“I said I saw the two of you kiss.” JB repeated himself. 

Jiyeon glared at him as she took large, intimidating steps back towards him. She couldn’t believe what she has just heard. However, despite her wanting to deny it, she simply couldn’t. It was loud and clear. The truth was standing right before her. The person who put her through all this pain and humiliation. The person who wanted revenge on her for leaving him. The person who still had a smiling face before her right now. At that instant, JB could tell she was more than angry as if she wanted to shred his face apart.

“You sent the pictures, didn’t you?!” She yelled loudly.

He swallowed his saliva and stared at her.

“I knew it! I just knew a petty fan girl could not have contacted all those press agencies at one go… “She continued yelling away as she pushed his chest repeatedly.

JB felt his back hit the bricked wall and she stopped. He sense his shoulders blade ache from the hit. Jiyeon was mad and tears were threatening to fall. He wondered why. 

“If you think it’s me, then it’s me.” He straightened himself and stated simply.

His statement made her even more upset, and he knew it so well. He walked past her, taking small steps away from her.

“I am so disappointed in you.” She said loud enough for him to hear.

“Me too.” JB replied.

“Kim Myungsoo, what is so good about him?” he questioned.

And the question was left unanswered.

JB sat in his room with a magazine opened up before him. He stared at the picture for ten seconds or so and he couldn’t take it any longer. Slamming the pages together, he crumpled it and threw it behind. It hit the door and settled itself on the ground. He sighed, wondering how he actually managed to stand there and watch them kiss right before him. It was only then he realized the heart which he thought was long broken by Jiyeon was still around. Because it hurts so much that he hoped he didn’t have one. He was supposed to come back as a heartless man.

JR came through the door without knocking, and he picked up the magazine on the floor.

“Jiyeon and Myungsoo sunbaenim?” JR mumbled out loud.

JB swiveled in his chair and stared at his friend in annoyance. Sometimes, he really dislikes how he comes and goes in such an easy manner. This was after all, his room. His territory.   

“What are you doing in my room?” he questioned.

“What’s up with your tone?” he replied, plopping himself casually on his bed.

“I’m not in the mood right now, JR.” He told him.  

JR frowned at his statement before getting off his bed. With a small sigh, he closed the door behind him.

“I just wanted to ask if you want some ramen. Seems like I’m eating alone…” He mumbled.

-

Sohyun was walking down the stairs when she heard footsteps behind her quickening. Some people were jumping down flights of stairs, chasing after her. Afraid, she began to hurry. However, someone soon caught her by her shoulders and pushed her aside. After being flung to the wall, Sohyun looked down at her shoes and bit her lips nervously. Joohee smirked as more students of which some are inspirits gathered behind her. They were grinning at her and before she knew it, a masking tape was stuck over . She needed to call for help but her phone ended up on Yoori’s hands.

“Don’t scream and it will be over soon.” Joohee said.

Each of them had water balloon in their hands. Standing at a considerable distance, they started throwing at her one by one. It wouldn’t have hurt if it was just one harmless water balloon. However, they were throwing tens of them all at one go. The water splashed at Sohyun who struggled but to no avail. She couldn’t quite distinguish whether she was crying or whether it was the water from those balloons on her face. She struggled to keep her eyes open and plead for Yoori to help her. However, she simply held onto her phone and watched her struggle in misery.  

“Last one.” Joohee said as she handed Yoori, leaning against the railings.

Sohyun tried hard to find her balance on the slippery ground. However, she slipped and fell on her at the staircase base. The girls cracked up seeing her pathetic state, including Yoori. Her angelic laughter became so hideous and demonic. Tossing the water balloon up and down, she took an aim at Sohyun. Without a second word, she threw it hard at her. Sohyun felt the last balloon hit right on her forehead. The numbing sensation spread till beneath her skin. The balloon burst and as the water flow down her face, salty liquid overflowed her eyes.

“Tell anyone this and you’ll get worse from us. Understood?” Joohee warned, slapping her cheeks lightly.

Sohyun pressed her lips together and nodded. Yoori stepped forward and tore off the masking tape. A smirk played on her lips as she turned around mercilessly. The group left the staircase landing with Sohyun sitting on the cold, wet ground with rubber balloon remains around her. She brought her knees to her chest and closed her eyes. Sobbing hard into her skirt, she mumbled, “It hurts so much, because I still thought you were my best friend, Yoori-ah.”

JR thought he heard whimpers. He suspected some pitiful cat was hurt so he headed towards the staircase with a sense of urgency rising within him. He stopped when he spotted a girl crying at the bottom of the stairs. It wouldn’t take a rationale person long to deduce she is a victim of bully. It was nothing new in high school, anyways. He walked towards her with a sympathetic look on. Sohyun then felt something warm touch her back. She looked up and met eyes with JR. Flustered, Sohyun hurriedly looked away and wiped off those tears. No one must know. It surprised her when he flashed a smile at her. Taking off his blazer, JR covered her trembling shoulders.

“I am fine.” She reassured, trying to remove it.

“You’re wet. Let’s get you dry first.” He insisted.  

Helping her up from the ground, he brought her to the ladies. And of course, he stayed outside. The last thing he wanted was to appear on news with the headlines of ‘JJ Project, JR spotted in School’s Female Toilet’. Shaking his head at those random thoughts, he thought he saw Sohyun coming out of the toilet. Sticking his hands into his pocket, he warmly asked, “Care to tell me what happened now?”

She shook her head and repeated those three words, “I am fine.”

“SOHYUN!” Someone shouted as he ran over from afar.

“Hoya sunbaenim?” JR greeted uncertainly.

He bowed slightly back at his junior but couldn’t be bothered with him. He stopped before Sohyun and studied her from head to toes.

“Why are you wet?” Why did you reject my calls? Are you hurt? he bombarded her with so many questions and she didn’t know how to answer.

“I-I fell into the school’s swimming pool by accident.” She lied.

“You’re such a bad liar.” Both of them said in sync.

Hoya and JR exchanged glances and it was only then, Hoya finally registered his existence.

“JR? Why are you here?” he asked.

“I found her sitting at the staircase landing crying.” He started.

Sohyun gave me a look, implying for him to stop saying whatever he intended to. Ignoring her, JR continued, “And I saw that there were water balloons remains around. I think she has been bullied but she refuses to tell me anything.”

“Is it Yoori again?” he narrowed down to her right away.

Sohyun shook her head.

“Tell me. I thought you promised to let me help you.” He demanded.

“You’re just going to make things worse if you do anything now.” She finally said.

“So it’s her.” Hoya sighed, softening when he realize her puffy eyes.

“We’ll clear your name and get you out of this mess as soon as possible, alright?” he said.

She nodded with a slight smile, thankful for his help.  

“Hey, can I help too?” JR asked.

Both of them stared at him in complete surprise.

“Eh, I saw her being bullied twice and I guess it was fate arranging for me to help you guys. Three brains are definitely better than two, right?” he added.

“You know what happened to Sohyun?” Hoya doubted.  

“She has been suspected to spread rumours of Jiyeon and Myungsoo sunbaenim’s pictures. Am I right?” he confirmed.

Hoya stared at the boy before him in surprise. JR sure knew more than what he thought he would know. Maybe, keeping him with them would not be too bad an idea, he thought.

“All in this together then.” Hoya said with a warm smile.

“All in this together.” JR repeated after him.

“I don’t know why you’re helping me… But still, thank you. Really.” Sohyun said, handing his blazer back.

“Jinyoung is the name. But I prefer to be called JR.” He self-introduced, taking his dried blazer back.

“Thank you, JR-ssi.” She bowed slightly at the nice guy before her.

“You’re welcome.” He replied with a wink.

Sohyun would have denied when JR offered help if not for today’s incident. After the incident, she had a feeling things were going to get much worse. Yoori was no longer by her side, and alone, she knew she cannot do anything. They were going to play with her like a doll until she is broken and torn. The thought frightened her. JR’s appearance was like a life buoy. And since he was keen to help, and Hoya trusted him, Sohyun saw no harm in getting extra help especially when she needed it so badly.

Now, it’s three against the rest of the world.

Author's Note:
Hey guys! New update and I hope you guys like it.
Sorry but I haven't done a proper proofreading.
I'll do it tomorrow when I'm more clear headed, okay?
I am too tired to check my grammar proper right now.
I will appreciate if you were to comment/ subscribe!<3
Goodnights, I am heading to bed now~