The Nurse's Room
Han lay on the narrow bed, staring at the white ceiling.
His body felt heavy, like it wasn't fully his anymore. His hands were under the blanket, but they would not stop shaking. Every loud sound made his heart jump so he shut his eye close with fear. He hated that he still felt scared, even though the danger was over.
Chahyuk sat on the bed beside him, trying to act normal. Woohyun and Minho sat on the bench near the bed .
Mingyu's knuckles were red and swollen.
"You're lucky," Minho said to chahyuk. "If I hadn't come, they would have hurt you way more."
Chahyuk rolled his eyes.
"You showed up late."
Minho lifted his hand like he might hit him again. Chahyuk flinched.
Han looked away. He hated how noisy these guys were.
On the other side, Jisoo sat in a chair while the nurse wrapped his hand. She pulled the bandage tight and didn't care if it hurt.
Jisoo cried out.
"Hey! You're doing that on purpose!"
"Of course I am," the nurse said. "I see you here almost every week. This is the twenty-something time in just eight months. I'm tired of you."
"Noona, I'm just a kid. Please be nice to me," Jisoo said, half joking through the pain.
"You don't act like a kid when you fight," she replied. "One of those boys is in the ICU. You almost killed him."
"But they were hurting my friend—"
That word hit Han hard.
Friend.
Han's chest felt tight.
The nurse shook her head.
"Being good at fighting doesn't mean you can use it whenever you want. Everyone deserves a calm life."
Han stared at the ceiling.
Really! Everyone but not me.?
A boy came into the room.
"Jisoo, Mr. Jay wants to see you."
Jisoo stood up slowly cramping with pain.
When he went outside, Seungmin was waiting.
"How is he?" Seungmin asked right away.
Jisoo froze. His word hit jisoo really hard.
"So that's all you care about?" he said. "Not me? Not this?" He lifted his bandaged hand. "Do you really hate me that much now.?"
"Stop it," Seungmin said quietly. "I don't want to fight about this again."
Jisoo's voice shook.
"You don't care about me anymore. Is it because you like someone else?... Is it Han?"
Seungmin didn't answer.
Jisoo moved two steps closer to him "Can you forgive me.?" he asked. "I made a mistake I know. Don't I get another chance. Just one chance Seungmin.?"
Seungmin looked away.
"Only if I could lost my all memories with you. And whatever you did to me. MAYBE then I can forgive you."
The boy came again to call Jisoo.
Jisoo started to leave.
"I only asked about Han," Seungmin said, "because he asked for help… and I didn't help him."
Jisoo turned back.
"Are you saying that because you care about me or because you want to hide the fact that you like him?"
Seungmin said nothing. Because his words left him into a deep thought.
Jisoo smiled sadly and walked away.
After School
The next day, Jisoo was quiet. He didn't joke.
He didn't smile.
Han noticed.
When the last bell rang, Jisoo packed his bag and left. Han ran after him.
"Jisoo," Han said, nervous. "I just wanted to say thank you."
Jisoo was about to say no.
Then he saw Seungmin behind them.
Jisoo smiled and wrapped his arm around Han's shoulders. His hold was a little too tight.
"Let's go eat," he said. "Just us."
Seungmin stopped walking. He watched them go.
They stopped in front of a small building.
Han frowned.
"Why are we here? I thought we were getting food."
Jisoo smiled.
"You need to learn how to protect yourself.
This is my boxing club. I'll teach you."
Han felt his stomach drop.
Why did I come with him?
I should have stayed away.
But he smiled anyway.
Because Jisoo had saved him.
And now Han felt like he owed him.