• Artist • Kim Taehyung

Uno

"Hey, it's been a while." Taehyung smiles, rubbing the back of his neck as he walks up to the black haired beauty. "That painting," He points to a black canvas bursting with reds and oranges forming a haphazard eye. With stronger shades of the aforementioned colours, Taehyung notices tears as well, "it's yours right?".

She looks up slowly —cautiously— and nods at him.

He hesitates a little, before saying, "It's weird being this straightforward with someone I haven't spoken to in years but, what you're going through, you should probably report it."

They both stand in silence for a minute, Taehyung wondering if he's got it all wrong (he's 99.9% sure he hasn't), but then he sees something flash through her eyes.

He sees panic first that changes to relief. She looks like she's about to tell him everything (whatever everything is), but it's as though something switches inside her, and she looks away with defeat lingering in her eyes, "I don't know what you mean."

He sighs. "Listen, I've been noticing it for months now. I don't know how often you pretend like everything's okay, but I'm an artist too. I know the set of emotions you need to induce to have something turn out the way you want it to. But these emotions?" He points to the painting again, "They're not induced." 

When she looks at him again, he continues. "I've been through it, you know I have. Reported it a little late, but reported it nonetheless. It feels safer, trust me. Nothing's worth going through what you are right now."

"Nothing's wrong with my life. If you have a problem with my piece, you're more than welcome to stop looking at it," She says and Taehyung almost laughs because even though she tries to look mad, her eyes give it all away. It's always the eyes. He sees fear in them. 

"I've seen you walk in with bruises on your face that you try to cover up," He points out a little boldly.

That seems to snap something inside of her because in less than about three seconds, Taehyung's pushed up against a locker with her jabbing a tiny finger at his chest. "Listen here Kim Taehyung. I don't need your pity. You don't know what I go through, if I go through anything at all that is. It's been years since we stopped bothering about each other, and unless you want me to report you for harassing a fellow student, I'd appreciate if you left it that way."

Taehyung should be apologising, he really should, but instead he reaches out and gently touches a bruise forming on her jaw. There's a sharp intake of breath, as she flinches a little. "Don't." 

He lifts her chin up and gently turns her face to get a better view of the bruise. It's a little purple, but mostly red. "It's recent," he says.

"Taehyung, I said don't."

He looks her in the eye. She sees his eyes soften. "Is it one of your family members?"

She takes in a quick breath and shuts her eyes. Her hands grip his. "Just because you've had a terrible life, doesn't mean everyone else has. Just because your uncle and aunt decided you weren't worth their time or money, doesn't mean everyone else's think the same. Don't go around acting like you know what's happening with me, because you don't." She pulls his hand away from her face. "And I'm happy you've reported it, I really am, but quit trying to get attention from everyone." 

And with that, she walks away.