Home

11

"Chaeyoung!"

Chaeyoung looked up, surprised. Somi was standing there, and everyone else was watching, a mix of curiosity and "uh oh" on their faces. Mina got this weird, uneasy feeling she couldn't shake.

Somi said to the group, trying to sound casual, "Mind if I borrow Chaeyoung for a sec?  Promise I'll give her back."

Chaeyoung didn't say anything, just got up and walked past Somi. Somi gave a little nod to the others before following.

As soon as they were gone, the tension was thick.

Dahyun sighed. "Seriously, when's she gonna dump that girl already?"

Tzuyu glared at her.  "Dahyun, not now. Let's just…eat."  She forced a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

The awkward silence hung heavy even after the coffee and cake arrived. The older girls tried to chat, but it felt forced.

Mina was still uneasy. She fought the urge to butt in, but her curiosity was eating at her.

She faked a phone call and slipped away.  Her friends didn't bat an eye.

She found them in the parking lot, hiding behind a car. Somi's voice, all desperate and pleading, was the first thing Mina heard.

"Chae…please, just take me back," Somi begged, her voice cracking.

Chaeyoung's reply was ice cold.  "Nope."

Somi's laugh was tight, almost angry. "Seriously?  Come on, Chaeng, we can fix this.  Just come back, I'll handle everything!"

Chaeyoung just stared at her, her face unreadable. "I'm not worthy," she said, flat and emotionless.

Somi started to argue, but Chaeyoung whipped out an earbud and shoved it in both ears.  Somi huffed and stomped off.

Chaeyoung chuckled as soon as Somi was gone. "Silly girl.  It wasn't even on."

Mina winced, still hiding.  She heard Chaeyoung mutter to herself, "Silly girl, your shadows are deceiving you."

Mortified, Mina squeezed her eyes shut, then peeked out, giving a sheepish smile.

"H-hey," she mumbled.

Chaeyoung grinned. "Déjà vu, much?"

Mina fidgeted.

"Let's bounce," Chaeyoung said, grabbing Mina's arm and pulling her towards her car. Mina let herself be dragged along.

In the car, Mina finally spoke.  "So, where are we going?"

Chaeyoung grinned. "I dunno.  But I know a place."

The ride was quiet, Mina staring out the window until Chaeyoung spoke.

"You gonna ask me about that, Unnie?"

Mina turned, surprised. "H-huh?"

"I mean, that's why you followed us, right?" Chaeyoung asked, eyes on the road.

Mina hesitated.  Even she wasn't sure why she'd followed.

"Somi…wants me back," Chaeyoung said, her voice flat.  "Said she broke up with her boyfriend."

Mina's curiosity pushed her.  "…And?"

Chaeyoung shrugged. "I said no."

"But why?" Mina asked softly.

Chaeyoung looked at her hands on the wheel. "I'm not worthy of her love, Unnie.  I don't think I'll ever be worthy of anything good."  It wasn't self-pity, more a statement of fact.

Mina's heart ached.  "That's not true, Chaeyoung. Everyone deserves love.  You included."

Chaeyoung glanced at Mina.  A long silence hung in the air before she said, "Love…when my mom started calling me names…I never stopped loving her."

Another heavy silence. Then Chaeyoung said, quiet but firm, "But I stopped loving myself."  She smiled faintly.  The lack of self-pity was unsettling, the quiet acceptance of her own worthlessness deeply worrying.

"We're here, Unnie!" Chaeyoung's sudden cheerfulness was jarring.

They were at a peaceful spot, a bridge over a stream, with koi fish swimming.

"What are we doing here?" Mina asked, confused.

Chaeyoung leaned on the railing, smiling serenely. "What do you think?"

"Unwinding?" Mina guessed.

Chaeyoung nodded, her eyes twinkling mischievously. Then, she hopped onto the low bridge wall.

"Yah! What are you doing?!" Mina yelled, alarmed.

Chaeyoung laughed. "Jump with me," she said, her eyes glinting.

Mina stared, aghast.  "Seriously?  Right now?"

Chaeyoung nodded, her smile widening.

Before Mina could protest, someone tumbled into the water.

Chaeyoung jumped in after them.  Mina, horrified, reacted instantly, jumping in too. The unexpected plunge, the shared panic, and the laughter that followed, changed everything.  The shared experience, the unexpected closeness, built a bridge between them.

Back in the car, dry and in a borrowed hoodie, Mina noticed Chaeyoung's mood had shifted. The laughter was gone, replaced by a look of pure terror as she stared at her phone.

"Chaeyoung, what's wrong?" Mina asked, worried.

"Sorry," Chaeyoung said, her voice tight. "Gotta get you home first."  She fumbled with her keys, her movements frantic.

Chaeyoung rushed Mina home, then sped off towards the hospital, the weight of her unspoken sorrow heavy in the air.