Alone (hyungwonho)

13.

Time passed slowly. I tried my best to be the person, Hoseok wanted me to be. I had noticed that Hoseok was no longer the same as before. Something had changed in him.

His words had gotten harsher, he looked at me with eyes, that judged. Still, I didn't want to intervene. He had just forgiven me, so if I start talking about this now, it would've all been in vain.

I was drifting farther from my friends. I felt like I couldn't talk to them anymore. Kihyun had asked me for a coffee, but I refused, saying that I have to do homework. It felt so stupid, but I didn't want to mess things up.

I was on my way to the abandoned house. I didn't ask Hoseok if he would be there, because I just knew he would. Even though he said he has a life somewhere else too, somehow, I always find him there. It feels like he never leaves the house.

I walked in, searching for him. After looking into the living room, I found him in the kitchen. He was sitting down on the kitchen counter, reading a book.

"Hi." I said carefully, not sure if he's still mad at me.

"Hi." He responded without looking up.

I settled down next to him. "What book is this?"

"It's sequel to the one I already read." Hoseok answered, flipping a page.

"Is it good?"

He nodded.

"Listen Hoseok... I've been thinking and..." I started, pondering how I should put it.

Finally, he looked up. "Yeah?"

"I... I feel like you've changed."

"How?" He asked, like it was nothing.

I had to look around, to get time to find the right words. "I don't know. It's just that you didn't act as harsh as now before."

"I act harsh? You've got to be kidding me." Hoseok closed the book. He seemed annoyed. "You're the one, who's changed."

My chin dropped. "M-me?"

"Yes, you used to be so happy and easygoing. Now you're just always on your toes. It makes me nervous too." Hoseok rambled, getting off the counter.

"You really don't see the mistakes in you, do you? You just watch others and see their mistakes." Hoseok said.

"I don't see mistakes in people..."

"Why did you then just tell me that I act harsh? Isn't that a mistake in me?" He asked me.

I got off the counter too, to face him correctly. "No. It's not a mistake."

"Right. You know... Your personality is really ugly."

His words. As I said, his words are harsh. Maybe he doesn't realize it, but what he says, really hurts.

"Hoseok, how can you say such things?" I asked, looking down. "That hurt me."

"It wouldn't hurt, if you just weren't so sensitive. You are just the kind of person who presents himself as tough, but in reality, you are so weak. You can't even hear out opinions." Hoseok said.

I looked at him in the eyes. There it was. The same look, he always has.

"No wonder people hate you."

"Stop! Just stop it!" I screamed at his face.

"No wonder people talk behind your back! No wonder they have left you alone!"

"Stop! Please!" I dropped down, kneeling on the floor. "Don't say those things..."

Hoseok crouched in front of me. "I'm just saying facts. You didn't know everyone talks behind your back? Really now, Hyungwon?"

"They haven't left me alone... That one is a lie." I said.

I felt his hand on my shoulder. "But why are you here so often? You don't have friends. I am your only friend."

"I do have friends."

"You're not listening to me, Hyungwon. You need to understand, that I only want you to know the truth. Those people don't accept you. They talk behind your back. Right now, they're probably talking like; Hyungwon is so naive, he's so stupid..." Hoseok lifted my chin, so our eyes stared into each other. "They're not your real friends. The only person you can trust, is me."

"I... I do trust you." I mumbled, tears filling my eyes.

"Then... please don't talk to them anymore. Look what they have done to you..." Hoseok whispered, wiping a tear off my cheek. "You should go home now. It's getting late."

"I know." I nodded. "Can I text you?"

"Of course. I always have my phone with me." Hoseok smiled. "Go now."

"Alright." I said, standing up. "See you later."

"See you."

So, I walked out of the house. I could swear I heard someone running to the backyard of the house, but I ignored it. Why would anyone be there anyways...