𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄 - 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐆

01 | SUGAR

I stabbed the eggs with my fork as I kept my head down at the table, avoiding eye contact with my parents.

My dad sat at the end of the table reading a newspaper, he always preferred reading from it instead of online because he thinks electronics are too overused nowadays. My mom sat beside him looking through paperwork.

I put my fork down, not having much of an appetite but before I can stand up my dad calls my name.

"Jisung"

I look over at him as he folds the newspaper neatly and puts it aside. "Yes, father?"

"Your mother and I looked at your grade last night and it seems like your English grade has been going down"

I swallowed harshly, wanting to break eye contact with the old man but I knew that would only upset him.

"Y-Yes I'm aware, I will ask the teacher if I can do extra credit"

"Extra credit?" My dad asks, "Your telling me you got bad grades on your assignments and you didn't just forget to turn them in?"

Fuck.

"I-"

"No son of mine will get a bad grade and no son of mine will do extra credit!" His harsh voice makes me flinch. "I will call the school and have them fixed but this will be the last time Jisung"

I nod vigorously "I will keep them up, I promise"

"Now don't make me regret giving you a chance son, or I will take away all of your supplies that support that silly hobby of yours". I freeze for a second before nodding defeatedly.

"Go to school before you are late" My mom finally speaks up but her head was still in the papers, refusing to look up.

My dad nods—I get up and leave the room, walking to the front door and grabbing my bag. Slinging it over my shoulder and pulling on my shoes.

As I walk out of the house the cold air hits my face, the gloomy weather and fog filled the streets as the familiar black SUV was parked. I walk to it and get in.

"Good morning Jisung," The driver says with a warm smile

"Good morning Tom"

He drove away from my large house and began to take the route we always have to school. Passing by all the same houses—all the same shops before getting to mine and probably others' personal hell.

Stopping at the corner like I requested him to for years and he looked at me through the rearview mirror "Have a good day"

I force a smile "You too"

I get off and automatically feel like I'm going to throw up. You would think I would grow used to seeing and dealing with these people but no, every day I felt as if I wanted to vomit due to anxiety and the ideas of possible things they would do or say to me.

I never brought light on it to my parents mostly because I knew they were good friends with all of the other families and nothing would change. They only cared about business and they had no interest in what their kids got up to during their school hours.

I walk to the gate and hear the SUV drive away behind me, seeing the other students stand around the courtyard in their little groups and probably gossiping about something that happened this week.

I inhale deeply and start walking to the school as I knew the bell would ring any second. The cold breeze hit my face as I shove my hands into my pockets, aware that my cheeks grew pink along with my nose.

"Hey sugar baby" I heard, feeling my blood run cold as I turn my head to see the group I so badly hated.

Damon smirked at me as Kate sat on his lap, the rest of the group laughed but I didn't care about them as my gaze went to Minho.