Sorry for the looooong wait. I've been busy with work. So, here's an advance Christmas gift for you! Happy reading~
 

Jihyo tried and tried to talk to Sana, but her efforts were met with a stone wall of silence. Sana continued to ignore her, leaving Jihyo feeling disheartened and at a loss for what to do.

One afternoon, while sitting on a bench in the school courtyard, Jihyo found her mind consumed by thoughts of how to approach Sana. Lost in her contemplation, she was jolted back to reality when someone called her name. It was Sejeong, the girl she had met at the party. Sejeong asked if Jihyo remembered her, to which Jihyo nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and guilt. She apologized once more for what had transpired at the party.

Sejeong, with a kind smile, offered her forgiveness. She then proposed a solution that intrigued Jihyo, “A simple coffee hang out after our classes.” Sejeong said. Grateful for the chance to ease her troubled mind and perhaps seek advice, Jihyo agreed, hoping that this newfound connection might bring her the guidance she desperately needed.

After her class, Jihyo felt a buzz in her pocket, pulling out her phone to find a message from Sejeong. It was a simple query: "Done with your class?" The words were benign, yet they held the promise of a distraction, a respite from the heavy thoughts that had plagued her all day. With a quick reply, she confirmed her availability and agreed to meet Sejeong for coffee.

The café was a haven of warmth, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the chatter of people, creating a comforting ambiance. Sejeong greeted her with a smile that reached her eyes, and they settled into a corner, surrounded by the soft hum of conversation.

As they sipped their coffee, their conversation flowed effortlessly. They spoke of school, shared dreams, and aspirations, and laughed at mundane anecdotes. Jihyo found solace in these moments, a brief escape from the turbulence in her heart. But even amidst the laughter, there was a lingering heaviness that Sejeong astutely noticed.

Sejeong's eyes, kind and perceptive, met Jihyo's troubled gaze. "What's bothering you?" she asked gently, her voice a soft melody cutting through the café's background noise.

Jihyo hesitated for a moment before opening up, pouring out her anxieties about Sana, the guilt that gnawed at her, and the desperate need for guidance. Sejeong listened, her expression empathetic, absorbing every word Jihyo shared.

When Jihyo finished, Sejeong offered a thoughtful response. "Sometimes," she began, her voice gentle, "we hurt the people we care about the most, not out of malice, but out of our own confusion and fear. It seems you've realized your mistake, and now, the best thing you can do is give Sana some space. Let her process what happened. Time has a way of healing wounds, but it also gives people the chance to reflect and understand."

Jihyo absorbed Sejeong's words, finding comfort in the wisdom they held. It was a balm to her guilt-ridden soul, a lifeline guiding her through the stormy sea of emotions. Grateful for Sejeong's understanding and advice, Jihyo vowed to follow it, hoping that in giving Sana the space she needed, they might find their way back to each other, stronger and wiser.

Nayeon and Jeongyeon observed Jihyo's newfound dedication to her studies and student council duties. They saw their friend pouring her energy into her academic responsibilities, trying to distract herself from the ache in her heart. They admired her strength and determination to change for the better, but they also knew the toll it was taking on her.

One evening, as they gathered for a study session, Nayeon couldn't help but broach the topic delicately. "Jihyo, we've noticed you've been throwing yourself into your schoolwork and council duties. We're proud of you for being so focused, but we're worried too. Are you really okay?"

Jihyo offered them a small, reassuring smile. "I'm trying to be. I just... I want to be better, not just for myself but for Sana too. I know I messed up, and I need to prove that I can change."

Jeongyeon chimed in, her voice gentle. "We understand, Jihyo. Just don't forget to take care of yourself too. Healing takes time, and it's okay to give yourself a break every now and then."

Nayeon nodded in agreement. "And remember, we're here for you. If you ever want to talk or if you need a distraction from all this, we're just a message