You hear the door open, and quickly minimize the page on your screen. You turn around in your chair, and let out a sigh of relief when it's only your umma. "Good morning, umma! You're up early." She was standing in the doorway in her bathrobe, with coffee in her hand and her hair a mess.

"I'm off today and Yuna is at P.O's house so I wanted to spend some time with you. When you get a chance, come downstairs. I love you," she closed the door again.

"Saranghae, umma!" You sigh, knowing she didn't hear you. You face your computer once again, staring at the search on the top of the page. You've been looking online for almost an hour now but you still don't know what to do. One particular phrase you read is ringing through your head. "Abuse has no place in love," you whisper.

Every page I've seen has said the same things: I need to get out fast, I need to make sure I'm safe, don't isolate myself from family/friends, don't feel weak for wanting help, find a number to call. Yeah right. It's not that simple. I love Zico, even when he's angry and hurtful... but. How can he really love me if h--

Your phone rang, making you jump. Your heart drops all the way to your stomach when you see the name. You don't immediately pick it up though. After four rings, you take a deep breath and answer.

"Hello?"

"Ae Sook, what the hell are you thinking?!"

You clear your throat. "W-w-what do you mean?"

"I'm talking about that stunt you pulled yesterday."

"Stunt?" You cringe when your voice gave you away.

"Don't play ing dumb with me. You have the same friends, remember? I know what you do when you're out."

"Zico..."

"I told you not to talk to that Youngji girl. You two have had too many run-ins in the past. Now you have Amber leave so you can spend time with that loser!" His voice rose with every word and at this point, he was yelling.

"A-Amber left. I didn't ask her to."

"Why didn't you go with her?"

"I coul-"

"Stop. Stay away from her. I've told you enough."

"Mianhae..."

"Bull. If you were so sorry, you wouldn't keep doing it."

"Don't say that."

"Don't you te-- OH! A little birdy told me you've been going behind my back a lot lately."

You don't reply.

"You're not going to see those boys. Especially not since one of them is that.. hamster."

"Don't call him that!"

"Oh you're defending him now? You're gonna fight back? You know that's a bad idea. What was his name again...? Baro? I remember now, Kyung put the moves on you last year. Baro interrupted and even had the ing nerve to punch him. What if I made it even, huh? I might be paying lover boy a visit."

"No! Jebal... don't hurt him." Tears sprang to your eyes.

"Then stay home. If I find out you had contact with any of them, little Baro won't be the only one paying..."

Again, you stay silent. You shut your eyes tightly, fighting the tears.

"Do you understand? You know I make good on these sort of promises."

"Yes..."

"Good. I'll be checking in. Don't do anything stupid."

The line disconnected.

You keep your eyes closed, but put the phone down on your desk. You breathe deeply, trying to calm down. Even after a few minutes, your jumbled thoughts still felt so overwhelming.

"Umma! I'll be down in a second," you call. You slowly stand up and make your way downstairs.