Between the Lines | Riize Wonbin

Chapter 6: Awakening

Juhee stirred awake, the remnants of sleep clinging to her like a heavy fog. As she blinked against the soft light filtering through the curtains, confusion washed over her. She found herself in a small, dimly lit room, an unfamiliar comforter pulled up to her chin and a glass of water perched on the nightstand.

The memories of the party flooded back—her argument with Jaehyun, the overwhelming pressure, and then the darkness that had swallowed her whole. Panic flickered in her chest as she sat up, the room spinning slightly before settling.

As she swung her legs over the edge of the bed, she could hear muffled voices coming from outside the door. Intrigued, she leaned closer, straining to catch snippets of the conversation.

"...had to happen, though. She's always pushing herself too hard," came Yeonjun's voice, laced with concern.

"Yeah, but she didn't need to go that far," Karina replied. "I'm really worried about her. She never lets us in on what she's feeling."

"It's not like she's the only one under pressure," a third voice chimed in—Sungchan. "We're all stressed out. I just hope she realizes she can lean on us."

Juhee felt a swell of warmth and guilt intertwine in her chest. They cared, but the weight of her struggles felt isolating. She had been so focused on appearing strong, on meeting the expectations placed upon her, that she hadn't allowed herself to be vulnerable.

With a deep breath, she stood and made her way to the door, pushing it open to reveal the concerned faces of her friends.

"Juhee!" Yeonjun exclaimed, rushing toward her. "You scared us! How are you feeling?"

"I'm... okay," she replied, forcing a smile despite the lingering dizziness. "Just a bit overwhelmed."

"Overwhelmed? You passed out at your own cousin's party," Karina said, crossing her arms. "What's going on with you? You can't keep bottling everything up."

Juhee looked around, her friends' worried expressions reflecting back at her. "I know I need to talk about it," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just... hard."

A moment of silence stretched between them as her friends shared glances, understanding passing silently among them. Juhee could feel their support enveloping her, yet the fear of disappointing them lingered.

"I promise I'll do better," she finally said, breaking the silence. "I want to be more open."

Yeonjun stepped forward, his expression softening. "We're here for you, Juhee. Just remember, you're not alone in this."

As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Juhee felt a sense of relief, but the nagging thoughts in the back of her mind persisted. She thought of her brother, Jaehyun, and the unresolved tension between them. It felt like a weight pressing down on her, one that she needed to address.

"I should probably check in on Jaehyun," she said, feeling a twinge of guilt. "He must be worried."

"Let him stew for a bit," Karina teased, trying to lighten the mood. "He'll get over it."

Juhee managed a weak smile. "No, really. He's not going to just forget about it."

As she moved to leave the room, she paused. "Thanks, you guys. I appreciate you being here."

They reassured her with nods, and Juhee stepped out into the hallway. As she made her way down the stairs, she was met with a sudden rush of memories from the night before—the argument with Jaehyun, the noise of the party, and the moment she saw Wonbin standing there, aloof and enigmatic.

Just as she reached the living room, the door opened, and Wonbin walked in, his expression as impassive as ever. Juhee's heart raced at the sight of him. She had no idea what to make of him—he was a mystery she couldn't quite solve.

He caught her eye for a brief moment, a flicker of recognition passing between them. But then, as quickly as it came, it vanished, leaving her feeling unsettled. Without a word, he moved past her, his presence both compelling and intimidating. Juhee felt a mix of embarrassment and intrigue as she watched him retreat, a man shrouded in layers she yearned to peel back.

"Juhee!" Yeonjun called from the kitchen, pulling her from her thoughts. "Come on, help me with the snacks!"

With a lingering glance toward Wonbin's retreating figure, she turned away, the weight of her own thoughts and the lingering feelings from the party swirling in her mind. As she rejoined her friends, she felt the path ahead becoming clearer. She would face her brother, address her feelings, and somehow find a way to navigate this overwhelming maze of expectations and emotions.

But as she helped Yeonjun prepare the snacks, she couldn't shake the feeling that her encounter with Wonbin had marked the beginning of something she didn't quite understand yet.