Strings & Stitches

Chapter 10

After witnessing Gahyun's heart failure act up yesterday, the girl has been a constant item in Yoohyeon's mind. Seeing something like that happen to someone she shared a few deep talks with, got to get closer by the time she had to be her nurse, was just horrible. Especially because she wasn't skilled enough to do anything herself.

When she tried to sleep yesterday, the images just flashed before her eyes and it was impossible actually to sleep. Considering today was the presentation of how she would take on her part in Minji's project, the timing of it was horrible. But shutting down your feelings was impossible. And Yoohyeon was just someone who could have a very fragile mental state.

So much so that in the morning of her next shift, instead of rehearsing her presentation, she found herself in Gahyun's room.

After receiving the job to be one of Gahyun's nurses, she had a few long conversations with the girl that she very much enjoyed every time. She knew getting close to a patient isn't much allowed for doctors, but since she's just an intern, she thought she could make an exception.

Now, standing in Gahyun's room, seeing the younger girl still unconscious, she got to understand why it's hard to befriend your own patient.

Patients were in the hospital for a reason. There was something that ailed them and could possibly threaten their life. And when you forget about that part, even for just a moment, life can catch you by surprise. Just like Gahyun's situation did.

Someone else had just checked if everything was in order for the girl. But Yoohyeon found herself double-checking everything. Something made her feel responsible. Responsible for making sure she made it through.

Being there yesterday with Gahyun, when it all happened, might have played a big part in how she felt now. She knew she couldn't do much, but deep down, she felt so guilty for not being able to help.

After a few more minutes, she left the room with her heart still feeling heavy, maybe even more than before.

Though she knew she had to get ready. She got such an important part in the operation, she couldn't screw this up. Gahyun wouldn't want her to do so. And Chief Minji won't be happy either if she does screw up.

The room where they had been asked to meet was already occupied by the other chosen interns, talking about the operation. By the looks of it, they had all prepared their own parts well from the conversation they were having with each other. Yoohyeon, being one of the main surgeons, hoped that she would do just as well.

Her position in the group was still a little awkward. But since she wanted to focus her mind and forget about Gahyun for a second, she walked up to the other girls anyway. "Hey, what's up?" Her introduction was a little stranger than normal.

They stopped the chat they were having and looked up at Yoohyeon from their seats, with not-so-welcoming gazes. Really, what is their problem? - thought Yoohyeon after not getting a proper answer, and sat on the only empty chair in the room.

Except for the one guy who was pretty chill - Jongho, she never really fit into this group for god knows what reason. The other girls were just always being weird about her. Today that was something that couldn't be added to her plate. Yoohyeon was already nervous for this presentation and she could literally hear them talking about her in their little group.

Their words were only filling her head with more doubts as she blankly stared at the group. Only when her eyes locked with one of them did she look away... but the other intern looked like she had something to say to her.

"Honestly, how can you keep showing up acting all innocent when you got to be here much easier compared to us?" The girl sitting opposite side of her spoke up harshly, her face wrinkling up in disgust.