GOODBYE [이재현]

Chapter 1

TRIGGER WARNING: READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Park Hyeri's POV

It must be happy to have someone who cares for you, who understands you, and who makes you feel loved.

It must be.

I wonder how does it feel.

Eyes pinned on the ground while fiddling the strap of my backpack, a lot of thoughts were flowing on my mind. They were too heavy to handle, and it's making me dizzy.

"Shit!" A man in front of me cursed.

Panic washed over me as I looked up. He's about his late 40s, he really looked dead serious. He was angry.

"S-Sorry!" I apologized.

"What can your sorry do to these soaked papers?" He yelled, pushing me aggressively.

Because he was a lot stronger than me, I was easily smashed to the ground. I winced in pain after the contact of my butt to the rough surface.

"Can your apology dry them up?" He yelled again, then kicked my knee, earning a loud grunt from me.

I tried so hard not to speak, however, I can't control my tears. They started falling down. And it doesn't help that people were already noticing the commotion.

"I repeat, can your apology do something?" He asked angrily.

I was about to apologize once again when someone spoke behind me.

"But can your stupid mouth do something about those shitty papers as well?"

The man behind me helped me stood up, then looked at me. His face was serious, yet I could see a hint of concern in his eyes. I looked down in embarrassment, and there, I was able to read the name on his name plate ㅡ Hyunjae.

"Whoㅡ!"

"You don't have to know who I am. But I suggest you to back off and shut up." Hyunjae later had me turn my back on the old man and escorted me to the bus stop.

"Next time, don't let someone hurt you. And please, don't cry. You're giving them the advantage by making them see you're weak." He said, gently pushing me inside the bus.

I turned around to thank him, but it was already late, he was already walking away.

If I wasn't bumped by someone inside the bus, I wouldn't sit. With a heavy heart, I sat and waited until I reach home.

Home.

I chuckled with the thought of "home." I never had one though.

Minutes later, another commotion broke behind. I looked from the bus window but all I could see was the aftermath of a carcrash.

By looking at it, I can say that it was a serious accident and it made me worried for the people inside the cars. However, there's nothing I can do but hope they're fine.

The moment I stepped my foot inside the house, I was greeted by my aunt telling me how can I pay for my debts. She was drunk and angry.

"Auntie, I'm sorry but I can't pay for it yet. I don't have enough money to pay bills." I apologized.

Why do I keep apologizing?

"Bullshit! You are such a worthless kid!" She yelled, poking my temple hardly.

"You always say you don't have anything! Then why are you going to college? Excuses! I'm so tired of hearing your nonsense excuses!" She yelled again, pulling something from her pocket.

I was kneeling in front of her, begging, but it was futile.

A loud gunshot echoed inside the house.