09. Warning

NEXT DAY

The final bell rang indicating that school had finally ended. Daejung and his friends didn't pester me today. Not at all. But that didn't imply my day was peaceful. The rest of the students including his classmates and seniors were more than sufficient to make my day hell.

I picked up my bag and prepared to go to the convenience store and then to the bus stop. Mom was working overtime yet again saying that she'll be back around 11 pm. I'll guess there's kimchi Shin Ramen and gimbap for dinner tonight.

Before I could take the stairs, I was pulled by Jaesung into an unoccupied store room. While I attempted not to resist much knowing well it would only end up worse that way. In the storeroom sat Daejung on a nearby chair with his cigarette in one hand and a book in another. Minseok sat on a table while smoking. He smirked when he saw Jaesung entering with me.

"Oh, if it isn't our hero of justice!", exclaimed Minseok walking toward me.

I mentally prepared myself for what was coming for me. I nervously bit his lips and inclined my head upward to look at the older boy. His mere appearance frightened me. Minseok was around 15 cm taller than me with a rather strong built body and veiny arms. The taller boy must have practised boxing because that how impactful his punches were.

Minseok rested his left arm on my shoulder and used his right hand to hold my chin, making me gaze directly into his eyes.

The taller chucked saying, "My, my, what a gorgeous face you have! Prettier than most of the girls." He leaned closer to my face. Removing his grip from my shoulder, he slowly snaked it around my waist rubbing his thumb on the shirt.

I flinched as my eyes enlarged and my breathing hitched. I began panicking. Minseok smirked glancing at my panicked state. "You thought it would be wise to report us to the director? Ha! You've been getting on my last nerve lately, hun." Minseok said dragging his arm lower and lower eventually resting it on my ass. "You're asking for some punishment darling." His husky voice whispered in my ear.

Minseok's eyes grew dark while I shut my eyes tightly. I had never anticipated things to get that bad considering they were only high school students. My body froze as if I had lost control of it. None of my previous schools had bullying as bad as Delight High.

My breathing got heavier with every passing moment when Daejung warned Minseok, "That's enough, hyung. I think this much is sufficient."

Minseok pulled himself away from me as he grunted in frustration while I felt somewhat relief. Daejung threw away his book as he stepped toward me with a cigarette in one hand.

He kicked me in the shin harshly making me bend down to the ground and moan in pain. Daejung took his opportunity to grab my hair and made me look at him.

"You know Junseo, I don't like beating around the bush. I dare you to pull this kind of trick again. I'm sure you wouldn't wanna end homeless with your mother." He proceeded while tilting his head to the side, "Begging on the streets, ready to sell yourselves for a meal."

If I was scared of Minseok and Jaesung, I was petrified of Daejung. His eyes were darker than the night sky with his deep voice sounded cunning at the same time.

"I need an answer, Junseo", it was now that I noticed that I had frozen in fear. I muttered a meek 'yes' before Daejung rubbed his burning cigarette near my collarbone. I clenched my jaw enduring the burning pain on my skin.

Once Daejung had left, I quietly walked back to my locker with shaking legs. I was lost in my thoughts.

I might have made matters nastier by reporting... He probably rigged up information about me. I know he has enough power to make true what he said earlier... Just endure it a bit, Junseo. It will be all over in a few years. All this will just be a bad memory that is left behind... But I can't deny that Minseok's actions took a toll on me. The dangerous part is he did not look like he was acting rather he was enjoying the 'moment'.