Ooo this was one of my fav chapters to write. You've made it this far, might as well vote! 😋✨

Tye hasn't called or texted in a while. The last time we spoke on the phone he said he'd call me back, but I never heard from him. I hope he's okay, it's not like him to forget.

School's exceptionally busy today upon my arrival. Everybody is pretty relaxed due to the fact that the academic year is soon to be over. The hallway before first class is hectic and loud with chatter, beats and the occasional skateboarder. I open up my locker and stuff a few textbooks into my bag, trying my hardest to ignore the sight on my left.

Trisha stands at the foot of a crowd, proudly showing off her flashy engagement ring. My eyes give in for only a brief moment and I make eye contact with her, making her grin and point to the glamorous diamond.

I roll my eyes and close my locker when Mina appears, "Morning."

"Hey. You uh, you haven't seen Tye today, have you?"

"No why?"

"He hasn't called or texted in a while so—" I look over Mina's shoulder and walking through the double doors is none other than the latter.

"Oh— never mind I see him. Tye!"

His eyes don't meet mine when I call his name, in fact the more he approaches us, the more apparent his tense expression becomes. He looks really... really mad.

When he gets closer I wave my hand to get his attention, "Tye!"

He barges right past me, roughly knocking my shoulder with his own. My feet stumble back, smile and wave vanishing as I gawk at Mina who looks back at me with widened eyes, the two of us mentally question what just happened.

I instantly spin on my heel and watch him head towards Trisha. Out of nowhere, he twists her body by the shoulder and slams her against the locker, aggressively making out with her.

My face suddenly turns cold and grey, eyes blinking and breath hitched. It's as if my throat is getting tighter by a drawstring. I'm watching my boyfriend and enemy make out right in front of me with the whole school watching. Trisha shoots me a smirk while caressing his jaw with two hands and rolling her tongue with his.

"Come on..." Mina takes my hand, her voice ridden with a low tone.

"Hey—!" Before she can pull me away, my wrist gets yanked and held up in the air. I'm suddenly surrounded by three members of the schools' sports team, Tye's friends. They all wear amused, confident grins.

"So this is the hotshot cheater huh?" He announces. All eyes now land on me.

"L-let me go..." I hide my face and try to pull away, a tear leaking from my eye. Another boy then grabs my jaw and holds it up—

"Her? Aha no way! She's not even that hot!"

"Hey everyone look! It's the whore who was screwing her boss for a bit of extra cash!!!"

And that's when my heart shatters entirely.

I freeze, completely numb from head to toe and watching everyone either gape, murmur or laugh at me. A nauseous stew builds up in the pit of my stomach.

"Shut the fuck up Daniel!" Mina throws her textbook at the jocks eye, making him release me with a yelp and cover his eye.

But it's too late. Thick coats of tears have already impaired my vision. I don't dare look up at the crowd staring at me, but rather keep my face on the dirty floor. Without second thought, I collect my backpack and run out of the hallway.

"Lilo wait!" Mina chases after me.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ☁️

I didn't know where else to go, everywhere was loaded with students and teachers, so I ran into the janitor's office and locked the door.

My body curls into a ball as I hug and cry into my knees. I've never been so humiliated. How could Tye let those guys do that? I know I cheated on him but... Does he hate me that much? I never once shamed him for what he did to his ex-girlfriend, how is this fair?

The thought triggers a breakdown in me. There's no way I can show my face in class today. There's no way I can sit beside Tye and focus on work like everything's normal.

*Knock knock knock!*

"Lilo I know you're in there. You can't stay in there forever. I'm your best friend, whatever is going on, vent to me."

I sniff loudly and wipe my sleeves over my wet eyes before unlocking the door. Mina immediately wraps me into a hug. I burst into tears over her shoulder, her hand rubbing and patting my back. "It's okay... Let it out... He's a jerk, he'll make up anything. You'll find someone better."

"No I'm the jerk." I pull back and shake my head. "I cheated on Tye with Taehyung, and now he's getting back at me. This is all my fault..."

As soon as I say the words "cheated" and "Taehyung," Mina looks at me with raised brows.

"Wait so you and Taehyung actually...?! But you two are always bickering! Why would you drop Tye for your boss?!"

"I-I don't know! I mean I DO know but I just— I..." My fingers gravitate to the roots of my hair.

"It's okay, you don't need to explain yourself. It's not my job to put you down even more. Maybe you just need to explain to Tye—"

"Tye hates Taehyung, there's no way he'll forgive me after this. Mi, I love Taehyung. I really do... But for some reason seeing him do that with Trisha hurt me... Why?"

She smiles softly and rubs my arm with a slanted head, "Because he still stood up for you and treated you like a princess. He was the perfect boyfriend, not to mention your first. If you really love Taehyung, then it's best your romance with Tye is over. Maybe this wasn't the prettiest turnout, but it was going to happen eventually."

She takes a moment to take out her phone and check the time, "We have class now, you coming?"

I shake my head, making her sigh, "Yeah didn't think so," then plant a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm going to head to class otherwise I'll get in trouble, but if you're going to stay here alone I want you to only think about what a beautiful, smart and amazing person you are. Unlike that jerk. My best friend is not a "whore" and shes never been one, okay? So don't be sad... I don't have the energy to fight anyone today, but I will if I have to."

I chuckle at the last comment, smiling faintly and nodding.

"Alright, I'll tell Mr. Namjoon you're not feeling well. Be back later, I promise."

Once she leaves, I crouch back onto the floor and hug my knees.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ☁️

The hallway is dead quiet outside with everyone being in class, but not me. I'm too depressed right now to even get up from this floor.

I shoot my head up when rattling keys begin to sound and the closet door lock rotates from outside. My brain scrambles for an excuse to use for when the janitor catches me in his room.

The door opens, and my face falls into flat horror.

Tye enters.

It takes him a moment to spot me on the floor. A disgusted, yet emotionless look tints his face before he reaches for a set of keys.

"Wait." I stand up before he has the chance to leave. He stops and looks at me sternly.

"H-how—"

"Mulan showed me the video of you and Taehyung." He replies coldly. I look down at the tips of my shoes, knotting my fingers together.

"I really wanted to tell you, but..."

"But what? Were you that blinded by that guy's looks? There was nothing stopping you Lilo. I mean how long were you going to let this go on? When were you going to tell me you were cheating on me?! Was our whole relationship worth throwing away for some extra cash?!"

"Why do you keep saying that?? I've never dated anyone for cash! What I did was wrong, but that's no excuse to spread false rumors and let your friends publicly slut shame me like that!"

"They wouldn't need to slut shame you if you weren't a slut!!"

"So what does that make you?! YOU'VE CHEATED BEFORE TOO!"

"YEAH AND I SHOULD'VE CHEATED ON YOU AGAIN!"

The volume of the room falls to a flatline. I lean back slightly as if a weight was moving in on my chest. My eyebrows furrow as I silently stare at him with blinking eyes. I couldn't have heard that right...

"W-what...?"

Tye exhales deeply and runs a hand through his hair. It's like the statement accidentally slipped out.

"Before we started dating, when I was still new to this school, the rest of the football team would always joke about smashing girls and make dares to each other. They dared me to hook up with you."

The airway to my lungs grows shallow at his words.

"I agreed to the dare and asked you out... But then I genuinely developed feelings with you. I wanted you to be my serious girlfriend, I didn't care about the stupid game anymore. I've never told you this but... Trisha has always been in our friendship group. And at the time... I was still hooking up with her. But I called things off when I actually fell in love with you."

—FLASHBACK—
—AUTHOR'S POV—

"Trish stop, before we get caught—"

"Mmm but I want you!"

"In the park?? Seriously stop, my girlfriend works here."

"You mean Lilo? You're only dating her because the guys dared you to, what's the big deal?" Trisha snakes her arms around Tye's shoulders and pecks him repeatedly on the lips. Tye gives in and pecks her back...

Until he looks over her shoulder.

Taehyung stands in the distance, on his way back from KimTech. Tye's eyes shoot open and heart begins to thump louder than ever. After a long and intimidating stare, Taehyung walks off.

—LILO'S POV—

But I called things off. As if that's supposed to make a difference to the situation.

Keeping my tears and breathing under control suddenly becomes so much harder. I lose all ability to remain calm, letting my face burn hot red.

"YOU JACKASS!" I raise my fist and beat on his chest before repeatedly pushing him with my index finger, my voice cracks whilst I scream. "HOW DARE YOU MAKE ME FEEL ASHAMED OF MYSELF WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN THE ONE CHEATING! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO GET MAD AT ME WITHOUT BEING MAD AT YOURSELF FIRST! YOU'RE A FUCKING HYPOCRITE!!"

"Shut up!!" Tired of my frantic outburst, Tye grabs my arms with a loud groan and pushes me to the floor.

At that moment, I freeze. My cheek hits the cold dusty floor before I look up at Tye with tears bawling from my fear-struck eyes, and pained whimpers trapped in my throat.

"You know what... At the end of the day you've made your decision. You've chosen who you want to be with, and I've learned from this mistake. You can point the blame at me all you want, but it doesn't change the fact that you're a gold digging whore. What you were up to when I was calling you that night... Why you were so jumpy at dinner... Now I know the real you. And I don't regret lying about my grandmother when really I was fucking Trisha behind your back."

With the keys wrapped around his finger, Tye leaves the room and slams the door behind him. My emotions spike like crazy.

I officially have no tears left to cry... But I can't just lie here on the dirty floor and cry over a boy... If Mina saw me like this, she'd drag me up by my hair and smack me back into reality.

So I pick myself up, wipe my eyes and exit the school without being seen.

I couldn't even go to the bathroom to freshen up because I knew there'd be people in there, I just headed straight for the bus stop. The looks I receive on the ride show how noticeable it is that I've been crying my eyes out, so I keep my face turned towards the window.

I'm not going home.

I need to be around someone that can hold me and make me feel safe... So I'm going to Taehyung's house.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ☁️

I unlock the door with the keys Taehyung gave me before entering the luxurious penthouse.

"Hello? Taehyung?" A pair of Gucci loafers rests by the door so he must be home.

For a while there's no sight of him... That is until I look out the where the outdoor pool is. Taehyung sits on one of the beach beds with a wine bottle in his hand, silently watching the golden sunset reflect in the waves. It's still afternoon, but the sky sets early since it's still technically winter. The backyard is lit with candles, cushions and a fire, adding to the soothing gold and bronze atmosphere.

I slide open the glass panel and step foot outside. His eyes remain on his drink for a moment, then he turns to me with a raised brow. As I make my way over his expression is completely blank.

"H-hey I uh," I wipe my eye, "I didn't know who else to go... I need you right now."

Holding the same blank stare, he raises from the bed and holds my elbows, forcing me into a deep kiss. A very deep kiss."

"Tae?" He ignores me and goes deeper, exercising my tongue beyond its limits. I struggle to keep up with the movements of his jaw and his tongue that rams into my mouth. He bites on my lip harshly, making me squint. "Tae that hurts..."

He ignores me again and bites on my lip harder, then pulls. I feel an icy numbness take over my lower lip, along with something cold dripping down my mouth. When I try to pull away his grip on my arms tighten and nails sink into my skin, the pain of everything becomes unbearable—

"Oh my God Taehyung get off me!!!" I scream and push him away. The quick movement of my lips between his teeth causes them to tear even more.

He glares at me blankly, not even phased that my blood is smeared all over his lips. When I touch my own I hiss at the painful sting. Bright red liquid spreads along my fingers.

"Taehyung what the fuck?!"

"What? Thought I would comfort after your breakup with your boyfriend?"

My eyes smash wide open as the words roll off his tongue. His face and tone are so emotionless, so cold. Colder than when we first met.

He leans forward with a hand gripping my arm and a serious expression,

"Tell me. Was he lying? Have you really been a relationship this whole time? Or have you been mine like you promised? Tell me yourself and tell me the truth."

My eyelashes flutter and blink from the tears building up in between. I gulp and stutter my way into a sentence.

"I... Yes. But it's not what you think—"

Taehyung turns to look at the sky with hands on his hips, licking his lips with a sarcastic chuckle.

"So you said you loved me, but you had a boyfriend. If you really did you would have dumped him ages ago."

"But I do love you Taehyung. I know I fucked up, but you're the one I have feelings for. I have never once told Tye that I loved him—"

"Then why were you even still with him?? That doesn't make any sense!"

"I didn't know how! I've never broken up with someone, I knew if I did it would crush his heart! I didn't want to hurt him... But I also couldn't let you go. I'm so sorry I kept this from you."

I've already lost Teddy, Gretchen, Margo and Tye... I can't lose him as well.

He looks away from me and shakes his head before swallowing thickly.

"Get out."

"Tae—"

"You're fired."

My whole body freezes into a block of ice. I've never been hit with such crippling words in my life.

More tears begin to swell up in my eyes. "I-I'm what...?"

"You can hand your letter of resignation to Winter in your own time. Leave my home, go hang out with your boyfriend."

He's talking to me like a stranger...

"T-Taehyung stop it..." My breathing thickens and eyes overflow. "Taehyung!" He walks past me but I scream his name desperately and grab him by the arm.

"Y-you can't do this... Please... I have no one else left..."

He turns around and takes a step closer to me until our noses are almost touching. His bangs cast a shadow over his eyes, making my heart beat fast.

"You know... this is the first time I'm going to be proud."

"P-proud of what?"

He caresses my neck, his eyes fall to my blood-stained lips while his fingers travel to the necklace I had secretly been wearing under my collar, fingertips reeling out the silver band.

Abruptly, he rips the necklace from my bare skin and throws it in the pool behind. I spin on my heel and watch it sink through the water with thickening breath.

With a flat expression, I hear him lick his lips and whisper into my ear with a tone darker than hell itself...

"Proud to be a monster."

—AUTHOR'S POV—

Lilo's breath is hitched when she hears Taehyung's feet trail away back into the house. Tears trickle from her eyes for the 100th time today. Her eyes haven't shifted from the spot where the necklace had sunk beneath the wet surface.

*SPLASH!*

Taehyung turns around when he hears the loud noise in the distance. The top layer of water floods over the surface of the pool, spreading all over the concrete floor. Lilo's fist sticks out of the water with the broken necklace gripped beneath her fingers, followed by her gasping neck that just about keeps afloat from the water invading her mouth.

Taehyung tucks his hands into his pockets and enters the house.