Lonely Ch 9
Title: Lonely Ch 9
Author: limnological
Rating: PG
Pairing: YoonYul
Description: AU, Slice of life
Chapter 9
When Yoona awoke, she temporarily forgot where she was. She glanced around at the empty classroom, remembering that she had fallen asleep next to Yuri. Lightly she shook Yuri’s shoulders who was strangely still asleep.
“Good morning.”
Yuri came to her senses quickly and shook her head, wanting to get rid of the drowsiness. “Morning. What time is it?”
“Almost four.”
Yuri gasped, worry on her face. “Will you be late for work?”
“I’m off today, but we should get going before it starts pouring.”
Yuri nodded and they stood up, making their way to the back of the classroom. As Yoona reached for the door, lightning flashed across the sky and onto the door frame.
Yoona’s body tensed up, nerves on edge.
Soon enough, what she anticipated came. The thunder crashed wildly outside, sending her into fear.
“AGH!”
Yoona instantly crouched onto the floor, hands clasping onto her ears for protection. Her body shook a little as her face winced.
“Yoona?”
Yuri was taken aback by Yoona’s sudden behavior. Then she remembered that Yoona had said she was afraid of thunder.
Yoona honestly looked deathly afraid to Yuri.
Quickly, Yuri left her side to shut the blinds. After doing so, she returned to Yoona with a look of worry in her eyes.
Yuri crouched down, eyes kept on Yoona’s face as the latter’s eyes were shut.
“Yoong. Look at me.”
It took a few seconds for Yoona to respond, eyes opening.
“What did you say?”
“Yoong.” Yuri repeated it.
“Is that my nickname?”
Yuri nodded.
“It’s good to give a person you’ve become close with a nickname.”
Yoona laughed lightly. “Thank you. I like it.”
Yuri smiled softly, eyes full of concern. “Are you afraid right now?”
Before she could answer, Yoona froze as lightning streaked across the windows again. She covered her ears, eyes shut, bracing herself for the thunderous noise. This time, she felt another pair of hands go over her own. Yoona opened her eyes as that familiar touch shielded her.
She saw how Yuri was afraid too, her face wincing at the sound of the harsh rain and cackling thunder and yet, she was trying to comfort her.
“Yul…”
Yuri released her hands and sat by Yoona’s side. “You should focus on something else.”
“Like what?”
Carefully, Yuri reached for Yoona’s palm and started to trace her finger over it.
“Focus your attention on touch instead of sound.”
Yoona stared at Yuri as the latter’s finger began tracing random patterns onto her palm. It was such a simple idea, and maybe even silly, but it was enough to move Yoona’s heart.
Yuri was such an incredibly kind and innocent girl.
Yoona concentrated on the physical touch, but she was pretty sure that Yuri was just drawing random lines and patterns.
It was okay though because it was working.
Yoona liked how Yuri’s touch was giving her a tickling sensation, enough to keep her concentration on it instead of the sounds of the sky.
She wasn’t sure if she could say the same though for her beating chest, heart wanting to jump out.
It was a feeling that she had never felt before with anyone and it was a little scary to her. It was scary how Yuri was starting to make her feel this way.
They sat there for who knows how long until the grey clouds began to clear up. Yuri had kept her movement constant, not stopping once. As the classroom began to have some light, Yoona grinned widely at Yuri.
“Yul?”
She still didn’t stop.
“Mhh?”
“You’re a sweet girl, you know that?”
Yuri blushed, her finger paused.
“No… I didn’t know that.”
Yoona grinned. “Well, you are.”
Yuri stood up, too embarrassed to face Yoona. She held out her hand for the younger girl.
“Let’s go home, Yoong.”
Without hesitation, Yoona reached for that comforting hand.
“Let’s go home, Yul.”
--
Day 23
Hara and Yuri sat in their usual spots, heads nodding as they finalized the costume designs. A few other students were sitting with them, assigned to help bring their creation to life.
“Alright, I think this is it.” Hara slowly set the designs down onto the desk. “I think it’s time for us to talk to the make-up artists.”
Yuri nodded. “Who’s the team leader for the make-up artists?”
Hara hesitated before speaking. “It’s okay. I can explain the designs to her.”
Yuri shook her head. “We should both go.”
She wasn’t sure why Hara was suddenly prancing around the topic at hand. When they did make their way to where the make-up artists were meeting, Yuri understood. She recognized who the team leader was, albeit with some difficulty.
The person in charge of make-up was the girl who had hurt her so long ago about being friends with Yoona.
Hyuna froze as Yuri stood before her, the air around that particular table tensing up.
Hara was the first to speak. “We’d like to talk to you about the looks we’re going for with the costumes and make-up.”
Hyuna was still frozen, unsure of what to say to Yuri. Her eyes searched for an escape and she managed a meager, “Excuse me. I’ll be back.”
She left the class room abruptly, shame and guilt clawing at her insides.
--
Hyuna bit on her fingernails as she paced the hallway, feeling stupid and full of shame. Yoona’s words had etched into her conscience, driving her to feel guilt for the words she had spoken to Yuri.
“Wait.”
Hyuna froze again. She didn’t expect was Yuri to follow her out in the hallway. She turned around slowly. The two of them stood there awkwardly, no one else in sight and out of everyone’s hearing range.
Hyuna knew she was being a coward, knew she was wrong, knew she had said awful things to the girl before her a few weeks ago.
She knew because she was once bullied, too.
Was it her pride that refused to let her apologize? Or was it something else?
“You…” Yuri started first and Hyuna’s senses heightened. “You and I are the same.”
The Kwon Yuri who stood before her was different from the Kwon Yuri she had ridiculed weeks ago. This person who was now near blind without her glasses could see right through her. This was the true Kwon Yuri. Hyuna’s jaw tightened and she wanted to run away, shame and embarrassment enveloping her.
Yuri struggled to find the words she wanted to convey, managing to come up with a few brief sentences. “We’ve both been hurt by people… Hurt by something they said, something they might not have meant. That day, you didn’t mean those words…”
Hyuna’s defense mechanisms snapped up. “And what if I did?”
“Then you wouldn’t be feeling this way.”
To Yuri’s surprise, the words came out without hesitation.
It was dead-on and Hyuna felt like her world had come crashing down.
Yuri did understand her.
Someone understood her.
They were one and the same, but the difference was how they chose to react to those painful moments.
Yuri blamed the words people said while Hyuna blamed the people. Yuri still saw the good in people, giving them the benefit of the doubt. It was foolish and naïve. Hyuna absorbed the anger and released it back out on other innocent victims. It was cowardly and wrong.
“…I was jealous.” Hyuna muttered weakly, tears brimming in her eyes. “Because you - you were saved. Someone had given you a chance while I had to fight my way out. I was jealous of you.”
Pity washed over Yuri as she knew all too well why Hyuna was hurt.
“I am lucky, aren’t I?” Yuri said it with gratitude and yet sympathy as she looked at the younger girl before her. “But you still have a chance to change. Don’t be a monster like those who had hurt us, okay?”
It was something Hyuna heard so many times from so many people, yet when Yuri said it, it meant a thousand times more. She figured it was because Yuri understood the best. Yuri had felt her share of bullying just like Hyuna. Yuri had the ability to empathize more with Hyuna.
Hyuna refused to let the tears drop, wiping them with the back of her hand, nodding.
“I’m sorry.”
Yuri shook her head, sticking her hand out towards the girl for a handshake.
“Let’s be friends, Hyuna.”
A smile formed on both of their faces as Hyuna reciprocated the handshake.
--
The make-up artists and costume design crew were able to hit it off and get things done. As the bell rung, everyone at that meeting said their goodbyes and left their desks. Soon enough, only Hara and Yuri were sitting at that particular table. Both girls were sketching on the pages before them, wanting to hurry and finish the last minute ideas and touches.
Hara glanced at Yuri, and then placed her pen down. Cautiously, she asked, “You and Hyuna made up?”
This statement took Yuri by surprise. She stopped sketching and looked up at Hara’s face. “How did you know we had a mishap?”
“I’ve been meaning to tell you for quite some time now…” Hara let on an apologetic smile. “I was there when she had hurt you. I’m sorry. My apology is past overdue, but… I am sorry for not stopping her when she said those awful things to you.”
All this time, Yuri didn’t realize Hara was one of the girls who were there when Hyuna had scrutinized her. Yuri’s vision was impaired then, and she had yet to formally meet Hara. Then she remembered when Hara and she had first met. Hara had shown some reluctance during that time.
Carefully, Yuri scrambled for words that could express how she felt. With some thought, she opened her mouth to speak.
“Recently, I’ve learned that sometimes people can become hurt if you don’t speak up.”
More guilt washed over Hara as Yuri spoke a simple truth. Hara nodded solemnly, agreeing with the other girl. “It’s true.”
“But…even if it’s late, you spoke up now and I think it still counts.”
Essentially, they were words of forgiveness.
Hara nodded, happy to have gotten that burden off her chest while Yuri smiled.
Much had happened today for Kwon Yuri.
--
When Yoona and Yuri walked home that day, Yoona asked her an innocent question, unaware of the events that had transpired earlier.
“Did anything exciting happen for you during practice?”
“Yeah. Something did.”
“What was it?”
“I grew up a little.” She smiled as she kept on walking, looking at the hand that had shared a handshake with Hyuna. “I was able to express myself properly. I was able to tell someone what I wanted to, from the bottom of my heart.”
Yoona grinned happily, letting the moment soak around them. She didn’t prod further, satisfied with the gleam in Yuri’s eyes as she said those things.
--
Day 24
Jessica, Yuri, and Yoona were sitting in the courtyard for lunch while Tiffany was off running errands.
Yuri blinked twice at what Yoona had just asked.
“Walk Yuri home?” Jessica raised an eyebrow as she bit into her Pepero stick. “You want me to walk Yuri home?”
Yoona nodded, face full of apology. “I’d like to get some extra practice after school today with everyone, but I don’t want to make Yuri wait for me.”
Yuri raised her hands in protest. “It’s okay. I don’t want to trouble Jessica.”
“Yul, I’d feel more relaxed knowing you got home safe without tripping over anything.”
Jessica bit into the biscuit stick again. “Sure. I can walk her home.”
Yoona beamed with happiness while Yuri felt like she was imposing on Jessica.
“Thank you Jessica!”
--
“Do you live very far?” Jessica asked as they left the main gate.
Yuri shook her head. “It’s about a fifteen minute walk.”
Silence fell upon them as they walked. Come to think of it, Yuri and Jessica had never been together just one-on-one. Yet this silence was comforting in a way. Jessica’s aura was comforting, very calm as they walked. Something about Jessica’s vibe egged Yuri on to ask her for advice.
“Jessica?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you and Tiffany very close friends?”
“You could say that.”
“Is it strange to want to buy things for your close friends?”
The odd topic didn’t faze Jessica at all.
“Not at all.”
“What about just a friend?”
“Is it their birthday?”
“No.”
“Then you must be closer friends than you think.” Jessica smiled while Yuri became shyer. “Do you want to get Yoona a gift?”
Yuri nodded. “I saw something that she really liked and I wanted to get it for her.”
“What is it?”
Yuri hesitated, not wanting to impose further on Jessica, but this was a good chance since Yoona was always by her side.
“…Do you think we could take a detour?”
--
“Re-la-koo-ma? Am I saying that right?” Jessica asked as her eyes wandered around the store full of accessories, plushies, and clothes of the cute bear.
“I’m not sure.” Yuri picked up a cell phone case and showed it to Jessica. “Is this cute?”
Jessica nodded. “It fits Yoona’s personality.”
Yuri smiled widely, making her way to the cashier.
A soft smile crept onto Jessica’s face as she watched the younger girl do so.
Yuri had stated there was no reason for the gift, but Jessica knew why she was doing it; it was a gift of endearment.
A gift for no reason, and yet that simply, was a good enough reason.
Author: limnological
Rating: PG
Pairing: YoonYul
Description: AU, Slice of life
Chapter 9
When Yoona awoke, she temporarily forgot where she was. She glanced around at the empty classroom, remembering that she had fallen asleep next to Yuri. Lightly she shook Yuri’s shoulders who was strangely still asleep.
“Good morning.”
Yuri came to her senses quickly and shook her head, wanting to get rid of the drowsiness. “Morning. What time is it?”
“Almost four.”
Yuri gasped, worry on her face. “Will you be late for work?”
“I’m off today, but we should get going before it starts pouring.”
Yuri nodded and they stood up, making their way to the back of the classroom. As Yoona reached for the door, lightning flashed across the sky and onto the door frame.
Yoona’s body tensed up, nerves on edge.
Soon enough, what she anticipated came. The thunder crashed wildly outside, sending her into fear.
“AGH!”
Yoona instantly crouched onto the floor, hands clasping onto her ears for protection. Her body shook a little as her face winced.
“Yoona?”
Yuri was taken aback by Yoona’s sudden behavior. Then she remembered that Yoona had said she was afraid of thunder.
Yoona honestly looked deathly afraid to Yuri.
Quickly, Yuri left her side to shut the blinds. After doing so, she returned to Yoona with a look of worry in her eyes.
Yuri crouched down, eyes kept on Yoona’s face as the latter’s eyes were shut.
“Yoong. Look at me.”
It took a few seconds for Yoona to respond, eyes opening.
“What did you say?”
“Yoong.” Yuri repeated it.
“Is that my nickname?”
Yuri nodded.
“It’s good to give a person you’ve become close with a nickname.”
Yoona laughed lightly. “Thank you. I like it.”
Yuri smiled softly, eyes full of concern. “Are you afraid right now?”
Before she could answer, Yoona froze as lightning streaked across the windows again. She covered her ears, eyes shut, bracing herself for the thunderous noise. This time, she felt another pair of hands go over her own. Yoona opened her eyes as that familiar touch shielded her.
She saw how Yuri was afraid too, her face wincing at the sound of the harsh rain and cackling thunder and yet, she was trying to comfort her.
“Yul…”
Yuri released her hands and sat by Yoona’s side. “You should focus on something else.”
“Like what?”
Carefully, Yuri reached for Yoona’s palm and started to trace her finger over it.
“Focus your attention on touch instead of sound.”
Yoona stared at Yuri as the latter’s finger began tracing random patterns onto her palm. It was such a simple idea, and maybe even silly, but it was enough to move Yoona’s heart.
Yuri was such an incredibly kind and innocent girl.
Yoona concentrated on the physical touch, but she was pretty sure that Yuri was just drawing random lines and patterns.
It was okay though because it was working.
Yoona liked how Yuri’s touch was giving her a tickling sensation, enough to keep her concentration on it instead of the sounds of the sky.
She wasn’t sure if she could say the same though for her beating chest, heart wanting to jump out.
It was a feeling that she had never felt before with anyone and it was a little scary to her. It was scary how Yuri was starting to make her feel this way.
They sat there for who knows how long until the grey clouds began to clear up. Yuri had kept her movement constant, not stopping once. As the classroom began to have some light, Yoona grinned widely at Yuri.
“Yul?”
She still didn’t stop.
“Mhh?”
“You’re a sweet girl, you know that?”
Yuri blushed, her finger paused.
“No… I didn’t know that.”
Yoona grinned. “Well, you are.”
Yuri stood up, too embarrassed to face Yoona. She held out her hand for the younger girl.
“Let’s go home, Yoong.”
Without hesitation, Yoona reached for that comforting hand.
“Let’s go home, Yul.”
--
Day 23
Hara and Yuri sat in their usual spots, heads nodding as they finalized the costume designs. A few other students were sitting with them, assigned to help bring their creation to life.
“Alright, I think this is it.” Hara slowly set the designs down onto the desk. “I think it’s time for us to talk to the make-up artists.”
Yuri nodded. “Who’s the team leader for the make-up artists?”
Hara hesitated before speaking. “It’s okay. I can explain the designs to her.”
Yuri shook her head. “We should both go.”
She wasn’t sure why Hara was suddenly prancing around the topic at hand. When they did make their way to where the make-up artists were meeting, Yuri understood. She recognized who the team leader was, albeit with some difficulty.
The person in charge of make-up was the girl who had hurt her so long ago about being friends with Yoona.
Hyuna froze as Yuri stood before her, the air around that particular table tensing up.
Hara was the first to speak. “We’d like to talk to you about the looks we’re going for with the costumes and make-up.”
Hyuna was still frozen, unsure of what to say to Yuri. Her eyes searched for an escape and she managed a meager, “Excuse me. I’ll be back.”
She left the class room abruptly, shame and guilt clawing at her insides.
--
Hyuna bit on her fingernails as she paced the hallway, feeling stupid and full of shame. Yoona’s words had etched into her conscience, driving her to feel guilt for the words she had spoken to Yuri.
“Wait.”
Hyuna froze again. She didn’t expect was Yuri to follow her out in the hallway. She turned around slowly. The two of them stood there awkwardly, no one else in sight and out of everyone’s hearing range.
Hyuna knew she was being a coward, knew she was wrong, knew she had said awful things to the girl before her a few weeks ago.
She knew because she was once bullied, too.
Was it her pride that refused to let her apologize? Or was it something else?
“You…” Yuri started first and Hyuna’s senses heightened. “You and I are the same.”
The Kwon Yuri who stood before her was different from the Kwon Yuri she had ridiculed weeks ago. This person who was now near blind without her glasses could see right through her. This was the true Kwon Yuri. Hyuna’s jaw tightened and she wanted to run away, shame and embarrassment enveloping her.
Yuri struggled to find the words she wanted to convey, managing to come up with a few brief sentences. “We’ve both been hurt by people… Hurt by something they said, something they might not have meant. That day, you didn’t mean those words…”
Hyuna’s defense mechanisms snapped up. “And what if I did?”
“Then you wouldn’t be feeling this way.”
To Yuri’s surprise, the words came out without hesitation.
It was dead-on and Hyuna felt like her world had come crashing down.
Yuri did understand her.
Someone understood her.
They were one and the same, but the difference was how they chose to react to those painful moments.
Yuri blamed the words people said while Hyuna blamed the people. Yuri still saw the good in people, giving them the benefit of the doubt. It was foolish and naïve. Hyuna absorbed the anger and released it back out on other innocent victims. It was cowardly and wrong.
“…I was jealous.” Hyuna muttered weakly, tears brimming in her eyes. “Because you - you were saved. Someone had given you a chance while I had to fight my way out. I was jealous of you.”
Pity washed over Yuri as she knew all too well why Hyuna was hurt.
“I am lucky, aren’t I?” Yuri said it with gratitude and yet sympathy as she looked at the younger girl before her. “But you still have a chance to change. Don’t be a monster like those who had hurt us, okay?”
It was something Hyuna heard so many times from so many people, yet when Yuri said it, it meant a thousand times more. She figured it was because Yuri understood the best. Yuri had felt her share of bullying just like Hyuna. Yuri had the ability to empathize more with Hyuna.
Hyuna refused to let the tears drop, wiping them with the back of her hand, nodding.
“I’m sorry.”
Yuri shook her head, sticking her hand out towards the girl for a handshake.
“Let’s be friends, Hyuna.”
A smile formed on both of their faces as Hyuna reciprocated the handshake.
--
The make-up artists and costume design crew were able to hit it off and get things done. As the bell rung, everyone at that meeting said their goodbyes and left their desks. Soon enough, only Hara and Yuri were sitting at that particular table. Both girls were sketching on the pages before them, wanting to hurry and finish the last minute ideas and touches.
Hara glanced at Yuri, and then placed her pen down. Cautiously, she asked, “You and Hyuna made up?”
This statement took Yuri by surprise. She stopped sketching and looked up at Hara’s face. “How did you know we had a mishap?”
“I’ve been meaning to tell you for quite some time now…” Hara let on an apologetic smile. “I was there when she had hurt you. I’m sorry. My apology is past overdue, but… I am sorry for not stopping her when she said those awful things to you.”
All this time, Yuri didn’t realize Hara was one of the girls who were there when Hyuna had scrutinized her. Yuri’s vision was impaired then, and she had yet to formally meet Hara. Then she remembered when Hara and she had first met. Hara had shown some reluctance during that time.
Carefully, Yuri scrambled for words that could express how she felt. With some thought, she opened her mouth to speak.
“Recently, I’ve learned that sometimes people can become hurt if you don’t speak up.”
More guilt washed over Hara as Yuri spoke a simple truth. Hara nodded solemnly, agreeing with the other girl. “It’s true.”
“But…even if it’s late, you spoke up now and I think it still counts.”
Essentially, they were words of forgiveness.
Hara nodded, happy to have gotten that burden off her chest while Yuri smiled.
Much had happened today for Kwon Yuri.
--
When Yoona and Yuri walked home that day, Yoona asked her an innocent question, unaware of the events that had transpired earlier.
“Did anything exciting happen for you during practice?”
“Yeah. Something did.”
“What was it?”
“I grew up a little.” She smiled as she kept on walking, looking at the hand that had shared a handshake with Hyuna. “I was able to express myself properly. I was able to tell someone what I wanted to, from the bottom of my heart.”
Yoona grinned happily, letting the moment soak around them. She didn’t prod further, satisfied with the gleam in Yuri’s eyes as she said those things.
--
Day 24
Jessica, Yuri, and Yoona were sitting in the courtyard for lunch while Tiffany was off running errands.
Yuri blinked twice at what Yoona had just asked.
“Walk Yuri home?” Jessica raised an eyebrow as she bit into her Pepero stick. “You want me to walk Yuri home?”
Yoona nodded, face full of apology. “I’d like to get some extra practice after school today with everyone, but I don’t want to make Yuri wait for me.”
Yuri raised her hands in protest. “It’s okay. I don’t want to trouble Jessica.”
“Yul, I’d feel more relaxed knowing you got home safe without tripping over anything.”
Jessica bit into the biscuit stick again. “Sure. I can walk her home.”
Yoona beamed with happiness while Yuri felt like she was imposing on Jessica.
“Thank you Jessica!”
--
“Do you live very far?” Jessica asked as they left the main gate.
Yuri shook her head. “It’s about a fifteen minute walk.”
Silence fell upon them as they walked. Come to think of it, Yuri and Jessica had never been together just one-on-one. Yet this silence was comforting in a way. Jessica’s aura was comforting, very calm as they walked. Something about Jessica’s vibe egged Yuri on to ask her for advice.
“Jessica?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you and Tiffany very close friends?”
“You could say that.”
“Is it strange to want to buy things for your close friends?”
The odd topic didn’t faze Jessica at all.
“Not at all.”
“What about just a friend?”
“Is it their birthday?”
“No.”
“Then you must be closer friends than you think.” Jessica smiled while Yuri became shyer. “Do you want to get Yoona a gift?”
Yuri nodded. “I saw something that she really liked and I wanted to get it for her.”
“What is it?”
Yuri hesitated, not wanting to impose further on Jessica, but this was a good chance since Yoona was always by her side.
“…Do you think we could take a detour?”
--
“Re-la-koo-ma? Am I saying that right?” Jessica asked as her eyes wandered around the store full of accessories, plushies, and clothes of the cute bear.
“I’m not sure.” Yuri picked up a cell phone case and showed it to Jessica. “Is this cute?”
Jessica nodded. “It fits Yoona’s personality.”
Yuri smiled widely, making her way to the cashier.
A soft smile crept onto Jessica’s face as she watched the younger girl do so.
Yuri had stated there was no reason for the gift, but Jessica knew why she was doing it; it was a gift of endearment.
A gift for no reason, and yet that simply, was a good enough reason.