My Bully

My Little Alien

I close the car door, and Taehyung hands me my food. He pulls out his chopsticks and starts to eat. He notices that I haven't moved and sets the chopsticks down.

"Aren't you hungry?" He asks.

I smile. "Yeah, but I'm waiting for you to tell me."

He sighs. "Okay, fine." He takes a deep breath and starts.

"Almost two years ago, I was super obsessed with space and the fact that aliens might actually exist. I wasn't exactly the best student, either. I was always drawing in my notebook, thinking of what aliens would look like. In science, the topic of other life came up, and I told the class what I thought about it. They laughed at me, made fun of me. After that, things only got worse for me. People would constantly stop me in the halls, calling me space freak and alien boy. They told me to go back to Mars, that I didn't belong. For a while, I believed them. I still kind of do. Sometimes I think that it would be best just to leave this city. That way, no one will ever make fun of me for my past."

At the end, Taehyung looks down, tears in his eyes. I take his hand in mine and give it a soft, comforting squeeze.

"Tae, it doesn't matter what people think of you," I tell him. "Just be yourself. I mean, look at me. I'm a brat, I judge everyone, including myself, and the whole school refuses to be talk to me because I called Namjoon a squid. But I'm still happy. And now I have a kind, sweet, funny, and adorable new friend. My life is perfect."

He smiles softly. "Thank you, Noona. I'm glad you're my friend."

I lean forward and kiss his forehead. "I'm glad you're my friend, too, Taehyung."

He blushes. "Can we eat now? I'm hungry."

I laugh. "Go ahead. No one's stopping you."

He picks up his chopsticks and starts eating. I pick up my own and eat with him. Every so often, he'll make weird noises or play with his food while he eats. He reminds me of a little kid. He has those child-like features, except for the deep voice, of course.

My phone rings and I pull it out of my backpack.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?"

I grimace as Yoongi shouts at me through the phone. 

"I'm at Panda Express with Taehyung," I tell him. "Why?"

"Well, you just left out of nowhere and I couldn't find you anywhere, it scare-"

"Yoongs," I say with a smile, "Where you worried about me?"

He hesitates. "...no," he growls, trying to keep up his tough boy reputation. "I just didn't know where you were, that's all."

"You were so worried." I laugh. "Admit it. You know you were."

"Shut up and get your butt home right now."

I sigh. "Fine, you big baby. I'll be home in a few."

I hang up before he can say anything else. I turn. Taehyung is staring at me, plate totally empty. How can one person eat that fast!?

"What did he say?" Taehyung asks.

"I have to go home," I say with a sigh. "I'm sorry. This was really fun! We definitely need to do it again sometime!"

His eyes go wide. "Chincha? You liked it?"

I nod. "Can I take your plate so you can drive?"

"Oh, yeah. Go ahead." He hands me the empty plate.

The drive home begins totally silent, which is disturbing. Taehyung usually can't stop talking to me, no matter how hard he tries.

"Taehyung, are you okay?" I ask, turning to face him.

He smiles and nods. "Yes. Are you okay?"

"Yes, but I'm asking about you. You haven't said a word since we left Panda Express."

He frowns. "But Noona, I'm talking right now. That doesn't make any sense."

I groan. "Tae, you know what I mean. I know that there's something wrong. Please tell me."

He stops at a red light and looks down at his lap. "I-I'm just worried. Worried that everyone will start making stupid rumors about us."

I nod. "I am too, but there's nothing we can do about it, is there? We just have to continue on, ignoring the rumors."

"Is that what you do, Noona?" I blink in confusion. "Ignore everyone," he explains as the light turns green. "I've been watching you during Chemistry." He blushes. "Ah, that sounds creepy."

I laugh. "Wow, Taehyung. If I had known that you were stalking me, I never would have talked to you during class."

His cheeks turn a darker shade of red. "I'm not stalking you!" he protests. "I mean, it's kind of hard not to look at the person that sits right next to you!"

"Huh. That's funny. I sure don't seem to have a problem with that."

"Yah, shut up," he mutters. "We're here."

He pulls into my driveway and parks. I get out and walk over to his side of the truck. He rolls down the window.

"Oh!" He leans over to where I had been sitting. "Don't forget your backpack!"

He passes it to me through the window. I notice that the front pocket is unzipped. I thought I had closed it. Maybe I had just missed it.

"Thanks, Tae," I say.

"No problem."

"So when would you like to do this again?"

He thinks about it. "How does next weeks Tuesday sound?"

I grin. "That would be perfect! What time?"

"Just like today."

I nod. "Okay. You can pick me up. And don't tell me where we're going. I want it to be a surprise."

Taehyung smiles. "Alright, Noona. I'll see you at school tomorrow." He frowns.

"What?" I ask. "Did I say something wrong?"

He slowly reaches up and brushes his thumb against my cheek, right where the cut is from that stupid fence. I freeze. His hand is warm against my cheek, thumb brushing gently across the cut. His touch is hesitant, like he's afraid that I'm going to push away.

"You should get that checked," he whispers, pulling away. "I don't like seeing you hurt, Noona."

I nod in a trance. "Y-yeah. Right. I-I'll go do that. Goodbye Taehyung."

"Bye, Annabelle."

I watch as he pulls away from my house, dust trailing behind as he speeds off. I touch the place his hand had been and feel a light blush rise on my cheeks. I smile to myself.

"Annabelle!" I hear Yoongi shout. "Come inside!"

I sigh. "Coming!"

I walk inside, quietly humming to myself. I can't wait to see Taehyung tomorrow.