Embrace Me || jwy [✅️]

vi

Jang Wonyoung

"Wonyoung, oras na para lumabas na ulit." Tita said, looking at me sitting on the bed, staring into nothing.

"I don't think I can, tita."

"It's been years, Wonyoung. Hindi ka pwede mag-kulong dito habang-buhay."

"Will they shut me out?"

"Of course, not. Keep calm and don't get yourself involved with negative people, okay?" I nodded, she left.

It's been six years, and the trauma is still bothering me. I still felt like everything that happened is my fault. What if people would talk behind my back if they saw me? I'm shaking.

As I entered the campus, I saw everyone's eyes on me, and even cameras flashing on me. It made me shiver and anxious with every movement.

I was just walking on the hallway to find my room, when I suddenly bumped to four girls unknowingly. And to my surprise, we met again.

"Wow, buhay ka pa pala." She said.

"Yujin, 'wag mo naman sirain araw mo." One of her friends whispered.

"Too late. Sira na ang araw ko."

I remained silent and tried to make my way past behind her, but she didn't let me go.

"Bakit ka muna nandito?" She asked.

"Imagine being a liar, cutting classes, deceiving the teachers, paying for the grades, and betraying your friend...

What's next? Killing people?"

My eyes widened and felt my body shaking after she mentioned those things, and I unconsciously became aggressive, grabbing her uniform.

"I did not kill anyone, Yujin. Would you like to volunteer?"

Those words made people stare at me, and even Yujin gave me a facial expression.

"I- I didn't mean that. I'm sorry." I said and rushed to my classroom.

I'm just sitting quietly on my desk, not evem moving an inch, rethinking what I have done just a while ago. Suddenly, my phone vibrated for three consecutive times. Turns out, I received messages from... unknown?

-

anon

: eager to start a fuss on your first day already?

: don't add gasoline to the fire, jang wonyoung

: you're going to make it worse

-

Okay, what now? Who is this? This day just keeps on getting worse, and I don't even know why I agreed to go out of the house in the first place.

"Welcome back, Ms. Jang Wonyoung."

Our professor greeted, and everyone clapped slowly. Yeah, napilitan lang sila.

As I thought that this day would be fine, it even became hell. The stares and whispers everywhere in the campus where I'm at is just undeniably pressuring.

I went to the bathroom quickly, and while I'm washing my hands, someone approached me.

"You could just ignore them, you know?" The familiar girl said, but I just remained silent.

"I'm Naoi Rei nga pala, one of Yujin's friends here." I smiled at her. Now I see why she's familiar, because she's with Yujin earlier.

Even before I could reply, she left the room, and I went out after a while, and tried to follow her slowly.

"Aoi! Bilisan mo, hahaba na ang pila sa cafeteria!" Another girl called her, and for sure, it's one of Yujin's friends too.

I followed to the cafeteria and didn't notice that I'm about to cut the line, and what happened next frightened me.

"Watch it, Wonyoung. You're cutting the line. Entitled?" This random girl told me in a harsh manner.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." I answered.

"Hindi mo na kailangan mag-panggap na mabait, alam mo ba 'yon?" She said.

"Be, 'wag mo na subukan, baka ikaw pa sumunod sa magulang niyan." Another girl told her, and they laughed, while I'm getting triggered once again.

I was about to answer back, when someone pulled my hand away from those girls.

"Hold back. Answering back won't do you any good." Sabi niya, at napalingon naman ako.

"Yujin?"

"You have a lot of explaining to do, Wonyoung."

"I'm really sorry, Yujin."

"Ayokong marinig 'yan ngayon."

She placed me at the back of the line and went to their table.

There's not a moment I don't look at Yujin every time she's there. I kept remembering how we used to bond, and now I wonder...

"What have I done?"

We were happy and she's still right now, but with other people. The same smile, the same person, but not the same as before.

-

Hyunseo

: how's your day so far, ate?

: make friends :)

it's not as easy as you think

: i wish i'm there to help you :(

well i don't

: wow, thanks ha

you're welcome?

-

As I arrived home, I received a warm smile from tita, so I just smiled a little and went to my room immediately.

"Hindi ka ba muna kakain ng gabihan, Won?" She asked, peeking at my door.

"I'm full, tita. Thanks."

"Sige, mag-titira nalang ako para sa'yo at baka magutom ka. Mag-pahinga ka nang maaga at may pasok ka pa ulit bukas."

"Do I really have to?"

"You'll get used to it, hmm? Good night." She replied and closed the door.

Get used to what? To people staring at me and thinking I killed my parents? Whatever it is on their minds, it is and will never be true. I can't even accept the fact that it happened.

"I didn't do it, did I?"

And once again, tears flooded my face and my eyes are closed until it's tired and sleepy.

- hanggang kailan ba tayo makukulong sa nakaraang hindi natin matakasan?