Chapter 5: An Unexpected Encounter
I was walking home, trying not to limp. Every step sent a jolt of pain through my body, and my back was hurting too much for me to even stand straight. The bruises from the rooftop were already starting to blossom into deep purples and blues, hidden beneath my uniform but screaming with every movement. I kept my head down, my hood pulled up, hoping no one would notice the swollen lip or the dark circles under my eyes.
I reached the apartment building and waited for the elevator—which is rare for me to do. Because I'm usually so impatient I'd rather take the stairs. But not today. Today, the thought of climbing even a single flight of stairs made me want to cry. The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, and I stepped inside, leaning heavily against the cold metal wall as it carried me up to the seventh floor.
We lived in apartment 404 in this seven-floor building, which was relatively cheaper than the rest considering that it had two bedrooms and washrooms. The number 4 was considered unlucky in Korea—associated with death and misfortune—which is exactly why the rent was so low. Mom always joked that we were too poor to be superstitious. I never laughed at that joke. It always made my chest ache.
I entered the house quietly, careful not to make any noise, and saw that Mom had fallen asleep on the couch. She was still in her work clothes, her hair slightly disheveled, a blanket half-draped over her legs. Her phone had slipped from her hand and lay on the floor, the screen still lit with an unfinished message to her manager. She must have been so exhausted that she didn't even make it to her bed.
I sighed in relief. If she had been awake, she would have seen my face. She would have asked questions. She would have worried.
There was a grocery list on the tea table along with some cash, weighed down by a small magnet shaped like a strawberry. I guess she was waiting for me to get the grocery. She always did that—left me little tasks so I could feel helpful, so I could contribute. Even when she was dead on her feet, she thought about me.
I was quick to change into a pair of brown sweatshirt and black track pants. The fabric was soft against my battered skin, and I winced as I pulled the sweatshirt over my head, the movement pulling at my bruised ribs. I grabbed the list slip and the money, took one last look at Mom's sleeping form, and quietly left the house again.
Using the elevator felt like a betrayal to my usual self, but my body was screaming for mercy.
---
It took me longer than normal to reach the convenience store. Usually, it was a ten-minute walk, but today it felt like an hour. I had to stop twice to catch my breath, leaning against walls and lampposts, pretending to check my phone. The burning pain in my back was relentless, a constant reminder of what had happened on that rooftop. Of the kicks. Of the laughter. Of Hyunwoo's betrayal.
Upon entering the convenience store, the familiar jingle of the door and the blast of cool air greeted me. I grabbed a basket and began searching for things I needed.
So... I need kimchi, eggs, some veggies, and milk...
I moved through the aisles slowly, picking up items and placing them in my basket. My movements were stiff, careful. I caught my reflection in the glass door of the refrigerated section and barely recognized myself. My face was pale, my lip swollen, a faint bruise already forming on my jaw. I looked like I'd been in a fight. Which, I supposed, I had.
I'll grab some patches for pain relief and ointment.
I found them in the health section and added them to my basket, feeling a tiny sense of relief. At least I could numb the pain a little. At least I could pretend everything was fine when I got home.
After getting all the items, I was about to check out when I saw a pack of muffins. Chocolate muffins. Which I can never resist. They sat there on the shelf, wrapped in shiny plastic, looking so soft and delicious that my mouth watered despite everything. Mom always said I had a weakness for chocolate. She wasn't wrong.
So I decided to buy them as well. A small comfort. A tiny piece of normalcy in a world that felt anything but normal.
---
While walking home, the burning pain in my back got too unbearable for me, so I thought it would be better to put the patch now. I couldn't wait another fifteen minutes. Every step was agony, and I could feel the muscles in my back spasming with each movement.
I spotted a small public park nearby and made my way there, finding the public washroom tucked behind a row of trees. It was clean enough, and I locked myself in a stall, carefully lifting my sweatshirt to apply the patch. The bruises were worse than I'd thought—deep purple and black, sprawling across my ribs and lower back like a grotesque painting. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat and pressed the cooling patch onto the worst of the pain, wincing as it made contact.
Once I exited the washroom, I was shocked to see someone lying unconscious on the ground.
It was a boy around my age, wearing the same uniform as Delight High. His blazer was crumpled, his tie loose, and his face was pale—almost gray. He wasn't moving, and for a terrifying moment, I thought he was dead.
My heart lurched. I rushed over, dropping my grocery bags in my haste, and crouched beside him. "Hey! Hey, can you hear me?" I shook his shoulder gently, then more urgently. No response.
What do I do? What do I do?!
With a lot of struggle, I managed to get him on my back, my injured body screaming in protest. I could feel every bruise, every ache, every torn muscle, but I pushed through it. I couldn't leave him there. I couldn't just walk away.
I laid him on a nearby bench, careful to support his head, and gently tapped his face. Not gonna lie, but he had really angelic visuals—soft features, flawless skin, long eyelashes that fanned against his cheeks. Even unconscious, he looked like he belonged on a magazine cover.
His eyes fluttered open, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. "Hey, you're okay. You're okay," I said, helping him sit straight. He blinked, disoriented, looking around like he didn't know where he was.
"Are you alright? Do you want me to get you a cab to go to the hospital?" I asked, tilting my head anxiously. My voice was strained, and I could hear the worry bleeding through.
He shook his head slowly, a weak smile forming on his lips. "Oh no... That won't be needed. It's just that I didn't eat anything since yesterday." His voice was soft, a little hoarse, but kind. "Thank you for helping me. I'll get going now."
He tried to stand, but his legs wobbled beneath him, and he stumbled back onto the bench. My heart clenched. He looked so fragile, so helpless. I couldn't just let him leave like this.
"Wait," I stopped him. "Would you like to have some?" I asked, offering him the chocolate muffins I'd just bought. I held them out like an offering, hoping he wouldn't refuse. "If you don't trust me, I can eat them as well."
He chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. "It's alright, but it sounds better to have them together." He took one of the muffins, and I settled onto the bench beside him, opening the pack. "I'm Choi Jongsuk. You are?"
"I am Choi Junseo."
"Oh hey! We have the same family name!" His eyes lit up with excitement, and I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "Are you new here?"
"Yeah, I'm from Daegu," I said, taking a bite of my muffin. The chocolate melted on my tongue, and for a brief moment, everything felt okay.
"No way! I'm from Daegu as well!" Jongsuk exclaimed excitedly, nearly dropping his muffin. He was bouncing in his seat like a puppy, his whole demeanor bright and cheerful. He is such a happy-go-lucky... kinda reminds me of Mom. The thought made my chest ache, but in a good way.
"Wow... Wait. What year were you born?" I asked. We already have so many similarities. It felt almost surreal.
"2001. And you?"
My eyes widened. "Say what?!" You're kidding!
"No, I'm not," he explained in confusion, his head tilting. Then his expression shifted, matching mine. "You're 2001 as well? Are you my long-lost twin that I never knew about?!"
I laughed out loud at his theory, the sound surprising me. It felt strange to laugh after everything that had happened. But Jongsuk was so earnest, so ridiculous, that I couldn't help myself. He choked on his theory and lightly slapped my arm.
"I'm serious!" he insisted, his eyes wide. "When is your birthday?"
"It's on September 13th."
"Oh... mine is March 13th." He pouted playfully. "So you're not my long-lost twin?"
"Too bad I'm not," I said, shaking my head with a small smile.
"It was nice meeting you, Junseo." Jongsuk smiled brightly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I hope we can be good friends."
I tried to smile just as brightly, but something inside me faltered. Friends? He studies at the same school as me... Will he still want to be my friend if he finds out about my school life? The thought made my stomach churn. Daejung and his gang would see me with Jongsuk. They'd target him too, just like they targeted everyone who got close to me. I couldn't let that happen.
But I don't want to disappoint him right now. He looked so happy, so hopeful. How could I tell him that I was a walking target? That being friends with me was a liability? That he should stay far, far away?
"Sure!" I replied, the word slipping out before I could stop it. His smile widened, and I felt a strange mix of warmth and guilt.
We finished our muffins in comfortable silence, watching the sun dip lower in the sky. The park was quiet, peaceful, a world away from the chaos of school.
"I should get going," Jongsuk said finally, standing up. This time, his legs held steady. "Thank you again, Junseo. For the food. For helping me. I really appreciate it."
"It's nothing," I said, waving it off. "Just take care of yourself, okay? Don't skip meals."
He laughed. "I'll try. See you around, Junseo!"
"See you," I replied, watching him walk away. He turned back once to wave, his grin wide and carefree, before disappearing around a corner.
I sat on the bench for a long time, staring at the sky. The pain in my back was still there, a dull throb beneath the patch. The bruises were still there. The fear was still there.
But for the first time all day, I didn't feel completely alone.
I gathered my grocery bags and started the slow walk home, my mind drifting to Jongsuk. What were the odds? Same school, same hometown, same birth year. It felt like fate—or maybe just a strange coincidence. Either way, he had brought a little bit of light into my dark, chaotic world.
I just hoped I wouldn't drag him into the darkness with me.
---
When I finally reached the apartment, Mom was still asleep on the couch. I quietly put away the groceries, making sure to hide the pain relief patches in my room, and covered her with a blanket. She stirred slightly, mumbling something in her sleep, but didn't wake.
I stood there for a moment, watching her peaceful face, and felt tears prick at my eyes. I blinked them away quickly.
I'll survive this, I told myself. For her.
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To be continued...