All Strings Attached

4

"A-and then w-when I was r-raising my voice at th-them, m-my father sl-sl-slapped me." I sobbed harder at the thought. My father's physical actions towards me have always been violent, never sentimental. But now, telling Seungmin all about it. I am realizing how much of a toll it takes on me.

"A-and it's n-normal for him to h-hit me but-t I've never told anyone b-before s-so I think t-telling you is makin-g me realize h-how terrible it is." My body is shaking, my brain running at a thousand miles per hour. All thoughts barricading me into an exitless room I can't escape.

He pulled me into a hug again. I felt his warmth slowly traveling through every inch of my soul. I felt connected to him. He slows everything down, and makes me feel at ease. As if we were skin to skin. To have this feeling, the love and care that is just flowing out of him like a waterfall although he isn't saying anything, the silence feels as if he really is saying everything.

"Hey" Seungmin started off softly and slowly. "The important thing is that you're ok now." He pauses, I feel him take a deep breath as if he has decided on an inner conflict. "I know we are not really close but, if you want, you could stay at mine." He finished his sentence with a questioning tone. "I live by myself so my parents wouldn't be a problem."

"Really?" I questioned. Taking my head away from his chest, his arms still wrapped around my waist.
"Yeah, um it's fine." He replied fast as if he would lose the chance to invite me over again.
"O-okay." I stuttered now, regaining some breath after sobbing.
"Do you... want to go home... now?" Seungmin said slowly with long pauses between his words.

I pondered for a moment. Do I really want to go home? Or do I want to stay here, with Seungmin? On one hand if I go home now I could get some sleep so I won't be dead tired at school. On the other hand I could stay with Seungmin. I can be with him, somewhere I feel safe, and just stay with a wonderful person overall. I obviously picked the latter. I take myself out of his arms although I wish they could stay on me for eternity.

"I think... I think I want to stay with you." I whispered to myself. Luckily he heard
"Great!" He smiled widely, he looked so cute and innocent when he smiled. He then looked puzzled, making me confused. He tilted his head, it looked like he was thinking hard. And I followed his actions, except in confusion. He then spoke ending my confusion of his face, but starting a wonder of what he could say, to make him confused.

"It is getting cold, if we stay here any longer we could get sick."
"You're right." I said with disappointment. "Well where are we going to go?"
"I told you we are going to my house idiot." He said, flicking my forehead.
"But I need to get my uniform from my house."
Seungmin chuckled at what I said. I gave him a questioning look, then he pointed down at my clothes. I had been so focused on everything going on today I forgot that I was still in my uniform.

Shocked, I yelled at him. "Hey! I still need my backpack at least!"
He smirked at me then calmly stated "Fine," he leaned down close to me face "we can go get your backpack, princess" I turned around quickly hiding my face.

No one has gotten so close to me before, and definitely not a guy, and princess, did he really have to say that.

We walked to my house making mindless conversation. I climbed into my window, grabbed my backpack and left. This will be good. In case my parents ever notice I am gone, which they won't, I can just say I was studying at his house. It was late so I figured I would fall asleep at his house. Considering how boring Seungmin is, I grabbed my toothbrush and toothpaste. I will probably brush my teeth there.

I snuck out of my window knowing I wouldn't wake up my parents, and I ran towards the sidewalk. Seungmin greeted me with a smile saying "Long time no see." sarcastically. I gave him a glare and said "Yeah." while rolling my eyes.

Once we got to his house he brought me to his room. I have got to say I did not expect his house to be so clean. We walked into his room and I looked around the space. His room was unique to say the least. It was like I walked into a gym. But I think it was just leftover weights he forgot to pick up after working out. Mans is buff. Not noticeable buff but when you look, damn.

"Sorry about the weights, I kind of just dropped them on the floor when you called me." He scratched the back of his head. He almost looked shy at the moment but before I could think about him too much my brain had finished working out what he just said.

He literally dropped everything he was doing for me.

Seungmin laid on his bed then he looked at me. "Isn't it going to be uncomfortable in those clothes?" I looked down at my uniform. I guess it would be pretty uncomfortable. I looked up at him "Yeah. It will probably be uncomfortable." He looked at his closet then at me. He hesitated, "I, I guess you could wear some of my clothes." He got up and went to his drawers of clothes and got me a t-shirt and some sweatpants. "Thanks. Um, could you show me where your bathroom is?" He looked at me confused then realized why I needed to be there. "Oh! Yeah of course just follow me." He smiled. I followed him to the restroom and changed my clothes then walked back to his room. He had put a movie on.

He noticed my presence at the door and patted the place next to him, indicating that he wanted me to go lay there. I followed the instructions and I laid next to him. He put on a random documentary about wildlife that I really did not care about.

I started dozing off so my head was on his shoulder.