Being Afflicted (A BTS x OC x Infinite Fanfic)

Chapter 1

The sound of rain making contact with the roof of the school was drowned out by her cheerful humming. It was quite contradicting to the gloomy setting outside. Looking into the mirror placed in her locker, she scrutinized her appearance. Long, wavy black hair flowed down to the middle of her back. It was partially wet and she was certain she would have to wash her hair again once she reached home. The smell of chlorine was still slightly evident.

She had porcelain skin and her eyes, framed by long lashes, were a bright, emerald-green. Those eyes often stood out to many since it was rare for someone to have eyes of such shade. A straight nose, full lips - Hyun Ji smiled, revealing her straight, white teeth and high cheekbones. Feeling satisfied, she shut her locker. Indeed, she was vain. Picking up her bag from the bench, she went out of the locker room.

“Alright, I’m all set,” she stated enthusiastically, expecting a reply, but all she got was silence. Frowning, she scanned the area for any traces of him. The moment her eyes landed on the swimming pool, she dropped her bag. A thud echoed around the enclosed area.

In shock, she let out a scream and –

Hyun Ji woke up, panting heavily. Cold sweat trickled down her face as she sat up in bed. Her mind replayed the dream as the feeling of shock remained attached to her. Her heartbeat had yet to slow down as she reached out for the lamp located on her bedside table. A dim light filled the room as she took a look around. She felt lost. Her surroundings were familiar yet so foreign at the same time.

She was reminded of that dream once again. The dream she had every now and then. It felt more like a nightmare but even that was an understatement. She never understood the meaning of it. She never knew why she often had it. It was always the same dream, always starting with her in the locker room and ending with her screaming. The locker room in her dream seemed familiar to her. However, she was certain that she had never seen it before. The same goes to the swimming pool.

Swimming pool - the whole idea of it caused her to shudder. The fear within her began to rise as she imagined the sight of the swimming pool from her dream. That was when it happened. Hyun Ji jolted slightly from the sudden sharp pain in her head. As a reflex, her hand was brought up to her head, clutching it tightly. Meanwhile, her other hand clutched her bed sheets, her knuckles growing red. Her eyes were shut. Her jaw was clenched, a little too tightly. Hyun Ji could hear nothing but the sound of a long beep.

The pain in her head caused numbness in her limbs, and she could've sworn she felt the room spinning. Her body was trembling, and her heartbeat only sped up even more. The pain was merciless. However, Hyun Ji made sure to remain as quiet as possible. When a small whimper managed to escape her mouth, Hyun Ji only bit down on her teeth even harder. She didn't want to wake her mother up. She didn't want to trouble her. She had done enough of that. 

It will pass. The pain will pass. It always does.

And it did.

Eventually.

≈♦♦♦≈

Opening the door, she stepped into her mother's room, careful not to make the slightest sound. Peering at her mother's sleeping figure, she smiled to herself upon seeing how at ease her mother was. Heading to the bedside table, she placed the tray down and turned to her mother. Giving her a peck on the forehead, Hyun Ji stood up and gave the tray one last look. On it was the usual breakfast she made for her mother - French toast, hard-boiled egg and honey lemon tea poured into a thermos - as well as a note that said:

"Good morning, Umma. Be sure to have your breakfast alright? 
I'll be visiting Appa today, so I might arrive home slightly later than usual. Take care, Umma. I love you."