All Because Of her || A WenRene Novel

We Can Help - [Irene]

The apartment Jennie gave us isn't horrible, but it isn't great either. There's only one bedroom, one bathroom, a tiny kitchen in the corner of one of the rooms, and there's a single recliner in front of a tiny TV that is always flashing the error signal.

My mother sleeps in the bedroom and I sleep on the recliner. I had trouble sleeping last night because Wendy wasn't next to me. I wanted to take my phone and text her so badly, but I blocked her number so she wouldn't get in trouble if she tried to text me.

I hope Jennie sticks to her promise and decides not to post the photo, because I can't attend any other schools nearby. I applied to university last summer and I got the acceptance letter a few weeks ago, but I won't be able to graduate from high school. 

My mother tried registering me for a public school at the last minute and they said they would review my application and the earliest they can get back to us is two days, so I might end up going to the public school nearby.

I'll just have to go back to my life as a nobody. It shouldn't be that hard, I just have to act like I normally do. Introverted. Besides, I should try and think on the bright side. Jennie isn't here, so that's a win. Taeyong can't bother me every two seconds as well, so I guess that's good.

No matter how hard I try to focus on the good side of things my mind can't help but linger back to not just Wendy, but Yeri, Joy, Seulgi, and Taehyung, too. Then I get an idea. Jennie said I couldn't text Wendy, but she never said anything about not being able to text anyone else.

I'm currently outside going for a walk. I thought that if I went outside for a little bit, it would help me relax, but it's just reminded me of all my walks with Wendy. I take out my phone and call Joy. She picks up almost immediately.

"Irene?" she asks. "Are you okay?!"

"Oh my God, Joy," I say. 

"I thought you couldn't call us?" she asks.

"Jennie only said I couldn't talk to Wendy," I say. "You're not Wendy, are you?"

"Oh my God," Joy takes a deep breath. "Where are you?! Yeri, Seulgi and I are trying to find a way to get you back. Jennie's such a-"

"It's okay," I say. "If she finds out you're trying to help me then she'll probably do something to you, too, and that's the opposite of what I want."

"We're not going to get hurt," Joy says. "Let us help you, please. You're our friend. We have photo evidence from the screenshots you sent us! We can do something!"

"Are you sure?" I ask. "Don't do it if she can use it against you, please. I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me."

"None of this was your fault," she says, "so don't say that, okay? We're going to help you."

"Is Wendy okay?" I ask suddenly. 

"She talked to us a bit when she woke up," she says. "But she hasn't spoken to us since. I'm sure she's okay. What are you doing right now?"

"I'm taking a walk, I'm trying to relax," I say.

"Really? That's perfect!" Joy says excitedly. "Describe your surroundings. Seulgi's parents used to travel a lot when she was younger and she would go with them. She's been almost everywhere in Korea. I'm sure she knows where you are!"

"Um, okay," I say, looking around. "I'm near a dollar store, the road is pretty cracked, and you can see the shore for the lake-"

"Oh, I know where you are!" she says. "Okay. Stay there. Should I bring Taehyung? You two are friends, right? You know what, I'll bring him. Stay there!"

She hangs up and I stare in confusion. She's coming here? I guess they really do want me back. I have good friends, don't I? I smile to myself.

I try and watch the water flow in the lake to calm myself, but the only thing it does is remind me of Wendy and our first walk. We went to the bridge and stopped by the lake. That was where she complimented my eyes. She told me I looked pretty when I laughed.

My stomach is in knots and I can feel tears welling up as I remember simply just enjoying myself with her. I can be myself around her, I don't have to pretend to be strong, I don't have to pretend like I don't care, and I don't have to pretend to be unaware of everything.

She made me feel safe, she made me laugh, and she just made me happy. I know I made her happy, too. I can't help but think of how devastated she must have been when she read my note. Maybe she wasn't devastated at all. Maybe she read the last bit where I told her I loved her and thought I was weird.

Maybe she didn't care that I was gone.

Joy said that Wendy hadn't spoken to them since a little after she woke up, though, so that must mean she's sad, right? I wonder where she is. All I have to do is press the unblock button under her name on my phone and I can talk to her.

If I do that, though, then Jennie will post the picture, and that's the last thing I want to do right now. My thoughts trail back to around a week ago when my mother was in the hospital. I remember telling Wendy that I loved her, but she said something I couldn't hear as I fell asleep.

Did she tell me she loved me, too?

It had only been a day since my confession. I don't think she would've said it back, and that's okay. I shouldn't have said it in the first place, I was moving too fast.

Then I remember Eric. I might be exaggerating when I say this, but he might be worse than my father. I can't believe he's going to debut in a year. I wonder if he'll ever tell his fans about us. He probably will, and he'll tell them filthy lies.

I feel someone tap my shoulder. "Irene?"

I turn around. It's Joy and Taehyung. 

"Yeri and Seulgi couldn't come," Joy explains. "Their parents were making them do stuff. But it's okay! Taehyung and I are here!"