━ 𝘁𝘅𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀

trust me

TW:

✓ Quite a bit of swearing

✓ Mention of domestic violence

"Damn what happened to y/n? Her face, arms and legs are littered with even more bruises than usual..." "I heard she got into a gang fight, I mean, given how she's always so scary and reserved, it's possible..." I could hear my classmates' hushed conversations as I walked into the classroom and I kept my head low, not wanting to hear any more of their stupid rumours and opinions. They could say whatever they want and not know a sliver of the things I have to face every day at home.

"Y/n, don't listen to them, they don't know anything." Taehyun, my most trusted friend, said softly, his eyes filled with concern as I nodded stiffly, and winced when I accidentally hit my bruised arm on the table.

"I'm okay, don't worry." I managed a small smile and he sighed.

"Do you want to come over after school? My mum is thinking of baking cookies and thought you would like to join." He suggested, looking at me hopefully. "Yeah sure," I replied, giving a soft smile as his face brightened. "I'll go tell her now." He said, already typing excitedly to his mum.

He really was a good friend.

9 years ago

"What is wrong with you! Why can't you just think for y/n? She's still young and needs a complete family to grow up in!" My mother shouted at my dad, her face filled with anger and desperation as she pulled me behind her.

"I already told you not to question my decisions, which part of that do you not understand, you bitch!" A loud slap was heard as my mother clutched her face in her hand, willing her tears not to flow and to be strong for me, gripping my hand tighter.

7 year old me could only watch in fear as my parents fought yet again, unable to intervene. I wish I could've helped my mother to fight back against that man, he doesn't deserve the title of a father.

He was a drunkard, always going out in the evenings to the bar and guzzling bottle after bottle of beer and coming back home, venting out his anger and frustration at my mother, who could only face the wrath of him, not wanting to fight as she was left to pick up the pieces of our broken family time after time. She was the best, my mother, my solace and backbone. She protected me from my father's hits and blows whenever he was in a terrible mood but never once complained or cried in front of me. But everyone has their limits and she eventually left when I was 9, after a huge fight with that man and before she left, she promised she would be back for me. I waited and waited, just for a glimpse of her figure, but she never came back. I don't blame her for that, but I always wanted to know whether she meant it when she said she would come back, or was it another white lie to keep me hoping for nothing. After all these years, many things have changed but that man never did. He didn't change even after my mother left. In fact, he became worse, sometimes not even coming back in the wee hours but a few days later, reeking of alcohol and to my disgust, a few lipstick stains here and there on his shirt. I wonder what would those women think when they know how he treated his loving wife.

As a result of my childhood, I've learned to be independent and never open up to people easily so that I will not be perceived as weak and helpless. Only being to be strong or more pretending, in my case, will help me get through life.

Taehyun and his mother were the only people I trusted enough to open up to. They were my neighbours since my mother left.

5 years ago

"Y/n, give me your result slip for this year. You had better get straight As or you'll expect a beating from me." The man threatened, in a bad mood as usual. The then 12-year-old me was terrified as I had gotten a B for Mathematics and knew that I was done for. "Hurry up!" He barked as I scurried to my bag and handed him the result slip, my breathing quickening as his eyes rested on a particular score and his gaze turned stone cold. "Why did you get a B for Mathematics? Are you stupid or what, you idiot!" He shouted, as I pressed my lips together, not making a sound. "Answer me!" He raised his voice, leaving me quaking in fear. "Fine, since you won't answer me, I'll beat you until you answer." He growled, and I felt a sharp burning sensation on my arm as he struck it again and again with his leather belt. At first, I tried my best not to scream or cry but it was so painful I couldn't take it anymore and I yelped with pain and held my hand, whimpering as a lone tear sneaked out.