E L E V E N
───────────────────────────────────

"So did you ever figure out what was Mr. Jeon's reaction to the story?" Yeonjun asked as you shook your head. "Really? Didn't he give you the story back? Did he write anything?"

"No," you quickly said and came up with another topic. "How are you and your girlfriend? Last time I saw her was on the day of graduation. She's a very nice and fun girl to be around."

"She's getting a job soon," he said. "I should do the same. You too. Mom is going to stop giving me money once she figures out we're sharing it."

You nodded thinking about it, "It's not like she knows it's also for me."

"She's actually worried about you," he said, making you chuckle. "Really."

"Don't lie."

He sighed, knowing he couldn't lie to you because you'd figure out the truth sooner or later. Changing the topic he said, "Why don't you find someone? Like, get a boyfriend. Someone that you love dearly. You've been looking more lonely lately and it hurts me. I haven't seen you go out since weeks. Since graduation actually."

"I'll do it when the time is right. You worry about your relationship with Jess and nothing else."

He chuckled thinking about her. You thought that it was time to move on and that was what you did. By the end of the year, you started writing stories and doing part time jobs as well. Yeonjun suggested working with your psychology masters in hand but you wanted to dedicate more of your time to your first publication before you had a proper job.

Taejun didn't contact you that much like before but you knew where he was living as well as Mark. Which is why visiting your mom's house wasn't an option ever. Plus, when Yeonjun went to visit her he saw them there and he told you about the things that he saw that went on in that house. There were people coming and going every now and then doing business with your mom and the guys. Yeonjun just sat down and observed everything.

"How's your sister?" Your mom asked, getting his attention.

"She's good," he said. "She's working on her books."

"Tell her to get an actual job so she can pay back her school loans," she said like always. That was the only thing Yeonjun wouldn't tell you about. He didn't want you to worry about things like that. He wanted you to be happy and do what you liked. So he didn't tell you anything that your mom said. It wouldn't even be easy for him to say it to your face.

He looked at his mom and then looked around. He was tired of her lifestyle. He was tired of the men walking in and out on a daily basis. He was tired of her selling herself and he was even more sick and tired of her working with other men who sold younger women. It happened all throughout his life and yours which is why he moved to a different house with you so that you wouldn't be the center of your mom's attention. So that she wouldn't sell your body just like she did with the others.

You and Jess eventually got along very well when she came over. You became friends with her and that was a good thing because she showed you people who knew how to publish books and stories which is just what you needed.

Being further into the new year Jungkook had lost hope. He started teaching his new students, eventually trying to forget about you. There was no call, no text, no sign from you.

After class, he was walking to his house when he saw a familiar looking alley. His thoughts trailed back to when he saw you there and he had to save you from Taejun. He shook his head trying to erase the thoughts and kept walking around the corner where he found your mom's house. Seeing two figures in front of it, he stopped his feet from moving.

"I said let go!" The girl yelled. "I'm looking for Yeonjun. Not you, not Mark, or my mom."

Noticing who it was, he walked closer and grabbed the guy's collar tightly, "Why don't you leave her alone? It's clear that you are harassing her."

The guy looked at him confused as you looked at him shocked. Once again it was the three of you in the same situation as before. Jungkook looked at you and pulled you to him with his other hand. He pushed Taejun back as he glared at him and said, "Can we stop seeing each other this way? It's disgusting."

He turned to you and pulled you with him, walking away from Taejun. He stopped at the corner of a building and made you face him, "Are you okay?"

You didn't respond, not wanting to face him. He knew why and felt terrible for it. He made you look up and cupped your cheek, "Please, listen to me this time. The crush did last more than 24 hours, and you showed me that."

You looked up remembering the story you wrote for his class and that he took points off because of that. His lips were suddenly on yours as you were still shocked. You kissed back though and when he pulled back he held your hands and said, "You were my student just a few months ago, and what we did was wrong I know. However, I loved it when you kissed me like that. I couldn't help it."

You looked at him and his desperate, loving eyes, but couldn't believe his words. You looked down and just said, "I-I have a boyfriend."

That made him widen his eyes as he looked at you, "Don't lie to me. I can see it through your eyes. You want this but you also don't because I was your professor not long ago. Was I just too needy that you couldn't find me to be different? You know, I have feelings too and you messed them all up for me. The reason why I can't stop thinking about you. Why would you kiss me back just now?"

"Cause I'm dumb and stupid enough to fall for you."

He sighed and passed his fingers through his hair before saying, "Back then I could've gotten fired and even worse than that, but you aren't my student anymore. I risked my career the moment I kissed you. It would've caused you problems too and you know it but you never pushed me away either."

"What's your point?"

"That you don't have to deny it anymore or push me away," he said. "That's why I wanted to see you the last day. I know you. From just one year of having you as my student I knew a lot about you. Even the fact that you stared at me with those pretty eyes every time you finished your work."

"I didn't-"

"Stop denying it. I know you wanted me back then and you still do now."

"I do," you said. "I crave for you. Everything about you. It's your fault, for making me fall for you."

"Then it's your fault too for making me fall for you," he said as you both looked at each other in a complete moment of silence. "Will you go out with me? Let's try it. Give it some time, I know you need it. But please don't leave me without an answer."

You didn't respond and looked down but he lifted up your chin to stare at your eyes once again.

"Please," he said, cupping your cheek. "You saw my note right? You still have my number?"

You nodded and looked at your watch as you said, "I have to go now. You're probably busy."

Before leaving, he held your hand once again and slowly intertwined his fingers with yours. You turned to face him as he leaned in and left a soft and sweet kiss on your cheek. He then whispered, "Don't doubt my feelings, they are very real."

───────────────────────────────────
• 1360 •