Learning Again

Sixteen

'"Bryant?"' I whispered, staring at him as he stood there.

'"Yeah."' He said and licked his lips.

'"Can I come in?"' He asked and I cleared my throat, backing up to let him in. As I went to the main room, I kept my arms crossed over my chest, but Min Gi frowned as he saw my face.

'"Nice place, Mads."' Bryant said as he followed me in, but he went quiet as he saw the guys. I turned to him then licked my lips, shaking my head.

'"Why are you here? How did you even find me? How the hell is everyone finding me?!"' I asked and Bryant adjusted his bag on his shoulder, looking away from the guys to me.

'"David told me where you were, your dad told him-"'

'"David needs to be in jail, alongside my dad, Bryant! Why are you here in my house?!"' I asked and Bryant sighed, coming closer and trying to touch me. Trying, but I shoved his hands away and stepped back.

'"I came to bring you home, Mads! I mean, come on! Korea?! That's a child's dream-"'

'"It's my dream, Bryant! I'm staying here, I love it here and I have good friends here!"' I said and he scoffed.

'"Good friends?! Your house is full of guys-"'

"Maddie, who is this?" Hongjoong asked and I turned my head towards my shoulder, not looking at them.

"No one important, Hongjoong." I said and looked at Bryant.

'"Look, you need to go! I don't care why you're here, but go!"' I said and he scoffed, grabbing my arm.

'"HEY!"' I heard Min Gi yell, his deep voice loud and menacing, then I turned to Min Gi and put my hand against his chest as he was suddenly behind me.

"Mingi, stop!" I said and put my other hand on his arm, making him look down at me.

"Stop, he's not going to hurt me! He's not like my dad or my brother!" I said and Mingi scoffed, wrapping his arm around me.

'"Seriously, Maddie?!"' I looked back at Bryant then shook my head.

'"Go home, Bryant! Seriously, go! I don't want you here! We're over, we ended a year ago! Just leave-"'

'"So you choose this tiny dicked Asian over me?! What the hell does he know about you that I don't?! What does he even have, huh?!"' Bryant asked and I growled, stepping away from Mingi and shoving Bryant's chest, knocking him to the ground.

'"Min Gi is better than you will ever be! He's sweet, gentle, he actually listens to me and cares about me! Unlike you, he never hurts me and wants to take care of me! And, for your information, his dick size has nothing to do with why I care about him!"' I yelled and Bryant's green eyes widened as he held his hand up in defense of himself.

'"So that's it, Mads?"' He whispered and slowly stood, staying away as I glared at him.

'"You're... him, over me? This place over home?"' He asked, motioning to the windows with his other hand.

'"Seoul is my home now!"' I snapped and clenched my fists.

"Maddie, calm down!" Min Gi said and caught my wrist, my anger vanishing the second his fingers wrapped around my arm. I took a deep breath then closed my eyes, stepping back into Mingi's warmth, then I opened my eyes and glared at Bryant.

'"Go back to Anaheim, tell David and my father that I will never return to the US for good, and make sure you tell all of the people who want to stalk me the same as well! Get out of Seoul, Bryant, and don't come back!"' I warned and he nodded, licking his lips.

'"You'll come to your senses one day, Mads, and I won't be there to protect you when you do! Neither will Riley!"' He said, but I smirked and lifted my chin.

'"I have come to my senses, and I don't need any of you to protect me any longer!"' I said and he scoffed, turning and leaving. San followed him to lock the door, but I turned and sighed into Mingi's chest, his arms wrapping around me.

"Are you okay?" He whispered and I nodded, wrapping my arms around Mingi.

"I'm perfect again!" I breathed and looked up at him.

"Don't leave my side." I whispered and he grinned.

"Not unless I have to." He said and leaned down, softly kissing my lips.

"Who was that?" I broke away from Mingi then looked at Jongho, sighing as I went to the kitchen to grab the plate of breakfast Hongjoong had finished during my talk with Bryant.

"A very distant ex-boyfriend who thought I'd still want him." I explained and went to the living room, sitting and pulling my legs under me in crossed fashion.

"Why do people keep trying to take you back to the US?" Hongjoong asked and I scoffed.

"They believe I wanted to come here to get away from my dad." I said and pushed my hair back, eating as Mingi sat on the couch next to me.

"But you've always wanted to come here!" Yeosang said and I nodded.

"Exactly, and my mom knows that. Notice how she's not begging me to come home!" I said and they laughed, but began teasing Mingi before long.

"We told you-"

"Shut up!" Mingi laughed, sipping his coffee, then I leaned forward to grab mine right as Yeosang set his plate down. As he bumped my coffee, I dropped the mug and luckily missed burning myself or Yeosang, but the mug shattered on the ground.

"Shit!" I cursed and Yeosang jumped away, but Seonghwa grabbed his friend.

"Maddie, don't move!" Mingi said as Jongho stood to get my broom.

"Sorry, Maddie!" Yeosang said, but I shook my head and sighed.

"It's okay, Yeosang. Are you okay?" I asked and he nodded.

"Then it's fine, just be careful." I said and smiled as Seonghwa stood to sweep up the shards, Yeosang taking the towel from Jongho to wipe up the coffee. What a great start to my morning!