hurts like hell | minsung ✓

nine

~Han Jisung~

I walked into school with my head held high, my bruises were uncovered. My lip still bled from time to time. But the worst damage was underneath my clothes. And may I point out, my fashion sense was better than ever. I thought if I dressed to impress, people would disregard my sorrow and pain. I didn't care about anything being completely honest because I couldn't be with the one boy I wanted to spend my everyday with.

"Jisung! Where have you been? Oh god, Ji what happened?" Changbin pulled me to the side of the hall, he had obvious concern in his eyes.

"I fell in love and my dad hates me, what's new?"

"Does Minho know?"

"I went to his house the first time."

I tried to walk away, but Changbin kept me right next to him. "Jisung, you're telling me this has happened numerous times and you didn't tell me? Your own dad is going to kill you if he keeps this up, you can't just go back."

"I'm fine."

Without warning, Changbin just hugged me. I could feel the people stop and stare, I just already see the posts about my bloodied face or the fact that I basically screamed about how in love I was. But as I said before, I don't care anymore. I was worthless.

"Changbin, thank you for being there and I promise I will let you know everything else that goes on. But I'm just going to go to class now."

"I know we act like idiots most of the time, but I'm your best friend Jisung. I mean that, I'm here for you. Don't forget that."

I nodded, smiling a bit. It wasn't fair that feeling emotional was categorized as girly, I can't be hurt without everyone freaking out.

I walked into Mrs. Kang's classroom, and people were already whispering. Mrs. Kang looked at me with worry in her eyes. But she just watched me walk to the back of the classroom to my seat.

The classes' eyes followed my every move, as if I was a ticking time bomb. "Please stop staring everyone. I'm fine."

I looked to the empty desk beside me, part of me hoped he wasn't coming but at the same time I wished he was just running late. I rested my head on my desk, closing my eyes and trying not to cry from how much pain I was in right now. I could just see my torso that was tattered in black and blue.

"Good morning Mrs. Kang. Sorry I'm running a little late, here's some of the assignments I've missed."

Of course he was just late. I didn't lift my head to look at him, I just listened to his footsteps approaching his desk. He sat down, and his hand extended to my back. I winced in pain, and shot up in my desk.

"Jisung..." His voice was barely there, yet I knew he was already going to refer to my bruises.

The class felt empty, and his hand reached for my cheek. "Jisung, what happened?"

My hand removed his from my face. "I got in trouble when I got home. I was out for too long."

"This isn't right, you can't be going through this."

"My dad told me I'm not allowed to be out past a certain time because bad people will see me as an easy target. He's right, I just got into a fight. I'm fine, Minho."

The lies were the most forced thing I've ever said. I knew Minho knew I was lying, but I didn't need everyone in class knowing that my dad liked to beat the crap out of me.

Minho stood up, taking my hand in his, and leading me out of the classroom. He gave Mrs. Kang this look and she nodded empathically. The class was filled with more whispers as we left.

He led me to a barely used staircase and sat me down. Tears welled in his eyes, and I could tell he was trying to figure out how to approach the situation.

"This isn't your fault, Minho."

"I didn't want to send you back home."

"I know that. Just like I know that this is not your fault, I did this to myself."

I watched him pace back and forth, his hands practically pulling his hair out.

"Jisung, what happened?"

I motioned for him to sit down, and he listened. Where do I even start? How much do I tell him? It didn't matter anyway, he couldn't save me from my own father. No one would believe Mr. Han would beat his kid, I tried already.

"He was already drunk when I got home. He told me the usual 'you're worthless and no one loves you.' And I just listened because sometimes I think he's right. Then he let me fall to the floor, and he began just...just hurting me. Over and over. I don't even bother screaming anymore because I know he won't stop until he's content."

His arms wrapped around me so gently. He held me while I let it all out. I thought my tears would never stop.

"Why are you so calm about this, Jisung?"

"I grew up like this. This is my normal, I was taught this would make me strong. I was taught to never be weak, to never find love. According to my father, I'm only supposed to have myself."

His hands cradled my face and he looked into my glossy eyes.

"You are worth more than the universe itself, Jisung. Every smile, every laugh, everything you do is just pure perfection. Don't think anything else, don't let your father ruin you. You are capable of so much, and you will achieve much more than he ever will."

I rested my head on his shoulder, listening to his steady breathing. "We can't do this, Minho."

"I already told you I'm not giving up on you."

"He did this because I told him I was in love with you."

"A-Are you?"

"Yes."

Minho sat there, batting his eyes over and over. "Jisung, they can't stop us if we're in love. They can't take me away from you. I won't let it happen."

"You don't know what my dad is capable of."

"No, he doesn't know what I'm capable of."