144 How it All Started (1/2)

”...Get lost,” Hyuk said blandly.

Hyuk didn't know what the heck was wrong with the guy in front of him.

Ji Yeong Gi was smiling cheerily, but for some reason, Hyuk couldn't trust the smile. It didn't seem fake, but rather... it seemed too perfect. Ji Yeong Gi had approached him in such an obscured place, while he was all bruised and battered from a fight which he assumed the guy had witnessed. On top of that, he was strangely very friendly; as if they were really just classmates who happened to bump into each other. Wouldn't people normally be more concerned about his injuries rather than making his acquaintance?

Basically, Hyuk thought that this Ji Yeong Gi guy was sketchy as f*ck.

”Now, now, let's not be so fierce. All I wanted was to be friends,” Ji Yeong Gi said, heaving a troubled sigh.

”The f*ck's wrong with your brain, sh*thead?” Hyuk cussed. He really didn't want to deal with the guy for another second longer.

”That's no way to speak to a friend—” Ji Yeong Gi glanced at the name tag on Hyuk's uniform, ”—Lee Hyuk.”

”Tch.” Hyuk's face changed. He reflexively covered up the name tag with an irritated frown. He had forgotten that he was wearing it.

”C'mon, I'll help you get patched up. Don't wanna worry your parents or anything, right?” Ji Yeong Gi said, slapping Hyuk's back with some force. He laughed nonchalantly, looking as if he had not just sent the other guy tumbling.

”You motherf*c—” Hyuk cursed, hissing from the pain. He'd been forced to steady himself while on his knees, his back hurting twice as much after Yeong Gi's manhandling. If not because of his injuries, Hyuk would have probably taught the guy a little lesson.

”Ugh!” Hyuk groaned as Ji Yeong Gi helped him up. Now that he had decided to get along with Hyuk, he became a lot nicer.

Hyuk did not refuse his help. He was in no condition to be stubborn. He also did not want to go home yet. Just imagining what Yeo Ri's reactions to his wounds was enough to make him want to stay away. She'd probably be worried, or cry, and try to baby him as if he was the younger one. He wouldn't be able to stand it. He didn't want to be so close to her, since he knew he lacked control. He wanted to avoid seeing her as much as possible. Perhaps, keeping his distance might lessen those taboo feelings of his.

Ji Yeong Gi brought Hyuk to his hideout.

It was a basement room of a bar. It was dingy, but Yeong Gi had somehow made it into his own.

”Don't look around; you never know what you might find hiding in the corners,” Ji Yeong Gi warned with a deadpan expression. ”I found a dead rat the last time I tried to clean this sh*thole. Worst day ever,” he added comically.

He dropped Hyuk on the couch and went off to search for medical supplies.