LALISA

🍂

"You're Park Chaeyoung? As in Jin's little sister?"

The red-haired girl nodded. After calming her down and changing into something decent, we went straight to the bleachers watching the cheerleaders—with Hoseok and Jennie, practice.

"Aren't you supposed to be in Australia?" I asked confusing her. "Your brother told us."

"So that's what our parents told them?" She scoffed. "Typical. I never set foot on that place. I was trapped in this place called Sisters of Quiet Mercy for more than a year now. I just escaped so I was secretly staying in the school around a week now."

"Wait. I know that place," Taehyung said. "That place is like a crack house disguised as a monastery. They violate every human rights in that place."

"Yes. You're right. That place is nuts," she confirmed. "That's why I escaped. It was really hard but I managed by going through the sewers."

"You escaped, yes, but why didn't you call your brother? Or your sister?" I asked.

"I don't have any phone with me," she reasoned out. "I only managed to nick some cash from one of the pastors that counsels us for a bus ticket and a change in hair color so they wouldn't find me easily. But I couldn't go near them because I'm sure our parents are keeping a close eye on them."

"But why would your parents put you there against your will? I mean, what kind of parent wants to put their kid in a crack house?" Taehyung asked.

"They wanted to straighten me up." She sighed. "They found out about Jen and I so they made up this rumor that I was being bullied—by her. Jin and Jihyo believed it because I didn't get the chance to defend her. Long story short, whatever it was that my brother told you, it's all a lie my parents said to hide the fact that I was once gay."

"Was?"

"Jen and I... we're best friends. We loved each other but I wasn't sure if I really liked her like that. We actually had an argument about it before my parents dragged me to that place," she explained. "It was more like an experimental thing for me to be honest."

"I called Jisoo to tell Jin," Jennie said as she walked towards us. She was looking at us but didn't spare a glance at Chaeyoung. I guess she's still upset about it.

"Jen..." Chaeyoung said softly. You could see how Jennie slightly flinched. But she instantly recovered and threw her her signature bitch face.

"So how's Australia?" She asked. "I heard you go by Rosè now."

The red-haired girl heaved a sigh. "Jen... I know the last time we talked wasn't good but you need to hear me out. I'm not like you. I didn't want to hurt you—"

"I don't need your explanation, Chaeyoung," she said monotonic. "It's done and a lot of things happened the past year you were MIA. I'm already over you."

"But Jen—"

"I still have practice," she cut her off. "Jin will be here in a few minutes. Hoseok and I will just meet you guys at Yang's. And Lis, Jungkook's picking you up. We don't want you riding that death machine if you're gonna be my sister-in-law."

"Ya! Betsy's 100% safe!"

Jennie just rolled her eyes at him before turning around. Chaeyoung looked really affected and she's almost in tears. I can already see that she and I have a lot in common.

🍂

"So you and Jennie," I started as Chaeyoung started to sip her vanilla shake. The two of us sitting at one booth while Taehyung, Jungkook and Yoongi sat on another one giving us privacy. "What happened? And Hoseok's involved?"

She took a deep breath before answering.

"Jennie and I... we used to fool around since we were in Eighth grade. We make out, have sex and have dates. But of course it was all in secret. I was in the cheerleading squad too so when we had this big slumber party at Jen's place, we kinda got wasted to the point where Jennie and I got caught hooking up in her closet by Hoseok.

"He screamed startling everyone. I panicked and I started blabbing nonsense. I couldn't even remember it but Jennie got upset and ran to her room.

"Of course, I went to follow her and tried to explain but she wouldn't open it. The other girls from the cheerleading team were confused—maybe wasted, so I told them we just had a little misunderstanding.

"So they made up this story that it was Hoseok who I made out with in the closet and Jennie saw us. They said it was Jennie who screamed since it was high-pitched. They also added that I was a snake for stealing Jennie's boyfriend since Hoseok's kinda her beard."

"Beard?"

"The person you use to hide your real sexuality," she explained. "They were each other's beard so everyone knew they were supposedly seeing each other. And I was the fucked up best friend who's stealing her guy."

"So long story short, all the girls that night hated me and Jennie refused to talk to me,"

"Jennie doesn't seem like she's the sensitive kind," I commented. "Are you sure you can't remember what you said to her?"

"Well I remember saying I'm not into girls—"

"Park Chaeyoung!"

Jin's voice echoed in Yang's as the chimes chimed. I clearly saw how Jisoo rolled her eyes and mouthed drama queen.

"Oppa—"

"Ya! Why didn't you tell me you were coming home?! I could've picked you up at the airport!"

My forehead creased. I immediately looked over at Jisoo.

"He doesn't know," she mouthed.

"Why?" I mouthed back.

"He wouldn't give me the chance!" She replied still mouthing. I couldn't do anything but face-palm.

"Mom and dad isn't home right now since they had this urgent business trip—"

"Oppa, did you tell them?" She asked frantic. "Did you tell them I'm here?"

"Well, when Jennie called Jisoo I didn't get the chance to call or send them a text since I wanted to see you as soon as possible."

Chaeyoung let out a sigh of relief making Jin confused. So I got up and told him to take my seat instead.

"You two have a lot of catching up to do."

Still confused, Jin obliged nonetheless. Jisoo and I went straight to the guys' table.

"This town is really crazy," I muttered as I sat next to Jungkook. His hand automatically wrapped around my shoulder. "Someone gets killed a month ago and now we find out that someone got sent to a crack house. Both just because they prefer being with someone their parents didn't want them to be with."

"Ya, stop implying my parents killed Tzuyu," Jisoo intervened.

"You can't tell me otherwise just because you're my friend," I spat.

"Innocent until proven guilty," she argued back. "But still, they're suspected murderers."

Jisoo grunted before turning to Jungkook. "Can you put your girlfriend on a leash? As much as I like her, I don't like it when oir parents are getting blamed."

"I suspect them as much as she and Jen does, noona," Jungkook said calmly. "You of all people know what our parents are capable of."

Jisoo's eyes narrowed at her baby brother. "So you two ganging up on me now? The disrespect!"

I leaned closer to Jungkook and whispered. "Jin's drama queen complex is rubbing off on her."

"True," he whispered back clearly teasing his noona.

"Ya!"

Taehyung laughed so hard that milkshake almost came out of his nose. Yoongi chuckled a bit—who was sitting next to Jungkook.

The chime once again echoed in the almost empty Yang's. Jennie Kim entered like the queen that she is whilst giving us that "look".

"Having fun without me? You guys are such losers," she said as she sat on my lap and dunked a french fry on Jungkook's shake. I would be shocked but she didn't give me enough time to be.

"Hi," Hoseok said shyly to us—to Yoongi if you'll take it more accurately.

"Hi," Yoongi replied as well. They both looked hella adorable all blushing and stuff. Who knew, right? The Don't-Mess-With-Me Choi Yoongi would turn out to be a blushing mess in front of the Big-Ball-Of-Sunshine Jung Hoseok.

"Ugh! Just go and have sex already!" Jennie blurted out. "You two are so disgusting—"

"—ly cute!"

Chaeyoung and Jin walled towards the group as the first clung on to the latter's arm. Jennie rolled her eyes at her then put one arm around me.

I know what this girl is try'na do. I placed my hand on top of her thigh—which shocked her too but being the Jennie Kim she made it look so natural. I like teasing. I've said it before and and I'm saying it again. Dad's genes are quite strong on that department.

But Kim Jungkook wasn't so happy about it as he pouted like a three-year old. I secretly held his hand with my free one and squeezed it a bit. Assuring him.

"Chae told me about what really happened," Jin started then turned to Jennie. "I'm sorry for putting the blame on you, Jen. I didn't know. Neither did Jihyo. I'm really really sorry. I promise to make you all snacks you want, kimchi rice included."

"At least someone knows how to apologize properly—ouch! Lisa!"

I feigned innocence. "What?"

"Chae's finally back safe but since our parents are awful people, they might get a hunch and put her back to that place. So..." Jin looked at me with pleading eyes. "...can she stay over at your place for the time being, Lis? The Southside's the best place she can hide since our parents would be caught dead going to the Southside. I promise to pay her dues and also her rent as she stays—"

"You don't have to, oppa," I cut him off. "Dad and I would be more than happy to help out."

Jin's handsome face lit up. Did I mention how handsome he is?

"You're really an angel!" He exclaimed pulling Jennie off my lap and replacing her.

"Ya!" The Kim siblings all exclaimed.

"Relax, she's an adorable little sister to me, Chu," he said to his girlfriend but not leaving my lap. I chuckled at his antics but nonetheless made him leave my innocent lap. What's with my lap, anyways? Do I look like a chair or something?

"As much as I enjoy teasing Jisoo unnie, oppa, you're kinda heavy," I said making him stand immediately.

"Sorry, sorry," he chuckled. "But really, Lis. Thank you."

"Don mention it—"

"Excuse me—" Jennie suddenly pushed Jin out of the way and was about to sit back on my lap but Jungkook had other plans.

He eagerly pulled me towards him making me fall sitting on his lap. My arms involuntarily made its way around his nape for balance and his arms around my waist—for I don't know what reason. I blinked.

Jimin made gagging noise.

"Ugh," Jennie said rolling her eyes at us.

Yoongi managed to remove himself from being sandwiched in between the wall and the two of us. Chaeyoung and Hoseok giggled as Taehyung managed to smile. Jisoo was busy pinching her boyfriend's ear.

All I could do was stare at his deep coffee brown eyes. My heart started to get restless again.

"Let's just leave them here," I heard Jennie say. "Before they start to make out and make me barf inside my mouth."

"Well, we can always join them—"

"Shut it, dwarf. I'm not fucking bi," she spat. "Try Little Mermaid here. Maybe you're right her alley or something."

"Sorry, I don't do hellcats."

"What makes you think you're even my type?" Chaeyoung spat back. "Please. I have taste."

"Even if she didn't have taste she wouldn't fuck you," Jennie then commented.

"Jis—"

"Don't even think about it," Jin cut him off.

"I was just gonna tell her to scold her sister." Jimin pouted. "Geez."

I managed to let out a laugh making everyone laugh as well. All cramped up in a small booth at Yang's.

Ten kids. Ten kids from different backgrounds and sides of the town brought together by one mysterious death. Chou Tzuyu's death.

Was it all just a coincidence or were we all bound to meet?

The sudden chime created by the door made the laughter die down. A boy in a green cap entered and made his way towards our booth. Taehyung immediately stood up.

"Hyung?"

"Dad told me I'd find you here."

"Why? What's up?"

"Tae..."

The guy removed his cap and revealed a big bruise right next to his eye and a small cut on his lip.

"I think I just killed someone."