VEL

And for the next few weeks, I don't see a trace of Jungkook.

At the middle of the second week, I'd recognized a figure like him on the southern side of the building.

So he was just avoiding me.

And he still didn't want to go back in his house.

Maybe I shouldn't have acted like that in the convenience store.

He was a man after all— twenty one years old. He could buy and drink if he wanted, and I must've embarrassed him in front of that cashier as well.

I sigh, unable to focus on the lecture that the professor is giving.

"Hey, Vel."

And I can't deal with him right now.

But even if I ignore him directly, Jiwoo follows me out of the academy doors from the group of girls he'd been with. It's already dark outside, being late in the evening already.

I was still on edge because of Jungkook.

"Are you free?" He calls, tapping me on the shoulder even if I don't turn back.

I walk faster, but he just matches my pace easily.

"Not really."

"Well, that's too bad." He laughs, while I just frown deeper and keep walking. "When else do you have time? I was thinking—"

Almost there to my house.

Just a minute away, I turn around and face the boy.

"Jiwoo, I don't think so."

And his smile fades away. "What do you mean? I was just asking if you wanted to hang out sometime."

"I'm saying no."

His expression grows dark. I kind of feel guilty at that, but I'd had to tell it to him— that I wasn't interested.

He'd been doing this for months now, because I'd always hesitated to tell him to stop.

But then I look up again, and his expression is too dark.

My eyes go wide when he starts walking closer.

"W-Wait. Jiwoo..."

I stumble back, until I hit the wall with my back. The uncertainty turns to a fear as I press my palm against his chest to stop him from getting too close.

"You made me look like a damn idiot, then. Why didn't you tell me? I thought you were interested."

He's so close.

I can't breathe being this close.

"I—"

"Stop playing such a hard to get."

I instinctively shrink into the wall, heartbeat erratic and hands thrust out in front.

What can I do?

And then all of a sudden, I can breathe a little. A shadowed figure has ripped Jiwoo off from me, and it takes me a hazy second to realize.

The shadow is Jungkook.

But that's all I see before everything falls down to darkness.

_________________________

"Noona."

"Noona, you okay?"

And I realize my eyes have been open for some time. I flash up to a sitting position, surprising Jungkook.

We're in my house.

"You have to stop leaving your door unlocked." He scolds the moment I look at him dazedly. "I'm serious— it's dangerous."

I must've forgotten to lock the front door again, when I went out.

And I frown when I see his cheek.

"You're bruising."

"Don't talk about me." He says angrily when I tap at his jaw. "Who was that guy? He was forcing himself onto you?"

I don't answer, which gives him confirmation.

"Good." He hisses, arms crossing over his chest. "Because I left him right there on the street floor. I hope he rots there."

I look up disapprovingly.

"Jungkook."

"What." He scoffs, pushing his lips together as he stands from the edge of the bed. "He deserves it, for doing that to you."

"Wait, you're leaving?"

"Yeah." Jungkook says, blinking when I stare at him. "I'll stay if you want me to— you don't want me gone, though?"

"And why would I want you gone."

"Because I was rude to you that day." He mumbles, and I breathe out amusedly. "I thought I hurt you after."

"Jungkook, that was my fault too."

"How?"

"Well you're twenty-one, aren't you?" I say, twisting the edge of the covers into a knot. "You can drink if you want."

He suddenly looks disappointed. And when I look at him curiously, he just murmurs.

"Don't say that. It sounds like you've given up on me, then."

I burst into laughter.

What does this boy want me to say?

"I still care for you, Kook."

"So can I stay here for the night?"

At his outburst, I end up laughing helplessly again. Did he just see my house as his?

And I was letting him.

"Sure."

__________________________

For the next five days, there isn't a night that Jungkook doesn't come over. He always comes knocking at late night, almost always near twelve.

And then we would just hug each other to sleep because I'd told him that the couch wouldn't be an option.

He's always gone before I wake up.

But at the sixth, I don't hear him knocking at the strike of midnight.

I wait, eyes wide open even if it was late. I'd finished all my homework already, so I just work on some other assignments waiting for Jungkook.

But by the time the clock hits one, he still hasn't come.

Maybe he isn't coming.

I'm hesitantly walking over to my room to sleep when a soft knock echoes through the house. I flash up, running over to the door.

Jungkook.

But the moment I open the door, he slumps into my arms.

"Noona."

Stunned, I quickly back away and lift up his face. And I freeze completely to see that there's a path of blood drying on the side of his face.

He looks dazed.

"What happened?!" I exclaim, shuttling the door close and taking him to the couch. He blinks slowly, like he's trying not to fall asleep.

"M-My parents."

I knew it.

"What— what about them." I say feverishly, voice getting more anxious when I find cuts after bruises on the skin of his arms, his hand.

"They were fighting like always." He mumbles, pulling me back when I stand up to find a wet towel.

His hand is rough as it wraps around mine.

"And father tried to hit mother with a chair so I got between it."

I breathe.

"Jungkook, I'm sorry."

Because he wouldn't let me leave to get something to clean the blood, I just start using the sleeve of my shirt.

"You're okay, though? Kook."

"It's been a while since I felt okay."

I swallow thickly. And I don't know what to do— can't do anything except to hold him as tightly as I can.

__________________________

He's not gone in the morning this time.

I'm in his arms when I wake up, looking up to see his eyes still closed.
He seems peaceful— more childish, with his features all soft.

A light smile pulls on my lips.

The white bandage is visible through his dark hair, and I frown when I see a faint red. The blood had gotten through.

I go to get new ones. And when I come back, I'm surprised to see him sitting up on my bed.

He has a forlorn look.

"Hey— are you feeling?" I say, unraveling the ends. "Does your head hurt?"

He shakes his head.

"Then why so sad?"

"I don't want to go back."

"And you don't have to." I say, and he looks up with surprised eyes.

I shrug. "You seriously don't have to. You're an adult. They can't hold you down."

"You'll let me stay?"

"Sure."

Even though my reply is unemotional, a wide smile splits his face. And I've never seen him smile so widely.

I laugh.

"That happy?"

"Thank you."

He was so cute when he was all nice and fluffy. I ruffle his hair, finishing to unwrap the rest of the bandages.

I laugh again.

"Besides, you come here every night anyways."

"So you might as well just stay."

*END