February 8, 2007
In a few more weeks, it's already goodbye to school and hello to vacation. Seju was wondering where the three of them would go this year. For the past years every vacation their families plans the trips they go to. It's just a few days of vacation but still vacation.
The three of them still hangs out during vacant hours, but Yeonhwa has been so busy due to her position, especially that she needs to finish all the stuff in the past semester, she needs to finish it all before the vacation starts.
She was not purposely avoiding Seju and Seungjae, She's just busy.
"Yeon, where do you want to go this vacation?"
Yeonhwa was focused on her paperwork not even batting an eye on Seju; she kept scribbling something on the papers, even Seju think that the scribbling wasn't even really words, just some random scribbles that Yeonhwa writes just to avoid talking to her.
She has been kind of suspicious about Yeonhwa's behavior towards her and Seungjae. Usually she's the nagging type but now she just lets the two of them come and go as they please, and she's unusually cold towards them, not that she's not cold to them but she's extra cold these past few days.
"Hey, Yeon! I'm asking you something!"
She was still ignored, so she decided she needs to do something to get her friend's attention.
She picked up a book from the shelves and then walked towards Yeonhwa's desk, the latter still oblivious of what's going to happen just kept focusing on her work then suddenly, Seju slammed the book on her desk
"Baek Yeonhwa!"
"…!"
The papers on Yeonhwa's desk got scattered on the floor from the impact
"What the hell Seju?! What do you want?!"
Yeonhwa's voice was thunderous that it made Seju flinch. It was the first time she saw Yeonhwa that furious, and on top of that she was called by her name. It was an unusual, normally even if Yeonhwa is pissed with her; she doesn't call Seju by her name.
But Yeonhwa was convinced that she didn't do anything wrong to deserve Yeonhwa's rage so she retaliated.
"I was asking you, where you want to go this vacation! You didn't have to raise your voice! Hmph!"
She crossed her arms and glared at Yeonhwa.
"Why do you even care about my opinion?!"
Yeonhwa snapped. Not minding the backlash she would receive. She glared at Seju like she was the devil.
"Shit… Bullshit…"
Seju abruptly picked up her stuffs that was on one of the chairs and stomped her way towards the door. Her face all red from the anger she's feeling.
'What the hell?! Why is she like this? What did I even do to her?!'
She was walking briskly when she heard a chair fell down. She knew it was Yeonhwa's chair, but she didn't bother to look back, she just walked away from that place; from Yeonhwa.
"Seju!"
Yeonhwa was calling Seju but the latter wasn't paying any attention to her, she was just focused on running away.
"Seju!"
Still, Seju wasn't looking back at her. The people around them were already looking at them for making such a fuss.
"Hey, Seju. I'm sorry"
Seju stopped walking which made Yeonhwa sigh in relief, when she caught up with Seju she rested her hands on Seju's shoulder but when the latter turned around and gave her a death glare she quickly withdrew her hands and looked at Seju apologetically.
"I didn't know you can utter those words from your own lips"
Seju said sarcastically, still looking at Yeonhwa with glaring eyes. The latter just felt like she was getting killed by just being stared at.
"Okay, I know I was mean, but I'm sorry… I didn't mean to raise my voice. I was just so engrossed in finishing my work. I didn't want any distractions."
Seju's ears twitched at what she heard…
'Me? A distraction?'
She can't contain her anger anymore.
"So I'm just a Distraction to you? Are those fucking papers more important than your own best friend?"
Yeonhwa's heart clenched from the words that came out from Seju's lips…
'Best friend… Yeah, I'm just a best friend…'
She was hurt but still she still needs to ask for Seju's forgiveness.
"Seju. Look I—"
Seju didn't let her finish, she turned her back once again and walked away from Yeonhwa. The latter just followed her everywhere she goes.
'Damn it… Damn those paper works… Damn her!'
"Seju, come on, talk to me. I said I'm sorry!"
Yeonhwa was already feeling restless because of the paper works piled on her desk, and now Seju is having a fit?
'Seungjae where the heck are you when I need you?!'
Seju just clenched her fist; they were already at the School's gate when she snapped her head back at Yeonhwa and glared at her.
"From today onwards, I don't know anyone named Baek Yeonhwa!"
Seju continuously walked outside the gate, slowly, waiting if Yeonhwa would still follow her. Yeonhwa on the other hand badly wanted to follow Seju, but she still needs to finish her paper works and her stuff is still inside the office.
"Damn it!" Yeonhwa ran back to the Student Council Office and quickly started to write reports
That day she finished all the remaining paper work for the last semester and the current semester.
"Argh! Those officers are so damn useless!" She screamed in frustration while vigorously finishing the papers.
===
"Wait we have to be careful in transferring her; She have a hip joint injury, we don't want it to get severe than it already is"
Doah said, she stopped the EMTs form transferring the patient to another bed. So they just let her be and just fixed the oxygen mask on patient.
"Dr. Park! What are you doing there? Come here!"
Seju was snapped back from her daze, she was just staring at the patient, while the others are taking action.
'After 7 years… I saw Yeonhwa's aunt again.'
She was about to get closer to the patient when Soah spoke
"Oxygen Saturation dropped to 85 and still dropping!"
"Doc Pulse is getting faster at 110" Namjoo, one of the interns exclaimed.
"Atrial Fibrillation"
"W-wait, you said that she has a head injury right? Did you check if she has cerebral hemorrhage?"
Seju said checking the patient. Her hands were shaking, she didn't expect the VIP patient to be Yeonhwa's aunt.
"But Dr. Park, there's no seizures or paralysis" Sejeong explained to Seju
"Then could it be TIA?" Namjoo said, the other doctors and Soah looked at him, thinking about the possibility, but Doah shook her head.
"One minute is too short for that. If she collapsed, her great vessels might be blocked. But it's impossible for it to be unblocked in that short span of time." Doah explained
"Chief" Sejeong called. Doah, Seju and Namjoo looked at her waiting for what she was about to say "Did she lose consciousness because she collapsed or because of the over dosage of pills? It's not just a simple fracture so I think it might be syncope…"
Doah smiled, she patted Sejeong's shoulder and gave her orders.
"Good thinking Dr. Kim. If everyone heard that, take the brain CT and check the x-rays. Check the cardiovascular syncope and orthostatic syncope. And someone, immediately call an orthopedist."
Soah immediately rushed out to call an orthopedist.
"Was the patient brought here alone?" Seju asked. She was hoping… that Yeonhwa would come.
"Yes doc" Namjoo replied
"Then don't just stand there. Call the patient's family or guardian now." Doah ordered Namjoo
"Yes, Doc"
===
February 14, 2007
It's been 7 days, but Seju and Yeonhwa still aren't talking to each other.
Seju was already on the verge of barging in, in Yeonhwa's house to rage and yell at her, but she can't let herself do it, her pride is stopping her from doing it. To be honest she already missed Yeonhwa, but she knows that she's not in the wrong this time so she's still waiting, but if this fight still goes on then she'll just wreak havoc in school so that Yeonhwa would pay attention to her.
'That damned president, I thought she'll run after me…"
She still remembered how she waited that day. Just remembering it makes her furious.
She was about to fix her stuff when she saw a ticket fell from one of her books. She picked it up and saw that it was a ticket for an amusement park. And at the back of the ticket was a note
'I'm sorry…'
She looked at her book and saw a ton of sticky note posted in it with a few quotes and some are just "I'm sorry" notes. Seju can't help but to smile from ear to ear.
"Am I forgiven?"
Without even looking up she knew who the owner of that voice is. She can feel her blood rushing to her cheeks and ears. She felt like her heart just did a somersault inside her chest.
She didn't look up because she doesn't want Yeonhwa to see her beet red face.
"Seju… I'm sorry"
Now Seju can hear the sincerity in Yeonhwa's voice. That time when they were having a game of tag, she knew that Yeonhwa was just pissed and was forced to apologize to her.
She looked up at Yeonhwa who was holding a box of chocolates and a white rose.
"Do you promise not to raise your voice again?"
Yeonhwa just furrowed her brows and looked at Seju intently; Seju stared back at her with the same intensity not backing down.
Yeonhwa sighed and closed her eyes.
"Fine… If that's what it takes for you to forgive me…"
"Wait, that's not all of course" Seju said and stood up from her seat. She picked up the ticket from her desk and waved it in front of Yeonhwa.
"You're coming with me here…"
Yeonhwa's eyes turned saucers. She can't go with Seju. Why? She's afraid of rides. Especially rides that have high altitude.
"No."
She abruptly replied, Seju snatched the chocolates from Yeonhwa's hands and smirked.
"Then just forget that we're friends"
Seju was about to exit the room when she felt a hand on her wrist. She smiled from ear to ear.
"Fine. I'm coming with you"
Seju faced Yeonhwa with her wide smile. The latter just looked at her and smiled softly.
"Then Let's go!"
Seju then intertwined her hand with Yeonhwa, which made the latter blush, and uneasy; It made her heart flutter and at the same time she can feel the butterflies in her stomach. Looking at Seju's smiling face; she loosened up and savored the moment.
"By the way…"
"Hmm?"
"Happy Valentine's Day Seju…"
===
"Really? A VIP patient?" Areum asked while before taking a bite on her sandwich.
"Yeah, she's getting transferred to Rm 1023" Soah said after taking a sip from her coffee.
"You mean that oh so expensive room?"
"Yes, that"
"What? is she an actress? Or something like that?" Areum was really curious about the patient
"If you're that curious then I guess I'll ask Chief schedule you on the night shift to attend to her" Sejeong said in a teasing tone.
"Huh? No! I don't want to be on the Night Shift Dr. Kim!"
Sejeong just chuckled at Areum's reaction.
After eating they transferred the patient to her room; while fixing the patient's dextrose, Sejeong asked Seju
"Is her family still not here?"
"Namjoo said that he already called her daughter, and is already on her way."
Seju said, and as if on cue, the front door burst open, and a woman wearing a weird outfit and mic rushed towards the patient.
"Mom!"
She knelt beside the patient's bed as she cries.
"Doc what happened to my mom?"
She didn't bat an eye on Seju and Sejeong and just continued to cry beside her mom.
"Your mom overdosed on anti-anxiety pills and her hip and head are injured. We already treated her but she's still unconscious as of the moment" Sejeong explained
"Is she going to be okay?"
"Of course, she's already out of the woods, you don't have to worry"
Sejeong gave the woman a reassuring smile to make her feel better.
"We'll be going, if you need anything else just ask us"
"Okay, thank you so much doc"
Sejeong already went out of the room; it's just Seju and the woman inside.
The woman didn't notice Seju's presence; she's just focused on the patient. The latter wanted to talk to her, and comfort her, but most importantly she wanted to ask about Yeonhwa, but she knew it was not the right time.
"Jin-Ae…"
The woman snapped her head towards Seju, Shock was evident; she did not expect to see Seju.
"Seju unnie?"
Seju smiled at her. She doesn't know what to say to her, so she just opened her arms Jin-Ae gladly ran to her arms and hugged her. The last time Seju saw Jin-Ae was almost 7 years ago.
"Unnie!"
Jin-Ae cried harder as soon as she felt Seju's warm hug.
"Shhh… It's okay Jin-Ae, your mom is already safe."
She caressed the younger woman's head to calm her down.
"Unnie, I'll go crazy if my mom dies too."
Seju looked at Jin-Ae with a puzzling look
'What does she mean by that?'
===
February 16, 2007
Seju spent her day with her classmates and friends, they also celebrated the valentine's day late, so they bought cake and did a mini celebration
After the short celebration they all decided to part ways.
Yeonhwa who was planning to walk home already started her walk, but there's something bothering her.
"You're really following me? Aren't you going home?" Yeonhwa asked Seju, who has been following her the whole time.
"Yeah" Seju looked at Yeonhwa straight in the eye "I don't want to go home yet"
"It's already late, your parents might get worried about you" Yeonhwa said, trying to convince Seju, but the latter seems determined to stay out late.
"You know my parents Yeon; they just let me do what I want to do, so it's fine, and if I told them that I'm with you, they'll be assured. They would even let me stay at your house." Seju explained
Yeonhwa just sighed and rolled her eyes.
"If that's the case…" Seju's head perked up anticipating Yeonhwa's words "then stay at our house"
Seju's eyes turned bright, she clung onto Yeonhwa's arms and smiled brightly looking up at her friend.
"You'll let me stay the night?" Seju asked with her puppy eyes
"If your parents say that it's okay, then okay I'll let you stay the night."
"Yes!"
This was Seju's first time in Yeonhwa's house; she already knew that Yeonhwa's family is well-off since her father has business all over in Korea and overseas. Her Aunt, her father's sister is the one taking care of her. She also knew that Yeonhwa's cousin Jin-Ae is a trainee at one of the biggest entertainment Agencies in Korea.
"You know I've been dying to see your house. You never invite us over." Seju complained while the two of them were walking.
"I just don't want to invite you guys" Yeonhwa coldly replied
"Hmph! After this you should invite us more often"
"I'll think about it"
After a few minutes of walking they arrived at a tall condominium building. Seju already recognize it. It's one of the finest buildings in Seoul.
"Y-You live here?"
"Yeah" Yeonhwa nonchalantly answered
As soon as they entered the building Seju can already feel the sophistication of the place. She can feel how expensive renting a place there.
'Wow… I didn't know that they're this well-off'
30th floor. The Elevator stopped on the 30th floor, and when they came out of the elevator Seju was shocked to see that there's only one door, and it's right in front of them.
"Is this…?"
"Yeah it's the penthouse"
She rang the doorbell twice after a few seconds of waiting; the door was opened by a girl, just a few years younger than them.
"Moooom! Yeonhwa Unnie has a guest!" She yelled as soon as she saw Seju
"You're so noisy Jin-Ae!" Yeonhwa complained as she entered the unit.
Seju was still mesmerized by the place and when she entered the unit her eyes almost fell.
'It has a second floor… How?'
"Like what you see?" Yeonhwa smirked at her.
The unit has this modern design with a balcony and in the balcony there are a few plants. And also there's a second floor where the rooms are located.
They both sat down on the couch, and in front of them was Jin-Ae who was staring at Seju. It was their first time meeting since Jin-Ae stays at the trainee dorms.
"Unnie! You're so beautiful, are you an Idol?" Jin-Ae asked Seju, her eyes were sparkling with anticipation
"Uh…"
"Jin-Ae, how many times have I told you that you need to tone down your voice?" Yeonhwa's Aunt came out of a kitchen holding a ladle and pointing it at Jin-Ae
"Hi Mrs. Ahn" Seju greeted.
"Oh! It's Seju!"
Seju knew Yeonhwa's Aunt because her family's close with the Baek's especially Yeonhwa's aunt. Ever since Yeonhwa's mom died she's been taking care of Yeonhwa. But they don't live with the latter.
"How are you Mrs. Ahn?"
"I told you to just call me Auntie; you're already like family to us. I'll be right back" She said and smiled at Seju "Good thing I cooked many dishes today." She added and went back to the kitchen.
"So, Unnie… Are you an Idol?"
"N—"
Seju was cut off when Yeonhwa spoke on her behalf.
"She's not an idol and don't recruit her!"
"Ugh! You're so mean Yeonhwa Unnie" Jin-Ae said as she sat beside Seju
"Yeah, you're so mean!" Seju said siding with Jin-Ae
"I can't deal with you two; I'll just head to my room"
Yeonhwa went up to her room and left Jin-Ae and Seju in the living room.
Jin-Ae asked Seju a ton of questions regarding Yeonhwa, like how is she doing in school? Does she have many friends? Questions like that.
"She's not that friendly but she does have friends"
"Wow, I thought she's a loner" Jin-Ae said with a surprised expression
"Well technically she is…"
They were still talking when Seju caught a picture in one of the shelves. She stood up from the couch and looked at it.
'I thought she didn't have a copy of this'
She smiled at the sight of it. It was a picture of her, Seungjae and Yeonhwa when they were in primary school. She remembered how Yeonhwa was forced to take that picture. It was obvious in her facial expression in the picture.
She picked up the picture and showed it to Jin-Ae. She told Jin-Ae the story behind the picture and the two of them were laughing at the story.
"What are you two laughing about?" Yeonhwa was already back, she already changed her clothes.
"We're just reminiscing some memories" Seju said as she showed Yeonhwa the picture in her hands
Yeonhwa's eyes went wide for a second but immediately went back to her cold attitude in a split second
"Ah, that time when you cut your bangs and had to use hair clips for the rest of the year because it looked so bad?"
Seju was about to say something when Yeonhwa's aunt, came out from the kitchen with a pot in her hands.
"It's time to eat!"
The four of them shared a nice meal over dinner. After that Seju called her parents that she'll be staying the night at Yeonhwa's house.
While Yeonhwa was out with Jin-Ae to buys some chips the only people left were Yeonhwa's aunt and Seju. Same with Jin-Ae earlier she's been asking about Yeonhwa
"I see. I'm glad that she's doing fine" Yeonhwa's aunt said and smiled warmly thinking about her niece.
Concern was evident in her face, Seju can feel that she was genuinely worried for her niece.
"She's kind of an oddball, but Seju…"
Seju looked at Yeonhwa's aunt. The latter rested her hands on Seju's shoulders and smiled at her warmly.
"Please take care of Yeonhwa…"