Min Kai’s POV

I pushed the filthy rag from my mouth with my teeth and tongue as I tried to slide it out. Whoever tied this shit can’t tie. I swiftly moved one hand and rubbed it against the other in order to release myself from the ropes hold. Good thing multi tasking was one of my main expertise. I managed to slip my hands out of the rope and looked around the dark ware house. Ok what the actual **** was going on? What am I supposed to do now? I can’t yell for help so let me just find my way out. Nope... nothing new hurts. This is not a moment to freak out. I must remain calm. I breathed slowly as I took off the rag from my mouth. This is a little bit weird... there’s no one around what the hell? Is this how stupid kidnappers can be? Why would they leave their victims alone? Why did they kidnap me in the first place? I stared around the room. Darkness- that’s all you can see. I began to wander around the ware house when I remembered one key information... where am I? I felt the inside of my pocket to see if I had my gadget with me... good thing I put it in my inside pockets. But there was nothing. Ok, what did I expect? I decided it was best to just walk out instead. So that’s exactly what I did. I bumped on some empty cans but had little to no injuries. Every single time I would bump into something that would create a loud noise, I creeped away slowly and waited for an all clear. This was by far the creepiest thing I’ve been through. I felt the urge to pee due to the anxious feeling building up in the pit of my stomach. I finally found the exit and realized that I wasn’t that far away from home. Well, at least these bullies did not touch me or anything. Just another day of trying and failing to live peacefully.

My walk home felt lonely but I was sort of used to it... it was something I had to be immune to. Life had given me a vaccine that hurt like hell but my body was already creating antibodies sprouting everywhere. I was tougher. The cold wind blowed as if accompanying me through the streets and into the three story house I called home. My body shivered as I appeared in front of the door... I just couldn’t hold it in anymore, so I just knelt down in front of the door and succumbed to my pain. No one saw this broken me and I was happy. No one knew how much I hurt and that’s fine. I just have to smile and act all composed and aloof. One day it’ll be fine; one day I won’t wake up in a ware house or street after a good beating for being so fucking shy and different. I knelt on the steps and let my thoughts diffuse with the wind. Someday it’ll be fine... someday just not today...

I entered the house after wiping my tears and went straight for a bath. It’s not like I had to say good night to anyone... I shut the front door quite loudly and climbed up the white colored stairs. The whole internal decorations was white... pissing me off at how the color and the actual life style contrasted each other in such a horrid way that made it look like a disgusting pile of lies. I hurried up the stairs and went straight into the shower. I stripped off my clothes and took a warm bath. Once I was done, I headed out in a towel and started finding some fresh clothes to put on. I placed them on the bed and went to the walk in closet to find some first aid kit I had bought a long time ago. I applied medication to the fresh cuts and bruises that decorated my body; reminding me of how shitty the day actually was. I turned off the light as I heard the home door open as my father and mother made their way home. I heard them walk up the stairs and enter their room. I didn’t feel like eating so I just tried to fall asleep. I had closed my eyes for a while now and I heard my room door open.

“How was your day, sweety?” My mom’s sweet voice rippled through the walls.

“We know you aren’t sleeping, Kai.” My father chimes in.

I shifted to face them and their faces contorted to a face of pain as the winced at my burst lip.

“Wh-a” my dad began. I wasn’t ready for this shit so I brushed him off by saying,

“I just hit myself during soccer... nothing important father. I already added some

Ointment mom, don’t worry. And ya, I’ll be more careful in the future.”

Both looked at each other suspiciously but brushed it off... blaming it on my clumsiness... but they were not fully having it.

“Also... could I get a new phone... I dropped it somewhere during soccer practice and couldn’t find it. I think someone stole it... they probably needed it more than me,” I finished, smiling a little to sell the lie. Boy I just wanted to hit someone hard. After both agreed to my proposal and needs, I kissed them both goodnight as they walked out of the room. I turned off the lights and sat in the room thinking of how easy it was to get a new gadget in less than 24 hours, and the newest version at that. I closed my eyes as they felt heavy and drifted off to sleep.

The sun shined through the little holes of the curtains and woke me up. It was currently 6:51 am and I decided that it was time to wake up and get ready for another strenuous day. I walked into the closet and slid my uniform from the hangers and placed it on the bed. I made my way to the bathroom and took a quick shower. After washing my hair, I blow dried it to create a softer and shinier look. 7:15. I started to put my uniform on, which consisted of a white button up short sleeved shirt, a royal blue pants and blazer jacket, and my black tie. I headed downstairs for a quick breakfast and headed out through the garage, taking my car with me. I owned a white BMW i8 and used it to drive around due to the distance between home and school. I got in, revved the car and exited my house, psychologically getting ready for a stressed filled day. Once I hit the curb to school, I parked further down the parking lot in case anyone would get the chance to see me and wanted to prove my financial status in order to milk more from me. I locked the doors and headed straight to my class. I was 17, and highly unstable when it came to my feelings and thoughts but on the outside I was highly composed. I didn’t talk to much people due to everyone thinking I was stuck up, but I didn’t want to care about their thoughts. I stared at the sky... I wondered how something so beautiful could be the last thing someone sees before they shut their eyes forever. I smiled and brought down my head and made my way into the huge campus. It took some turning and climbing in order to reach my class, to which I was not that late to. I sat on my normal seat way at the back and watched as people piled in when the bell rang. I fixated my gaze on a person, Brandon Jung, who had brought a little bit of mixed emotions at the sight of his smile. I shifted on my seat and faced down when we made eye contact. Soon after, the teacher walked in and started her lesson. I couldn’t help but stare at Brandon’s actions, he was known for his bad attributes and rumor had it that he was involved in some shady businesses... he always made my knees turn to jelly when he smiled, showing off his hot smile and crinkly eyes. I just couldn’t get over his clear emotions written on his face. I couldn’t help but smile at his confused face when the teacher explained the homologous pairs and how there was a difference in meiosis and mitosis. I smiled. His features went from confusion to ‘what the actual hell? Did you not just say this for meiosis as well?!’ He was the cutest; I felt my cheeks heat up as he turned around and caught me staring at him. His face contorted into a raised eye brow as his plump lips mouthed, “what’s up? Why you staring at me?” I blushed and turned my attention back to the teacher. After our Bio class, we had English so there was a break in the middle of the classes in order for the teacher to arrive. During that time, a bunch of classmates marched towards me. I knew them too well. They were always ready for a moment to destroy me but they never had it. I wouldn’t let them win. Ever. I smiled sheepishly as they came closer to me... they’ll probably punch me or take my money and it would not be different from today, no one would help me and I would just smile. Nothing would change. I would suffer the same and be as helpless as always and nothing will change. Nothing would change. They hit my head with the back of their hands as one of them slapped me. The slap sounded throughout the room. Everyone went silent. I licked my lip as the blood started to slip out due to the wound reopening again. I smiled; this only angered and fueled them more as they pulled me up by my collar and if it weren’t for my situation, I would’ve found the position intriguing. “So you’re still alive, huh?” James shouted at my face. I flinched as I felt his breath on my face.

“Yeah,” I mustered all my stoic emotions and smirked, “did you think your little b*tch punches could actually kill me? The most they could do was leave bruises. Kill me? Haha!” I chuckled at the thought. “You should know well that that kind of thing doesn’t faze me anymore, James.” I spit his name as if it was the most disgusting thing I’d ever said.

“Seems like we didn’t give you a proper lesson, Kai... we wouldn’t hesitate this time. You little sh*t, we’ll see if you can really keep that smirk on your lips again!” James ended as the bell rang and they went back to their place as if nothing happened. Some just side glanced me, waiting to see me breakdown but after a while of their treatment, I no longer cried or let myself be fazed by it. I simply cleaned my blood off my lip and fixed my uniform neatly and paid attention to the teacher who had just entered the class. Such a f***ing day to start with. I huffed out and tried to control the red pigmentations that had started to blind me. I must not do anything absurd. I must not let this get to me. “Kai?!” This should not get to me. “Kai?” It will not get to m-

“Min Kai! Are you even listening to me? I’ve been calling your name for the past three times!” The teacher instructed as he eyed me down. Well, He seemed pissed.

“Sorry sir, I was just thinking of some random things based on a kdra- movie, I mean movie that I was watching last night. What was it?” I responded faster, trying to catch my breath.

“I was just asking if you’re okay. I think you bit your lip when you were thinking and it started bleeding.” The teacher pointed at his lip as if to demonstrate where it was bleeding.

“Oh, I’ll just clean it with some tissue, don’t worry sir!”

“We don’t want that getting infected, do we?” He answered. The class snickered at his words. Why did he even have to act like if this tiny wound could land him in prison? Well, they were all afraid of me, the only son of a police detective and a forensic pathologist, so yeah... they had their reasons but sometimes it made everyone hate the fact that you were the only one getting the special treatment. “What are you all laughing at? Things like these could easily get out of hand quickly.”

“Well, I’ll just go to the nurse’s.” I got up from my chair and made my way outside. I headed over to the nurse’s office, I wasn’t a total baddie, and let her check my burst lip. She gave me some ointments that I had at home at told me to apply it once in a while. She also said my lips were really soft which made it easier to get hurt or bruised. I thanked her and made my way back to class. By the time I reached my class, it was almost break time, which meant that I had to hurry. As I opened the door to the classroom, my stomach almost flew out of my anus as someone had swiftly landed a punch to my gut. I felt my face contort into pain but quickly stood up and clenched my teeth. F*ck, why do they make it so unexpected? I shoved them to get to my chair and sat down. Majority of the class had gone outside to enjoy their time with their friends, leaving the classroom half empty. I took my bag and was ready to walk out when someone dragged me in. Are they not done yet? Have they not had enough fun? I faced the person and froze as I saw a fist coming straight to my face once again. I remained motionless- if I even dared to move, it would be even worse, so I just stayed there... waiting for the pain, but it didn’t come. I might have passed out before I even felt the pain but my eyes were open and nothing had gone black. Instead, a person had stopped the punch and was currently holding the person’s fist.

“I believe that that’s enough for today... the poor kid can barely walk straight. You almost took the shit out of him...” Brandon stated. Did Brandon just stop a punch? I secretly salivated at his back and braveness. My savior!

“Back off Brandon. This isn’t your fight.” James retorted.

“Ha! You thought I would let this little shit off? No, I just need him safe and sound in order for him to help me with something. And that something is a subject that you cannot help me with!” Brandon answered slowly. And it sunk into me. Hero? What savior? This heavily built and wonderful piece of a man was just using me. Again. How was this different from the others?

“Oh... you mean that. Well, once your done with him, hand him over.” And with that, James took his leave. I face Brandon, waiting for his answer.

“What do you need from me?” I ask.

“Well, you know, I’m in a bit of shit with the authorities and I need your father to help me prove that I’m innocent. My parents don’t know anything about it. Could you help me?” He responded as he looked every where except me.

“Wait... so you want my father to prove your innocence when you and I both know what kind of shit your in? Is that how this goes? If it is, then I hope you get the punishment since you had the balls to even start it.” I started to make my way outside of the class when he held my arm to stop me.

“You don’t understand...” he continued. I have no time for this shit.

“Huh? Understand? Me? Well, I’m sorry for not understanding how someone is using me for my father’s position. Sorry for not understanding.” I state as I brush his arms off mine and start walking forward once again.

“Do it for me. Please! I’ll return the favor. Whatever it is. Just tell me.” He screams as I passed by the stairs and headed to the cafeteria for some snack to munch on. Stupid people and their selfish reason on why they use others. I massaged my eyeballs with my fingers as I laid underneath a large tree. What a morning.

I breathed in... I should be used to this by now but it didn’t make the pain sting any less. In the distance, I heard the break bell ring and gathered my stuff ready to leave. As I made my way back to the class, the stairs were all crowded and the halls were packed. I squeezed my way through until I found my locker and changed books. I also applied some ointment to my bruised lip. It stung. I slammed my locker- well, something had to feel the pain- and started walking towards my class. I sat on my place and no less than three minutes after, the teacher started his class. I took out my notebook and started scribbling on it. I considered myself a sticky learner... meaning that everything I saw stuck to me. This made it easier to learn my subjects at school. The teacher kept on babbling about a project we had to do as groups of 4 which would be graded out of a full 100%. I lowered my head towards the table. What an ***. I heard the class go quiet.

“Mr. Min, could you repeat what you said?” The teacher questioned... What? What did I do now? I was confused...

“How sir?” I asked.

“Repeat what you previously said. Since you had the guts to speak out loud, you might as well have the guts to repeat it once again!” This was one of the teachers that didn’t give a crap about my background... he just did what was right and I kind of respected him for that. He stared at me for a moment, daring me to repeat what I had just said but I was both internally and externally conflicted. What did I do now? What did I say?

“ I don’t understand, sir.” I answered politely.

“Who did you call an arse?” He responds sharply. Oh... that. I smile sheepishly, kind of taken aback at my words. Oh welp I think I said that out loud.

“It wasn’t meant towards you, Mr Bruce. I was thinking out loud... sorry.” I respond calmly.

“Well, since it wasn’t intentional...” I hear the class shuffle around- waiting for him to say the words everyone, including me, hated- but he didn’t say those words, instead he finished off by saying, “you will have one week of duties in my home room. Make sure you report every afternoon. I won’t waste my time to find you.” I sighed as the class shifted back to him. He continued his lessons and I dived back into the subject at hand.

After class was over, I headed to Mr Bruce’s home room and much to my disgust, there Brandon was. His attention shifted over to me as his face mocked disbelief. I could be the bad kid too.

“Min.” He said. I ignored him as I started to clean the board.

“No- absolutely no talking!” Mr Bruce screamed as he eyed both of us. Thank you.

We were almost finishing when I felt someone walking towards me. So, I did the most logical thing anyone would do... I shoved the chair in front of me as I stretched the row out. The screech of the chair burst the silence as a quick ‘tumph’ followed. I looked up just in time to see Brandon falling over the bucket of water and breaking it into two. It took all within me to not start laughing at his state- sprawled on the floor, suit wet, and bucket pieces all around him. I started mad laughing, sucking all the air there was before I felt the dust go into my nostrils and it started flaring. My chuckles soon turned into loud coughs as I kneeled on fours on the floor. Knocking my chest hardly as if trying to get whatever was stuck somewhere out. Somewhere in the middle of my coughing fit, I felt my body become drenched with some apple scented water. Disgusting. I looked up to see Brandon looking at me with his eyes crinkled in such a state that captivated you. His lips curved upwards, giving some space to show his pearly teeth. I smiled at the sight. I covered my demeanor by getting up and swatting my butt from dirt. “Why’d you through me with that filthy water? Are you mad? If you want me to help you, the least you could do is be nice to me..” I comment as I see him shift his face the other side. He grabbed the bucket, well what was left of it, and walked out of the room. I simply finished what was left and locked the class. Making sure every appliance was off before making my way home.

I reached the doorknob when the front door opened to reveal my parent inside. I was taken aback by their presence and smiled as I composed myself.

“Hi mom... dad. You guys came early? How was your day?” I started as I entered the house and closed the door behind me. I took off my bag from my back and held it in my hands, hoping that I didn’t have to explain the apple scented stench on me.

“It was fine, your mom and I thought that it would be fine to come back early in order for us to have some family time. You fancy going to La Lovouire? I heard their signature dish is the best thing to calm your mind and ease you after a work filled day.” My father commented. My mother smiled in agreement. I nodded in response, it was times like this that I lived for- I loved and cherished. They barely had time, meaning that whatever they could give me, I would take.

“I’ll go get ready.” I answered as I ran up the stairs to get changed. I washed up and changed into some denim jeans and white tshirt that I found rather comfortable. I hurried downstairs in fear of having let them wait for too long. I was just a selfish and needy dude, sorry. I smiled at them as they ushered me out and we both got in the car.

“We’ll ve meeting with the Jung’s,” my father stated as my eyes almost fell into its sockets and came out through my mouth.

“Wha-.” I begin just as my mom interrupts me on purpose. Rude.

“I know you aren’t on good terms with Brandon but it doesn’t mean that we aren’t in good terms with his family. You understand, right sweety?” My mother smiled at me and I couldn’t say no so I nodded back while mirroring her smile.

The car soon came to a halt as we arrived at the restaurant. I opened my door and stepped out of the vehicle just as another body collided with mines. I looked up, almost falling backwards at the proximity of our faces. Brandon. I took some steps back as our parents came out in sync and greeted each other. Both parents shared a laugh as they started talking and filling in each other on our private lives. I simply strutted behind, making sure that there was a safe distance between Brandon and me. I pushed my hands into my back pockets as my mind wondered over the course of the evenings. This was usual... going out for dinners with friends and bidding goodbye until another time was available. We entered the restaurant and proceeded to sit on a six seat table that had already been prepared before hand. The waitress came to take our order and after some long bickering on what to get, the waitress left. Mr and Mrs Jung started talking about Brandon’s mid term slip which surprised them at the B+ he had gotten due to him being and A student. I chuckled. And here I was thinking how stupid he was when he scrunched his face during Biology. Guess I was wrong. Some people could be drug dealers and smart. Amazing. His parents smiled at each other in a way which reflected the same amount of love and- yeah well love- that my parents had for me. Brandon looked at me and I immediately gazed away as I concentrated on my phone. I just didn’t want to answer the question, or rather the request, he had asked for. I kept my eyes under the table as our parents continued chatting. He involved himself during some times.

“What are you thinking of?” Mrs Alyss asked.

“Is he staring at your socks, Brandon?” His father continues and I looked up just in time to see all of them laughing. I took the straw out of my lips as I answered truthfully.

“No- I, I was just thinking of some project we have to do.”

“Are you in Brandon’s group? I am pretty sure you guys would work good together!” Mrs Alyss goes on about how we work good together and how cute we were during our infant days. She also mentioned how we were like little twins, sitting ***** beside each other inside a baby pool. My cheeks blushed as I heard ‘naked’. I excused myself from the table just as the waitress came with our food.

As I started doing my business, I felt someone enter and place themselves right next to my stall. I deliberately looked up as in a way of saying, ‘bro there’s like so much stalls... f**k off’ but then it was Brandon and I just stared at him in confusion. I finished my business and headed to the wash basin when I felt sa hand grado my shoulders. I swerved, looking at his hand on my shoulder and disgustingly shrugging it off.

“At least wash your hands before you touch me..” I sort out as I finish scrubbing my hand and then start rinsing it.

“So, did you tell him?” Brandon asks.

“I’m not sure why I would do that... what do I get out of it?” I question, kind of thoughtful on whether or not it is worth to do.

“Well, I could give you cash and I can protect you from James’ punches. Ya know. You kind of seem flimsy and weak. I mean... look at that,” he says as he squeezes my arm gently and raises it up, “such a weak little soft arm. I could help you. But you’ve got to help me first. Deal?” He ends by looking straight into my eyes.

“Your parents don’t know, right? Well, let me think about it.” I don’t know what made me want to help him but deep down I knew that it was just in my nature. I was just too kind. I exited the bathroom and took my seat. I began eating as Brandon arrived. Both our parents continued talking about our lives and I noticed that every time the Jung’s would talk about their son, they looked proud. Too bad they didn’t know what sh*t he was in and I wasn’t ready to spill the bins either. I just smiled along with them as I threw Brandon an, ‘alright I’ll help you’ look. We finished eating, paid the bill and bid goodnight to everyone as we separated and went home. Now the brainstorm began as I started thinking of a way in which I could get the help of my father. I sighed as the music filled my ears. What a day.