Chapter 25
As soon as Chuchu and her friends departed, Jo's expression transformed from calm to apologetic. "Well, Sarah, I'm so sorry about that," he said, his voice laced with genuine concern. "I didn't know you two had met already."
I met his gaze, a hint of amusement dancing on my lips. "Of course, I did," I replied, my voice casual, like a summer breeze on a warm day. "She claimed that...you know...what happened at the library back then. She said I was insulting her boyfriend or something like that."
Jo's eyes narrowed, his expression turning thoughtful. He fell silent for a moment, collecting his thoughts like a librarian shelving books. "Well, the thing is that she's obsessed with him," he said finally, his voice low and measured.
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the revelation. "So she wasn't dating him like she claimed."
"Well,I feel you're too bold and you should reduce your boldness a bit," Jo said, his voice teasing, like a playful jab to my ribs.
I shot him a look, my eyes sparkling with amusement. "Besides, if I'm confident about something, why do I need to be scared?" I said, my voice firm, like a rock standing tall against the wind. "I was confident back then in the library because he started it, and I'm always confident if I know I didn't do anything wrong," I said, my voice unwavering.
Jo's expression turned serious, his eyes locked on mine with concern. "Sarah, whatever...just be careful, be careful, please," he said, his voice laced with genuine worry.
I didn't respond, my gaze drifting away from his to the school doctor who just walked in, breaking the silence. "Okay, so how's your leg doing?" she asked, her voice friendly and professional.
I raised one corner of my mouth in a small smile. "It's fine, I think am relieved a bit." I said, my voice casual.
The doctor smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Okay, so I would just discharge you, and you'll be going back to your hostel," she said, her voice warm and reassuring.
*
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The clock on huge clock on in the school hallways strucked 8, a stark contrast to the impending curfew that loomed just two hours away. Chuchu, minji, and shantel had found themselves at the heart of the campus, a spot usually teeming with life, even at this hour. The air was thick with the murmur of students, their laughter and conversations a familiar backdrop to their lives. But for Chuchu, the lively scene was just a canvas for her simmering rage.
"How dare that bitch." she hissed, the words escaping her lips like venom. Her voice was low, yet it cut through the ambient noise, a sharp contrast to the usual cadence of her speech. " Who does she think she is."
Minji, a full Korean, and shantel, a Korean American, exchanged a look. They knew the storm brewing within Chuchu, the volatile mix of hurt pride and simmering anger. They attempted to soothe her, to pour a calming balm over the burning embers of her fury, but Chuchu was having none of it. Her eyes, usually sparkling with a playful light, now flashed with a dangerous determination.
"Should I just teach her a small lesson?" she murmured, her words hanging in the air, heavy with unspoken intent.
*
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* sarah' s pov
We strolled to the cafeteria, the scent of freshly cooked food wafting through the air. Jo and I had decided to grab dinner together after leaving the school clinic, and the meal was a welcome respite from the day's events. We chatted easily as we ate, our conversation flowing like a gentle stream.
As we finished our meal, Jo walked me to my hostel room, the evening air filled with a comfortable silence. The stars were beginning to twinkle in the sky, and the sound of crickets provided a soothing background hum. When we reached the front of my door, I unlocked it and turned to Jo, my voice sincere. "Thank you for today," I said, my gratitude evident. "I'm really, really grateful."
Jo's response was soft and kind, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's fine," he said, his voice low and gentle. "Just go in and rest, you need it." I nodded, feeling a wave of relief wash over me like a calming balm.
As I turned to go, Jo's voice stopped me. "Sarah." I turned back, and he enveloped me in a warm hug, his arms wrapping around me like a gentle cocoon. The scent of his cologne wafted up, a sweet and comforting smell that enveloped me like a soft blanket. "Stay safe," he whispered, his voice a low, gentle murmur. "I hope you get all the rest you need."
My heart skipped a beat as I felt his warmth and kindness wash over me like a soothing wave. He smiled, and I smiled back, feeling a sense of peace settle in like a soft glow. "Go inside," he said, his voice soft as a summer breeze. I nodded, and he turned to leave, disappearing from view as I stepped into the safety of my room, the door closing behind me like a gentle whisper.
I stepped into my room, the soft carpet a gentle caress beneath my feet. The shower beckoned, and I surrendered to its allure, letting the warm water envelop me like a soothing balm. As I washed away the day's stress, I carefully tended to my scraped knee, applying the band-aid I had collected from the school clinic. The memory of my adventure in the woods lingered, but the cool water and gentle sensation of the shower helped ease any remaining tension.
Feeling refreshed and renewed, I climbed into bed, the softness of the sheets enveloping me like a warm hug. I let out a deep sigh, feeling my muscles relax, and my eyelids grow heavy. As I drifted off to sleep, the day's events faded into the background, like whispers on the wind. The softness of the bed cradled me, and I let myself sink into its depths, surrendering to the allure of slumber.