3:00 pm
• laylah
"Leaving early laylah?"
I continued to gather my art materials as I put them in my bag. I was supposed to help out with a mural for the school but , my brother needed me home urgently.
" yeah , jaebum needs me home right away today . I'll stay late tomorrow to finish " I replied to yugyeom ,my best friend.
He was younger than me ,we met in art class when we both spilled paint all over each other and instantly became friends. He's like a younger brother to me .
"Alright ! I'll bring the others to help us as well too , text me when you get home safely?" He said smiling sweetly at me.
" I will,see you tomorrow!"
Ring!
Yah! What could my annoying brother need now?
From : jaebum 🙄
You need to hurry up!the case worker will be here soon
I mentally rolled my eyes . I honestly wish I could be a legal adult already so he wouldn't have to worry so much. I feel guilty.
I quickly caught the city bus just in time and found a seat in the back . The ride seemed like it took forever , but soon enough it arrived at the apartment me and my brother lived in . We lived in the city - it wasn't a rich area ,nor was it bad - it was just liveable and I was okay with that .
•
" ah!!! Hello children ! " Mrs.Han walked in since she had a spare key , she actually seemed in a really hyper mood - I won't complain considering usually she's a total bitch at times.
"Hello Mrs.Han , is everything okay?" Jaebum asked her as we sat at the kitchen table . I made us all a cup of coffee ,as her and my brother were discussing things ;more paperwork.
"Ah yes , I actually have good news!"
I sat the code down and sat next to my brother who was handed a small stack of papers and a pen . She smiled at us .
" the custody rights paperwork has been processed and now jaebum is legally responsible for the both of you !"she clapped her hands together in joy .
" you both just need to sign the last bit of paperwork and I brought some applications for any type of help you may need such as food/medical supplies."
I was handed paperwork after jaebum signed off on it first . I stayed silent as my brother and our case worker talked about everything.
" so how has the situation been since last court ?" She asked us suddenly .
My brother looked at me to answer, I had to say good things otherwise I would be taken away from him . He's legally an adult and I'm still just a junior in high school-he's 20 ,I'm still 17.
" everything is going good , jaebum has been taking care of me well and I'm going to work part time to help out hopefully soon !" I smiled trying to hide my anxiety . All these social workers made me nervous - we've been around them our whole lives but i still wasn't used to it .
" Good , I'll be back to check every few months and your father told me to tell you to visit him sometime " she said saying the last bit more quietly.
My body trembled at the thought of "dad".
" I'm not going to put her in that situation Mrs.Han ,tell him to fuck off " my brother seethed with venom . His fists clenched making his knuckles white . Mrs.Han just nodded silently and gathered her things as she began to leave .
..
" why would dad want us to see him jb?" We sat together on his bed , things were silent after our case manager left , I couldn't take the silence anymore .
" who the fuck knows honestly, but I'll make sure you won't have to see him again okay princess?" He hugged me and I stayed in his arms - I feel so guilty.
Jaebum has been both a brother and a parental figure out whole life. Mom left us for drugs , Dad abused us and JB was the only reason I was alive . My dad hated how I resembled my mother , how I had the same doe like eyes as her and how I had dimples like her .
I got the worse beatings because of that and My brother would always save me if he could and would protect me at all costs .
" I'm sorry for everything jae " I sobbed out . He rubbed circles in my back comforting me as he always did.
"None of this was your fualt laylah, you didn't deserve what he did to us all these years okay?" I separated from his embrace and looked at him with tears brimming my eyes .
" I feel guilty because I have made life hard for you ." My voice cracked , he frowned ," because of me you had to have the burden of taki-"
"Stop laylah! I love you ! You're my little sister and I would do anything for you! I'm your older brother and that's my job"
I looked down as I played with my hands . Silence filled the room , until his phone rang .
(A/n: italic is jaebum and bold is the other line)
Hello?
Do you think you could help me out ?
Uhm, sure what do ya need ?
I need somewhere safe to crash - it's a mess here hyung .
Sure, just give me a few minutes.
Thanks JB
--
" I'll be right back , please get ready for bed and finish your school work , please don't be hard on yourself okay sis?"
He slipped on his shoes and jacket to brace the fall cold , I got up as I followed him out his room .
"Finee,but where are you going??" I stood in front of him crossing my arms waiting for him to answer me.
I have to admit , I get scared anytime he leaves .
" I have to help a friend out and I'll be back shortly just go to sleep - im not going to leave you " he chuckled heading to the door .
" LEavE me to dIe theN , I see how it is" I started walking to my room as he left .
I flopped down on my bed as I ignored the fact that I had a bit of math to solve and I started to doze off.
•
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3:00 am
"LAYLAH I NEED YOUR HELP"
