15. comfort

15. comfort

five minutes later, joshua showed up.

"yumi," he breathed, as he walked closer to her.

she didn't have the strength to hold herself up anymore. as soon as he was close enough, she collapsed into his arms, burying her face in his chest, her tears soaking through his jacket.

he didn't say anything, he just held her tight. his hands rubbed her back soothingly.

"i'm here, yumi," he whispered. "i've got you."

yumi clung to him, her body shaking uncontrollably as she sobbed. she couldn't speak. how could she explain what had happened? how could she ever explain to someone that her best friend violated her in the worst possible way? how could she say it out loud?

"yumi," joshua said softly. "i have no idea what happened, but i'm here for you, okay? i'll be here to listen to you. if you don't wanna talk about it, that's fine too. i just want you to know that i'm here for you, okay?"

yumi nodded as she slowly pulled away, her eyes still filled with tears. joshua gently wiped away her tears with his thumb.

"do you want me to take you home?" he asked her softly.

"mom's working all night," she said. "i don't wanna be alone..."

"do you want to stay with me?" he asked her. "come on, get in."

he opened the car door for her and helped her in.

as they were driving back to joshua's dorm, he reached over, placing a hand on hers. he didn't say anything, he just wanted her to feel safe. yumi intertwined their fingers, still not looking at him.

when they reached the dorms, joshua parked his car and opened the door for her. when they entered the dorm, jeonghan, scoups and dk were inside. they were about to say something, but when they noticed how tired yumi looked and how red her eyes were from crying, they didn't say a word.

joshua took her to his room, made her sit on his bed while he walked to his closet. he pulled out a black hoodie and black sweatpants, handing it to her.

"i hope this fits you." he smiled. "change. i'll make you some tea, okay?"

she nodded, softly thanking him.

as she was changing into joshua's clothes, joshua was in the kitchen making tea while the members bombarded him with questions.

"what's wrong?"

"what happened to her?"

"did you two fight?"

"you already broke her heart? i'll kill you!"

"can you guys chill?" he glared at them. "i have no idea what happened. i was asleep when i got her phone call, she was crying and said she needed me. she was a mess when i got there. and she told me she didn't want to be alone, which is why i brought her here. now, please calm down, and don't bother her."

"i hope she's okay." dk pouted. "she looks so sad."

"maybe you can make her laugh," woozi told dk.

"let's just leave her for today, okay?" scoups told them.

with two cups of tea in his hand, joshua walked to his room and knocked on the door. yumi opened the door, letting him in. he gave her the cup and they sat together in silence.

joshua didn't push her to talk. he just sat with her. yumi drank her tea, while avoiding joshua's gaze. she really wanted to talk about it. she wanted to scream, she wanted to cry.

but she couldn't.

and she had no idea why.

"it—it's hojin..." she said, her voice cracking.

"are you ready to talk, yumi?" he looked at her, but she still avoided his gaze.

she nodded. "it's hojin. he—he kissed me. no. he stole my first kiss. he t—touched me... inappropriately. i feel... disgusting. i feel dirty."

tears filled her eyes, but she continued. "i couldn't push him away at first. he was too strong. his fingers... left a mark on my body..."

joshua could feel his body heating up in anger. that jerk... how could he do this to her? all he wanted to do was go back to that party and punch hojin.

"i pushed him away, but it was... too late..." yumi was now crying again.

joshua took the cup from her hand, placing it on the side table, and pulling her in a hug. she was shaking, and joshua's grip tightened around her.

"you shouldn't feel that way, yumi," he said, still hugging her. "he's a jerk. i'm really glad you told me now. because if you told me earlier, i would've killed him."

she hugged him tighter.

"i'm here for you," he said as he gently pulled away, cupping her face in his hands. "i'll protect you, okay? you're with me now, no one will ever touch you. i won't let them."

"how am i supposed to face him now?" she whispered as she looked into his eyes. "we work together... he's just there everyday... we even work for you guys together."

"you don't have to worry about that, baby, okay?" he said gently as he rubbed away her tears. "you won't face him alone, you have me. i won't let him come near you again, i promise you this."

"i'm tired..."

"sleep, baby." he stood up, giving her space so she could lie down. "i'll sleep on the couch, okay?"

"no." she held his hand. "stay with me, please."

he nodded as he lied down next to her, pulling her closer. she put her head on his chest, and he hugged her, gently stroking her back.

she didn't know what would happen tomorrow. but for now, she felt safe with joshua.

and that was enough.

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