Aphenphosmphobia » k.jw & w.yh

three.

"To heal is to touch with love that which we previously touched with fear."

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18+ scenes up ahead. please don't hate me after this, i'm doing this for the plot of the story. trust, me, it'll all make sense.

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The house was quiet, just how Jungwoo liked and hated it at the same time. He liked how peaceful it was, and hated how it reminded him of vulnerability. While he was doing one of his homeworks, his pen fell, making an echoing sound across his room. Gulping, he picked the pen up and continued writing.

Until the familiar opening of the door came, he stood up and locked his door quickly. His hands trembling as he did so, he sighed after, and walked back to his desk. He resumed his essay, as he heard shouts and things breaking, until he finished. Jungwoo quickly kept them inside his bag and sat down on his bed, looking out the window.

It was still early, too early for her to come home. But Jungwoo wasn't protesting, at least she's not taking some lethal drug or hitting on dangerous men. His eyes went to the picture frame hung on his wall. It was years ago, when his family was... Fine.

The clanking of keys pushed Jungwoo out of his train of thought. He widened his eyes as he looked at the shaking knob, readying himself of what's coming. When the door swung open, Jungwoo couldn't breath. This woman wasn't the one that raised him all those years... This woman was different.

Jungwoo wasn't sure what happened, but he felt the pull on his hair, he kept all the tears to himself. I know. His so-called Mother threw curses at him.

"You're the reason why they're gone!" I know. "You're the one that should've been there!" I know. "She was still supposed to be here!" I know. She was much better than you!" I know. "Why did I even got stuck with you?!" You don't have to. "Stupid child."

Jungwoo felt the hand leave his hair, soon the familiar sting of a hand connecting to his cheek erupted, choking back a sob, he held his cheek as his Mother continued talking.

"If you just stood there like I told you!" I'm sorry. "Then maybe your Father would still be here!" I know. "If you just be the child you are back then"

The teenager stayed quiet, feeling the longing he'd been keeping inside all these years. His Mother soon left his room, but Jungwoo still felt her hands all over him, and it scared him. His eyes landed on the family portrait they had before everything fell apart. His Dad, his Mom, his sister and him, all smiling to the camera and looked like a perfect family.

But they weren't, they were far from that. His Mom was an extreme alcoholic, and sometimes took drugs, while his Dad was always at work, leaving them both to their Mom. One day, their Dad just got home, their Mom had someone inside their room. And that's when everything came crumbling down.

Their parents had a divorce, and they both hoped that they would get their Father's custody, but no. Since they were both children, they were left to their Mom. Who at that time, her drinking got worse. Jungwoo, Jungshi and their Dad still see each other, once a week. And still, their Dad would give them financial help.

Until that day, Jungwoo was 10, they were walking around the park, his ball had rolled to the road, his young mind not caring about that. But as he was walking back to bring it back, the ear-deafening sound of a car's horn suprised Jungwoo. He wouldn't move, until he felt himself being pushed away, that's the last time he saw his Dad.

Jungwoo was 10, and Jungshi was 14. They had financial problems after their Father died, but his Mom didn't stop her addiction. They had been so broke that Jungshi had to work part-time jobs to sustain her and Jungwoo's everyday school money, until their Mother brought home men they didn't know.

He remembered waking up in the middle of the night as his sister and Mom fought, but later Jungshi would come inside his room while crying. And those were the quiet nights, those were rare... On the nights that Jungwoo feared, his sister would cry out, shout, and curse. It went on for years... Until Jungshi couldn't take it anymore.

"I'll come back," Jungshi cried, kissing his little brother's forehead as Jungwoo shook his head. "I promise."

"Let me come with you." Jungwoo cried, his voice cracking, puberty taking it's rightful spot.

"You can't," The elder said, hugging Jungwoo, while the latter cried. "I'll look for a house, a job and then, I'll come back for you."

Jungwoo remembered her words, that's when his Mother got so aggressive, until Jungwoo found himself under the hands of dirty men. It scared him, of course, what's worse? His Mom was standing right there, making sure nothing bad happens.

2 years later, Jungwoo had the courage to talk back to his Mom. She stopped bringing guys home, but her drinking got worse than ever. Everyday, she would come inside Jungwoo's room as she spat at him for everything wrong that happened in their lives.

"Noona," Jungwoo whispered, hugging his knees to his chin and letting the tears fall freely as he remembered her. "Remember your promise?"