𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀𝐂𝐄 : 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐁𝐈

❝ the house was awake, the shadows and monsters❞
xxii. stallion: adapt to pain

As the clouds as soft as cotton candy started to pour their tears down to soak the soul's vessels, Jeongguk wearing a wine-colored uniform suit got out from his expensive escort and along with his personal secretary holding an umbrella for him until he gets inside the school safely without letting even a small drop hit him anywhere.

His almond-shaped eyes spared a look at his secretary and the latter, as given a cue bowed 90 degrees and left with the umbrella. Jeongguk trailed his vision on the main hall, students clattering and speaking about stuff they weren't supposed to poke their nose into, and praising themselves shamelessly for the work their parents toiled. Jeongguk wasn't intrigued by anything happening around him.

He was indeed a modest and graceful person, just like a stallion; after all, he has to own his last name just like his ancestors did. Just as he took a step forward, a harsh yet soft structure bumped into him. Jeongguk was clueless, he looked down to see a mid-length jet-black hair caressing her forehead.

When she looked up, he almost drowned inside her ocean eyes. He swore in his life that it was the prettiest blue eye he has ever seen. An expanse of beauty dancing on the blue sky, reflecting her inner child and innocence. Jeongguk noticed her standing up with a broken hair accessory, a designed hairclip he supposed.

"I- I'm so sorry, I was so busy trying to get this clip in my head that I didn't see you!" I'm so sorry, I apologize for being so clumsy, I-" she started to chant and mumble an infinite amount of sorries and bowed again and again and again. Jeongguk wanted to laugh so hard at that moment, but it was not humble, it's not what a stallion would do. Instead, he bowed back and smiled, "It's fine."

"And I express my regret for breaking your hair accessory," his gentle voice was softer than silk. 

"Oh no, it's totally fine! I should be the one apologizing for causing troubles and don't worry about this clip, it only costs me a dollar," she replied. Somehow, she felt uneasy with his formal choice of words and matureness.

"A dollar?" he asked with a change of tone in voice and expression on his face. The school he studies in has no space for people who buy a dollar hair clip, only the rich admissions amused them.

She smiled a little awkwardly and tuck a hair under her ear, "I got in with a scholarship." Jeongguk nodded his head, "That's impressive." In return, she loosened up a little from being a pole and smiled genuinely like a child. "And for your clip..." Jeongguk fished a gum out of his packet ".... I hope this would suffice."

The girl bowled over at his sudden reaction, can't blame her for not meeting any gentleman before her boring life ever, "n- no, it's just a dollar, it's fine!"

"This is just a dollar too. Kindly accept my compensation or I would be left in debt to you and which is not a speakable trait of a stallion." (a/n: in here, stallion is not a horse. It's his second name which is actually his family. y'all don't take it in the wrong way XD )

"Alright, alright, fine. Thank you," she smiled and grabbed the gum from him. Jeongguk felt happy inside, he wasn't sure why his emotions are being a wreck. Not to mention the loud thump of his heart which he mistook as something is wrong with his medical condition. It's not like every day he meets a beautiful woman and feels different. It was new to him, entirely a new chapter of his life or to be more accurate; a new book was unveiling for his new journey.

"I'm Jeongguk Stallion, a pleasure to make your acquaintance," he almost sounded like a lifeless robot who was programmed to be the humblest person out there.

She chuckled and bowed politely, "I'm Elena Clem, nice to meet ya!"

***

The day was as boring as ever for Jeongguk, but seeing Elena allotted to the same class as him for some reasons made him a better cheerful. She was not famous, not rich, not appealing, not at all a match for him, but watching her smile made his day a bit more colorful and lively.

The professor blabbering the lecture went in mute when his attention was all on her. Everything else felt like noise to him, except her. Suddenly he felt his heartbeat go ruckus when she stared at him back and twinkle. He couldn't explain anything that was happening to him, not even science could help him out in this situation.

It was the first time, he ever felt his heart this much.

Everything that was on pause revived and came back breathing. He hyperventilated internally, breathing in and breathing out on the outside to calm himself down. He was not sure how everything blurred except her, he was not sure how his blood pressure roared like an active volcano, he was not sure of anything that's happening to him now.

The sonorous bell ringed loudly causing the instructor to excuse himself and leave the class after assigning them some work. Something inside him urged the poor guy to see what Elena is doing, and he gave in easily; it was overwhelming. 

Elena, hugging her textbook approached Jeongguk's desk. He started to panic, 'what should I do?' 'what is she trying to do?' 'why the heck am I debating with myself' 'should I leave?' questions were playing merry-go-around inside his brain. "Hey! Jeongguk!" she shouted softly and slammed her hands on the desk leaning in.

Jeongguk raised his eyebrow, no one dares to call him by his first name outside his family. He opened his mouth to tell her to don't call him by his first name but, she interrupted him; which was a second disrespect to him by the laws of his family.

"Here, have this pen.." she reached a blue marble-looking pen to him and which he grasped from her without any hesitation. "It's one dollar too!" she smiled.

"But-"

"No buts, I don't like being in debt either!"

"Wait, are you a stallion too?" he questioned anxiously as if his theory started to eat him up. "Are you my relative?"

"whoa there, hold your horses. I'm not your relative, It's just what some people feel. Just because we go hand in hand with some opinions doesn't mean I'm related to you!"

Jeongguk rubbed his nape and looked at her cluelessly, "really?" Elena gasped and leaned more forward staring straight into his soul, "oh my god, were you living under a rock or what?" Jeongguk wasn't a clearly socializing person, he was living a rich and modest life that every person craves (which is actually living under a rock). His family had a set of rules for him, scheduling and planning out his whole life and future. He never questioned anything. 

He was just a kid from his heart which he never understood.

"And still, I can't accept this souvenir from you. Pardon my rudeness."

"boomer, what are you? 50? loosen up a little, will ya?"

"boomer?"

"oh my god, you're such a grandpa!"

Jeongguk wasn't clear with any term she used, she lived in a whole new different world from his. They were the polar opposites, the sun, and the moon. She was really intrigued with his naiveness and cluelessness (it was partially annoying for her though to a particular extent). Jeongguk found her compelling, a totally revolting idea for him to make her his friend but, she was clearly not letting him get away until he soars his teenage life and have a little fun instead.

"Anyways, I have some errands to run. I'll meet you tomorrow Jeongguk. See ya!" she bid him goodbye and ran away outside. Jeongguk was still frozen in his chair processing everything that happened now and all he got was an error message. 

This girl is for sure going to be a pain in the neck, for him and the plans his family had for him.

***

Elena rushed inside the school and breathed heavily, she got late due to the part-time job she had in the cafe she was working. Someone ordered way too many burgers and coffees, she thought it was for a party (which was absurd since it was morning). She made an excellent outcome with that order which was the only reason she was thankful. She threw her bag on her desk tiredly and banged her head on the desk, but something hit her back.

A small funky pendant necklace, cute and fun was lying on her desk. She was confused and took it by her hand, closely examining it. It seemed expensive, but for one who buys cheap products which seemed expensive, the necklace looked cheap. She examined the whole class and saw Jeongguk slurping coffee in his place peacefully and marched towards him.

"Was this your work?" she questioned.

"It's one dollar too," Jeongguk replied low and then went back to drink his coffee again.

"seriously? this is cute tho!"

Jeongguk smiled but hid his expression away from her, "How did you know it was me, who gave you this necklace?" 

"It was just my gut feeling."

"gut feeling?" Jeongguk enquired looking seriously at her. He really gave 'clueless cold ceo' vibes for her, but still a naive child. Honestly, from her perspective, he was the weirdest creature she has ever witnessed.

"ya know, sometimes you just wing it! like the feeling in your tummy speaking to you."

"your tummy feeling speaks to you?"

"no dummy! it's just a figure of speech," Elena was so annoyed at the point she laughed hard. Jeongguk showed some emotions on his face, warming up his unlit mask. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't understand the changes occurring within, he might never admit it but, he liked it. "And Jeongguk..." she trailed her words.

Jeongguk stared at her, giving a 'what?' look. "T- the necklace is really my style, thanks," Elena also wasn't sure why she is thanking him repeatedly in a never-ending circle. Jeongguk just nodded and pulled his textbook closer making an attempt to study for his upcoming exam. "And here," she dropped something on the desk and left hurriedly.

Jeongguk averted his gaze to the object on his desk, it was a notepad. It was fully black, elegant, and mature. He hauled it near him and examined it thoroughly, turning to the first page. "It's just a dollar too :3" was written on it. The next thing he knew was smiling unconsciously and turning to the next page to find a contact number on it.

***

SORCERER

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
YA LOOK AT THIS
NOWWW

ME

thank you, i received your message. It's very funny.
- Jeongguk Stallion

SORCERER

AKJSKJSIJS
WHAT KIND OF REPLY IS THIS? XXDD

ME

a chat reply
- Jeongguk Stallion

SORCERER

omg age down fella!

Jeongguk was in his pajamas, comfortably seated in his bed and chatting with Elena. He was not a teenager to chat with his friends regularly, but actually, one who helped with parents with their job. The 'Stallions' are famous detectives, the whole bloodline dedicated their life to finding murders and issues government doesn't want the public to know. His parents obviously wanted their only child to follow in their footsteps, and maintain the image of their family.

Jeongguk's friendship with Elena was growing stronger and stronger. They both were inseparable, Jeongguk always backed her up and sorted out her problems with the school; she was indeed a troublemaker yet studious. He doesn't understand anything she does, she goes from pulling an all-nighter to study for the mock test and then the next day drinks orange juice saying it works better than coffee.

She gave him lessons on how to be a normal teenager, a tour of her life. Jeongguk was fascinated and envied every aspect of her life, she had the right to choose anything she wants. She lived an uncertain life with a future she thrived for, unlike him had no other option than to let his family puppet with him. It took him a while with her to comprehend everything that happened and is happening in his life.

Whenever Jeongguk explained to her how his family wants him to act and live up to the name his ancestors left behind, Elena would always tell him to run away, accusing his family of being manipulative and dominating. Elena doesn't understand the concept of money and power, she just wants to love and be loved, nothing else.

They both shared a lot of objects, saying they don't want to be in debt. They only cost 1 dollar, but it was special to them. It was like a memory as if they were living in a romance novel with a beautiful ending. They enjoyed each other's company, being compatible despite their differences.

***

Elena teared up seeing a greeting card in her hand and red tint dusted upon her cheeks. Jeongguk was standing before her with a big smile covering his face. A lot happed between them, they started to embrace the emotions that they were scared to express. Jeongguk felt more alive with her, his personality and character changed trying to mirror the one he loves and envies.

She let her tears fall down without any hesitation while tugging the token of love from Jeongguk. Elena was his universe; the unexplained wonder. Her hands reached his waist as she pulled him closer to her, hugging him tightly until her happy tears go away. Jeongguk simply caressed her back, as she rested her chin on his shoulder. "I love ya too.." she softly let out hugging him more. 

"I love ya more.." Jeongguk chuckled, "...And the card is 1 dollar too."

***

The next thing he knew was holding Elena's lifeless body in his hands, his lips trembling in shock and fear of losing the only thing which kept him sane. Her blood was all over his shirt and soaked in his tears, his pupils were glowing red in anger and pain. "She was a menace to your future, Jeongguk. Your behavior, your actions, your concentration, everything was spoiled by this low-life. You have your whole life ahead of you! don't you dare throw mud upon our name by making a poor mundane your better half!" The hoarse voice holding a bloody knife spoke.

"SHUT UP FATHER!" Jeongguk screamed with all the energy he had. "Ah, see. What she did to you, my dear child! You have never raised your voice against me."

"WHAT DID SHE EVER DO TO YOU? SHE IS INNOCENT AND DID NOTHING WRONG! ALL SHE EVER WANTED WAS A SIMPLE LIFE, SHE WAS NEVER HUNGRY FOR MONEY AND POWER LIKE YOU, LIKE ME! I WOULD NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR SPILLING HER BLOOD."

His father paid no heed to his feelings. 'He would forget everything, soon,' that's how he planned it for his son. "I had to stain my hands for this! I did for you! you have to face the reality, my son. There is no one in this world who loves you more than me and your mother!"

"Elena, I'm sorry for the pain I caused you. It was never my intention. Every second I was with you made me feel alive, you showed me the way to my heart. If it wasn't for me, you would have been alive now, huh?" Jeongguk wailed and mourned for his fallen lover. For every damage and pain she suffered, he blamed himself for it. And that day, Jeongguk decided to live his life for no else but for his Elena so, when one day he reaches the afterlife, he would tell her stories and make her feel as if she lived it. 

──

❝ The hallways, they echoed and groaned❞

+ ngl, i feel very bad for Ivan