CALMING

*COUGHS COUGHS*

Yuri was walking past Jessica's classroom and took a second look into the classroom after hearing the coughs.
The voice sounded familiar.
Peering into the classroom through the windows, Jessica was sitting at the back of the classroom,
looking really pale and under weather, hacking her lungs away.

Jessica's cheeks were really flushed too.

It's been only a weekend since i've last seen you princess.
What have you done to your body?

Have you visited the doctor?

Yuri sighed sadly as she dragged her feets back to her classroom, with her heart worrying for Jessica.
She couldn't even pay attention to her classes the whole day.

Texted Jessica again and again yet not receiving a single message in return.
Yuri laid her head on the desk while the teachers went on with their lessons, staring at her phone.

Are you really very sick?
I'll bring you to the doctor later okay?

Just bear with it till the school ends alright?
Hwaiting princess!

As soon as the bell rung, Yuri grabbed her bag and sprinted out of her classroom and towards the vocal school block.
And waited outside Jessica's classroom.
She waited and waited patiently but not a single soul of Jessica was spotted leaving the classroom.

Wondering why, Yuri turned and took a look at the classroom, now empty only with the teacher in it.

Yuri ran into the classroom with a shocked expression, approaching the teacher who was about to leave.
Bowing at the teacher politely with a worried expression, Yuri spoke.

"Good afternoon!"

"Good afternoon!"
"I've not seen you here before"
"Are you a vocal student?"

Yuri shook her head immediately and smiled awkwardly.

"Im a dance student"
"Im looking for Jessica, do you happen to know where is she?"

"Oh, Jessica"
"I heard that she has some recording to do"
"With Taeyeon"

"Taeyeon?!"
"With that body condition of hers?"

The teacher shrugged with an apologetic smile.

"I afraid so"
"Plus its a school thing"
"She was being assigned to do a duet with Taeyeon for the school's annual speech day"

"Where is their recording room?!"

Yuri asked worriedly, legs already prepared to start running towards the recording room.

"Recording room?"
"I think they are currently filming outdoor for the video first"
"She left an hour ago"

"WHAT?!"
"What kind of teachers are you people?!"
"Not even bothering about your student's health?!"

"Im sorry young lady"
"If you insist on speaking to me so rudely, im leaving"

"WAIT!"
"Where is the video filming location at?"

"I heard it's at the back of the school campus"
"The beautiful field-"

Yuri then sped off, running with all her might towards the field behind the campus.
To her relief, a group of people were really there, with the video cameras and microphones surrounding two familiar figures.

Of course, one of them is Jessica.
But she looked really weak and fragile, coughing away.

"CUT!"
"NG!"

The director sighed as he threw the script frustratedly onto the ground and stormed over to Jessica, annoyed.

"Can't you just give us a good one?!"
"It's not only you who are cold so stop coughing!"
"Everyone is cold in such a weather!"
"And if you realised, the sky is changing and it looks like its gonna rain soon!"
"We can't delay this video making any longer!"

"Im-"

*COUGHS COUGHS*

"Sorry.."

"Hey its alright director"
"Give her some time, we'll be alright"

Taeyeon spoke up with a smile, nodding to Jessica encouragingly.

"Im sure you'll do fine right Sica?"

*COUGHS COUGHS*

"Of course she will Taetae!"

A voice joined the conversation so suddenly as Taeyeon felt a pair of arms wrapping around her waist.
Landing a sweet peck on Taeyeon's cheeks.

Giving Taeyeon an eyesmile, Taeyeon chuckled and pinched Tiffany's cheeks.

"Im filiming pinky"
"How could you attack me so sweetly from the back?"

"Why can't i hug my Taetae?"

Tiffany pouted cutely.

"Of course you-"

Jessica sighed softly as she walked away.
Her head was pounding away, so ever hardly as her body felt heavier at every minute.

Sitting down on the grass, Jessica shivered.

Do you all have to be this loving infront of me?
I know i've lost you Taeng..

But..
At least not know please?

My head is hurting so badly and my body is aching too.

"Ops"
"She left"

Tiffany blurted out with an apologetic look.

"Do you wanna take a look at her Taetae?"
"She looks like she's pretty sick"

"She is?"

"I heard her coughing pretty badly"
"And she looks pale"

"Awww"
"Our pinky princess sure knows to look out for people!"
"I'll-"

Taeyeon turned to the source of the voice and back to Tiffany with a frown.
The director was waving to Taeyeon, asking her to go back for the filming.

"Taeyeon!"
"Jessica!"
"We'll try one last time!"

The director shouted as Jessica got up wobbily and walked towards the filming scene again.
Taking a deep breath, and coughing up whatever she had, Jessica continued filming.

Yuri, on the other hand was watching sadly by the side.
Jessica was so sick yet she persevered.

"CUT!"
"Okay!"
"Finally, we are done"
"Lets wrap up and head off to the recording room now!"

The director shouted as the staff packed the equipment up, leaving one after another.
Jessica tried to leave with the group.
But as she picked her bag up, a sudden state of dizziness hit her as she fell onto the ground, 
holding her head, shaking it a little hoping to shake the dizziness off.

"Sica!"

Yuri called out worriedly as she ran towards Jessica and helped her up.
Placing her palm over Jessica's forehead, Yuri carried Jessica's bag over her shoulder.

"You're going to the hospital with me now"

Jessica pushed her hands away.

"I've another-"

*COUGHS COUGHS*

"Another last recording to do"
"Stop being si-"

*COUGHS COUGHS*

"Silly, Yul"
"Im fine"

*COUGHS COUGHS*

"The way you're coughing!"
"You think you're fine?!"
"You're running a temperature!"
"With you coughing so badly, how are you going to record?!"

Yuri scolded angrily as she tried to once again, hold onto Jessica's arms to pull her away.
Jessica yanked it off.

"Don't you get it?!"
"I want to finish recording it!"
"I don't want to drag!"

*COUGHS COUGHS*

"I don't want to see Taeyeon being so hap-"

*COUGHS COUGHS*

"So happy infront of me!"
"I just can't!"

Yuri pulled Jessica into a hug, caressing her back gently.

"You still have me, don't you?"
"Even if you don't love me, i'll still love you like now"
"I'll still take care of you like now"
"Im even willing to be used by you"
"Just one word, Sica"
"Just one word and i'll do anything for you"
"Just don't torture yourself like this"

Jessica broke the hug with teary eyes.

"Then get me out of this hell"
"Please!"

"I will only if you let me Sica!"
"Don't you get it?!"
"Unless you open your heart to me, i'll never be able to help you out of this hell!"

Jessica thought for a short moment before wiping the tears off her face.

"I've to go for the voice recording"
"I'll see you later Yul"

Jessica said as she scurried off to the recording room.
She didn't want to hold the team back too.

Upon reaching the room, the whole team was waiting for her impatiently.
Apologising, she immediately got to the recording and recorded the song well.

It sounded well.
But she was actually straining her vocal chords.
was sore and it hurts whenever she talk.

Much less to say about singing.
However, she strained it to produce the wanted results.

After a few hours of recording, the recording has finally came to an end.
Everyone left the room when Jessica fell onto the sofa weakly, with cold perspirations rolling down her forehead.

Her breathings turned rough too.
Jessica wanted to grab onto her phone to dial for Yuri but she couldn't even find the strength to do so.

Yuri, on the other hand watched all the staff leave the room,
one after another while she stood outside the room.

Where are you Sica?

Yuri then quietly walked into the room, to look for Jessica.
To her unfortunate surprise, Jessica was lying on the sofa, shivering in cold.

"Sica!"
"Kwenchana?!"

*COUGHS COUGHS*

Jessica nodded weakly.

"I'll get you to the hospital now!"

What is wrong..?
Is it my heart or my asthma that has been asleep for some time been awakened?
My chest feels so tight..

"Sica!"
"Don't sleep, talk to me!"

Yuri called out worriedly as she placed Jessica over her back,
and rushing out to hail for a cab.

*COUGHS COUGHS*

"Yul.."
"Kwench..chann..na.."

"Don't lie!"
"You're not fine at all!"
"You're burning up!"
"We'll get to the hospital soon!"

Yuri assured Jessica as she hugged her closer to provide Jessica with some warmth for she was shivering in cold.

"Cold.."

"You're gonna be fine"
"You're gonna be alright"
"You will!"

Yuri muttered under her breath as she impatiently waited for the driver to drive them towards the hospital.
Upon reaching the hospital, Yuri carried her into the A&E department and hand her over to the doctors and nurses.

Right after the staff saw Jessica, they gasped in shock and notified each other about her.

"It's Ms Jung!"
"Quick, call Dr. Jin!"

Do they all know Sica?
What is wrong?

"How are you related to her?"

One of the nurses asked, while taking down my particulars.

"Im her friend"

"Oh, okay"
"Thanks for bringing her in"

"How is she?"

"You don't know about her medical condition?"

Yuri shrugged.

"Is there anything that i should know?"

The nurses gave her a 'WHAT?!' look before letting out a sigh.

"Ms Jung  has been missing from her monthly check up"

"Monthly check up?"

"Yes"
"She was born with a hereditary heart disease which is pretty serious"
"That's why she was forbidden to run or do any strenous exercises as she will tire herself easily and get really breathless"
"Her parents forced her to run till one day, she collasped onto the ground"
"After being sent to the hospital, we realised that she had an hereditary heart disease"
"Her parents doesn't have such disease but her grandmother did"
"That's why"

Can't run..?

«°FLASHBACK°»

"Are you ready?"

"On the count of 3, we will start running to that exit direction okay?"
"It will lead to a beautiful hill as we run out towards that exit"

Jessica couldn't wait till the count of three and she started sprinting towards exit Yuri had just told her.
Yuri's hands were tightly held by Jessica as she pulled Yuri and started dashing towards it.

While running along with Yuri, Jessica started from giggles, to chuckles and soon,
breaking out into laughters as the two latter got to the hill outside the airport.

«°END FLASHBACK°»

And i actually made her run..
Is it because of me..?
Im sorry Sica..

Please, forgive me.
I promise to take better care of you from now on.

I'll hold you on my hand like a piece of fragile and vulnerable crystal.
To care and love for it.
Not dropping you or even risking you to a scratch.

Just let me know, you're fine.

"She also has an asthma which had stopped few years ago"

"So what is troubling her now?"

The nurses shrugged.

"We are not too sure either"
"The doctor is doing his diagnosis"
"We've to wait"

Yuri nodded with a worried sigh as she sat down at the nearby bench of the A&E counter.
Minutes felt like years to Yuri.
Tapping her feets impatiently until a sudden commotion was heard.

Turning around to the source of the commotion, Yuri saw Jessica weakly trying to get out of the hospital bed but was held onto by the staff.

"Jessica-sshi"
"Please, listen to us and stay back in bed"
"We'll call your parents for you to notify them that you're admitted in here"

The doctor tried persuading Jessica but to no avail.
Yuri then ran towards Jessica, pulling her for a hug, caressing the back of her head gently.

"What is wrong Sica?"
"You're sick, you should stay in the hospital and receive treatment"
"Why are you running away?"
"No strenous exercises, remember?"

"Yul.."
"I don't like it.."
"I don't-"

*COUGHS COUGHS*

Yuri patted her back gently, trying to ease her coughing fits.

"I don't like it here.."
"I want to go.."
"They are calling my parents.."

"Why?"
"You don't want your parents to know that you're here?"
"They are your parents, Sica-yah"
"They have the rights to know"
"If not, they are gonna get worried for you"

Jessica shook her head in tears, pushing Yuri away from her as roughly as she could before retreating a few steps.
Tears were streaming down the poor latter's face, dripping onto her school uniform.

"You don't understand!"
"None of you do!"
"My parents-"

*SLAP*

Everyone turned to the rough and strong looking hand that landed on Jessica's face with a loud splat.

"What do you think you're doing here?!"
"Getting yourself into the hospital and not compromising to the doctor's words?!"
"And making me travel all the way here from my meeting just to witness these drama here?!"

The dull, stern and strict voice boomed at Jessica who fell onto the ground thanks to the strong impact of the slap.
Jessica trembled in tears, looking up to Mr Jung fearfully.

Grabbing her by her wrist, Mr Jung pulled Jessica and stormed off immediately,
not wanting to create anymore scene in the hospital, leaving Yuri and the staff dumbfounded.

Minutes later, the staff sighed, shaking their heads.

"Who was that?"
"Is that her father?"

Yuri asked worriedly.

"How can you let him pull the patient off like this?!"

"We have no choice"
"That's Jessica-sshi's father"
"He shouldn't have pulled her away.."

"He obviously shouldn't pull someone who is so sick away!"
"And you people should have stopped him!"

The doctor then stepped up with a sad expression, stretching his arms out for a handshake.
He was a young and handsome doctor, with a dark shade of blonde hair and a beautiful smile.

"Hey, im Dr. Jin"
"Jessica's doctor-in-charge since she was young"

"Im Kwon Yuri"
"Jessica's friend"

Dr. Jin smiled with a nod.

"Yuri-sshi"
"A-"

"Just call me Yuri"

"Okay"
"Yuri, actually, Jessica has got a very complicated family relationship with her parents"

"Complicated?"

"Yup, if you have the time"
"I'll tell you more about it when we get to the sky park of the hospital?"

Yuri nodded and followed Dr. Jin off to the rooftop of the hospital.
Taking a comfortable seat there, the two continued their conversation.

"So, from where i've stopped"
"Her family relationship is pretty complicated"
"Ever since her parents found out that she's not suitable to do any sports"
"They neglected her, ignored her and pushed her away from them"
"Till the extend that they started hating her and such"

"Is that why he was so upset of you calling him over to the hospital?"

Dr. Jin nodded with a sigh, taking a sip of his can coffee.

"We had to call him"
"It's our job"
"Besides, we have to explain to him about Jessica's condition"
"It's not like her condition is like in the past"

"What do you mean?"

"It has deteoriated Yuri"
"Her asthma came back"

"Came back.."

Yuri muttered slowly under her breath.

"Is it serious now that it came back?"

"You can say so"
"And she was dragged off like that.."
"We've yet to even treat her"

"The more you should have stopped her father!"
"You're such a strong, well grown up man!"

Dr. Jin chuckled and shook his head.

"As much as i would love to"
"I definitely not want to have a fist in my face"
"Her parents are all atheletes"
"Her father is a boxer while mum is a gymnast"
"Used to be, i mean"

"Oh.."
"But you can't blame her for her health isn't it?"

"Thats the point her parents couldn't think through"
"I don't know how to make them realise that her daughter is more important than any other sports"
"Plus, trust me Yuri"
"We've done her a favour by letting her father drag her off"

"Why?"

"Ap..pa.."

*COUGHS COUGHS*

Jessica coughed painfully, crouching over as her father swung her onto her floor harshly.

"Sorry.."
"I didn't mean to.."

"Didn't mean to?!"
"You're so strong to make a whole lot of scene in the hospital!"
"Why were you even there?!"

"Im sorry.."
"I just-"

*COUGHS COUGHS*

"Excuses!"
"Everything you said are excuses!"
"I can't believe your mum and i are so strong yet we have such a weak daughter!"

Mr Jung scolded angrily as he pulled Jessica up and dragged her to the backyard of her mansion.
Ripping his leather belt of his pants, Jessica knew what was coming up for her.

Appa..
Im sorry i shouldn't have gone to the hospital.

I know i shouldn't have.
Im sorry..

Please, not with the belt appa.
Im sorry..
Sooyeon is really sorry..

I promise i will never ever fall sick again.
I promise you i will never visit the hospital again.
Please.

But is it just too late for all these?
My friend was just worried for me appa.
Thats why she brought me to the hospital.

My chest is also tightening and hurting so badly for every passing minute.
Appa..

Do you not love me at all?

*WHIP*

Lash after lash, Mr Jung angrily slammed the leather belt onto Jessica's calves without any mercy.
It was like as if he was venting his frustration on Jessica.

Her temperature was increasing as the cold wind blew at her.

"Appa.."
"Im sorry.."
"Please-"

*COUGHS COUGHS*

"It hurts.."

Jessica sobbed bitterly, trying to move away from Mr Jung but he held her tighter,
leaving Jessica with nowhere to go.
It was until Jessica calves started to bleed had Mr Jung stopped and threw the leather belt onto the ground.

Jessica felt to her knees weakly, clutching onto her chest at every cough.

"You better stay here and reflect for the night!"
"If i were to see you leaving a single inch from your current position"
"You will get something even worse than now!"

*COUGHS COUGHS*

Jessica's eyelids were falling as she swayed from left to right and back to left again,
cold perspiration falling off her forehead.

"Im.."
"Sso..sorry.."
"Appa.."
"Sooyeon.. mani apa.."

*COUGHS COUGHS*

"Chae..seonghae..yo.."

It has been a long time since Jessica got whipped by her father.
Because for years, she didn't bother her parents.
Even if she fell sick, she would just hide in a corner of her room and wait for the illness to be gone.
Not even visiting any doctor.

Because Yuri brought her to the hospital today, which made her father flared up so much.
But no, Jessica wasn't even blaming Yuri at all.

She knew, knew that Yuri was concerned about her.

Within minutes, Jessica dropped to the ground unconsciously while rain started to pour on her.
Splitter splatter.
It dropped like icicles on Jessica mercilessly, stinging onto her warm skin.

Yuri, after hearing of Jessica's family story rushed to Jessica's mansion.
But it was quiet and cold.
Holding onto the umbrella, she continuously pressed onto the bell but no one came out to answer her nor did anyone open the gates up for her.

It was until the part time maid came back and opened the gates for Yuri.
Rushing into the mansion, Yuri found the familiar figure soaked inside out, lying on the grass patch without anyone attending to her.
Quickly running to Jessica while Yuri dropped to her knees, she raised Jessica up and placed her head on her lap.

"You're burning up Sica.."
"Why are you in the rain.."

Yuri whispered in tears as she felt for Jessica's temperature.

"Do you want to bring agasshi back to her room?"

The part time maid suggested kindly, holding an umbrella over the two latter.
Yuri shook her head firmly and put Jessica over her back.

"Im bringing her to my house!"
"Not her own room!"

Yuri said in tears as she carried Jessica up but only to realise that her calves were bleeding.
Yuri's heart was fuming with anger then.
Yet she couldn't do anything about it.

Running out of the mansion, Yuri got onto a cab and went straight back to her apartment.
Laying Jessica down onto the bed gently despite the soft sobbings of the poor latter, Yuri quickly went to grab a new set of warm clothes for Jessica.

She was shivering inside out, coughing up badly while unconsciously holding onto her chest.
Yuri came back, wanted to change Jessica's clothes but was afraid to hurt her.
Frustrated and helpless, she sat by Jessica, holding onto her hands and caressing while waiting for Dr. Jin to arrive.

"Sica-ah.."
"Why are you so silly?"
"Your parents are so mean to you yet.."

 *COUGHS COUGHS*

"Appa.."
"Omma.."
"Im sorry.."

"Shhh.."
"Its okay, you're here with me Sica"
"I'll take care of you"
"Your parents-"

*COUGHS COUGHS*

"Please.."
"Dont hate me.."
"Omma.."

It must have been my fault.
I shouldn't have made her run with me at the airport.

I shouldn't have tire her out.
Sica, please feel better.

Just then, the doorbell rang and Yuri quickly scurried off and opened the door up for Dr. Jin and two nurses behind him.
Yuri led them into her room where Jessica was at.

Dr. Jin sighed and shook his head as he pointed the nurses to get to what they should do.

"Yuri, why didn't you change her clothes?"

Dr. Jin asked, listening to Jessica's heartbeat with a frown.

"Im afraid i would hurt her"
"She's been crying out in pain every since i saw her"

Yuri replied sadly, as she watch the nurses gave the poor latter on bed plenty of needle pokes.
Eventually leaving one on her skinny arm.

"You won't"
"Don't worry, or i'll get the nurses to change it?"
"Her fever is too high"
"Its 40degrees"
"If you don't change her wet clothes out, it's going to get worse"

Yuri nodded with a sigh before quickly changing Jessica's wet clothes out and replacing it with the new set of clothes she had just
gotten for Jessica.
Once Yuri was done, Dr. Jin made Yuri to move aside and started making some quick diagnosis at Jessica's condition.

"Have you all gotten all the solutions i've prepared up?"

Dr. Jin asked the nurses sternly, examining Jessica's calf wounds carefully.

"We did, Dr. Jin"
"Is there anything we've left out?"

"Not exactly"
"I just wanted to double check"
"Anyway, can you all please give her the nasal canula of the portable oxygen mask?"
"We'll take her blood test before leaving"
"And oh, please pass Yuri Jessica's newly prescribed inhaler and medications she has to take when shes awake"

Does it hurt Sica..?
The nasal canula over your nose..
The infus that was inserted into your skinny arm..

I'll take care of you, nurse you back to health.
And get you the best doctor and medicine to heal you.

Please, just stay happy and wake up for me.
Stop crying in your sleep, Sica.
It hurts me to see you that heartbroken and sad.

Dr. Jin instructed professionally, while cleaning and bandaging Jessica's calf wounds.
Shaking his head a little, Dr. Jin let out a sigh as he took a last look at Jessica.

"How is she now?"
"Is she better?"

Yuri asked almost immediately after Dr. Jin stood up from the bed.
Dr. Jin nodded.

"Just let her rest more"
"She needs more rest to recover"
"I'll just take her blood for some test back in the hospital and send you all the results back"
"Okay?"

"Sica..?"

Yuri called out softly, trying to wake that poor latter up after hearing her sobs.
It must be another nightmare that was torturing her, Yuri thought.

With no doubt, it is.
The fever that caused her to have fever dreams, were all nightmares.

"Sicababy, wake up"
"Sicababy?"

Jessica slowly stirred before fluttering her eyes open weakly,
looking around her surroundings before turning to Yuri.

"Yul..?"

"Sicababy!"
"Are you feeling better?!"

Jessica's hands immediately went over to tug the nasal canula, but was smacked off by Yuri with a disapproving look.

"YAH!"
"Stop it!"
"Don't touch it!"

"I.. ddont.. like it.."
"Get.. this off me.."

Jessica whispered weakly in tears.

"Sicababy"
"Dr. Jin said it was supposed to help you"
"Don't remove it for tonight please..?"

However, Jessica's eyes widened in shock after she heard Yuri calling her 'Sicababy' for a couple of times since she woke up.

"Wwhat..-"

*COUGHS COUGHS*

"Easy.."

Yuri caressed Jessica's back gently while she coughed, showing her so much concern and love.

"Sicababy..?"

Yuri let out an awkward chuckle and scratched the back of her head.

"Well, i thought you were crying so much"
"Like a baby, so i've decided to call you sicababy"

Actually, its my heart who wishes to call you Sicababy.
I love you.

You're my baby for me to caress and pamper.

"..."

"But if you don't like it"
"I can stop it immediately!"

Jessica shook her head tiredly as she closed her eyes and pulled the blankets closer to her.
Silently and secretly, she smiled a little to herself.

I don't know why, but the way you call me calms me down.
For a moment, all the fear and sadness disappeared into thin air.

Or is it because im just too exhausted thanks to my fever?
Nevertheless, thanks Yul.
Thanks for being here for me, and calming me down.

I.. love you..?
Do I..?

A/N: »»»
►Golden Rod - Jessica's thoughts
►Light Salmon - Yuri's thoughts
►Dim Gray - Dialogues

HELLO PEOPLE.
I.AM.BACK.

YES!

Hahas, i hope you people had enjoyed this update though its a sad one.
But look at the brighter side!
Our baby Jessi is falling for Yul ^^

Isn't that sweet?!

People, i promise i'll try to update again next week since i only have two weeks of holidays )':
I've been real busy that i laid flat on my bed as soon as im home from school.

*PS:It's okay to curse and swear at me for not updating though!
Just don't forget to comment and let me know how do you people think of this chapter!

Love you readers (':
Gomawoyo! SARANGHAEYOOOO <3