I get hit on the head and open my eyes wide, wincing in pain. Minho puts his hand on my head, still covered with my beanie, to caress the place attacked by Jisung's hand.
Jisung who, however, has teary eyes. Why is he crying? I rush at him, tears coming to my eyes too and leaving my... boyfriend? I shake and stammer, asking him what's wrong and he only answers me with muffled sobs.
- I'm sorry, Jisung... I suspect you must hate me and-
I am cut off by another hit on my head and this time I step back before falling onto the bench which was, luckily, just behind me.
I don't understand anything anymore and when Jisung hugs me, sobbing harder in my sensitive ear, I get lost even more. I glance at Minho who shrugs, wincing because he apparently understands as much as I do.
- Why didn't you tell me, dumbass? All this time I hurt you without realizing it, why haven't you told me? I blame myself so much, I should have seen it. I should have understood when you avoided using clearly gendered adjectives or when you winced at hearing your name... I should have understood. I am the worst best friends...
I force Jisung to pull back and look him in the eyes, my heart breaking with each of his words but his last sentence definitely bringing tears to my eyes.
- You... are we best friends?
Jisung begins to sob again.
- Obviously, dumbass! You're like a s- uh... a brother to me! You should have told me!!
Jisung is now almost slumped on top of me and I can feel my breathing weaken. Minho also notices this as he helps me to sit Jisung down next to me, but the latter refuses to let go of my arm anyway.
- Sorry, Jisung. I was really worried that you wouldn't want to talk to me anymore and since I care a lot about you, I thought maybe lying to you was better? I made a mistake... But since I told my parents about it, they deny me and... and my father...
The two men look up at me and I feel cornered, I have no choice but to finish this sentence, my voice breaking.
- My father has been touching me regularly since...
Their eyes open wide and Jisung suddenly stands up.
- Sorry? Wait, what? What the hell do you mean? I refuse to let you live there a second longer, I don't want my bestfriend to have to put up with this.
- I have nowhere else to go, Ji. That's not the subject, anyway.
I laugh nervously, unwilling to continue this conversation which might only get me into trouble.
Minho shakes his head and takes part in the discussion.
- We can host you. I still live with my parents, and Jisung too, it's true... But they will understand, in any case for me there is no problem. You could sleep at Jisung's, then at my place... at least for a moment.
It's pretty obvious that Minho has no idea how to work things out, but his proposition makes me smile.
- I can't always count on others, guys... It's not that bad, I don't see them that much. I spend the day here and the night sleeping...
Tears form at the corners of my eyes but I look up to the sky to keep them from falling.
Minho takes a seat next to me and rests his forehead against mine, looking at me in the eye.
- I don't care how much time you spend there, it's already too much.
I chuckle.
- We've only known each other for three days, Minho. It doesn't work like that.
He sighs, retreating, and pulls back, giving Jisung a more than equivocal look.
The latter raises his hand in a victorious gesture, his phone in it.
- My parents agreed.
He has a smirk on his lips and I just want to take him in my arms. Because even if, in itself, I hate to depend on others, this attention fills my heart with a feeling of joy and above all, of relief.
- You can stay with me for a while. I didn't explain it to them in detail, telling them that if you want to talk to them about it then it will be in your words. But I told them you had big family problems.
I can't hold back my tears anymore and they roll down my cheeks as I throw myself into my best friend's arms.
- Thank you, Jisung...
He pulls back and looks at me seriously, then looks at Minho the same way.
- But we have to take care of something. We have to go get your clothes. Which means, face your parents...
He talks to me, but looks at Minho, making him understand that they are both going to come with me to prevent anything from happening.
I can't think of anything to answer, but my legs start to shake and I fall, no longer feeling any force in my body.
I am scared.
YOU ARE READING
Not A Girl- Minbin
Fanfiction"Changbin is a boy. That's what he keeps telling his parents who don't accept him. However, when he meets Minho at a party, he finally sees the possibility of appearing under his real self. " I translated my own story (from @SunSungie) into English...
