Chapter 23: Comfort

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Author's POV

A week passed, ever since the misunderstanding happened, and ever since that happened, Chaeryeong didn't go to school for the whole week. Many were worried for her, but it was mostly her friends and her seatmate. Because, after all she isn't close with anybody other than them.

All of them were looking forward to seeing the girl once again. Since, nobody has heard of her, and for her bullies they weren't their usual selves anymore, they are starting to change for the better. Including Chaeyeon.

Although, they have sanctions to face, they were genuinely okay with it. Cause, they think that's it just right, for them. This week, is their second week of community service for their school. Whenever they have breaks, they would talk about, how they'll ask for forgiveness from Chaeryeong, once she comes back to school.

Chaeryeong's POV

I haven't been outside our house, and I also haven't been on my phone and the game. I completely locked myself out of their circle. I started shifting away from them. My sister, tried to convince me to go back to school, every time she has time. But, she always fails.

But, since she let me off the hook, for being absent for a week, I think I should at least do her a favor. And that is by going back to school, although I know I have missed a lot of lessons, and seat works I'm fine with it.

I was getting ready to go back to school, when I heard somebody knock on my bedroom door. I looked at it, and stared at it for some time while having my head tilted to the side a bit.

"Chaeryeong?" I heard somebody ask.

"I know you're not going to listen to me. But, please come back to school, I know you're afraid of facing them. But, you got to face your fears as well, sometime soon." I heard the voice say or maybe should I say Chaeyeon eonni.

"Fine. Wait, for me. I'm almost done getting ready." I said to her, and took a brief look at the mirror just to check myself.

Once, I was sure that I was done getting ready. I got my school bag, which was next to my desk, and went outside my bedroom just to meet my sister, she had her eyes widen.

"Chaeryeong?" She asked, while still looking at me with shock written all over her face.

"Yes?" I asked her back.

"Umm, I mean let's go?" She asked, as she quickly fixed her posture. I just nodded at her question, and went down the stairs. Going to the dining room, just to meet foods, I looked over to my sister. Who was eating her breakfast peacefully; I went beside her and sat down.

***

After, that little breakfast I quickly brushed my teeth upstairs in the bathroom, while my sister was busy doing the dishes. Once I was done, I went down to the dining room and took over my sister's dish washing chore so, she can go and brush her teeth.

***

We were both ready to go to school, so of course we still have to wear our shoes, before going outside. We went over to the doorstep and wore our black shoes. We quickly left the house and went to the school, via walking.

***

We finally reached the school; sadly my sister couldn't accompany me to my classroom, since her classes start earlier than ours. So, I'm left alone in the huge school, I'll be lucky whether I survive this day or not. Well, that will be up to me to decide so I guess, I will?

I was just walking towards our classroom, and was met with a lot of stares, from different people in the corridors.

'Can't they just mind their own business?' I thought, and mentally sighed.

I quickened my pace to our classroom, and I reached it in no time. I was hesitating whether I should go in or not. Since, I haven't been here for a week already.

'Well, since I'm already here why not?' I thought.

I didn't knock on the door, anymore since I know there won't be any teacher here, just yet. I opened the door, and saw everybody's attention was on me now, and all of them are already here, either talking to each other or to their groups, or doing something that's school related or maybe both.

I didn't mind them anymore; I went in and closed the door behind me. I went towards my seat, and sat on it. Not minding all the stares that I've been receiving for the past couple of minutes now. I took my bag, and looked into it, once I saw the book that I've been looking for I took it, and closed my bag.

Once, I did I felt some presence beside me, I looked beside me, and saw Ryujin, who has a really mad looking face plastered on it.

"Yah! Why didn't you answer out texts and calls?! Do you know how worried we all are?!" She exclaimed at me. I just ignored her, and proceeded to read my book, in peace.

Well, that is until the teacher came. Which made Ryujin go back to her proper seat, and Taehyun as well.

***

Lunch time finally arrived. Usually, I would go straight to the canteen, with my friends. But, today I just don't feel like it. Instead, I went straight to the comfort room, once I did. I quickly went over the sink and splashed some water onto my face.

Once, I was sure I was already okay seeing, my friends. I took some tissues, from a tissue dispenser, and quickly used it to dry up my face, a bit.

I was about to leave, when somebody came in. I looked at that person, and saw my older sister. Chaeyeon. She looked, worried. Which was really odd since she doesn't look worried for me back then, and then now?

We were just having a staring contest, with each other. Which is very weird since we kind of look like each other. "What happened to you?" She suddenly asked out of the blue.

After, she asked that I felt so many emotions inside me, and they were about to explode out of me. Without any warnings from my nervous system, I suddenly broke down right in front of her.

I was just crying myself, here in the comfort room. When, I suddenly felt somebody hugged me, I looked up and saw my sister. She was hugging me very tight, as if she was missing me.

Once, I was no longer a crying mess. She pulled me towards who knows where. That is, until we reached the place, we were at the rooftop of the school. I looked at her, asking what we're doing here.

"We're here to talk about what happened to you. These past few days, you've been out of yourself. Even, your friends and bullies are worried for you... Chae... I know we're not as close as we were back then... But, I'm still your older sister. I still want to be a part of your life..." She said, while comforting me.

"You can tell me everything and I won't judge you. You didn't judge me when I went to so many rejections, in life. In fact, you even listened to my rants. Now, it's time for me to return the favor." She said, and smiled gently at me.

After, she said those comforting words, I broke down once again. But, this time I started telling her that reason why.

***

Author's POV

School already ended for everybody and none of the Lee siblings were found in their afternoon classes. Which worried a lot of people. Including their very own group of friends.

Chaeyeon's POV

I was running towards Chaeryeong's classroom. Since, she left all her school things there. Classes, were already done, so everybody will be going home soon, or maybe stay at school and do some extracurricular activities.

Sadly, Chaeryeong had other plans. After crying Chaeryeong said, she wanted some time alone with herself. Which, is hard, but for her mental state, I'll let her be. For now.

I reached their room, and saw some of my friends, with her friends. Both groups looked so worried. They quickly noticed my presence, and went over to hug me. They all quickly bombarded me with all sorts of questions.

But, instead of answering them, I just took Chaeryeong's things and was about to leave when, I remembered my stuff; I also left them at my classroom. I was about to run to our last classroom, that I attended to. When, somebody tapped my shoulder, I turned around, just to see Chaewon giving me my bag, she was smiling.

"You forgot this, earlier. So, I decided to get for you. Just so you know, I carried that everywhere I went. Plus, all of your stuff is in there, alongside some things that you missed and some notes." She said, while smiling. I smiled back at her, before thanking her. I quickly bid my farewells to them.

I was about to leave, when somebody held my arm. 'What is it today, and people holding onto me, just to stop me from moving?!' I exclaimed in my thoughts.

I turned around just to see, Ryujin. She had a really worried expression on her face.

"What happened to Chaeryeong? Where is she? Is she okay?" She asked, one after another. She was waiting for an answer that I can't really give to her, just yet I only sighed at her.

"Meet me at the cafe near here at 5 pm. Okay?" I said, and waited for their response.

"Okay." She said, agreeing to my terms.

'Weird... did she just agree me, that quickly?' I thought, as I left the place.