“Would you like me to do a full body checkup?” The person swivelled himself around so that he would be facing me.

“Jin Young!” I exclaimed with my eyes going wide. “H-how? Why?”

“Why am I here?” He held up a folded piece of paper in his hand. “Because I saw this piece of paper”

Checking my pocket, *It’s not there* I panicked. “How did you get that piece of paper?”

“It fell out of your pocket Jin Kyung” He waved it around. “I had wanted to go there personally but just before I reached the eastern wing, the guys advised me not to get myself involved in a catfight and said that it was better to contact Mrs. Choi instead.”

Getting up from his seat, he walked over to me and held my chin in his hand. “They’re right. It was better that I didn’t go. I would have wanted to kill the girl who did this to your face”

“Is it very bad?” I winced as his finger lightly trailed the scratch marks.

“The skin is broken at some places but aside from that is fine” His voice turning hard with anger that he tried to control.

“The guys and I were nearby recording audio and video proof her bullying” he admitted. “I wanted so much to run out and take you away when she slapped you.”

His arms crushing me to him “I’m sorry for letting you experience all this. Why didn’t you tell me about the meeting? We could have tried to find some loopholes or something” He whispered into my ear.

“I don’t know. I thought that it would be easier if I went alone –”

“She could’ve pushed you down the stairs again Jin Kyung! She almost did just now!” His armed held me so tightly I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

“J-Jin Young…I…I can’t b-breathe” I pushed against him slightly.

Letting go of me suddenly, I blinked at him as he searched through the drawers. Pulling out antiseptic cream and applying it directly to his finger.

Walking to me briskly another sense of dread filled me and I started backing away from Jin Young.

“Where are you going?” He looked at me with a serious gaze that I was slightly afraid of.

“Don’t move” He said, cornering me against the bed’s railing. “I’m not going to give you any mercy in applying the medicine.

“Waaa!!!!!!” I cried out when the antiseptic came into contact with my skin. The sting was fine on my leg and hand but it felt unbearable on my face!

“Let go of me Jin Young!” I squirmed trying to get his grip off my shoulder.

“Nope” he said popping the ‘p’. “Not until I’m done applying the antiseptic” as he continued smearing the cream around.

When he finally let go of me so that he could clean his hand, I took the opportunity to run out of the nurse’s office.

*He’s really too mean!* I thought half angrily half sadly down the empty hallway.

Wiping off the antiseptic cream as I ran, I could hear Jin Young’s voice calling after me as I ran.

I know I was wrong to not tell him and that I worried him but couldn’t he give me this harsh treatment later?!

Did he know how scared I was the entire day? Or how I felt when I realized that it was the same Yunha that pushed me down the stairs years ago?

Hiding in a classroom, I crouched down and hugged my knees as hot tears flowed down my face. *Why couldn’t I be stronger? Why do I have to feel this fear running through my veins like a disease? Why am I still the same pathetic girl after so many years?*

“Jin Kyung!” I heard his voice at the classroom door, panting as he ran to my side.

*How does he manage to find me no matter where I go?* I thought bitterly.

“Was I too harsh?” he asked as he gently placed his hand on my shoulder.

Taking in my silence “I was, wasn’t I” He said.“Were you really scared?” He gently shook my shoulder. Hearing him sigh, he pulled me into his arms and simply held me.

“I’m sorry for not being gentler but I’m not sorry about trying to teach you a lesson” He stated, rubbing circles into my back.

“We promised not to keep things from each other but you did today…” He said with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

“I was just too scared like the last time Jin Young! I thought that I could handle it on my own!” I cried. “I felt like I was a burden to the class and I didn’t want to trouble anyone anymore”

“But I’m your boyfriend! You’re supposed to inconvenience me!” He lightly shook me.

Lifting me suddenly, I struggled out of reflex and pleaded Jin Young to let me down.

“Stop moving or you’ll slip out of my arms Jin Kyung. I don’t want to drop you” He warned as his arms went tighter around me.

“I’ll walk…I won’t run like just now” I gave my word as I looked into Jin Young’s eyes.

It must have been my watery eyes or something because he agreed wordlessly and gently set my feet on the ground.

Holding my hand, I hadn’t known that it was trembling.

Not even disagreeing on taking the cab, I slid in after Jin Young and let him tilt my head so that I would be resting against this shoulder.

Closing my eyes throughout the journey, the physical contact was reassuring. Being near Jin Young calmed my frightened heart. The thought of how I got angry at him was far from my mind.

When have my emotions and thoughts become so fickle?

One moment I felt misunderstood by Jin Young and the next I wanted so much to snuggle up next to him and let his presence chase away all the bad feelings that lingered from seeing Yunha again.

Feeling something on my lips, I tried blinking my eyes open but my eyelids felts so heavy.

*Why was my breath hitching? Why is it so hard to breathe?* I wondered as the warm feeling continued on my lips.

Getting my eyes to blink open, I meant to yelp out in surprise but somehow my voice changed it into something different.

I could feel my cheeks heating up at my accidental moan and I felt myself sinking further into the soft mattress.

“J-Jin Young” I breathed deeply, finally able to get a new supply of air. “H-how? W-where am I?” my mouth unable to render proper speech.

“We’re at your place. It was a good thing that you fell asleep in the cab; we managed to avoid explaining your bullying case from Soo Omma.” He hovered over me on his elbows by my side.

“B-but why were you kissing me in my sleep?”

“Simple, I needed sleeping beauty to wake up” he leaned to one side and shifted so that he slept next to me. “There are a few things we needed to talk about.”

“First is that before today ends, I’m sure that Mrs. Choi or someone from the school will contact your Omma and send their apologies for what happened in school. And perhaps give you a day off or something to ‘compensate’ or recuperate from the incident.” He listed with his index finger.

“Next is how you’re still keeping secrets from me” I watched him continue counting. “And lastly your punishment for keeping something from me”

“Wait, aren’t the last two addressing the same thing?” I moved his hand aside.

“No, they aren’t” He brushed my comment aside and started talking about what to do when my Omma finds out.

“I doubt she’s going to be very calm about this Jin Young. She’s most likely going to be screaming at the top of her lungs telling me to get my sorry down there.” I answered, tapping my chin in thought. There were very few ways to approach my Omma when she was mad.

There is only telling her the truth and apologising. Both of which aren’t very good or favourable options.

“SOO JIN KYUNG!!! YOU BETTER GET YOUR SORRY DOWN HERE!!!”

“Oh, my Omma found out.” I sat up straight instantly.

Getting out of bed, I timidly when down to incur my Omma’s wrath. I could hear Jin Young following behind me.

Sitting at the dining table with the cordless phone in front of her, my Omma looked incredibly upset and angry.

“Explain to me what has been going on the past two months and why am I only hearing of it now!” She folded her arms crossly.

“It is as what you heard from the school?” I said questioningly. “Omma, I didn’t want to worry you too much. After the last bullying incident, I didn’t want to see you sad or worry for me” I tried to explain myself.

“The flowerpot was the reason for the cuts on your leg and hand” She numbly stated.

“Yes…” I removed my right hand from the table.

“I should have known, I would have moved you out of that school and put you into a normal –”

“NO! Omma! That is what I didn’t want to hear from you, these words were what I was so afraid to hear.” I cried out. “I want to be in this school so badly; I can’t go into a normal school! I can’t stay away from music!”

“Please don’t remove me from this school…” I pleaded. “I finally found something else that I could do after years of searching and I’m so close to attaining it here” I said. Words kept coming out of my mouth and I couldn’t control myself anymore.

The thought of removing me from this school and putting me into a normal streamed school was a nightmare to me.

“Jin Kyung…” Jin Young put his hand on my shoulder, snapping me out of my mini panic attack and judging by his worried look. I must have seemed very distressed.

Seating down, I breathed deeply to keep myself calm.

“I just wish you told me earlier…all these times. You went through with it alone” She looked at me sadly. “You’re too much like me sometimes Jin Kyung” My Omma said ruefully.

“We do what we think is best at the moment without thinking much about the afterwards.” She got up walked over to my side of the table.

“My little girl, I’m sorry Omma couldn’t be of any help.” She hugged me and patted my head soothingly. “I’m sorry that you have to go through so many things for your age”

Knowing what she meant, tears welled up into my eyes as I hugged her back.

“My bright jewel, I know that you’ll be able to shine brightly in the future” She said softly as her voice held so much emotion. It had been awhile since I had heard the meaning of my name and knowing its meaning again felt as if it was speaking of my possible future.

“I hope so Omma, I hope so” I whispered.

“Aish, your Appa should be here for this kind of family moment” My Omma joked lightly. “I hope he sneezes because I’m talking about him”

“It’s been awhile since we last saw him.” I laughed lightly.

“That man, so focused and passionate about his job with Jin Young’s father, he better remember to call me tonight.” My Omma complained as she lovingly ruffled my hair.

“I think he will Omma, when has he not remembered to call?”

“On a few occasions Jin Kyung” She said a little agitatedly.

“Well, at least he calls most of the time” I tried defending my Appa a little. “If you want you can visit him in the US, give him a surprise visit.”

“That’s a great idea! I should go and book my ticket online!” My Omma clapped excitedly.

“What? Now? You’re not going during my school break?” I said thoroughly stunned. “You’re gonna leave me here alone?” my pitch went up a few notch.

“No silly! I’m not going to leave you here” she said as she walked up the stairs to her bedroom.

“I’m going to leave you at Jin Young’s place” she added before disappearing down the corridor.

This was lost during the maintainence. :)

Hope you enjoy reading :)