the whole school went silent the moment jeongguk stepped into the school campus. jeongguk felt as if he were exposed to a new world. perhaps it was because his hair was shorter.

he could see the people around him clearer, and they could see him... it was unsettling. jeongguk found himself gazing back at hyerim for reassurance. with her all-seeing bright black eyes, she looked at him the same, regardless of whether his hair was long or short.

yet unbeknownst to jeongguk, his hair wasn't the only thing that had changed. somehow, the darkness in his eyes had diminished over the past few days. his face no longer bore a perpetual growl, and his shoulders no longer sagged with a heavy gloom.

this difference caused many heads to turn. who was this jeon jeongguk?

contradictory to the confused boy, hyerim was beaming, her toothy grin from ear to ear, because people had begun to look at him and see a person instead of a monster.

——————————

jeongguk had spent the whole morning alone, once again under his oak tree. even if his hair had changed, it didn't mean his routine had to change either.

he rested his head on his arms as he lay on his back on the cool, jade grass. the birds above chirped peppily, and the wind danced on his skin. he released a breath of relief, thankful for escaping the boring eyes of the curious students.

before he could drift off to sleep, a stern voice shook him awake. "jeon jeongguk."

why was it that so many annoying people liked to bug him whenever he rested at the tree?

he heaved a sigh of vexation, refusing to look at his father who stood on his right.

"where have you been sleeping, son?" his father asked, as an unchanging frown sat on his face. "i thought i cancelled all your hotel reservations-"

"why do you care, anyway?" jeongguk interrupted, regretting his question the moment it slipped past his lips. he already knew the answer...

"i can't have you running around the streets at night, getting in trouble. i cannot let you tarnish-"

"-the family reputation! of course." jeongguk burst out laughing, standing up on his legs. he swiped at his knees, shaking away torn pieces of dewy grass that clung onto his pants.

"look— how well known do you think we are? you're just some school principal. mom's a lawyer. so what? nobody gives a shit about your reputation." he snapped, clenching his fists as he glared daggers at his father.

somehow, even though he was a few inches taller than mr jeon, jeongguk couldn't help but feel tiny in his presence. tightening his jaw, he shoved those insecurities into a dark and tiny nook in the corner of his mind.

"you think the jeon family is so perfect. well guess what," he spat, before he stepped even closer to his father. he could smell the disgusting stench of cigarettes from his father. the same scent he carried everywhere he went. like father like son.

"i'd do anything not to be a part of this family."

he stormed off, brushing his shoulder roughly against his father's.

——————————

rage flooded his mind like a tsunami, blinding him. he could only see red. what was he doing? he was walking, no, sprinting. he almost couldn't feel the throbbing of his feet slamming against the ground as he ran.

again. and again. and again.

he was reminded once again that he was a flawed puzzle piece to the jeon family jigsaw puzzle. what was he? was he truly the abomination his parents had made him out to be?

he couldn't fit in, no matter how hard he tried.

he wouldn't try anymore, right?

that was what he'd decided when he run away from home a year ago. so why was it he felt so shitty all the time?

jeongguk gritted his teeth, climbing over the school gate. he needed to escape the hellhole that was school. the hellhole his father ruled.

that was when he laid his eyes on the shiny, black maserati that was parked at the carpark. mr jeon's car. a beautiful, exquisite car that was purchased with money earned from years of perfect façades and fake smiles.

a familiar glint of rebellion relit in his eyes, as he sauntered over to the car, running a finger down its metallic body.

he couldn't help it: grand theft auto was his favourite game.