Truth or Lies

Chapter 1

~ Ring Ring Ring ~

The clock shrieked its protest, slicing through the silence of Iseul's room. She groaned, fumbling to shut it off. “Not again,” she muttered, glancing at the time. “Mom, did you change it again?”

Her mother’s entrance was met with a guilty look. “Um, no, honey, why would I mess with your clock?”

Iseul sighed, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “You already know why,” she replied, leaving her room without waiting for an answer.

Iseul’s POV

As I stepped into the bustling halls of my high school, a wave of chatter washed over me—laughter and animated discussions swirling around like a tide I could never quite join. The lively groups seemed like a world away, and I was merely a ghost drifting through the echoes of their joy.

With every step toward class, I felt the familiar sting of isolation. No one noticed the girl walking alone. Not that I cared anymore—at least, that’s what I told myself.

Just as I reached my classroom, a sudden commotion pulled my attention. I turned to see C6, the most notorious group of boys in school, gliding through the hallway. Their laughter rang out like a siren call, and I quickly turned back, desperate to avoid their gazes.

The teacher's arrival pulled me back to reality.

“So, children, we have an exchange student who will be joining us today. Let’s welcome Kim Taehyung—”

The name struck me like a lightning bolt. “Hyung!” I almost shouted, but the moment froze as I realized it wasn’t my brother standing there.

“Iseul, are you alright?” the teacher asked, concern etched on her face. “If you need to see the nurse, it’s okay.”

“Y-yes, ma’am,” I stammered, exiting the classroom without a second glance at Taehyung, whose gaze seemed locked onto mine.

In the Nurse’s Office

“Why can’t I move on?” I whispered to myself, perched on the edge of a sick bed. “Is it because he was my brother? Or because I never got to say goodbye?” Frustration coiled in my chest like a snake ready to strike. Just then, the door burst open.

“Oh my gosh, Iseul! There you are!” Jeong-yeon, the school nurse and my favorite cousin, rushed in, her cheeks flushed with urgency. “I thought I’d lost you! But listen, I need your help right now!”

“Okay, but what’s happening?” I asked, bewildered as she pulled me to my feet.

“Jungkook is hurt!” she exclaimed, pulling me toward the playground.

“Who?” I asked, confusion clouding my thoughts.

Jeong-yeon stopped abruptly, turning to me with wide eyes. “You don’t know Jungkook? The exchange student from Busan? He’s practically a celebrity here! All the girls are mad for him!”

As we approached the playground, I caught a glimpse of Jungkook. He looked like he had just stepped out of a fashion magazine—handsome, with an air of confidence that made him stand out.

But in the back of my mind, another thought lingered—Taehyung. Why does he look so much like my brother? The resemblance was uncanny, and I felt the weight of memories pressing in on me.

Author's Note:

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I’m excited to dive deeper into Iseul’s story and the mysteries surrounding her new classmates. Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Stay tuned for more!

— [Skye]