Wounds

17:15

Being beckoned into a dim but warm hallway, SanHa waited for directions before so much as taking off her shoes. She could barely see, but there was a comforting scent of laundry detergent and cinnamon wafting around. “Come in.” The gentle tone prompted her to remove her soaked shoes and then socks, and take up a pair of the guest slippers. “Make yourself at home.” The Freshman told as he flicked on the lamp in the far corner of the sitting room

Voice hoarse, the guest lowered her head. “Sorry for intruding.” Trying not to drip on the polished hardwood flooring, SanHa ventured inside slowly. The colour scheme was neutral and the furnishing was cosy with trinkets lined up on a sideboard and family photographs hung on each wall. Keeping to herself, the female glanced around the home, as if even looking for too long would break something.

Making himself busy in the open-plan kitchen facing the sitting room, JungKook flicked on the kettle. Turning around to face his guest, he gripped the counter he was resting against. “You can take a shower, if you want.”

Stood between the single recliner and the sofa like a lost soul, the Senior avoided eye contact. “A towel will be fine.”

Frowning at the reserved attitude he wasn’t used to receiving from the female, JungKook let out a small sigh. “You’ll catch a cold.” He couldn’t help but to feel his heartstrings tug at his guest shivering with her arms wrapped over her middle and her uniform sticking to her form.

“Fools can’t catch colds.”

Pointing down the narrow hallway, he gestured to the first door along. “Coffee, or is that too chic?”

Stopping at the directed door, the guest nodded. “Anything is great.” Venturing inside the bathroom and flicking the light switch, SanHa took a thick white towel off the rail just beside the threshold. Returning to the main space, she folded the fluffy sheet in half, placed it on the sofa, and sat on it.

Turning around from collecting a pair of cups from the cupboard, JungKook’s brow quirked. “You’re supposed to dry yourself with that.”

“I just didn’t want to get everywhere wet.”

Shaking his head, JungKook rounded the counter and shuffled down the hallway towards the bathroom. Returning with another towel, he chucked it over the girl’s head before returning to his duty of making drinks.

“T-thank you.” Her scraped fingers curled around the plush white cloth instantly taking the chill from her wet clothes. Noticing the picture on top of the piano across from her, SanHa smiled at the dorky looking child with his family. “Where are your parents?”

Shuffling over with two mugs, JungKook placed the drinks on the coffee table and sat on the other end of the couch. My Father’s away on business for the next week, and my Mother went with him for sight-seeing.”

Picking up the steaming mug, SanHa wondered aloud and she stared into the drink. “’Must be nice to have such a normal family.”

“What about yours?”

The guest closed up like a clam and faced away. “I don’t want to talk about that.”

Recoiling, JungKook leaned back in his seat and gestured around. “I don’t have anything special, but you’re welcome to stay here if you don’t want to go back.”

“I don't want to do that to you.”

Sitting forward to try and see his guest’s face, the brunet encouraged. “It’s no trouble. Plus, I hate staying alone.”

“Do you get scared?” A small smile started to tug at the guest’s lips.

Giving a defiant stare, JungKook scoffed and lounged back again. “What would there be to be scared of if you were here?”

“Is that you’re idea of sweet-talking?”

“Nope, just honesty.”

Rubbing her forearms, the female groaned at his playing. “Greasy~”

“Hey.” Pouting, the younger boy leaned to the opposite side and reached down to turn the electric heater on. “But, I am being serious. You might feel better if you stayed.”

Staring at her feet, SanHa thought about it. He was probably right; she felt relaxed here. As soon as she walked through the door, she had felt like she could let her guard down, even if just a little bit. It had been so long that she’d almost forgotten how that felt. But on the same note, she hated being indebted to anyone, which would undoubtedly happen if she stayed.

“Will you?” He asked again.

“On a single condition.”

“What is it?”

“You let me do all of the cooking and cleaning.”

“I’ll do the cleaning. You can cook because I at it.”

“It still doesn’t seem very fair.”

“You fed me and got home last night. Let’s call it even.”

“You have to tell me if you need any help with anything.”

“I will.” He nodded with a smile. “I’ll get you a t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants, and you can take a shower.”

“You keep telling me to take a shower. Are you saying I stink, or are you trying to peek?”

“Neither! I’m trying to make sure you don’t get sick.” Chuckling into her cup, SanHa turned away and tried not to burn herself. Pretending to be upset, JungKook stood up and ventured down the hallway. “What kind of person do you take me for?” He rolled his eyes as his guest set off with hushed laughter yet again.

Returning quickly, the host handed over a set of clean clothes to the female stood outside of the bathroom. “Take as long as you need.”

Staring at the brunet for some moments, an unreadable expression on her face, SanHa inclined her head. “Thank you.”

A heat rose up his body and flushed his face. Chocking down the odd sensation, he rubbed the back of his head and looked away briefly. “You’re welcome.” Unlocking the barrier and pushing it open, JungKook smiled and made his way back to the sitting room.

Slipping inside and locking the door behind her, the guest flicked the power button for the shower over the bathtub. ing her shirt, SanHa winced as she tried to free her arms. Managing to wriggle out of the troublesome article sticking to her skin, she inspected her reflection in the mirror on the cabinet over the sink. Shades of purple and yellow marbled the back of her ribs and the side of her left hip in splotches. Darkly made up eyes which had smudged in the downpour scanned the usually pale body she hated. Turning to the side to see what had been giving her trouble since last night, her sight landed on a gash across her shoulder blade. Stepping to closer to the mirror to get a better look as the bathroom began to fill with steam, her stomach churned at the wound that appeared to be on the verge of infection.

Taking the edge of the sink and hunching over, the female lowered her head and tried not to spend any more time examining the extent of the mess. At least this time there weren't any bones broken. air in through her nose and forcing it back out through pinched lips, the teen pulled herself together. ping her skirt, the drenched cloth hit the white towelling mat, quickly followed by her underwear.

Lifting her leg to get over the ledge only to grimace at the agony, the guest clung to the wall and had to bend over and crawl in sideways when he skin felt too tight to fit her body. The hot water hit her frame and stung the cuts and scrapes. It didn’t make her feel any better. It was more like a reminder than anything else. Whacking the temperature up as far as it would go, the female rested her forehead on the cool tiles and clenched her fists as the jet scolded her wounds.

Opening the bathroom door and letting the steam escape, the guest stood behind the single recliner with its back to the open-plan kitchen. Damp hair tied up in a hoop bun, the female remained silent as her host watched television on the sofa to her left. Clearly, JungKook hadn’t noticed his guest yet. Coughing to notify the brunet absently chuckling to himself as a comedy skit played on the screen, the Senior waited.

“Oh, you’re finished?” He peered up, bleary eyed, as if he was about to doze off any moment. Holding her arms out by her sides, SanHa gently flapped her limbs to emphasize the excessive amount of sleeves left over. “I thought a sweater would be better; it’s getting cold.” He told only choke a laugh when she stepped out to reveal the state of the pants dragging on the floor.

“I look like a child in her parent's clothes.” SanHa was unimpressed, but the female’s appearance caused the boy to shoot forward in his seat with a laugh.

“It’s cute.” He told as he nodded with a smirk, but it only made her glower.

“I’m going to ignore that.” She closed her eyes and wafted her hand. “What do you want to eat?” Without waiting for the boy, she made for the kitchen.

Getting up quickly and following the girl, JungKook hummed. “Whatever you can make from what’s there.” Stopping behind his senior, he reached over her shoulder and opened the fridge door.

The pair peered inside the appliance. SanHa raised an eyebrow and turned around to look at her host only to be eye level with his chest. Stepping back quickly, she didn’t even have to say anything before JungKook started speaking. “I was given money for food, but I haven’t got around to going shopping yet.”

“I can see that.” She returned her attention back to the contents of the fridge – or there lack of – and picked out a few left over vegetables, a jar of kimchi, and a small block of cheese. “I hope you’re not a picky eater because I don’t have much to work with.”

“I’m not, but what could you make with that?” Watching his guest place the things on the counter, he wondered what she could possibly do with the limited ingredients. “I’ve been living off ramyeon.”

“You’ll see when I’m done.” Pulling a knife from the wooden block on the counter in front of her, she began cutting mushrooms into chunks. “Do you have any eggs and potatoes? I need some rice, too.” Telling that he did, JungKook hurried to the pantry and collected what had been asked for.

Placing the food down on the counter to the girl’s right, the brunet went about setting up the rice cooker. “Do you cook a lot at home?”

“I used to cook every day during middle school.” She told without averting her attention from dicing carrots and potatoes into small cubes.

Enthralled by the skilful knifework, the host set the timer and wiped his hands on a dishcloth. “Why did you stop?”

Taking a breath a little deeper than usual, the female paused. “I already asked you once not to ask about my family life.” Sharply sniffing her nose clear, she glanced at the boy sideways.

Holding his hands up, JungKook gave an apologetic look. “I wasn’t trying to trick you into answering. I’m just curious about you.”

The blunt honesty came from nowhere and apparently, it surprised them both. Mouth ajar and pink flush prickling his cheeks and neck, JungKook stilled in wait for the female’s reaction. Mirroring a similar expression, SanHa’s thought process quickly restarted. Taking a deep breath, her head snapped around. Eyes back on her task, the Senior pinched her lips. Swallowing hard, JungKook’s shoulders slackened in the dim light. “You can tell me whatever you want, whenever you feel comfortable.” He turned around to collect two plates and a serving dish for the kimchi.

SanHa peeked out of the corner of her eye to see the younger boy going about his duty. Muscles tensing, the guest refocused on the food. 'What am I doing?' Before she could travel down the path of questioning herself, a muffled rock song bleared in the sitting room. Recognizing the tune immediately, the girl took the frying pan off the hob and placed it aside before rushing for her bag beside the sofa.

Digging through her belongings, she fished out the cell phone and checked the caller I.D. She really didn’t want to answer it. However, she knew better than to ignore that certain caller; they’d keep ringing until they died. Forcing herself to answer, she steeled herself. “Yes?”

Even from all the way in the kitchen, JungKook could hear distorted yelling coming from the other end of the line. And if his guest’s face was anything to go by, she really didn’t want to be dealing with whomever it was that was shouting like Hell.

“No.” SanHa told flatly and the shouting halted. The female’s expression morphed as though she’d something bitter. Not even a beat past when her surly temper flared. “That’s none of your business.” Her rough tone cut through her host’s home and she realized that the younger boy was still only a few yards away. “I can’t speak to you right now. I’ll call you tomorrow.” With that, the girl hung up. Heaving a deep breath with her back to JungKook, she shoved the device in to the pocket on the front of the sweater she’d been lent.

Turning around, she was met by the boy looking at her. He wore such a forlorn expression. She hated it. She hated to be looked at like she was a pity case. She hate it even more when she was made to feel like something that needed protecting. When JungKook opened his mouth to speak, she knew exactly what he was going to say so she cut him off before he could pile on any more humiliation. “I’m fine; don’t concern yourself with it.” Heaving a breath into her lungs as if she meant to go on, SanHa returned to her work station and continued where she had left off.
 

Posted: 29th March 2017 - 00:30
Updated: 17th April 2018 - 16:43