Make It With You

37

We rushed to Monique's house as soon as Mina and Joseph called to tell us she was awake. But when we arrived, she was already asleep again.

Joseph and Mina tried to explain to us what had happened, but the weight of their words hit us all like a ton of bricks.

"So, you're saying Monique unnie has amnesia?" Lisa asked, her voice quiet and full of concern.

"Yes," they answered in unison, their faces showing the exhaustion and worry they were trying to hide.

"She won't know who we are... who we are to her?" Jennie clarified, her eyes filled with fear and confusion.

"That's right," Joseph replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Rosé, her voice shaking with frustration, half-yelled, "How are we supposed to act in front of her? What do we even say?"

"I don't know. Just... act normal," Joseph responded, his tired eyes filled with helplessness.

"Mina... Jisoo... are you okay?" Mina asked softly, her eyes searching Jisoo's face for any sign of what was going on inside her.

"Y-yes," Jisoo answered, her voice trembling. "I just... I just need to process everything you all said." She paused, looking down, and her voice cracked when she asked, "You're saying she lost 2-3 years of her memories?"

"It looks like it," Joseph answered quickly. He sighed, rubbing his face in frustration. "Look, guys, I know this is hard-especially for you, Jisoo-but she needs our help. We have to help her remember."

"We understand," Lisa said softly, her voice firm with resolve. "We're not going to abandon her. We'll do whatever it takes."

"I'll explain things to Irene and IU too," Mina added.

"Did she forget Irene, too?" Jennie asked, her brows furrowing.

"No, I just need to update them and keep them in the loop. I'll explain everything to IU the way we did for you guys," Mina reassured us.

Joseph, his voice tired, added, "You all need to rest. You know your way around the house. Go ahead, get some sleep. Rosé, love, I'm going to stay with my parents tonight. They need me, especially with everything going on. They're vulnerable right now, so I'll be there with them."

"I understand," Rosé said quietly, her voice thick with emotion. She leaned in and kissed Joseph on the cheek. "I'll see you soon."

Mina turned to Jisoo. "Jisoo, are you going to stay in her room?"

Jisoo immediately shook her head, a wave of concern washing over her. "No, I don't want to freak her out when she wakes up. Can I just see her for a minute? I need to get some clothes, too."

Mina nodded in agreement, her face still tight with worry.

Jisoo walked into Monique's room and sat beside her, gently holding her hand. She traced the outline of Monique's face with her fingers, her voice barely above a whisper. "How am I supposed to ask you to marry me if you don't remember me?" she murmured, her heart breaking.

Monique let out a soft groan, and Jisoo immediately pulled her hand away, startled. She leaned down and kissed Monique's cheek before she quickly left the room, her heart heavy. She went back to the guest room, clothes in hand, where the rest of us were waiting.

"How is she?" Jennie asked, her voice quiet with worry.

"Sleeping. Peacefully," Jisoo answered flatly, not able to hide the pain in her tone.

"I still can't believe all of this," Lisa said, her voice thick with disbelief.

"Me neither," Rosé murmured. "I keep waiting for someone to tell me it's just a bad dream... but it's not."