Misunderstood || Park Sunghoon

9

Sunghoon

I walked into class a bit late, but honestly, I couldn’t care less. School is draining, and all I want to do is go home. It’s the last lesson anyway, so who cares? I dropped into my seat, barely paying attention as I glanced over to Hae-won’s usual spot. Empty. That’s strange… Where did she go this time? Worry began to creep in, but I couldn’t do anything now. I’d have to wait for the class to end. I forced myself to pull out my books, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling in my chest.

I couldn’t focus at all though. My mind kept drifting back to Hae-won. Then I heard two girls whispering behind me. “Yeah, she was dragging her away.” “She looked really mad.” “I feel bad for her… she’s only been here a week and is already her new target.” My grip tightened around my pen. Were they talking about Hae-won? If anyone’s touched her, I swear… My worry quickly twisted into anger. This lesson better hurry up so I can find her.

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Finally, the bell rang. I shoved my books into my bag and darted for the door, only to see a bunch of girls running down the hall, whispering and looking panicked. What’s their problem? I scanned the hallway and spotted Heeseung, chatting up some girl I didn’t know. Figures; He always has a new target, but right now, I couldn’t care less.

“Heeseung,” I called. His eyes shifted to me, his expression sharpening when he saw my face. “I'll message you later,” he muttered to the girl, who looked between us before nodding and walking off.

“Have you seen Hae-won?” I asked. “Nope, haven’t seen her all day. Why?”

I clenched my jaw. I’d seen them talking at lunch… Why was he lying? I tried to figure it out, but his face was annoyingly blank, giving away nothing. “No reason.” I muttered, turning before he could say another word. Something felt very wrong.

I searched every corner of the building, but she was nowhere to be found. I even messaged Jake, hoping he’d have an idea where she was, but he left me on read. Was he mad at me or something? Whatever. I had more important things to deal with right now. I’ll find her myself. Running outside, I checked the usual path she took home, but there was no sign of her. Maybe I’d missed her back at school?

I turned to head back when, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed someone stumbling along the sidewalk, looking more like a zombie than a person. Her clothes were ripped and stained, her hair tangled, and her face bruised and bleeding. My heart dropped. Hae-won?

She looked like she was seconds from collapsing, barely able to drag herself forward. I sprinted toward her, reaching her just as her legs gave out, and she fell into my arms. She looked up, and the sight tore through me; her face was as pale as a ghost, and her eyes were glassy with exhaustion. Mascara was smeared down her cheeks, and sweat dripped from her brow.

“Hae-won, what happened to you?” I asked, panic creeping into my voice, but her eyelids fluttered shut, and she went completely limp in my arms. Shit. I needed to get her somewhere safe now, and fast. Jake’s house is way too far. I'll take her to mine since it's closer. Lifting her carefully, I made my way back as quickly as I could, feeling the weight of urgency pressing down on me.

Her breathing was shallow, and with every step, I could feel the blood soaking through her clothes. I didn’t even want to think about what had happened to her, but I knew one thing: whoever did this was going to pay.