Almost Not A Happy Ever After

IOU

Ji gasped in pain as someone yanked her hair violently. She fell but the person didn't let go. "Ah," she whined, grabbing his hand. She knew it was the only person who was brave enough to hurt her in the middle of a school hallway. Jin.

Jin laughed. "Nerd. Can't you find somewhere else to live? You're so-

He whimpered. "Shit," Jin was shoved into the locker. He groaned rubbing his head in pain.

"Do you always pick on girls?"

"Tae-Hwan. Long time no see." Jin laughed, still wincing at the pain on his head.

Tae stood in front of Ji with his hands in his pocket looking down at her.

"Let's go," Jin mumbled to his friends. At that they quickly scurried away without hesitation.

Ji sat up and held her neck in pain. She looked up confused when she saw Taes lowered hand to help her up. But he helped her. He deserved her respect so she took his hand gratefully. "My brother said you hit a kid for him," Tae stated.

Ji went to grab her bag by the lockers but Tae beat her to it. "Thank you," show bowed, taking her bag and hugging it to her chest.

"Only because you helped my brother. I repaid you. Now deal with Jin yourself next time," Tae-Hwan handed her a small bag and walked away.

Ji stood still for a while confused. Finally the bell went off signaling time to leave school and she walked out peeking through the bag. There was a few snacks and drinks. She pulled out a piece of paper and smiled. A drawing of a cat stalking a mouse signed by Jun-hwan. He liked cats. He was always drawing them. He was a great artist in genral.

She slid the drawing back in the bag and continued walking home.

Ji sighed as she unlocked her apartment door and threw her stuff on the couch. She sat in the dim light and did her homework. It took hours and the second she finsihed she turned on a movie.

It was dark now. 9 pm. Ji searched her cupboards and laughed. Not even instant noodles. She looked out the window. It was raining fairly hard so she grabbed her umbrella and walked to the store a few blocks away. Her visit was quick. All she did was grab a few things of ramen and head out back into the storm.

"Fuck," A man groaned.

Ji perked up at the familiar voice.

"Stop. It hurts. Stop!"

"Jun-hwan!" Ji gasped. She ran, following the voice. "Jun-hwan!" She yelled.

"Shit go!" A man yelled. A group of about 6 people scattered, running away from a body laying in the mud.

Ji ran to him and covered him with the umbrella. It was for sure Jun-Hwan. "Are you ok?" She asked worriedly.

He looked at her and studied her for a second before grabbing her and hugging her tightly. "I've never been so glad to see someone in my class before," he said hoarsely.

"You're soaked." She leaned him against the wall and he pulled his wet sweater off, throwing it aside.

"Apears so," he laughed.

"Jun-hwan. You're bleeding. Come with me," Ji ordered.

She helped him on her back and walked back home.

He was skinny. You could see his ribs. Some days he didn't have enough strength to leave his desk during lunch. He was diagnosed with lung cancer 2 years ago but started getting better this year so he came back.

Ji set Jun on the kitchen chair and quickly grabbed dry clothes and a towel. "Take a warm shower before you get sick," she ordered.

"Its ok I-

"Take a warm shower."

Jun-hwan laughed and grabbed the clothes with a bow before letting her point him to the bathroom. Ji made ramen and when he finsihed they ate.

"Does anything hurt?" Ji asked when they finsihed eating. She grabbed her first aid kit and started carefully cleaning the scrapes on his knees.

Jun shrugged. "My face."

Ji looked up and noticed his eye beginning to bruise. "I-I'll get some ice." She quickly grabbed an ice pack from her freezer and set it under his eye. "Hold it gently." She finsihed cleaning his wounds and helped him to the couch. "Do you have someone I can call for you?"

He looked so weak. It looked like his injuries took a lot from him but his injuries were quite minor. Ji frowned and searched him for a phone, finding one in his left pocket.

"What's your pass. . ." She noticed how pale he seemed. How drained he seemed so suddenly. She studied his phone and put his thumb to it, unlocking it. She quickly walked to her room and looked for Tae-Hwans contact.

"JJ? Did you lock yourself out again? I-

"Tae-Hwan," Ji interrupted.

There was a moment of silence. "Who is this?"

"J-Ji. From school."

"Where is he?" He asked forcefully, obviously worried.

Ji paused wondering if she did the right thing by stealing Jun-hwans phone. "I-I found him getting beat up in an alley. I brought him to my place. He seemed fine and then I had him lay down and he just. . ."

"Where are you?" Tae asked frantically

Ji listened for a second as she could hear him start a car. "A few blocks from the gas station. I'll text you the adress."

"Wait. Make sure hes breathing good," he demanded before hanging up.

Ji messaged him the adress and made sure to leave the door slightly opened. She stayed by Jun-hwan, holding ice to his eye again.

A few minutes passed and her door slammed shut. She jumped and spun to see Tae-Hwan trying to dry off quickly before walking through her house.

"It's fine. Come in," she reassured him.

He quickly replaced Jis spot next to Jun and rubbed his stomach. "JJ. JJ wake up." He shook his shoulder gently. Ji had never seen the rude boy be so gentle. "Wake up."

"I-I didn't do anything I-I swear," Ji backed up worriedly.

"JJ!" Tae shook his shoulders with more force and Jun coughed, grabbing Tae-hwans sleeve. "There you go," Tae-hwan relaxed. "That's it. Breath slowly. Take your time." He looked at Ji with an emotionless gaze that was simultaneously frantic and worried. "Follow me. Call the hospital." He picked Jun up, gently cradling his head into his chest and carried him out.