He gazed upon the strange person standing in front of the mirror. Broken and miserable. His fingers dabbed some liquid concealer on his cheeks colored with fading bruises. Small rectangular black plastic was safely pinned on his left chest.
"I should have just died that night." He scoffed while a tear escaped his eye silently.
A silhouette of a drunken man was embedded on the huge sofa, death certificate and insurance money scattered on the table that fell huge short to their family's loan. Several papers crumpled on the carpet containing the contract to sell of all their properties with their name no longer in it.
His life was more peaceful when he was with his grandparents in the province. His mom used to visit him every weekend while his dad was once a year during Christmas. Well, step-dad.
"Where are you going? You're really thick faced to go to school! Just find a job and stop your studies to help me with all these bills here. I don't have money to feed the both of us. Aren't you ashamed?" He paused. "I fucking miss your mom." The old bearded guy with thick glasses sat straight and ran his palm over his face.
Jinhwan tightened his grasp on his bag as he bravely walk passed him, eyes were straight looking at the door. Leaving the place that smell like liquor and puke altogether.
"I'm still talking to you! You bastard!"
*
The muscles in his arms were getting tired, trying to tie his blonde hair to a small bun but some tendrils were too short to be caught by the rubber band. "Ughh... I should have cut this short already."
He discontinued midway when a person with those huge sneakers stopped in front of him, their gaze once more glowing than the sun that was hidden that day. The smaller person's eyes were smeared and melancholy. His glass eyes were inviting as Junhoe saw through him. His worries and fears.
"Here you go." Junhoe placed two drinks above his desk, damping some folded papers. He marvellously showed his pearly white teeth.
What's with all these strawberries? Jinhwan puzzled.
His hand struggled, almost trembling. Heart wanting to run his fingers through his hair but his head didn't want to. The latter did not win though.
"Good to see you back nerd." His warm smile melted Jinhwan's heart as he hiccupped when Junhoe tossed his hair once more. Combing his knotted hair with his thick fingers. "Don't cut your hair. I like it that way." He was lost in thousand thought spell as his loud heart beat broke it.
The tall guy suddenly froze with what he said as he awkwardly grinned and immediately left him dumbfounded. Although, the black pin that he was wearing was stuck in Junhoe's head as he tried to figure out who passed away that made him wanting to end his life.
"Oh-em-geeee! I missed you!" She pulled Jinhwan from his seat and sealed him to a tight embrace. "You're not replying to my messages. I'm so effin worried! I thought you're dropping out!"
"I... can't... breathe..." His face was turning violet.
She noticed two small boxes of strawberry milk drink as she freed him. "Awww, how sweet of you! You brought me one? You missed me too?" Lalisa rounded her eyes, puppy looking cute round cheeks made Jinhwan smile. "Ehhh... That's not like it."
The guy in thick leather jacket at the back seat just blankly stared at the two loud people in front while twitching his lips. Not liking what he was seeing. He gave those drinks and that girl was the one getting his attention. Damn.
