Stigma #3 » k.th ✓

five

WARNING : mentioning of rape; attempting rape. read at your own risk! (no, i'm not promoting/romanticizing rape).

♠

Everyone looked at me even differently. Back then, I wasn't even worth setting their eyes upon, but now, everytime they do, they would remember the record Soon Hee had released the night of the prom. So much for graduation without a trace. They created a stigma just because Soon Hee had my voice edited like I really said all those things. Nobody believes me. They couldn't bear to listen to me while I'm talking, whether in defending myself or for Academical purposes, either.

"Kim Taehyung!"

The coach called me from the bleachers. I responded by jogging over. The teachers; those with the higher authority turned out to be very mature and ignore the fact of what had been announced that night. At least I thought they were. But they were just the same. When I'd made my way to the center of the covered. court, I would see him talking with some of his fellow teachers and maybe even Park Mingyo; I think they were making sure I'm being kept an eye on.

"What's the matter, Kim?"

Mingyo has never felt so interested in playing mind games with me.

"Left your tongue at Soon Hee's?"

His teammates roared in unison, in agreement to his sick joke as he received their high fives. Meanwhile, I tried being lowkey for now. Wouldn't want to make my case any worse. I made sure to follow everything he asked of me to avoid conflict or fights or more bullying. After that, I decided to find Soon Hee to talk about this; she's the only one who can clear my name.

"Soon Hee,"

"Well, if it isn't Mr. Rapist."

"I need to talk to her."

"Don't come any closer to our table. That's against the rules now, isn't it?"

"Or perhaps, you want to be arrested for what you attempted to do?" Another one of her friends added, earning a giggle from the group.

"It's not what you girls think." I stared at Soon Hee, hoping she'd hear me out. I can't stand this, it's already been a week now. If Lisa finds out about this, it'll make matters worse. "Please."

Soon Hee chose what I wanted and stood up to walk with me to the hallway. I spoke first. "Soon Hee, why would you do this to me? Why would you frame someone who didn't do anything bad to you, huh? Is it because I didn't want to sleep with you in the first place? Is that it?" I felt so disrespected at her laughing in amusement, even holding on to her stomach in the process.

"You make me laugh, Tae, you really do." The smile was now replaced with an undefined smirk on her face as she placed an arm on my shoulder. She closed in, only to let me feel her breath hitting against my ear. "This was a set up. Of course, you know who's behind this." Don't tell me. "Park Mingyo,"

"Mingyo put you up to this!?" I tried holding it in, but I couldn't and ended up yelling at her in a whispering voice. "Why the hell would you go to this extent, just to ruin me? What the hell did I ever do to you?"

"Oh, Tae, you never see the footprints on time. You see," She grabbed me by the necktie and pulled me in, her eyes never leaving mine. She looked hurt and angry. "You never reject a girl like me and just go on a date without expecting something this horrid. I really did like you back then, you jerk. You broke my heart and you didn't even care." She held her phone against her ear, a tear escaping her eyes. "Yes, he's in the cafeteria." And hung up, walking away from me.

Just then, the principal came and grabbed my by the collar of my shirt, dragging me towards his office. I managed to sneak a peek at Soon Hee; I could've sworn she said I'm sorry before I disappeared from her sight. All this happened to me just because of her? Just because I didn't want to date someone I didn't like back in middle school?