story extra; park jisung

十七

"Hello everyone!!!" Taesa exclaimed a little too happily while holding my wrist, dragging me towards her desk consisting of Jeno and her friends.

I flinched at the sudden contact while my head was overwhelmed with thoughts.

Did Jisung tell Taesa? Can we all be friends again?

"Okay! So, as you all know, this is Mira. We talked a bit and apparently you guys are all friends.. so I want you all to talk to each other again!"

Everyone looked at each other silently in discomfort, not knowing Jisung and I had made up the other day.

"Oh... hi Mi," Jisung finally said, making the group widen their eyes or purse their lips.

Taesa let out a bright smile, thinking she had somehow set up Jisung and I to be friends.

"Hi Ji," I said, my wrist rubbing my arm as I looked at Taesa's side profile with discomfort.

"Sit down!" Taesa said, bringing out her lunch box. Everyone ate in an abormal silence—curious as to how they would protect their youngest friend.

"Why is it so quiet in here?" Taesa ignorantly let out before saying, "you guys are usually so chaotic." Taesa frowned, knowing her plan to bring us closer is failing.

The sight of her disappointment only made me think more—Was I not good enough? Is it me? Am I too awkward? Am I too shy? Should I try to be more outgoing?

Jisung looked at me. We made eye contact. His eyes widened before saying, "Um, be right back. Mi, do you wanna come?"

My throat seemed to close up as it wouldn't allow me to speak—almost as if someone had a TV remote and put me on mute. Ji seemed to notice my lack of words and took my hand before assisting me to the nurse's office and calling my mom.

My mom came in shortly after, her eyes looking at me in worry.

She comforted me, thanked Jisung and told me everything would be okay in the end.

"Thank you, Jisung, you're a really good best friend to her."