CHAPTER 36
~In Jeju
The silence after the call with Bokyung-oppa hung heavy in the air. Lisa was at the campsite, right in the path of the storm. The storm that has now left Jeju. Across the room, Chahee watched the raw emotions across Jennie's face – fear, anger, and a desperate need to take action. The playful atmosphere of their dance party was a lifetime ago, replaced by the harsh reality of the situation.
Jennie stood up abruptly, her voice trembling with a fierce determination. "I have to get to Seoul," she declared.
Chahee's brow furrowed. "Seoul? Jennie, don't be ridiculous."
"I'm certainly not being ridiculous. I need to get back to Seoul!" Jennie pressed, her voice tight with barely suppressed panic. "I need to get to her. Now."
Chahee didn't understand her urgency, but a practical voice piped up from the corner. Jennie's mother, calm amidst the storm, interjected. "Jennie, honey, flights are probably grounded. And even if you could get there, the campsite might be inaccessible after the storm."
"I don't care!" Jennie's voice cracked with emotion. "I have to try. I can't just sit here while Lisa..." The words wouldn't come out, the image of a flattened tent and a broken phone too horrifying to contemplate.
Chaehee stepped forward, placing a hand on Jennie's arm. "Jennie, we understand. But your mom's right. You can't just go. Just rushing in won't help."
A strangled sob escaped Jennie's lips. The helplessness, the fear of the unknown, threatened to consume her. But then, a flicker of defiance sparked in her eyes. She wouldn't give up. Not without a fight. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to focus. "Okay," she sighed, her voice hoarse but resolute. "Book me flight, eomma. Please."
Her mother, ever the pillar of strength, stepped forward. "Let's call the local authorities in Seoul. They'll have a better idea of the situation at the campsite and if there are any rescue efforts underway."
Desperate plea formed in Jennie's mouth. "Mom, please," she pleaded, her voice trembling but resolute. "I have to get to her. Can't you call the airlines? Maybe there's a flight, anything? I have to be with Lisa."
Her mother reached out, placing a hand on Jennie's shoulder, her touch grounding. "Okay, but you have to promise to relax if they say that there are no flights. Promise me you will remain calm, Peuddie." she sighed. "Let me see what I can do."
Jennie paced the room like a caged animal, her worried glances flickering between the clock and her phone. Her mother sat on the couch, a determined look in her eyes as she spoke with the airline on the phone. Jennie was itching to snatch the receiver, to scream at them to get her a flight to Seoul, any flight, now. Across the room, Chaehee sat with a forced smile, her hand hovering awkwardly above Jennie's shoulder. Chaehee understood the urge to rush to anyone's side, but when it came to Lisa, a different feeling simmered beneath the surface – annoyance.
"They're checking for cancellations, Peuddie," Jennie's mother finally said, hanging up the phone. "There might be a standby seat on a flight leaving in an hour, but it's not guaranteed."
Disappointment ate at Jennie, but hope remained. "I'll take it," she declared, her voice tight with desperation.
Chaehee, however, couldn't hold back any longer. "Hold on, Jennie," she interjected, her voice with a hint of condescension. "Maybe rushing off to rescue Lisa isn't the brightest idea."
Jennie whirled around, her eyes blazing with defiance. "No one is stopping me."
Chaehee shrugged. "Look, I get that you're worried, but Lisa always seems to find a way to get herself into trouble. Disaster seems to follow her around."
