Race to you

Chapter 4: 🏍️

Kim sat on a concrete bench, looking out at the sun setting right in front of him. It's past 6 PM; most students are finishing their class. Kim knew he should leave the jilted garden, but how can he stand up and walk away when the place is peaceful as it is despite being abandoned.

It was once a full of life garden where he usually spent his time making music and finishing his requirements-now, students have forgotten this small park after the University's Committee decided to build a new building that almost ruined the park. Good thing there's still a small portion that wasn't demolished.

He's at his uni, at the small park behind his faculty. It's been a while since Kim went here. Let's see... A year or so? He's stuck as a 3rd year student who only finished his 1st semester. A junior who put a pause in his studies.

"Excuse me, sir? I don't think-" A curious voice from his back got Kim's attention.

Someone still knew this place aside from him?

Kim took his time to turn his back. He took a deep breath, collected his thoughts and reasons on why he's here, and prepared his excuses.

When he turned his back, he faced Porchay's surprised eyes. They were wide and in shock but they still shine on him. "P'Kim?" The younger hesitantly asks.

Kim only let out a sigh of relief. Good. He doesn't have to force himself to leave. He wanted to stay longer. Especially now that he got a company.

Porchay half ran and half walked towards him. He's carrying his backpack on one shoulder and a guitar case on the other.

The younger flop beside him, dropped his back on the concrete bench together with his guitar case that he carefully laid down.

"P'Kim, how come you're- what happened?" The younger's voice quickly shifted from excitement to concern, his eyes looking at Kim's right cheek. "Are you okay?" He worriedly asked.

Kim notices how Porchay is hesitating to touch him, his hand hanging in the air as he bites the corner of his lower lip. He saw how Porchay slowly retracted his hand back, keeping it tucked on his side. "I'm okay. It's nothing." Kim said, trying to be as believable as possible, wanting to calm Porchay.

"But..." Porchay glances at Kim, straight to the older's eyes. "Does it hurt?" Porchay wanted to touch it. That thin fine cut on Kim's upper cheekbone and the bruise that's turning deep purple just below it. Porchay wanted to feel them through his fingertips. "Can I?" He softly asked as he once again raised his hand close to Kim's face.

Kim nodded; giving a short, quick, and silent permission to Porchay.

Porchay wasted no time, he used his fingers; hooking his pointy finger under Kim's chin and his thumb on top. He moved Kim's face, angling it up a bit for him to have a full view of Kim's bruises. Then it hit him, what Porsche told him yesterday morning. That his boyfriend had an argument with his younger brother.

"Did someone hurt you?" Porchay asked. He wanted to know if his Hia's boyfriend hurt Kim. His question made Kim flinch a bit, it's faint but Porchay felt it. He was really hurt by his older brother then, by his Hia's boyfriend.

"It's nothing, Porchay." Kim just dismisses his question.

"Does it hurt?"