Breaking Out // Gahmi

Twenty-Three

Yoohs mom pov

To say I was worried was an understatement. I knew it was mostly just teenagers being overly dramatic about pretty much everything, but I'm starting to get a weird feeling about things. My daughter was usually a big cry baby, so that wasn't all that out of order. But Yubin was usually a lot more reserved in showing her feelings openly. So seeing her that fidgety and visibly shaken got me thinking of the worst.

I know I shouldn't meddle, but I just can't watch that kid being so down. Especially with everything her parents put her through. What monsters say and do those things to their very own child? I could never fathom treating my own daughter like that. That's just evil.

"Yubin." I said softly, trying to not worry her further. Though that might be hard with what I have to say. When life throws shit at you it really throws everything it can come up with. That poor girl just can't catch a break. "The police station called. They want to have you in to go over a couple of questions."

"Oh. Okay." An emotion crossed her face so fast that I couldn't quite place it. Uneasiness? Fear maybe? I can't read her that well yet, but I'm learning.

"Come on, I'll give you a ride. Girls, we'll be back in a minute." I said and turned on my heels, giving them a few seconds of privacy. I waited patiently for Yubin to come out, grabbing my car keys in the meantime.

I led her to my car and put on some soft music, hoping that it would calm her nerves a little bit. It really hurt me to see her like this. Slouching in her seat, as if she tried to take up as little space as possible. She picked her nails in an anxious habit.

What have those awful parents done with this poor child? Ever since Yoohyeon introduced her to me she was quiet and shy, even more so now. Since then I had been trying to figure out if her personality was just like that, which would have been perfectly fine or if there was more to it and I can't shake the feeling that something with her parents went incredibly wrong. Because now she seems so bright and open around my daughter, less guarded. But whenever her parents are mentioned she shuts everyone out immediately.

To be fair, no wonder. What I've seen of her father the other day was unfathomable to me. How could you treat your own child like that? How dare you treat anyone like that really? If she went through this all her life I - honestly I don't know what to do about it. All I know is that this child needs someone right now to take her in, to be her family. To fight for her. And I swear to the heavens above that is exactly what I'm going to do.

"Is everything alright? You seem extra gloomy today?" I tried to break the quiet, attempting to signal her that it is alright to talk to me. That it is fine to have doubts and fears. That I'm not them.

"I - Uhmm." She fiddled with her hands, staring down at them.

"It's okay." I reached over to gently place my hand on hers,stopping them from picking at her nails further and gave her a warm smile. "You don't have to if you don't want to. I just wanted you to know that you could talk to me. That I'm here and I can listen or keep a secret, if you need it."

"Thank you." I heard her mumble, a grateful smile spreading over her face. "It's just -" she swallowed. "It's just a lot right now."

"What is?" I asked, showing interest but not pushing her into any conversation she wasn'T ready ro have yet.

"Everything." She waited a few seconds before continuing. "Today has been a lot, first school and now this." A sad expression crossed her face before she willed it away.

"What happened?" I kept my voice as gentle and steady as possible.

"Just someone at school that I think I really like. And I thought we hit it off well, but I guess they don't like me back."