⚠️ Warning : This content is about physical abuse. This content will be upset or uncomfortable for many readers...
Ara's cheeks heated, and she quickly folded her arms like a shield.
> "Tch… don't get used to saying things like that," she snapped, though her voice wavered slightly.
Taehyun grinned, tilting his head, clearly enjoying her reaction.
> "Oh? So you're mad at me now?" he teased, taking a step closer, careful to keep just enough space.
Ara crossed her legs, trying to look annoyed, but her eyes betrayed her curiosity—and maybe a tiny flicker of amusement.
> "I'm not mad. Just… careful," she muttered, her tone sharper than her words.
> "Careful, huh? You mean cautious around a stranger?" Taehyun's voice held that playful lilt, and he winked.
Ara gasped, pointing at him.
> "Hey! Stranger? How dare you! I… I know you!"
> "Do you now?" Taehyun laughed softly, stepping back with his hands raised in mock surrender. "Because you look like someone who's not sure."
Ara's fingers twitched. She wanted to hit him again but also… couldn't stop staring.
> "I'm not unsure! And stop teasing me," she said, but her voice had a soft edge.
> "Mmm… teasing is part of my charm," Taehyun replied smoothly, eyes sparkling.
Ara rolled her eyes, muttering something under her breath, but Taehyun just chuckled, clearly enjoying every second.
> "Careful, Ara… I might keep teasing you all night," he said, leaning slightly closer, his tone low and playful.
Ara flinched, hiding behind her hands for a moment, then peeked at him through her fingers, annoyed and curious at the same time.
> "Hmph… You think you're so clever," she muttered.
> "Maybe I am," he whispered with a grin. "But you seem to like it anyway."
Ara glared, pretending to push him, but he caught her wrist gently—not enough to touch her fully, but enough to stop her movement.
> "See? You can't even get mad at me properly," he teased, leaning back with that cocky, charming smirk.
Ara huffed, trying to maintain her composure.
> "I… I can!" she said, puffing her cheeks.
Taehyun laughed softly, shaking his head.
> "Sure you can… I'll wait," he said, still smiling, eyes warm yet teasing, making Ara's heartbeat skip.
The fireworks hadn't started yet, but Ara felt as if her world was already exploding.
Taehyun glanced at his watch, then back at Ara with a mischievous smirk.
> "Still no sign of Mina. I bet she's out there, having the time of her life on her little date. And here I am… stuck with my little mouse? Or Barista girl? Or...Ara instead of Jeon?
Ara froze.
> "Little mouse?!" she snapped, a mix of shock and irritation. "Barista girl? Seriously?!"
Taehyun tilted his head, grinning, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction.
> "Well… I thought I'd try both. But I think Ara suits you better," he teased smoothly, his eyes glinting.
Ara's cheeks heated instantly. She raised her hand and swatted at him lightly, trying to hide her rising smile.
> "Don't… don't call me that!" she muttered, trying to sound stern.
> "Oh, come on," Taehyun said, leaning just slightly closer, lowering his voice teasingly. "You can't hide from me. You're stuck with me teasing you all night."
Ara crossed her arms, trying to look serious, but the tiniest spark of amusement betrayed her.
> "Stuck with you? Hmph… as if I asked for this," she said, huffing softly, pretending to be annoyed.
Taehyun chuckled softly, tilting his head in that charming way he always did.
> "You're enjoying it a little though… don't lie," he whispered, eyes twinkling.
Ara flinched, her fingers twitching. She wanted to push him away, but she couldn't deny the flutter in her chest.
> "I… I'm not!" she replied quickly, her voice a little too high-pitched, betraying her nerves.
> "Sure, sure," Taehyun said with that knowing smile, shaking his head. "Keep telling yourself that, Ara."
He glanced at his watch again, letting his voice soften just slightly.
> "Honestly… Mina's having fun, you're here… and I'm still enjoying myself with you."
Ara raised an eyebrow, suspicious.
> "Enjoying… me? That sounds like punishment," she said, feigning a glare.
> "Punishment? No way," Taehyun said smoothly, leaning a fraction closer, his smile teasing but warm. "More like… a privilege."
Taehyun's grin softened, just slightly, and he tilted his head toward Ara.
> "How about we grab some ice cream? My treat," he suggested casually, though there was a warmth in his tone.
Ara hesitated for a moment, then nodded lightly.
> "Sure… why not," she replied, her voice quieter than usual, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
After a short walk, Taehyun disappeared into a nearby stall to get the ice cream. Ara stayed in the quieter, low-crowded corner, leaning against the railing. The festival sounds still hummed in the distance, but here it felt calmer, almost peaceful. She let herself breathe a little deeper, finally feeling… normal. Fresh. Like herself again.
Her lips curved into a small, genuine smile.
> For a moment… nothing's heavy. Nothing's wrong… just… me.
Suddenly, a sharp, cold voice cut through the air behind her.
> "Ara…"
Ara froze. Her smile faltered. Her body tensed. She turned slowly.
There she was—Arianna. The smile on her face didn't reach her eyes. Those eyes… full of jealousy, sharp and simmering.
Ara instinctively took a small step back, her heart thumping.
> Of course… she'd show up now.
Arianna's gaze flicked between Ara and the empty spot where Taehyun had gone.
> "So… enjoying yourself, are we?" Arianna's tone dripped with subtle venom. "Playing with everyone's attention… even his?"
Ara clenched her fists lightly, forcing her calm mask back onto her face.
> "It's a festival, Arianna. Just… enjoying it. That's all," she said evenly, trying not to show the unease creeping up her spine.
Arianna's lips curved into a sharp, slow smile.
> "Hmm… just enjoying it, huh? We'll see about that," she whispered, her eyes glinting with silent jealousy and plotting thoughts.
Ara let out a quiet, controlled breath. She didn't want to argue here—not now, not in front of the festival crowd. But inside… a storm of irritation and caution swirled.
Arianna stormed toward Ara, her face a mixture of anger and envy. Before Ara could react, Arianna's hand shot out and slapped her across the cheek. The sharp sting made Ara stagger back, her heart hammering, but she didn't cry out. Her jaw tightened, and she blinked rapidly to keep herself composed.
> "Why are you always trying to steal everything from me?!" Arianna shouted, her voice trembling with fury. "Ever since middle school… even in high school!"
Ara felt her chest tighten. Every word hit deeper than any physical blow. She had endured so much silently all these years, but hearing Arianna—someone who once called herself a friend—speak with such hatred made her stomach churn.
Arianna's hands gripped Ara's shoulders tightly, shaking her slightly.
> "I was the one who helped you start modeling! I guided you, encouraged you, gave you a chance! And yet… everything you achieved… everything you took—it was mine first!"
Ara's eyes brimmed with tears, but she didn't say a word. She didn't defend herself. Words couldn't undo the past, and Arianna clearly wouldn't understand. Instead, she let the weight of Arianna's anger pour over her silently, each accusation cutting like a knife.
> "And now," Arianna hissed, her voice sharp and quivering, "after all these years, you even try to get close to Taehyun? I won't let that happen!"
Ara swallowed hard, fighting to keep her composure. Her mind raced. Why is she so obsessed? Why can't she just… leave it alone? Every fiber of her being screamed to push back, but she couldn't. Not here, not with so many eyes on them.
Frustrated by Ara's silence, Arianna's hands moved to grab Ara's sleeve, tearing it slightly. The fabric ripped, revealing the faded scars and healed marks along Ara's arm. A sharp gasp escaped Ara's lips as a wave of fear and discomfort washed over her. All her carefully hidden pain, all the memories she buried, seemed to rise in an instant.
The crowd around them had started to notice. Whispers rippled through students and parents, some shocked, some confused. Ara felt exposed and vulnerable, like her entire life had been laid bare in that moment.
> "You've been hiding all this time, haven't you?!" Arianna spat, her jealousy boiling over. "I won't let you take anything from me ever again!"
With a sudden shove, Arianna threw Ara into the middle of the street, making her stumble. Ara instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, trembling. Every laugh, every cheer from the festival felt distant and mocking. The fireworks that were supposed to light up the night would never reach her tonight—her world had become small, dark, and heavy.
Ara's mind raced, her heart pounding violently. Why is everything so heavy? Why can't I have just one night of peace? Why is she still trying to control me? Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but she forced herself to stand tall. She wouldn't cry here, not in front of Arianna, not in front of the crowd. She wouldn't give her that satisfaction.
Arianna stepped closer, her own chest heaving, clearly frustrated that Ara didn't break down.
> "You think you can just walk around, living your little perfect life? Stealing everything I've ever wanted?" Arianna's voice cracked, a mix of anger and jealousy.
Ara's lips pressed into a thin line. She looked directly at Arianna, her expression icy, but calm.
> "I never wanted to steal anything from you," Ara said quietly, her voice trembling slightly but steady. "I never asked for your approval, Arianna. I just… live my life."
Arianna's eyes widened, shocked at Ara's defiance.
> "You dare speak back to me?!" Arianna shrieked, but her hands trembled. Her fury was genuine, but so was her fear—fear that Ara wouldn't bow to her jealousy.
Ara's hands remained by her side, but inside, her mind screamed. Why did she have to bring Taehyun into this? Why can't people just let me live quietly? Her body trembled slightly—not just from fear, but from every memory she had buried resurfacing.
In the crowd, some students whispered, parents frowned, but Ara didn't care. She was only aware of Arianna's burning eyes, the jealousy that had turned her once-friend into an adversary, and the scarred arms that were now visible.
Ara's eyes glimmered as she straightened her posture, trying to remain composed. Her voice, though low, carried strength:
> "Enough, Arianna. This ends now. I won't let your jealousy control me anymore."
Arianna stared at her, furious and shocked at Ara's defiance. She wanted to argue, to hit, to scream—but Ara's calm, steady gaze cut through her anger like a blade. For a fleeting second, Arianna felt powerless, and the crowd around them seemed to lean in, sensing the tension.
Ara took a deep, steady breath, hiding her trembling hands, and moved slightly back into the shadows of the street, preparing herself to endure whatever came next. Her body was battered, her spirit strained, but her mind was clear. She would not break. Not now. Not in front of Arianna.
The fireworks hadn't started yet, but the storm between them had already lit up the night sky.
Arianna's hand shot out again, slapping Ara harshly across her cheek. Ara staggered, her cheek burning, but she kept her voice low, almost whispering to herself:
> "Why… why are you doing this, Arianna…"
Before she could recover, Taehyun appeared from the stalls, holding two ice creams, his eyes scanning the crowd. His heart immediately sank when he saw the scene in front of him.
> No… no, what is she doing…?
Taehyun's footsteps quickened, weaving through the crowd. Every second felt like an eternity as he approached, his jaw clenched tightly. The closer he got, the clearer he saw Arianna's hand still raised, her face twisted with jealousy and fury. Ara's blue dress fluttered slightly as she tried to retreat, shielding her exposed arm.
> "Arianna!" Taehyun's voice boomed, cutting through the festival noise. His eyes were sharp, a mix of anger and disbelief. "Stop it, now!"