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chapter 8

J I S O O  P O V

"who did this to you?" no matter the reason for jin planning to see me before school, i still have to get away from my mom.
"i'm sorry jin but i have to go now." i rush to the car, uncontrollably shaking as i search for the keys and insert it.
"wait jisoo!" he runs to the passenger seat immediately once the door unlocks and firmly shuts it. before i can argue i see my dad eyeing me through the curtains of the family room and my mom nearing the front door, i begin to freak out.

i drive off. tears can't stop falling, my lips continue to quiver and my nose is runny. i wanted to scream, my own mother tried to kill me. i cannot stop recalling the painful events of pressure she had placed down at my throat, her grip tightening and cutting off my air supply but worst of all what felt like my life was slipping away. i felt like i was so near death and i'm traumatized, i know i could never return home again.

"jisoo?" i had completely forgot jin was with me until he calls my name. "tell me who did this to you? and you better not say you got into some sort of accident cause clearly your scars tell me you were beaten up."
i never wanted anyone to see me like this but there was no point lying given the fact that he already knew what had happened, he just wanted me to confirm it.

i park at a random public park so we could talk.
"i-well, you see, for as long as i can remember, my p-parents a-abuse me." it was a lot harder to say out loud than i had imagined. i began playing with my fingers in order to ease up from the seriousness of my words and avoid jin's eyes staring straight into my soul but he diverted my attention to him by lifting my chin with his index finger.

"jisoo..." his voice was so gentle and so soothing, i could listen to hear him call my name all day. he observes my injuries, moving my face side to side and stares at my neck. he notices red abrasions had formed around the area, slightly peeking just above the collars of my top. he unbuttons the top button, loosening my tie to properly make out the bruises. he winces finding my freshly given injury has produced a hand print to indicate strangling.

"if your parents are doing this, please tell me you're not going back to them." whilst his words were filled with concern and worry, i didn't know how to respond with his fingertips gently brushing down my neck to my collarbones as he pulls down the collars of my shirt, exposing skin that he directly glazes over. his right palm at the back of my neck, holding me into place and sends shivers down my spine. the intimacy was making my cheeks burn and i pull myself away from him.

"i'm fine. trust me i know not to come back there again." i huff and he asks anxiously,
"you can't say you're fine when you're hurt like this. where are you going to stay if it's not with your parents?" i know i don't have an answer that'll make him worry less.
"i don't know, i haven't thought about any of this yet." i reply and he reaches for my hands and holds them.
"then why not stay with me for the time being? until you get your own place? i recently found a suitable apartment and was planning to move out of the orphanage by the end of this week. it'll be better if i settled in early anyways." he explains but i feel like it's too excessive for me to agree to such an offer from him.

"i can't accept that, i don't want you to go out of your way to deal with me. i'm sure i'll think of something." i respond and he pouts.
"please jisoo? all i want is for you to be safe and happy. i'll do anything for my friends, that includes looking after you. you're not alone so don't feel like you have to deal with it alone."
"but isn't it a burden? i feel like it's such a bo-"
"nopeee!" he interjects, not allowing me to finish my sentence, "you know what? no more questions, you're living with me whether you like to or not."

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S E O K J I N  P O V

she tried shutting her eyes to avoid more tears from falling but soon found that method to be futile when she suddenly begins to sob louder. i assume the thought of finally leaving an abusive household was pretty overwhelming yet relieving all at once.
"jin...i don't know what to s-say, thank you for being here with me." she outstretches her arms and brings me in a tight embrace, "i promise i'll make it up to you sometime and help pay for the rent."
i let out a chuckle as i watch her smile with some sort of sparkle in her eyes.
"don't worry about the rent, i know you might be a bit uncomfortable living with me of all people so i want you to save up until you're ready to move out."

"jin, out of all people to have seen me like this or help me deal with my family, i'm glad it's you." she gently punches my arm teasingly and continues, "so don't say stuff like being uncomfortable, let's have some fun together from now on." she puts up her hand for a hi five and i return it. she then grabs ahold of my hand playfully to shake it briefly in the air and let it go whilst laughing. my cheeks immediately heat up and my heart was pounding so loudly, i was beginning to fear the idea that there was a possibility that she could hear it. what was she doing to me?

her words, her smile, her touch. why does it feel like it's too much?

my eyes begin to stay on her for a little too long as she notices and questions me.
"w-what are you looking at?" she asks and this time my whole face turns bright red, i can't just say i was staring at her. my eyes drift towards her uniform and i blurted, "you should probably button up your shirt."

she looks down at her uniform and blushes red,
"you-you fucking pervert!" she quickly fixes her top and then tries to land mildly painful hits towards me in embarrassment.
"hey, you should be thanking me. i was just trying to help, it's not like i was staring at you like that." her face turns a darker shade of red,
"do you even hear yourself? you pervert! you unbuttoned it!" she jokes yet still continues to attempt attacking me. now it's my turn to be embarrassed.
"oh i mean-well, i was only just looking at your injuries!"

photo from @/chocopeachcream on ig
cute chapter? i think not ughhh, tell me what you guys think in the comments! ❤️💕💖