Runaway // Chanbaek

Chapter 2

I make my way eagerly to school, biting terribly chapped lips as the cold destroys my body. The grim mood doesn't help my trembling self and I can't help but contemplate the possibilities. If I go home, I'll probably die. He's most likely gone drinking and he doesn't hold back when he's drunk. But on the other half, I have nowhere to go. I'll be on the streets. That is unless someone lets me stay with them. I could find a job. But who would let me stay with them? I have no friends. Honestly what is so wrong with being gay? It doesn't change me as a person. If only people knew. . . .

Once I'm in front of my geography class, I sigh, fix myself up and enter, knowing I'll get some kind of scolding from our 'oh so lovely' teacher.

"Byun Baekhyun. You're late. And what have I told you about that hair, no distracting colours! Sit down!" She yells, her piercing voice making me shrink instantly as the whole class glued their eyes onto me. As I sit down, tears threaten to fall but I remind myself that it'll be okay.

You'll figure it out, Byun. You always do.

I feel like a crybaby, I shouldn't keep it inside. I shouldn't hide. I should tell someone. Someone who can help me. But then again, I'm too weak to see my father in chains. I ignore the lesson completely, focusing more on what's going to happen to me.

The bell is the only thing that reminds me to come back into reality, and I follow the wave of  students to the next class. That ends up even worse. I'm sitting in my own world of worry and self-doubt. My mind is divided with so many thoughts. I'm a teenager. This is reckless. Would I really risk death?

Just focus, don't think about that for now.

I'm clouded with the sensation of throbbing, and my cheek reminds me of the previous events. Why am I such a crybaby?

Because no one loves you and you have no home. Where are you going to go?

Another class passes and by lunch time I'm exhausted. I cram as much as I can on my plate, knowing with just the money I have, I won't be able to spend it all at once on food. I sit at my usual table, the last one at the end of the hall. It's always been my safe haven because of the wall in front of it. No one can see me. No one notices. That's how I like it.

But unfortunately, today just isn't my day. As I feel presences behind me, I shove the last bite of my rice down, knowing exactly who it is. Taehyung and his group of bullies, here to taunt me again. I hate every single one of them. Every single day, I get never ending insults from them. Just like my father, they hurt me, but I'm used to it. Although today, this is the last thing I want.

"If it isn't the little faggot. Found a boyfriend yet?" His strangely deep voice says, but refuse to turn around. I refuse to let him win. His words don't affect me and they never will. As much as they make my core shake, it's just agitation. My stupid emotions never fail to embarrass me.

"Oh look. He's finally decided to stay quiet. Good, keep that fag mouth of yours shut, don't want you to spread that disease of yours." His 'sidekick' Jungkook says, and with that they walk away, probably knowing they won't get a reaction from me.

They all copy Taehyung. They're just sheep. They're following him for the attention and the popularity. One day his reign will end and people will realise what a bully he is.

___

The school bell rings. It's over. I have to leave. I've spent an extra hour studying. I can't do any more. Feeling small and lonely, I walk down the same familiar street. Although it seems foreign now. It used to be my safe haven. Now it's the road to possible disaster. Not only do I stumble and fall, but I manage to cut my knee.

You know those situations where everything goes wrong but you keep going? And then one thing breaks you and makes you think you're pathetic and worthless. That's what's happening now. I swallow the nerves, shivering continuously as I bite my lip, completely broken. I'm sitting in the middle of a cold road. I'm hungry. I'm desperate. At this point, I'd literally take death over anything else.

I sit at a bus stop, figuring out my situation. I'm carrying two bags. I'm weak. And I need food. So I begin to walk to the supermarket, deciding to pick up a sandwich. I look down as I enter the store, not bothering to see what's up ahead as I direct myself to the sandwich section, needing some kind of comfort food.

Of course, fate has to make my day worse and I'm sent tumbling to the floor once again, every inch of my lower body completely sore. I scrape my hand as I try to break my fall, only making the situation worse. As I look up with tears eyes for the nth time today, I'm met with two figures. One short, one tall.

"M-Mianhae." I say between sobs, feebly getting up to bow with fruitless success as the man in front of me has to grab my arm to prevent me from falling once again. I suddenly feel very light-headed but shrug off the feeling as I try to suss out who these people are.

I study the taller closely as I bow, noticing familiar wide eyes hidden behind the regular mask people wear. Once I think back, squinting a little, I remember the little chubby boy running around in kindergarten.

"Ch-Chanyeol?!" I exclaim hoping he remembers me and doesn't just see me as some creepy stranger.

"Baekhyun? Is that you?" He replies, eyebrows shooting up as he eyes me up and down, flushing slightly making me smile.

"Oh god- you're spinning."

"Are you okay?" The other figure asks.

"We'll take you to a hospital."

"ANI! Anywhere but there! I'll get cau-"