Here With You

Chapter 19

The next morning I wake up and see if Hae-jin is still sleeping, I wave my hands over his eyes and I slowly creep out of the bend and leave his home. I rush to my won trying to figure out what to say to Chang-soo, no matter what I say he will be angry at me. my hand slowly opens the door and my eyes scan the living room in search of him, the house is quiet and he's nowhere to be seen. when the lock clicks and they key pad beeps i unconsciously hold my breath waiting for whatever lecture is supposed to happen but it doesn't come. satisfied, I shuffle to my room and change into some fresh clothes and further tidy up my appearance. On the way out I'm startled by Chang-soo and I jump back.

"How could you have not come home last night? Where were you? You should be in school right now."

"I know, I know and I'm sorry. Please just listen to me and don't be angry with me. I had to take care of something, it was an emergency."

"That's still not explaining where you were." He yells causing people passing by to stare and I bite my lip embarrassed deep sting of what I want to say will be a good move. My eyes avoid his as he waits for an answer.

"I had to help Hae-jin. I left to go find him and I spent the night" his eyes ferociously widen. "It's not like that! I swear it was nothing, nothing happened. He's really sick and he needs me right now I came to change and go back and take care of him, I know I should be in school but he really needs me. Oppa I'm really sorry please forgive me, I'll even study more but I need to go back now! I'll call you later!" I say running away.

When I return to Hae-jin's home he's still asleep his room, my hands separate the curtains allowing for large beams of sunlight to enter. His eyes tighten at the harshness of the morning un and rolls on to his side, I grab a pillow and hit him with it. He then groans and sits up.

"That hurts! Ah, my head." He whines.

"Good! Go clean yourself up." I say sternly and he obeys. Once he's up and in the bathroom I fix the bed then head to kitchen to fix something to eat. I prepare many dishes and other small side dishes to help for a hangover and also be nutritious and suitable for the morning. Unexpectedly, his bare arm reaches in front of me grabbing one of the rolled eggs on the plate. His body is dangerously close to mine and face begins to feel warm. "H-hae-jin what do you think you're doing?" I cover my eyes, "Put on a shirt already!"

"Relax, stop being so noisy." He says calmly. How can he just do that in front of me?

"Just eat this." I say trying not sound so flustered.

"You made all of this just now?"

"Yes. I'm leaving now."

"Ani, stay with me."

"Why? Do I need to monitor while you eat as if you're a child?" As much as I wish I could tell him no, I always find it so hard. Of course I give in and stay.

"What are you doing just sitting there aren't you going to eat?"

"Ani."

"What's with this energy? Are you angry at me?"

"Yes, how could I not be. You worried me and your friends, I was looking for you all through the night and it was cold, you were so drunk you couldn't walk and I had to lug your body here all myself. I couldn't leave you alone so I slept here... I-I mean that I, anyway I rushed back here so I could make sure you're alright, you cause so much trouble. Don't you know how-" he places a rolled piece of egg in between my lips with his chopsticks and continues eating.

"Sorry." He says smiling lightly and I eat the piece food that disabled me from speaking.

"I'll forgive you this time." When he finishes I put whatever leftovers there are in small containers then store them in the fridge, he cleans the dishes that are in the sink. I plop down and check to see if I have any messages.

"Aren't you in trouble for staying out all night and being here now." Hae-Jin's tone becomes more serious.

"Yeah but I don't care, I'm always in trouble with Chang-soo, he's always angry at me. Let's focus on something else, I know something we can do. Let's study for exams!" I try to make the awful topic seem fun and he groans. "I bet you're behind on your studying, you really need to do well. I'm serious." I spend the next few hours helping him study and help prepare myself as well. He's gotten a hang of the material and actually focused and did well. It's now dark outside and it's best that I don't stay out for two consecutive nights in a row. "I'll see you tomorrow and you better not ditch anymore or cause trouble." Before I can fully turn away he grabs my hand. His eyes are sad and filled with guilt.

"Thank you." He pulls me in close the his and wraps his arms around my body, "thank you Kang Soo-min." My arms unconsciously embraces him back and I smile.

When I get home Chang-soo is on the couch looking over his planner. I'm pretty sure that he heard and saw me enter but he doesn't look away from it.

"Chang- soo, what do I do? I think it's time for us to leave. I saved him from making mistakes and he keeps thanking me, he's happy because of me."

"Then you did a good job, I'm proud of you. We'll be ready to leave in a few days three at the most."

I pretend that I'm okay and lock myself in my room. Three days is all I have left. My marking is almost no more so I guess I'm just in time, but it only made me realize that I will no longer see Hae-jin. How can I just leave him? He will be hurt if I leave like this, and what about me? What about my feelings? I wish I wasn't who I am and I wish that was just normal so I could stay and have fun and live my life like everyone else. My light sobs are drowned by the music I have playing so that they can't be heard from the other side of the door. My eyes become sore and swollen as I cry myself to sleep.