Unknown boy // ATEEZ seonghwa ✓

XVI

I could feel myself hyperventilating, sweat dripping down my neck despite the cold night. My knees buckle multiple times during my walk to San's house. What if I just don't go? Can't run away? Anything to not face my father's wrath.

Much to my dismay, the walk was short. Too short. I see daddy's car in the driveway and the lights turned on inside. Fuck.

Hiding away for a second, I send a message to Seonghwa

Me
If anything happens can I come to you? Will you still be at the party?

Almost instantly, I get an answer

Park Seonghwa
I'm staying with Mingi and Wooyoung but if it's necessary, I can come pick you up.

Me
Thank you.

Hiding my phone in my pocket, I take a shaky deep breath in, trying to hold back the tears that flood my eyes. Walking up to the door, I am now drenched in cold sweat.

Knock Knock Knock.

The door opens and I see San come in with regret very visible in his eyes. I barely spare him a glance and walk inside. Jisoo is sitting in the living room as well which makes me frown. Why is she still here? I enter the living room with San following behind me and it takes everything inside me to not fall on the floor due to my weak legs. I put the bag of food that was in my hand, until now on the table in front of the couch. "Hi," my voice is squeaky as my father gets up from his seat on the couch. "We're leaving." "But you said that I can sleep here." Feeling brave? You want to die? I receive the deadliest glare followed by an iron grip on my wrist. "Not anymore." A wave of anger washes over me and I can't keep quiet anymore. Is it the fact that he can't do anything here? Maybe. Am i pushing my luck. Hell yes. "I'm staying here." "Soljoo." You really are an idiot.

My head hangs low as the two of us leave San and Jisoo who are still sitting in the living room. San's eyes still fixed on the now closed door, remorseful. "I'm a shit friend."

"Who do you think you are, talking back to me with that tone?" My father's voice booms in the car, making me flinch. "I'm going to punish you." I close my eyes for a second, trying to stay calm and not show how terrified I really am. "I'm sorry daddy." "You think that you're so cool? You're a worthless piece of shit, Soljoo. I'm going to teach you a lesson you won't forget."

We arrive home, the tension is thick. "Follow me." He grunts, walking straight to his office. I do as he says, crying silently knowing what's to happen. As soon as I enter the room, my father turns around and connects his fist to my face, making me scream out. He then grabs my hair and slams my head against the floor and the wall repeatedly. My cries prevent me from breathing properly which results in me gasping for air. I try to lift myself off the floor but his foot slams against my back which makes me hit the ground once again. "Daddy, please stop!" I yell, putting my arms up to try and prevent his hits but it doesn't work. My vision starts turning to black and back to normal a few times before he decides that he's had enough. "I will not let you go out if you continue lying to me." "But daddy I-" He raises his hand and slaps me across the face. "You think I would believe you?! Who goes out at five a.m to get food? I'm not stupid." He's right. "But daddy, why did you come to San's house?"

"I need you to do something for me."

Waking up this morning was almost impossible. The bruises that are now two days old, were making it hard to move. I almost missed the bus because of my limping. In short, I'm in a lot of pain. Thankfully, San didn't go on the bus so I didn't see him yet.

"Soljoo!" I guess I spoke to soon. I decide not to pay attention to his callings and continue walking to class but he catches up to me before I can enter the classroom. "Soljoo." This time I turn around and face him in fury. "What do you want, San?" I mention his name with disappointment. "I'm so sorry." I sigh as I watch him lower his head. "You know how scary my dad is, why would you go and say that I wasn't with you? Did fucking Jisoo all night make you lose braincells?" His head snaps up and now he looks mad, "I was drunk." Before I can say anything, he pulls me into an empty classroom. "I was drunk." He repeats again. "But fuck, San! You're supposed to be my best friend! You even said it yourself that I should tell my dad that I'll be at your place." "You're the one who didn't leave with me!" His voice progressively gets louder. "Are you serious? You didn't even tell me that you were leaving, how was I supposed to know that you left? I didn't even notice when you came! You went straight to Jisoo as soon as you stepped into that house." "Are you jealous?" I can tell that my face is red from how mad I am. "No, San, I'm not fucking jealous. But I am disappointed. You chose to have sex instead of helping your best friend who was supposed to sleep at your place. Wake up, San! Your fucking relationship won't last more than two months." I leave him in the room and go into my classroom and take a seat at my desk, putting my head in-between my arms and closing my eyes.

The rest of the morning, I try to stay away from the boys knowing that they will be with San. When lunchtime arrives, I walk to the cafeteria behind Eunji and Jisoo, who have also been distant with me. Jisoo, I'm not too surprised but I don't know why Eunji is avoiding me. As we get our food, we go to the table we usually sit at and I notice that Seonghwa isn't there with them. I wonder where he is. "Soljoo. I don't think you should sit here with us today. Especially after everything that happened." I look at Eunji, confused and hurt by what she said. "What?" "Don't sit here today." I take a look at the rest of the table and notice how they're all avoiding my gaze. I raise an eyebrow and nod my head, "I see." I leave my tray that was already put down on the table and leave the room, biting my tongue to force my self not to sob.

I enter the toilets an lock myself in a stall after making sure that no one else is here. I sit down on the toilet seat and let the tears fall down. Having lost my appetite, I take out my phone and go on the only app that can actually make me feel better.

Mikjoo_19
I'm having a horrible day can you please cheer me up?

park.sa
is my baby okay?

Mikjoo_19
i'm not your baby

park.sa
is my mikjoo_19 okay?

I let out a small laugh as I read his message

Mikjoo_19
No i'm really not. I just someone to cheer me up and hug me

park.sa
I'll come give you a hug if that's what will make you feel better

Mikjoo_19
it will