“So,” Jungkook started, slinging his bag onto his shoulder and moving towards Zhen, who was collecting her things. “Since Jae-Sun isn’t free this weekend at all,” He rolled his eyes at this. “What days are you free?”

Zhen half frowned as she pulled her bag onto her shoulder and started towards the hall. “I don’t really know,” She said, moving out of the classroom. Mallory was waiting in the hallway, her back against the wall, one leg hiked up behind her. She pushed off the wall and started towards Zhen the moment she saw her. The first thing Zhen noticed was the fact that she was no longer wearing her sunglasses, and the right side of her face was a little lighter in tone. “Where are your sunglasses?”

Mallory made a face. “Ms. Yu confiscated them.”

Zhen smiled a little. “That’s okay. You look fine without them,” She turned to Jungkook. “When are you free?”

Mallory spun to stare at Zhen, shocked. Zhen knew what she was thinking immediately. She thought she was asking when Jungkook was free so they could go out together. Jungkook stared at her in confusion, but answered quietly. “I’m free early Saturday morning.”

Zhen made a face at Mallory, as if proud to prove her wrong. Mallory rolled her eyes. “Friday night we have that-” She realized she was moving into the wrong direction. Zhen and Mallory had a photoshoot Friday night, meaning they would need to be at the studio around five for hair and makeup. Mallory coughed to cover it up. “Sorry, must be a cold.” She said, shaking her head. “We have that dinner with my manager. Jin helps with my photoshoots, and since the dinner is going to be discussing the photoshoot, she has to come.” Zhen wasn’t sure why Jungkook needed to hear this, but she nodded. “So since you’re staying at my place until Saturday, Jungkook could just stop by my apartment and you guys could do it there. That way, Cho Hee and Dae Hyun won’t be hovering.”

Jungkook looked surprised. “Cho Hee? Shin Cho Hee is your mother?”

Zhen winced. “A little.” She said, turning and starting down the stairs towards the shoe lockers.

Jungkook and Mallory followed close behind. “What do you mean a little?”

“She’s… not exactly my mom.”

Jungkook nodded. “So like a stepmother?” Zhen wished that was the case, because then her biological parents would still be around. She nodded anyways. “That’s pretty cool. Cho Hee’s really kind to us at work.”

Zhen shrugged. “Yeah. She’s cool.” She said, sitting on the bench after she’d retrieved her shoes. Mallory and Jungkook followed her lead. “Are you sure you’re okay with Jungkook and I doing the project at your house?”

Mallory nodded. “No problem. There’s a lot of room, I’ll be busy with business calls all day, and there will be no one to interrupt you.” She winked and then turned to Jungkook. “Can I write my address on your hand?” She asked, reaching for his hand just as he finished tying his shoe.

He looked confused. “I can put it in my phone.” He said, reaching for his phone. Mallory took it out of his hands and typed in her address. “Uh, thanks?”

Mallory nodded, sliding her feet into her boots and standing. “When you get there, the man at the front desk will ask you if you’re looking to rent. Just tell him that you’re there to visit Mr. and Mrs. LeBlanc, and he’ll give you my floor and room number.”

“Are your parents not going to be home or something? Shouldn’t you ask them if you can have people over to raid your house?” Jungkook asked, putting his slippers away.

Zhen, who had just finished putting her slippers away, shook her head. “Mallory was emancipated two years ago. Her parents live in France still. The apartment is under there name, though, because Mr. Kim doesn’t rent to anyone under twenty.”

Mallory turned to Jungkook. “Do you need a ride to the building? We have to stop by to talk to Cho Hee anyways.”

Jungkook looked to Zhen, who mouthed for him to just say okay. “Um, sure.”

Mallory nodded and, after handing her keys to Zhen, strode past him. “Jin will show you to the car. I’ll be right back. I need to go have a few words with Ms. Yu.”

Zhen’s eyes widened. “Mal, please don’t.” But she was too late. Mallory had already strode through the doors and was heading towards the office. “Great. She’s going to get herself into a lot of trouble.”

Jungkook smiled. “Does she get in trouble a lot?”

“If the fight in the hall wasn’t an indication.” Zhen said, nodding.

Jungkook shrugged. “I was actually wondering about that. It didn’t seem like anyone threw any punches before we got there, but Mallory has a black eye.” Zhen somehow refrained from gasping, but her eyes widened, she stood a little straighter, and she held her breath. Mallory’s coverup hadn’t been noticeable at all. Zhen had only noticed because she was looking for it. How had Jungkook seen it, with all the coverup, and her sunglasses having been there for most of the day? “Did she get it from before hand?”

“She has a black eye?” Zhen asked, turning to face him.

Please log in to read the full chapter