BEWITCHED SHIP (JenLisa) [EDITING]

Chapter 22: Nightmare

LISA

After finishing lunch at our favorite restaurant, we were now driving to my parents' house. The conversation at the table had been light and full of laughter, but as usual, my parents couldn't resist teasing me, making me blush with embarrassment. I could feel the eyes of other diners on us, and it only made me want to shrink into my seat.

I still couldn't believe that my parents, who acted like friends more than parental figures, were really mine. It wasn't a bad thing, though. In fact, it was a relief. They made me feel loved, even though we didn't see each other often. Their ability to make me feel at home, even when we were apart, was something I cherished.

As we neared the familiar house, my dad pulled into the garage. I stepped out of the car, heading toward the door, but then I felt a warm arm slide over my shoulders. I looked up to see my mom, standing on her tiptoes because I was a little taller than her, holding me with a genuine smile on her face. I smiled back, the warmth of her touch comforting as she gently rubbed her thumb across my shoulder.

Once inside, I called out as I always did.

"Babies, I'm home!"

But all I heard was my mom's soft chuckle.

"You know they're not the kind of pets who greet you every time you come home," she teased, making me pout in response.

"Aish, I can't believe they're acting like this after all the feeding I did for them," I complained, which only made her laugh more.

"Da joh-a (Alright), go change your clothes, and I'll make you some tea," she said, giving my cheek a quick tap before heading to the kitchen.

"Don't take too long, or the tea will get cold!" she shouted from the other room.

"Arasso, Eomma (Okay, Mom)," I called back, loud enough for her to hear as I made my way to my bedroom. 

The room still looked the same as it always had, a quiet sanctuary where I had grown up. It was here that I had taught myself almost everything, after I dropped out of school. 

Yes, I had isolated myself for a while, and my parents, concerned for me, decided to hire someone to teach me at home. So, I was homeschooled, and in this room, I had learned to navigate the world on my own.

I quickly changed into something more comfortable: a hoodie and sweatpants. But then I remembered I needed to call Seulgi to check for updates, and of course, to call that certain cat-eyed doctor. 

Just thinking about her made me smile. It might sound cringey, but I couldn't help the butterflies in my stomach.

I dialed Seulgi's number, and to my surprise, she answered after only ten seconds.

"Dang-yeol," Seulgi greeted, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Annyeong, how's everything there?" I asked, hearing some shuffling on the other end.