Chapter 2

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Jungkook's POV:

Today's the first day of school, and I feel sick as hell.
I wake up with a killer headache, and I don't even have the strength to sit up. Why today? Of all the days you could get sick, Jungkook, it just had to be today.
I check the time on my phone. 6:45am. School starts in half an hour. Oh, God. This headache is the worst. Since we've only just moved in, I've been having to sleep on a mattress on the floor, because of course Mom and Dad just have to set up their own bed first. My back's stiff, too. , it hurts to move. I amble to the bathroom and take a cold shower- that sure wakes me up quickly enough. I change into my uniform- which is scratchy and uncomfortable- before going downstairs to eat breakfast. Luckily, I packed my schoolbag yesterday night but I still haven't had time to look at my timetable the school emailed me. It's fine, I'll just work it out when I get there.

“Jungkook, do you want a lift to school?” Dad asks, looking up from his laptop.

“Yeah, thanks,” I say, rummaging the cupboards for cereal. “Where's Mom?”

“She's still asleep, the poor thing's worn out from all that unpacking yesterday,” he says. “I heard you weren't much of a help.”

“Hey, I got lunch,” I protest, when Jihyun comes bounding into the room.

“Morning!” she says, her usual bright smile plastered on her face. Both my dad and I adore her and we're considerably cheered up as soon as she's around. “Jungkook oppa, could you help me reach the zip on the back?”

“Of course,” I say, kneeling down to fix her pinafore. “Are you excited for your first day?”

“Yes! I can't wait to meet everyone!” she grins, fiddling with her two neat plaits. “What about you?”

“Me too,” I say quickly, glancing at the floor. That's lying, though. I'm terrified for today and my stomach's churning with nervousness. I think I'm going to throw up, honestly. Teenagers are a whole lot more dangerous than people think. Is this new school going to be a repeat of Busan? My plan is to stay out of everyone's way. Mind my own business. Be invisible. Be a nobody. I look at Jihyun, and I find that I'm slightly...envious. She's only five years old- she doesn't have to face any of these problems, not yet. And knowing her, it's very likely she never will.

“Son, tuck in