Run Away

***Jonghyun’s POV***

So the time had come. I had to leave. Leave my home, my friends and her.

I always knew that I was going to be sent to study abroad but the years had passed so quickly and the departure date had suddenly only been a week away.

My parents had given me permission to not return to school seeing as I needed to pack my belongings and arrange the trip but I agreed because I thought it would mean I wouldn’t have to face her.

Jang Mi. My best friend. I called her 'Mi', always have done - it means beauty and that is exactly what she is, I loved her for it. I could never tell her my true feelings; it would hurt too much knowing that I had to leave. She didn't know I had to go, she was visiting Japan when I announced it to my friends and I didn't have to guts to tell her outright - I'm just being a coward - running away from my problems. I was supposed to be her protector – that is what I vowed to be four years ago when I saved her from getting beaten up in our schoolyard – that is what I tried to live up to until this day.

I was busy in my bedroom, the radio turned up load, as usual, my belongings were placed in boxes and I was placing my clothes in a suitcase beside me on the mattress. My father was returning from work soon and had informed me that we had to talk so when I heard the stairs creak I expected to hear his gruff voice call out my name but instead I heard my bedroom door creaking open.

I turned around to see Jang Mi stood by the door - horror stricken across we face as her eyes scanned the room, seeing the suitcase next time and the boxes by the wall – I panicked - she must have come wondering why I wasn't at school.

"Are you leaving ?" She asked. I could hear the pain in her voice and her eyes welled with tears that she tried not to let fall.

At first I was happy to see her – I had wanted to visit her after she returned home – but as I met her gaze, I was reminded of what I was doing, how I was leaving and it hurt me as I knew it would hurt her. I was supposed to protect her but here I was doing the hurting and it pained me more than you could possibly imagine.

I looked at my lap “I’m sorry Mi …” I whispered quietly, but I knew she heard. And I knew that she was mad at me for not saying anything.

“Sorry for what ? What’s going on ? Are you seriously leaving ?” She threw questions at me but I just sighed and stood up from my seat on the bed and put my hands on her shoulders as she looked at me with angry and sad eyes.

“I’m leaving … to study in America” She went very quiet as she processed her thoughts.

“When are you leaving ?”

“ … next week …” I knew I shouldn’t have kept it from her all this time – I had known for years but could never tell.

“NEXT WEEK ?” She yelled at me – I could feel the her skin burn with rage as she shook my hands off her shoulders and hit my chest – hard. But I deserved it, it was entirely my fault, the blame could be placed on no one else so I just let her hit me as the tears streamed down her face.

Then she ran, out of my bedroom, down the stairs, towards the front door. “Mi … I’M SORRY” I shouted at her but she just ignored me and I saw her disappear from view, out of the door and down the road, straight past my mother working in the garden again.

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I threw my full suitcase in the corner with all my boxes then checked my clock - 10:00 – I was about to go and take a late shower when I heard the phone ring. I hurried to pick it up and it was Mi’s mother.

“Jonghyun ? Can I speak to Jonghyun ?” she sounded rushed and frantic.

“Speaking” I replied unsure of the reasoning for her tone of voice.

“It’s Jang Mi. Is she with you ?”

“She left at least five hours ago. Has she not returned home ?” I began to get anxious too.

“She hasn’t been home all evening” she began to get desperate but I knew exactly where she’d have gone.

“I’ll find her. Good evening” I said politely and hung up; I knew she must be worried but I was the only one who knew where she would have gone. It was dark outside and pouring with rain but I had to find Mi – it was dangerous this late at night to be out alone especially for a young girl.

I ran down the muddy forest track, further into the woods, until I reached the looming shadow that was the utility pole – it was where we would go to as children – where no one could find us.

There was a wooden stand that had long since fallen down, resting against the wire fence, that we would sit under and talk, tell secrets, and carve into the wood – it told the story of our friendship. The forest was deadly silent as I slowly approached our makeshift shelter.

I carefully whispered … “Mi … ?”

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So ... the second chapter is finished !! Jang Mi is angry because Jonghyun didn't tell her that he's leaving !!