⚠️ Flashback ⚠️ starvation and child abuse ||

//

"" My dad shouted at me and my sisters.

"" Lia Unnie told him.

"" Mom yelled too, making us all flinch.

Tears were streaming down my face as I watched my drunken parents yell at us.

"" Yerim Unnie quickly spoke with her head hung down.

"" Dad grabbed the collar of her shirt while me and Lia Unnie yelled, rushing over to her. Her tears were like mine, an endless waterfall.

"" Dad yelled in her face and slapped her across the cheek.

Mom held me and Lia back from Yerim, she was much stronger than me so I couldn't move.

"" Dad yelled again.

"" I heard Yerim Unnie beg. My vision was blurred because of all the tears falling. I couldn't see a thing.

"" I dug my nails into my mom's arm and ran out of her grip. I pulled Yerim away and we both fell on the ground.

"" Mom yelled and I looked up to my dad. I could see the anger in his eyes that raged with burning hellfire.

"" Lia Unnie called my name quietly. I knew what she meant, that I shouldn't have done that. But I got so scared for Unnie.

My dad grabbed my hair and pulled me up, I screamed from the pain and tried to kick him but it was not worth it. The more I struggled against his grip, the more punishments I will face. I felt a belt being slapped across my back and I yelped, feeling the sting it left after it hit my skin.

I felt another slap and my back was on fire. It hurt so bad.

"" Mom yelled and we all three quickly scurried into Lia Unnie's room.

Dad locked the door from the outside and I ran to the door, banging on it.

"" Lia pulled me away. Her voice was weak and she finally broke down crying. She didn't dare to cry in front of mom and dad.

Yerim was hidden under the desk, hugging her knees while rocking slightly back and forth.

I fell into Unnie's arms and she picked me up, placing me on the bed.

"" Lia spoke softly, even though she was crying too.

She treated my wounds and helped Yerim Unnie to come out from under the desk, giving her a snack and water. After a while we calmed down, Lia Unnie calmed us down. She sang to us and stroked our hairs as we lied in her arms.

//

I sat up quickly, my breath still taken from me. I hated when I had those nightmares, the haunt me forever.

I held my back as tears escaped my eyes, my heart beating rapidly. I could feel the pain of being beat with the belts.

I whimpered and hid my face into my knees, soaking the blanket. Jieun sat up and I heard her yawn quietly.

I don't want to say that I had a nightmare, it's pathetic. I'll just act as if I'm cold.

"" Jieun spoke while rubbing my back. I whimpered lightly at the touch, only because of the nightmare.

"" Jieun's voice was extremely soft as she pulled me into her arms. I hid my face in her chest, trying to stop the tears from falling.

""

Baby girl...I love it when she calls me by that name. I love it when she calls me names that are cute or something...else.

"" i said quietly as I closed my eyes and breathed in her scent. Her strawberry and coconut scent.

"" Jieun chuckled and kissed my head. "" She asked.

"" I lied. I know it's bad to lie, but it's embarrassing to say I cried from a flashback that happened so long ago.

""

She isn't mad that she caught me in a lie? I thought she would scold me for it.

I looked up into her eyes as she caressed my hair, just like Lia did to me and Yerim when we were punished.

"" I spoke and looked past her at the wall.

"" She asked and moved her head so we would be looking in each other's eyes.

I stared at her dark chocolate eyes that give me hope. Hope to find a way out of my past in hell, to overcome those times.

"" I asked. I loved her voice, she could say anything to me and I would easily fall deeper in love with her.

When I heard her voice, it was like listening to the waves crash upon the shore at high tide.

Or like watching a meteor shower in the late hours of the night.

"" Jieun said with a smile. I hummed and hid my face into her neck.

"" I could feel the pain of every second I spent in that house. The way as if we were held captive my kidnappers, yet, it was our own parents who made us feel that way.

""

Jieun placed her lips on my forehead and let them linger there before sighing sadly.

""

I sighed when I was about to get the the last part of it, I hated thinking about it but maybe it will help if I talk to someone. I trust Jieun, I love Jieun.

And I know she wouldn't hurt me like them.

"" Jieun whispered gently. Her voice was so beautiful in my ear, how is she so perfect? I haven't seen much of her flaws, but when I do..she will only be more perfect to me..for me.

"" I shuddered. Still feeling the pain of it.

I heard Jieun gasp and hold me tighter.

"" Jieun's soft voice went weak. The tears I held in while telling her, left my eyes and fell onto her shoulder.

"" Jieun mumbled and kissed my head. I nodded and twirled her long hair with my fingers.

"" Jieun asked me.

"" I mumbled with a sniffle.

"" Jieun's voice sounded shocked.

I hummed and nodded too.

She chuckled and cleared her throat before singing.

""

Her blissful soft voice filled my ears so lustfully.

""

I leaned over to my side and held my head up with my hand, staring into her star-filled eyes.

She gave me a smile and placed her hand on my cheek.

""

I lightly smiled back and not once did I look away from her eyes. The eyes the drew me in at the first sight of her.

""

"" Jieun whispered softly. I chuckled and nodded.

""

As we sung the chorus together, our voices rang in harmonization.

""

I stopped singing the first part of the second verse so I could only hear Jieun's voice.

""

But then suddenly she stopped and pointed at me which made me blush and giggle. She want me to sing the next part.

""

I giggled again after singing and hid my face in her chest.

"" Jieun pulled my chin up with her finger and placed a kiss on my lips.

Every time it warms my heart. Every time my body heats.

"" I called her. She hummed and smiled again.

"" I kissed her lips once more and snuggled into her arms.

"" Jieun told me back. I smiled against her neck and lightly brushed my lips to her skin.

She held me close and stroked my hair until I fell asleep again.

For another day I could rise and wake by her is a blessing. For each time I can kiss her soft strawberry lips, to make her feel the love she makes me feel.