Love was Never the Plan

💌 Chapter 1: Love Was Never the Plan

The moment Jennie Park stepped off the plane, she felt it.

Not the excitement.

Not the nerves.

Something else.

Like she had just walked into a story that had already started without her.

The air in Seoul was different—cooler, sharper, filled with a quiet kind of energy that made her heart race for reasons she couldn’t explain.

“This is it,” she whispered to herself, gripping her suitcase handle tighter. “New country. New life. New love.”

Love.

That was the reason she came all the way to South Korea in the first place.

Ethan.

A soft smile tugged at her lips as she pulled out her phone, checking her messages for the hundredth time.

“I’ll meet you at school. Can’t wait to finally see you.”

That’s what he said.

No airport welcome. No dramatic reunion.

A little disappointing… but Jennie didn’t mind.

Because this?

This was going to be her love story.

The car ride to the school was longer than she expected.

Tall buildings blurred past the window, neon signs flickering to life as the sun dipped lower into the sky. Everything looked like a scene straight out of a drama—too perfect to be real.

Jennie pressed her forehead lightly against the glass, watching strangers pass by.

Mom was here.

The thought came suddenly.

Her chest tightened.

Same city. Same school. Same last name.

Park.

“Miss Park, we’re here,” the driver said, breaking her thoughts.

Jennie blinked, sitting up straight.

And then she saw it.

The school.

It wasn’t just big.

It was… intimidating.

Wide gates. Elegant buildings. Students walking in groups, laughing like they belonged there—as if this place had already decided who was important and who wasn’t.

Jennie swallowed hard.

“Okay,” she muttered. “You wanted this.”

She stepped out.

And just like that—

The world shifted.

At first, it was subtle.

A glance here. A whisper there.

Then it grew.

Students started staring.

Actually staring.

Jennie frowned slightly, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.

Do I look weird or something?

She checked her outfit quickly—everything seemed fine.

So why were they looking at her like that?

A group of girls passed by, their voices low but not low enough.

“Is that her?”

“It has to be… the name—”

“Park, right?”

Jennie’s steps slowed.

Her name?

Before she could think too much about it—

Bump.

She collided into someone.

“Ah—sorry!” she said quickly, looking up.

And froze.

He was… beautiful.

Effortlessly so.

Soft brown hair falling perfectly over his forehead, warm eyes that held just enough mischief to make your heart skip, and a smile that looked like it came naturally—like he didn’t even have to try.

He tilted his head slightly, studying her.

Then he smiled.

“New student?”

Jennie blinked, still caught off guard. “Uh… yeah.”

“Figured,” he said, stepping back just a little but not breaking eye contact. “You’ve got that ‘I’m lost but trying to look confident’ vibe.”

Jennie let out a small laugh. “Wow. Is it that obvious?”

“Only to me,” he said smoothly.

There was something about him.

Easy. Comfortable.

Like she could breathe again.

“I’m Jennie,” she said.

His expression shifted—just for a second.

Barely noticeable.

But it was there.

“Jennie…” he repeated, eyes narrowing slightly in thought. “Jennie what?”

“Park.”

Silence.

It wasn’t long.

But it was enough.

Something changed.

Not in him entirely—but in the air around them.

The noise of the students, the whispers, the feeling…

It all came rushing back.

“Oh,” he said quietly.

This time, his smile didn’t reach his eyes.

“Kim Taehyung.”

Jennie nodded slowly. “Nice to meet you.”

Taehyung studied her again, more carefully now.

Not like before.

Not curious.

More like…

Concerned.

“You just got here?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

He hesitated.

Then sighed softly, running a hand through his hair.

“Then I guess no one’s told you yet.”

“Told me what?”

Before he could answer—

The crowd shifted.

And suddenly, the whispers stopped.

Like someone had pressed pause on the entire school.

Jennie felt it before she saw him.

A presence.

Cold. Heavy. Unavoidable.

She turned.

And there he was.

Standing a few feet away.

Tall. Sharp. Untouchable.

His gaze locked onto hers instantly—dark, unreadable, and intense enough to make her heart stutter.

He looked at her like he already knew her.

Like he had been expecting her.

Like she was a problem.

Jennie’s breath caught.

Taehyung’s voice dropped beside her.

“…That’s Jae-Min.”

But Jennie barely heard him.

Because Jae-Min was already walking toward her.

Slowly. Deliberately.

And when he finally stopped in front of her, the entire world felt like it was holding its breath.

His eyes flicked over her face once.

Then he spoke.

Cold.

Sharp.

Clear enough for everyone to hear.

“Don’t use that name here.”

Jennie’s heart dropped.

“What?”

His gaze hardened.

“Park,” he said. “Stop telling people that’s your name.”

Silence.

Confusion flooded her chest.

“That is my name,” she said, her voice smaller than she wanted it to be.

A humorless laugh escaped him.

“Not here, it’s not.”

Jennie felt her hands tighten at her sides.

“Excuse me?”

For a second, something dangerous flickered in his eyes.

Then it disappeared.

Just like that.

He stepped closer—too close.

And whispered, low enough that only she could hear:

“You shouldn’t have come.”

Her breath hitched.

And just as quickly as he came—

He walked away.

Leaving nothing behind but silence…

And a hundred questions Jennie wasn’t ready to answer.

Taehyung exhaled beside her.

“…Yeah,” he muttered. “This is going to be a mess.”

Jennie didn’t respond.

She couldn’t.

Because one thing was already clear.

She didn’t come to Seoul just for love anymore.

She came for the truth.

And somehow…

It was already chasing her.

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