I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus.

 Scratch that, every day I always feel like I’ve been hit by a bus. Dang it hurts to move.

 “Oppa…”

 I gaze down at Hayeon who was finally waking up, her eyes slowly flutter open and they immediately widen as soon as her eyes scan my face.

“Oppa!”

Her body quickly jolts up; her hands instantly rub against my face gently.

 I push them away, “What are you doing?”

 “You have bruises everywhere! Are you okay?”

 I stand up from the bed and walk over to her dress mirror.

She was right; there were bruises on my cheeks, cuts on lips and my neck looked a bit swollen. Dad really did it this time. All because of a damn bottle.

 I sigh as I stare at my reflection, sadness and pain running through my body

. I guess this is what it looks like to be broken.

Hayeon stands up from the bed and walks over to me, her arms wrap around my torso as she takes a deep sigh.

 “Oppa…Please stop this. I can’t bear to see you hurt anymore.”

What am I supposed to tell her? I don’t have any answers…I don’t have any ideas to make our lives better. I want things to be better but I don’t know where to start. If we run away, where would we go? Sunny would offer us his parent’s place, but how long until his parents’ expect pay?

 I could only sigh and tightly hug Hayeon, silently reassuring her that I will find a way.

No matter what it takes.

 

 

“Taeng Taeng Taeng!”

 “Sunny.”

 His eyes widen in shock and he quickly points at the mask shielding my face.

 “What happened?!”

 I don’t know why he’s always in shock whenever he sees my face mask on, I wear it every time dad brutally hits me so he shouldn’t be so surprised.

 “What do you think?”

 I can literally feel Sunny’s fists tense up; he leads me to a secluded area of the hallway and stares at me with compassion. I swear he’s bipolar, one minute he’s all bright and chirpy then next he’s all ‘Mr. Sympathetic.’

 “Let me see your face.” He said to me sternly, his eyes hollow and expressionless.

 I reluctantly remove the mask from my face, revealing all of my dad’s doings. Sunny’s eyes widen in shock, however it’s not the first time he’s seen me like this, I look the same pretty much every day.

“That bastard…”

 I quickly shield my face so other students wouldn’t be able to see it, wouldn’t want any more made up stories to go around.

But why should I care.

“This has to stop Taeng and you know it.”

“What am I supposed to do Sunny?”

Sunny deeply sighs as he leans back against the lockers, “I don’t know… I just…Don’t like seeing you like this.”

 “I know… I’ll be okay Sunny. Don’t worry; I’ll be out of this hell hole soon.”

 “I hope man…I hope.” Sunny gazes at the time realizing that class was about to start soon, we quickly make our way into first period.

 As we were heading to our soon, my eyes drifted to the girl behind me. The girl I abandoned to pick up her papers. I couldn’t help but stare at her for some time, the sudden incident that happened yesterday flashed in my mind and I couldn’t help but feel a little weird to why I didn’t help her yesterday.

 She looks up and we make eye contact once again, only this time it felt longer than eternity. I’m not sure why…But I was dazed by her stare. She sent a faint smile to me and a small wave, at that moment I quickly disconnect out eye contact and take my seat. Without even responding to her smile or wave.

 I can’t explain why I was so dazed by her eyes. I felt like I was in a trance. What am I even saying? It’s probably the pain pills I took this morning taking a toll on me. I probably overdosed myself.

 I realized that I shared the majority of my classes with Tiffany, yesterday when I didn’t help her with her books I found out she was also in 3 of my 5 classes. I never really noticed, probably because I’m always asleep in class.

As class began the sudden whispers about me began.

 “Taeng’s face mask is back on; I wonder if that whole rumor about him being in a gang is true.”

 “For once he actually looks less…cold.”

“He wears that masks almost every day.”

 I lay my head on the desk and close my eyes.

Letting the whispers attack me in my dream.

 

Once class was over, I quickly gathered my things and start to head out the door.

 “Hey Taeng.”

 I stop in my tracks and face Professor Kwon who had her full direct attention on me.

“Yeah Professor Kwon?”

 What does she want?

 She motions her fingers towards me, I slowly walk toward her, as she inches closer I notice Tiffany standing next to her.

What is she still doing here?

 “Are you sick Taeng?” Professor Kwon quickly asked, eyeing the mask that was covering my face.

Here comes another lie.

“Yeah I am. I wasn’t feeling good yesterday.”

 “Oh I’m sorry to hear that…”

Yeah everybody is.

Only wish it was about my dad hitting me instead of a common ailment.

 “Anyways, you’re not too sick to help Tiffany right? She needs help locating the admissions office. Think you can lead her there before heading to class?”

 Are you serious? Out of all people why did she pick me?

 I look over to Tiffany; she looks at me and briefly nods her head.

Why would she want my help when I didn’t even help her pick up her stuff?

“Can’t you find someone else to do it?”

 Professor Kwon rolls her eyes, “Come on Taeng. Just do this for me please. It’s not that hard.”

 Geez, I don’t want to do it. Walking alone with this girl in awkward silence? Yeah, that sounds fun.

“But I don’t even know her. Why doesn’t she just look it up on the campus map or something?” I gaze over and see the girl remaining quiet with her head hung low.

Why isn’t she stepping up for herself?

 Weak.

“Taeng. You’re going to do this or else I’m failing you on your next midterm.”

 “Go ahead I don’t care. As long as I don’t have to walk her anywhere.”

“It’s okay Professor Kwon I can find it myself.”

 Finally she talked and thankfully she was declining the offer.

 I send a sly smile, “See. She doesn’t need my help.”

Professor Kwon irritably sighs, “Are you sure Tiffany?”

 She sends another brief nod, “Yes ma’am. I can ask somebody else to help me.”

 I let out a chuckle, “Good. Now excuse me, I’m going to be late to class.”

 I dismiss myself between the two girls and swivel around to exit class. I’m glad she helped me get out of that, I would have just left her anyway without even telling her where to go. I don’t care that I didn’t help her with her books and now I don’t care that I didn’t help her way around campus.

 I bypass the gossiping students and head inside my second period class. As the minutes fly by I look outside the door window and see Tiffany talking with another guy.

Wait.

Is that Sunny?

I squint my eyes to get a better look of the guy talking to her and sure enough it was my best friend. I couldn’t help but laugh, I can’t believe Sunny had the balls to approach the girl without even sweating like a pig.

By the looks of it, he seemed to be doing well.

Good luck to him.

That Tiffany girl seems like she wouldn’t be a good girlfriend. She can’t even speak up for herself. She can easily be taken advantage of.

 I watch silently as Sunny and Tiffany continue talking right in front of the door, I wasn’t sure why but I found myself curious to what they were talking about. Several minutes pass by and I still found myself staring at them, until finally Sunny motions his hand and they both walk away from my vision.

 “Tch, whatever. Why should I care?”

 After school was over, I was heading to my car when I felt a grip on my shoulders. I turn around and Sunny was cheerfully smiling at me like an idiotic child.

 “What’s with that smile on your face?”

 “I talked to Tiffany today.”

 “Yeah I saw.”

“You saw?”

Crap, saying that probably made me a stalker.

 “Well you guys’ were talking right in front of my classroom door.”

 I guess that’s a better cover up, I didn’t want to admit that I was watching them talk the ENTIRE time.

“Oh I see. Dude, she’s so nice! And easy to get along with.”

“And you’re telling me this why?”

 “Dude. I. Talked. To. Her. Step one is complete, next thing you know she’ll be my new girlfriend!”

 “Ha yeah, good luck with that.”

He punches my arm and rolls his eyes, “Whatever man. But hey, we’re actually hanging out today after school. You should join us.”

 Why is he asking me to hang out with them? On one note, I don’t even want to hang out with her. Is Sunny high or just plain stupid?

 “I thought you wanted alone time with her?”

He shrugs at me while stuffing his hands in his pockets, “I don’t know. I figured you should meet her. She is a really nice girl.”

“I don’t care if she’s nice Sunny.”

 “Come on just come with us.”

 “No I have to pick up Hayeon.”

 “Drop her off at my house; she can hang out with my sister.”

Why is he so persistent on this? Can’t he see that I really don’t want to associate myself with her?

He pushes me out of my thoughts and sends another one of his stupid goofy smiles.

 “Come on, just for today. You don’t have work today right?”

“No.”

 “Then come on!”

 I might as well give in, Sunny is the persistent type. He won’t stop until you agree with what he says.

 I reluctantly nod my head and agree with him on the plans. He gives me the destination of the place; I told him I would meet him there after I drop off Hayeon. I quickly drive over to her school and I spot her running over to my car.

 “Hi oppa!”

 “Hey Hayeon, how are you?”

“I’m good oppa, how’s your face?”

 “It’s…healing.”

Her brows furrow, she looks at me with concerned eyes and crosses her arms.

 I mess with her hair to lighten up the mood, “Hey stop sulking. I’m fine see?”

 She slowly nods her head, not wanting to accept my answer but I can see that she had no other choice. I pull away from the curb and drive on the main road.

“Is it okay if I drop you off at Sunny’s house? He wants me to hang out with him.”

 In an instant, I saw her eyes gleam up. I know how much she loves Sunny’s house; his mansion is pretty much like paradise. And since his little sister and her are best friend’s, she’s always up for visiting her.

“Yeah! I don’t mind!”

 I chuckle seeing how excited she was, that was the only time she was genuinely happy.

When she’s somewhere other than home.

 I drop her off and tell her I would pick her up in a couple of hours, after waiting for her to enter Sunny’s house I drove off to the fast food joint Sunny told me to meet him in. I park my car next to his and casually enter the restaurant; I scan the area until I find Sunny waving at me from a booth a little ways down.

“Hey Taeng!”

 I gaze over at Tiffany who was busy looking through the menu. I don’t blame her for not greeting me, I could care less really plus I deserve it since I pretty much ditched her twice.

 I my head at Sunny before sliding next to him in the booth.

“Oh Tiffany, this is Taeng.” Sunny nudges me to say hi but I remain silent.

We’ve already met before so I feel like it’s kind of pointless to introduce myself. She finally sets her menu down and looks at me with those brown eyes.

“We’ve already met Sunny.”

 Sunny’s eyes widen, he looks at me before looking back at Tiffany. “You have?”

“Well not formally. But we’ve bumped into each other.”

 Literally.

“Oh hey that’s cool! What the hell Taeng, you didn’t tell me you already met her.”

 “I didn’t know it was important.”

 “Man whatever. You could have at least told me.”

 “Tch whatever. It’s just her.”

 I hear her sigh, I direct my eyes back at her and see her looking at me with the same stare.

“What?”

She shakes her head, “Nothing.” She extends her hand out to me, “Let’s formally introduce ourselves. I’m Tiffany Hwang.”

 What the hell is this girl on?

How can she act so calm?

“Tch whatever.” I said coldly, not even shaking her hand.

She slowly retracts it back but nonetheless keeps a smile on her face. I can’t help but gawk and roll my eyes.

Sunny clears his throat, “Well anyways! Tiffany, get whatever you want. It’s on me.”

 Crap, I don’t even know why I bothered to eat with them when I have my mask on. I can’t take it off, Tiffany would see all the cuts on my face.

The waiter comes and takes our order excluding me, I was desperately hungry though but I can’t take the risk of taking off my mask.

“Taeng aren’t you hungry?” Tiffany asked me.

 Why does she bother talking to me? I clearly don’t want to talk to her; she’s already getting on my nerves.

 “Mind your own business.”

 Sunny elbows my rib, right on my bruised rib to be exact. I wince in pain and hold my rib with my hands, applying slight pressure to stop the throbbing pain.

 “…Sorry man I forgot.” He whispered to me.

 Damn it was hard to breathe; maybe I do have a broken rib. I take a deep breath and try to ignore the pain that was searing in my torso. I look at Tiffany; her eyes were filled with compassion.

“Are you okay? You look like you’re in pain.” She said softly.

Geez was she really getting on my nerve.

 “Leave me alone okay? Stop worrying about me. You don’t even know me.”

 “Taeng.” Sunny said softly in my ear.

 I don’t know why blood was rising to my head, I didn’t mean to snap but I just couldn’t help it. The pain killers were wearing off and my body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds.

“I’m sorry Taeng. I’ll stop.” She said, sending me a reassuring smile.

 Thank you, that’s all I asked for.

 I didn’t even bother to reply to her or look at her throughout the whole eating session. My stomach pretty much growled throughout the whole time they were eating, but I would press my hands against it to stop it from emitting more growls. Sunny would offer me some of his food but I couldn’t take it, not with this mask on and Tiffany sitting right across from us.

After they were done eating, Sunny paid off the meals and we all head outside.

“Oh one second Sunny, I think I forgot my cell phone in there. I’ll be right back.” Tiffany said as she turned around to walk back inside the restaurant.

I lean against my car and instantly Sunny faced me with a daunting expression.

 “What?”

“Dude, why are you so mean to her? She’s been trying to act nice to you and you’re just acting like a !”

 “I don’t care. She doesn’t have to act nice to me. I’m not asking her too.”

 “So? Can you at least try to be nice to her?”

“Whatever.”

 Sunny decided to give me the cold shoulder but I shrugged it off. After some time, I watch as Tiffany runs out with a container in her hand. Sunny smiles, he gets in the car and waits for Tiffany to get in. I was about to head in my car when I heard Tiffany speak up.

“Hey Taeng.”

 I sigh and turn to face her. “What?”

 She extends her hands out that were holding a container.

 “Here. Take this.”

 I gaze at the white box in confusion, hesitant to take it in my own hands.

“What is it?”

 “Just take it.”

“Why should I?”

 “Please?”

She wasn’t going to give in huh? Maybe she’s perfect for Sunny, they’re both stubborn and persistent.

 I finally give in and take the container in my hands without even thanking her.

“Well I’ll see you around.” She waves off to me before heading inside Sunny’s car, I watch as he quickly pulls out of the driveway and drives away leaving me in the parking lot.

 I look down to the white container Tiffany gave me, my eyes filled with confusion.

“Tch, what is this?”

 I open the container and I felt my jaw drop along with my eyes widen.

 In the container… Was a large burger with a side of fries.

She…bought me this?

 Why would she buy me this?

 I don’t understand…

I close the container and shake my head while bitterly chuckling.

 “Tch…She’s a strange person.”