Between The Bars | A Lizkook AU

7.

He's been sitting at the kitchen counter for a good 7 minutes now while the elder kept herself busy preparing he's-not-sure-what for him. It's nerve-wrecking. She hadn't said or asked anything yet...which is weird. He never told her about the break-up and if he was seeing Ji-Eun before...and she never asked in any of her previous phone calls so he knew she didn't hear any news –

"Leftover porridge I made for your dad. He had to work late so I packed some for his dinner," She placed a bowl and a hot coffee mug in front of him.

Jungkook nods as she takes her seat. He could feel his mom's eyes on him as he takes the bowl closer. He didn't have the appetite but then thought that maybe he should just eat so there won't be much room for heavy conversations. He's really not up for it.

Maybe it's his nerves or maybe it's the fact that he hasn't had anything to eat since morning that he felt a bit drained out. Maybe all the overthinking had sucked all his energy down to a bar, and now he's just tired.

What was he thinking! He promised himself that he wouldn't return home until he finds her, as he didn't want to worry his mom with endless questions about where could Lisa be. He even booked a hotel room to stay in – even if he has a home here!

But his mind was too messed up and he found himself at her doorstep...hoping that she'd be there. You're so stupid – of course she won't be there! What you did to her was unimaginably hurtful – do you think she'd wanna relive every single moments with you?! And you know for a fact the kind of sweetheart that she is - she wouldn't come crying to your mom about it, she's too nice to do that!

Jungkook sighed as he takes another spoonful. Busan is almost as big as Seoul – where could he possibly start –

"You're here to find her, aren't you?"

Jungkook looks up immediately, startled at the unexpected question coming from the woman. The elder just held him with a steady gaze.

"Took you long enough,"

What?

"Mom, how –"

"I practically raised you both, do you think I won't know if something's going on with you two?" The disappointed tone sounded harsh, and Jungkook looks down to his knotted fingers. "I have two sons and a daughter and now I'm losing her! Tell me what you've done to her –"

Jungkook looks back up to her shaky voice as she wiped a tear off her cheek quickly. He knew he had done something awful when he can't even find the words to justify it. The guilt in him felt more and more like a path, and at this point he can't refuse to walk it – pretend that he's any better at his ground.

"I...I'm sorry...I'll bring her back mom – I promise I'll bring her back –"

...

"What happened back there – what have you done –"

"I said what I said! They didn't understand –" Jungkook huffed as he fastens his pace, stomping the ground as if the steps could somehow release the anger built up in his chest.

"Kook, stop –" Lisa reached for his hand to stop him but he snapped it away, too caught up in his own emotions. "They're just worried, I'm sure the news came off as a surprise for them –"

"Surprise? They knew it's what I always wanted! I already signed the contract with the agency - they've already set a date for my first day there! They're not worried...they're just being selfish! They just want me to stay here with them forever -"

"Don't say that," She catches her breath when she reached beside him, walking in his pace. "Can't you try to see it from their point of view?"