Chapter 7: Comfortable

“You’re going to need to rest that ankle. You won’t need crutches, but you’ve overworked that leg. It’ll keep getting worse unless you take care of it.”

The nurse examined Wendy’s ankle while Irene sat next to her, paying close attention.

The nurse finally finished wrapping her ankle with a fresh bandage and gave her a note to excuse her from any physical activities until her ankle gets better. Irene and Wendy both bowed as the nurse let them both go. They opened the door to find another teacher standing outside, waiting for them.

“The principal wants to see the both of you,” she said, pointing down the hallway.

With Irene still supporting Wendy, they arrived in front of the principal’s office, where they could hear shouting from inside.

“YOU ! YOU HURT WENDY! I’M GOING TO KILL YOU!!” Seulgi’s loud shouting echoed out into the hallway.

Irene opened the door, and found Seulgi being held back by a teacher, while Jung-Min sat quietly on a chair, ignoring her attacks.

“Good, you’re here. Can you please control your friend?” An older man spoke to them from behind a large desk.

After letting Wendy sit down, Irene quickly grabbed Seulgi over and forced her into her seat. Seulgi glared viciously at Jung-Min, who seemed disinterested in anything that was happening.

“Okay, now please, can one of you two explain what happened?” The principal looked over at Wendy and Irene. Wendy opened to speak, but Irene stopped her.

“Jung-Min approached us outside the school gates and threatened me. My friend Wendy protected me and that’s when the teachers came and took him away.” Irene said, standing up.

Jung-Min remained silent.

“I see. That does look serious. Unfortunately, this young man isn’t talking at all, and therefore we cannot conclude this issue. He seems to have some injuries of his own, and they look much more severe.” The principal looked over at Jung-Min.

“I don’t know how he got those injuries, sir.” Irene responded.

“Well these two teachers claimed that he blamed you for something just before he attacked. Is that true?”

“Yes, but I didn’t know what he was talking about.”

“Well it seems like there’re too many things we don’t know. As of right now, we’ll continue to discuss these matters privately with Jung-Min. Until we find out the whole story, you three are dismissed.”

The three girls stood up and bowed politely at the staff and went outside.

“How’s the face?” Seulgi asked.

“It’s nothing, the nurse said it’ll heal quickly.” Wendy replied.

Irene stopped, pulling Wendy’s shirt.

“Seulgi, you can go back to class first. I need to talk to Wendy for a second.” She sounded serious.

Seulgi tilted her head in confusion, but agreed as she saw Irene’s face. She went down the hallway, and Irene led Wendy all the way out into the courtyard. They sat next to each other, not saying a word. Wendy felt nervous, looking at Irene who seemed like she was about to explode at any minute. Irene turned around, her expression was firm.

“When did you get hurt?”

Wendy looked flustered, “What?”

Irene maintained her expression, “You know what I’m talking about.”

Wendy looked down towards her feet and sighed.

“A while ago…” she replied softly.

Irene frowned, “And you didn’t tell us?”

Wendy shook her head.

Irene’s frown deepened as she turned Wendy towards her. Wendy was now staring directly at Irene, who was crying.

“Why not…?” Irene choked on her words as tears dropped down her face.

Wendy was speechless. She couldn’t say a word to Irene who was now gripping onto her arms hard.

“Why didn’t you tell me…? I…I didn’t know…” She was sobbing and put her hands on her face.

Wendy put her hand on Irene’s arm, “I’m sorry…”

“Why are you sorry!? You didn’t do anything wrong! Here I was, getting all mad at you yesterday…and you were the one that was hurt!!” Irene continued to cry as Wendy slowly put her arms around her, hugging her gently.

“I’m sorry Irene…I didn’t want to worry you…” Wendy whispered as she patted Irene’s back.

After Irene stopped crying, she looked at Wendy, her eyes now red.

“I’m sorry you got hit because of me...”

Wendy was close to tears herself, but held herself back as she recalled the incident earlier.

“It’s not your fault. You would’ve done the same.”

Irene nodded and stood up, pulling Wendy with her. They walked together, taking short steps up the stairs. Before they could reach the classroom, the bell had rung. As students began swarming down the steps, Irene and Wendy retreated back down and waiting for Seulgi by the main entrance. Irene was now grabbing Wendy’s hand tightly as they stood next to each other.

“I won’t tell Seulgi about your ankle,” Irene suddenly said.

“What?” Wendy had a confused look in her eyes.

“You hid it for a reason. I don’t know why, and I don’t know how you hurt your ankle, but I’ll respect your decision.” Irene said, tightening her hold on Wendy’s hand.

Wendy responded by looking at the ground.

“But now that I know, I’m taking care of you from now on, okay?” Irene turned and looked at Wendy.

Wendy couldn’t do anything but nod as she felt the warmth in her hands.

Seulgi arrived moments later, and Irene let go of Wendy’s hand.

“Ugh, you guys are lucky you didn’t go to class afterwards. The teacher could barely control all the gossiping.” Seulgi looked back at some students who were pointing towards Irene.

“Let’s go home,” Irene said, ignoring the eyes behind her.

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After sending Seulgi home, Irene grabbed Wendy’s hand again, making her jump.

“Where do you live?” Irene asked.

“Umm…about 10 minutes from here…” Wendy replied softly.

“Do you live alone?” Irene put Wendy’s arm around her neck and supported Wendy as they walked down the street.

Wendy thought about Joy, who was probably fast asleep on the couch, “No.”

“With your parents then?” Irene glanced over at her.

Wendy shook her head, “A cousin.”

Irene then turned the corner, making Wendy stumble.

“Um, my house is that way…” Wendy said, still leaning against Irene.

“We’re almost to my house, your cousin won’t mind right?” Irene said.

“I guess not…”

Wendy stared at Irene the whole way to her house. Irene was sweating hard and bit her lip as she tried desperately to hold Wendy up. Wendy felt strange, looking at Irene who was trying so hard to help her. She unconsciously smiled as they arrived at Irene’s door. She unlocked it and helped Wendy towards her couch.

“Wait here, I’ll go get a pillow for your leg,” Irene ran upstairs.

It was the second time she’d been in Irene’s home, but it seemed different this time. It seemed more pleasant and calm compared to the night she visited Irene. Wendy couldn’t help but walk around a little bit, looking at the small amount of things in her home. No pictures, no decorations, just a lonely house, filled only with some furniture and books.

Irene came back downstairs, gasping at Wendy, who had now wandered into the kitchen.

“Wendy! What are you doing walking around!?” Irene ran over to Wendy, who was now leaning against the kitchen counter.

“It’s okay Irene, I should walk around a bit. I won’t put pressure on it,” Wendy smiled and hopped around on one foot.

“Stop it, it’s dangerous!” Irene grabbed Wendy and pulled her back to the couch and sat her down.

Irene exhaled, “Alright, here,” she handed her a pillow, “rest your leg on that. I’ll make dinner.”

Wendy smirked as Irene stuffed the pillow under her leg and rolled her sleeves up, ready to get to work.

 “You don’t need any help?” Wendy felt comfortable now.

“No, just rest.” Irene began fumbling through her fridge.

Wendy sat up and peeked over at Irene, “You know how to cook?”

“I have to, since I live alone,” Irene responded.

“I lived alone for a while…but I just bought food outside.”

“That’s not healthy.”

“Hey! I’m healthier than you right now!”

Wendy laughed, but stopped soon after, realizing that she had completely let go of herself and stopped acting like the shy girl she was supposed to be. Irene also turned around at that last comment, with a surprised look. Irene giggled.

“You’re definitely a lot different outside of school.”

Wendy laughed nervously, “You think so?”

“You’re a lot more open and carefree. I like it.” Irene smiled as the soup began to cook in the pot.

Wendy lay there for another 10 minutes, honestly bored out of her mind. But smelling the delicious soup and hearing Irene’s footsteps in the kitchen gave her enough reason to stay put. It felt different having someone cook food for her. Wendy smiled and closed her eyes, listening to the soft hums that Irene was making as she danced around the kitchen. It was the most relaxed Wendy had felt in a long time.

“It’s done!” Irene called out. She brought the whole pot over to the living room table.

“It smells really good~” Wendy complimented, watching as Irene took the lid off the pot.

“I make it all the time when I’m sick. It’s supposed to help your body heal faster,” Irene stirred and poured a bowl of soup.

“Thank you,” Wendy said, reaching over towards the steaming soup.

“Careful, don’t burn yourself,” Irene said, serving her own bowl.

Wendy wrapped her hands around the warm bowl and smelled it close to her face. A mix of fresh ingredients heightened her senses as she finished the whole bowl at record speed.

“Wow, you finished that so quickly,” Irene said, still barely starting her bowl.

“It’s so good…I haven’t had homemade food like this in so long…” Wendy quickly poured herself another bowl and finished that one as well.

“Your cousin can’t cook?” Irene asked.

Wendy shook her head as she swallowed, “Are you kidding? She can’t even peel an apple.”

Wendy’s joke made Irene laugh loudly, “You’re really funny.”

Wendy blushed at the sudden comment, “Is that…strange?”

Irene nodded, “Yeah, I barely hear you talk at school. It’s almost like you’re a different person.”

Wendy put her bowl down and sat back against the couch.

“I…seem like a different person?”

Irene nodded again as she finished her last bite.

“Is that…wrong?”

Irene looked at Wendy, “Of course not! It’s just interesting, seeing you having fun like this.”

Wendy felt her phone vibrate.

[Where are you Unnie~? I’m hungry]

Wendy texted back.

[I’m busy. Have your favorite chicken delivered.]

[Where are you?]

Wendy ignored the last text.

“Is that your cousin?” Irene asked, cleaning up the table. Wendy tried to get up to help, but Irene quickly pushed her back onto the couch.

“Yeah, she’s just wondering where I was.”

“Oh,” Irene the water and started scrubbing the dishes.

Without making a sound, Wendy sneaked over and stood next to Irene, startling her.

“Hey! What are you doing here!?” Irene pouted.

“At least let me help with the dishes,” Wendy said, putting her hand in the water.

“But your leg-“ Irene was cut off.

“Is fine now. I feel a lot better, thanks to you. But I don’t like laying around all day having someone take care of me all the time,” Wendy spoke confidently and began drying off the dishes that Irene had washed.

Irene smiled and gave up, handing Wendy another washed dish.

After they were finished, they went back to the living room.

“I should probably head home now,” Wendy said, grabbing her backpack.

Irene stood in her way and crossed her arms, “You’re joking right?”

Irene grabbed Wendy’s backpack and slung it over her shoulder.

“But…” Wendy looked around, trying to find an excuse.

“The only here is yours, which you should get upstairs. Now.” Irene led Wendy over to the stairs.

“I don’t want to bother you…”

“Instead you want me to worry all night while you wander around in the dark with your foot like that? Nice try,” Irene opened the door to her room. 

Somehow, Wendy felt embarrassed standing in Irene’s bedroom, but remained silent as Irene put her backpack down on the wooden floor.

“You can take the bed,” Irene said, fluffing the pillow.

“Where will you sleep?” Wendy asked.

“I can sleep on the floor, it’s fine,” Irene ignored Wendy’s worried glances and handed her a pair of pajamas.

“Here, this should fit you. The shower is right next door. Will you be okay on your own?” Irene asked.

Wendy nodded and head towards the bathroom. She felt her phone vibrate again.

[You know I can find out where you are anyways right?]

Wendy responded.

[I won’t be home tonight]

[Working?]

[Yeah, don’t text me again]

Wendy turned her phone off and smiled as she the water.