“Get up you piece of crap!”

Good one, haven’t heard that one before.

“Ugh,” I groan as my eyes flutter open from the constant banging on the door.

 “I said get up! Are you guys’ freaking deaf?”

 “Alright! I heard you!”

“Hurry up and leave the damn house!”

 I hear heavy footsteps storm down the stairs, I knew at that moment that it was safe to leave the room. I try to get up from the bed but a sudden weight pulls my arm down, I gaze down and see Hayeon looking at me with frightened eyes. I always sleep next to her in her room, I don’t know what that bastard would do if I let her out of my sights. I can’t lose Hayeon, I already lost my brother and mom; she’s the only one I have left.

“Oppa…” She called out to me softly, tightening the grip on my arm.

 “Hayeon…We have to get ready for school.”

 I sometimes wish she was at least 2 years older, it’s hard dropping her off to school then drive to mine then drive back to her school. I get worried too that dad would hurt her when she’s out of my reach, makes me wish that I can drop out of school and be her personal bodyguard. But it’s easier said than done since the only reason I want to graduate is to leave my dad’s house and take my sister away with me. But unfortunately…I still have 3 years left.

“Is he gone?”

 I nod my head and send her a gentle smile, “Yeah. He went downstairs. It’ll be okay.”

I hear her reluctantly sigh as the grip on my wrist loosens. I take her hand and pull us both out of bed.

“You can go clean up first. I’ll wait for you here.”

 Hayeon nods at me as she gathers her personal items before heading in the bathroom, leaving me alone in her bedroom.

How long must I suffer through this? My head hurts, my body hurts, everything hurts. I’m tired of this but what can I do? He’s stronger than me, he’s smarter than me and he’s always two steps ahead of me. All I can do… Is survive.

 “Oppa, I’m finished.”

 I gather my things and head into the bathroom. I quickly jump in the shower and let the cold water run down my body, it felt horrible but I didn’t care. After I finished with my personal care, I walked back into Hayeon’s room and set my stuff down on her bed. It was quiet for some time until I heard her softly gasp; I look up and see her looking at me with concerned eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

She points at my torso, “You have a bruise…”

 I didn’t have a shirt on so when I looked down, I noticed a big blue bruise on the right side of my torso. Must have been when dad mauled me last night when I came home. I didn’t feel it in the shower but probably because the coldness of the water was numbing it down.

 “Oh yeah huh…”

 Hayeon walks towards me and softly touches the bluish mark, I winced in pain. Damn that hurt, her gentle touch felt like a thousand stings.

She quickly retracts her arm, “Oppa! We should go see a doctor!”

 I can’t go to a doctor, every time they ask me what happened I always come up with the lamest excuses.

I fell down.

 I bumped into a pole.

I accidently got hit by someone’s arm.

“I’ll be fine.”

Will I? Doubt it. Sure my bruises always heal quickly but how long until I’m broken?

Too late… I’m already broken.

“Oppa…What if he broke your ribs?”

“I’ll be okay Hayeon,” I slip on my shirt and sweater before taking her hand, “Come on. You’re going to be late.”

As we descend down the stairs, I hear the heavy footsteps of my dad walk out in front of me, stopping me in my tracks as I reach the last step.

 “Good morning.”

 I feel Hayeon tense up as she stays quiet behind my back, her grip on my hand tightening.

 “Hey! I said good morning.” He grumbled, the smell of alcohol and stale cigarettes intoxicating my nose.

“Morning…” I mumbled without even looking him in the eyes.

I watch as he peers over my shoulder and send a sinister smile to Hayeon, she gasps and quickly looks away from his eyes.

 “Good morning my beautiful Hayeon!!” He chirped, his smile only growing creepier.

What a pig. The hungry look in his eyes makes me sick.

Hayeon remains quiet, only the sound of my dad’s unsteady breathing could be heard.

“Come give daddy a kiss.” He tries to lean over my shoulder but I quickly push him back with my free hand. I know I pissed him off; he hates being pushed especially by me. I hear him snarl as he looks at with me with fierce eyes, I could only return the same.

“Don’t even try today, if I didn’t let you touch her yesterday what makes you think I’ll let you touch her today?”

 Anger was boiling in my veins, I never realized how capable I was to fight back against my dad, but I would do anything to protect my sister.

“You bastard!” He grumbled as he raises his left arm.

I could only watch and prepare for the hard slap he was about to do to me, but I didn’t care, I’m pretty sure my face is use to this kind of pain. But to my surprise he sets his arm down and walks away, muttering curse words as he enters the kitchen. I’m actually relieved my face will be taking a break from being swollen. But I know this isn’t a miracle, I’ll be getting something tonight.

“Oppa…”

The soft cry of my little sister snapped me out of my daze. I tighten my grip on her hand and gently pull her to the front door.

“I’ll order you breakfast on the way, we should go.”

 

 

 

 “Have a good day at school okay?”

She weakly nods at me, I brush her hair and send her a reassuring smile.

 “Hey come on smile! I’m here to protect you remember?”

Hayeon silently nods; it hurts me to see how damaged she is. She was only 6 when mom died, so she never got the chance to even spend more time with her. Even if it kills me, I’ll do anything to protect her.

“Make sure you eat lunch alright?”

 Again only another silent nod, I lean over the seat and plant a soft kiss on her cheek. She weakly smiles at me, geez does it hurt to see her like this. She steps out of the car, I watch her as she trudges her way into the school without turning her back to look at me.

I could only sigh as I drive to school and park my car in my usual spot. I sling my bag over my shoulder and head inside the university. Of course, the constant stares from my peers begin. It’s always like this though. I don’t really talk to other people; I keep within myself and distance myself from everybody except for one person.

“Yo Taeng!”

 Speak of the devil.

 I felt Sunny swing his arm around my neck, sending me that goofy smile he always does.

“Hey Sunny.”

Sunny is pretty much my best friend, I’ve known him ever since preschool. I would always bully him but I felt bad one day when I took his crayons and he busted into tears. Ever since that day we would always hang out, we became close instantly. He’s also the only person who knows about my home life. He always offers to help me out but I decline because I don’t want him to get involved with my dad. I care about Sunny a lot, he’s like a brother to me, and I wouldn’t be able to handle losing him.

With his arm still around my neck, we make our way into class, I’m thankful we share out first class of the day together.

We take our seat next to each other, Sunny releases his arm and looks at me with a different expression.

“What?”

 “How are things at home?”

I couldn’t help but scoff at that question. There’s no point in asking that question if I’m always going to give the same answer.

“What do you think?” I retorted in annoyance.

 Sunny sighs and runs a hand through his blonde hair.

I still can’t believe he dyed it blonde, I thought he took my suggestion as a joke. But I guess that’s what happens when you tell your best friend that blonde would look on him, it doesn’t look bad but I’m just not used to seeing him with a different color.

 “Sorry…I’m telling you man why don’t you just take Hayeon and move into your own apartment already?”

“It’s not that easy Sunny…I don’t have money for that! I’m already struggling to pay off college…”

 When mom died, our financial deposit went downhill to pay off for her funeral. Jiwoong also ran off with some cash, ‘some’ being used loosely because he took well over half of what we had in the account. Then you subtract dad’s spending ways of drugs, hookers, and drinks and you get a grand total of…Enough to pay for Hayeon and me. Our budget is tight, I do have a job but it goes towards Hayeon instead of me. I would rather spend it on her anyways then me. I don’t need anything.

Again, another restless sigh from Sunny. “Are you sure you don’t need my help? You know I can pay for your rent.”

 I can’t help but be completely jealous of how rich Sunny is; both his parents’ are CEO’s at their own headquarters and they have plenty of money to last them a lifetime. Sure, Sunny is my best friend and friends help each other out in need but I can’t burden Sunny with this huge problem. It’s too much that not even his money can fix it.

 You can’t put a price on pain.

“I really appreciate it Sunny but you always know I’m going to reject your offer. I’ll be fine okay?”

“Okay…But remember when you ever change your mind, you know who to call.”

 “I know…Thanks bro.”

“Of course.”

After some time, Professor Kwon enters through the door and takes her position in front of the class. The noises in the room die down into a feint whisper, Sunny and I direct our attention to her and remain quiet.

 “Good morning class, before I get started I want to introduce our new student. She transferred from the states so I expect all of you to welcome her kindly with open arms.”

 New kid huh? Whatever. I could care less about that.

 I gaze at Sunny who had a gleam in his eyes; I punch his arm causing him to flinch in pain.

 “What the heck was that for?!” He yelled at me, I could only laugh at his reaction.

 “What’s with that look?”

 “Dude, she said we’re getting a new student. Who is a girl. From the states. She could be insanely hot or something!”

 Of course, why am I not surprised to hear that from aegyo filled Sunny. Even if she was attractive, Sunny isn’t going to have a chance with her. She wouldn’t be able to handle his aegyo, she would feel suffocated. I couldn’t help but chuckle at that thought, causing Sunny to punch my arm.

 “Anyways class, her name is Tiffany Hwang.”

 I watch as Professor Kwon opens the door and motions the new girl to walk in, she shyly enters through the door.

Black hair, white milky skin… Tch, whatever.

“Holy crap, she’s hot.”

 I give Sunny a disgusted look after hearing his comment; he only smiled goofily at me before returning his gaze to the new girl. Pretty much every guy in the classroom had the same reaction, and every girl was craved with jealously of her beauty.

 I personally don’t care. I just want this day to be over with.

“Why don’t you introduce yourself?”

Tiffany slowly bows and sends us a warm smile, “Hello. My name is Tiffany. It’s nice to meet you all.”

“Holy she’s so hot.”

“Damn, hey bet you I can get in her pants in a week.”

“I’d like to see you try, I’m going to ask her out.”

 Pathetic.

These guys’ really think they have a chance with her. They’re just like my dad. Only care about . What pigs.

 I look at Tiffany and at that moment we share eye contact. It felt like an eternity but I don’t know why I didn’t look away, but what I’m surprised is…She didn’t look away either.

 Geez, how awkward.

 I quickly look away and gaze at my desk, yet I could still feel her staring at me.

“So Tiffany, why don’t you sit…over there? Behind Kim Taeng.”

Great, not only can I feel her stare but she’s going to be sitting behind me.

What a pain.

 I didn’t bother to look up as I hear her footsteps walk to the desk behind me. I sigh quietly and look over to Sunny was taking a peek at Tiffany with hungry eyes. As she takes her seat, I already hear whispers gossiping about me.

“Holy crap she’s sitting behind Taeng, I feel so bad for her.”

“Damn, she’s behind the silent cold Taeng.”

 Wow, can people mind their own business? I don’t see why they have to talk about me. And I’m pretty sure that Tiffany chick heard them too considering they weren’t talking very quietly.

 I pull out my headphones and plug them in, I don’t need to hear their crap, they can make up all these bullcrap stories about me and they still won’t get it right. I lie my head down, I want to block out the world at this moment. I close my eyes and drift away from reality.

 Funny thing is…I can still feel her stares.

 

 

 I hear the distant sounds of bells ringing, my sleep being interrupted by that annoying sound. I slowly open my eyes, I realize that class was over and everyone was already getting ready to leave. I stretch my arms and gather my things into my backpack. Sunny had already left me since we didn’t have our second class together so I exit the class alone, ignoring all the stares and same old whispers I hear every day.

 I don’t understand why if you’re the quiet kid in the class, every one decides to pick on you and make up rumors about you. I guess it’s because being silent makes you weak since they assume you can’t stand up for yourself.

 But that’s not it.

 I just don’t care, I’m not here to please people. I’m here to earn my damn degree so I can leave my dad and be free from his grasp.

 I didn’t realize where I was walking that I accidently bumped into someone, making them drop their books. Worse thing was their books rammed me right where the bruise was.

I wince in pain, it was searing throughout my side.

Geez it hurt.

 I open my eyes after recovering from the painful experience and notice the person I bumped into was Tiffany. I look down to the floor and see papers scattered everywhere, she was looking at me with wide eyes.

“I-I’m sorry…” She said softly, bending down to pick up the scattered papers.

 I roll my eyes, “Geez. Watch where you’re going.”

She silently nods and continues picking up the many sheets on the ground. I groan in annoyance and walk away from her.

 “Hey man shouldn’t you help her?”

 “What a move.”

Whatever.

 It’s her fault for not watching where she was going.

Yet somehow, even though I shouldn’t care.

 I felt a trail of guilt seep in my heart.

 

 

 

“TAENG GET YOUR DOWN HERE.”

Hayeon jumps of fright, I guess dad’s home. And of course, he isn’t satisfied. A drug bust, drunk or he didn’t get the e are probably the reasons why. I get up from the bed and start to walk towards the door. I felt something jerk me back; I look back and see Hayeon pulling on my hand.

 “Oppa don’t go…” She pleaded with watery eyes; I knew she was going to cry soon.

 I squeeze her hand, “It’s okay Hayeon. He just needs to talk.”

“No he doesn’t…He’s going to hit you again.”

 I know she’s right, I don’t know why I bother to lie to her. I walk over to her and plant a small kiss on her forehead.

“It’ll be okay. Stay here and lock the door. I’ll knock three times to let you know it’s me.”

“Oppa…” Tears trailed down her cheek, I don’t know what else I’m supposed to do.

“TAENG!” I hear a loud crash, he was getting impatient.

 I sigh and walk towards the door, “I love you Hayeon.”

 I exit the room and softly closing the door, I could still her crying and calling my name. I wish I could stay with her but I know it’ll be easier if I get this over with now.

 I rush down the stairs and head in the living room, I see dad carrying a bottle of alcohol in his hand. Yup, he’s drunk.

“Taeng, get over here now.” He slurred, he’s clearly already drunk.

 I slowly walk over to him and stand right in front of him.

“Yeah?”

He points to his side, pieces of a broken bottle were scattered all over the floor. That explains the loud crash.

“Look what you made me do! Because you took so damn long I dropped the bottle!”

 “Well you should learn to be more patient.”

“What the hell did you say to me?!”

 I don’t know why I bother testing his temper, he has no patience and he loses his control quickly.

“Whatever…”

“You son of a…”

 He throws a punch at my face, taking a gulp of his beer before continuing his business. Kicks and punches were sent all over my body, he even attacked my already bruised rib.

“You’re useless…” He muttered as he sent another punch to my stomach.

 I remained quiet; there was no point in trying to fight back.

 It was useless, I’ve already become used to this type of pain.

Physically and emotionally.  

All of this was happening, the pain and suffering yet I found myself wondering about one thing.

I wonder if Tiffany needed my help picking up her books.