Talk to Me

Part 1

"Ki Ki, why do you still do wrestling if you're always injured because of it?" Michelle asked her best friend, Ki, who was currently limping to his next class.

"My dad doesn't want me to quit." Ki responded, wincing every time he put pressure on his right ankle.

"Even if you keep getting hurt? Here," Michelle offered her shoulder for Ki to lean on for leverage. Ki dismissed the gesture, but thanked her anyway.

"So, you're basically living his dream, is that it?" She was bewildered. Michelle Young and Jung Ki have known each other since they were in elementary school. Now they are high school seniors and they are still as close as ever. They lived on the same block and did everything together. Most people who saw them together always thought they were a couple. Michelle did not mind these assumptions, though. She had always had feelings towards Ki, but she did not want to let those feelings ruin their friendship. She did not know if Ki felt the same way, so she never told him about her true feelings. Throughout their lives, they always stood by each other's sides through thick and thin, always being caring and loyal to one another. Lately, Michelle has noticed some things are different about Ki. He has seemed more depressed. Not that long ago, he had a black eye that he attempted to hide with makeup. When Michelle asked him about it, he gave some lame excuse. His excuses usually vary from, "It's from wrestling", "I fell out of bed and hit my eye on the end table", "I tripped and fell". How believable, she would think to herself. There were even situations where if Michelle would pat him on the back, or if she raised her voice, Ki would flinch.

Everyday after school he and Michelle walk to her house. Ki is allowed to stay over for dinner, but he has to be back at home every night by a certain time. He is at her house so much that Michelle feels that it's almost as if they are siblings. Her parents do not mind, though. Her dad is always away on business and her mom treats him like a son. Although, Michelle is worried about Ki. He has been finding excuses to stay over her house more and more lately. It's almost as if he is barely home.

"I don't know what it is." Ki responded with a sigh.

"Well, it sounds like it is. You should tell him that you want to quit."

"Don't you think I've tried?" Ki snapped back, glaring at Michelle.

She was taken aback by his tone. Almost like if he could read her mind, he responded.

"I'm sorry..." His tone was now calm and sincere, he frowned while turning his head away from her.

"Don't be sorry, it's fine. You seem a little on edge lately...," Michelle paused before saying, "Are you still coming over today? You couldn't come yesterday."

Ki lifted his head to look at her, "Yeah, I will. Sorry, I had a family thing yesterday that I couldn't get away from."

"Again, please don't be sorry. You don't need to apologize. Anyways, here's my next class. I'll meet you out front after school lets out. See ya!" Michelle gave a small smile and waved, walking into her geography class. Ki returned the smile and waved back, continuing his trek towards his next class.