Heart's Promise

Chapter 13

"Joe, you need to talk to me." Jin shook him by the shoulders. "What. Happened?" He asked.

"You don't have to get so worked up." Joe said, panicking. "I hit them first anyway."

"Why?"

"It's complicated."

"I don't care, just tell me what happened."

"Ok fine." Joe sighed, defeated. "Just don't get mad at me. You know I posted a picture of Mark and me on Instagram a few days ago. And ever since then, I've been having some trouble from a few people in my class. Well, not just in my class, there's this group of people and some of them are in my class. They just keep saying stuff when they see me and I don't know why but I just snapped today. I got really mad and I punched one of them. I know it was not the best idea because it was just me against three of them." Joe was looking down as he said it. "Also, the principal has asked to meet Mom tomorrow afternoon."

"Oh, why didn't you tell me that before?" Their mom asked, concerned. "I have to leave early tomorrow morning for work."

"That's alright." Jin said. "I can go meet them."

"But what about your classes?"

"That's not an issue." Jin replied. "I'll be there tomorrow." He looked at Joe. "Does it hurt too much?"

"No." Joe shook his head. "Well, a little."

Jin gently touched his face almost like it would heal him and Joe sniffed, blinking away the tears that formed in his eyes. "It's going to be ok." Jin whispered while holding Joe, gently stroking his head.

The next day, Jin was unable to sit still in class. His mind drifted to Joe and his teary eyes as he had dropped him off at school in the morning. Jin had asked him to stay home but Joe had insisted on going to school. He sighed for the umpteenth time, the book in front of him blank.

"What is it?" Ren asked as they left their class. "You look a little pissed at something."

"Joe." Jin said. "You were right." He turned to look at Mark. "He did have issues in school, he just didn't tell me."

"What issues?" Mark frowned. "Is he ok?"

"No." Jin went on to tell Mark and Ren what Joe had told him the previous night.

"He's hurt?" Mark asked, eyes wide. "I texted him yesterday night and he never said anything. Maybe I should have called him."

"Is it bad?" Ren asked.

"No, he's in school." Jin said. "But I have to go meet with the principal in the afternoon."

"I'm coming with you." Mark said immediately.

"Well then, I'm coming too." Ren said.

Jin looked from one to the other, frowning. He knew that he would not be able to persuade either of them from not following him, especially Mark. He was not sure he wanted to, either. It would be nice to have somebody with him.

"Fine." Jin said and the three of them headed out to his car.

Joe was waiting by the gate when they arrived. His hands were shaking slightly as he tried to tamp down his nervousness. As soon as the car stopped in front of him, Mark was out of the car and putting his arms around Joe.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"I'm ok." Joe's voice was muffled against his shoulder.

"Why did you not tell me anything?" Mark asked, leaning back to look at Joe, his arms still wrapped around him.