My Only Sunshine

Chapter 45

If Jaehyun could count the number of times Johnny paced back and forth in front of Dani's room it would have been well over a hundred. He finally paused his movie and looked over at Johnny from the far side of the room.

"Babe, what are you doing?" He asked. Johnny stopped, looking at Jaehyun with a startled expression. Was he so deep in thought that he didn't know Jaehyun was sitting right there?

"Okay don't freak out." Johnny hurried over to the couch, looking back at Dani's room. Jaehyun raised one eyebrow in curiosity. "A few days ago I followed Dani."

"And people say I'm the protective parent. I said keep tabs on her. Not follow her." Jaehyun scoffed, turning to look at Johnny.

"She's gay."

"What?" Jaehyun scrunched his nose up in confusion. "How do you know that?"

"I heard her and Hana talking. They've been in a relationship for a while apparently. I know its a bit upsetting-"

"Actually I thought about it a bit after our last talk. You know, I think it's a good thing she's not fooling around with any boys."

"Are you only concerned if it's a boy she's dating?"

"We'll she can't get pregnant if she's with another girl and if it's Hana we know her really well. She's a pretty good kid."

"What!? You were so against it before!" Johnny groaned "You made me worry about it now I can't stop thinking about it."

"And you talked me down from my paranoia." Jaehyun laughed, sliding closer to Johnny. He laced their fingers together, bringing Johnny's hand to his lips. "What do you want to do about it?" Jaehyun asked

"I don't know. Her grades have been slipping lately and I can't help but feel like Hana is partly responsible. They spend too much time out together and not enough studying."

"Then let's talk to her."

"Hey Dad! I'm going out!" Hana shouted as her door swung open and she rushed to the front door. "Can I take your-" she spotted them on the couch

"Where are you going?" Johnny asked

"Hana and I were going to watch a movie. Can I take your credit card?"

"Are you don't studying?" Jaehyun asked

"No but I was going to do that when I got back. Its the weekend so-"

"We need to talk to you." Jaehyun interrupted. Dani sighed and walked over to them, standing in front of the couch. "You need to start prioritizing your grades, Princess. If you fail the next exam it won't look that good on your application for university. You've already chosen the one you want to go to, haven't you?"

"We'll, yeah but like, all our friends are going to the movies. It kind of sucks to be the only one missing out." She started rubbing her thumbs over her palms and Johnny let out a sigh.

"We know you and Hana are dating." Jaehyun told her.

"What?" Dani feigned confusion "We aren't-"

"I heard the two of you talking about it." Johnny interrupted

"You were eavesdropping? What the hell?" Dani snapped. Johnny scowled at her, anger written on his face.

"Yeah I followed you to that restaurant the other night. I also know you're making plans to move in with her." He barked

"Wait what?" Jaehyun looked at Johnny then back to Dani. "Move in together? Dani, you're only 17. You haven't even graduated yet."

"It doesn't matter, Dad. Hana and I are in love."

"You're too young to know what love is. You're not moving out. We've talked about this already, your university is only a few blocks away. Your going to stay here so you can save money. When your ready to buy a place-"

"No. He decided that" She pointed to Johnny "I had no say in it and I've already applied to the university I want and I got accepted."

"What? They aren't accepting applications for another two months." Johnny stated. Jaehyun pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I'm not going to the one you wanted me to. I don't want to get into music. I want to help people."

"You want to enroll in that nursing program don't you?" Jaehyun sighed. Hearing her talk about it like this made Jaehyun feel guilty. They sent her to music and vocal lessons thinking she'd follow in their footsteps, make a name for herself in the music industry. Johnny shot down her suggestion of that other university too quickly to realize it was something she was passionate about.

"Not nursing, Dad. Science. Medicine. Mathematics. Things that actually make a difference in people's lives. Not some glorified cheerleader, thrusting at an audience of underaged teens." She scoffed. Jaehyun groaned in response and Johnny stood up.

"You're not going to move out and you're most definitely not enrolling in that program. You have real talent, we would be idiots if we let you waste it." He barked

"What kind of parent doesn't want their kid to choose a career path that can provide stability for the rest of their life? You're being ridiculous and petty just because I didn't tell you about Hana!"

"Don't yell at your Father." Jaehyun cooed, trying to stay calm. He also stood up. "We just want what's best-"

"Don't give me that bullshit! You want what's best for you and your reputation. Not mine! I love Hana. I'm going to move in with her whether or not you approve!" Dani shouted.

"Why don't we have dinner with both you and Hana and talk about it. You're a little young to move in with someone. You should think about building a stronger foundation for your relationship before you commit to something like that." Jaehyun told her, hoping she would understand.

"What the fuck do you know about strong foundations? You left us and cheated." She huffed angrily. Jaehyun felt a sting in his chest at the reminder of the past. He had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from tearing up. It took a moment before the shame turned into anger and he forced himself to take a few deep breaths to calm himself.

Teenagers are so frustrating.

"I've had it with that foul mouth of yours. Give me your phone and go to your room. You're grounded-"

"No!" She growled.

"Dani, Johnny, stop arguing. We should just hear her out." Jaehyun stood between them. His patience was wearing thin.

Still, he bit back his irritation and reached for Dani's hand. She growled and tore it away from his grip and her hand met his cheek with a hard slap, stinging the skin.

"Don't tell me what to do! You're not even my real Dad!" She screamed. Jaehyun sucked in a shocked breath when Johnny returned the slap she'd given Jaehyun.

The room had gone silent. Johnny was so much more patient than Jaehyun, he couldn't believe that Johnny had actually lost his temper so quickly.

"He is just as much your Father as I am. Apologize to him." Johnny's voice was low and threatening. She just sneered at Johnny and ran out of the dorm at full speed.

"Did you have to do that?" Jaehyun asked.

"I'm not putting up with that again. She has to understand that her actions and words are hurtful."

"Johnny, she doesn't actually think of me like that. Teenagers say stupid things they don't mean." Jaehyun rubbed his cheek. "What's up with you? Why are you so angry about this?"

"Because I just am." Johnny snarled, storming to their room.

Jaehyun sighed, hurrying out of the dorm so he could find Dani and bring her home.