As You Are (Kim Taehyung Story)

Chapter 6

"Actually.. I.. I can't really like. Okay I have this condition of sensitive skin. Okay you might find this really ridiculous because I too, find it really difficult to believe when I first got to know. The thing is, my skin, can't really get into contact with other people's skin. I'll get bad rashes. Don't ask me why because up till now, I don't even know how and why. I constantly have to be careful and take the medication whenever my rashes appears. It's really difficult. Because it's impossible to not accidentally touch someone else's hand or whatever when you're in public, especially at a crowded place. The rashes is really itchy and painful and I could sometimes even get fever. Even when I'm explaining to you, I find it weird and ridiculous. But that's how it is"

Taehyung's face looked so upset and he couldn't even lift up his face.

"Is that why you wore gloves in school? And always wearing long sleeves?"

Taehyung just nod.

"I'm sorry.. I should have asked you earlier instead of straight up blaming and scolding you. But, is your condition getting better?"

"It is better now. The doctor said that if I took real good care of it, it can be gone soon. But not sure how soon is the soon"

"And is that also why you had to leave your previous town?"

"Yeah.. My friends got sick of me for not always joining them for activities and outings. They know about my condition but refuse to understand it and saying that I am just making up excuses every time. We had to move because my grandfather couldn't afford to pay the rent there anymore and the place there is too crowded, unlike here"

I just nodded as I listened to him.

"Don't worry. You'll have a better life here" I assured him.

"I hope so. That is why, I had to ask you to buy for me my lunch because there were so many people there just now and I think Jooheon is annoyed with me, isn't he?"

"Ah, don't worry about him. I'll explain to him everything, if you don't mind"

The next day in school, I explained to Jooheon everything and he gets it now and he himself said that we should "protect" Taehyung at all cost and to help him. Sometimes, really, the words that comes out from Jooheon's mouth is very mushy but that's Jooheon. There's nothing that I can do to change him and I don't even want to.

A few weeks later, our maths teacher told us get into groups of 4 for a mini project and I was in the same group as Taehyung, Jooheon and this one girl who joined our group just because Taehyung was there. I swear, every times she talks, I feel like I kept dying and being alive again and then died again. And the worst part is, she is very touchy. She really can't keep her hand to herself and that's very uncomfortable for Taehyung. Both Jooheon and I could see how uncomfortable and worried he gets whenever she gets near him.

"Ya, Hyun Ah, when you talk, can you just keep your hands to yourself?" I finally lost it.

"Why? What's your problem with it?"

"It's annoying. It hurts my eyes. It's polluting the earth. Stop touching Taehyung already"

"What? Are you his girlfriend or something that you are being protective over him? No? Then just mind your own business"

I'm speechless. I am not Taehyung's girlfriend and neither can I tell her about Taehyung's condition. Dang it Taehyung. Can he stop being too nice and just tell her that he is not comfortable with it.

"Doesn't mean he is not my boyfriend you can just keep flirting and touching his arms and stuff. He's my friend and as his friend, I can clearly see that he is not comfortable with it and he is just too nice to tell you off"

"Is that right, Taehyung?" Hyun Ah gave Taehyung the puppy eyes that makes me want to flip the table.

Taehyung didn't say anything and Hyun Ah flirty-ly said that she's be back for him and then touches his cheeks!!!! I panicked but tried not to show it. Right after she left, I immediately gave Taehyung the tissue to clean his face, thinking that it will work.

"Oh my god oh my god, what if your rashes appears? Oh god, wipe your face quick!" I wanted to help him wipe whatever that I think that could be wiped but it was so awkward and I was too shy.

"Relax, Hyejin" Taehyung laughed.

"Why are you laughing?"

"My rashes, they won't appear immediately. If there were to appear, it will take about hours. And, you can't just wipe my face with the tissue" he laughed again.

"Don't laugh at me. I don't know how it works and here you are laughing at me while i'm being concern for you"

"Ah ok ok, i'm sorry. Thank you for the concern btw" Taehyung then winked.

Okay, stay calm Hyejin. Stay calm. That's nothing. Jooheon has winked at me many times. There's no difference with this one.

Every time, when we have physical activities lesson, Taehyung will either skip the whole lesson or pretends to be unwell so that he will be excused. However, on that particular day, our teacher didn't fall for anymore of his excuses and forced him to join. I started to get worried but Taehyung said that it was okay and that he can handle it.

As expected, when we were walking back home after the long day, his rashes started to appear and he was trying his best not to scratch it and he started to look weak.

"Do you need to go to the clinic? I can bring you there"

"It's ok. I have my medicine at home" he gave me the reassuring smile.

"Text me or knock on my door if you need anything okay?"

He nod and went into his house. For hours, I didn't hear anything from him. I'm starting to get worried and decided to go over to his house. His grandfather are rarely and home and Taehyung a re always mostly alone at home. He must have forgotten to lock the door and I slowly went in and was surprised to see Taehyung lying down on the couch and he has not changed into his home clothes.

"Kim Taehyung?"

He opened his eyes slowly and weakly. His rashes were all over his body.

"Are you having fever?"

He didn't nod or shook his head. I wanted to touch his forehead to see if he's having fever or not but I can't touch his forehead or it will get worse. What am i suppose to dooooooooo? After minutes of trying to figure out what to do, I finally got an idea. I took a small towel, wet it and place it on his forehead. Awhile later, I felt the towel and true enough, he was having fever. I needed to bring him to the clinic as his fever medicine has finished but now, he is too weak to walk on his own which means I have to support him and how am I going to bring him to the clinic, without worsening his condition......?