8 Years [ENGV]

#27

AUTHOR

Change is confusing and frightening in anyone's life. New experiences can cause overwhelming anxiety, suffocation, and vulnerability due to their sudden and abrupt nature. But for Haeji, change was welcome.

She had admired Jisoo from the moment she saw her on TV, and being adopted by her was something the girl never thought possible—not even in her dreams. Yet, she embraced the change, a completely new world that felt immensely inviting.

She felt no affection, warmth, or love for her former guardian. She didn't even recall any happy moments by her side. After all, every time she had stayed with her "aunt," it was due to something at school, like holidays or special family days—occasions Hyejin never cared enough about to avoid leaving Haeji alone.

In general, Hyejin did everything she could to avoid spending time with Haeji. So, when she got the chance to leave the boarding school and create happy memories beyond its walls with the woman she admired most, it was a change she welcomed. It felt like salvation from her monotonous and lonely routine.

Haein also seemed like a kind man in her eyes, and she learned to love and admire him just the same. Even though she initially thought Jisoo's boyfriend was another actor, she grew fond of Haein. The idea of him being her father was appealing—an affectionate, caring, and attentive father.

With Jisoo and Haein, Haeji experienced the warmth of a loving family—something she had never had.

Everything was going well until Hyejin reappeared in Haeji's life. With psychological torment, she told the girl that Jisoo and Haein would abandon her too because no one would ever love her. She had planted those thoughts in Haeji's mind just hours before she hit Doya.

Hitting her classmate wasn't severe enough for Jisoo and Haein to give up on her. She was also relieved to know that Jisoo wasn't upset when she told the entire school that Jisoo was her mother. So, her aunt's threats began to lose their power. However, Hyejin was persistent.

Haeji was in the schoolyard, watching English videos to improve her vocabulary. She was alone—not because she didn't have friends, but because she simply didn't feel like playing or talking that day. She just wanted to be by herself—just like her mother, Haeji valued her moments of solitude.

"Haeji."

She turned toward the voice, irritated. The school knew who she was, and since Hyejin had once been her only known relative, she still had free access to visit Haeji. The school had no idea what had really happened, so they hadn't prohibited her visits.

"I don't want to talk to you!" Haeji said, standing up and preparing to leave. Hyejin grabbed Haeji's arm tightly, forcing her to turn around.

"Ming Hae-ji, listen to me," she said through clenched teeth. "Kim Jisoo will abandon you. Do you understand?"

"That's a lie!"

"You'll see. They don't love you—they pity you. And it's only a matter of time before they leave you behind. Do you really think they'll stay with you forever? You are nothing, Haeji!"

Haeji sniffled and hiccupped, trying to hold back her tears. Hyejin shook her, forcing the little girl to look into her eyes, making her feel afraid.

"Don't tell anyone what I said or that I've been coming to see you, or I'll take you away from them before they abandon you. I'll send you to a boarding school in Alaska, far away from here. Do you hear me?"

JISOO

Regaining consciousness, I felt as if I had been in a restless sleep. I squeezed my eyelids shut, trying to focus on the muffled sounds around me. It felt like tiny needles were being driven straight into my brain, causing an unbearably excruciating pain.