42. two seconds

"I'll pay you back."

Soojin looked at the tall guy walking besides her with curiosity. After their very impromptu birthday celebration, a really edible cake and fun banters, they were heading home. But instead of the bike, Soojin suggested they'd walk until the main road and hail a Uber.

So they bid goodbye to the hooligans, Chorong thanked Soojin for being there. While heading towards the door, she heard Chorong mutter a 'i like her now' to Seojun in a not so hushed voice.

That made her smile.

"Pay back? For what?"

Soojin had left her coat back in the party and was now wrapped in one of Seojun's jackets. Although it was chilly, she didn't mind the little walk with just the two of them.

"The money you paid to-"

"Ya Han Seojun..." She cut him off, Seojun now glanced at her with a small smile. "You said it yourself, that money was wrongfully demanded."

"I stand by it." Seojun buried his hands in his coat pockets, "but you paid the money Soojin. It's not fair."

"It's not fair for you either. Plus that money was just because they were pissing me off by their unwelcomed entrances." Soojin cringed at the very thought of what happened last time. "especially that tall guy, the next time I see him, imma air kick him."

Her defensive mode caused Seojun to chuckle softly, "wow, you do love fights."

"I don't love fights." Soojin defended herself immediately, shrugging. "But then, I'm not going to back off."

"Let me always be on your team. Because I'd never want to be in the other end of Kang Soojin's air kicks." He raised his hands in surrender which she hit playfully with her hand.

"Stop, you're so dramatic."

Seojun held her hand, this time his grasp wasn't firm, but hers was. Inadvertently they held hands, their conversations taking their attention from it.

"I'm dramatic? Have you seen yourself, princess?"

Soojin giggled, not minding the nickname which Seojun often troubled her with. The undertone was way different than what it was before. It would be stupid to say she liked it.

"Right, right, because I'm the one who hops on a deadly vehicle, wears ten thousand rings and has a gang who always synchronises their replies- what is with that-" She said, all in a single breath, "plus not to mention your feud with almost all teachers, and your friendship with the most antisocial boy."

Seojun tilted his head, eyeing the girl next to him. She looked so much better lately. Bags underneath her eyes seemed lighter, her smile which she often kept suppressed seemed to play on her lips and her hands... He looked down at her soft hand in his.

He just loved the way they felt against his.

"I'm not the one who likes the anti-social guy, just so you know." He teased, only to see Soojin raise her eyebrows at him. "I may have befriended him, but you like him."

"I liked him." She corrected Seojun, turning to face him and releasing the hands they held. "also, you like his girlfriend. How does that not count?"

"It counts." Seojun accepted defeat. "you're right, I have been stupid with love." He admitted, the tone changing and the road they wanted to halt a cab left behind. "Jugyeong will always have a soft corner."

Soojin felt a tug at her heart strins. She was a bit conscious now and at the same time, at ease.

"I feel terrible for your next girlfriend." Soojin chuckled, ignoring the little pang in her heart as she said the next set of words. "Poor girl would have to compete with the best girl of Saebom High to win a place in your life."

Seojun stopped walking. This time he held Soojin's wrist and prevented her from walking any further.

"Han Seojun?" Soojin asked, the way Seojun was staring at her was adding to the chilliness of the night.

"My next girlfriend already is the best girl of Saebom High."

Heartbeats hadn't been so clear and loud to Soojin without a stethoscope as it was in that very moment.

She almost believed this was a dream. A very beautiful yet far-fetched dream that had no happy ending.

Before she could muster the courage and put an end to this herself, Seojun's mobile rang. He let go of Soojin's wrist and attended the call from Lee Suho who demanded they come right back.

Meanwhile Soojin booked an uber, realising how late it was and wondered whether her father noticed her absence. Not that it mattered. Nothing mattered now. It was almost time to go.

"Lee Suho is freaking out." Seojun said, walking towards the girl. "I've never seen him so worked up."

"Yes. Dr Kang can have this effect on the best of us." Soojin shook her head, fighting the urge to curse out loud. She could sense Seojun's mood changing. "I've booked the cab, it should be here any minute."

"Why don't you do something about your father?" Seojun withheld all the anger he could when he calmly said that. He was direct about it and Soojin loved straightforward people. "Why are you taking it without a fight."

As easy it was to ask this question, only those who had suffered parental abuse would know how difficult it was to get out of it. Soojin had so many plans to fight back, including skipping school, trying to run away and reporting her father. All of them failed to be fruitful because of the lack of resources and planning.

That being said, she or anyone in her place could never fight with this and win. It was always a losing game. Even if she did report her father, and some action was taken against him which is impossible given his status, she'd be the one to suffer.

It was stupid how much she loved her father even after what he put her through.

"I have a plan." Soojin replied, this time she was calm and composed as opposed to taking any offence. She knew Seojun meant the best for her and also knew that if roles were reversed, Soojin would have filed the complaint herself. "But you're not going to like it."

Seojun furrowed his eyebrows, her calm tone and her soft smile scared him. "What is..."

The Uber driver called out to Soojin from across the street, to which Soojin nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow?" She waved at him and ran across the street, without waiting for his reply only for Seojun to remain still.

What was Soojin's plan? And why would he not like it?

Any plan, any step she'd take to get out of the toxic environment would only receive immense support from him.

As long as it wasn't the step Seyeon took.

_

With a couple of days remaining for the last few days of their school life to end and for the terms to begin, the class of 3-1 were at the edge of their seat.

It was the presentation at first. The entire day, Mr. Han, their homeroom teacher had been grading the various projects and applauded the class for their creativity. Yet the one which stood out was Han Seojun's music video.

It was a song Seojun had composed for the memories of his late friend. The detailed presentation on the composition of music and songs, with the extra citations and markings very well illustrated by the studious girl was a perfect combination to Seojun's voice.

The music video was like a cherry on top because it really sold the deal. Han Seojun's voice mesmerized the clan and put Soojin in a fix.

She had secretly taken a copy of the video to listen to it whenever she would miss the boy. And had already listened to it on a long loop.

The class ended with applause and extra scores for Seojun to finally get the hope to pass his exams. Mr. Han addressed the students, appreciating the few who stood out and then glanced at Seojun.

"Han Seojun, you should resume your idol training." He smiled at the boy, "a voice like yours should not be hidden from the world."

The class cheered for the boy who went silent on the take back. Lee Suho was one to be clapping really loudly for his friend in the hope of him to resume singing again. Seojun nodded politely and the class was dismissed, everyone rushed out to visit libraries and study for the term finals.

Jugyeong and the others remained back, praising Seojun for his remarkable talent. Soojin on the other hand had packed her stuff, she needed to sort few things back at home. And she knew she wasn't needed here.

"Let's go for lunch. All of us." Suah suggested, interlinking her arms with Jugyeong. "Before the finals take us all down..."

"Sure. That new Thai place has gotten good reviews." Suho said, scrolling through his phone. "Although we should head early if we want to study later to avoid waiting queue." They nodded instantly, taking their belongings and walking out of the classroom.

Seojun didn't even get a chance to talk to Soojin about last evening's conversation because she had vanished. He was pulled by Jugyeong and the thought was put on hold when the former suggested a spicy noodles contest.

Kang Soojin on the other hand, felt anxious as she checked her bank balance. The rising figures only kept her anxieties at bay and hoped that this would finally put an end to the madness.

The walk back home was a calculation trip. The countdown was nearing and she could finally bid adieu to her pathetic little life.

She had also helped Seojun study over the few weeks, completed the project and managed to get him the marks he'd need to pass. Surely, him clearing his exams and hopefully, rejoining in idol training would give Soojin the last straw of peace she'd need.

There was also the date she had promised Seojun and for all selfish reasons, she intended to keep that promise. Hoping to tell him the truth after that, just so she could have some memories to hold onto.

The small smile she carried on the thought of Seojun was snatched away pretty quickly when she stepped in her house.

Her very seething father, a very disappointed mother and a distorted room with broken pieces of glass was not a sight to behold.

There wasn't much of a reaction beyond that. It didn't take two seconds for the doctor to impose his toxic masculinity on the vulnerable girl and it didn't take two seconds for Soojin's happy little bubble to burst.

It was then decided that if she wanted to live, she had to leave that very instant.

And she did.

_

a/n : couple of chapters remain. I intend to end the story soon.