<Friday Morning>

I can't skip any more school. As much as I would love to stay at home today, I need to face the music. I'm afraid that if I stay home any longer then I'll have to repeat the year. On the bright side, it's Friday today. Hopefully, I can have a weekend of peace.

I woke up, listening to my mother humming a tune in her room as she applied her make-up. She's been chirpy since last night. The dark purple bruises I saw on her neck that she covered up with concealer was probably the reason. I guess she 'made up' with her boss again.

My eyes were still somewhat puffy from last night, and my arms were throbbing from the new engravings I made. Every time I used the muscles in my arms, I would feel this jolt of pain. To cover it all up I wore my white Hoodie since it was fluffy and slightly baggy and would hide my swollen arms and some painkillers.

I tried to avoid glances at my mother. Just looking at that makes me sick. I've adapted to the idea that women are beautiful as who they are, so I didn't understand the reason to hide behind a mask produced by L'Oréal or other makeup brands.

I dreaded the walk to school today. I knew that things would be the same as what they were in my old school. I stood outside the doorway outside of my class filled with chats and conversations, whispering cheers for myself before walking in. "Fighting!"

I built up enough courage to finally enter that classroom. Until everything went silent as soon as I took a step in. My heart was in my hands and I couldn't find the resolve to look up and anyone. I kept my head down staring at my fingers that were fiddling with the bottom of my hoodie. Shortly after I sat down, only then did I hear muffled whispers coming from each group. I put in headphones trying to tune them out.

I hadn't paid attention to anything else around me, I had only noticed Taehyung and Jimin enter the class by the sight of their shoes passing the desk next to me. I didn't have the heart to look at either of them after the glares I saw yesterday, so I kept my head down and earphones in but put my music a bit softer so nobody else could hear it.

Through my earpieces, I could hear the bell ring. When I glanced up I noticed that none of the conversations were ending. Just then, I witnessed everyone scurry to their seats as someone at the door signalled them that a teacher was coming. It was Mr. Min's class again. I'm glad he didn't have a problem with us sleeping in class. I kept my earphones in, having them hidden in my hair and listened to soft music throughout the class.

Even though I had headphones in or that Mr. Min was teaching, I still saw people talking and looking back at me slyly to not get caught. I heard the bell ring for class to end and lunch to begin. A big part of me was relieved at this since it meant I was that much closer to getting out of here.

I stood up after everyone had left but soon was brought to a halt. The teacher called me to his desk before I could exit the class. Sigh. Maybe I should have paid more attention today.

"How are you miss (L/N)?" He asked me, not even looking at me but keeping his eyes on the papers in front of him. I was feeling uneasy so I held onto my elbow and was slowly tracing circles as a self soother.

"Uhm. I'm fine sir." I watched as he put his papers down to give me his undivided attention and glared at me as though he were examining my features. "I-I'm sorry I haven't been paying attention today. I was—" I got cut off.

"Your eyes look swollen. Have you been sleeping enough?" He asked as his pale hands reached up to my face to push away my bangs lightly and touch my forehead checking my temperature. To which, I took a step back causing my hair to fall back to its original place and Mr. Min's hand left hovering in the air.

I stuttered and tried to answer, "Ah, sleep. I-I... I think... Uhm..s-sleep..." I tried to say while scratching the side of my head.

"I'll take that as a no." He said back to me as he took his hand that was hovering in the air and placed it into his pocket. "Miss L/n, I don't have a problem with you napping in my class, but when it comes to midterms, I can't help you there." He seemed like a normal strict teacher now.

"Y-Yes, sir. I u-understand." I said, lightly bowing and turning around to walk away.

"Oh, and y/n." He said to get my attention as I rotated myself back to him, "If ever you want to talk, not to Mr. Min, but Yoongi, I'll be happy to listen."

"Yoongi?" I asked as I tilted my head slightly unsure as to what he meant.

"My name. Yoongi. What I mean is if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm happy to lend an ear. Not as a teacher, but as a friend." He said to me as he shot me a gummy smile, causing me to curve my lip upward as well at his kind remark.

"Thank you...Yoongi" I said feeling a little more comfortable being around him. He nodded his head lightly as I bowed again before I left to still keep my respect for him as a teacher. I didn't think he was such a nice guy. He always looks so unapproachable but I guess even sugar looks like salt upon first glance.

( A/N: Pun Intended)

It's lunch now. The only thing keeping my spirits high was the smell of the burgers as I walked through the halls. However, as soon as I stepped foot in the door, I regretted it. That was my fault for coming into this crowded place. It started. The remarks and flirtatious whistles aimed at me.

"Dollface, I been a bit pent up recently. Think you could help me out?"

"Hey! What cup size are you, asking for my little friend."

"Hey, easy there. You don't know what she's got after being with so many different dudes."

It hasn't even been a day and the entire school already believes it. I wonder if that's why Yoongi was so nice to me. I felt this pang in my chest when I heard it starting again as though it had never ended but I kept my head down when I felt droplets about to fall from my eyes. With haste, I walked out of the cafeteria to head to the bathroom hoping that I could be alone but before I could enter, I bumped into 2 people.

"Noona!" It was Jungkook, Taehyung standing behind him. "Y/n Noona? Were you crying? Your eyes." He said, as he wore a concerned face and slowly bent down to my level, I didn't even see Tae move though. His feet stood stagnant. I kept my head down trying to force a small smile and wipe the tears from my eyes.

"I guess you heard them too?" I said while gently hovering the back of my hand in front of my lips, "The rumours I mean."

He nodded his head lightly and said, "is it true? Did you really—"

"What does it even matter at this point?" I cut him off. "The whole school thinks I did so nothing I say will get through."

"But noona..." He said again. Taehyung still standing back, unsure of what to say.

"You shouldn't call me that if you don't respect me anymore." I said to him trying not to sound upset or irritated as I put both my hands in my hoodie pocket in front of me.

"I do- I mean... is there a reason I shouldn't?" He asked with hesitation in his words and worry in his eyes.

"I- I didn't sleep with anyone." I said under my breath whilst my head was still down looking at my shoes as I held back my tears.

"Then I believe you." Taehyung said. My eyes shot open and I looked up at him, just then I felt a warm drop fall from my eye and roll down my cheek. He was looking up at the roof and not making eye contact with me. Jungkook smiled and nodded his head.

He looked back down and stared into my puffy eyes. I saw him looking at me with trust and belief while he shot me his signature box smile.

"B-But you don't even know me that well." I said a bit skeptical. "Why would you—"

"Do you want me not to believe you?" He asked with his head tilted, his puppy eyes looking at me.

"No, that's not..." I couldn't find any more words to say.

"I just want to trust you, I guess. Call me naive but I wanna hear your side before I start pinning rumours on you." He said as he placed his hand on my shoulder.

My heart fluttered. This was something new to me. Completely new. I was compelled to speak to him and tell him everything. I looked down. My tears became slightly joyful because I now knew that he didn't hate me after all. I slowly shook my head with a smile on my face and the back of my hand wiping away the tears that I'm skeptical to shed now. Before I began walking away, I uttered something that I've never said to anyone else before.

"Your trust in me is enough."

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