Chapter 41
The room is rather gloomy because most of the students are in the auditorium. Jia is busy typing and sorting files on the computer. Her adviser brought her food earlier and they ate while talking. She apologizes for halting Jia's activities and stays with her. Jia says that she doesn't mind doing it, though she's disappointed. Jia chose to hide it and work efficiently. They went to the annex to file some papers and Jia did not notice the time. She is still disheartened for not attending Yejun's performance. She receives notification that Yejun plays in the middle, it's all over the internet now and of course to their school website. It was trending minutes ago however the result is not announced yet.
The surroundings were deserted as Jia went near the gym. She's with her adviser walking quietly when she answers her phone and Jia decides to wait for her inside the gymnasium. Her eyes traveled in the massive court and bleachers. It was so quiet that she got startled by the loud whimper. Jia stops and looks for the noise. She frowns when she hears the noise coming from the storage room where the stuff used by the students in P.E, created a loud thud.
"Hello?" Jia called, not sure if the squeaks really came from the storeroom.
The whimper got louder and Jia opened the door and walked inside. Her eyes adjusted to the dark while she was looking for the light switch. Jia's eyes widen when she sees a person. The girl is crying while there are ropes tightly around her both hands and ankles. Jia hurriedly goes to her and unties her. The girl is whimpering incoherent words. She lets her sit comfortably, her hair is all over her face and Jia has a hard time checking out her countenance when she's shaking so much.
"My god. It's fine already, breathe in your nose. Yeah, that's right... Slowly." Jia muttered, patting her back gently.
"I will call the teacher. Stay here." Jia mumbles and quickly takes off to go outside.
Jia called her adviser and she was quick to assert the situation. She goes with Jia and sees the girl collapse on the ground. She's sweating and her uniform has lots of stains. Jia can't carry her alone, so her adviser and her manage to help her by both carrying her shoulders. It was the toughest time of Jia's life. She's full of sweat when they both reach the clinic. The nurse immediately gives her medical attention. She said that she has no major injury aside from her bruises from the ropes and her emotional trauma. It's clear that it was bullying because Jia recognized the girl.
She's the first year she found in a room. The girl who dislikes Jia is the same girl who let Yejun send her to the hospital. Jia considers lots of scenarios for the girl who was bullied and has a subjective trauma went to a boy she hardly know. She's not accepting Jia's presence. The possibility of her having a crush on Yejun is 80%. Jia will not judge her though, the majority of the female students' population likes Yejun Lee and there is nothing wrong with their feelings. She's a teenager and Yejun is good-looking...
Jia shook her head when she sheepishly thought about him. There are odd tingles on her chest. Jia could feel her cheeks redden. Too much complimenting him though. She drinks the water that the nurse gives her earlier. Jia decided to stay to look out for the girl. Luckily, she's wearing her nameplate and it was the first time Jia discerned her name.
Isabela Curt. She's familiar however Jia could not remember her face. After minutes, her adviser said that her teacher and parents will be coming to school to see her. She also stated that Isabela was furious and wanted to sue the school and her teacher. There are a lot of legalities embodied in school bullying. Jia is thankful that her adviser finally dismissed her. She bows before leaving. The nurse and her adviser gently patted Jia and whispered 'thank yous'. She flush and hurriedly went to her classroom to take her bag.
The room is empty and Jia feels the exhaustion. The sunset illuminated the whole room and the white curtains were swaying, dancing to the slow rhythms of the wind. Jia watches it like a panorama, an unknown sentiment blooms in her chest, a passive and beautiful melody she stored in her mind begins to exploit. Jia feels the serenity of being alone, she enjoys the juncture of tranquility. Her heart feels light and even if Jia did not achieve anything today for her friends, she still feels collected.
'Whissssss'
60 days
17:55:09
Jia bit her lip seeing her remaining days. Her eyes flicker, the equilibrium vanishes quickly as the wind goes from the window and touches Jia's vulnerable cheeks. The big numbers floating in the air chose to disturb her, indicating the reality that Jia has a mission. When her heart finally received grace nevertheless it also soon faded. She likes to blame the timing yet Jia sighed instead. She needs to check their GC or their school site to see who is the winner of the event. But Yumi's text pops up on the notification.
From: Yumi,
There's a celebration in Yejun's house. He won first place! Come quickly when you read the message. Penelope and Juno were already there. Love you!
End.
Jia received a text from Mr. Choi. Her business receives an order and Jia needs to sign documents before producing the big order. Her crafts business is doing good. The client likes her new designs and orders in bulk. Jia is lucky to have Mr. Choi who handles the job efficiently. He said to give her the documents later on and study them carefully. Jia answers him with okay and a polite thank you.
For now, Jia is busy with her school and her missions. She preferred someone who could handle and act as CEO so she could do whatever she wanted. Jia likes to have her own schedule. She compromises enough and it's hard doing all the work with limited time.
The pink sky mixes up with the yellowish, purple, and orange. There were light clouds above and it only added the beauty of twilight. Jia likes to watch the sky, she had no chance before. In her past life, being on top above everything else is all of her concern. Jia is greedy for attention and prestige, which destroys her later on. Happiness is like a curse, she thought that being someone who was on top made her sovereign, that no one could hurt her since she won't let it happen. However, learning that being happy in a simple way is like a slap. It doesn't matter who you are, what status you are in society, being happy is appreciating what you have. Loving things or people that matter around you. Protecting them so they could smile with you together. There are a lot of reasons and Jia regrets that she got blinded by false sovereignty. She's making it right and having a limited time makes her treasure more of her remaining days. She's just afraid of confrontation. She needs to tell Yumi and apologize again. She needs to make sure that they won't get hurt and choose their future properly, those things Jia stole from them in the past.
Yejun's house is bigger than Jia imagined it to be. The modern setting gives her familiar vibes. She likes glamorous things, that's for sure. Jia isn't aware that she looks like she just did a marathon. Her ponytail is not tight anymore, more strands of her hair are free shaping her small face. Her mint hoodie is messed up same with her skirt uniform.
"Hello. I'm here for Yejun Lee-ssi." Jia says in the intercom after paying the taxi and goes out to click the small machine beside the big gate.
"May I know your name mam?" Says the voice inside. It's kinda scratchy but Jia just proceeds to tell her name.
"Jia Kim." She hums, Jia watches the gate open on its own. She smirks watching it happen.
Someone was already waiting for her and Jia greeted the old man.
"Hello. I'm Jia Kim, I'm here for my friend Yejun." Jia smiles. She stares at the old man and bows at her politely, the guards Jia sees in her home are not in the vicinity. If Jia knows less, she will think that they are gone but that's not the case.
"Hi, Miss Jia. Please follow me to the young master." Jia hummed to him before walking to follow him.
They made it to the drawing-room. If that's what they called it. Jia sees Juno playing a VR game with a white controller in his hands and there's a huge tv screen. Juno looks stupid playing it. There's also a goggle with black and white covering his eyes. She heard Penelope laugh at Juno cursing the poor little girl on the TV. He's playing some horror on it.
"Hello, guys." Jia greeted, she forgets the old man who guides her inside, he is long gone when she checks him on her back. That's fast.
Hyuck is nowhere the same as Yejun. Yumi and Penelope are eating cakes, they are playfully teasing Juno before shifting their gaze on her.
"Oh my god! Jia!"
Jia got startled by the loud shout from Yumi. She marches her way with a frown on her face. Yumi cupped both of her cheeks before she asked.
"Are you okay?"
End of Chapter 41.