After (Jikook version)

Chapter 56

I stare out the passenger window, not wanting to speak first. After a couple of blocks, Jungkook turns the radio on and then turns it up too loud. I roll my eyes but try to ignore it—until I can’t. I hate his taste in music and it gives me an instant headache. Without asking, I turn the knob down and Jungkook looks over at me. 

“What?” I snap. 

“Whoa, someone is in a pissy mood,” he says. 

“No, I just didn’t want to listen to that, and if anyone is in a bad mood, it is you. You were being rude earlier, then you text me and ask me to stay; I don’t get it.” 

“I was pissed because you brought up the wedding. Now that it’s settled that we aren’t going there is no need for me to be pissed.” His tone is calm and sure. 

“It is not settled—we didn’t even talk about it.” 

“Yes, we did. I told you I’m not going, so drop it, Jimin ssi.” 

“Well, you may not be going but I am. And I am going over to your dad’s house to learn to bake with Karen this week,” I tell him. 

He clenches his jaw and glares at me. “You’re not going to the wedding, and what—are you and Karen like best friends now? You barely even know her.” 

“So what if I barely know her? I barely know you,” I tell him. His face falls, and I feel bad, but it is true. 

“Why are you being so difficult?” he says through gritted teeth. 

“Because you aren’t going to tell me what to do, Jungkook. It’s not happening. If I want to go to the wedding, I will, and I really would like you to come with me. It could be fun—you may even have a nice time. It would mean a lot to your father and Karen, not that you care about that.” 

He doesn’t say anything. He lets out a large breath and I stare back out the window. The rest of the ride is spent in silence, both of us too angry to speak. When we pull up to the fraternity house, Jungkook grabs my bag out of the backseat and puts it over his shoulder. 

“Why are you part of a frat, anyway?” I ask him. I have been wanting to know the answer since I discovered his room the first time. 

He takes a deep breath as we walk up the steps. “Because, by the time I agreed to come here, the dorms were full—and I sure as hell wasn’t going to live with my father—so this was one of the few options I had.”

“But why stay in it?” 

“Because I don’t want to live with my father, Jimin. Besides, look at this house; it’s nice, and I did get the biggest room.” He smirks a little, and I’m glad to see his anger is dying down. 

“I mean, why don’t you live off campus?” I ask him and he shrugs. Maybe he doesn’t want to have to get a job. 

I follow him quietly up to his room and wait as he unlocks the door. What is it with him and his obsession over no one going into his room? 

“Why won’t you let anyone in your room?” I ask and he rolls his eyes. He puts my bag down on the floor. 

“Why do you always ask so many questions?” he groans and sits on the chair. 

“I don’t know, why won’t you answer them?” I ask, but of course he ignores me. “Can I hang up my outfit for tomorrow? I don’t want it to get too wrinkled from being in my bag.” 

He seems to think about it for a second before he nods and stands to retrieve a hanger from his closet. I grab the suit and blouse out and put them on the hanger, ignoring his sour expression at my clothing.