What are we?

26

Jeongyeon's heart pounded like a war drum against her ribs as Nayeon's infectious laugh, a familiar melody, filled her ears. The vibrant image of her girlfriend on the screen seemed a world away from the storm brewing inside her. Guilt, thick and suffocating, coiled around her heart. She stared at the glowing screen, her reflection a stark contrast to the cheerful facade Nayeon expected.

A silent battle raged within her as she slid her finger across the screen. The familiar warmth of Nayeon's voice, a comforting anchor, was now a tempestuous sea she was drowning in. Mina's words echoed in her mind, a haunting melody of uncertainty. Confession or figment of her imagination? The line between reality and doubt blurred.

"H-hi," she managed, her voice a fragile whisper, a stark contrast to the cheerful tone she desperately tried to project. Nayeon's bright, bubbly "Babe" was like a ray of sunshine piercing through a clouded sky, but Jeongyeon felt like a storm cloud herself.

"How are you?" Nayeon's voice was a gentle caress, but it did little to soothe the turmoil within Jeongyeon. She cleared her throat, forcing herself to sit up straighter, as if physical posture could rectify her internal chaos.

"I'm... good?" The question mark hung in the air, a silent plea for understanding.

Nayeon's keen observation picked up on the subtle shift in Jeongyeon's tone. "Is everything alright?" Her voice, once filled with joy, now carried a tinge of concern.

Jeongyeon let out a sigh, a heavy, burdened exhale. "Mina's leaving," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. The words felt like a physical weight lifting off her chest, yet an even heavier one settled in its place.

"What? When?" Nayeon's voice was a mixture of surprise and worry.

"Mina has to go back to Japan once she turns eighteen. Appa announced it last night," Jeongyeon explained, her voice flat. The news felt like a distant echo, detached from the emotional maelstrom raging within her.

Nayeon's response was laced with concern. "But... how are you? I know Mina means a lot to you." The words were innocent, but they struck a chord of guilt deep within Jeongyeon. An innocent remark, a truth laid bare. The weight of her deception pressed down on her, heavy and unforgiving.

This was cheating, wasn't it? A betrayal of trust as profound as the ocean. And yet, she was trapped in a labyrinth of her own making, unable to find a way out.

Jeongyeon swallowed the bitter taste of guilt, forcing a smile that felt like a mask. "I'll be fine, don't worry."

"Do you want me to visit?" Nayeon suggested, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Jeongyeon hesitated, the decision a minefield. On one hand, she craved Nayeon's presence, her warmth a potential antidote to the cold loneliness she felt. On the other hand, she feared the truth would be exposed, her carefully constructed world crumbling around her.

"Just call me when you need anything, or if you need someone to talk to, okay?" Nayeon's bright voice filled the silence.

"Okay," Jeongyeon replied, a forced smile playing on her lips.

"I love you, Jeongie... so much," Nayeon confessed.

The guilt, a corrosive acid, burned through her.

She bit her lip, her grip tightening on the phone. "I love you too," she managed, her voice barely audible.

The call ended, but the silence that followed was deafening. The weight of her deception pressed down on her, heavier than ever. She stared at the blank screen, her mind racing. The image of Mina flashed before her eyes, a sharp pang of something she couldn't quite define shooting through her.