______

IT had been a rough few days for not only Eunhee and Jungwon, but for those around them too.

Currently, the time reads 2:54am. The girl sat in silence, picking at the skin around her nails as she stared off at the view of Seoul.

The wind blew through her hair, her legs swinging back and forth as she dangled them off of the edge of the building.

Who would've thought that a few days before Christmas -- her favorite time of year, she'd be so gloomy. She wasn't even looking forward to the cheerful holiday. Instead, she was looking forward to the day she'd finally be able to move on and laugh about this whole mess.

But, for now, she wasn't doing her best. Her friends were worried for her well being, but they were unsure of how to help, as she had only asked them to leave her alone for a bit, saying she wanted time to herself.

Despite her heart being absolutely shattered into small pieces, she had still managed to convince herself that it was alright, that she had made the right decision. Because she has started to second guess herself a lot.

But, even now, it was too late to suddenly change her decision. She didn't have a time machine, there was nothing she could do but make a poor attempt at coping.

She just wished Jungwon was doing alright, that he had already coped with the situation and moved on, although it had only been close to three days since then.

Eunhee took a small glance at her phone that lay down on the concrete beside her. She had been getting blown up with constant notifications recently, coming from each one of her friends separately.

They haven't heard from her in a little while, each expressing their concerns for her safety. With reluctant hands, she slowly picked up the phone, unlocking it as she opened her messages app.

Out of instinct, she clicked on the most recent contact she had saved in her phone who texted her last-- that person being none other than Lee Heeseung.

_____

imessage
heeseung

sunday, 6:49pm.

heeseung
eunhee, what happened?

where did you go

sunday, 8:42pm.
missed call

heeseung
i heard what happened

you're mistaken, eunhee

it's not your fault, so listen to me and stop blaming yourself

text me back soon, please

sunday, 11:27pm.

heeseung
are you doing well?

monday, 9:01am.

heeseung
do you think we could meet up later to talk about stuff?

let me know when you're available

monday, 1:18pm.

heeseung
are you okay?

it's been almost a full 24 hours

you haven't responded to any of us

monday, 5:54pm.

heeseung
eunhee, seriously

are you okay?

respond

yesterday, 2:38am

heeseung
starting to get worried for you

even talked to your friends

they said you wanted time to yourself

understandable, but let us know you're safe

we need reassurance

we care about you, eunhee

you can rely on us

yesterday, 7:07am.
missed call

heeseung
answer my phone calls please

concerned for your safety atp

yesterday, 4:05pm.
missed call

heeseung
where are you???

today, 1:07am.

heeseung
you're really freaking me out

respond soon

today, 2:59am.

eunhee
hi sorry

been avoiding my messages recently

probably should've known something like this would happen

but i'm safe

________

Eunhee closed her messages app, before moving her finger and easily increasing the volume in her wired headphones. The girl set down her phone, letting out a small breath as listened intently to lyrics of Taylor Swift's mirrorball.

She rested her hands in her lap, nodding her head along to the beat ever so slightly. Eunhee was most grateful for music, as it had the ability to make her feel anything.

Being so comforted, filling the hole in her heart for those short few minutes the song lasted. Yet, at the same time, creating an even bigger hole with the meaning behind the lyrics.

She felt so empty, yet so full of emotions. She was reaching her breaking point, feeling the need to finally let go after so long of bottling everything up.

She wanted to scream so loudly, and not care about the judging looks sent her way.

Slowly, mirrorball came to an end. Expecting another song to start playing, she was instead met with the sound of her ringtone going off.

Eunhee turned her head, looking down at her phone screen which lit up beside her.

Incoming call
heeseung

accept decline

The girl furrowed her brows, taking her phone into her hands. She pushed her hair behind her ears, as it kept getting in her face and she could hardly see as it was.

Why was he even awake at this hour? Shouldn't he be asleep by now? I mean, it was pretty hypocritical of her to wonder that, as she herself was awake as well.

But, why was he calling her?

Her thumbs hovered over the green button, clicking it reluctantly before pressing speaker.

"..hello?" She spoke, nibbling at her bottom lip hesitantly.

"Eunhee?" The boy spoke on the other line, heaving out a small breath of relief upon hearing her voice. "I was so worried. We all were."

Eunhee smiled sadly, setting her phone down in her lap and praying silently she wouldn't be dumb enough to drop it off the edge of the building.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to worry you all. It was never my intention.. I just didn't have any energy to talk." She explained, eyes shifting up to watch the pretty city lights.

"But you have the energy to talk now?" Heeseung questioned, earning a small hum from the girl.

"Mm.. I mean, not really. I just.. I don't know. I decided to look at my messages, and you were the last person to text me so I clicked on your contact." She muttered out, fiddling with the hem of her coat.

"Eunhee, where are you? It sounds like you're outside.."

"I don't really know, to be honest. I'm on some rooftop right now. I kinda just got tired of being in my apartment for so long, so I just kinda walked around aimlessly until I ended up here."

"It's late, you know.. it's dangerous for you to be out this late." He sighed, frowning slightly.

"I know, I know. But I'm being careful, I promise. Plus, I don't.. I don't think there's anyone even around. The only people I see are the people walking on the sidewalk outside of the building I'm on, but I'm all the way on the rooftop. I'm far from them."

She spoke, looking around.

Heeseung let out a small hum in acknowledgement. The call went silent, not a single one of them uttering a single word.

Suddenly, Eunhee could hear the faint sound of shuffling from the other line. She assumed he was just adjusting his position to be more comfortable, but her eyes widened in surprise upon hearing his next words.

"Eunhee, do you mind meeting up with me?
We need to talk."

"Huh..? Now? It's really late.."

"I'm aware of that. But, we're both awake, so why not just talk now?"

Eunhee was silent, until she finally spoke once again. "Okay.. tell me where. And just-- give me a second, please."

"Okay."

Traveling to her messages up once again, she clicked on Heeseung's contact, looking at the location he sent her.

It was a 24hr convenience store, not too far from where she currently was.

"I'll be there soon."

"Alright, I'll text you when I'm there. Arrive safely, okay?"

Eunhee let out a small hum, bidding him a goodbye before hanging up. She sighed, before returning back to listening to music whilst she carefully stood up from her position, not wanting to plummet to her death by a simple misstep.

_________

AUTHOR'S CORNER
pls i love your guy's comments so much

you all deserve an award with how funny you all are

no but fr you guys have been genuinely laughing when i scroll through my notifications and read all of your comments 😔

also sorry it's kinda a long chapter lol sidnwofjeorj

:')
february 21st, 2023 -- 8:52pm.

not proofread.