The Decision
An American Girl
Jungryul watched her for a few moments before realizing he’d left Infinite in the van. “Should I bring the boys up now? Do you think you’re settled?” He asked Helen. It had worried him, a first, bringing a nineteen year old girl into an all boys dorm especially one as pretty as Helen. Yes, she was an American girl, not something the boys were used to seeing everyday on the television but no matter who you were she looked absolutely stunning. It was probably the red hair that really set her apart; it was long and crazy as it drifted down her back into a “V” shape. Because it could be unruly she always had a hair tie and pin on hand; whenever she became serious about something her hair would go up and her face would become more serious. However, when her hair was down she was just another young woman…an American woman in Seoul, Korea. Otherwise her body shape was very similar to any other Korean woman. Her “v-line” face, small waist, toned legs and stomach were all very close to “perfect”; however she had upper-body strength and even though she hid it beneath her clothes well, Jungryul knew she had skill (in Taekwondo) and that’s what made him more “at ease” with letting her stay in the dorm.
“If you really think they’ll be alright with me staying here for a day then sure; if not let me just use the phonebook and I can find a good hotel.” Helen tried to offer one last time.
“Ya! How could this “appa” just send you out into the bustling streets of the Seoul nightlife when you barely remember your way around here?” Jungryul accidentally accentuated the term “appa” as both knew she was not his real daughter nor was he her real father. It stung Jungryul to say it sarcastically, but Helen never flinched; she was used to her predicament and she had accepted it many years ago. He started to apologize but she raised her hands up in the air, stopping him.
“Go get them; they’re probably already awake anyways.” She motioned for him to leave as she smiled. When she did this, though, Jungryul looked at her arms and then at her legs. Her t-shirt and shorts had left this skin exposed and then he saw her bruises. His jaw fell ajar and his eyes widened at the sight; he couldn’t believe he hadn’t noticed it before. Helen had a large scar on her left kneecap that she had gained during her time with Jungryul but there were many new marks that still had fresh blood on them. Her arms were bruised in random areas and as he stepped closer could see the dirt infecting deep cuts on her elbows. He grabbed her wrist as she winced in slight pain; her shoulder was still in pain from the fight and was taking a long time to heal.
“What the…Helen…is this from…” She lightly tugged her hand away from his grip, grimacing while she did so.
“I’ll clean up.” She turned her back to him and began scrubbing her wounds in the sink. He could see the diluted blood run off of her fingertips and onto the drain; she turned around to see that Jungryul was still standing in the opening, frozen. “It’s ok, Appa.” Her voice was so convincing and so was her smile.
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