Stigma #3 » k.th ✓

fourteen

a/n: trigger warning; abuse and mentioning of sex

Clara was coming up the bus that day and I decided to call her out. I managed to get her attention and soon enough, she listened to what I had to say. I pat the space right next to me, she looked around before actually sitting there. She smiles up at me and says, “Hi.”

“Still don’t want to be friends with me, huh?” The moment her smile was tempted to disappear, I joke around. “Just kidding. So, what have you been up to for the past few days?”

There were so many questions in my head that I desperately want to know and find out, like why would she date an older guy? Why did she go to the gasoline station instead of going straight home? Did they do it at his workplace? Why did she look like she was crying that night? Why did she never tell me about all this and why am I so worried I can't even get a complete shuteye when night comes?

“Nothing much. There’s just some stuff I have to handle, especially for the upcoming festival. Everyone wants to be a part of it.” I can tell she was trying to be casual with me, which I ought to do in return to keep this up. I nod in response to that.

“I see.” Should I bring up Jimin? Their past relationship? After all, this is just me, trying to make sure my sister is in good hands. “Clara, I have to ask you a favor, please.”

She looks at me funny, but seemed interested and willing at the same time. “Sure, but depends on what you’re asking. Does it involve sabotaging someone or something?” Clara laughs.

Sort of?

“Listen, I have an extremely important friend and she’s dating Jimin.” Just at the mention of his name, she quickly froze in place, her eyes blinking rapidly. “I want to know—no, I have to know your past, I’m begging you.” An extremely important friend? Wow. What a cover up, Kim Taehyung.

“No.” She straight out declined my request and grabbed hold of her bag.

“Clara, I’m pleading here. I need to know what he did so horribly that you two would actually keep it a secret!” This is starting to look like a desperate, demanding man, but I can’t help it.

She looked at me, eyes wavering, trying to keep hers in line with mine even though it was surely trying to leave. “Why, do you think I would actually want to keep it even though I have the absolute right to spread the news about him? It’s something you wouldn’t be able to handle, Taehyung. And I, for one, am keeping my end. I don't want things to get worse—I don't want to make an issue about the past!” She stood up from her place and started walking over to the door despite it not being her stop yet. The driver, of course, let her. That left me no choice but to follow after.

“Clara, I’m not going to let you leave like last time. You keep on running away from me.” She was still walking away from me without a care, which forced me to follow her trail. “Just where are you even going?”

“Shut up! Just shut up. This isn’t even your stop, Taehyung!”

“Neither is it yours! We’re stuck in the middle of a neighborhood we're not even familiar with and yet you want to still actually try to hide your relationship with Jimin.” Clara looked at me once. Just once. And then she finally gave up walking, sitting by the pavement. She ran a hand through her hair and just hugged her legs close to her chest, not moving an inch because she knew I was going to demand answers from her again.

With a calm approach, I took a deep breath before mustering up for her to answer me. “Is it that too harsh to share it with someone like me? Is it too much to ask for it to let me help my friend?”