save me | jungkook

18,

     Areum groaned in pain when she tried to grab the cup of water on the table to the right of her. She gave up and dropped her hand to the side of her body. She sighed and stared at the blank ceiling as if she wished a pair of hands would come through and bring her to another world.

The hospital door slid open and Jungkook appeared. Areum looked over with slight joy in her eyes and reached out for him. Jungkook grabbed her hand and squeezed it once to reassure her. "How are you feeling right now?" He asked.

"I feel okay, but just a bit tired."

     "Of course you are," Jungkook said smiling gently. He raised his hand to push back a strand of hair that was on top of her face, but Areum slightly flinched away. Jungkook pulled his hand back away slowly – his face covered with hurt and guilt. "Sorry," he apologized, "I should've known that I shouldn't have reached out to you. After all, you've dealt with so much."

     Areum grabbed his hand back and placed it softly onto her cheek. "It's okay," Areum said, "it's not your fault. You shouldn't have to be sorry for anything."

"I just can't believe I couldn't do my job. I couldn't protect you from harm. I failed to help you. I hate myself so much for not being able to be useful," Jungkook murmured, looking down at the bed.

     "But you did. Every time I was in trouble, you would always save me. Don't think so horrible about yourself," Areum smiled.

     Jungkook laid his head down on the bed and glanced at Areum's face. She was quietly yawning and her eyes were closing. "I love you," Jungkook said out loud, "A lot." But before his words could even be heard, Areum was fast asleep on the hospital bed.

—

Areum woke up to a bright, white room with the sun shining through the glass windows. She turned her body to the left but Jungkook was not in sight. She cautiously sat up to avoid as much pain as possible and saw a post-it note on the table.

     I have something to check up on with the doctor. I'll be back soon.

     Areum wondered what Jungkook needed to speak about with the doctor. She got up and dragged the IV pole with her as she walked out of the hospital room she was assigned to. She walked around the hallway, looking through the windows of the doors to find Jungkook. Areum was about to pass by a room when she noticed the back of Jungkook's head and a doctor speaking with him.

Instead of intruding their conversation by opening the door and going inside, Areum decided to wait outside and eavesdrop on what they were saying.

"Is there any way to treat this quickly?" Jungkook asked.

     The doctor sighed in frustration and said, "since you have stage 3B lung cancer, you're not operable for surgery, but since you're in a fairly good health, you have an option of taking chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy. I cannot assure you that this therapy will help you as only some people can be cured by this treatment."

          Outside of the room, Areum covered her mouth with her slender hands and tears brimmed her doe-like eyes. "Oh my god, this can't be happening. Why didn't he tell me?" She whispered painfully to herself. Inside of the room, Jungkook sat there in the chair, his eyebrows furrowed and his mind in deep thought. "I understand," he spoke up, "may I have some time to think this over?"

     "Of course. It's your choice."

     "Thank you," Jungkook got up stiffly and opened the door, only to see a pair of tearful eyes staring back at him.

     "Areum."

     "Why didn't you tell me?" Areum sobbed louder, grasping onto Jungkook's shirt.

     "I'm so sorry."

~

This chapter isn't very nice as I wanted it to be. I suck at writing fanfics now and I need to upgrade my skills. I'm on a bus right now.

- flora lee.