Age of Youth

Chapter 2: Breaking Point

Eun-Jae was relieved to be able to feel comfortable with Da Hee after their talk a few days ago. However after their conversation, Da Hee didn't interact with her as much. The only words they spoke were "good morning " or "hello", but besides that they kept to themselves.

Da Hee had wanted to talk with Eun-Jae but had been too busy with her work and school that she barely had time even for herself. She saw how Eun-Jae seemed to feel like an outcast and wished that she could help her.

                     Eun-Jae Breaks                   

Ye-Eun, Yi-Na, Jin-Myung, and Da Hee sat around the table while Ye-Eun showed them a funny video. They were all laughing when Ye-Eun made a comment about Eun-Jae not coming back home.

"Why, are you worried?" Yi-Na asked. "It's not like I did it on purpose." Ye-Eun defended herself. "Of course you did it on purpose." This time Da Hee spoke up. "Yeah, you look down on Eun-Sun." Yi-Na continued.

"Well it just happened, I couldn't help it." this comment made Da Hee mad at how Ye-Eun could make Eun-Jae wait for her at the library and for her to not show up. Just when she was going to tell Ye-Eun off, Jin-Myung joined the conversation.

"Why do you call her Eun-Sun? Is it because she is tacky?"  "No, it's because she is naive, right?" Da Hee questioned. "Bingo" Yi-Na replied.

After that Ye-Eun began to say how Eun-Jae didn't trim her eyebrows and something about wearing make-up. Finally, Ye-Eun decided to call Eun-Jae,  but she didn't realize she had been there until Yi-Na brought it to her attention.

"You're home? I'm sorry. I was going to call but my phone ran out of battery and it barely charged right now." Ye-Eun tried to explain. Despite her excuse it did not seem like Eun-Jae was okay. Da Hee could see how furious Eun-Jae was. Eun-Jae didn't say anything, walked to the window and threw Ye-Eun's bag out. Da Hee just stared at the scene with a shocked expression until Eun-Jae began talking.

"You think I'm a joke?" She began. "Hey, why are you doing this?" Ye-Eun said. "Why are you? Why are you all doing this?" Eun-Jae answered back, her voice becoming louder. "Even if I'm stupid and naive, you don't have to be like this." She continued. Da Hee was about to speak but was cut off when Eun-Jae kept speaking. "You don't have to be so mean. You don't have to laugh at me." This time she was screaming. "You could be a little nice, not everyone is used to this." Eun-Jae said in a lower voice and took a small pause. "I'm..." She started, her voice cracking. "I'm dying here!" the 20 year old yelled. She put her head down and proceeded talking.

"Why can't you... be just a little nice?"
Everyone looked ashamed and put their heads down.

"You're so mean."

With those words Eun-Jae walked away to the room and slammed the door. Her cries could be heard all the way to the living area.

Breaking the silence Yi-Na asked "What's wrong?" Nobody answered for a moment until Ye-Eun responded. "I don't know what's up with her."

Everyone was tense, but then Jin-Myung reminded Ye-Eun of her bag. Immediately she ran to her bag while the others around the table stayed sitting. Yi-Na laughed at Ye-Eun's reaction, Jin-Myung just sat in her chair, and Da Hee was waiting for Eun-Jae to calm down and later on would check on her.

Da Hee entered her shared room and saw Eun-Jae covered in sweat. She checked Eun-Jae's temperature and felt she was burning with a fever. Da Hee treated Eun-Jae by giving her medicine and removing the sweat from her face. After seeing Eun-Jae was fine, Da Hee went to sleep.