To Dethrone the King | JJK ✔️

15

KANG BYEOL POV

My eyes flutter open, morning sunlight greeting me. Everything around me seems a lot quieter than usual, Kimchi still resting at the foot of my bed as the soft sunlit glow pours onto her sleeping face.

9am. No wonder.

I leave my room quietly letting her sleep on as I prepare breakfast for myself. Just as I'm retrieving the banana milk from the fridge I hear a loud bang followed by angry shouts. So much for a peaceful morning.

It seems to be coming from the Jeon's house but I couldn't care less. As more noises stagger the quiet environment I hear a new sound come from upstairs.

Thud.

All alerts go off on me as I rush up, protecting Kimchi the only thing running in my head. I swing open my door with force and punch the first face I see without thinking.

"Ow!" It groans.

As soon as I realise it's not an intruder and just a nosy neighbour I sigh, stroking Kimchi's head to calm down from her defense position growling.

"What the hell are you doing in my room, Jeon?"

"I... mom kicked... me out," he pants, still clutching the side of his face in pain. I decide not to feel guilty remembering how coldly he's treated me the past week.

"And why might that be, may I ask?" I fold my arms.

"Because I came home late last night and snuck back in?" he gets up from the ground now almost in a questioning manner.

Without looking twice at him I make my way downstairs and he knows exactly what I'm about to do.

"No you can't rat me out, you snitch!" he angrily shouts grabbing hold of my wrist.

"Why did you even come here in the first place, Jeon? I thought you didn't want to see me," I shout back.

His face falls instantly and lets go of my now-throbbing wrist.

"I don't get you. We fight, yeah, then you're all nice to me suddenly and you immediately take it all back and give me the cold shoulder. Just what is going on with you? Was it something I did?"

He stares at his feet now genuinely making me confused at his reaction. "It's not anything you did... ugh can you just drop it?"

The nerve he has to say that ticks me off. "Can I  just drop it? I don't even know what this is to drop! Can't you explain just a little? I'm not a mind-reader, Jeon, and frankly speaking if I was yours is the last one I'd wanna read on my list."

He smirks at me now. "You sure? Because there's a lot of things you can learn just from the inside of my head."

What is this? He literally just switched moods in a heartbeat.

"Look, I can't explain it, but it's complicated. I shouldn't... I shouldn't even be here," he says softly after a while.

"You... you're just gonna go?" The fear in my voice takes me by surprise. Did I not want him to go?

He bites his lower lip now, fingers playing with each other. "I mean I-I don't know, you're pissed at me and you clearly don't want me here. But if I go back I'd have to deal with my mom. Technically either way I'm dealing with a pissed-off woman."

The corners of my mouth tug upwards as I suppress a laugh at his scared face. "I don't not want you here," I blurt out a confess. His eyes widen, making me smile further.

"I just... It'd be nice to know why you just upped and left me without a word, you know? I don't like that feeling when people do that. It's just... something hard to deal with even if it's a small issue. I think you know why."

He nods looking away. I see his eyes cloud with conflict but decide just this time I wouldn't press further. As the silence turns awkward I look away from him walking over to the fridge. "Banana milk?"

His eyes lit up suddenly and nods quickly. "Fuck yes, Kang. Now you're talking."

I toss him a bottle to which he gratefully receives. I laugh at his attempt to drink as quickly as possible. "I win," I grin at him, showing off my empty bottle. Everything feels back on track so easily.

Just as he's about to say something knocks on the door resound in the living room. His eyes grow twice in size knowing who it is. I move towards the door and see him visibly panic, literally jumping behind the kitchen counter and crouching down.

"Oh hi, Mrs Jeon," I smile at her as naturally as possible. However she looks unamused.

"Where is that idiot son of mine?"

I glance around pretending to think. "I don't know, haven't seen him today. He hasn't even talked to me in a while."

She sighs, nodding her head understanding. "I don't know what his deal is either. If you do see him could you tell him if he doesn't come home soon I'm throwing away every single one of his games?"

A tiny gasp is heard behind the counter, making me stifle a laughter but nervous if she heard it. "I'll make sure he knows. Need help with that too?"

She laughs, no feeling of warmth in her voice but just malicious intent. "I'd like that. So, what's it going to be, Jungkook?" She shouts loudly, looking into my house.

A mildly audible curse can be heard from inside, summing up how I feel. Damn, do mothers just have this sixth sense thing for their kids?

He pops out slowly. "U-uh, could you give me a moment? I needa talk to Kang."

She huffs in annoyance but her gaze softens as it lands on me. "Fine, but you better get your ass out here in a minute or I'm loading the trash can without hesitation."

The look on her face says she really isn't playing around, Jeon quickly grabbing me away and closing the door on his mother.

"Look, I'll explain everything someday I just can't right now. Just please leave it here, Kang, okay?" His pleading voice takes me back.

For the first time ever he sounds desperate, almost begging me to see past his facade. I soften up as I look into his eyes, somehow finding his purity in intent. I nod my head soundlessly, eyes never leaving his. He takes a step closer towards me now feeling my breath hitch as I study his face.

Why am I just seeing stars now?

His touch moves down from my forearm to my hands, holding them tenderly. In a swift move he moves closer to my ear, making me feel confused with myself.

"I really don't know what to do, Kang."