What lies behind the door

Side effects

Gahyeon looked around her room feeling the sudden rush of anxiety. She looked in the mirror fixing her black blouse and skater skirt. Her eyes looked around for the clock.

7:25am

Gahyeon grabbed her bag and left to the living room. She was met with a classier version of her care taker. He wore his dress shirt and nice pants. He finally looked up and saw Gahyeon's nervous blank look. Xander placed his coffee down and went up to her.

“You'll be fine kiddo.” He lightly patted her head and smiled.

Though Gahyeon did plan on using him, she couldn't help but see him as a father figure. Her father she had before was a quiet strict man. Not only had he ignored her sister's happiness and force her into marriage, but often forced the ‘adult’ responsibility on them. The only time both of the girls were able to act like a kid was when they stayed in their room reading classical scary stories, or run near the river and eventually jumping into it.

Gahyeon's mind had faded into her thoughts so much, she hadn't noticed she had shed a tear. She missed those days she had with her sister. Why was it so bad have her back? All she wanted was to live her life as a kid while she could, but how can she when another girl had taken her away and forced her into another life she didn't want. Gahyeon felt her tear being wiped away and pulled into a hug.

“It's alright to feel nervous, but if anything happens call me. Do you remember how to use the phone we bought?” He asked.

She nodded and smiled.

“Of course, I'll be fine.”

Both Gahyeon and Xander got into the car driving to school. She stared out the window watching the drops of rain race to the bottom of the window. As they arrived around the school she spotted Jaewon in the back of school smoking.

“Hey, can you drop me off here? I think I can handle walking the rest.” She reassured him.

“Uh yeah. Here let me just give you something.” His hand rummaged through his pockets looking for something in particular.

Once he found it he pulled it out and handed it to Gahyeon.

“Here, whenever you feel like you're about to have a panic attack just enjoy this lollipop.” He handed her two lollipops with a smile on his face.

She took the lollipop and opened the door. The girl grabbed her umbrella and bag, stepping out of the car. She waved at him as he left off to work. Once he was out of sight she opened her umbrella walking over to Jaewon.

“Is there ever a day you don't smoke?” She said as she stared at him.

His sleepy eyes opened and looked at Gahyeon. His lips curved into a smile at the sight of her.

“Hmm? Well I mean it is my body. I can take a cigarette break whenever I want,” He argued back.

She rolled her eyes and remembered about the lollipops.

“Yeah well now that you're helping me out you're not allowed to smoke. I already died once and I'm telling you this, a slow death isn't the best to live by. Besides, I hate the smell of cigarettes.”

She handed him a lollipop and took his cigarette out of his mouth, an onto the ground. The cigarette landed on the nearby puddles soaking immediately.

“Well there goes my money.” He said as he stared at it.

Gahyeon unwrapped the candy and placed it near his mouth.

“What?”

“Take it.”