Exchange Student || PURINZ

chapter 5

HUH YUNJIN

I leaned against the counter and watched Kazuha dance with random strangers on the dance floor. Chaewon sat in a chair near me. She was just on her phone and watching her surroundings.

We got to the party about an hour ago. And Kazuha is wasted, completely wasted. I was sipping on my cocktail slowly, while Chaewon didn't drink at all. I understand why she didn't drink, she's right about it being a school night. And she was definitely right about it being reckless and irresponsible to drink on a school night.

But I didn't care, and neither did Kazuha. Though her words got to me, so I drank slowly. But Kazuha didn't listen what so ever, she drank like it was no tomorrow. And she knows shes going to pay the price for it tomorrow.

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I eventually lost sight of Kazuha, and I knew she was going to something completely stupid if I didn't go and find her. I turned to Chaewon. "Hey Chae" I say. The music isn't too loud, which is good, Chaewon's autism is high functioning. She's very sensitive to bright lights and loud noises. She's also very sensitive to anything scary or frightening. She's fragile, I'm lucky my parents explained that to me her first night, living in my house.

"Yeah" she says, looking up from her phone to look at me. "I need to Zuha, stay put right here ok?" I say, hoping she agrees. "Ok" she says quietly, then turns back to her phone. I sigh and walk off into the crowd to find Kazuha. God knows what that girl has already done.

KIM CHAEWON

I pay attention to my phone, not worried about anything. I silently pray to music doesn't get louder. And that the lights don't get brighter. I read my story on my phone. Suddenly, a popular song comes on, and the DJ turns up the music, to the point where the house is shaking. I cover my ears, dropping my phone. I quickly pick it up, thankfully, it's not broken. I put it in my bag and cover my ears again.

I squint my eyes shut, and I want to scream. The music is too loud. My anxiety is going through the roof, my breath gets more ragged and shallow, it's getting harder to breath. My heart is pounding against my chest to the point where it hurts.

I shake violently like I just went through something traumatic. I just want all this to end. Suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulders, I look up to see Yunjin, with concern in her eyes. She takes me out the house. Where it's quiet. I uncover my ears, my breath slowly goes back to normal. I stopped shaking. "Hey Chae, you o-" I interrupt her by hugging her. She looks shocked but then hugs me back, I feel safe and warm in her embrace. I hug tighter, not wanting to let go.

"You ok?" Yunjin says quiet, her arms still wrapped around me. "Yeah, I'm ok now" I reassure. I can tell she was worried. She's not good at hiding her emotions, especially when it comes to me. Then Kazuha stumbles out, she's completely clueless about what is happening. Me and Yunjin exchange knowing glances and laugh. Kazuha laughs with us, having no clue what we're laughing about.

Yunjin takes Kazuha's hand, to make sure she does fall over. Though, I'm still recovering from my panic attack. So much for a "perfect" night.

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Yunjin helped Kazuha sit on the couch, a bucket near where her head is going to lay, just in case. I make sure Kazuha is comfortable. Yunjin decides to stay downstairs with Kazuha, to make sure she stays put on the couch. "You sure you good down here?" I say. "Yeah, just wanna make sure she actually stays on the couch" Yunjin reassures. "Ok" I say, with that, I turn to walk away.

"Wait" Yunjin says. I freeze and turn to face her. "Yeah?" I ask. "Are you sure your okay? You looked bad when I found you" Yunjin says, showing concern and care. "Yeah, I'm alright, it's just a panic attack" I say. "Just a panic attack? You looked like you were going to pass out" Yunjin says. "I'm okay, Yun" I say, not wanting to being it up anymore.

"Okay, if you anything, please tell me" She says as she pleads with her eyes. Kazuha is snoring on the couch. Guess the alcohol really took her out. "I will" I say. And I turn around and go upstairs to my room.

I lay there, staring at my ceiling, imagining what would have happened if Yunjin hadn't found me. Then I go on to imagine her arms around my body again. She was soft, really soft. Her perfume smelt so good, and the way she held me. I felt something, a warm feeling forms in my chest. I feel hear rising to my cheeks. I smile to myself as I think about her.

Then one question pops in my head.

Do I like Yunjin?