dino's twin sister ➳ seventeen

Nineteen ➵ Awake

Areum's POV

I slowly wake up to the sound of a machine beeping and people talking quietly beside me. Before I have the opportunity to even open my eyes, I feel somebody's hand grasp mine as a distinct pain grows in my stomach. Where even am I?

Although it's an effort, I force my eyes open and I squint at the bright light. I immediately realise that I'm in a hospital room, and Joshua is lay asleep on the chair next to me, his hand leaning across and attached to my own. Dino is sat asleep on the chair next to him and I frown, surprised he even allowed himself to sit willingly within a metre of my boyfriend.

I'm so tired and drained. My body feels weak and my stomach aches terribly, and I don't even know why.

Dino and Joshua both look so tired, I don't want to wake them. They have dark rings underneath their eyes and I feel guilt swarm my mind, even though I have no idea what I'm doing here.

Eventually, the frustration of not knowing becomes too much and I gently shake Joshua's shoulder until he wakes up. He mumbles incoherently, his tired eyes slowly squinting open but quickly widening when he sees me up and awake.

"Aruem." He gasps and leans forward hugging me but making sure he doesn't touch my stomach.

"What happened?" I ask as he hugs me but he stays silent, and I soon hear him begin sniffling. "Are you crying? What's wrong?"

He finally pulls away and sure enough, tears are clouding his eyes. I'm worried until I see a relieved smile spread across his face.

"You're alive." He smiles widely and I nod, confused.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You...You were shot, Areum. Don't you remember?" He says hesitantly and I stare at him in shock.

"I was shot?" I ask in disbelief and he nods slowly. "By who?"

"We don't know yet, the police are still trying to find who did it. But anyway, that's not important right now. How are you?" He asks and sits on the edge of the bed, holding my hand in his.

"My stomach hurts." I admit and he nods understandingly.

"I'll go and get a nurse." He says I thank him.

The sound of the door shutting seems to disturb Dino's sleep as he slowly begins to open his eyes. I smile lightly when he sees me and squints, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Am I still dreaming?" He mumbles tiredly.

I shake my head, "Nope."

"Areum." He breathes in relief.

He practically bounces off his chair and hugs me tightly, like Joshua had done previously. My stomach aches a little at the contact but I don't care; I'm just happy to see him so happy for once.

"I can't believe you're awake." He grins widely.

"How long have I been in here."

"An entire week! We've all been so worried." He informs me and I stare at him in shock. An entire week?

Joshua then walks back into the room, a nurse following closely behind him.

"Areum, I'm glad to see you're awake," She smiles and I thank her, "we're going to do a quick few tests, just to examine how you are. Is that alright with you?"

"That's fine."

"Okay, I'd just like you to raise both your arms." She says and I slowly begin to raise them, but a sharp pain strikes my stomach and they immediately drop to my side.

"Was that supposed to happen?" Dino asks, concerned with a worried look on his face matching Joshua's.

"Well, that was the easiest test so we didn't exactly expect that to happen. But it's nothing to worry about too much, everybody reacts differently, we'll see how the next one goes. Areum, I'd like you to try and lean forward just a little."

I oblige and try to move forward, but it feels as if there's heavy weights keeping me back and once again, pain shoots through my body, so painful that tears collect inside my eyes.

"I think we should give her time to rest and recover first." Joshua tells the nurse.

"It's been a week since the accident, she should at least be able to sit up slightly," She tells him with worry and concern. "We may need to do more tests, just to make sure everything is fine."

I get worried. "What do you mean? Am I definitely going to recover?"

"Yes, you should make a full recovery, but it seems as though it may take a little longer than we first predicted."

"What if I don't?" I ask.

"Don't think like that, star." Joshua tells me sadly.

"You're in the best hands."

"Thanks, nurse." I tell her and she leaves us alone.

"So, have you two settled your differences yet?" I ask, smirking and they both look at each other seriously, but a small smile spreads across their faces.

"We have." Dino says happily.

"Thank goodness for that." I laugh, the action causing my stomach to ache but I don't show the pain.

"Mum and dad have been really worried about you." Dino tells me.

"Where are they?"

"They went home to rest. They'd been sleeping overnight here for a week, they only just went home today."

"How are the boys?" I ask.

"They're okay, most of them are still in the waiting room, actually."

I smile, my mood brightening. "Can I see them?"

"Sure, but we're only allowed two people at a time in here. Unless you go out to see them." Joshua tells me.

"I'll do that." I grin.

"What? How?" Dino frowns.

"Don't I have a wheelchair or something?"

"You do, but-" Joshua starts but I interrupt him.

"Let's go then!"

"Are you sure?" Dino asks and I nod my head adamantly.

The boys help me carefully onto the wheelchair and although it hurts terribly, I try my best to lift off the bed and onto the chair. When I'm finally sat down and comfortable, Joshua pushes the wheelchair and Dino holds open the doors for us.

Joshua pushes me into the waiting room and when the boys see me, they smile widely.

"Areum!" They all shout in unison and rush towards me.

"Be careful with her, guys." Dino says loudly.

But there's one person I didn't expect to see here. Seeing them makes me simultaneously angry and relieved.

He smiles awkwardly and waves, "Hi, Areum."

It's Wonpil.