✓ PLOT TWIST | JUNGWON

16 - Unwritten Script

"You look stunning," Areum says while lying on my bed, legs resting against the wall as I fix myself for one last time. It's morning and today is the day of the music festival that's happening in the afternoon, but here I am, getting ready for the day's events as if it were a grand gala. I've spent hours agonizing over this outfit, this makeup, this hairstyle. Every decision felt monumental as if it could determine the course of my entire life.

"Thanks," I reply, a forced smile playing on my lips. Though, I feel like a fraud. "But isn't it too much?" 

"Your crush, the one you spent a whole semester crushing on, finally asked you on a date. If anything, this is an understatement. You look like a million bucks, Juri. Own it."

"About that—" I try to explain, to tell her that my feelings had been a tangled mess these past few days since Jungwon showed up in my life and now my feelings for Sunoo might not be as strong as I thought, but she sits up and puts a hand up, stopping me from speaking.  

"I know. I get it. You're nervous but don't let it ruin a moment that could turn into the best moment of your life," Areum. My best friend half of the time, and a reincarnated life coach the other half, gives me a reassuring smile. "Trust me, Juri. Sometimes, you just have to dive in and see where it takes you."

Well, it definitely feels like I'm about to dive into the deep end without knowing how to swim. With what happened with Jungwon yesterday, I still don't know how to face my emotions properly and make out what I want from what I need. Every time I think I've figured out one thing, something else pops up to throw me off course. But Areum's right—if I keep hesitating, I'll never find out what's waiting on the other side.

Downstairs, Yuri is sitting in the same spot as yesterday, still working on her laptop. I roll my eyes. As if her rich boyfriends don't give her enough money to spend on all her little whims. It's not like she needs to work this hard. But that's Yuri for you—always chasing something, even when she already has everything.

She barely glances up when Areum and I head downstairs. "You're leaving?" She asks, her tone more disinterested than usual. "It's Saturday."

"Yeah," I don't bother continuing the conversation. There's no point. Yuri and I have never been close, and today isn't the day to start. Instead, I focus on Areum, who's already opening the front door, letting in the fresh air.

Yuri hums in acknowledgment, her focus still on the screen. "Don't forget to come back in one piece. Mom's already on edge with everything going on." My steps come to a halt. I turn to face her, my patience wearing thin. It's not like her to care about what I'm doing, much less to mention Mom in that way.

"It's none of your business. Keep on acting like we're not even related," I snap, the words coming out harsher than I intended. Yuri looks up from her laptop, her eyes narrowing slightly, but she doesn't rise to the bait. Instead, she just gives me that infuriatingly calm look she always does when she thinks I'm being dramatic. I storm off, swinging the door close behind me before I follow after Areum who's already outside. 

"You guys should learn how to communicate better," Areum mutters under her breath, shaking her head as we step out into the fresh morning air. I can't help but agree. Living with Yuri is like walking through a minefield—one wrong step and boom, there's an explosion. But better communication? It feels like trying to teach a cat to drive. Yuri is stubborn, and I'm just as bad. We're a recipe for disaster.

"Well, we're both pretty good at making things worse, aren't we?" I reply with a wry smile, hoping to lighten the mood. Areum chuckles, shaking her head as we walk down the street. I shove the fact that my own sister did not make a single comment about my appearance or send me off with a simple 'have fun' deep down. I don't want to think about it. It's not like I expect her to do so, anyway. And yet.