-Disclaimer: This is not my story. I got full permission from the author to repost this on AFF-

The Challenge by The Lucky Kind of fanfiction.net

Note: Yay I said I would update ;)     I probably won’t be able to update for a couple of weeks. Busy with school and work      sorryyyyy

I whistled, strolling down the sidewalk as the cool wind blew past me. The sun had set a long time ago and after an intense session of video games with Seungri, I had decided it was best if I headed home. I hummed a tune under my breath, nearly skipping down the street with a large smile on my face. I felt calm and relaxed, as if a huge weight was lifted off my back. A weight specifically named Choi Seunghyun.

I kicked a rock, watching as it rolled down the sidewalk until it disappeared down the drain. I turned the corner, stepping onto my block, when an all too familiar shouting filled the calm air.

"This is so like you Dongwook! Always running away!" my mom shouted from the doorway of our house to my dad who was stomping his way down the gravel driveway.

He whirled around to face her, his face bright red and angry. "Yeah! Well god knows why I even stayed this long!" he shouted back, before throwing open the car door.

He slammed the door shut, shaking everything around it. My mom buried her face in her hands, shaking her head before turning around and walking back into the house. I stood frozen watching the scene unfold in front of me; a scene that I've seen far too many times. The same angry words being thrown at each other. The same neighbors who watched from their windows shaking their heads at this poor dysfunctional family.

The same headlights pulling out of the driveway only to return hours later, drunk and incoherent.

The morning after was even worse. They would walk past each other pretending that the night before never happened. Always pretending that they were okay because neither of them wanted to talk. Neither of them wanted to even acknowledge the screaming or the cracks in their relationship. They were like sharks; constantly moving and never looking back at the damage they left behind.

After the headlights had disappeared down the street, I followed my mom into the house, letting my hand linger on the doorknob before pushing it open. I wondered what it was this time. Maybe he had left a towel on the floor after he had taken a shower. Maybe she had forgotten to pick up milk on her way home. Or maybe it was the most common and most plausible fight. Me.

I followed the light to my kitchen where my mom sat hunched over the countertop, her head in her hands. I cleared my throat, letting her know that I was here. She looked up suddenly, her eyes wide and open.

"Oh honey! I-I...did you...when-"

"It's okay mom. I saw the whole thing." I didn't move from where I stood in the doorway and she didn't move from where she sat.

"Oh dear. I'm so sorry," she rushed to say. "It's just that-"

I shook my head, interrupting her. "No. I don't need to know what it was. Just...just please tell me you love him," I nearly begged.

"Jiyong, of course I love him," she said. "It's just-"

I shook my head again. "That's all I need to know then."

She smiled, walking towards me and pulling me down in a hug. I leaned down, as I was still so much taller than my mom, and embraced her.

"Thank you," she whispered in my ear.

I nodded my head before pulling away and walking up to my bedroom. I closed the door behind me and kicked of my shoes in random directions. I flung myself on my bed, sighing as the pillows pressed against my face.

Just as I got comfortable, I heard the unfortunate sound of my ringtone filling the room. I groaned, pulling my phone from my pocket and pressing it against my ear.

"Hello," I droned, fully away that I sounded like a zombie at this point.

"Jiyong," Dara whispered in a fragile and small voice. "I-I need you."

I bolted up from my bed, pulling on a pair of sneakers, as I tried to speak to Dara. She muttered some resemblance of plead before she hung up and I was greeted with a dead line. I pushed my phone into my pocket and threw open my bedroom window. I paused just before one foot made it through. I ran back into my room, grabbing a plastic bag from beside my bed and climbing out the window, earning some cuts and scrapes on the way down.

I ran. Running the fifteen minute walk to her house in seven. I burst through the gate of her yard and ran straight to her front door. I turned the knob but the door made no move to open. I slammed my knuckles against the wood, ignoring the sharp pain shooting up my right arm as my hits got harder.

"Dara!" I called her name loudly, ramming my knuckles harder.

I groaned, scanning the porch for any signs of a hidden spare key. I lifted the doormat and looked inside the mailbox before finally finding it under an old forgotten flowerpot in the corner. I quickly unlocked the door, running into the dark house.

I paused to look around at the completely bare interior. Not a single photograph adorned the walls of the hallways. No ridiculously decorated throw pillows. No unique furniture or really anything that made this house feel like a home. It was completely threadbare, not a single personal touch about it. As I walked through the halls, trying to find Dara's room I realized that it wasn't much of a home, just a place where she was staying until she could get the hell out.

A small sliver of light was shining in the dark hallway from underneath a closed door. I slowly opened it, careful not to make too much noise. I saw her then, sitting on the floor with her back pressed against the foot of her bed. Her fingers gripped the bed sheets that were jumbled up in a pile on her floor. She hugged her knees to her chest, holding onto them like they were the only things keeping her alive. I stood in the doorway, not sure of what to do. She turned to me then, tears streaking her red face. Her watery eyes met mine, pleading me for help, and not waiting a second longer, I rushed to her side.

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