The Lie She Never Told

‎‧₊˚✧[4]✧˚₊‧

ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ

Ms.Park sighed, shaking her head. "She's got a good heart, that one," she said, a note of fondness in her voice.

Haerin managed a small smile. It was hard to stay mad at Danielle, especially when Ms.Park spoke about her with a hint of affection.

"She's certainly lively," she said, choosing her words carefully.

"And we're so glad she's like that," said Ms.Park sadness in her voice.

"Is she sick?" Haerin asked.

Ms.Park nodded.

"What does she have?" Haerin asked.

"We don't know, but it's- you know what? Ask her instead sometime, her room is the B56."

Haerin nodded, filing the room number away in her mind. She didn't want to pry too much into something that could be personal to Danielle.

"Okay," she said to Ms.Park. "I'll keep that in mind."

Ms.Park smiled, though there was still a hint of sadness in her expression.

"Just... be gentle with her, okay?" she asked quietly. "She doesn't open up easily about this."

***

After Ms.Park had left, Haerin found herself left with nothing to do for the next few hours until the MRI. She tried to find something to occupy her mind but the boredom, along with thoughts about Danielle.

What could be wrong with Danielle? Was it serious? She couldn't shake the uncertainty and curiosity. Maybe she should pay Danielle a visit after the test, just to calm her thoughts.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she finished.

Haerin was walking slowly, her thoughts still circling around the other girl.

She took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself to face Danielle and whatever might come with it.

As Haerin walked down the hallways, looking for Danielle's room, she found herself in a more serious section of the hospital. The atmosphere was noticeably different here.

Other patients were being pushed around in wheelchairs or walking slowly down the hall, their faces betraying the weight of their conditions.

Haerin swallowed, her steps feeling heavier in this quieter, graver part of the hospital. She finally reached the B56.

With steady steps, she moved towards the door. Danielle's door was open. She could see the girl doing something beside her bed. She softly knocked on the doorframe.

"Oh, hi," Danielle said suprised. "I wouldn't have thought you would come here, come in."

Haerin stepped into the room, feeling a bit awkward but also relieved that Danielle didn't seem put off by her visit.

"Hey..." she said, looking around the room.

It was similar to hers, with the same sterile hospital furniture, but Danielle had managed to make it a bit cozier with some personal items and decorations.

As Haerin looked around the room, her eyes fell on the various medical machines scattered around. They looked imposing, with lots of buttons and screens.

There was one next to Danielle's bed that seemed to be monitoring her heart rate, another that looked like it was for breathing, and a few others that Haerin couldn't identify.

A pang of sadness hit her at the sight of the machines. Danielle's condition must be serious, she realized.

She sat down in a chair next to the bed, casting a glance at the machines again.