Strawberry Kisses

PART 17

Days went by fast for the girls. They've all submitted their project in their music class. The girls also have gotten really close with each other, at times, they eat their lunches together. Yes, all the girls including Mina.

At first, Jeongyeon, being protective of Chaeyoung was against the idea of Mina sitting with them during lunch but the younger told her friends that it is okay, and since Mina is not bothering Chaeyoung anymore, Jeongyeon gave up and just let Mina get close with them. The short girl also told Jeongyeon what happened to Mina that night Seulgi helped her.

Soon, Chaeyoung's friends were able to be close to Mina without their bloods boiling, during the time they spent with the girl, they've gotten to see a different side of her but they surely still have their guards up for Mina.

The last thing Mina and Chaeyoung said to each other was "good night". The night where they talked through text was never followed. Mostly because they don't know how to continue the conversation they had. Half of it is because they feel like they don't have anything to talk about anymore. None of them dared to open up a new topic anyway.

In school, they would catch each other stealing glances. During class, during lunch. But they really don't had any interactions even if they're in the same group of friends now. Chaeyoung's happy to see her friends finally felt comfortable with Mina. Atleast most of them. Jeongyeon is still skeptical with the girl. Chaeyoung is contended in what she currently have. She's contended with the friends she have. Mostly, she's contended with her relationship with Mina -- conflict free.

It's friday night, Mina just finished her assignments. She wants to get done with her school works before weekend so she can have Saturdays and Sundays free. She stretched her arms then after she decided to go downstairs to get herself some snacks. While getting some foods, she heard their maids as they greet her father.

Mina made her way out of the kitchen and saw her dad struggling to keep his balance. The old man threw his things to the maids and walked towards the bar. Mina just followed her dad. The man gets a bottle of whiskey and pour himself a drink.

"How can that bastard pinned this all on me? All I did was bring that company to the top." Mr. Myoui said as he pour another drink to his glass.

Mina walked closer and tried to stop her dad from drinking. "Stop it, dad. You're already drunk. Why do you keep doing this to yourself? Tell me, why do you live like this?"

The older man stared at her daughter, he was about to open his mouth when Mina continued her outburst. "Is it because mom left you? You're not the only one they left dad! They left me too! Did I drowned myself to alcohol like what you're doing? No. But am I hurt? Yes! Because mom left me too! Byul-unnie left me too! They left me to an alcoholic father! You're drinking because mom left you? Do you remember why she left, huh? It's because of you, dad. But instead of getting them back here you are drinking yourself to death!"

With that, the old man felt the blood rushing through his veins, he then followed what he's feeling at that moment. It's too late when he realized what he did..

Mina was shocked by the slap she received from her father. She puts her hand on the cheek that is now burning in pain. There's also a taste of metal in her mouth. She brought down the hand that was previously on her cheek to her lips. Mina winced at the pain caused by her fingers touching her lips. She then looked at it and saw blood. She rise her head to level with his father's who is now looking at her terrified probably at what he did. Mina can't stop herself from crying. She ran to her room, get a bag, put some clothes on it and some of her things. Without thinking clearly, Mina walked out of her room and hurriedly walked out of the house.

"Mina!" Her father shouted.

Mina heard it but she don't care. She only cares about getting as far away from her father. She is looking for her car keys but can't find it. Damn it. She mouthed. She then just decided to leave her car. She also hears Mrs. Park calling her but she decided to ignore the head maid.

Mina's POV

I walked away as far as I can from our house. Without thinking, I just followed where my feet would bring me. And now, I'm standing in front of a very familiar building near the traffic light. I entered the convenient store and headed where the drinks are, I then grabbed the soda from the fridge and went to the counter to pay. A man greeted me with a wide smile but his face was replaced by a concerned expression when he looked at me.

"Ms. Are you okay?" He asked. My eyes found his name tag and saw his name.

I don't want to be rude but I don't have the energy to speak or to think or do anything unnecessary really so I just handed him the drink and a cash. When he's done scanning it, I decided to leave knowing the cash I left him was more than the price of the soda I got.

My feet are slowly giving up so I decided to go to the park. I sat on a bench where people could easily see and hear me if something happen. I then remembered what happened. Stupid. Why did I say that? Why didn't I control myself? My body starts trembling. I remember how mad my dad is. His face. That's the last thing I saw before feeling a strong hand landing on my face making me slightly lose my balance.

If she's just here, maybe.. maybe dad won't be able to hit me..

FLASHBACK

I was playing on the play ground minding my sand castle when someone stepped on it. I stood up and pushed the boy making him fall in the ground.

The boy got up and is ready to hit me. I closed my eyes and felt nothing from him. As I opened my eyes again, I saw Byul-unnie holding the boy's hand. And I can tell by his face that he's scared of my unnie. When my unnie let go of his hand, he ran as fast as he can.

"Mina-yah. Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" Byul-unnie asked as she checks on me

"I'm fine unnie, thank you." I smiled.

She then sat on the ground and started building my sand castle. "From now on we'll always play together, I will never leave your side, Mina-yah so no one can hurt you. Promise."

END OF FLASHBACK

I can't stop the tears from falling on my face. She lied to me. She said she'll never leave so I won't get hurt. I am hurting now, unnie.. But you're not here.

You're not here.