Photograph [on hold]

Hello?

When we arrived back to the store I ran from, I had stopped crying and calmed down, but I couldn't stop shaking after what has just happened. He stopped me outside of the entrance and turned so we were facing each other.

"Do you remember the other two people?" I nod, I kind of remember, but I didn't get a very good look at them. "I'm going to introduce you to them too okay?" I nod again, and he leads me over to one of the benches in the store where the three are talking.

"Guys," Kota says, and they all turn, studying me. My cheeks flush, adding to their already pink color. "This is Sang."

I offer up a smile and a wave.

"Hi, I'm Victor." I recognize him as the one who got punched in the face. He has eyes that look like fire has been trapped inside, he was gorgeous. Another guy stepped in front of me.

"Hello, Ms. ?"

"Sorenson." I whisper. He holds out his hand and I shake it, his own enveloping mine in a gentle but firm way.

"I'm Mr. Blackbourne." He says. He has steel, commanding eyes hidden behind black rims like Kota's. He is the definition of perfection. Another guy steps in front of me, pulling me into a hug. I stiffen slightly before relaxing again and he lets me go, standing back and looking at me.

"My name is Dr. Sean Green." He says, winking. His eyes twinkle and his face holds a wide grin. He looks cute, in a way. I smile back at him, still blushing a little. "So Sang, how can I be of assistance?" He asks.

"Well, ..."

"She told me her shoulder and her wrists hurt." Kota says, answering for me, and Dr. Green smiles.

"Have a seat and I'll look at them." He says, and I sit down slowly, my heart pounding. He slowly took my wrists and gently pressed in different areas, turning them over. "There might be some bruising, but other than that they will probably feel like nothing happened in the morning."

I nod, staring off into the distance.

"I'm going to move your shirt down a little to look at your shoulder, okay?" He asks, and I nod, not trusting my mouth in case it said no.

The cool air collided with my shoulder and I shivered. But his hands, pressing in different spots on my shoulder, were surprisingly warm, and he was careful and gentle. When my shirt was replaced, I took a deep breath.

"Mostly minor bruising." He said, handing me a bottle of water.

"Thank you, Dr. Green."

"Call me Sean."

I nod. "Okay Dr. Sean."

Victor and Kota laughed, and the side of Mr. Blackbourne's mouth turned up.

"Ms. Sorenson?"

"Yes?"

"Can we assist you getting home?"

I looked at my hands, trying to sort all of this out. So, my parent and step parent got put in jail so I suppose I should go to my real mother's house? And pretend like nothing happened? What am I going to tell my mom? I'm sure I'll think of something, besides, it's not like she's going to care anyway. Here's the thing with my mom: she doesn't really care what happens as long as it doesn't cause her problems. She's nice, and doesn't hate or abuse me, but she's .... never really cared for me a lot either. I live a pretty independent life, stay in the shadows, out of trouble, and be invisible basically.

Feeling the weight of their eyes on me, I realize I haven't answered their question.

"Um, no thank you, I'll just... call my mom..." I say, pulling out my phone.

"Hey. Can I give you my number?" Kota asks. I stare at him then blink.

"Yeah sure." I hand him my phone. He types his number in and hands it back, and I dial my mom's number, pressing it to my ear.

"Hello?" My mother's clear voice rings through the phone.

"Hey mom."

"Sweetie? What's up?"

"Can you come pick me up?"

"I thought you were with your dad today?"

"I was, and then they got arrested." I manage to choke out. There's a pause on the other end of the line.

"Oh. Are you okay? Where are you? Are you with somebody?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, I'm at the mall, and I'm with the people who put them in jail."

"Alright sweetie I'm on my way. Meet me at the west entrance okay?"

"Yeah." I said weakly.

"Good. Love you bye."

"Bye." I say, but she's already hung up. I put my elbows on my knees, resting my face in my hands. Someone sat next to me. It was Kota. He pulled me into him.

"Want to talk about it?" He asked gently. I sigh.

"It's just, you know, I've been going back and forth between my mother and my father and stepmother for so long and now they're in jail and my mother, you know, she doesn't care about- never mind, you don't want to hear this, I should probably get going." Kota looked at me.

"I want to help you, Sang. Please tell me." I don't know why I went on telling him, or what he could do about it, but I continued as they studied me.

"Well, my mother isn't mean and she doesn't hate me or abuse me, but she doesn't really care for me either. She's just strict, and doesn't want me getting into trouble, or really doing anything that could cause her problems, so..."

My phone buzzed and I jumped. I looked at my phone. "I need to go." I say, hurriedly. "Thanks for everything and I'm sorry if I caused you any trouble. I guess I'll see you around." I say, and rush off hurriedly. None of them follow me for which I am grateful, and I rush to my mother's car when I reach the entrance, sliding in my seat and settling in for the ride home.