrowed my brows in annoyance as sleep eluded me. Slowly opening my eyes, I blinked a few times to adjust to the bright light that flooded the room.

Carefully, I rose from the bed and made my way to Jimin's dresser, retrieving a loose shirt to wear. Still feeling a bit dizzy from the night before, I shuffled into the bathroom to wash my face. My eyes were swollen and bloodshot from all the crying, and I couldn't help but notice how awful I looked.

I gazed upon my disheveled appearance, overwhelmed by the sense of desolation that clung to me. The events of last night had left me emotionally drained, teetering on the edge of breaking. The encounter with Tess had further dimmed the already fading light within me, as if it were gasping for a breath of life.

After putting my hair up in a high ponytail, I returned to Jimin's room. He was now sitting on the edge of his king-size bed, eyeing me from head to toe.

"Nice shirt," he smiled, running his fingers through his messy morning hair.

We walked down the hallway, and I rested my elbows on the kitchen counter, using my hands to support my head.

"I need coffee," I pouted, putting on my best puppy face. "How could I ever turn you down?" he chuckled, pinching my cheeks gently.

"When did we leave?" I asked, curious to know the time we had left the party. "Pretty early, around 11, I think," he answered while pushing some buttons on the coffee machine.

"Where were you anyway?" I inquired, wanting to fill in the gaps of the previous night. "Oh..." He paused, scratching the back of his head nervously. "At Jenna's." I couldn't hide a hint of disappointment and heartbreak in my expression.

"You don't need to tell me that, but... What happened to you?" 

I sighed and took a sip of my coffee. "Chanyeol and Tess hooked up," my voice cracked as I spoke the words, the pain of the betrayal still raw. "I know we were only dating, but my best friend? I never expected her to go this far."

"Are you okay?" he asked, moving to sit beside me on the high bar stool. "Yeah, I guess," I said, looking into his eyes and forcing a smile. "I'll get through it."

There was a long moment of silence before Jimin decided to break it.

"You should be used to it by now," he said jokingly, laughing as he lightly pushed my shoulder.

I simply stared at him, a mix of confusion and disappointment filling my gaze. His words caught me off guard, and his laughter felt like a stab to the heart. Realizing his misstep, his smile faded, replaced by a regretful frown.

"Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said—" "No, you're right. I... I should really go now," I stuttered, grabbing my purse from the counter and hastily making my way out of his apartment, my weakened legs carrying me as fast as they could.

-Skate park-

Deeply exhaling, I sat on the edge of one of the cold halfpipes, finding solace in this secluded spot. This was where I came when I needed to be alone.

I could have gone home, but much like yesterday, I did not feel up to the task. My mother's demanding work schedule left little time for personal connection. As the editor-in-chief of Seoul's most successful fashion and lifestyle magazine, her focus remained on her career, leaving me with a sense of emptiness. Our interactions mostly revolved around business, and the family's reputation weighed heavily on her expectations of me. In that aspect, I fulfilled my role dutifully, unlike my brother Kris, who found himself embroiled in fights, vandalizing school property, and showing little regard for authority. He remained caring and loving, but when it came to family matters, he preferred to stay on the periphery. Going home would just mean putting on an act and hiding my sorrows. 

The relationship between Jimin and me was evidently complicated, to say the least. I hesitated to call him my best friend because deep down, we both knew there was something more. We had tried many times, but in the end, we only hurt each other. I took it as a sign from the universe that we were not meant to be together. Still, we attempted to maintain a friendship, even though it could be awkward at times.

School was one of the most unbearable aspects of my life. You would think that being the most popular and successful girl there, with a multitude of so-called "friends," it would be a dream come true. But behind the facade of the perfect picture of high school hierarchy, I knew it was all a lie.

To everyone at school, I wasn't a real person. I was merely a status symbol, a tool for gaining admiration and recognition. If anyone associated with me, they automatically became relevant. It was all so shallow and absurd. But the worst part was trying to find a boyfriend who wasn't solely interested in taking advantage of my so-called fame. I always fell for their "I'm a good guy, I'm different" act.

And that's where the story of betrayal began.

I was nothing more than a trophy to them.