Chapter - 1 - Poisonous roots

Yoon Na (YN) stared blankly at her phone, JK's text illuminating the screen:

"Hey, baby. How's it going? Missing you."

She smiled, feeling a fleeting sense of comfort.

"Hey, JK. It's...complicated. Mom's being Mom," YN replied.

JK had been her boyfriend for two years. He understood her struggles with her mother.

"Want to talk about it? I'm free after practice," JK offered.

YN hesitated. She didn't want to burden JK with her problems.

"I'll be okay. Just need to get through today."

As she walked out of her room, her mother, Victoria, confronted her.

"Yoon Na, where do you think you're going?" Victoria snapped.

"Nowhere, Mom. Just school," YN replied, trying to sound neutral.

Victoria's eyes narrowed. "You're spending too much time with those friends of yours. That Jennie girl is a bad influence."

YN rolled her eyes. "Mom, Jennie's my friend."

Victoria scoffed. "You're too young for that kind of relationship. You need to focus on your studies."

YN felt her anger rising.

"I am focusing, Mom. But you never support me. You only care about yourself."

Victoria's face turned red. "How dare you! I'm only trying to help."

YN stormed out of the house, grabbing her backpack.

At school, YN met up with Jennie, Rosé, Lisa, and Jisoo.

"Hey, girl! What's wrong?" Jennie asked, noticing YN's distress.

"Mom's just...being Mom," YN sighed.

Rosé nodded sympathetically. "We're here for you, YN."

Lisa and Jisoo chimed in with words of encouragement.

YN smiled, grateful for her friends.

After school, YN met JK at a quiet café.

"Hey," JK said, embracing her warmly.

YN broke down, tears streaming down her face.

"JK, I don't know how much more I can take," she sobbed.

JK held her close. "You don't have to face this alone, baby. I'm here."

YN felt a sense of peace wash over her.

For the first time that day, she felt seen.

YN woke up to JK's gentle voice.

"Baby, wake up. You've got school today."

YN smiled, feeling grateful for JK's support.

"Morning," she whispered, snuggling into his side.

JK held her close. "How are you feeling today?"

YN hesitated. "Better, thanks to you."

JK smiled. "That's what I'm here for."

At school, YN's friends noticed her improved mood.

"What's behind the smile?" Jennie asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

YN blushed. "Just JK being amazing."

Rosé grinned. "We're glad you've got him."

Lisa and Jisoo nodded in agreement.

But amidst the laughter and friendship, YN's anxiety lingered.

Her mother's toxic behavior weighed heavily on her mind.

How long could she keep up this facade?

After school, YN met JK at the park.

"Hey, I was thinking," JK said, his eyes serious. "Maybe it's time you told someone about your mom."

YN's heart skipped a beat. "Who?"

"A counselor, maybe? Someone who can help."

YN hesitated. "I don't know..."

JK took her hand. "You don't have to face this alone."

YN looked up at JK, her heart filled with gratitude.

Maybe, just maybe, she could find the courage.

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