The Price Of Redemption

1.

2018:

The once vibrant horizon dimmed as shadowy clouds slowly crept over the city, casting a muted gray over the landscape. Thunder rumbled in the distance, a warning of the inevitable storm brewing. The sky was thick with dark clouds, ready to burst at any moment. A strong wind battered against Haerin's face, but she remained unfazed, her mind too preoccupied with thoughts swirling in her head to notice the looming storm.

The rooftop door suddenly burst open, revealing a somewhat frazzled girl with mixed features. Without even glancing back, Haerin smiled to herself, already knowing who it was.

"Haerin, seriously? I've been looking for you everywhere," Dani's voice came out, annoyed as she walked over and plopped down beside her at the edge of the rooftop. Playfully, she swatted Haerin's arm.

"I thought you'd already left. Why are you still here?" Haerin asked, rubbing the spot where she'd been hit.

Dani shifted her gaze away, swinging her feet in the air, her face softening. A small smile spread across her face. "I just wanted to stay with you. We didn't really get a chance to catch up today... all because you skipped every damn class," Dani teased, her voice switching from sweetness to mock annoyance, rolling her eyes at Haerin.

Haerin chuckled softly at her best friend's frustration. Just then, a loud clap of thunder echoed through the sky, making Dani flinch and instinctively cling to Haerin's arm. Her face nestled into the crook of Haerin's neck as her eyes squeezed shut.

Haerin couldn't help but laugh again. "This is why you should've left," she said, amused by how scared Dani was of thunder.

Dani slowly opened her eyes, realizing how close she was and quickly pulled away, her face flushing with embarrassment. She gave Haerin a light push, trying to recover her composure.

"Hey! Are you trying to push me off? We're literally sitting on the edge," Haerin joked, feigning dramatic shock, to which Dani responded with a sheepish, fake smile.

Silence fell between them, but it was the comfortable kind. After a while, Dani broke it.

"Haerin..." Dani's gaze drifted from the horizon to Haerin beside her.

"Hmm?" Haerin hummed, turning to look at her.

"I... I love you."

Silence fell once again as the cat eyed girl shifted her gaze down to her feet, her lips were slightly folded trying to suppress the smile that was about to creep on her face. She sheepishly bumped her shoulder into to mix girl, still looking everywhere but the crescent shaped light brown eyes that were completely immersed looking at her.

"Me too.....Jihye" she finally whispered.

2024:

"Jihye! Wait, at least have breakfast!" Dani's mom called from the kitchen, as Dani hurriedly laced her sneakers by the front door, clearly late for class.

Dani was in her second year of med school, determined to become a heart surgeon one day—a dream she'd nurtured since childhood. Her goal was to be appointed at Citadel Med Hospital, one of the largest and most prestigious hospitals in the state, offering competitive residency programs to top students.

"I'll grab something on the way, Mom. I'm late!" Dani shouted, closing the door behind her.

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At campus, a familiar voice rang out, "Girl, I've been waiting for you forever!" Hyein exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Dani in a good-morning hug.