Midnight Bruises

Chapter Three

~Jaebum's POV~

It had been 2 weeks since Yugyeom joined the team and I was glad I let him join. He was good, got along with everyone on the team, and added a good spirit to the group. We felt like we could actually win this time and that's something none of us really felt before.

The only problem Yugyeom brought was Youngjae... I didn't mind Youngjae watching practices because he waits with his friend to walk home. It was fine, but the younger was always a little blue and purple and my desire to know what was happening to him was growing.

I didn't have time to deal with Youngjae possibly being bullied or abused and me becoming the cliche hero for him, I had to focus on swimming and winning the finals. I couldn't ignore the fact that the thought of someone hurting Youngjae bothered me deeply either though and it was becoming frustrating.

I wanted Youngjae to go away so I wouldn't be so conflicted. I didn't want to constantly consider talking to him and getting to know him but I always was and it was going to distract me and I couldn't have that. I had an entire team and school rooting for me to lead us to Victory and out of the slumps I couldn't act like a teenager and mess it all up now.

I groaned telling everyone practice was done for the day and that they did well. I decided to stay late myself and keep swimming, I needed to clear my head and the extra practice wouldn't hurt at this point. I hadn't realized I had been swimming for so long until I finally got out of the pool and saw how pruned my hands were and I checked my phone.

When did it get so late? How was it already 11pm when it was just 7? I sighed going to the locker room and drying off some and changing before grabbing my bag and leaving the school. As I was walking home and I heard a loud crash off behind me somewhere and I paused.

I waited for a while but never saw anything or anyone so I continued walking. After a few minutes I heard footsteps running behind me and turned and saw someone jogging.

Who the hell jogs at 11pm on a Tuesday? I asked myself but decided not to judge since I just swam until 11pm. As they got closer I recognized them and I was even more confused.

"Youngjae?" I said and he stopped near me and looked at my face.

"Oh Jaebum right?" He asked slightly out of breath.

I nodded and stopped waiting for him to catch his breath. I took my water out of my bag and passed it to him and he graciously accepting it taking a large drink of the clear liquid.

"Thank you." He said handing it back with a smile.

"No problem.. What are you doing out at this time?" I asked as we continued walking down the sidewalk.

"Nothing... what about you? Didn't practice end forever ago?" Youngjae asked me and I turned to look at him.

He had some new scrapes on his hands and since he wasn't wearing long sleeves I saw multiple shades of purple lingering on his arms. Before I could answer I noticed something sticking out from behind his ear and I stopped.

Youngjae stopped and looked at me as I reached towards him and gently pulled a small stick out of his hair. Youngjae looked at it with wide eyes before chuckling.

"Uhm, yeah it did. I decided to stay longer and just swim." I said and Youngjae nodded.

"Are you sure you were doing nothing out here? Are you in some kind of trouble or do you need help?" I asked and Youngjae smiled.

"I don't need help Jaebum, I'm perfectly happy living in the moment." Youngjae answered with a smile.

I didn't quite understand his answer but decided not to question it as we continued walking in silence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey Yugyeom!" I called Yugyeom over while in the locker room the next day.

"Hey Jaebum what's up?" He asked walking over.

"I was wondering, is Youngjae alright? It's not my business but we ran into each other last night and he was breathless and had a stick in his hair... and he was all bruised and.." Yugyeom cut me off with a laugh.

"Youngjae's fine, that's how he likes to live and no one can stop him trust me i've tried." Yugyeom said patting my back and leaving me.

That's how he likes to live? What the hell was the schools sunshine doing in the woods at night?