Mature Chapter: Language, Violence

Paul POV

It was another Friday night, and this evening was shaping up to be the same as it had been for several weekends now.

The Elite were living it up - surrounded by beautiful women and indulging in expensive alcohol as music blared through the speakers of a packed nightclub.

Though still exhilarating, I had made a steady routine after almost a month of living in Boston.

Like the rest of the group, I worked hard in school and at AHS Group Monday through Friday and played harder during the weekends, especially now that single Ho-seok was in full force.

"Jesus, get a room!" Spencer teased, a drunk smile plastered on my face as I messily made out with my random pick of the evening on the LED dance floor.

"Should we do that?" The slim Asian woman asked, tugging on my bottom lip with her teeth. "Or maybe we should just find a private corner somewhere?"

"Wow, you're not even going to make me work for it?" I smirked, brushing her nose with mine.

She shrugged. "Life can be hard. Sometimes, a girl just wants an escape."

I sobered up hearing the all too familiar term, and as I suddenly put space between us, the woman grew confused.

"Sorry. I'm not interested in being anyone's escape these days."

"W-What?" She uttered, but I didn't bother explaining myself to her.

I turned around and walked through the rowdy dance floor as memories of that extremely shitty Saturday evening in Hidden Hall filled my mind.

- Three Weeks Ago -

Just like my first night in Boston, U-Street was crowded and all of the bars on the strip were full of young adults enjoying their youth on this warm summer evening.

Though I didn't get home from clubbing with The Elite until 4:00 AM this morning, I couldn't stay in my house alone tonight, and I was feeling extremely frustrated after seeing the latest text from the flakey Sam I knew all too well.

(Samantha Lee): I can't come over tomorrow. Something came up.

"She hasn't changed." I sighed, shoving my phone in my pocket.

Sam was still on her bullshit - playing that hot and cold game as she decided what she wanted to do with me. I had no doubt she wanted me, but like she did when we were in high school, the extent of our relationship was up to her and she was making that clear up front.

As I observed my surroundings, I continued down the sidewalk and towards the speakeasy I had visited multiple times this past week.

Admittedly, a part of me was returning to the small bar this evening for the same reason. I was still hoping I would run into her. I wanted to see MK again, and if I was lucky she could help me escape this time.

"Paul!" Hidden Hall's bouncer chimed.

"Mike, how's it going tonight?" I asked, dapping up the man who had become all too familiar with me and the reason behind my frequent visits.

"It's busy, but not as busy as it was yesterday." He replied. "I'm shocked you didn't come through. You've been here damn near every other night."

I chuckled as I rubbed the back of my neck. "Yeah, I had plans last night."

"Well it's a good thing you came today." He beamed. "She's here."

"What?" I gasped. "MK? She's here?"

He nodded. "She just walked in."

The smile on my face grew, and as soon as Mike let me walk past him I saw her sitting on the exact same barstool she relaxed on when we met.

Her drink of choice was the same, as was her style, and her side profile was as natural and beautiful as I remembered - her perfectly proportionate nose, her nicely defined jawline, the soft skin along her perky cheeks, her full lips, and the rich dark color of the long thick braids that draped her entire back.

I was both mesmerized and excited from her presence alone, and as I walked towards her I noticed her and Henry speaking.

"I'm sure I'll never see him again." MK said, Henry's gaze shifting towards me before a smile appeared on his face.

"You sure about that?" Henry asked, and from the side I could see the confused expression on the beauty's face.

"MK?" I softly called for her.

She looked over her shoulder, her lips parting as soon as our eyes locked.

"It's you." I continued. "I finally found you."

I smiled to MK and stepped even closer to her, when to my surprise she looked away from me and grabbed the wallet from her bag with a ton of attitude.

"That'll be all for me tonight." She said, setting $20 on the bar.

Henry's eyes widened, much like mine, as we watched MK stand up from her chair.

"Wait, what's wrong?" I asked, and she tried to walk past me before I grabbed her wrist.

"Don't touch me." She hissed, snapping her wrist away from my hold.

I was shocked seeing the terrifying look she directed at me. Her gaze was full of anger. No her gaze was full of disgust and dare I say it... Hatred.

"What's going on?" I asked. "Why are you being like this?"

"Being like this?" She recited. "We have one night together, and you think you know me?"

"That's not what I meant." I tried, and she scoffed as she shook her head at me.

"I thought I made myself clear." She continued. "I told you we would begin and end the night as strangers. Stop acting like you know me, and stay clear of me when you see me from now on. Got it?"

"What the hell MK?" I faltered. "Did I do something wrong?"

She rolled her eyes, and looked away from me when it dawned on me.

"You were there last night." I proceeded. "You were at Lux. It really was you that I saw."

MK remained silent, and though I certainly had work to do to get back on her good side - I was relieved to know what was causing such a reaction from her.

"That wasn't the best side of me you saw." I said to her. "And there's really nothing that can be said, because I'll be honest. I was making a move on that woman, but as soon as I saw you I tried to get to you. I wanted to see you last night, and I'm-..."

A dry chuckle escaped MK's lips, cutting my sentence short.

She then folded her arms beneath her breasts and tilted her head as she looked at me like I was total filth.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" She fumed. "What, because you got money, looks, and a career your family has made for you - you think you're some kind of God or something?"

"Excuse me?"

"You're all exactly the same." She theorized. "You all think because of your wealth, power, and influence you can get away with anything. Everything and everyone you come across is just a pawn in this fucked up world of yours."

"MK-..."

"You're disgusting." She continued, my eyes widening. "You're nothing but a pathetic lonely coward that deserves everything coming your way."

"Holy shit." I breathed, digesting what sounded like a threat. "You're crazy."

"Now that you know." She snarled. "Don't ever approach me again."

Once again, MK tried to walk past me but I stopped her.

"I'll leave." I insisted infuriately. "Something tells me, you need the alcohol to melt that cold heart of yours way more than I do."

"Fuck you." She cursed, and I glared at the woman I stupidly wasted energy looking for this entire week.

"Yeah, that'll never be an option for you again sweetheart."

I watched as MK turned around, and took her place back on the barstool.

Henry was flustered, and I could tell he was torn between MK and I.

However, I made it easy for him and took this unexpected encounter as a sign that I should never come to Hidden Hall again.

"Paul." Mike called for me, but I was too embarrassed to slow down.

I stormed out of the speakeasy, and scrolled through my contacts before I rang my new friends that would certainly help me move past the two women who disposed of me like I was nothing within the same hour.

-*-

"Damn, Paul." Antonio chuckled, watching as I took two shots of tequila back to back in our small section. "Slow down! I am not carrying you home tonight."

"That's never going to happen." I replied, slouching back in the black velvet couch. "I told you. Liquor doesn't compare to what soju does for me."

"Naw, that shit had me laid out last weekend." Donnell admitted, making Antonio and I laugh. "We should do Korean barbecue for lunch tomorrow though. I've been craving it nonstop since you took us to that restaurant last week."

I scoffed. "No need to go there again when I can make it at my place."

"For real?" Antonio asked. "You cook?"

I nodded. "At the rate I'm going, I'll be a bachelor until I'm 40. I gotta take care of myself."

"True." Donnell replied as I poured another round of shots for the three of us. "Am I the only one not feeling this spot, tonight?"

"I'm not either." Antonio confirmed. "Should we go somewhere else?"

"Is that even an option?" I asked, nodding in the direction of Spencer and Chase who were drunkenly dancing their asses off right now.

"I'll get them." Donnell offered, standing up. "You two decide on the next destination."

Antonio and I watched Donnell leave his seat on the couch, and we both took our shots before we started brainstorming. It didn't take long to decide on the next spot though.

Antonio wasn't in the mood for socializing tonight but he was in the mood to be entertained. I on the other hand, was interested in encountering my first experience at his suggestion, Allure Gentlemen's Club - A popular strip club in Boston.

"How old are you? 15?" Spencer teased, the five of us stumbling down the lively Main Street. "How have you never been to a strip club?"

"Do you have any idea how conservative South Korea is?" I asked. "Strip clubs are illegal there, and girls that wear tiny dresses are shunned from society."

"Yeah, I'll probably opt out of visiting your homeland brother." Chased joked, draping his heavy arm around my shoulders. "How'd a handsome dog like you come from a country like that?"

I shrugged. "Just because women tend to keep it a little classier there, doesn't mean they don't know what to do in private."

"Shit, when you put it like that maybe we should give Korea a chance." Chase continued, the group laughing with each other when I noticed Shawn walking towards us by himself.

However, just like he had been doing since he discovered I was a member of The Elite, he refused to make eye contact with me and continued to ignore me.

"I fucking hate that kid." Spencer breathed, his gaze directed at Shawn. "My dad told me to make nice with him since he's the top first year, but I can't bring myself to do it."

"He's that rowdy activist, right? The one always going on and on about women and alphabet soup rights?" Chase slurred, and soon I watched a devious smile form on his face before he walked ahead of the group and purposefully bumped Shawn's shoulder. "Watch it, faggot."

"As should you." Shawn snickered. "Fucking rapist."

"What did you just say?" Chase asked, rage fueling in his already flushed face.

Shawn rolled his eyes, and continued walking past The Elite before Chase grabbed the back of his shirt. He then turned Shawn around to delivered a hard blow across his face that knocked him to the ground, earning gaps and screams from the dozens of clubbers and bar crawlers surrounding us.

"You want to say that to my face, you prick!" Chase yelled, grabbing the front of Shawn's shirt now that he was hovering over him.

"I'm pretty sure I just did that." Shawn smirked through his blood stained teeth.

"Let's see if you're still smiling when I'm done with you." Chase threatened, and my eyes widened as I braced myself to witness the deadly punch being directed at Shawn.

"Chase, stop!" Spencer commanded, grabbing the athlete's arm. "Not here. Too many eyes."

A sigh of relief slipped past my lips, but only for a second.

I noticed Donnell and Antonio charmingly approach two people that recorded Chase's assault while he and Spencer dragged Shawn away.

"What the fuck?" I breathed, shaking my head. "No, no, no."

I rushed to the ally Shawn was forced to enter, and gasped watching the vile beating he was receiving from Spencer.

The gigantic man was stomping Shawn to death, and this was likely after already having his way with his fists before I could even see anything.

"What are you doing!" I yelled before I felt Spencer grab my arm.

"Don't get in his way." Spencer advised. "It's dangerous. He's probably blacked out by now."

My jaw dropped as I glanced back and forth between the assault I was witnessing and the serious gaze in Spencer's eyes.

"We can't let him kill him, Spencer! This is crazy."

"It won't get that far." Antonio added, and I looked behind me to see him and Donnell standing next to me now. "We'll stop it together, before it does."

I grew startled hearing the sound of Shawn being thrown against a large metal dumpster - trash and cardboard boxes falling on him while Chase continued to kick the shit out of him.

"He shouldn't have done that." Spencer sighed. "That piece of shit shouldn't have aggravated Chase, and an insult to one of us is an insult to all of us. Have you idea how many people witnessed him call Chase a rapist just now?"

"You don't think this violent response is only worsening things?" I rebutted, silencing the group until we heard Chase's booming voice.

"What now, bitch?" He roared like the unpleasant beast he appeared to be right now.

"I think that's enough." Donnell said, and I watched him and Antonio walk around me before they used all of their strength to stop Chase.

"Damnit!" Antonio groaned. "Pazzo bianco! Get it together, Chase!"

"I'm gonna kill him!" Chase fumed, resisting his own friends now. "Get out of my way!"

"Chill out!" Donnell pleaded. "He got the message!"

Spencer finally stepped away from me and walked in front of Chase who's back was now pinned against the brick wall of the alley.

"Let me go!" Chase yelled, but Spencer slapped him right back into his senses.

"That's enough, Chase." Spencer sternly said, Chase's pecks heaving as he focused on the group's leader. "Atta boy. Let's get out of here."

Dumbfounded, I watched the group of boys nonchalantly walk out of the alley without even checking to see if Shawn was still breathing.

"Paul, come on." Spencer called for me. "We need to leave, now."

I stood in the same spot, frozen. I had no idea what to do.

On one end, I knew what I just witnessed was wrong and I wanted to help Shawn. On the other end, I was hesitant to disobey Spencer and further rile up an unhinged Chase Mathews.

Despite the ass I could be towards women, people who knew me were aware I was actually as soft as it gets. I hated confrontation and I wasn't a fighter. On top of my cowardly tendencies, this wasn't a group I could afford to make an enemy of.

"Paul, come on." Antonio insisted. "The night's still young, brother. Lets enjoy the rest of it."

I glanced at Shawn's lifeless body laying on the cold dirty concrete before I made a choice, and did as I was told.

"How's your fist?" Spencer asked Chase, the five of us walking down the crowded side walk.

"It's going to be swollen by the morning." Chase replied. "It was worth it though. I bet you that asshole won't even glance at us again."

Spencer chuckled, patting Chases back. "That bastard picked a fight with the wrong ones. He'll be begging to drop out of Harvard by time I'm done with him next week."

I sighed, my head hanging low as guilt consumed my conscience.

"You okay?" Antonio softly asked me. "I know that was not a side you were expecting to see of Chase, but it's rare it comes out. He's just drunk and high, right now. He's not himself."

I remained silent, and my stomach was even turning from the thought of abandoning Shawn.

"Yo, Paul." Donnell said on the other side of me, his hand meeting my back. "You good?"

I shook my head. "I think all the tequila is catching up to me. I feel like I'm going to hurl."

"You're probably in a bit of shock." Spencer sighed. "I don't like the kid, but Chase you did go a bit far tonight."

"My bad." Chase apologized, rubbing the back of his neck. "I tried a new drug. My emotions are all over the place with this one. I'm sorry you had to see me like that, Paul."

I forced a smile, but I really needed to get back to the person who needed me right now.

"It's cool." I replied. "I just need to call it a night. I'm really not feeling good."

"No way." Antonio groaned. "You were looking forward to Allure. Don't let this encounter get in the way."

"I'm already over it." I lied, patting Antonio's shoulder. "I just need to sober up, and go to bed. I drank too much at the club."

The group fell silent, and they could tell how uncomfortable Chase's behavior made me. But what were they going to do? Hold me hostage?

"Go enjoy yourselves." I continued, stepping away from them. "I'll hit the group chat in the morning. If you don't kill yourselves tonight, brunch is on me tomorrow. Okay?"

"For real?" Donnell asked wide-eyed.

"No take backs!" Chase added, laughing with Spencer. "Antonio here is the foodie of the group. We're not cheap, you know."

"Respectfully, I'm the richest one in the group now." I responded, earning playful ohs from the boys as I continued to increase the distance between us. "Pick the place, Prince Antonio. I'll see you guys at brunch tomorrow afternoon."

Antonio smirked. "Alright, showoff."

I waved to the boys, forcing believable laughter as I stepped away.

I then turned around, and kept a cool and casual pace for a few more seconds. But when I knew I was out of their site, I sprinted towards the alley Shawn was left helpless in and as expected - he hadn't moved an inch.

"Shawn!" I called for him, kneeling by his side before I rolled him over on his back.

I shuddered seeing the terrible state he was in, blood oozing from his nose, mouth, and the huge wound above his right eyebrow.

"Shawn, can you hear me?" I asked, shaking him.

He winced, placing his hand on his ribcage. "Get me to a hospital."

"Okay, I'll call an ambulance!" I replied, but he stopped me immediately.

"This ain't Korea!" He groaned. "Have you any idea how much an ambulance cost here?"

"Does money matter right now?" I scolded.

"Easy to say from your perspective, rich boy."

I sighed at the stubborn man, my shoulders falling.

"Just help me get to the hospital." He continued.

I did as he commanded, wrapping his arm around my shoulders before I helped him off the ground.

Despite how short he was, he was muscular and complete deadweight. I struggled to keep him on his feet, and it was ten times harder to get a taxi given how troublesome we looked. But fortunately, someone with a good heart accepted us and dropped us off right in front of the Emergency Room of the Massachusetts General Hospital.

"Help!" I pleaded, and Shawn was barely conscious now. "Please, someone help!"

"Bring a stretcher!" A nurse ordered, rushing towards us. "What's the patient's name?"

"Shawn Flynn." I answered, watching as he was placed on the mobile hospital bed.

"What happened?" She asked, multiple nurses approaching us now.

"He-..." I paused, knowing I had to be careful with my words. "He got into an altercation with a drunk. Before he lost conscious he said he was having sever pain in his ribs and as you can see he took a few hits to the head."

"What's your relationship with the patient?" She asked, and I walked with them as they rushed Shawn through the ER. "We're classmates."

"Does he have a guardian? Do you know anyone we can call?"

"I um. I-..." I stuttered. "I'll be his guardian. Just let me know what I need to do."

"For now, please have a seat in the waiting room." She said. "We need to rule out any internal bleeding, and make sure his ribs haven't ruptured an organ. I'll be back with our findings."

"Thank you." I replied, stopping in my tracks as they pushed Shawn further into the hospital.

I then turned around and sighed - feeling relief I was able to get Shawn to the hospital, but also feeling shocked and confused about the four men I had quickly befriended in Boston.

"What the hell have you gotten yourself into, Ho-seok?" I whispered.

As the nurse advised, I took a seat in the waiting room and filled out the necessary paperwork while I anxiously waited for an update on Shawn for nearly two hours. 

Luckily, decent news was shared when the nurse that took Shawn back for his examinations came and found me.

"He's awake, and the exam came back better than expected." She said, guiding me towards the bed Shawn was occupying. "No internal bleeding, but he does have a fractured rib and a minor concussion. He just needs to rest for a couple of days, and he'll be just fine. "

"That's a relief to hear. Thank you." I replied as we stopped in front of a closed curtain.

"One second, he's getting stitches above his eye right now." The nurse said. "Dr. Pearson, I've brought Mr. Flynn's guardian."

"Okay, he or she can come in."

My eyebrows furrowed hearing an all too familiar voice, and when the nurse opened the curtain I was shocked to see the one-night-stand that cursed me out a few weeks ago.

"I'm almost done." MK said, and she was so focused on Shawn she hadn't noticed me yet.

"Is this going to scar badly?" Shawn asked.

MK chuckled, her smile as warm as it was the first and last night we shared together.

"Don't you worry." She replied. "I know a handsome face when I see one. I promise, I'll do good by you."

"Thank you." He beamed, and I couldn't help but scoff.

"Do you always flirt with your patients?" I asked, taking a seat in the chair beside Shawn's bed.

Hearing my voice, MK grew tense and that comforting smile she was showing Shawn vanished as she looked my way.

"So you're a doctor?" I continued, eyeing the engraved name on her white coat. "Dr. Pearson."

She sighed, and ignored my question as she went back to focusing on Shawn.

"Do you two know each other?" He asked, rightfully nervous seeing her true colors now.

"Unfortunately." MK responded. "I'll try not to be too rough on you now that I know the company you keep."

"Hold up!" Shawn exclaimed. "He is not my friend!"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not your friend, but I'm about to pay this entire bill for you?"

"Wow." MK taunted. "Once again, using that money and power of yours I see."

"You're determined to misunderstand me, aren't you?" I asked.

MK shrugged. "Am I wrong, Mr. Flynn? If he's not your friend like you say, he must have been involved in the assault that landed you here."

My lips parted, MK's eyes still fixated on the wound she was stitching.

"Bingo." Shawn confirmed. "I ain't to proud to beg though. I can't afford this bill, and paying it for me is the very least he can do for acting as a bystander."

I bit my bottom lip, my face growing unbearably warm as my cowardice was exposed to MK.

"In my book, a bystander is no better than the assaulter." MK said, cleaning the blood off Shawn's stitched wound. "You're letting him off the hook with this bri-..."

"Sir, please calm down!" A woman yelled, many people in the ER screaming as the sounds of steel medical tools and equipment falling to the ground echoed through the cold room.

"Give me my pills!" A man roared behind the curtain. "Don't make me repeat myself, give me the damn pain killers!"

MK sighed, setting her suturing instruments down before she removed her latex gloves.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

My eyebrows scrunched as she ignored me, and I stood up when she opened the curtain.

"MK!" I called for her. "Where are you going? It's dangerous!"

"My head is throbbing!" The man who appeared to be homeless continued yelling as he waved a stolen scalpel around. He was out of sorts, and clearly a drug addict. "Give me the pills, or I'll slit each and every one of your throats. This ain't a game! I'll kill ya!"

"Sir, please calm down." MK said, slowly approaching the middle-aged white man.

"You think I'm kidding!" He spat through the gaps of teeth in his mouth and like every person witnessing this encounter, I gasped when he jabbed the scalpel at MK.

"Dr. Pearson! Be careful!" A nurse urged.

"Give me my drugs, you bitch!" The man continued, his hand shaking as he rubbed down his eczema covered face. "I'll give you to the count of three."

"Okay, as long as you understand what happens from here on out is self defense." MK warned.

"Oh you're a confident little thing I see!" He sneered. "Don't say I didn't warn ya!"

He charged at MK and attempted to slice her neck, but to my surprise her reaction was so quick it looked like he was moving in slow motion.

She dodged the blade, watching his arm pass her face before she grabbed it and flipped him over her shoulder.

"Damn!" Shawn and I reacted.

"My back!" The man winced as MK twisted his wrist to make him drop the scalpel, and when he did she twisted his arm next - forcing him to turn on his stomach so she could secure his hands behind his back. "I'm sorry, I just wanted my drugs!"

"Dr. Pearson!" An overweight security guard called for her, rushing to her side.

"Again, Ricky?" She sassed, looking up to him. "You're one minute too late."

"I was using the restroom!" He sighed.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." MK said, allowing the security guard to take over. "Be gentle with him. He's a patient now. He's having an episode and he's not going to remember any of this once we get fluids in him so just handcuff him to a bed for now. Isabel will help you find a vacant one."

"Yes, ma'am. Thanks, Dr. Pearson." He smiled.

Flabbergasted - I stared at MK as she approached Shawn and I again, dozens of witnesses in the ER even applauding her reckless bravery.

"What are you?" Shawn asked, MK chuckling as she grabbed his chart.

"Just your friendly resident working hard to pay off all the debt she wracked up in med school." She joked. "You're all set though Mr. Flynn. I'll include instructions in your discharge paperwork for keeping the wound clean, the medication going home with you, and when you should come back to get the stitches removed. I recommend you stick around and rest for a few hours, even if it means hanging out with this piece of trash so he can look over you for a bit."

"Seriously?" I murmured, but she continued to ignore me.

"I wish you the best with your recovery." She said to Shawn. "Please come back if you experience any side affects from the medication."

"Thank you, Dr. Pearson." She smiled to him, but glared at me as she walked out of our small section and closed the curtain behind her. "What the hell did you do to get on her bad side?"

"She was a one-night-stand-..."

"Hold up! What?" He exclaimed. "You had a night with that beautiful brown queen?"

"I'm slightly offended by your tone." I replied, taking a seat in the chair beside Shawn's bed again. "Are you implying she's out of my league?"

"She's a whole ass surgical resident in Massachusetts' biggest general hospital and she looks like that after working hours on hours in this ER? I mean, did you see her?"

I snapped my tongue. "What did I just say? I've seen more of her than you can imagine."

He shook his head. "Another good one gone because of assholes like you."

"It was one night!" I groaned. "This is crazy. We had one night together and she made it clear it was nothing more than sex to her. Now she's in her feelings because she saw me with another woman at the club? Make it make sense, Shawn."

"Are you certain that's what this is all about?" He asked.

"What else could this be about?"

"Any chance you were out clubbing with The Elite the night she saw you?" He asked. "Every insult she threw at you tonight, had to do with the characteristics you share with your crew. Nothing about her energy seemed jealous. She just doesn't like you."

I fell silent, Shawn laying back in the hospital bed as it dawned on me.

He was right.

Even thinking back at the harsh words she said to me in Hidden Hall, none of it ever had to do with a woman. Just like Shawn, MK hated the people I had recently chosen to surround myself with, and it appeared due to mere association...

She now hated me too. 

____

Author's Note: I hope you all enjoyed this update, and are enjoying Acquit to Love You even more now that the storyline is picking up! 

Paul is learning more and more about "MK" and his new Harvard friends each chapter! How do you think he will respond to The Elite following both the altercation that landed Shawn in the hospital and the response from the woman he can't seem to get a good read on?

Please remember to vote and comment! I really hope to hear more from you all! 

- Zelene