I'm Fine | Lee Daehwi

Parallel

"Its been a while, Jinyoung." The supposed leader stepped forward and nudged his arm- hard.

"Hi, Haknyeon..." He awkwardly greeted the guy called Haknyeon and tried to avoid eye contact.

"So what has our favourite... " he swing his arm around Jinyoung's shoulders and yanked him in. "... been doing."

"I'm busy, so I'll get going now-"

"What do you think you're doing." Haknyeon tightened his grip. "We've got some important business to catch up on."

Jinyoung hesitantly looked at me and sighed.

"Daehwi, you should leave first, I'll see.you tomorrow."

"Who's this, a new friend? He should join us too."

"No! Leave him out of this." Jinyoung shouted.

"What have I taught you about manners Jinyoung." Haknyeon suddenly attacked his stomach. Jinyoung only cried in response. The other boys Joined in and began beating up Jinyoung on the spot.

"Stop this, what are you doing!" I ran to help Jinyoung.

"Get out of here, this is between Jinyoung and us - only." Haknyeon stopped to glare at me.

As if someone heard my pleading, several footsteps made their way to the alley.

"Hey, what are you doing!" The police yelled.

"Damn it, run, run!" Haknyeon yelled and those boys legged it, leaving Jinyoung and I.

Jinyoung lay on the floor unconscious and I didn't know what to do. I watched my own friend get beat up in front of my own eyes and I didnt, I couldnt, do anything. The police rushed over to us.

"Are you boys okay?" The sympathetic police woman asked.

"My friend... " she followed my gaze to Jinyoung.

"Dont worry, we'll take him to the hospital. Did you know who those boys were?"

"I didn't know them but it seemed like Jinyoung did." I answered.

"That's ts a good start. Come on, lets get your friend into the car.

the ride to the hospital was silent but it was expected. I had nothing to say and Jinyoung couldnt talk either. I had so many questions runnning through my mind but that would have to be answered later.

Jinyoung was plced on a hospital bed and I stood by his side as a nurse tended to his wounds fron the other side. I was releived to see that it wasn't anything too serious, his chest rose and fell as he breathed and he looked calm. I realised it was already nine in the evening and mom would be worried.

I pressed her contact on my phone and waited for her to pick up, listening to the ringing which filled the empty atmosphere. I tuned out for a bit, falling into a short haze before the sound of a phone click brought me back to my senses.

"Hello? Daehwi?" I listened to my mother's familiar voice.

"Hi mom. I know I said I would be back right after the movie, but Jinyoung is in the hospital and I don't really want to leave him alone. His parents are out on a business trip too right now."

"Oh gosh, what happened?"

"Just little accident, it's not too bad."

"Okay then Dae, be safe. Do you want me to drop off anything?"

"Maybe my pyjamas and toothbrush?"

"Sure, tell me which hospital and I'll be there in 10."