YELLOW | yj x bg

☀︎ twenty four.

"If this home isn't clean from the top to bottom by the time I get back, you'll hear it from me then, boy." Beomgyu's mother's harsh tone reverberated across the four walls of the entrance hallway.

Beomgyu fiddled with his clothes, desperate to get it out even though he knows it won't make a difference to what his mom will say. "I-is it okay if I can do it tomorrow? I have this test I need to learn for."

"Too bad, you needed to have revised a few days ago then." She grabs her coat and hastily puffs some blush on her cheeks while gazing into the mirror.

Beomgyu was quiet. He didn't speak up about how he only came to find out today because his mom gave him back his phone just last night, and when he opened it up he saw at least 100 notifications on the class chat group freaking out about all the topics that are coming for tomorrow's exam.

"It's just-" He musters enough courage to say. "...The teachers have been worried. My friends are asking me if everything's alright." His voice did not rise above a crack.

"You don't think I know about that? Your school has called me enough times already. I gave them some pathetic excuse as to why you couldn't make it this past week. Oh, and..." She breaks her gaze from the mirror and stares deeply down Beomgyu's nose. "I see you hanging around with your friends too often, so don't forget this is as punishment. You're almost in your last year of school but look at your grades. I know for sure those suspicious friends of yours are to do with it."

Is it normal for a mother to give her son a punishment right before his birthday? Is it normal to tear him away from the one thing that keeps him sane- his friends? Is it normal to treat him like he's not her own fresh and blood?

"But you give me chores even with all the time I spend at home, I don't get enough time to study-"

"Even if you did get time to study, nothing would go into your head. Should I remind you once again what I'll do if you end up with a grade less than B, Beomgyu?"

Beomgyu wanted to shout at her. He wanted to scream that she's contradicting herself. She wants him to score well and forces him to stay at home to study, all the while interfering with his studying time and making him do chores.

"And by the way, you're not celebrating your birthday." Beomgyu's heart gives out at her words. "You're not going outside, not inviting anybody in. You need to stay locked up in your room and be reminded of what you've done."

Beomgyu's head hangs low. How much was he looking forward to this Saturday? How much was he wanting to see his four friends' faces again? How much did he cry into his pillow at night, but mustered enough courage to start the day because he knew someday sooner or later, he'll be able to see them again?

Is this his fault too? If he had behaved better, would she still invent some other excuse as to why he should stay indoors?

He wants to say, 'What have I done so wrong for you to treat me this way? If you don't want me to hang out with my friends, I swear I never will again. But at least don't treat me like a prisoner in my own house.' But he knows he doesn't have enough nerve to. His heart has hardened too much.

"Oh my goodness, look at the time!" His mom clicks his tongue as she glances up at the clock. "You've me late for work, boy, with your endless nagging."

She walks out the door, slamming it behind her, and locks the door 3 times, leaving Beomgyu to slump by down the wall, head in his hands as a cacophony of sobs racked through his body.