Moving On With You, Jinjoo

20: Taking You With Me

Minju looked out for a black sedan, hair a little damped from taking a shower at the hospital earlier. The car arrives in front of her eyes before she knows it. When she saw Chaewon in the passenger's seat, her eyes drew to the back seats to see Yujin making it her territory.

She got in, gently lifting Yujin to sit upright, realising who the driver was.

Hyewon looks over her shoulder, giving an endearing smile to the brunette. "I'm Hyewon," she introduces. "You must be Minju." The said girl nods, letting Yujin lean against her shoulder. This wasn't what she had in mind of meeting Yujin's friends.

Hyewon looked at the younger girl and back at Minju. "Do you mind bringing her to your place for tonight?" She asks. "There won't be anyone back at the dorm and I get worried. We can't leave her alone in this state."

Minju looks at Chaewon through the rearview mirror, seeing the girl smile sheepishly. But her gaze screams I'm helping you. The brunette sighed, turning to Yujin whose cheeks were scarlet. It brought her back to the day when Yujin told her that no one drinks without a reason. Filled with worry, Minju could only hope she had fun and nothing else.

They drove off towards Minju's apartment, a quiet trip back. The brunette gently lifted a hand, cupping Yujin's cheek, feeling how warm they were. She heard a soft sigh from the girl who found solace within her touch, shifting closer to the source of warmth.

Hyewon glanced at the mirror, smiling to herself when she saw the concern both in Minju's gaze and her actions, then knowing Yujin was in good hands. "I really don't want to say it, but she was looking forward to you the whole night."

Minju saw Chaewon giving the latter's shoulder a slap.

It wasn't the first time Hyewon had seen that behaviour of Yujin's whenever something unexpected happened. Mostly when Minju couldn't make it on days they had plans together. She doesn't show it often but Hyewon knew.

"I've never seen her excited for her birthday before," she said. "Not until today." But she knew that excitement only lasted a few hours before a phone call happened.

Chaewon knew she had to drill things into Hyewon's head tonight for saying all these that could potentially make her friend feel bad for not turning up. She closed an eye since Hyewon didn't know Minju's side of the story and was more than determined to make her realise.

But the only thought going around in Minju's head was not wanting to use the hospital or anything else as an excuse for not turning up. But it'll be one of the things she couldn't change moving on. It's just how things are for her. The nature of her studies and work.

Minju had nothing to say in response to the older girl's words, nothing that could assure anything or make things better.

When she recognised the road leading to the apartment, she gently shook Yujin's leg, waking her up. When it didn't work, she lightly tapped her cheek, earning a dimple in return. "Yujin."

Almost as if the younger girl recognises her voice, she lets out a soft groan. Frowning deeply, she flutters those heavy eyelids, getting greeted by a hazy gaze. Yujin blinked her eyes open, trying to focus on her surroundings.

A little disorientated, she managed a small smile when she realised who was next to her. "You're here," she slurred slightly, leaning back against Minju's shoulder.

A second later, she roused up and looked at the older girl. With confusion written all over her eyebrows, she utters, "You're here?" Minju hums softly. "Why are you here?"

The older girl never thought of hearing that phrase from Yujin. Instead of replying, she found herself getting lost in Yujin's eyes.

Having no idea what was happening, the younger girl softly says, "It doesn't matter. What matters is you're here." She leans herself onto Minju, managing to find the girl's hand as she slips her fingers into hers.