Color Blind

Hate Love

Dao Ming

I woke up, definitely late. I quickly made some toast and ate. Since I had nothing to grab I ran out the door. I got lucky today and got a taxi to drive me so I wasn't late for class.

The bell rang and Ae Si ran in quickly sitting in her spot. She threw my sweater on me and set my backpack down panting. "Works done." She said and leaned back in her chair.

Ms Kim walked in and set her book on her desk and started talking.

Ae Si began slidding to the side, so I reached over and caught her carefully then leaned her head on the desk and folded my sweater, gently placing it under her head. Quietly I opened my notebook and studied the finished problems. The rest of class I took notes carerully.

Half way through lunch (I stayed just in case the boys teased her again) Ae Si lifted her head silently and looked at her phone.

"Good morning," I greeted, teasingly.

She stood up and walked towards the door. "You didn't eat."

"I stayed with you-

"Don't. We are desk mates not friends. Don't try to get close." She stated before tossing something at me and walking out.

I looked at the plastic wrapper in my hand. Crackers. Ae Si hated everyone, yet cared so much. She didn't eat either. Who knows if she ate breakfast.

The end of lunch bell rang forcing me out of my thoughts. I walked to my next class and sat in my seat. The entire class went by smoothly, Mr. Song not even glancing at Ae Si. And just like that my life was normal again. Nothing out of the ordinary, just the same, boring day of read this, write this, do that. I finished school and walked home slowly, waiting for the group of boys who think its fun to hit me like a punching bag for no reason.

"Where were you yesterday" the mocking voice finally called.

I attempted to ignore him and continue walking, but he grabbed my shoulder and shoved me into the wall.

"I asked you a question" the red hair boy asked with a smile.

His name was Jin. His brown haired friend on the left they called Yea. The boy between them they called Jay and the one on the right was park.

I pushed them roughly and ran. I ran to the alley hoping I'd lose them but just like normal I turned the corner and Jay jumped onto me. They threw me against the wall ripping my stuff from me. Without words they began hitting me. I had no other option but to block my face as best I could and take the hits.

Suddenly I felt someone pulling me. I opened my eyes and saw Ae Si covering me, blocking the hits. She shoved some of the boys until they began hitting her to, pulling her onto the ground. She rolled and pushed herself to her feet, grabbing my arms and pulling me up then jabbing her elbow back hitting Jin square in the jaw. Jin hit back along with p
Jark. Jay, and Yea, continued to hit me. Ae Si's arms hooked around the twos neck and she threw them to the ground. "Run stupid!" She yelled. So I did. I turned, glancing at her one last time before rounding the corner and watching them fight. She didn't hit first though. She always waited until they held their fists back to hit her.

"Enough. Run." Jin yelled and pulled from Ae Si's grip. He leaned on his 3 friends who helped him run out.

Ae Si fell to her knees holding herself up barely with the wall. Everytime she slightly turned her head I could see the dark red blood glistening on her face. I was so tempted to run away. But I couldn't. Instead I ran to her, kneeling by her, afraid to touch her.

"I said... run" she breath halfheartedly.

I studied her bloody clothes and face. "Why'd you do that." I asked worriedly.