✓LOVER BOY | hwang hyunjin

05. Hopeless

Yeseul couldn't imagine that Jihoon and his friend circle would go on a search for her during their lunch break. She felt nauseous by the suffocation she felt. The walls felt tight around her, and the thought of seeing Jihoon and his malicious smile would make her heart jump in her ribcage.

During the history class she had overheard Jisu talking about volunteering at the library. This is how she decided to avoid possible collision with the bullies. When the class was dismissed, she rushed to the library with the required form in her hand. Unfortunately the teacher couldn't hand her job at once. She had to confirm her acceptance the next day.

Adjusting the cap over her head, Yeseul walked towards the music room. That place was barely touched since their last school festival. She used to spend her breaks there from time to time.

When she reached the floor, her ears buzzed with nervousness. Turning around the door knob, she walked inside, the air musty. Yeseul looked around the bare walls, and candles which had melted in a pile by the window sill. The piano was left open, dust gathering over the keyboards. There were some scenic paintings adorning the forgotten place. She walked ahead, taking a seat against the wall.

The silence felt serene. Yeseul watched the boughs against the window panes move in the swirling breeze. She sighed, piercing her juice bottle with the straw. Leaning back, she took a sip of the drink, allowing herself to absorb the safety she felt in the room.

"At least I'm all alone now." Before she could relax further in her place, her ears picked up a familiar laughter coming from the corridor.

Her eyes widened, the heaviness of her chest returning. She crawled towards the door, peeking out. "Shit."

Jihoon and his friends entered the room next to hers. Her skin was taken over by goosebumps. "Shit. Shit. Shit." She cursed over and over again, not knowing how to run away from the place.

"Yeah, he was absent. That bastard really can't take even a little bit of beating without taking breaks from school."

"What about that girl?"

"Yeseul?"

"Hmm. I'm pretty sure she doesn't have any friends." Jihoon laughed, the sound of it making the fear of the girl to turn into sadness. Yeseul couldn't forget the image of him over her, punching her mouth with all the strength he owned. It had engraved itself into a terrible nightmare.

"You like her?"

"Sure, she's pretty. I like the fearless eyes of hers. Makes me want to... break her so badly."

Yeseul couldn't stop the tears from spilling down her cheeks. She pushed her palm over her mouth, trying to slow her breathing. The laughter continued, and so did the conversation over her. She felt sick in her stomach. Her body had left the realisation of seeking refuge. She stayed frozen, rocking back and forth, hoping someone could help her.

"Where is she hiding anyway?"

The question crashed the wave of terror over her. Yeseul blinked her eyes, feeling her breath surface back in the moment. She looked around, her sight being caught by the curtains that blinded away the stage. She rushed behind it, the area dark, except for a crack of light that fell inside through the window in the ceiling. She walked towards a wardrobe that held the clothes of the performers. Opening it, she sat inside, closing the door as soon as she heard them enter the music room.

"She isn't here."

"Check the stage."

Yeseul caught her breath in her chest, her hands over her phone. She prayed in hopes of comforting herself. The footsteps grew closer, but before she awaited the moment when she would be dragged out, her phone lit up with a message.

@samsllama

hey :)

sam
help me

"I don't think she's here."

"You little shit. Can't you see the juice bottle sitting over there!? Go find her before the break is over."

what happened?
where are you?
hey
tell me
please
what's wrong!?

Yeseul turned her phone off, her cheeks wet with tears. The two stood close by.

"Check the wardrobe."