The knock came hard and fast.
jolted awake, my heart racing before my eyes were even fully open. The room was still dim, the faint blue of early morning pressing through the curtains. I reached for my phone. 6:00 a.m.
Who could be knocking this early?
I slid off the bed and rushed to the door, still half-asleep. The moment I opened it, someone stumbled inside and collapsed at my feet.
"Yoon!" I cried.
She was shaking violently, her body trembling as if she had been dragged out of freezing water. Her lips quivered, her teeth chattered, yet when I placed my hand on her forehead, her temperature felt strangely normal.
"Yoon, what's wrong?" I asked, panic rising in my chest.
She clutched at my legs weakly. "Jina… I don't feel well."
I helped her up quickly and guided her to my bed. She wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, curling into herself as though trying to disappear.
"When did this start?" I asked, kneeling beside her.
"Just now," she whispered. "I feel… so cold. So weak."
"We need to take you to the clinic," I said immediately. "They'll—"
She grabbed my wrist with surprising strength. Her eyes were wide, almost frantic.
"No," she said, shaking her head. "Please. I can't go to hospitals or clinics. I can't. I have a phobia."
Her shaking worsened, and fear flickered across her face in a way that made my chest tighten.
"Okay," I said softly. "Okay, don't worry. I won't force you."
I rushed to my flask, poured hot water into a bowl, and dipped a towel into it. I gently rubbed her arms and shoulders, then placed another warm cloth on her forehead. I tucked the blanket tighter around her and sat beside her, watching her breathing slowly steady.
She looked helpless. Vulnerable.
I checked the time again. Still early—but today wasn't just any day.
I had plans. Important ones. Jan and I were supposed to leave early, to finally follow the trail that had haunted us for weeks.
My chest tightened.
What should I do?
I couldn't leave Yoon like this. I just couldn't.
A knock came again, softer this time.
Tap. Tap.
I rushed to the door and opened it to see Jan standing there, a towel wrapped around her head, her face still fresh from a shower.
"Jina," she said quickly. "I came to wake you up. We need to leave early if we're going to—"
"Jan, wait," I interrupted, my voice tense.
She frowned and stepped back slightly. "What's wrong?"
"I… I think we need to postpone."
Her eyes widened. "Postpone what?"
"Today," I said. "Everything."
Jan stared at me like she hadn't heard correctly. "Why?"
Before I could answer, she pushed the door open wider and saw Yoon on my bed, still trembling beneath the blanket.
Jan grabbed my arm and pulled me outside, shutting the door behind us.
"Jina," she hissed. "Since when did you turn into a doctor?"
"She's sick," I said firmly. "She has nobody."
"And so?" Jan snapped. "Does that mean our plans should just disappear?"
"You don't understand," I said, lowering my voice. "I can't leave her like this. I won't be comfortable. What if something happens to her?"
Jan folded her arms, anger flashing in her eyes. "You always do this. You always put others first, and that's exactly why people use you."
"Jan," I called softly.
She turned away.
"This is my business too," i said bitterly. "What we planned—it concerns me as much as you.
And now you want to cancel because of someone you barely know?"jan said with anger in her
"She's afraid of hospitals," I said. "She told me herself."
"We could still take her to the clinic and leave a nurse with her," Jan argued.
"No," I replied. "Not today. We can do this next weekend."
Jan stared at me for a long moment, then sat heavily on the bed in her room, frustration written all over her face. I hugged her tightly.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "You're my best friend. I promise next weekend. I won't disappoint you."
She sighed, pulled away, and stood up. "Whatever," she muttered, disappearing into her room and slamming the door shut.
I stood there for a moment, guilt weighing heavily on me, before returning to my room.
Yoon had fallen asleep.
Her face looked peaceful now, her breathing slow and even. I gently placed my fingers on her forehead again. Normal.
I pulled a chair to the window and sat there quietly, watching the tree outside. Raven wasn't there today. The branches swayed slightly in the morning breeze.
I opened my novel but couldn't focus. My mind kept replaying everything.
I heard a door shut—Jan's. I rushed out and saw her walking toward the stairs, her back straight, not once looking back.
"She must be really angry," I murmured to myself before retreating into my room.
Yoon stirred and coughed softly.
"Thank you, Jina," she said weakly. "I know I spoiled your plans."
"No," I replied quickly. "You didn't. There will always be another time."
She smiled faintly and closed her eyes again.
After a while, I decided to go look for Jan. I couldn't let her stay angry.
She wasn't in the cafeteria.
As I turned to leave, a familiar voice called out.
"Jina."
I turned to see Minho standing there, smiling as usual.
"Hi, Minho," I said.
"You've been quite busy lately," he said casually. "With your new friend."
"You mean Jan?" I asked.
"No," he replied. "The transferred student."
I nodded slowly. "Yes."
"I need to tell you something," he said, his smile fading just a little.
I hesitated, then sat as he gestured toward a seat.
"It's about Yoon," Minho said quietly. "I don't want to scare you, but I think you should know."
My heart skipped. "What about her?"
"She's not who she seems," he said. "I saw her last night. Around the tree. With a group of boys. Whispering."
I frowned. "When?"
"Around 8 p.m."
My mind raced.
From 7 p.m. to almost 11 p.m., Yoon had been with me. We played games. We talked. I remembered checking the time when I left her room.
"That's not possible," I thought, but I said nothing.
"Are you sure it was her?" I asked slowly.
"Are you calling me a liar?" Minho replied calmly. "Have I ever lied to you before?"
I stood up. "Thank you for telling me. I'll be careful."
As I turned away, Jan appeared, smiling brightly.
"Hey, best friend," she said.
"You're not angry anymore?" I asked.
She hugged me. "No. I'm fine."
Minho stood and walked away.
"Jan," I said quietly, "Minho told me something about Yoon."
Jan stopped. "What did he say?"
"He said he saw her last night. With some people."
Jan's face hardened. "I was going to tell you the same thing."
I stared at her. "You saw her too?"
"Yes," Jan said. "Around 9 p.m. Before I called you."
My chest tightened.
Okay hold on jan
You mean you saw her immediately after you called me on phone?
Yes Jina jan said holding me"
Jina yoon is not who she might be
And I need you to be careful
I stood looking at jan
And then my mind went to what Minho said too
Is like jan is angry that am keeping new friends that's why she just want to lie
I over looked it as I looked at her holding her
Hands
Jan listen
Just know you are my best friend and nobody will take your position in my life okay
Jan hold me too as she smiled
And why did you say that
I smiled back at her
Nothing jan
Too many contradictions. Too many coincidences.
"Be careful," Jan whispered. "Yoon isn't who she seems."
I forced a smile and hugged her. "
She hugged me back, smiling.
Back in my room, Yoon still lay on my bed, wrapped in the blanket.
I sat there, my thoughts spiraling.
Jan could be jealous. That, I could understand.
But Minho?
Why would Minho lie?
And if he wasn't lying… then who exactly had I been spending my time with?
I turned looking at yoon who still lay on the bed eyes closed