Everything Starts Where It Ends (Chapter 12)
Immediately, I sat up. I panicked. Where was Donghae?! I quickly ran over to the switch and turned on the light. Just then, I heard the sound of the front door being closed. Maybe Dr Lee is back... I walked out of the room, but i didn't see anyone enter, so it must have been someone leaving. I frowned.
For about five minutes, I ran around the house looking for him. There wasn't any corner that I had spared, but still I couldn't find him.
"HAE!HAE don't play games with me i'm sleepy~ HAE..." i whined. Don't tell me he went out...
I made my way to the front door and ran out. I hoped he hadn't gone far. It was so cold outside, and I was still in a half-awake state. I ran and ran until I reached the small road near his house. Still, there was no sign of Donghae. Frustrated, I started to turn back, when I bumped into someone really big, causing me to land on my butt.
I was temporarily in a daze. I looked up, frowning at the huge figure in front of me.
"OWWW~" I whined
"er.. are you okay?" a hand reached down to help me up.
I was more than willing to take it to lift myself up.
"Hyukjae...?" came his surprised voice.
I couldn't see him very well in the dark, but I doubt if it was during daylight I would be able to recognise him either. The voice itself wasn't very familiar to me.
"ahh, who are you?" i cautiously asked "sorry I can't see well in the dark"
"it's okay, it's me siwon! you don't seem to remember me that much. choi siwon? your lab partner..." came the answer
Half-heartedly, I tried to remember him. I really really didn't. Apparently science was one of the lessons that I slept in.
"OH HI SIWAN! of course I remember you~ oh right, i really have to get going now. thanks for helping me up anyway. see you around~" i lied as I walked around him. I really wasn't in the mood to get acquainted right now.
"no problem hyukjae.be careful okay? see you around." he replied.
Just as I was about to roll my eyes, he added,
"by the way, its siWON not siWAN,"
I felt my cheeks turning red but I continued walking anyway, ignoring him. This guy was seriously weird. I mean who actually goes out in the wee hours of the morning? Not me, and I consider myself pretty normal.
I was disappointed that I couldn't find Donghae, but I knew that he was probably out of the neighbourhood already so I made my way back to his house.
~~
When I finally made it back, I looked at the time.
2.25 AM
I silently cursed, and went to the living room and took a seat at the couch. I wanted to wait for Donghae and confront him the first thing after he comes home. I really hated being left alone, especially in a place that's not even my house. I could feel myself getting angry. No, I was fuming.
~~
For the hundredth time, I looked up at the clock.
5.30 AM
Donghae was still not back! How long has he been gone anyway? I was really really tired, but I forced myself to keep awake. I know that isn't the smartest idea because it'd make me very easily agitated. Finally, I decided to switch on the television to keep myself awake.
Cartoons, movies, MTV.. nothing kept my interest for long, because I was too annoyed to actually see what's on tv.
~~
Finally, I heard the the sound of the main door opening. I looked at the clock.
06.25 AM
Donghae appeared from behind the door. Even in the dark, I could see his shocked expression when he realised that the tv was switched on. He walked over to it, and switched it off.
He must not have seen me yet , i thought.
Having the remote controls in my hand, I switched the tv back on, just to announce my presence. He immediately turned towards my direction.
"er hyukkie.. good morning~"
I rolled my eyes and threw the remote control onto the table. I quickly sat up and made my way towards the room. Once I reached the room, i started collecting what little stuff I had. I didn't know what to do, where to go. I just wanted to leave. I seriously don't get it.
One minute he tells me he loves me, and then he just leaves me in the middle of the night. I didn't actually care if he had a good explanation. I mean how good an explanation can it be to disappear in the middle of the night. Either he went to someone's house, or went to places that actually open at that kind of time. Like a pub, or a brothel.
"Let me explain.." he blocked the door so I couldn't leave.
"Explain what Hae? Explain how you just left me in the middle of the night? Explain why I couldn't find you anywhere? Explain where you went for four fucking hours? Seriously Hae explain what? I'll give you three seconds, say whatever you want before I leave.." I said coldly.
"I..I can't tell you where I went but I.."
"what the fuck Hae, you can't tell me? oh right of course you can't. Now get out of my way," I tried pushing him out of my way but apparently it wasn't working. I wanted to leave so badly, so I resorted to hitting him a few times and screaming. I could see that he was starting to get angry, and he grabbed my wrists and held them together with one hand,
"SHUT UP LEE HYUKJAE CAN YOU FOR ONCE LISTEN TO ME? OR AT LEAST LISTEN TO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY?" he was now glaring at me, challenging me to say anything else.
Unfortunately, I was too pissed off to care about him being pissed off, and so I immediately snapped back,
"listen to what, seriously? listen about how you had fun fucking around while i anxiously waited for you at home? I thought something bad happened to you. But of course, why would you care? You don't love me, you only love to fuck me. Like how you love to fuck everyone else in the mid..."
I didn't get to finish my sentence, when a hand came hard onto my left cheek. I gasped. Nobody, I meant nobody, have ever slapped me before in my seventeen years of life. Tears started to form in my eyes. I looked at Hae. He looked just as shocked as I am, and quickly pulled back his hands to his side. Not wanting to break down there and then,I ran out of the house. He didn't do anything at all to stop me.
~~
I sat alone at the lake, playing with my phone. I texted Sungmin a few times, but he didn't reply. I texted Kyuhyun too,but he too didn't reply. I couldn't go back to Donghae. I didn't know what to do.Oh right, it was a school day. Probably everyone was already at school,including him.
I didn't know how long I sat at the lake, but soon, the sun was already high in the sky. I must have stayed there for a very long time. I checked my phone again. No new messages nor missed calls.I sighed, and picked up my things, heading for home.
~~
I suddenly felt my phone vibrate. Kyuhyun... I smiled and picked up immediately.
"HELLO! why didn't you and sungmin re.."
"Listen, you have to come to school now. The coach and principal is looking for you.. hurry up and come here, before they make the police find you," his voice sounded desperate and worried.
"POLICE?HUH WHAT WHY? i never..."
"Just shut up and come. You're coming right? by the way, can I ask you something? Was Donghae by any chance with you, at that time I called you?"
"yes i'm coming.. and yes he was why?" i mumbled. The thought of Donghae just made my blood boil.
"Nothing, hurry up come to school now. If you don't hurry, i can't gurantee you that you won't be dead," he replied before hanging up.
My heart started beating really fast. I didn't know what to do, but I knew I could trust Kyuhyun.
~~
As soon as I reached the principal's office, I was called in. When I walked in, Sungmin and Kyuhyun was already sitting there. Beside them, was my coach. I gasped when I saw him. He looked like a tornado hit him, or more realistically, someone beat the living crap out of him. I wondered why he was here and not in the hospital. Sure he already had some bandages, but how could they him out like that. I shuddered at the thought of what could've happened to him.
"Young man, you have a lot of explaining to do. Where were you last night, or specifically, today morning?I know you weren't at home, so where were you?" the principal started, as he motioned for me to take a seat.
"er, i stayed over at my friend's house..." i stuttered.
"oh really?explain to me how that happened," he said pointing to my coach , "and how this was found at the scene," he continued as he placed a chain in front of me.
Lee Hyukjae , I gasped. That was my chain!
I wanted to say something, but nothing could escape my throat as I began to choke on my own words. Seeing that I wasn't going to come up with anything useful anytime soon, he continued again,
"and wasn't it you who texted Mr Lee last night asking for the whereabouts of your coach?"
My eyes widened in horror. How come I don't remember doing anything that the principal said i did. I shook my head,
"I honestly don't have a clue! I never texted Sungmin, nor did I go out, much less do anything to the coach!" I exclaimed.
"stop lying young man, we'll have to file a police case since this is considered physical assault,not to mention stealing, since you took the cctv tape with you. I won't ask where it is, probably you destroyed it already," the principal said bluntly.
"No i'm not going to press charges," came a voice.
We all turned to look at the other abandoned side of the room.
"I know it wasn't him. I mean, look at that red hair,i could recognise it anywhere. The person didn't have red hair. And laugh at me if you think this is ridiculous, but I am the coach. Hyukjae may be good on the field, but he has absolutely no arm power, much less handle me. Seriously, i think we shouldn't jump to conclusions," the coach continued.
"but all the evidences are pointing against him!it has to be him!he clearly was guilty of the cigarette incident and he obviously wants the tape so that he can destroy any evidence!" the principal sounded slightly annoyed.
"I SAID IT'S NOT HIM. I'M NOT GOING TO PRESS ANY CHARGES WHY DON'T YOU GET IT," the coach snapped, and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The principal quickly got up to follow him. I heard some bickering outside.
"Sungmin..you know it's not true right?" I turned to Sungmin and asked him.
"So you're trying to say that i'm lying about the whole text thing? Who else could have used YOUR phone to text me, eunhyuk? and as much as i want to believe that it was a coincidence that he was beaten up at the place where i told you he was, i don't think that your chain crawled there by itself. To think that i actually thought you were innocent and wanted to help you," he quickly stood up and stomped away. Kyuhyun followed suit, but he had enough time to turn around and mouth a sorry, i'll try to help , before he too, was gone.
~~
After what seemed like a million years, the principal finally came back in.
"okay since the coach keeps insisting that you're innocent,i'll try to help you here.do you have an alibi, to prove your innocence?" he asked.
I shrugged.
"don't be so difficult, young man. where were you last night?at around 2am.."
I contemplated on an answer. Deciding not to lie, I replied,
"Donghae's house"
He quickly reached over for his phone and called someone,
"send lee donghae to my office now,"
"so you're sure you were at Donghae's house last night?" he asked again once he put down the receiver. I nodded.
A few minutes later, Donghae appeared. I didn't want to look at him, i was annoyed with him enough. He took a seat beside me. Even though we weren't seating on the same chair, I still tried to lean away from him. The principal raised an eyebrow, but nonetheless said,
"was Hyukjae with you last night, at around 2 am?"
"no." he answered.
I was surprised at the answer, but I realised that it was true. I really wasn't with him at that time. Maybe he didn't want to lie...
"okay let me rephrase my question, was Hyukjae at your house last night?"
I waited for his answer. Why should I be so nervous right? He wouldn't lie, I was at his house, till 6 am this morning.
"No." came an answer.
I turned to Donghae. What the hell? I WAS at his house, and i knew he knew it. Why did he say that I wasn't?
"Lee Hyukjae, you better get your story straight or else.."
I was about to say something, when I heard,
"sorry sir, he was at my house. I think he must have confused the house, since me and donghae live in the same neighbourhood and he visited donghae's house before coming over to mine. Yes, he was at my house from 11pm yesterday until 6am today..."
I gasped, as all three pair of eyes turned towards the voice at the door.
Siwon
---
For about five minutes, I ran around the house looking for him. There wasn't any corner that I had spared, but still I couldn't find him.
"HAE!HAE don't play games with me i'm sleepy~ HAE..." i whined. Don't tell me he went out...
I made my way to the front door and ran out. I hoped he hadn't gone far. It was so cold outside, and I was still in a half-awake state. I ran and ran until I reached the small road near his house. Still, there was no sign of Donghae. Frustrated, I started to turn back, when I bumped into someone really big, causing me to land on my butt.
I was temporarily in a daze. I looked up, frowning at the huge figure in front of me.
"OWWW~" I whined
"er.. are you okay?" a hand reached down to help me up.
I was more than willing to take it to lift myself up.
"Hyukjae...?" came his surprised voice.
I couldn't see him very well in the dark, but I doubt if it was during daylight I would be able to recognise him either. The voice itself wasn't very familiar to me.
"ahh, who are you?" i cautiously asked "sorry I can't see well in the dark"
"it's okay, it's me siwon! you don't seem to remember me that much. choi siwon? your lab partner..." came the answer
Half-heartedly, I tried to remember him. I really really didn't. Apparently science was one of the lessons that I slept in.
"OH HI SIWAN! of course I remember you~ oh right, i really have to get going now. thanks for helping me up anyway. see you around~" i lied as I walked around him. I really wasn't in the mood to get acquainted right now.
"no problem hyukjae.be careful okay? see you around." he replied.
Just as I was about to roll my eyes, he added,
"by the way, its siWON not siWAN,"
I felt my cheeks turning red but I continued walking anyway, ignoring him. This guy was seriously weird. I mean who actually goes out in the wee hours of the morning? Not me, and I consider myself pretty normal.
I was disappointed that I couldn't find Donghae, but I knew that he was probably out of the neighbourhood already so I made my way back to his house.
~~
When I finally made it back, I looked at the time.
2.25 AM
I silently cursed, and went to the living room and took a seat at the couch. I wanted to wait for Donghae and confront him the first thing after he comes home. I really hated being left alone, especially in a place that's not even my house. I could feel myself getting angry. No, I was fuming.
~~
For the hundredth time, I looked up at the clock.
5.30 AM
Donghae was still not back! How long has he been gone anyway? I was really really tired, but I forced myself to keep awake. I know that isn't the smartest idea because it'd make me very easily agitated. Finally, I decided to switch on the television to keep myself awake.
Cartoons, movies, MTV.. nothing kept my interest for long, because I was too annoyed to actually see what's on tv.
~~
Finally, I heard the the sound of the main door opening. I looked at the clock.
06.25 AM
Donghae appeared from behind the door. Even in the dark, I could see his shocked expression when he realised that the tv was switched on. He walked over to it, and switched it off.
He must not have seen me yet , i thought.
Having the remote controls in my hand, I switched the tv back on, just to announce my presence. He immediately turned towards my direction.
"er hyukkie.. good morning~"
I rolled my eyes and threw the remote control onto the table. I quickly sat up and made my way towards the room. Once I reached the room, i started collecting what little stuff I had. I didn't know what to do, where to go. I just wanted to leave. I seriously don't get it.
One minute he tells me he loves me, and then he just leaves me in the middle of the night. I didn't actually care if he had a good explanation. I mean how good an explanation can it be to disappear in the middle of the night. Either he went to someone's house, or went to places that actually open at that kind of time. Like a pub, or a brothel.
"Let me explain.." he blocked the door so I couldn't leave.
"Explain what Hae? Explain how you just left me in the middle of the night? Explain why I couldn't find you anywhere? Explain where you went for four fucking hours? Seriously Hae explain what? I'll give you three seconds, say whatever you want before I leave.." I said coldly.
"I..I can't tell you where I went but I.."
"what the fuck Hae, you can't tell me? oh right of course you can't. Now get out of my way," I tried pushing him out of my way but apparently it wasn't working. I wanted to leave so badly, so I resorted to hitting him a few times and screaming. I could see that he was starting to get angry, and he grabbed my wrists and held them together with one hand,
"SHUT UP LEE HYUKJAE CAN YOU FOR ONCE LISTEN TO ME? OR AT LEAST LISTEN TO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY?" he was now glaring at me, challenging me to say anything else.
Unfortunately, I was too pissed off to care about him being pissed off, and so I immediately snapped back,
"listen to what, seriously? listen about how you had fun fucking around while i anxiously waited for you at home? I thought something bad happened to you. But of course, why would you care? You don't love me, you only love to fuck me. Like how you love to fuck everyone else in the mid..."
I didn't get to finish my sentence, when a hand came hard onto my left cheek. I gasped. Nobody, I meant nobody, have ever slapped me before in my seventeen years of life. Tears started to form in my eyes. I looked at Hae. He looked just as shocked as I am, and quickly pulled back his hands to his side. Not wanting to break down there and then,I ran out of the house. He didn't do anything at all to stop me.
~~
I sat alone at the lake, playing with my phone. I texted Sungmin a few times, but he didn't reply. I texted Kyuhyun too,but he too didn't reply. I couldn't go back to Donghae. I didn't know what to do.Oh right, it was a school day. Probably everyone was already at school,including him.
I didn't know how long I sat at the lake, but soon, the sun was already high in the sky. I must have stayed there for a very long time. I checked my phone again. No new messages nor missed calls.I sighed, and picked up my things, heading for home.
~~
I suddenly felt my phone vibrate. Kyuhyun... I smiled and picked up immediately.
"HELLO! why didn't you and sungmin re.."
"Listen, you have to come to school now. The coach and principal is looking for you.. hurry up and come here, before they make the police find you," his voice sounded desperate and worried.
"POLICE?HUH WHAT WHY? i never..."
"Just shut up and come. You're coming right? by the way, can I ask you something? Was Donghae by any chance with you, at that time I called you?"
"yes i'm coming.. and yes he was why?" i mumbled. The thought of Donghae just made my blood boil.
"Nothing, hurry up come to school now. If you don't hurry, i can't gurantee you that you won't be dead," he replied before hanging up.
My heart started beating really fast. I didn't know what to do, but I knew I could trust Kyuhyun.
~~
As soon as I reached the principal's office, I was called in. When I walked in, Sungmin and Kyuhyun was already sitting there. Beside them, was my coach. I gasped when I saw him. He looked like a tornado hit him, or more realistically, someone beat the living crap out of him. I wondered why he was here and not in the hospital. Sure he already had some bandages, but how could they him out like that. I shuddered at the thought of what could've happened to him.
"Young man, you have a lot of explaining to do. Where were you last night, or specifically, today morning?I know you weren't at home, so where were you?" the principal started, as he motioned for me to take a seat.
"er, i stayed over at my friend's house..." i stuttered.
"oh really?explain to me how that happened," he said pointing to my coach , "and how this was found at the scene," he continued as he placed a chain in front of me.
Lee Hyukjae , I gasped. That was my chain!
I wanted to say something, but nothing could escape my throat as I began to choke on my own words. Seeing that I wasn't going to come up with anything useful anytime soon, he continued again,
"and wasn't it you who texted Mr Lee last night asking for the whereabouts of your coach?"
My eyes widened in horror. How come I don't remember doing anything that the principal said i did. I shook my head,
"I honestly don't have a clue! I never texted Sungmin, nor did I go out, much less do anything to the coach!" I exclaimed.
"stop lying young man, we'll have to file a police case since this is considered physical assault,not to mention stealing, since you took the cctv tape with you. I won't ask where it is, probably you destroyed it already," the principal said bluntly.
"No i'm not going to press charges," came a voice.
We all turned to look at the other abandoned side of the room.
"I know it wasn't him. I mean, look at that red hair,i could recognise it anywhere. The person didn't have red hair. And laugh at me if you think this is ridiculous, but I am the coach. Hyukjae may be good on the field, but he has absolutely no arm power, much less handle me. Seriously, i think we shouldn't jump to conclusions," the coach continued.
"but all the evidences are pointing against him!it has to be him!he clearly was guilty of the cigarette incident and he obviously wants the tape so that he can destroy any evidence!" the principal sounded slightly annoyed.
"I SAID IT'S NOT HIM. I'M NOT GOING TO PRESS ANY CHARGES WHY DON'T YOU GET IT," the coach snapped, and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. The principal quickly got up to follow him. I heard some bickering outside.
"Sungmin..you know it's not true right?" I turned to Sungmin and asked him.
"So you're trying to say that i'm lying about the whole text thing? Who else could have used YOUR phone to text me, eunhyuk? and as much as i want to believe that it was a coincidence that he was beaten up at the place where i told you he was, i don't think that your chain crawled there by itself. To think that i actually thought you were innocent and wanted to help you," he quickly stood up and stomped away. Kyuhyun followed suit, but he had enough time to turn around and mouth a sorry, i'll try to help , before he too, was gone.
~~
After what seemed like a million years, the principal finally came back in.
"okay since the coach keeps insisting that you're innocent,i'll try to help you here.do you have an alibi, to prove your innocence?" he asked.
I shrugged.
"don't be so difficult, young man. where were you last night?at around 2am.."
I contemplated on an answer. Deciding not to lie, I replied,
"Donghae's house"
He quickly reached over for his phone and called someone,
"send lee donghae to my office now,"
"so you're sure you were at Donghae's house last night?" he asked again once he put down the receiver. I nodded.
A few minutes later, Donghae appeared. I didn't want to look at him, i was annoyed with him enough. He took a seat beside me. Even though we weren't seating on the same chair, I still tried to lean away from him. The principal raised an eyebrow, but nonetheless said,
"was Hyukjae with you last night, at around 2 am?"
"no." he answered.
I was surprised at the answer, but I realised that it was true. I really wasn't with him at that time. Maybe he didn't want to lie...
"okay let me rephrase my question, was Hyukjae at your house last night?"
I waited for his answer. Why should I be so nervous right? He wouldn't lie, I was at his house, till 6 am this morning.
"No." came an answer.
I turned to Donghae. What the hell? I WAS at his house, and i knew he knew it. Why did he say that I wasn't?
"Lee Hyukjae, you better get your story straight or else.."
I was about to say something, when I heard,
"sorry sir, he was at my house. I think he must have confused the house, since me and donghae live in the same neighbourhood and he visited donghae's house before coming over to mine. Yes, he was at my house from 11pm yesterday until 6am today..."
I gasped, as all three pair of eyes turned towards the voice at the door.
Siwon
---