The Boy Next Door

38.

"Well... It doesn't matter to you." I say while looking away. I stare at the bright red light for two seconds when...

He clenches his jaw and faces me, and I don't move my face. We fight for dominance so if I turn away now I'll be the loser. 

"Why doesn't it? I'll decide who you date, if you must." he says with a lustful gaze. I turn away abruptly snapping back into reality. Ugh. He's a strong competitor. 

"Whatever... So... How did you get those cuts on your hand?" I say while changing the topic. 

"None of your concern." he says while turning away, putting his eyes back on the road after the light turned green.

"Its all of my concern. Now don't you dare lie." I say while giving him a worried tap. 

"Its... nothing. I don't want you to worry about things you don't need to worry about." he says while pulling up into our neighborhood. 

"Heeseung, that's for me to decide if I'm going to worry or not. Who did you beat up?" I ask with a firm tone this time. 

"Fine. Drop me off here. I can walk." I demand while pulling on the door. He locks it quickly and uses his hand to grab my shirt sleeve before I can take my seatbelt off. 

"Fine! My father. And maybe a guy from the library." he says while taking a sigh of relief when I stop moving. 

"Why?! And who from the library??" I shout. He just chuckles in response while parking into his driveway. 

"Chaewon, it's all for you. Everything I do. It makes me so fucking mad. Especially my father. I'm sorry Chaewon. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. I really really hate myself for it. I'm never drinking again." he says while turning towards me and showing those dark eyes of his. 

"Stop, its not your fault. Let's go." I say while getting out of the car first. I take his sweater and quickly put it on. 

"Come over. Its the least I can do." I say while locking my arm with him. I'm guessing he knows by now that I can't walk straight on my own, and he lends me his shoulder. 

We walk into my breath and I hold my breath, just waiting for my parents to be waiting for me, forcing me to eat and such. 

I appreciate their efforts but sometimes they just don't know how to deal with me. 

"Mom? Dad?" I shout loudly but as usual it's silent. I take a sigh of relief and lean on the kitchen counter. 

"Are you hungry? Thirsty?" he asks making me shake my head. My stomach is begging for food but I just can't. 

"Okay water it is." he says while walking over to the fridge, turning his phone back on. As soon as he does it explodes with notifications, from messages, calls, and Instagram notifications. 

He gets a specific call of someone named 'Gia' that he stares at for a long period of time before looking up at me. I look back awkwardly, and his eyes light up like he's albert Einstein. 

"Will you answer it for me?" he says making me widen my eyes. 

"What? No! She might misunderstand or something." I say while rolling my eyes at him. 

"That's the point ChaeChae. Your too innocent. If your comfortable with it, please answer for me so she doesn't call again. And don't worry, she's a real bitch." he pleads. 

"Hmm... fine. Maybe it will help take my mind off things." I mumble while pulling up a chair next to me. I would walk to him, but my legs feel numb to the point I can't even wiggle my toes.