YuJin's P.O.V
My vision blurred in and out, vivid memories resurrecting in my brain. They continued to taunt me, everything from the all too familiar overpowering stench of smoke to the sound of a life monitor deafeningly beeping.
And the image of my father sprawled across the bed, several wires & machines attached to him in a useless attempt to keep him breathing.
He lay there motionless, like he forgot he had a distraught wife and a 10 year old daughter. But it's not like he ever did remember.
Not for one second did he think about his family. When he came home and reeked of the familiar packet of Bensons Cigarettes.
Or as he took another swing of alcohol before throwing the bottle across the room, shards of glass flying everywhere as my mother sobbed, attempting to hold me and engulf me in her arms to block my view of the monster.
Or even the nights I was forced to lock myself in the wardrobe to avoid his torture, only to peer through the hole to see my mother being tormented by this demon.
& that stench.
That all too familiar stench.
Burning through my very being, the sooty smoke wrapped around my lungs till I struggled for air, mocking me just as it did when I watched my father slowly slip into death.
The image of the cigarette he had lit everyday to kill himself as-well as destroy his family continued to burn into the back of my mind till it became permanently engraved.
Then the flatline of the machine filled my ears, growing louder and louder till I screamed in pain.
Jaebum's P.O.V
I watched in horror, unable to wake her up.
Her hands were clasped over her ears, her screams had so much pain and agony trapped in them.
Until finally, she shot up, gasping for air.
I placed a hand on her back for support and handed her water.
After she had managed to somewhat calm down, I spoke up.
"What's wrong?" A small flicker of worry flashed across my face but I hid it just as soon as it had appeared.
"It's nothing. Just stop smoking. Please." She said frantically, avoiding aye contact before grabbing her backpack preparing to leave.
As soon as she stood up to leave I grabbed her wrist and pulled her to me.
YuJin's P.O.V
I frantically grabbed my bag, still in cold sweat from the all too familiar nightmare.
Though as soon as I stood up to leave, a large hand wrapped around my much tinier wrist and pulled me backwards till I hit a hard surface.
The hard surface being Jaebum's chest.
Of course.
I refused to make eye contact and my eyes remained glued to the floor.
That was until he placed his index finger under my chin and tilted my face up, forcing me to look at him.
"Lee YuJin..." His tone was soft and gentle, I had never heard it like this before.
"Tell me what's wrong." I looked into his beautifully dark orbs and suddenly felt safe and secure.
My eyes began to well up with tears till I burst out into a fit of tears.
Words began pouring out of me in the midst of my tears, though it was slightly difficult to understand, he got it. & I felt somewhat relieved.
A sudden surge of bravery overcame me and without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around him tightly, pressing myself against his chest.
I could make out the increasing melody of his heartbeat that accompanied mine.
"It'll kill you Jaebum. Promise me you'll stop." I whispered against his chest.
"I promise."
You know, hugging him was unusually comforting.
Wait what the fuck am I doing.
The realisation of the position I put myself in hit me and I quickly let go, stumbling back.
Only to be abruptly pulled back into the warmth.
"One more minute." He whispered.
"Please."
-
"Noona!"
I turned around to see Park Jimin running to me with his bright contagious smile that lit up everywhere he went.
Seriously, how can you hate this kid?
"Hey Jimin!" I smiled, seeing him in such a happy mood.
He then pulled out something from behind his back, it was two cartons of strawberry milk.
"One for you, one for me." He grinned sheepishly.
What a cutie.
"Why thank you, kind sir." I bowed courteously as he put a straw in mine before we both burst out laughing and proceeded to make our way out of school.
As we walked out, I saw the boys all lounging around the gates.
"Oh hey YuJin!" Jackson yelled, drawing their attention to me and Jimin. I looked at them warily before standing in front of Jimin protectively causing them to chuckle.
"Relax YuJin, we wont hurt the kid." Mark chuckled, seeing my mother-like instincts.
"Ok then..." I looked them up and down suspiciously before contently continuing to sip my strawberry milk.
I briefly locked eyes with Jaebum who seemed annoyed for some reason, glaring at Jimin.
I then remembered how he had pulled me back in to his arms and held me - the melody of his heartbeat accompanied with the safe warmth he gave off.
The heat in my cheeks began rising ; I looked away, embarrassed because I probably looked like a whole ass tomato.
"Yah Jinnie, do you have a fever?" Mark came closer to me, placing his right hand on my forehead and cheeks with concern plastered over his face.
"No." I quickly replied shaking my head, nervous that someone would catch on that my cheeks looked like flamin hot cheetos because of Jaebum.
I took a quick glance at Jaebum, he looked even more agitated than before. His slender eyes squinted and his eyebrows sloped in an annoyed expression god he looked so sexy I-
Ok time to go.
"Uh, I'll see you guys later." I spluttered after clearing my throat.
"Bye Noona!" Jimin grinned widely at me before walking home the opposite direction and sipping his milk cutely whilst clutching onto his backpack like a little kid.
"Bye Jiminnie~!" I replied with a smile before walking away. Though as I was walking away, my name was called,
"Wait, YuJin."
•
this was so bad I'm so sorry ya'll deserve better.
