New Place to Begin

Chicago

Yunjin avoided Chaewon like the plague the next morning.

Chaewon kept trying to catch her eye, but her efforts were only met with sideway glances and inconspicuous frowns. Yunjin was the first one out of the motel room, grabbing her duffel bag and hastily making her way towards the lobby, leaving Chaewon, Yeji, and Jimin to stare after her. The other two were confused about Yunjin's sudden distance, but Chaewon didn't have any doubt that her behavior was because of last night.

She swallowed, recalling the spread of scars she'd seen on the other girl's abdomen. It had only been for a moment, but it was unmistakable. Burns, gashes, the like.

You're not the only one with an asshole dad, okay?

Chaewon shook her head, trying to focus on the task at hand. The other two were already clearing out of the room, making quiet conversation as they grabbed their belongings. Chaewon didn't know why they didn't try to speak to her, but she would guess the tension and anxiety she'd been feeling since last night was probably visible to her friends.

Releasing a frustrated sigh, she pushed her hair back and shoved the rest of her belongings into the backpack she'd brought. Shouldering the bag, she followed the others outside the room as they all made their way to the lobby.

The bus station was only about a mile walk from where they were staying, and, thankfully, the bus was on time.

It wasn't a crowded ride, but everyone immediately made their way towards the back of the bus and took up the last couple rows of seats.

Chaewon sighed as she took a seat next to Sakura on the very last row, about two rows back from where Yunjin sat alone, the only member of their group without a partner. She didn't seem unhappy about that, though, and everyone else could clearly see that the girl was in a foul mood. She'd barely spoken a word to anyone this morning, and her face seemed to be stuck in a permanent scowl.

The bus left the station after a few minutes, and everyone settled in for a long ride. It was nearly nine hours from where they were to Chicago, not including stops for gas.

Chaewon suppressed a groan as she leaned back in her seat. She hated long car rides, always had. When she was little, she used to have to ride with her stepmom to work conferences when she couldn't get a babysitter on short notice. Her dad was always too busy with his own work to watch after her. Those trips had been the worst; full of quiet, boring hours on the highway while her stepmom took what felt like millions of phone calls.

"Already uncomfortable?" Sakura asked, a teasing lilt to her voice.

Chaewon sighed, and Sakura laughed at her unspoken answer.

"Don't worry, it'll go faster than you think." Sakura ensured her, and even though she didn't really believe her, Chaewon was appreciative.

"I hope so," she replied, unable to keep her eyes from drifting towards Yunjin once again. It felt as though she couldn't take her eyes off the other girl, not since last night. Not since she'd seen a whole different side of her.

"Is Yunjin okay?" Sakura asked quietly, noticing Chaewon's focus drifting. "She seems...upset."

Chaewon swallowed. Of course she was upset. How could she not be upset?

"It was just a long night, I think," Chaewon finally replied. "She didn't get a lot of sleep."

Sakura hummed an acknowledgement, and Chaewon was thankful she didn't question any further.

"Where did you guys say you picked her up again?" Chaewon asked, glancing towards Sakura. "You and Eunbi, I mean."

Sakura's eyes narrowed the slightest bit, but her expression remained neutral. "Why do you ask?"