Can i love you ?

5

I sat on my knees, and the woman came closer to me, her voice filled with concern.

"Are you able to stand up?" she asked with worry evident in her eyes. Tears, which I had been trying to hold back, involuntarily streamed down my face. I attempted to get up despite the pain and discomfort. Though my stomach hurt, I could manage.

"Thank you," I whispered, barely audible, as I looked at her.

She shook her head and offered a semblance of a smile. "Get in the car, I'll take you home," she said.

She walked towards her car, which was already waiting for her. On her way, she caught Woodz's interested gaze and couldn't resist approaching him.

"I hope you enjoyed watching those five idiots bully the girl while you, like a loyal knight, stood on the sidelines. Bravo, you've fallen even lower in my eyes," she remarked, not waiting for a response. And as he shouted after her, "If she doesn't care about me, then why should I worry!?"

She said nothing in return. There was no need. Was he even worth an answer? Instead, she came up to me, opened the car door, and said, "Sit down."

I hesitated, feeling uncomfortable. I was dirty, tears streamed down my face, and I was in pain from what had just transpired. I didn't want to inconvenience her.

"Miss Minji, maybe I'll manage on my own..." I began to say, but she cut me off.

"Don't argue. Should I force you into the car?" Her warmth and the hint of a smile gave me strength and reassurance. I needed her so much.

I got into the car and fastened my seatbelt. I told her my address, and we drove in silence. It wasn't far, but we got stuck in traffic.

"And who were they?" she suddenly asked, catching me off guard. Tears flowed even faster now. I still couldn't calm down.

"Don't cry. Everything will be okay now. Do you know them?" Her voice softened with each word.

I simply shook my head.

"You seem to be quite lucky in your encounters: Woodz, those idiots, and I'm sure that's far from the complete list," she mused, her words seemingly directed into the air rather than at me. I felt calm next to her. But then my phone began to ring. I took it out of my bag. Who could it be? Damn it, my mom? Trying to gather my thoughts and soothe my trembling voice, I hesitantly answered, "Yes, Mom. Is everything okay?"

I could sense that the teacher was watching me, as if trying to catch snippets of our conversation.

"Everything is fine," I tried to speak confidently. There was no need to worry my parents.

"I'm going home, but there were additional classes. Yeah, okay."

Ending the call, I turned my gaze to the woman who was clearly waiting for an explanation, her smile widening. Without waiting for her question, I preemptively answered, "My parents went on vacation, and I didn't see any reason to bother them."

I attempted to say it confidently, but she shook her head, her voice stern and serious as she asked, "Let me get this straight: I'm taking you home, where you live alone because your parents are away, and you see no reason to inform them? And you won't go to the hospital, of course?"

Her voice held a touch of sternness, and I could sense that arguing would lead to nothing positive. But she was right. I hadn't made it to the hospital. I looked at her with a frightened expression and answered in a somewhat drawn-out voice, "Miss Minji, I don't want to go to the hospital. It's just bruises. I'm fine, really."