I'm Fine | Lee Daehwi

Meeting

I silently waited for mom to arrive in front of the hospital, staring out at the bright crescent moon which illuminted the city gently. Ambulances passed me often, with the blaring sirens and flashing lights - a strong contrast to the calm, starry sky.

I recognised my mother's white Kia whilst she approached the building, waving with a smile, and I just stood still and faked a smile.

Stretching her small arms across the passenger seat, she handed be a woven bag. I used my two hands to reach for the item.

"It's gonna be okay Daehwi. I'm sure your friend is perfectly fine, he's just tired." She reassured me.

"Thanks mom. I'll probably leave tomorrow anyways but thanks again - for bringing me stuff."

"Anytime. I have to go home now because I can't park here. Stay safe!" She blew me a kiss and I waved at her, watching the car disappear into the distance.

Heaving a sigh, I re-entered the hospital and followed the signs back to Jinyoung's room.

As I opened the door, he still lay on the bed exactly how he was before I left. At least his breathing was normal and his wounds had all probably been bandaged whilst I was gone.

"Jinyoung..." I set my belongings on the table and sat in the chair next to him.

I thought back to the moment after the cinema. I was helpless just standing there, watching my best friend get hurt my some other kids I didn't even know. Why didn't I just save Jinyoung? How can I be his friend when I don't even know how to protect him?

There was an uncomfortable silence and I rested my elbows on my knees; my chin in my hand. I stared at the small face of the boy in front of me. His neutral expression said nothing, yet his wounds said everything. It made me wonder how he was before he came to my school.

I heard the door slide and a voice which exclaimed 'Jinyoung!'. Twisting in my seat, I caught the sight of a lady in a blue dress, black heels on her feet. She ran to her son and stroked his undismayed cheek. I assumed it would be his mom and showed manners by standing up and bowing.

"H-hello mam!" I stuttered.

"Hello, I'm guessing you're Jinyoung's friend. Your name is..."

"Ah, sorry. My name is Lee Daehwi."

"You can call me Mrs Bae. Please can you tell me what happened to him?"

I felt he distant, fully aware that parents don't like to hear about their child being beaten up, but I didn't want to lie or sugarcoat anything - because that's just wrong.

"Jinyoung and I left the cinema, but... we had an encounter with this group of boys who appeared to know Jinyoung and they attacked him."

Her expression became dark and she looked like a raging bull.

"It was Haknyeon and those kids - wasn't it?"

"How did you know?"

"It's not a surprise to me. Those boys are the reason I transferred my son to your school in the first place."