Badman

Chapter 3

Karen’s POV

I make my way down the hall searching left and right for that freaking bathroom so I can finally change into decent clothing. I could pass off as a goddamn prostitute in that get-up I had on. I kick open the door in disgust and force my way into the nearest vacant stall. I switch out lightning fast (cause that’s what desperation does to you) and burst out of the bathroom like a free man. I shudder as I reminisce about my demented spastic outfit Karyssa FORCED me into against my WILL. I mean, really? Was a teenage girl getting high on everything the best disguise there was? We march out of the front doors feeling guilt-free and glitter-free back on our way to our apartment.

“C’mon Yelin, QUICKLY FOR GOD’S SAKE,” I hollered into her ear.

She swatted me away. “Okay okay, Shut up” Yelin said back “You’re not the only one waiting for that look of approval from Jong Ya.”

<At the gang’s apartment>

Yelin opened a file on her computer and the security footage popped up on the screen. I already had a slightly bad feeling about this, so I turned away. From the muffled voices I made out “Don’t worry” and “only pocket change anyway” Yelin’s eyes were almost touching the monitor, and eventually, she slowly sat back, and gave me a sorrowful look.

“No...” She whispered, and I burst into laughter. She looked as if she were in a fucking drama!

“hahahahahaha!!”

They both looked at me, and my face suddenly hardened. Oops..

“Karyssa check the pouch.” Yelin said desperately. Karyssa obeyed.

Inside the small leather pocket were all crisp bills. The sad part was that each one was only worth 1,000 or 5,000 won. (Roughly $1 and $5 in American currency) I sighed loudly, and swung my fist at the wall. “So what now!” I was more angry than I should have been, but still. I actually felt like we accomplished something for once. Shit, I hadn’t been that happy since we bought our apartment so many damn months ago.

All of a sudden, the door slammed open, and nearly crushed my hand.

“HAY WATCH I-” I yelled. Jong Ya raised an eyebrow. Damnit..

“Sorry..” I mumbled

“So tell me.. Was I right to trust you on this mission?”

“Partially…!” Yelin said too quickly Oh shit...

She crossed her arms. “What?”

Karyssa held out the pouch, and Jong Ya snatched it away. She hefted it in her hand, unimpressed. Her eyes slowly swept over each of us. “And how much is in this?” “We don’t--we didn’t count,” Yelin said in a small voice. Jong Ya stiffened and pulled out a roll of money, thumbing through the ones and fives. We waited as she repeated the process which each roll in the pouch. She slowly shook her head.

“31,000 won?” she said quietly. “You go to a superstar’s hotel room, and you come back with 31,000 won?! ” No one answered. 31,000 (Roughly $30 in the U.S.) is barely enough to buy one of Yelin’s little cameras.

“This is what I get for trusting a bunch of stupid jersey girls who can’t make a damn living on the street?!” The venom in her voice caused us to shrink back. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t kick your useless asses out of this apartment!”

“Come on, Noona--isn’t that a little harsh,” Jung Ho started, but he was cut off by Jong Ya.

“No, enough with you. You’re the only reason I gave them this mission in the first place, instead of someone who actually knew what they were doing. You know how badly we need the money. Do you realize what was riding on this? I trusted them with an important mission because you told me they could take it. And they failed. Now I’m going to throw these bumbling brats out where they belong, and if you’re so intent on helping them you can join them!”

Karyssa steps forward. Holy shit what the fuck is she doing?!

“Just give us one more chance! We can go back to their apartment. I promise we’ll get the money this time, and earn our place here.” She reasons, widening her eyes earnestly. Jong Ya pauses and looks at her. “All we need is one more shot! It was a lousy mistake, I admit, but we can fix it!” Karyssa continues. Jong Ya raises an eyebrow skeptically.

“Uh, and if we don’t get the big bucks to you in two weeks, we’ll kick our own asses out of this place. Deal?” I say nervously.

Jong ya looks at us for a moment, and nods slightly. Jung ho darted a hopeful glance at her. Eventually, she jabbed her hand out to me, and I shook her hand vigorously.

“Fine, deal.” She said with a smirk. Then she left.