I GOT YOU, MINJAE. | ANTON LEE ™

EIGHT.

"Don't worry about him."

Minjoon growled, his hands delicately rubbing cream on Minjae's red cheek. He felt guilty, guilty that he wasn't there in time to stop his father. "I'm sorry I let him hit you," his brother mumbled as he finished his work.

However, Minjae just stared at him. He didn't even move an inch, his eyes pooling with tears that beg to fall.

"What does she see in him ?"

Minjoon sighed and immediately pulled the younger into a hug, "hyung, why does she allow him to come back ?" By now, he was crying. The sobs ripping out of him like jagged shards, echoing in the silence of their bathroom.

He couldn't even give him an answer, him too also wondering why. All he could do was comfort the lad the best he could. "I don't know ... stop crying."

Minjae continued until he felt exhausted. His puffy eyes closed as he imagined his fantasy life, "thank you, hyung." His older brother chuckled, the vibrations causing Minjae to also smile. "You know I'd always make sure you're ok."

"Hyung ... you're the greatest."

With that, Minjoon soon exited the room, the lad now alone in the bathroom. He jumped off the counter before rushing in his room. Instantly, he went into his pocket and pulled out the small packet.

He slowly poured out the powder, scared to make a mess. His head turned again to make sure his door was locked. After doing his normal routine, he had four lines before him on his desk. Minjae's hand reached over to grab a straw, his head lowering to snort a line.

Ring Ring Ring.

'What the fuck.'

He dropped the straw and picked up his phone. "Oh. It's Yeji," he mumbled before swiping to answer. "You called at an odd time, what's up ?"
The lad's ear was soon filled with giggles emerging from his friend.

"Hi Minjae ! Do you know what next Monday is ?" Next Monday ? As he sat there trying to think, he scratched his head in confusion. "What's with next Monday ?"

Oh how he wished he never asked.

"What the hell do you mean what's with next Monday ? You're telling me you haven't been keeping up with the dates or anything ?" She rambled on and on, Minjae just sitting there taking in every word as he waited for an answer. Eventually she finished scolding him, "so what exactly is next Monday besides your birthday again ?"

Silence. That all he heard. Suddenly, a sigh flowed past her lips. "Next Monday is not only my birthday, but the first day of our senior year." Minjae froze. He forgot. He quickly responded, "oh yeah, senior year. Thats next Monday ?"

Yeji couldn't help but groan, "yes Minjae, that's the point of me calling." Minjae just rolled his eyes and sat up in his chair. "Well I guess I'm ready for my last year, you ?" He heard shuffling on the other side, his body tensing.

"I mean yeah. I feel like it's gonna be a breeze," she spoke before sighing. "I can tell you're not interested in the conversation so I'll talk to you later yeah ?"

Minjae responded with a hum, his hands replacing his phone with his straw. His eyes trailed on the line before he took in the powder without hesitation. The boy leaned back, his chest puffed out as he sniffled the left over particles. Soon he relaxed, his arms resting against the arm of the chair.

Minutes passed and all the lines were gone, his desk left with nothing but little residue. He sat there, staring into the wall with the thought of him.

Anton.