3rd Person’s POV

[Sae Young Academy of Arts’ Cafeteria…October 6, 20XX]

Turns out, Lei was wrong. It wasn’t one tough week, it was two tough week. It’s been two weeks since Anika and Jeril talked. Heck, it’s been two weeks since the two of them saw each other. Whenever Anika was there, Jeril isn’t and vice versa. They never got on the same page.

At first, Erika and Lei let it be. They figured that Anika and Jeril can’t stand not talking to each other for a very long time. But it seems like, they were wrong once again. So, they decided to plan things for the two to cross path but it failed…many many times.

Erika was losing patience with the two of them, but Lei was there to calm her down. A reckless move could crumble things, especially that it’s on the verge of breaking down. Anika and Jeril’s friendship were totally reaching its end, yet they’re too mad to do something.

“We have to do something, L. It can’t be just like this. They’re Anika and Jeril, together they’re Ariel. And we both know that those two are always better together.”

“I know, unnie. Jeril unnie is kinder with Anika unnie and Anika unnie is softer with Jeril unnie, it totally show how they’re better together. But what can we do if they don’t see it themselves? There’s nothing we can do, unnie. We just have to wait.”

“Patience was never one of my skills, Son Lei Min. Sooner or later, I’ll explode.”

“Please don’t. I can’t do anything without you around, Ked unnie.” Lei whined, changing Erika’s pout into a smile.

“Alright, kiddo. I won’t explode, I’ll wait…a little more. Something should happen ASAP!”

“Let’s just hope that it’s not a bad thing.” as soon as Lei said that, Jeril’s mother approached the two of them. They straightened their posture as the principal walked over with an unhappy face. “Good morning, Principal Jeon.” Lei greeted and Erika just smiled.

“Good morning, President Son and Ked sshi.” Jeril’s mother greeted back. “I’m sorry to interrupt your lunch, but may I ask what’s going on with Jeril? The teachers told me that she didn’t attend school for the past two weeks now. I’m worried about her. Is she okay?”

Lei and Erika exchanged looks before answering. “Actually, we also don’t know. She hadn’t gone home to our dorm room for the past two weeks too. We’re also worried about her.”

“Oh…I see. She must have gone back to her apartment.” Jeril’s mother let out a sad smile to them and nodded her head. “Well, I need to go. If you’ll excuse me…Enjoy your meal.”

Before Jeril’s mom could leave, Erika held unto her sleeve. “Can we get the address of Jeril’s apartment, Mrs. Jeon? I’m really worried right now and I need to do something. I have to check up on her, so if you would be kind enough…can I?”

Jeril’s mother got her phone and scroll to her and Jeril’s conversation. She searched for the address and when she saw it, she handed the phone to Erika. 4D’s leader immediately copied the address on her phone and thanked Jeril’s mom.

“Should we go there later?”

“Yeah, and we’ll have to take Anika with us.”

[Sae Young Dormitories]

“Anika.” Erika called, but Anika was wearing headphones. So she approached her and took it off the girl’s head, making her immediately turn around. “We’re going to look for Jeril.”

“Okay.” Anika answered and was about to grab her headphones, but Erika moved it away.

“You’re coming with us. Let’s go.”

“No, I’ll stay. I’m fine here, thank you.” she turned around and continued her assignment.

“Jeril isn’t skipping only Science and Math period with you. She also skip during our PE and History period and her English and Korean Literature with Lei. She’s not just skipping to avoid you, she’s skipping all of her subject and had been MIA since last week.”

That got Anika’s attention as she spun around immediately. “WHAT?” she realized her outburst, so she calmed down and spoke a little softer. “What do you mean?”

“For the past two weeks, she doesn’t go into school and doesn’t go home here. She’s missing right now, Anika. And you need to be with us when we find her.”

“That’s right, Anika unnie. You two need to talk your misunderstanding out. You two were close, you are bestfriends.” with that, Anika let out a sigh and stood up.

“Where are we going?”

“Her apartment.” Erika grabbed her car keys. “Let’s go.”

They went to the parking lot of the dormitories and rode Erika’s car. She drove towards the address and arrived inside a subdivision. They entered and tried to search for the apartment complex where Jeril’s apartment is.

“That’s that one.” Anika pointed a building and faced them. “I saw it on her phone once.”

Erika nodded her head and went towards the building. They arrived and Erika parked the car before they all ran inside the building. They went to the fourth floor and looked for the name ‘Jeon’ in the nameplate provided outside the door.

“There’s no Jeon, but I found a Chase.” Lei informed as she stood infront one of the door.

“That’s probably it.” Erika stated as she went and knocked on the door. There was no answer so she tried to see if it was open, and it was. “Jeril, we’re coming in.” she opened the door and they all entered the apartment unit. It was…chaotic.

There were bandages and band-aids around the living room, some pizza boxes and other fast foods container were also scattered. The TV was on but it was on low volume, making them hear the sound of grunts and hissed on one of the rooms.

They walked towards it and opened the door, only to see Jeril trying to wrapped her left arm with bandages. She looked up in shock, causing the bandage to be start over.

“Fck.” she cursed before finally giving up and facing the others. “Why are you here?” she asked them but her eyes didn’t went towards Anika, only to Erika and Lei.

“Ohmygod, what happened to you?” Lei muttered when she saw the wounds and bruises on Jeril’s face and body. “Did you got into a gang fight, unnie?” she asked and Jeril just scoffed.

“I’m fine, maknae. I won’t die because of this, chill out.” but before they knew it, Anika was already besides Jeril and was helping her with her wounds.

“You could get infected, Chase.” Erika and Lei noticed the softness in her voice and both of them knew that Anika missed Jeril. “Stay still and I’ll patch you up.”

“O-Oh…” Jeril was shock, so she couldn’t think for a minute. “T-Thanks…”

The four of them stayed silent as Anika patch Jeril’s wound and apply ointment to her bruises. After that, they all sat around Jeril’s bedroom to talk.

“Why didn’t you attend your classes for the past two weeks, unnie? Moreover, going home to our dorm? We were all worried about you, you know.”

“That doesn’t matter right now, Lei.” Erika interrupted before facing Jeril. “What happened to you? Who did this, Jeril?” her voice was hard and it was obvious she’s mad.

“It doesn’t matter--”

“THE HELL IT IS!” and there it was, the anger Erika had been holding back was now exploding. “Tell me who the hell did this to you…right now.”

Jeril hesitated before letting out a sigh. “My older brother did it.” she paused as she look at Anika for a second. “It’s Ivan. Lance Ivan Park, my half-brother.” they all stayed silent…until Anika break it with a question.

“What did he do to you, Chase?” her voice was hard as Erika’s, making them wonder if she was mad at her boyfriend or at Jeril. “Tell me the truth…cause I’ll believe you.”

Jeril smiled softly and nodded her head before she said what happened.

==========================================================================