Anxiety. One of the worst things to exist among the human population. How do we fix it? Medication? Therapy? Both are common treatments, but some people live day to day without either while they experience their anxiety levels skyrocket. Why do I bring this up? I finally got my phone back from Minseok this morning. He was adamant on not letting me have it, we ended up wrestling for it. I would like to thank my body fat for victory, but it was short lived.

Fifty-six new messages. I know Minnie had gone out of his way to message mom for me, but whatever he said only enraged the beast. I'm nervous to know what he said, but I have to know. Scrolling up in the messages, my eyes widen at the brief yet rude message which he proudly signed.

Yesterday, 22:17pm

"sup you wicked bitch, _Y/N_ is staying the night with me and I'm taking away her phone
so you can't ruin anything. how about you go set more bad examples for your bitter
disappointments that are just like you. kindly fuck off~
– Jung Minseok, kisses hoe

Scanning the messages she sent made my anxiety peak, and it was barely seven o'clock in the morning. Usually she is empty threats and foul language. We'll see tonight if she truly raided my room and destroyed anything. It's not like there's anything that she could find that is worth destroying. Her gambling habits make it hard to have anything of significant value. Nothing irreplaceable.. except for my diary! Where did I put it last?

"Minnie!" I rushed into the kitchen where Minseok was drying his freshly washed hair, already dressed for school, "We need to stop by my house to see if my mom found my diary!"

He smirked, snickering softly. Yeah, I had a diary to write things down, but he was my walking diary and anything written down he already knew about, "You afraid she's going to find out about your crush?"

You know how you feel on a hot day under the scorching sun with no breeze or shade? Yeah, that's what I'm feeling. I'm sure my face is as red as a fire truck but there's no time to speculate. He's not wrong. There's a boy I've had a crush on for a while now, but that doesn't mean I want anyone beyond him finding out. I've not even told Iseul or Jin Ae because they're nothing but gossip.

"No worries, hun. We'll drop by, grab it if she's not found it, and go to school," he glanced at the clock before gasping; dramatic much, "We'd better get going if we don't want you to be late for being early!"

Rolling my eyes I pulled on my hoodie and grabbed my bag, slipping my feet hastily into my shoes before rushing out the door behind Minseok. Just as last night, he dragged me along as he jogged ahead of me. I could feel the judgmental eyes scanning me over. It's a discontent feeling if I'm being completely honest.

While I was stuck in my head, we came to a stop at the front door of my house. Giving the knob a twist, it was surprisingly unlocked. We entered quietly, listening for any sound of life. Passing by the living room, I can see my dad sprawled out on the couch, a thin blanket draped over him. That wasn't a good sign, it means mom is still home. Turning to Minseok, I pressed my index finger to my lips to which he nodded in understanding as we quickly continued to the stairs. Going up, I poked my head about before eyeing my bedroom door. It was cracked open, definitely not how I'd left it yesterday morning.

Rushing on our toes, we darted into the room and quietly shut and locked the door. The whiney groan from Minseok prompted me to turn to see my once organized, pristine room turned upside down.

"Not going to lie, hun. I think she may have found it," he looked to me apologetically, his lower lip jutting out in a pout, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have sent her that message last night."

"Don't worry about it, let's just find the diary so we can go." With his help, we moved the mattress back onto the box spring and lazily straightened up the bedding. Minseok generously gathered up the clothing that was strewn across the room as I shuffled through my night stand searching for the small white journal with a tiny lock. No luck, "It's not in here."

"Is that where you last put it?" I shrug, "That's super helpful."

"I know." He grins and rolls his eyes, going back to hanging up my clothes. Opening the desk, I shuffle through the stacks of papers marked with A's. What can I say? I like to remember that I've done well in school. It's a small reminder that I'm better than some people try to make me believe I am. Pushing a stack aside, I finally find the diary. Pulling it out, I excitedly turn to Minseok, "I found it!"

As he was about to open his mouth, there was a disturbance that silenced us. There was a banging on the door followed by yelling, "_Y/N_, I know you're in there! Get out here!"

"Shit! Quick, the window!" without hesitation, Minseok threw the window open and peered out, "It's not that bad of a drop. I'll go out first and help you down."

It's moments like this I feel like maybe I'm thin. But then I look down at myself and see the strap of fat across my belly and remember I'm not. I shove my diary in my bag and watch as Minseok drops down to the ground, quickly waving me down. As I shuffle through the window, my door flies open, my mom rushing toward me, a lit cigarette in hand aimed straight for me. Letting go, I dropped from the second level of my house, my fall broken as I was caught and fell with Minseok.

"I'm so sorry, Minnie! She got in," he laughed, pushing me off as he rolled and jumped up from the ground, "I swear I'll make it up to you! I didn't mean to fall on you!"

"No worries sweetie, the look on that bitch's face up there is good enough for me." We glanced up at my window to see my mom hanging out, angrily yelling as we sprinted off down the road, heading to school. Even walking at a casual pace we got there with ten minutes to spare. Too bad there's a flock of girls making entering difficult.

"What's going on here?" I could head the grin spread across Minseok's face as he strolled closer to the mob, "I'll see you in class, hun. I gotta find out what's going on over here."

Just like that, I was on my own. With a deep breath, I headed to the school, ready for the day to start.