Music woke me — the muffled thump of bass, laughter, the rustle of people moving about. I opened my door and there was Jan, paint streaked across her cheeks, glitter in her hair, grinning like it was the best morning in the world. She hugged me so tight I almost forgot to breathe.
"Jina! Today is my birthday and I was expecting you to wish me first," she said, smiling.
"Oh my," I laughed, returning the hug.
"What's the time? Jina, it's already eleven. Don't tell me you've been sleeping," she teased.
"Sorry, Jan. Why didn't you wake me?" I asked.
"I didn't sleep in your room — I was preparing for this. Come on!" she said, dragging me toward her room.
Inside, music pulsed, a few students danced, others sat in small clusters talking. Decorations were half-hung, a cheap banner sagged, and the room smelled faintly of perfume and fried snacks. Seeing it all, I felt a small relief; for once, normalcy looked possible.
"Thank goodness your birthday falls on a weekend," I said, sitting down and glancing at the clothes Jan had laid out. I couldn't stay in pajamas for this.
"Just come fast. I don't want to wait long," Jan said. I smiled and slipped back to my room.
I shut my door and pulled out a dress, watching the fabric as my door opened and Yoon stepped in. She sat down on the bed like she'd been there all morning.
"Yoon, it's been a while. How have you been?" I asked.
"And you didn't check on me?" she replied, sliding onto the bed.
"Sorry, Yoon. I've been so busy recently. I traveled to my hometown and only came back yesterday," she said,
I went into the bathroom for a quick shower. The routine wash felt oddly grounding.
"Are you going out?" Yoon asked when I emerged from the bathroom, towel wrapped around me.
"No, today is Jan's birthday. I'm just going to celebrate with her in her room," I said.
Yoon tilted her head, curious, but didn't press. She stood up, smoothed her skirt, and said, "Okay. Since I'm free, I'll come with you." She stepped out and waited outside my door.
I hesitated for a moment, then stepped out and shut the door behind me. "Let's go," I said.
Jan saw me and smiled wide when I entered her room. But when Yoon came in, Jan's face flickered. She glanced at Yoon, then at me.
"Jan, can we celebrate the birthday? Don't worry about her," I said quickly, sensing the moment turning awkward.
Jan stared at Yoon for a while, then nodded slowly. She stood and pulled me up; we started dancing. Yoon sat and watched us, quiet, almost still. The small dance left me breathless; I sank down beside Yoon for a rest.
"Okay, in the happiness of my birthday," Jan announced, producing a bottle of red wine like a magician revealing a trick. "Let's celebrate." She poured a glass and handed it to me, making a point not to include Yoon. Then she leaned close to whisper, "You're free to get drunk for the moment."
I smiled and raised the glass to my lips.
Then, with a sudden whoosh, the glass slipped. Yoon had tried to adjust her cloth and accidentally knocked the cup. Red wine cascaded across my dress and the floor in a spreading stain. Glass shattered in a tight scatter.
Jan turned immediately, eyes sharp. I stood with the spilled drink clinging to my dress.
"Am sorry, Jina," Yoon said, standing up quickly. Her voice trembled.
Jan looked at Yoon, then back at me. "What happened, Jina?"
"It's just an accident," I said, looking down at the broken glass.
"Oh no — the glass cost a lot," Jan fretted for a second, then shook her head. "Don't worry. We have plenty."
"Okay, Jan. Let me clean up. I'll be right back," I said, and Yoon hurried ahead of me.
"Am sorry, Jina. I didn't see the glass in your hands," she apologized as I opened the door.
"It's okay, Yoon. My dress is ruined; I'll change," I told her, stepping into the bathroom to swap outfits.
Yoon paced the hall for a while, watching me. "Are you sure you're okay?" I asked.
She nodded. "Yes."
"Are you going back in?" she asked.
"Of course. It's my best friend's birthday," I answered, slipping into a fresh dress.
Yoon pressed her phone before she left. "I'll be back," she said in a hurry and shut the door.
I finished dressing and stepped out, only to have my phone ring. An unfamiliar number flashed, but the voice was familiar.
"Hey, Jina." It was Raven.
I stood frozen for a moment. "Raven? I never knew you had my number."
"Can I see you? The cafeteria. Please — now. It's urgent." His voice was sharp, not his usual flat calm. He never begged.
There was no argument in my head this time. I slipped out of of my room softly, shutting the door so Jan wouldn't hear and scold me for leaving. The music kept playing; everyone seemed drunk on the small happiness of the morning.
Raven sat in the cafeteria, all black, still as a statue. Seeing him there instead of in his tree felt strange.
"Why here?" I asked as I sat down beside him.
"Because I don't want you to stand for long, and you can't climb the tree," he replied.
"Stand for long?" I echoed.
"Yes. I want you to help me with something."
He showed me one of his palms — raw and fresh, a visible wound. "What happened to you?" I asked, alarmed.
"I was separating two friends from a fight and I was accidentally hit," he said.
"Let me take you to the clinic," I grabbed his hand, ready.
He waved me down. "Don't worry. I already treated it."
Then he took two notebooks from his bag and placed them on the table. "I need your handwriting. I have to submit these this evening."
My eyes widened. "Raven, there's no way I can finish this in time."
"I know," he said, looking at me steadily. "But I'll manage anywhere you stop. Please — I need you to write and I need to watch you. There are mistakes I want to show you."
Raven today is Jan's birthday and I needed to be there…
"Birthdays can be celebrated another year," he added, a small plea in his voice.
"Raven, you're asking me to skip Jan's birthday?" I protested. "She'll be mad."
"Have I ever begged you for a favour before?" Raven asked with bare sincerity. "Please, Jina."
I watched him for a long moment, then nodded. He gently took my phone from me and switched it off. "So your friend won't disturb you. When you're done, tell her any story you like."
He led me to the back of the classroom where it was quiet. We sat at a desk; the notebooks looked heavier than their pages should allow. I began to write. He breathed softly beside me — not interfering, only present. At one point he handed me a bottle of water.
The pen moved faster than my tired hands wanted, my eyes stinging.
Sleep tugged at me. "I can't sleep now," I muttered, forcing my eyes open. Raven would not be pleased.
I wrote a little but my lids grew heavy. The words blurred. My head dropped onto the desk.
"Jina, Jina," a small tap woke me. Raven smiled. "Don't worry. The note is all written. You tried."
I blinked and opened the notebook; the pages were filled in neat, even hand. I stared at him in disbelief.
"It's already eleven," he said,
Eleven!
I found my self saying as I checked my phone and is 11pm
Oh no,but how did I sleep this long?
handing me back my phone. "You must be weak. All you've been through…"
He stood, offering a steady hand. I felt oddly protected. We walked back through the dark halls. At my door he paused.
"You can tell Jan whatever you need to tomorrow. She'll forgive you."
Then Raven left without another word.
I watched him go and felt something unfamiliar — a small, foolish warmth. I smiled and went inside, shutting the door behind me.
I lay down on the bed, still in my dress, replaying the day: Jan's laugh, the broken glass, Yoon's apology, Raven's wounded hand,Raven had changed — not in huge, obvious ways, but in small, steady ones
Sleep took me soon after