Astronomy // Duty After School

Chapter Forty-Two.

"How'd the backpack do a better job than the poncho?" Yeon-ju wondered as (Y/n), now mostly dry, changed into the comfortable clothes she got yesterday. That being her own white bodysuit, Ms. Park's white cardigan, and a pair of grey sweatpants. (Y/n) had just enough time to grab her bag of tea before she was whisked off by Yu-jeong and Yeon-ju, the latter of whom grabbed a blanket as well.

"Green tea's good for the stomach, but ginger tea also helps with period cramps," (Y/n) informed, passing the bag to Yu-jeong. She already was losing her voice, resulting in her clearing in.

"What's good for the throat?" Yu-jeong asked.

"Anything that's warm, I suppose..."

"All right," Yu-jeong mused, heading off to actually make the tea (and military rations) with the wireless stove they had. Yeon-ju went to get a thermometer. (Y/n) almost immediately regretted giving Yu-jeong the tea as she wasn't entirely sure she could stomach anything, not even liquid.

"(Y/n)," Bo-ra hollered, patting the space next to her. She and So-yeon had combs and towels for (Y/n)'s hair. Rather than sitting down beside Bo-ra, (Y/n) sat between her legs, leaning back into the girl's arms.

"That might as well have been me if I went out..." Ha-na murmured.

"Then be glad you didn't," So-chul said coolly. (Y/n) watched through the handheld mirror as So-yeon took out her scrunchie. The room seemed to fall deathly quiet as they could all tell the scrunchie was frozen. (Y/n) stifled her laugh in her hand, making So-yeon crack and start laughing.

"This is funny to you?" Bo-ra gaped. "It's so cold that your hair froze and you're laughing about it?" (Y/n) tried to keep a straight face but failed with the sound of So-yeon trying to stifle her laughter. She smiled brightly, bringing her cheek to her shoulder.

"It's funny. You can laugh," (Y/n) insisted. Bo-ra shook her head in disbelief, resulting in So-yeon and (Y/n) bursting into an uncontrollable fit of giggles. Bo-ra's lips turned up and smiles were exchanged.

"She laughs prettily," Jun-hi murmured.

"Even when—" (Y/n) cut herself off to clear the rasp. "Even when sick?"

"Yeah... What the hell?" Jun-hi murmured bitterly. (Y/n) closed her eyes and leaned back against Bo-ra.

"Hey, don't go to sleep yet," Bo-ra said. "We need to dry your hair or you'll get sick... Sicker," she quickly corrected.

"That only happens if it's cold enough to affect your temperature," (Y/n) said.

"Actually, it's the cold," Hui-rak said in a nerdy voice.

"Shut up and eat, man," Il-ha said. (Y/n)'s lips turned up.

"You guys must be starving," Yu-jeong said worriedly, returning with (Y/n)'s tea and military ration.

"We found food," Wu-taek said.

"Yeah, at the service station," So-chul nodded.

"Service station?" Chun-ho pressed.

"It was in the area we were supposed to search," Yeong-shin said. "We wanted to talk to you about it... There wasn't running water, gas, or electricity, but it was out of the way and there's enough space that we don't need to squeeze into tiny conference rooms."

"And a pantry," Deok-jung added.

"Yes. And a pantry," Yeong-shin added. "I genuinely don't think any amount of searching is going to find us gas or electricity. But we can scavage for water and food, find oil for our stove, and if we're lucky, find some form of portable heaters."