After (Jikook version)

Chapter 31

Jin's texts me the address, which I copy and paste into my maps program, which says the drive is fifteen minutes. What could be going on there that Jin could possibly need me? 

I'm just as confused when I arrive at the address as I was when I left my room. Seulgi has called twice, both of which I've ignored; I need the navigation to stay on the screen and, honestly, the confused look on her face when I left her there is haunting me. 

The houses on the street are all large and look like mansions. This house in particular is at least three times larger than my mother's. It's an old-fashioned brick house with a sloped yard that makes it appear to be sitting on a hill. Even under the streetlights, it's beautiful. I'm guessing this must be Jungkook's father's house, since this doesn't belong to a college kid and it's the only reason why Jin would be here as well. I take a deep breath, get out, and walk up the steps from the sidewalk. I knock hard on the dark mahogany door, and it opens within seconds. 

"Jimin, thank you for coming. I'm sorry, I know you have company. Is Seulgi with you?" Jin asks and looks out to the car while gesturing me inside. 

"No, she's back at the dorms. What's going on? Where's Jungkook?" 

"The backyard. He is out of control." He sighs. 

"And I am here because . . .?" I ask as nicely as I can. What does Jungkook being out of control have to do with me? 

"I don't know, I know you hate him, but you do talk to him. He's really drunk, completely belligerent. He showed up here and opened a bottle of his father's scotch. He drank over half the bottle! And then he started breaking things: all my mother's dishes, a glass cabinet, basically everything he could get his hands on." 

"What? Why?" Jungkook told me he doesn't drink—was that a lie, too? 

"His dad just told him that he and my mother are getting married . . ." 

"Okay?" I'm still confused. "So Jungkook doesn't want them to get married?" I ask as Jin leads me through the large kitchen, where I gasp as I take in the huge mess Jungkook has made. Broken dishes are scattered across the floor, and a large wooden cabinet has been knocked over, its glass panels shattered.

"No, but it's a long story. Right after his dad called and told him, they left town for the weekend to celebrate. I think that's why Jungkook came here, to confront his dad. He never comes here," he explains and opens the back door.

I see a shadow sitting at a small table on the patio. Jungkook. 

"I don't know what you think I can do, but I'll try." 

Jin nods. He leans down and puts his hand on my shoulder. "He was calling out for you," he tells me quietly, and my heart stops. 

I walk toward Jungkook and he looks up at me. His eyes are bloodshot, and his hair is hidden under a gray beanie. His eyes go wide, then darken, and I want to step back. He looks almost scary under the dim patio light. 

"How did you get here—" Jungkook says loudly and stands up. 

"Jin . . . he . . ." I answer, then wish I hadn't. 

"You fucking called him?" he yells toward Jin, who for his part walks back inside. 

"You leave him alone, Jungkook—he is worried about you," I scold. 

He sits back down, gesturing for me to take a seat, too. I sit across from him and watch as he grabs the mostly empty bottle of dark liquor and puts it to his mouth. I watch his Adam's apple move as he gulps it down. When he's finished, he slams the bottle down onto the glass of the patio table and it makes me jump, thinking either the bottle or the table or both might break.