Today is the day that I've been dreading for six entire weeks. The day which I have been trying so hard to block out of my mind. The day that I go back to school.

Last year, I had Dino with me but now, he attends a private school nearer to the company's building. I can't bare yet another year of having no friends, and especially an entire year with Kim Eui.

I ignore everybody as I walk through the corridor and to my locker. It's loud, just like I had remembered, and it seems even busier than it used to be. I know I'm being stared at, and it's an awful feeling.

I twist the combination of my locker and open it but what happens after, I don't expect. Tens, hundreds even, photos of me and Joshua spill out. I gasp and step backwards in shock, immediately colliding with somebody who pushes me off them and my side hits against my locker.

"Hey, watch it!" The deep voice shouts, the boy walking away and the people in the corridor laughing.

With tears in my eyes, I look at all of the photos. I look around, seeing Kim Eui and her friends snickering nearby and immediately, I know that they're behind all of this. I step over the photos and reach for my books, slamming the locker shut and walking to my first lesson.

"Areum," I ignore the voice I unfortunately recognise. "Don't ignore me."

"What do you want?" I sigh, turning around seeing Eui and her group behind me.

"I just wanted to say that I'm glad to see you." She smirks.

"I wish I could say the same." I say emotionlessly and continue walking.

I feel her grab my hair and pull me back. I land on the floor, a cry of pain and shock escaping my lips.

"Don't be rude." She says, tilting her head and looking down on me.

I ignore her and quickly climb to my feet, grabbing my bag and setting off down the corridor.

I find the bathroom and run inside, immediately locking myself inside a stall. I reach for my phone and press Seungkwan's number.

It only rings a few times before he answers the call. "Hello?"

"Please come and pick me up." I cry.

"Areum, what's wrong?"

"I'll tell you later, please just come and get me. I can't be here."

"I'll send someone to get you, just calm down, okay?"

I nod although he can't see me and clench my eyes closed. It's impossible to keep the tears in.

"Okay, Areum?" He repeats.

"Okay." I whisper and end the call.

Of course, I should have called Wonwoo or Mingyu because Seungkwan can't drive. I didn't think to be honest.

It's only my first day back and already I don't want to be here. First period hasn't even started yet and I've already been bullied worse than I used to be.

I grab some toilet roll and wipe my eyes before taking deep breathes to compose myself. I leave the bathroom and walk through the corridors and towards the exit, again ignoring all of the stares I receive.

Outside, I see the mini van and I walk briskly towards it. But as soon as I open the door, I slam it back closed again.

"Areum, wait!" Joshua calls but I keep walking across the street.

I hear him follow me so I fasten my speed, not even looking when I cross the road.

"Areum!" I hear Joshua shout and in a matter of seconds, I hear a car rush towards me but Joshua sees and pushes us both out of the way.

I'm lying next to him on the side of the road, his arms wrapped around me and I'm staring at him in shock. Everything happened so quickly.

"Are you okay?" He asks and I nod, snapping out of my daze and climbing to my feet.

"Just leave me alone, Jisoo." I snap and continue walking, my voice wavering.

"Just let me take you home, Areum." He begs and I look around the streets, not even recognising where I am as the tears turn everything blurry.

I stop walking and turn around, slowly nodding in defeat and following him back to the van.

I sit in the passenger seat as he begins to drive, giving him the silent treatment. He sighs and looks at me.

"Say something, Areum."

"Something."

"Don't try to be funny when I know you're upset. What happened in school?" He asks and looks back at the road.

"Kim Eui happened."

"What did she do?"

"She filled my locker with photos of us. Are you happy now?" I sigh. 

"That bitch." He mumbles and tightens his grip on the steering wheel.

"It doesn't matter, anyway. I should've stuck up for myself."

"It wasn't your fault," He says quietly and for a few minutes, it's awkward and quiet until he speaks up again. "You really scared me back then. If that car was going a tiny bit faster, you could have died."

"Well it wasn't, so just leave it." I huff.

"You can't blame me for being worried about you, Areum!" He says, raising his voice.

"Joshua, I'm not in the mood for your self pity. Just drop me off at Seungkwan's house."

He turns to look at me. "Seungkwan's house?"

"Yes."

"Why do you want to go-"

"Just take me there or I'll jump out and walk there myself."

"You're so stubborn." He breathes and turns the corner of Seungkwan's street.

We finally reach his house and Joshua parks outside.

"Bye." I say emotionlessly and climb out, shutting the door behind me.

It's funny how a few weeks ago, Joshua and I were so unbelievably close and now, we're just as close as strangers.

Author's note:

This chapter makes me really sad :( Jareum was my OTP

Did anyone recognise that 5sos reference at the end there? ;)

Anyway, thanks for 8k reads!!!!

Ten days ago, we passed 4K so that's just unbelievable , thank you all so much :)