"Hey! We have to work on the project", she said, walking next to him.

"Good. Tell me how it goes", he said.

She wanted to punch him so badly. She stood in front of him to prevent him from walking away.

"Not this again", he rolled his eyes.

"I don't care. You don't like me, I don't like you. So you work on half of the project at your own time and I'll work on the other half. That way we won't have to rip each other's hair apart", she said.

"Trust me. I wouldn't even touch your hair. It's too dry and will probably snap if I held it. Now excuse me, I gotta get home", he passed by her.

~~~

When (y/n) arrived home, her mother was talking on the phone while her little sister was doing her homework.

"Why are you late??", her mother asked.

"I signed up for glee club. Remember I told you I wanted to be a singer?", she said.

She dropped her bag near the door and took off her shoes. She smiled when she saw her sister and offered to help.

"Well now you made me late for work. I told you that you had to babysit", her mother said, putting her cellphone in her purse.

"I'm sorry", she said.

"All you do is apologize. Your good for nothing. I have to go. Feed her", her mother said and left the house.

She tried not to frown in front of her sister because she hates whenever she's upset. While her sister finished her homework, she made dinner. She had to clean afterwards because her mom never likes doing that. She thinks it isn't her job.

It was now midnight and she hasn't even started on the project. She sat down on her desk and began working on it.

"(Y/n)! You little brat! Come help me!"

Her mother once again came home drunk. She walked out into the kitchen and boiled some water for coffee. Her mom was sitting on the couch, incoherently mumbling about things that don't exist. She took off her shoes and placed a blanket over her, making sure she was comfortable. Going over to the bathroom, she look inside the cabinet and took out pills for headaches. She placed two on the table along with a glass of water.

Walking back to her room with a cup of coffee in her hand, she sat down on the chair and continued with the project only to fall asleep an hour later with half a page written.

The next morning she woke up two hours later than she was supposed to. She was late for school. She got ready and gathered all her things before running to school. It was also a short day so she only had two hours of school left.

Luckily she arrived after lunch started. She thought instead of eating she would work on the project. Looking over at the empty benches, she walked towards it while taking her bag off of her shoulder, ready to put it down but Seungcheol and his group of friends decided to sit there.

"Are you guys blind? I was gonna sit there", she said.

"Not anymore", one of them said.

"Did you work on the project?", she asked Seungcheol.

"I never agreed I was gonna work on it", he said.

"I can't do everything on my own. You have to do it too", she said.

"Like the principal said, you're smart so you can do it on your own", he said.

She rolled her eyes and turned around to walk away. The library was also another option she can go to to work on it peacefully.

When lunch was over, she had finished almost three pages. Since Seungcheol said he wasn't gonna work on it, she had to write another three pages. She had two days left until it was due.

During science class, Seungcheol fell asleep. She debated whether she should wake him up but he didn't care about paying attention in class. Why is he even here if he's not even putting up the effort to do anything?

She kept glancing down at him until she noticed a small bruise under his eyes. Probably got into another fight.

"That's it for today class. No homework. Just focus on your projects", the teacher dismissed the class.

Seungcheol was still asleep so she shook his arm until he woke up.

"Class is over", she said.

"Whatever", he muttered, fixing his jacket.

"So were you serious about not working on the project? Because I'm already done with my part and if-", again he cut her off by exiting the class without saying anything.

"Jeez, his parents must be so proud", she muttered.

~~~

"You're so useless!"

"Oh jeez I'm useless because I told you to I can't make dinner?? Really? Why can't you do it? It's your job!"

Seungcheol was sitting down on the couch, tired of hearing his parents arguing. He couldn't even enjoy peace and quiet.

"Boy, make dinner. Your mother is making herself a victim again", his father said as he passed by him, taking off his tie.

"I'm always cleaning!", his mother yelled.

Seungcheol had enough so he stood up and headed towards his room.

"Did you hear me??", his father asked.

"Yes! The whole freaking world can hear you! You guys are always arguing so why don't you do yourselves a favor and get a damn divorce already!", Seungcheol yelled.

His father raised his hand and slapped him.

"Don't you dare raise your voice like that. Who runs this house? Not you. You don't have the option to have an opinion. Get yourself in the kitchen and make dinner. Now!", his father yelled.

Seungcheol tried to control his temper. He grabbed his backpack and ran out of the house while his parents called for him.

~~~

The next day (y/n) was sitting in science class, looking over at Seungcheol's spot. He wasn't here. She didn't even see him in math class. He's probably either absent or ditching with his friend but he wasn't with them.

When class was finished, she picked up her things. Everyone else had already left the room but she was struggling with the zipper of her backpack.

"Oh come on", she groaned as she made it worse.

She heard footsteps coming from behind her, papers being placed on the desk in front of her. When she looked up, she met eyes with Seungcheol before he left the class. She picked up the papers and realized it was the project. He had actually done it. 

~~~

"It's completely wrong. Your project made no sense at all. Did you guys even work on it together? Talked about it at least? You two are the only ones who turned in something that has separate topics", the teacher said.

Seungcheol and (y/n) were both standing in front of the teachers desk as she explained the problem of their project.

"Look, since you're new, I'll give you another opportunity to turn it in. You have until tomorrow by the end of class. I expect the both of you to work on it and I expect it to be good. Got it?", the teacher asked.

(Y/n) nodded while he looked the other way.

"Okay. Seungcheol I have to talk to you about something. (Y/n) you can wait outside", she said.

She exited the room and waited. She can hear them talking as she leaned against the wall.

"What happened to your eye? Did you get into a fight again?", she asked Seungcheol.

"Doesn't matter", he answered.

"It matters. How are things at home?", she asked.

"..doesn't matter", he said.

"Do I have to call your parents in for a conference? Your grades have dropped drastically. I'm surprised. You were doing so well", she said.

"I should go. I have things to do", he said and walked right pat (y/n).

She watched as he walked away but then remembered they have to work on the project. She ran after him and stood in front of him.

"Let's go to my house. We can work on the project there", she said.

"Whatever", he said, looking away.

She walked before him, giving him his space. When she arrived home, her sister ran to her and hugged her.

"Where were you? Mom's mad again because she's late for work",her sister said.

"I thought she wasn't working today", she said.

"They called her in", her sister said, glancing over at Seungcheol.

"(Y/n)! You're late again! Do you realize you're gonna get me fired?! Who the hell is this??", her mother asked as she walked into the living room.

"Is this your boyfriend?", her sister teased.

"No. He's not even a friend. We're just working on a project together. Now young missy have you started on your homework?", she kneeled down to face her sister.

She shook her head. She ran towards her backpack and got her folder out so she can get started on it.

"I swear if I get fired because of you, you're gonna get it. This will be the third time", her mother said.

"It's not my fault I have an education to keep up. I'm behind because we're always moving", she said, taking off her shoes.

Her mother didn't like the way she responded so she slapped her, scaring her sister.

"I don't know why I even had you. I'm going to work. Feed her", her mother said before leaving the house.

(Y/n) ignored it and took out her things from her bag, placing it on the table.

"Are you okay?", her sister asked.

"I'm fine. Just work on your homework", she faked a smile and sat down on the chair.

Seungcheol sat down across from her and placed his backpack on the table. They talked about what the project should be and worked quietly on their parts. About a half hour passed, Seungcheol's kept glancing over at (y/n) who kept touching her cheek. He can see a bruise forming. He stood up and walked towards the fridge, opening it so he can grab an ice pack. He placed it on her hand and then her cheek, sitting down quietly afterwards, shocking (y/n).

Her sister smiled to herself and continued with her homework.

"(Y/n), I'm working on my math homework and I don't get it", her sister said.

"What are you working on?", she asked.

"Fractions", her sister answered.

Seungcheol looked over and began to explain to her how to do the problem. (Y/n)'s eyes widened, not believing that Seungcheol, the guy who doesn't pay attention in class,  actually knows what he's doing.

"Thanks. I get it now", she smiled and continued doing her homework.

He softly smiled and went back doing his own thing.

Almost two hours pass. (Y/n)'s little sister had already finished her homework and was asleep in her room. Seungcheol was still working on his part while (y/n) fell asleep while doing hers. He couldn't help but stare at the bruise on her cheek. He felt bad for her. It even surprised him since he doesn't care about anyone but he's realizing that they're the same. He knows what she's going through with parents.

After a while, Seungcheol finished the rest of the project woke (y/n) up.

"I should get going", he said.

"Oh no I fell asleep didn't I? We haven't even finished the project yet", she groaned.

"I finished the rest. It's okay", he said, putting his things away.

"Oh..", she said.

She walked him outside and expected him to leave but he turned around to face her.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been treating you so badly", he said.

"Wha- you're apologizing?", she said.

"Yeah I know. I'm shocked too. But if you need anything, don't be afraid to call me. I'll come straight over here", he said.

"Why are you being so nice all of a sudden?", she asked.

"Because I know how it feels like to deal with parents who think of you as nothing. Trust me, you don't want to meet my parents. I'd rather not have you meet them actually", he chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Is that how you got the bruise on your face?", she asked.

"Yeah. Anyways, I'll make sure my friends don't bother you. And I hope we can get along. You're not that bad after all. Plus, your sister is nice, nicer than you anyways", he smirked.

"She is. You're right about that", she chuckled.

"Alright, I'll get going now. Make sure to put something on that bruise so it won't hurt", he said.

"You too. And thanks", she smiled and waved as he walked away.

She started realizing that maybe he's the way he is because of what's happening at home. But now she knows she isn't the only one with this issue. Hopefully they'll get through it together.