The peak of dawn approached gradually on the horizon. The girl hadn't expected daybreak to arise so soon when everything flashed in minutes as she presumed.

The glowing heat of the sun kissed the latter's bruises and cuts that were marked only hours before. Fortunately, she was relieved to know her sister wasn’t present per usual, rather, she left instructions in giving her younger sister a satisfying amount of punches to persuade, more like commanding, in joining her mafia. The blonde acknowledged her sisters leading role in illegal activities which she simply didn’t desire to be involved in. Though, each time she refused, the more it provoked the older one.

Jeongyeon held a really close relationship with Seungyeon at a very young age. Both inseparable with each other apart from their age difference. When tracing her memories back she could distinctly remember when Seungyeon had first rebelled to her father's customs. Prior to their mother's death, Seungyeon had to take accountability in managing the families income, being that their father had barely used any effort in doing so. Essentially from neglecting his children amidst his toxic problems.

She was only eighteen, after their father's fatal accident, when she ran from home, abandoning her younger sister. Though she barely could survive on Jeongyeon’s reminiscing child support which she voluntarily kept to herself. Her early 20s kept her engaged in countless illicit activities with gangsters who lived in the outskirts of the city. Jeongyeon invariably felt uneasy to comprehend her sister being a crime lord of a notorious street gang. Though her ethics were unstoppable from what she’s seen on the news.

It was convenient to know she had left to Tokyo for an urgent business trip earlier than expected.

Jeongyeon sat amongst a bench in an unfamiliar park, relishing the breathtaking sight the sunrise offered. The way the colours touched the landscaped around her was always considered a healing method. She rested her eyes when enhaling a large intact of fresh morning air. Though she was continuously interrupted from gazes of early morning joggers who gave questionable and concerned faces towards her bruised figure. Some even dared to approach the teenager but were sent off confused at the dirty stares the blonde sent their way. Unwanted strangers who pitied were irritating as it is.

An unexpected realization flinched Jeongyeon from her trance. Tapping every pocket she had impatiently, almost losing her balance in the process. Jeongyeon heart softened a little in relief when her phone still remained in her back pocket, intact. Pressing in an order of numbers, the anticipation left her making quick paces at the nearby convenience store.

“Hello?” The voice on the opposite line replied

“Did you see anyone follow you?” Jeongyeon saw no point in wasting time to question the other. She entered, half-expecting to reach for her favourite brand of cigarettes which conventionally wasn’t stocked. Instead, the blonde bought a pack of gum to soothe the taste of dry blood in . She was relieved yet again after finding her debate card, accompanied with other necessities, still in its rightful place. To be realistic, it would be a complete lie if she wasn’t confused at how her items were not stolen given the fact that being unconscious and exposed had its perfect opportunities.

“Jeongyeon, is that you?” The other doubted

“Answer me. Did you see anyone follow you.” She scolded, letting out the firm tone she commonly used. Except, her eyebrow arched in anxiousness.

“Uhm…. no I-I didn’t see anyone follow me…. What’s going on Jeong?”

Her open cuts stung painfully when she attempted to display emotions, notably after knowing the girl on other line remained untouched. She imagined it was her brain reminding her to buy bandages and a bottle of ointment before proceeding her way back to the lady behind the counter.

Jeongyeon countered with a breathy sigh. The idea of Momo being safe surprisingly was more relaxing then the strawberry flavoured gum she chewed aggressively on.

Momo continued, “Why would someone follow me this early in the morning? Did something happen?”

“No,” she lied, “Just call this number if anything happens.” Jeongyeon could’ve sworn she overheard hushed whispers coming from the other line, she resumed before Momo could’ve replied.

“Is someone with you?” She questioned the unknown noises using a voice much softer than before.

“Yeah, it’s just Sana and Mina, they came yesterday night after….uh you know….you dropped me home but forget about them, are you seriously fine.”

Jeongyeon couldn’t help but smile at Momo’s worriedness, half expecting for her to cut the call at any given moment. In situations like these, smiling oddly felt comforting, even from the classmate she despised.

“Don’t worry about me Peach, you just keep close with Sana and Mina for a while.” She paused, letting out a sigh for the nth time that day, “I promise I’ll explain later.” Groaning in defeat, Momo reluctantly agreed.

A small frown played over Jeongyeon’s lips. Guiltiness was washing over at the thought of how coldly she acted previously. Though, apologizing was beyond Jeongyeon’s dictionary. A word she didn't use even if the fault was hers. The blonde actively restricted herself yet her lips said otherwise.

“I’m sorry” she blurted, her steps slowed itself, fixating at the sight of her untouched bike she left earlier at Grab n’ Go. It was then that Jeongyeon could not hide her surprise. Her breaths quickened, anticipating the latter's reply impatiently.

A gentle chuckle, soft enough for Jeongyeon to barely comprehend, came from the other line. Momo remained baffled at Jeongyeon, the women who wouldn’t dare apologize, do the exact opposite. It was a sight to behold. A pity to not encounter her expression which Momo would have gladly enjoyed.

“Am I hearing this wrong becuase Yoo Jeongyeon just apologized to me….ok somethings seriously weird happened!?” Jeongyeon couldn’t help but laugh, internally rolling her eyes, at Momo’s teasing. The teasing which would have given her headaches instead of giddiness for all she knows.

The keys to the scrambler were luckily still remained tucked in her black leather jacket prior to her ill-fated encounter. Her strides quickened to the comfort of her leather seat the bike offered. Jeongyeon wasn’t one to toot her own horn but she put a ton of effort into working for her bike. In the neighbourhood she lived in, it was a miracle to see it untouched. The luck she had today was oddly scary.

“Don’t make me regret this Hirai Momo”

“I already do Yoo Jeongyeon” this moment sounded familiar given this exact scenario already played itself out. This time the tables have turned.

The urge to talk for hours with Momo was tempting if it weren’t for a car, being far too familiar, interrupting.

Nayeon’s car, a black Lotus Esprit that screamed the 90s, approached the latter who still kept place on her parked bike. Jeongyeon could already notice Nayeon's reaction as she advanced closer

“Jeongyeon who the hell ed your face.”

“Momo I’ll call you back.” She hadn't realized she invited herself to another conversation with the Japanese girl until it was already too late. Ending the call, her head sheepishly turned to face her concerned childhood friend.

“Seungyeon’s es”

“Are you ing kidding me?! GOD DAMMIT…. I swear she needs to stop this bull.” She bluntly spat. Frustration written all over as her grip on the wheel tightened, knuckles turning concerningly pale. Jeongyeon heard a sharp intake of breath from Nayeon.

The truth that Jeongyeon held so tight from others was a strange method to barely maintain herself, considering the fact that she wouldn’t label herself as healthy. Nayeon and the other girls were the only exceptions to her messed up problem considering the fact that her sister took advantage in using them as targets previously. Momo could've potentiality been another cheap threat as she was Jeongyeon’s recent interaction. The feeling of sudden chest pains occurred at the thought of Momo being in any kind of danger, ruined by the filthiness mobsters had.

Together, Jeongyeon and Nayeon remained silent, anticipating for each other’s reply. The girl knew her friend wasn’t ignorant to the situation. At the time, Jeongyeon was nearly tempted to spill the truth to Nayeon about wanting to leave, escape the horrid life to start a better one. A blank slate or a fresh start as some would call it. Somewhere with greenery, a place far from the trigger of a gun.

Though at the same time, Jeongyeon knew it sounded ridiculous. Her name had less to nothing to it and she definitely couldn’t leave the ones she cares for. Her attention suddenly concentrated on her uneven breathing pattern. Imagining how easily she could break. So fragile, soft enough to destroy her and the people she loved most. This was bull. All of it. The blank, expressionless, stares were enough said for her best friend to shrug off the topic.

Nayeon was an unusual friend, to say the least. She has the ability to easily mock the latter but her thoughts are calculated, precise even in a given situation. This was a touchy subject she dare not to intertwine in. Yet she did.

“Here” Nayeon drew out the others favourite packet of cigarettes to break the silent tension. Jeongyeon smirked wickedly, she didn’t hesitate to put a cigarette in before lighting it with her very own lighter.

“" she sighed after taking a long drag, instantly satisfied by the warmth her lungs had received. The temporary bliss softened her reflexes, sinking her body weight against her scrambler.

“I didn’t know you were friends with Momo?” An unreadable smirk crept her face. Nayeon leaned closer, resting her arms on the open window, from what seemed like a hesitation in the voice of the other.

Jeongyeon was almost mortified at the sudden curiosity from the other. In her mind, she knew this would be put against her later onwards if ever she attempted to ignore.

“I just called to cancel today’s tutoring lesson.” The blonde reassured, nonchalantly.

“You do tutoring lesson with Momo!?” Jeongyeon mentally slapped herself, She had forgotten to remind her friends on yesterday’s incident. Though it was satisfying seeing the others reaction. The latter could’ve sworn Nayeon's eyes would’ve rolled out at how wide they became. gawked out extensively.

“…. I didn’t tell you guys yet.” Jeongyeon brushes her hair back in annoyance. “Ms. Parks forced this since apparently, I’m failing math.”

Nayeon rolled her eyes, “Cut the bull”

“What bull?”

“You were smiling like an idiot before I approached you!” Nayeon clicked her tongue as she exaggerated, her face twisted in disgust. Jeongyeon didn’t know how to respond to that. Her brain was scattered, attempted to connect the missing pieces. Nayeon interrupted Jeongyeons hopelessness, she urged a proper response from her best friend instead of blank stares.

“What happened to the ‘I hate Momo’ and the ‘I wanna choke her if I see her again’ huh?” She mimicked.

“I do hate Momo” convincing herself, “And anyway, I wasn’t smiling at her.” Nayeon couldn’t help but scoff loudly.

“Trust me, Jeong, you're whipped for her.” When Jeongyeon’s eyebrows furrowed, Nayeon then strode her way to the nearby stores, leaving the blonde in disbelief.

“I gotta go pick up some groceries but please think about it before you fall for her. Badly.” She pointed at Jeongyeon, demanding her instructions were to be taken carefully. “Also your face is bleeding all over so might wanna fix that.”

“Yeah” Jeongyeon replied weakly, immediately regretting not leaving earlier. The bitter aftertaste she craved became distasteful. She threw the barely finished cigarettes to the street gutter, something rarely done. Shaking her head, it didn’t matter as her thoughts were clouded with Momo. Someone who came into her mind quite often since the beginning of the school year. Imagining the concept of falling in love was the only ounce of reluctantness she had. Loving is icky, especially from past experience of comforting her heartbroken friends for there dear life. Of course, snot and tears came with the experience. She promised to never experience being in such a mess but nowadays, reassuring herself sounded forced like a script being told to her. The more she spent time with that Japanese girl, the more falling in love made her vulnerable. The sight was disturbing to see the strange behaviours she was doing recently. Yet, at the same time, she enjoyed it.

“I’m not whipped,” she reassured herself for the umpteenth times during the ride home. Ever so often, Momo would creep in her thoughts repetitively making her repeat the same dialogue like it was a prayer. Even if she considered Momo as an option, her sister had the ability to ruin everything she held so tight plus Momo was the last person she’d ever want to see hurt. Hurt would be an understatement if her sister got involved. It was something she can exclusively deal alone even if it kills her. Perhaps will one day at how extreme the threats are nowadays. Seongyeon seems to be getting fed up easier from the countless missed opportunities Jeongyeon could've taken.

Jeongyeon reached her studio apartment at quarter past six, the sun barely leaving the warmth of the ground. Usually, at reminiscing times like these with lack of sleep, she would kick back with a cold beer, maybe even a cigarette. The attempts of doing either was short-lived as the image of Momo’s disappointed face of the latter's toxic behaviour flashed her mind. The empty apartment suddenly felt suffocating similar to the times she threw parties. They were sweaty disasters that she didn’t look forward to doing in the future. The warmth radiating from the sun seemed colder too. She suddenly craved the unusual feeling of someone in her arms watching the breathtaking sunrise. Someone like Momo. Jeongyeon blushed at the thought.

“ I’m whipped.”
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jeongyeon had misjudged her fatigueness. Having barely a wink of sleep, the girl conveniently had morning shift at the coffee house, though to her luck, ends early because of the lack of usual customers during the weekends.

The manager had assigned her behind the counters, preparing customers orders. The expectation of cheerfulness from employees was one of many job requirements when being a waiter which she still hasn’t perfected after years of training. Her cold atmosphere would demolish the entire aesthetic the cafe pulled off. Despite the sudden shift, she enjoyed the labour work of making coffee rather than faking a smile.

The usual jingle alerted a new customer, Jeongyeon kept unbothered,c focusing her attention towards brooming the dirty floors of the back counter. Her coworkers always had mixed emotions to why Jeongyeon loved the simplicity of cleaning. It was an obsession which she believed was perfectly normal. They didn’t complain about it though as it was easily used as an excuse to get out of assigned cleaning duties.

Given the situation, she decided to listen to her favourite playlist with earphones before her shift ends. Bopping her head lightly at the music she sensed an unusual presence creeping towards her.

“Hey”

“You can wait at your table for your drink” Jeongyeon didn’t bother to look at the customer as she routinely dealt with strangers unaware of the customs in the coffee house.

The unknown figure hadn’t moved, instead shifting their weight back and forth impatiently at Jeongyeons cold attitude. She heard a soft voice calling out for her.

“Jeongyeon”

“I said to wait at y— Momo?” gawked, she reckoned Momo had known her workplace after the disasters of the first day, but what was she doing here? Jeongyeon didn’t hesitate as her curiousness compelled. She couldn’t make sense of the erratic behaviour of the beating of her heart. It pounded ferociously.

“W-what how what…uhm…. what are doing here.” Jeongyeon placed the broomstick to her side, internally cursing at her stuttering. Their piercing gaze at each other kept its place, admiring Momos soft features while the other did the same.

“Sorry I’m here I tried calling you and you didn’t pick up so I thought I can have luck in finding you here and I did so…..what happen to your face?” Momo leaned closer for inspection, her hand cleaned tightly on the counter as she saw Momo gulp a little at the thought of her involvement in a fight. Jeongyeon wanted to tell her that she was fine but it would probably sound unconvincing.

The older girl then froze amidst when attempting to reply back at the younger one who waited anxiously to understand the sudden shift in Jeongyeons behaviour. Their faces were inches apart from each without Momo’s realization at her action, she instead focuses on Jeongyeon’s embarrassed flustered expression.

The blonde stumbled when her body had almost closed the space between them. She wanted to blame the coffee house for her seemingly mental breakdown occurring. Rarely did she have to reassure herself to stop blushing.

“Let’s have coffee” Momo replied as she cleared , flashing the worker a wider smile that beamed her face.

Jeongyeon found it ridiculous as she saw trouble in responding to the latter. She began to realize that Momo had a strange effect on her life. Though she did have a similar intervention before, it was now, seeing Momos stunningly round eyes and her luscious plump lips, had it been clear as crystal.

Jeongyeon felt the side of her lips tugging into a smile. She saw something more hopeful in life than anything she’s ever experienced.

If she wasn’t whipped before, she sure is now.

.

.

.

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A/N: The next chapter will come out later than expected cause schools frustrating me TT. I ALSO wanted to talk about the development of the story because it's difficult in where I want to take this but I'll try my hardest to satisfy the Jeongmo shippers ;) 

If there are any mistake or plotholes in the story, I encourage for you guys to tell me so I can become a better writer for future fanfic.  stories. So far you guys can understand that Jeongyeon had started realizing her feelings for her childhood enemy and also seeing her past with who her sister is and how she would be a big impact in further relations. She's stuck in a situation that puts her in a place of self-harm and constant reassurance. Though she will have the support of her other friends, Momo will mainly play a big role in Jeongyeon's healing process. Or so we'll see... ;))))

ANYWAY AWAY FROM THE BORING STUFF Thank you guys for supporting and loving my first story. ksksjksjsjsjsksjksjksj I can't thank you guys enough because I love making this and I love seeing you guys react to something I love!!!

(wow thats a lot of love ><) <333333