Stranger In The Sand || Yungi ✔️

4

11:59pm

I walk straight up to the bench. My head hurt. I decided to actually wear a warm sweatshirt with a jacket over it. A beanie was placed on my head, covering my cold ears.

I kept showing up early. I knew it would be at least twenty minutes until he showed up. I just needed time to get myself together. Maybe the redness in my eyes would go down. Maybe the lump in my throat would disappear. Maybe the handprint on my cheek would fade away. I could only hope that it would.

I cleared my throat, shaking my head and taking a deep breath. At least I was warm today. I hadn't gotten sick from the day before. I don't get sick easily.

All I could do was sit. I didn't want to get on my phone, knowing there'd be messages and missed calls from them. After all, I had walked out when they were yelling at me. I was dead when I would get home. I didn't want to go back. Not for a few hours.

The time passes by slowly, making my heart yearn for the happiness it felt previously. My knee bounced as I chewed on my torn lip. I did that myself. It was a habit to bite my lip.

Lights soon appear behind me. I hear the car door shut and footsteps approach me.

"Hey Yun," Mingi greets, a smile present.

When I go to respond, my voice dies. I couldn't even look at him. I just stared into the ocean, waiting for maybe a big wave to swallow me even if I was too far away from it.

"Are you-"

"Did you know that if there's a fish in your dream, it could mirror your emotions and influence you to move forward?" I blurt.

I could practically feel his frown. In my peripheral vision, I saw him open his mouth.

"Yunho-"

"If there are two fish kissing, it implies comfort and empathy."

"Yun-"

"If you see a black fish, it can promise rainy weather."

"Hey-"

"A white fish assures a good love life."

"Stop-"

"A green fish represents selfish intentions."

"Yunho, stop it!" He shouts, grasping my arm and forcing me to look at him, "what's wrong?"

I laugh, "nothing. Nothing at all."

"Don't lie to me. It's okay if you don't want to tell me, but don't lie to me."

I shake my head, standing from my seat. I wanted to leave, to lock myself in my room. Be away from them. The crazy drunk bastards who still had my undeserved love.

Plopping back down, I let out a heavy sigh, "I'm sorry. It's just not a good night for me. They were arguing like lunatics. They were arguing with me. Bringing me into it when I did nothing. They..." They hit me. "They don't care about their actions towards me. They're not even my parents anymore. Not right now."

The pain ached in my chest. I wanted to cry. I was supposed to be happy when I was here. That didn't last long. Just day four and I'm already feeling the need to runaway.

"Did you know that there's a constellation called Gemini? I'm sure you've heard of it. It takes form as the Twins. Queen Leda of Sparta gave birth to the twins after Zeus courted her. Their names were Castor and Pollux. The loving brothers were devoted. Castor was mortal, and he became a master horseman. Pollux was immortal, and he became a famous boxer. When Castor was killed in battle, Pollux was devastated. He begged their father, Zeus, to bring Castor back to life. Zeus was touched by their brotherly love, and he arranged for the twins to stay side by side among the stars."

A tear trailed down my face, stinging my cheek. I looked over to Mingi who met my eyes. I tried to think of something to say, a question I had about the twins, but I couldn't say anything.

He softly wiped the tear away with his thumb. I flinched at the contact. The wound was still fresh, but I wasn't sure if it would bruise.

"You know Yunho, I've never had someone other than my grandfather who enjoyed hearing these stories. Most people think it's boring or dumb. I can see how much you like them. It's cute when you ask about them."

Another tear fell, but he was quick to wipe it away. It was on the other side of my face. I bite my lip harshly, wanting to stop crying.

"You were just a stranger when I met you, but I feel like I've known you for forever. Isn't that such an odd feeling?" He tilts his head, never breaking eye contact. "I probably shouldn't have told you so much about me. It's what we've been taught when growing up; don't give personal information to strangers. That's exactly what you did to me. People would probably call you a fool for doing that. But it just shows me how fast we grew to connect. I feel like I can trust you."

The tears wouldn't stop. They continued to blind and blur my vision of his pretty face.

"That's how we make friends, isn't it? Talking to strangers. Building trust with them, even if it doesn't take much time for it."

His hand hadn't moved from my cheek. He continued wiping away the saltwater.

"You can trust me, Yunho. You don't have to, but I'm here for you. You walked your way into my life, and I'm not letting you go so soon. So please, quit holding the tears back. Crying is okay. We all need a good cry sometimes."

A sob pushes past my lips, but he scoops me into his arms. I bawl into his shoulder, my weak arms tying around his torso. His fingers brush my hair, the gesture so small but so effective on me.

"You can stay with me tonight if you want, Yun. I just want you to be okay," he whispers.

I nod, agreeing a hundred percent without a second thought. My parents can wait. It's not like they could get mad. They did this to me.

After I calm down, I felt tired. Crying always wears me out. We stand up and get into his car. I still don't bother looking at my phone. I shut it off, trying to preserve the battery.

He starts the engine, setting a gentle hand on my thigh before removing it and driving off.