Precious Things || Jensoo

Chapter 51

Chapter Fifty-One

It's Hyorin who finally speaks.

"Jisoo, honey, I need to take a better look at that."

I nod, sniffling into Jennie's shoulder.

"I think you may need some sutures. Perhaps we should go into the treatment room?"

Jennie nods this time, still stroking my hair. She takes my hand, and Hyorin leads us across the hall to another room. This one is more clinical, far more 'doctors' surgery'.

Hyorin looks at me, and I see a lot of emotion in her face. "Do you want me to have a look? If you'd be more comfortable, I can get Dr. Roberts."

I shake my head vehemently. I'm freaked out enough as it is; there's no way I'm letting a stranger near me.

"Okay, sweetie, okay. I'll take care of you, okay?" She squeezes my forearm, where it doesn't hurt.

She hands me a gown, one of the ones that ties at the back, and then pulls a curtain. It's just Jennie and I now. I hear Hyorin leave.

My tears have stopped now, as have hers. She helps me undress and, when I turn around in my bra, I hear her gasp, too. She can't hold it in and I swallow, pressing my eyes together and turning my lips into a thin line.

Gently, ever so gently, she undoes my bra. It hurts like goddamn hell. The thing is matted to my back with dried blood and there's no way to get it off but to peel it. That brings more tears to my eyes. Eventually it's done. She helps me on to the table where I sit upright and try not to think about how much this all hurts.

Kissing me on the forehead again, Jennie steps away, around the curtain, opens the door and finds Hyorin. When they come back in, Hyorin gives me a reassuring smile, and I bite my lip.

This was my secret.

This was my life.

They know now. It's out now.

I know Jennie keeps saying it's going to be okay, but I don't know. I can't see how it can be. I can't fathom this.

"Jisoo, honey, why don't you lie down on your stomach? I can get a better look that way."

I follow her instructions, wincing as I feel the movement in my back. Once I'm down there, with my head on my arms, I see Jennie move to a stool so that her face is right next to mine, also resting on her forearms.

She reaches out a finger and runs it down my nose.

Hyorin carefully parts the gown at the back, and I'm glad she doesn't gasp again. She doesn't say anything, and she doesn't touch me. I'm grateful for that, too. I'm in enough pain as it is.

"Have you taken any painkillers?" she asks gently.

I shake my head.

"Okay, we'll get you some, honey."

She asks me a bunch of other questions, about whether I take any medications, have any allergies or medical problems. I shake my head to all of them. I don't think I have a voice.

"Okay, sweetheart, you're going to need some stitches in a few of these. Have you ever had local anaesthetic before?"

I shake my head.

"It's a needle. Is that okay?"

I nod.

"All right, honey, just let me get everything ready and we'll take care of it."

Jennie holds my hand. Given the amount of pain I'm already in, the needle barely registers until it numbs a reasonable area of my back and I almost sigh in relief. Add to that the tablets that Hyorin gave me to swallow and I'm almost at the point of bearing it.