Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻𝗲 | consequence

Book 1, Chapter 1
Consequence

JISU LAID lifelessly on her bed, her hair messy, her eyes closed. She removed her necktie and unfastened the button under her blouse's neckline, heaving a sigh.

“Jisu-yah?” her almost fading consciousness came back quickly as her mother called her from the other side of the door, followed by a few knocks.

“Yes, mom?”

“I'll invite myself in,” and then it was followed by the creaking noise of the door, her mother's head poking out, “Are you going to eat now? I'll prepare something if yes.”

“Oh, don't bother mom,” Jisu replied, “I'm just going to rest for a bit, then I'm off to Chaeryeong's.”

Her mother looked at her worriedly. In her mother's eyes just now, Jisu looked like she could use a whole day of sleep with how tired and worn out she has appeared, “What would you do at Chaeryeong's? Could you just stay home and rest? You look like you badly need it.”

Jisu chuckled weakly, “I wish I could, but there's a project we need to finish that is due tomorrow. I'm just going to have dinner with her, mom, sorry.”

You couldn't even start to imagine how tired she was feeling right now. With all the activities she did in school, adding another one on her plate for homework was exhausting her. It's already six o'clock in the evening, yet instead of resting, she's headed to another project.

“Okay, then. Just... go and change into something more comfortable. And sweat-free,” Jisu's mother sighed, “I'm heading out to prepare some snacks. Grab it when you're leaving.”

For a moment, Jisu embraced the silence and the comfortable warmth of her bed, before psyching herself in and lifted her body off the bed.

“Here goes nothing...”

When Jisu's sure that she stuffed everything necessary in this project inside her backpack, she exited her room.

“Mom! I'm heading out!” Jisu yelled and as what her mother told her to do, she grabbed the packed snacks on the table in the living room and left the house.

──⇌••⇋──

Chaeryeong actually has her own house, and she was living alone in there. Her parents decided to get separated back when she was still just a kid, but both of them covers Chaeryeong's finances. She wanted to choose no sides, so she declined to go with neither of them. Her parents' relationship with each other may not be ideal, but both of them love their daughter so much.

Unlike Jisu, Chaeryeong wasn't that invested in studying. She has the brain, she has the skill, she has the ability, but she was just... too lazy to show off.

“Lee!”

“Why are you shouting?!” Chaeryeong yelled back as she's striding down the staircase, “And you're too early for my liking, eonni.”

Jisu rolled her eyes, “I already have the materials. And please, do yours immediately.”

“Fine, fine,” Chaeryeong sighed, “But before that, though, let's eat first.”

──⇌••⇋──

“Jisu eonni... why do you look so frail? It's not so you. Are you okay?” Chaeryeong asked the moment she noticed her best friend's constant temple massaging. Jisu was certain that the food was good, but she couldn't bring herself to enjoy it.

“Oh? Yeah I'm... I'm fine, Chaeryeong.”

“Eonni...” Jisu waited for Chaeryeong to continue talking, but the latter just stared at her and stayed silent. Jisu sighed.

“My head's aching, but I'll be fine,” she replied with a small smile. But Chaeryeong wasn't convinced, and she put the back of her fingers on Jisu's forehead.

“Jeez, you're burning!” she exclaimed, “Go upstairs. Rest. Now.”

“But--”

“Choi Jisu.” Chaeryeong bit her lip. Addressing her best friend informally felt wrong, but she needed Jisu to listen to her, “Go, now. I'll take care of the rest.”

Upstairs in the guest room, Jisu was already wrapped in a blanket. Certain pills and a glass of water rested on a tray on the bedside table.

“Let me help, Ryeong,” Jisu insisted, but groaned because of dizziness after.

Chaeryeong gave her sharp glares, “Go to sleep now, you woman. Don't be hardheaded.”

“But--!”

“Choi, shut up, and rest. I can manage the rest.” Jisu let out a defeated sigh and nodded weakly, “On the other hand, as much as it guilts me, I won't be saying anything to aunt.”

“Oh God, that's a relief, Chaeryeong-ah. Thank you.”

Chaeryeong smiled, “Anytime, eonni.”

──⇌••⇋──

Jisu's senses came back in a rush that caused her to jolt up. She looked outside the window, and she breathed a sigh of relief and massaged her temples. Thinking that it was already noon almost gave her a heart attack.

Remembering that she just had a fever last night, she rested her palm on her neck and checked her temperature. She's still hot and dizzy, but nothing she couldn't manage. It would probably just go away knowing that Chaeryeong's the one who took care of her.

Jisu left the bed and went to the restroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. After doing her routine, she headed downstairs and caught Chaeryeong just finished cooking their breakfast. Jisu's eyes landed on the wall clock which show's 5:15 AM.

“Oh, you're already up,” Chaeryeong said, “Feeling better?” Jisu nodded as a form of response. “I already got your things last night after I finished doing the project. I laid them on my bed.”

“Thank you very much, Chaeryeong-ah.”

“Nothing I can't handle.” Chaeryeong waved her hand dismissively with a smile, “Have a seat.”

“The proj--”

“Mm-hmm, I finished both of our projects, and it's already inside my car.” Chaeryeong answered Jisu's unfinished question with a smirk, and Jisu just chuckled at her best friend's playfulness.

──⇌••⇋──

Jisu and Chaeryeong walk side by side in a complete silence. The whole university was still quiet, emphasizing that the two girls went to school way early as they should be. Chaeryeong then stopped, and turned to her best friend.

“Chaeryeong, I'm fine. Nothing a pill can't handle.”

“That's good, but I had something else in mind.” Jisu quirked an eyebrow at Chaeryeong, curious to what she was about to say, “Would you like to join me in my night classes? Because I'm afraid managing your two courses in one and the same day could drain you.”

“Oh... Thanks for the suggestion. I'll think about it.”

“You should.” Chaeryeong hissed and walked away, leaving a chuckling Jisu behind her.