Two-Sided Coin

Chapter 8

"Don't worry, he's fine."

"Fine? How is he fine? He's passed out on the couch!"

"Well, he wasn't fine, but he's fine now. Just wait until he wakes."

"What happened, anyway?"

"I'm not sure. I think he remember that he turned off his phone and you were looking for him so he started having a panic attack. By the time he turned on his phone, his hands were trembling so much that he dropped it. Nearly broke it. So I lay him down on the couch to rest. He'll be fine when he wakes."

There was a pause.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Jungkook, it's okay."

I chose this moment to open my eyes and take in my surroundings.

"Tae, are you awake?"

Jungkook was by my side immediately. I groaned softly, turning my head to look at him.

"Clearly," I muttered sarcastically, then sat up with a heavy sigh. Hands held me up by my bony back and things began coming back when I saw a small group of six people huddled around me.

"You okay?" N asked, his voice thick with concern. I managed a smile and nodded, then looked at Jungkook.

"I'm so sorry for turning off my phone," I apologized, tears already threatening to appear again. He shook his head profusely and rubbed my shoulders.

"It's really fine, Tae, N hyung called me and now I'm here. Everything's okay," he insisted gently, sitting down next to me. I took a deep, calming breath, and nodded.

"Okay, Kookie," I mumbled, leaning into his touch. Just as I was getting comfortable, I felt five pairs of eyes on me. I forgot we had company.

"Um, I think we're going to go," I told them, getting up slowly. Jungkook followed, carefully watching my every move.

"Are you sure you're fine? Do you need something for the road?" N gushed, coming up next to me.

"We're fine," Jungkook insisted, steering me to the door with a hand between my shoulderblades.

N didn't look very convinced, but he let us go. Jungkook put on his shoes and was leaving, then looked back at me impatiently. Suddenly, I had a sense of responsibility.

"Go on," I told Jungkook. "I need to say bye to my...friends."

His eyes widened in shock, but he nodded.

"A-Alright..." he drew out, then left slowly, closing the door softly behind him.

I turned awkwardly to the five people behind me, shifting my weight.

"Well, um," I cleared my throat, wringing my hands. "Thanks for...taking care of me?"

"No problem," Ken insisted, patting my shoulder.

"Hey Tae, I was meaning to ask," Sanghyuk interjected. "You were all alone, working at the convenience store at four a.m. on a school night... Why?"

I tensed for a moment, then shrugged.

"I'm planning on quitting school staring tomorrow because I needed to apply for a full-time job. We're...running low on money and I didn't want to bother Kookie..." I explained, my gaze slowly lowering to my feet as I trailed off. A silence ensued, then Ken spoke up.

"Why don't you work for us?"

My head snapped up and I stared, wide-eyed.

"Really? What would I do?"

Ken shrugged.

"Clean? Run errands? Keep us company? Whatever we feel like, I guess," he said. "We'd pay you a fairly good amount... 14,000 won an hour sound good?"

I nodded enthusiastically, then bowed.

"Thank you. Oh my goodness, thank you," I mused, then Ken patted my back.

"No need to thank us. We'd really like to help out," he insisted.

I grinned widely, then bowed again and moved to the door.

"Okay, I'll be back in an hour or so. Just need to drop off Jungkook at school," I promised, then left to a chorus of goodbyes.

This was so new. I felt...accepted. Maybe it was because they don't know about my past or present. It was nice to meet people who couldn't judge me for what I couldn't change. Of course there was Jungkook, but even with him, there must be at least a shred of judgement left in him. There was no way for someone to live with someone like me and accept them fully. It was impossible.

"Hyung, you okay?" Jungkook asked me as I approached him.

"Yes, I'm fine," I replied on instinct, flashing a small, fake smile. He didn't look convinced (I was beginning to think no one was) but didn't mention anything and just led me outside and to our home.

...

The walk was silent. It wasn't very uncomfortable, just a pleasant calm all the way home. Once we arrived, I immediately sent him to school with a half-assed excuse that I was too tired to go. It took some convincing, but he was gone in fifteen minutes flat, and I sighed heavily, then made my way back to VIXX' dorms.

They welcomed me warmly, this time with one (quite miserable) addition.

"Hello, I'm Kim Taehyung," I introduced myself politely, receiving simply and hum of acknowledgement and a sour look. I frowned slightly, then glanced uncertainly at N. He sighed and patted the boy's shoulder.

"This is Jung Taekwoon, or Leo. Don't mind him. He's like that to everyone," he assured me, then slung an arm around me.

"So, your first task," he suddenly said enthusiastically, steering me forcefully to the kitchen where all of the dishes from the night before were stacked in the sink.

We stood for a couple seconds, just staring at the pile, then he pat my back quite hard and moved back to the rest of the group, mumbling something that sounded like, "Good luck."

I let out a breath, not moving from my spot. I mean, at least I was with...friends? Could I really call them that? Yes, I felt a lot more comfortable with them than most people, but still... They don't know me and I don't know them. If they found out the monster I was, would they willingly let me into their home? Most people wouldn't. It's a miracle that Jungkook hasn't kicked me out yet. I'm still not sure that he cares. There was no reason for him to. I'm just lucky to have him there, comforting me through my hard times.

I finally managed to move, grabbing a sponge and soap, then a bowl. It seemed like so long ago that I last did this. In reminiscence, I applied the dish soap in a series of dots, shaping it into a smiley face. It made a spark ignite in my chest and I watched it for a few moments, the liquid slowly smearing and drooping. I eventually got tired and started scrubbing.

This is not the time to think or feel. Wallowing in self-pity offered me no help. Work helped. It earned me money. I needed to put food on Jungkook's plate. I needed to put a roof over his head. Focusing on the task at hand would provide that.

So I did. Yet again I blanked my mind and started to work.