(a/n: before you guys start reading please be aware that this chapter could contain triggering content which could remind of eating disorders with their thoughts and behaviors!)

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"Shit." I muttered to myself, loosening my necktie before I ran into the school's bathroom to lock myself up in one of the stalls.

Luckily the lesson just started, meaning that the break was over and no one was walking around the school building right now.

I was alone.

"Take a deep breath. Calm down, Jungwon." I closed my eyes, trying to get rid of the nausea and dizziness. But the more I thought about it the worse it became.

I probably felt sick because of the sandwich I ate earlier.

But in all seriousness, who would have known that I would feel like this after only one bite?

I lied because I wanted her to be happy.

I didn't know things would turn out this way.

The next moment, I looked down to my hands, before I winced, feeling sick and pained all at once. Making myself stand, I wrapped my arms around my torso tightly.

If I didn't throw up that sandwich right now, I wouldn't be able to handle the pain, I was sure of that.

And the next moment I bent over and wretched, feeling my throat burn and my eyes water.

It did sober me up a little, but for some reason I had no energy left in my body after I had finished.

Looking at my own reflection, I sprinkled a few droplets of water on my face from the water faucet, as I couldn't help but let out a sigh. I looked like a fucking corpse.

More than I normally did.

"Ah, right..." I spoke to myself, feeling tiredness take over my body once again. I remembered the conversation I had with Eunji earlier.

She must be scared, now that she knew that I wasn't just a weird loner, but also a blood-addicted freak who's out of control on top of that.

I regretted it. I regretted telling her so many things about myself.

The more she knew, the more scared she will become of me.

That's when it hit me, "She is going to leave. She is going to leave me." I muttered under my breath as I realised, noticing my pupils shake. I knew this would happen and yet I was still surprised by it.

This time I actually cared if someone viewed me as a monster. I felt the urge to fight that distorted picture of me. I didn't want her to be scared of me.

But no matter what I did, there was nothing I could do to prove it wrong. It was true. I was a monster.

A sudden knock caused me to flinch, as I looked in the direction of where the sound was coming from.

The door.

"Jungwon?"

I heard Eunji say and for a short moment I thought my ears were playing tricks on me.

"You are in there, right?!"

I didn't answer.

When there was still no answer, she added, "You should have told me you couldn't eat human food, you dumb fuck!"

I was too surprised at her choice of words that I didn't notice she had already barged in through the door.

"You can't just go in here, Eunji. Are you insane?!" I exclaimed in disbelief.

Eunji on the other hand just glared at me before taking ahold of my wrist to drag me outside the bathroom.

I didn't protest nor did I try to resist, because right now she probably looked ten times scarier than I could ever be.

"Eunji...Eunji—" I tried to ask her where we were heading to, but she just silently pulled me after her.

That's when she stopped in front of the janitor's room, which stayed empty most of the time.

She swiftly opened the creaking door before pushing me inside.

It reeked of detergent and dishwashing liquid in here.

Closing the door behind her, Eunji turned on the light switch as her eyes widened - the same way mine did - after we both realised how small the distance between us actually was.

"You..." It seemed like Eunji was too flustered to actually get mad at me as she cleared her throat before continuing.

Out of nowhere, the girl in front of me opened my bag and pulled out one of my emergency blood packs.

"What are you doing?!" I started to panic, closing the backpack again, but she shook her head.

"Jungwon, you are too weak right now." The girl sighed, shaking her head once again, "I was the one who poisoned you, so at least let me help you drink it. I'm sure blood will saturate and heal you."

"You didn't poison me, Eunji."

"Do you know how pissed off I am?!" She looked away, "At myself. For making you feel like you had to accept that damn sandwich. I should have stopped whining the moment you told me vampires didn't eat."

"Eunji...It's—" I stammered, shaking my head to distract myself from the blood bag she was holding right in front of me. This was not good, "Do you even know what you are doing right now?" I narrowed my eyes at her, trying to concentrate on her only.

"You shouldn't have lied about it just to make me feel better either."

I looked down, "I-I know, I'm sorry—"

"If you are sorry then just listen to me for goodness' sake!" She started to become impatient.

I visibly hesitated but eventually decided to give up on my conscience.

"Please don't look at me right now." I covered her eyes, before I bit into the blood pack she was holding for me.

Since I wanted to get over with it as soon as possible, I tried to ignore everyone and everything, while I was chugging down every single drop of the red substance all at once.

And the moment I finished all of it, Eunji wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me into a tight hug.

"Never scare me like that ever again, do you understand?" She mumbled, when I hesitantly hugged her back.

"Are you cold?" I muttered, when I felt goosebumps all over her arm, "Am I cold?"

"Yes, but it's alright." I could hear her smile, "As long as you are okay."

And for the first time, I felt warm inside.