ᵍᵒᵈᵈᵉˢˢ | ᵈᵘᵇᶜʰᵃᵉⁿᵍ

001

"Fuck you! I don't need you anyway!"

Pulling my backpack over my shoulder, I took one last look at my hysterical mother and clearly pissed off father.

"Don't you come back here, Chaeyoung. I mean that." My father shouted.

"Don't worry, I won't." I mumbled, flipping them off before continuing to the bus stop.

Taking out my phone, I began to type out a text to Sana, explaining what just happened.

It wasn't two minutes before she was calling me. I sighed before answering, "Hello?" "Okay, start from the beginning."

Clicking my tongue, I sat down at the bus stop, glad no one else was around. It is almost nine o'clock at night, so I understand why no one is around.

Wait, is the bus gonna run at this time?

"Well, I came home to my father throwing my belongings out the front door, screaming something about how I'm a waste of space and a disappointment to the family. Mother was crying, asking him to stop. As soon as I walked in, father seemed to explode and told me to pack my things and leave. That I was no longer welcome."

I heard Sana sigh on the other end of the phone, trying her best to not interrupt me.

"I packed my essentials into my backpack, packed one suitcase, and left. Father told me to not come back."

"Where are you now?" She inquired, her tone full of worry.

"Well, I was gonna wait for the bus but I think the bus has stopped running for the night. Or maybe I'm just here at a weird time."

"Do not move, I'll be right there." Without another word, Sana hung up.

"How does she know what bus stop I'm talking about?" I mumbled to myself as I shoved my phone into my pocket.

I stared up at the night sky as I awaited the arrival of Sana and probably Tzuyu since she follows Sana everywhere. She's like a lost puppy. It's kinda cute.

"I'm sorry, mom." I whispered to the moon, hating that I hurt my mother.

I could give two shits about my father, but I feel horrible for hurting my mother like this.

She's always hated how I live, but she's tried to love me nonetheless.

My father, though? He thinks I'm nothing more than a piece of trash left on the street, and he definitely treats me as such.

It wasn't too long before Sana pulled up, Tzuyu in the front seat.

"That was fast." I spoke as Sana got out of the car, sighing with soft eyes as she approached me. "Chae...are you okay?"

I shrugged, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "A little cold but I'm fine."

"I mean-" "I know what you mean, Sana. I'm fine. I promise." She only nodded before gesturing towards the car, "Come on, let's go home."

Home. I don't have a home anymore.

The House has always felt like a second home but I'm not in the gang so it's not really home.

As I climbed into the backseat of Sana's Audi, it slowly started to sink in. "I don't have a home anymore." I mumbled, mostly to myself, but loud enough to where they could hear me.

Tzuyu turned around in her seat while Sana worked on getting us to The House. "You still have us, Chae. We're your home."

I smiled softly at her, honestly really thankful for her and Sana. They really are, and have been, the only family I have.

"I spoke with Nayeon," Sana started, glancing at me through the rearview mirror before her attention was back on the road.

"She agreed to let you stay in The House until you get back on your feet."

"I really appreciate it, Sana." She smiled softly in response, but I just know we're going to have another conversation about me joining the gang.

It's not that I'm against joining, it's just...I'm not sure I want to dedicate the rest of my life to a gang.

I love Sana and Tzuyu, and I appreciate everything they've ever done for me, they've been there for me when nobody else has.

But it's just hard to commit my life to a gang when I could commit it to something else.

What that is exactly, I'm not sure. But I want to explore my options first.

Sana and Tzuyu understand this, but Nayeon really wants me to join. She sees something in me that I don't.

I guess we'll see what unfolds while I'm staying in The House.

I just hope she doesn't try to bribe me into joining because of her hospitality and use The House as a reason to join.

I'd hate to be kicked out onto the streets just because I don't want to be forced into something.

"Chae." Tzuyu broke me from my thoughts, my attention being brought to her soft and comforting eyes. "You up for a midnight snack?"

"Hell yeah I am." Sana chuckled, heading towards our favorite convenience store for some snacks.

Looking out the window and up to the night sky, I smiled softly to myself. Maybe everything will be okay. I have my girls and that's all I really need.