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When I saw the signs, I shoulda let you go
But I kept you beside me

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NARRATIVE

He looked with sadness at the pillow next to him where her head should lay.  Jina had not come home again.  Feeding his anger about her absences, her lack of energy around him, her distant looks that told so much that he couldn't stand it anymore.  Jaden had lashed out at her and slapped her face hard as blood trickled from her nose.  She fell to the ground holding her stinging cheek as she gazed up at him in fear.  This was not the first time Jaden had become violent.  The saddest thing was that she did not fight back because she felt she deserved it.  

Yoongi had seen the bruises on her body and she had easily dismissed them as her being clumsy.  She pretended to hit herself on the edge of the table to hide a particularly large bruise on her hip.  She was afraid of Jaden but more so afraid of the threat he had made against Yoongi.  Jaden had begged her to stay his eyes laden with tears and she had agreed with a little nod of her head.  

That day she had left saying she was going to school and still hadn't come back.  Fear was tearing her apart and she had to do something, confide in someone.

≿————-　❈　————-≾

Mia knocked on the door compelled to speak to her friend about her lingering doubts.  She thought Jina might open up to her in the safety of her own apartment.  But Jina was not there, it was Jaden the opened the door and greeted her with a fake smile on his face.

"Hi Mia, how nice to see you," he said.

"Hi Jaden, how are you?"

"I've been better."

"Oh, is Jina home?"

"No, come in sit down," he said gesturing to the couch. "I must explain.  Jina hasn't been herself. I haven't seen her for a couple of days, have you?"

"I haven't that's why I came," she said.  "Did something happen between you?" she asked.

He thought of his own terrible behavior driving her away from him and started to cry.  Jaden looked around the room at his familiar surroundings. 

"We were happy here once. Now I've ruined everything," he said the tears pooling in his eyes.

Mia left her seat and came to wrap her arms around him.  "What happened?"

"I've lost everything because of my behavior and now she has run to him.  She hates me and won't even come back for her things. I don't know what to do.  She won't answer her phone."

"Jaden, why?  You hit her, didn't you?" Mia asked sadly.

"Mia, please tell her I'm sorry," he said between sobs, "it's... it's because she hurt me so deeply."

"Oh, Jaden what have you done.  Is she okay?" 

"Call her," he gazed at her face calmly taking the fear that had nestled in her heart.

"Tell her I forgive her.  I need her to forgive me too so I can start my life away from her.  Please Mia, I've always liked you even though I didn't show it.  I know you are a good friend," he said.

Mia leaned over and lightly kissed his unsuspecting lips. His eyes registered surprise at her actions.

"No Mia, I don't like you that way.  I'm sorry," he said.

Mia shook her head, "my mistake, it means nothing I just saw you so vulnerable."

"Will you call her please," he begged.

"Yes, I will talk to her, but you need to leave so she can come to get her things.  It will be better that way.  I will tell you honestly what she says, but you mustn't try to reach out to her.  You understand Jaden, you have threatened her and that's not right," Mia said.

"Yes, I know.  I already made arrangements to move in with one of my friends.  I packed some of my things already."

"That's good.  You should go. If this guy finds out you hurt her things could get ugly."

♥*♡∞:｡.｡　　｡.｡:∞♡*♥

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