Get Closer (Minhee & Jungmo)

Part 8

"I suppose that I can relate, I also get upset when thinking about past memories." I then said without thinking.

That was when Jungmo's head jerked up. "Is that why you're so gloomy all the time?" He asked.

Wow that's straight to the point. I just slowly nodded.

"I recommend that you just let go of the past." Jungmo then said.

I then looked up in confusion. Let go of all the last memories I have of my parents? Why in the world would I do that?

Jungmo then started to speak. "You shouldn't cling on to the past, it'll just remind you of things that are already gone. Instead, make new memories. You'll find that you will be so much happier just moving on with life instead of staying behind it."

Jungmo then continued. "I can tell that you're not happy. I don't know what's happened in your life, but relying on the past won't do anything. Think about what you have right now, and go back on all the new memories you've made which you've chosen to ignore. Maybe one day you'll go back to being yourself." Finished Jungmo with a cheerful smile.

He then turned to walk away. I watched as his figure got smaller and smaller until Jungmo was long gone. Perhaps what he said was true, I've been trying to cling on to the past to the point where I don't even care about the future. I could slowly feel something in me snap.

I looked at the door, then back at the ground and patiently waited for someone to open it. I had my school bag with me that held all my usual supplies, except for the fact that I had also packed a few changes of clothes. Let's just say that things aren't exactly going well at home.

After a few seconds, Allen soon came out of the dorm with a puzzled expression. Then after a few moments, a look of realization spread across his face.

"Is it your Mom again?" He then asked.

I just nodded my head, and he immediately opened the door.

He then walked me over towards the couch, and patiently waited until I decided to start talking.

"She's drunk again." I then said with a sigh.

"Did she hit you?" Asked a worried Allen.

I just shook my head with a blank expression. "No, it was just one of her mood swings."

"You know, if you talk to the school or some social service, they could get the police involved." Said Allen while covering himself in a blanket.

"No, I can do more for her, It's my fault that she's like this. If it weren't for me, she could've been happy. I can endure it." I then replied while holding my grimacing smile.

"Jungmo, you have a life too! Not everyone may see it, but everything you do revolves around your mother." Said Allen, he then waited for me to say something.

When I didn't respond, he then continued. "You think that it's all your fault when it's clearly not. We want to help, but you don't let anyone. You don't deserve this childhood."

"Stop it." I then said while gritting my teeth.

"You're letting yourself get abused. Your mother is an abusive alcoholic! You blame yourself for ruining your mother's youth, when she's also ruining yours!" He then shouted.

"YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING, I'M FINE!" That's when I snapped. I grabbed my backpack, and rushed towards the guest room that I usually stay at.

I then slammed the door, and sank down on the floor with tears flowing. I didn't mean to yell at Allen, but I couldn't hold myself back.

I then thought to myself, should I really confront my mother? Everyday I come home wondering if she's safe, If she's in a good mood, if I'll be able to go through another night of her tantrums.

I then started to think about what Allen had told me. Am I really letting myself get abused?

I tried getting some sleep, but it was no use. I still felt terrible about yelling at Allen.

I then got out of the bed, and slowly opened the door to get some water. Afterwards, I walked out to see that all the lights were still on. To my surprise Allen was also still awake, and his head snapped up as he heard my footsteps.

I could feel guilt wash over me. I know in my heart that what he said was true, I just don't want to believe it.

I took a deep breath, then looked down at my feet. "I'm sorry for yelling at you."

After a few moments Allen then replied. "It's ok, I'm sorry too. I'm just worried about you Jungmo." He then patted the spot next to him, and I slowly walked over toward the couch to sit down.

Allen then continued. "Just promise me that one day you'll get some help, and stop blaming yourself.

I just nodded, then looked back down at my feet wondering if I could keep that promise.

"Sometimes, I feel that you're too nice." Said Allen with a sigh.

The next day came by quickly, and me and Allen were just walking to school. It seemed that we had both silently agreed that we shouldn't talk about last night's occurrences.

We both entered the building, then walked over towards Wonjin, Seongmin, Taeyoung, and Hyeongjun who were standing near the lockers.

Once we had caught up with them, Wonjin then turned to us with a tired look. "I stayed up all night taking care of Seongmin ever since he caught that fever." He said while yawning.

"Wow you must care about Seongmin a lot." Replied Allen.

Wonjin then smiled. "Of course, this cutie wouldn't be able to do anything without me!" He said while poking Seongmin's cheeks.

Seongmin then looked away with his face burning up. I couldn't tell if it was just his fever, or if he was blushing. But considering the fact that it's easy to make him flustered, I guessed that it was the latter.

Hyeongjun just looked at the ground with evident jealousy hidden behind his innocent eyes, then walked off. We all stared at him, as he silently left the conversation.

I sighed while walking through the hallways. I was simply heading to class until something, or someone caught my eye.

It seemed that a student was pouring his things into an empty locker that had never been used. He must be new. I thought to myself.

The student's hair was a dark brown, and he seemed quite tall too.

I was about to walk away, until the unknown student then turned around.

"Excuse me, could you please show me the way to the office?" He then asked in careful Korean. I took this as a chance to examine him more carefully. His features were soft, he had tan skin, and wore an awkward but acceptable smile. I could tell that he would be the talk of the school.

Afterwards, I just nodded, then turned around for him to follow.

After a few turns and awkward glances we then arrived at the office. He then opened the door, and was about to enter before he turned around.

"Thanks for helping me, and by the way I'm-"

That was when he was cut off by the lady in the office.

I just shrugged it off, then walked over class.