Why Are We Afraid?

[Three]

I finish applying makeup to cover the bruise on my face.

I get downstairs and see my father waiting on me, "sorry about last night kid" he places his hand on my shoulder causing me to flinch.

"Now, head to school. Don't be late" he rushes me off.

I nod and leave out.

Tears flow down my face as I walk down the street going to Kai's house before he leaves for school.

/

Once I get there, I text him to come outside.

He comes on the porch closing the door behind him, "hey, hey what's so important?" He turns to me.

"Wait, are you crying?" He narrows his eyes. I nod and walk over hugging him while crying.

"What happened, Yeoni? Talk to me" he whispers, "he..." I pause.

He pulls away from me looking at me with low brows, "he did it again, didn't he?" He asks.

I nod slowly, "We need to tell someone, Yeoni!" He lets out in frustration.

"No! We can't"

He looks at me confused, "No? He's hurting you" he responds.

I sigh, "He's my father. You wouldn't understand" I shake my head.

A scoff leaves his lips as he shakes his head, "Understand? Understand what? That he's abusing you because I understand perfectly fine".

"No, no you don't! You can't understand me, look at you" I point at him.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You have it all. You have your parents, you have money, you have...a smile! I'm not like you kai, we're two different people".

He narrows his eyes, "if we're two different people then why are we friends?" He crosses his arms.

I sigh shaking my head, "I didn't mean it like that" I mumble.

"Well how did you mean it? I'm trying to help you, Yeoni! And I have been since the first time he hit you" he exclaims.

"Why won't you let me help you?!" 

"Because I'll lose him" I respond, "I love him despite it all, he's my father. He's the only family I have, Kai".

He then sighs causing silence between us.

"I understand" he finally speaks, "but I feel so...helpless".

I force a smile grabbing his hand, "don't. Your the best help I have right now".

//

Kai and I sit on the parks bench, in complete silence.

I can tell he's angry, upset that I don't want to tell anyone about my dad.

I can't.

I can't lose my dad, then who will I have left?

I don't want to lose another parent.

"I told Soobin I was coming to school today" I chuckle. Kai hums, "he's a closed off person" he turns to me.

I nod, "yeah, I think...he's just...sad" I shrug.

Kai nods, "yeah, I thought that too". "But he's nice" he adds.

/ Soobin's pov /

Yeoni didn't show up at school today.