Broken Deal | Choi Jiung

3

it was so fast. everything happened too fast. one second she was floating as her body was picked up and now she was laying on the ground with another person next to her who's cursing every curse word she knew existed.

"eun ba ram, are you crazy? why would you do that?"

the person shouted furiously at her. ba ram was speechless, tears still flowing on her cheeks as she tried to calm herself.

"go away, ji ung."

it was awkward to say his name. they never talked to each other despite being in the same class.

"shit, they really beat the hell out of you, today. can you stand up?" he held on her shoulder, helping as she nodded her head. "I'm sorry i shouted at you earlier. i panicked."

"it's okay."

"of course you are not. is it because of what happened today?"

ba ram said nothing as she brushed off the dust and dirt on her school uniform, sniffing as she did so. ji ung hesitated but also joined to brushed the dirt on her bag pack and her hair.

she looked up at him and raised her eyebrows at his action, also realizing at how tall he is.

she moved away from him a bit, feeling slightly uncomfortable. ji ung noticed and stopped his action, holding both his hands up before putting them down again.

"eun ba ram, i know this is our first time talking with each other and even being this close. i don't want you to think that i am a creep but, please hear me out. you are very smart, you have the brightest future i can imagine of with that brain of yours. you are precious and killing yourself today because of those bitches would mean nothing. you lose, they win."

ba ram's heart clenched at his words. truth hurts and she's hurting at how everything that ji ung spurted are all true.

"why do you care? we are not even close, ji ung"

"i don't care. i just don't want you to lose to those stupid bitches. they are just a bunch of losers that are insecure and trying to find something to project their insecurities on. sadly, they chose you to be their sandbag. also unfortunately, because you are just too smart for them. they are insecure of smart people just like you."

"so, you knew that i was bullied by them all this time?"

"i mean... the whole school knew about it." ji ung shrugged his shoulders as he looked under the bridge.

"why didn't you do anything then? you skipped classes just to punch or fight with some guys."

"i don't punch girls."

"then protect me from them."