Wheein woke up to the sun shining in her face and for a second she forgot where she was. Squinting, she looked around the room confused. Yesterday’s events came rushing back into her memory, and she started to relax. Getting out of bed, she began stretching and went to the bathroom to change. When she took off her shirt, she stared at her image in the mirror. The scars on her body looked worse than usual, almost raw, and she realized she should probably get some bandages and ointment to cover them up. The blonde lingered in front of the mirror a moment longer before shaking her head and continued to change into a light hoodie and yoga pants. Leaving her room, she saw her best friend in the kitchen making some eggs. Her bare face made her look like she was 16 instead of 25, and Wheein couldn’t help but be reminded of when they were younger. 

“Good morning,” Wheein greeted softly, causing the brunette to turn around and smile.

“Good morning to you too, how was your sleep?” Hyejin asked while turning back to the stove to turn it off. She began plating the eggs and set a plate in front of the blonde.

“It was some of the best sleep I’ve gotten. Honestly, I might just stay here forever just for the mattress.” Wheein joked, causing the other girl to chuckle.

“Oh come on, you don’t want to stay here because of your favorite person in the whole entire world?” Hyejin fluttered her eyelashes.

“Oh, is Kehlani here?” Wheein teased and ended up getting a smack on the arm from her best friend. “Ow, I guess not…” the blonde muttered while rubbing her arm. 

“Shut up and eat your eggs,” Hyejin ordered, and the pair began to eat their breakfast in silence. After they were finished eating and cleaned up, Wheein remembered how she wanted to get bandages for her scars. Not wanting to worry her friend she tried to think of an excuse.

“Hey, Hyejinie, I’m gonna go for a run around the neighborhood. Gotta keep this body in shape, you know.” Wheein winked and began putting on her shoes.

“Alright, text me if you get lost or anything, the neighborhood is a little bit confusing. Also, try and be back before lunch, I want to take you shopping.” Hyejin replied, making her way to her bedroom to go change. Wheein wanted to tell the girl there was no need to go shopping but she knew it would fall on deaf ears. Leaving the apartment building, she started searching up the closest convenience store, but her phone shut off before she could get some results. 

“Damn it, I forgot to charge my phone,” the blonde huffed. Looking around, she decided to just walk around and hope for the best. Eventually, she found a 7/11 and got some bandages and ointment. She was about to pay when the door opened and a familiar voice caught her attention.

“Mom, you promised I would get banana milk if I went shopping with you,” Sunhee whined pulling her mom into the store.

“I know baby, but we are almost home and we have some in the fridge already.” Yongsun tried to reassure the little girl, but she was met with her greatest weakness: a pout. The older woman tried to stay strong and was gonna tell her daughter no again, but was interrupted.

“Kid, are you causing this pretty woman trouble again,” the heavenly voice made Yongsun blush and she turned her head to see Wheein grinning. “Hello, Yongsun-ssi. Funny seeing you again.” The blonde bowed and the older woman bowed back. 

“Wheein unnie! Tell mommy I want banana milk!” The young girl begged, pulling at Wheein’s sleeves. The mother of the child gave Wheein an apologetic smile, but Wheein just brushed it off and kneeled beside the little girl, putting the bandages and ointment behind her.

“Sunhee, your mom said you have banana milk at home, and besides it’s hot outside so if you got it now it might get warm and it won’t be as good. But, if you got it at home it’ll be nice and cold and help cool you off. Doesn’t that sound better?” Sunhee was persuaded by the woman’s words and turned to her mom.

“Sorry mom, I want banana milk at home.” The little girl told her mom as though it was the woman’s idea to go to the store in the first place, and it caused Wheein to laugh a little as she watched the little girl drag her mother to the exit. Yongsun couldn’t help but follow but before leaving she looked back at the blonde one last time to mouth a silent thank you. Wheein found the whole ordeal quite amusing, and she went to grab some banana milk from the fridge before paying for the bandages and ointment.

 After paying, Wheein headed back to the apartment. The walk back was confusing as Hyejin mentioned. Thankfully the blonde learned to navigate pretty well when she was in the military and was able to make it back without any mistake. Heading up to Hyejin’s apartment, she found the brunette waiting outside on the balcony talking on the phone. The door was slightly ajar and Wheein was just gonna wait in her room until she heard her name.

“I don’t know mom. Wheein hasn’t even told me why she was discharged, and yesterday I saw these really deep scars on her body… What?! No, I did not see her shirtless intentionally… Mom! Gross, she’s my sister we are NOT like that! Ugh, I’m just worried is all… Yes I know she’s a grown adult but you remember what happened in the past. I’m scared she’ll just bottle things up again… You’re right, I should just give her space and let her come to me… Okay, I gotta go too, I’ll tell Wheein you said hi. Bye mom, love you.” Hyejin hung up the phone and Wheein silently retreated to the front door and pretended she was taking off her shoes as Hyejin walked back inside. 

“Oh, Wheein, I just got off the phone with my mom, she says hi and to go visit her when you get the chance,” Hyejin remarked. Wheein just nodded silently, the conversation lingering in her head. “How was yo