Part III
From the moment Jennie's parents had arrived, Jennie's demeanor had changed.
Gone was the relaxed, confident girl that Jisoo had worked so hard to chisel out of the immovable block of stone that made up all her emotions and feelings.
It had taken so long to get that glimpse of her old Jennie, and once she'd had it, she'd lost it.
Truly, it was fate being cruel to her.
There was simply no other explanation.
Not only did the Kim family happen to be the strictest, most distantly loving parents in the world, but they also were just as fussy as Jennie, when Jena was sick or injured.
Jisoo wasn't prepared for that.
Jisoo had gotten up to grab a bathrobe, wrapping it around herself before glancing apologetically at Jennie and going to the door.
They came in quietly and courteously, quite aware of Jena's bedtime, and after embracing Jisoo, asked to see Jennie.
Jisoo watched the entire ordeal with an odd sense in her gut.
Jennie didn't brighten up at the sight of her parents. Instead, she looked even more rigid than before, unmoving from the couch as they each took a seat on either side of her.
Jennie glanced up at Jisoo with a pleading look in her eyes, but before Jisoo could even decipher it, she glanced away.
She didn't deserve Jisoo's help.
Or so she thought.
"It's worth getting a second opinion." Jiyong noted softly, examining Jennie's leg, propped up on the coffee table before them.
"So another person can tell me I won't ever play the same way again?" Jennie asked, more like a soft mumble, and it was clear that she didn't intend for Jisoo to hear that.
Jisoo winced, her heart aching.
So Jennie knew about that.
"Statistics are suggestions." Chaerin brushed a lock of brown hair behind her ear, her eyes narrowed in thought.
Jennie only looked more bothered by her statement, rather than her support.
Jisoo lingered back behind them by the entry, unsure of her place in all of this.
On one hand, she wanted to be there for Jennie.
On the other hand, she was pretty sure Jennie didn't want her to hear some of what she was saying.
It was all a confusing jumble of words and expressions, and little jabs from Jennie and her mother, back and forth.
"It's not even worth getting my hopes up." Jennie whispered, for a moment, showing a side of true vulnerability.
Chaerin paused, frowning, as she exchanged a glance with her husband.
Jennie was never known for having a defeatist attitude.
"Whatever it is that you need, whatever resources, we can do it." Jiyong promised. "I can get in contact with the chief of surgery over at-"
"No." Jennie shook her head, cutting him off. "No, thank you."
Jiyong paused, frowning. "Jennie Rubyjane, I don't understand."
Chaerin looked equally as concerned. "There's no way that you won't be playing the same way you did, with the amount of work we're willing to dedicate to this-"
