Between the Lines | Riize Wonbin

Chapter 1: The Weight of Expectations

Juhee sat at her desk, surrounded by a sea of textbooks and notebooks, the flickering light from her desk lamp illuminating the chaos of her life. It was late, well past midnight, but sleep was a distant dream. Her mind raced with formulas, case studies, and a growing sense of dread. Tomorrow would bring another round of classes, another day of expectations to meet, and she felt the familiar knot of anxiety tightening in her chest.

Her room was a reflection of her life—orderly on the surface but chaotic underneath. The walls were adorned with motivational posters and reminders of her goals, the aspirations that drove her forward, yet the pressure to succeed had become suffocating. Juhee was the eldest child in her family, a role that came with immense responsibility. Her parents often spoke of her as their pride and joy, the one who would make a difference in the world. She could hear her mother's words echoing in her mind: "You're going to be a great lawyer one day, just like we always dreamed."

Juhee felt the weight of those dreams pressing down on her. While her friends partied and enjoyed their freedom, she spent her evenings buried in her studies at the university library or working at her family's café, where her parents relied on her help. The café was a modest establishment that served the neighborhood's coffee and pastries, but it was more than just a business—it was a lifeline. Her parents had sacrificed so much to keep it running, and Juhee often felt guilty for not being able to give them more.

Despite her efforts, Juhee struggled with the burden of her own expectations. Her law classes were rigorous, filled with bright students who seemed to grasp concepts with ease. She often found herself doubting her abilities, feeling like an imposter in a world where everyone else appeared to thrive. Her friends, Karina and Hanbin, tried to pull her out of her academic bubble, but Juhee's mind was always racing, her focus never straying far from her studies.

Adding to her turmoil was her younger brother, Myung Jaehyun. Once her biggest supporter, Jaehyun had grown resentful of the attention and pressure she received from their parents. He felt overshadowed by her accomplishments, trapped in the shadow of his sister's perfection. Juhee noticed the distance growing between them—the way he rolled his eyes at her constant studying, the snide comments he made about her "perfect life."

Jaehyun loved his sister, yet the love was complicated by frustration and envy. He had dreams of his own—passions for music and art that their parents deemed impractical. As Juhee excelled in her studies, receiving praise and accolades, he felt increasingly invisible, like a ghost in a house built for someone else's glory. The pressure to live up to their parents' expectations weighed heavily on him, too, but he channeled his feelings into resentment towards Juhee, believing that her success came at the cost of his own self-worth.

He could hardly stand it when their parents would gush about Juhee, their voices filled with pride as they planned for her future. Each compliment directed at her felt like a dagger in Jaehyun's heart, a reminder that he was failing in their eyes. It hurt him more than he could express; he wanted to be happy for her, but the growing chasm between them made it difficult. The very sister he admired was now the embodiment of everything he felt he could never be.

As the clock ticked closer to dawn, Juhee glanced at the pile of books on her desk, the outlines of her notes blending together in a blur. She sighed, rubbing her temples as she tried to push through the fatigue. The weight of her brother's resentment sat heavily on her heart, a painful reminder that not everyone viewed her accomplishments as something to aspire to. Jaehyun was still asleep down the hall, but she could almost feel the tension in the air, a silent chasm growing between them.

Juhee closed her eyes for a moment, imagining what it would be like to escape her responsibilities, to let go of the pressure that consumed her. But the fantasy quickly faded, replaced by the reality of her life. She was a student, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. Each role came with its own demands, but the expectations were overwhelming. As much as she longed for a moment of freedom, the thought of disappointing her family kept her anchored to her desk.

Finally, with a resigned sigh, Juhee opened her laptop, determined to push through just a little longer. The glow of the screen cast a soft light across her tired face, illuminating the determination in her eyes. She typed furiously, her thoughts racing along with her fingers. No matter how heavy the weight of her dreams felt, she wouldn't allow herself to falter. Tomorrow, she would face her classes with resolve. Tomorrow, she would push through, just like she always did.

But tonight, as the silence of the house enveloped her, Juhee couldn't shake the feeling that beneath the façade of her perfect life lay a girl who was slowly losing herself, one sleepless night at a time. And deep down, she wondered if anyone would notice when she finally fell apart, including her own brother.

Author's note:

Thank you for reading the first chapter of Between the Lines! I hope you enjoyed getting to know Juhee and the pressures she faces in her life.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on her character and what you think might happen next.