Byeol's POV
I opened my eyes to see bright lights. I groaned and covered my face.
"Mom turns off the lights!"
I complained and tried to fall back asleep. I shifted, the bed was too comfortable to be my own. I tried to go back to bed before I had a feeling that I needed to get up.
I opened my eyes, finally hearing constant beeping. I was not home and that beeping was a heart monitor. My heart had put in the hospital again.
This was not anything new, but the fact most nurses recognize me now makes me feel some type of embarrassment.
"Stupid heart."
I muttered and slapped my chest, which I immediately regretted as I groaned out in pain. The door slides open, revealing my brother. He stepped forward before realizing I was conscious.
"Byeol."
I smiled at him and he just ran to me, hugging me tightly as soon as he got close enough.
"What happened? How long was I out?"
I heard him sniffle which made me concerned. It couldn't have been that bad?
"4 days now, you don't remember?"
Oh it was that bad.
He let go and looked at me confused. He still grabbed on to my shoulder, scared I would fade into air any second.
"Not really..... I just remember the school trip....and OH-"
I gasped. Flashes of my breakdown came back to me. Then of course the memory of Seojun....
"What what?"
His grip around my arm tightened. Expecting some crazy response like I was almost kidnapped but no, I was just embarrassed that Seojun saw me like that.
"Seojun saw my panic attack! He's gonna ask what caused it and that's-ugh"
I cried out falling back on my pillow. Kicking my feet up in the air in distress.
"You're worried about that?"
Hyungwon laughed.
"Like I said, he's gonna ask what happened and then I have to explain that I was stalking Jugyeong and him-"
I cut myself off, I was telling my brother too much information.
He had an eyebrow raised at me. But before he could question me, the door opened again, this time my mom was there.
I looked to her and sat up, waving at her.
"Mom!"
I saw her eyes widen with relief before they turned into a glare I knew all too well. She marched over to me before smacking my arm. She was not strong but me being me, I dramatically yelped.
"You idiot, you scared me."
Her yelling immediately turned to cry as she hugged me.
"I was so scared, I thought you were gone!"
I patted her back, not knowing how to react to her multiple emotions.
"It's okay, I am alive. See my heart is beating and okay."
I put her hand on my heart to show her, that thing was still going. She paused but smiled back. She looked between my brother and I, looking like she needed to discuss something important. It made me uneasy.
"About that sweetie, you're gonna need surgery. I know this isn't what you wanted but you need it. I tried to talk the doctors and this is the only good option we have."
I frowned at the news, I knew my condition would get the best of me one day but I didn't think it would be today. I had so much I still wanted to do.
I stared out in space, processing her words and my thoughts. I looked back to her before asking:
"What? Like a small surgery or-"
I looked between them, trying to figure out what was happening. They both had this look of guilt on their face.
"Heart transplant."
My brother stated. I felt my stomach drop.
"What? Why would I need that?"
I assumed I wouldn't need anything like this until I was way older.
"You're heart is slowly giving out. You need this or else your heart won't last for long. We already found a donor for you!"
She smiled, grabbing my hands.
"That fast? That's surprising."
I shook my head in disbelief at how quick the doctors could find a heart for me.
Who did my mom pay?
"Well I might've put you on a list a while back but that's besides the point! Since you're awake we can do it right away."
I know my mom was just trying to brush the whole 'I did this behind your back' so I let her. I knew why she was like this.
"But, mom. Isn't the surgery dangerous? My heart is being taken out!"
I started to get teary-eyed at the thought.
"I know it's scary, but you can get through this. You're my daughter, you're built to be strong. Plus, after all this, you won't be dealing with those pains anymore."
I nodded to her words, still worried.
"Dad wasn't lucky enough to find a donor quick enough. I know if he was here, he would want you to take the chance."
We never really talked about the day dad died, so hearing my mom say that was surprising.
I sat there for a minute or two trying to take everything in. I just woke up from embarrassing myself and now my heart is being taken out. A lot can happen in 10 mins.
But I knew my mom was right, dad would want me to do this. Plus worst case scenario I die but either way that would already happen......so not many options here.
"Okay, I'll do it, I got no choice really "
I said jokingly. My mom rubbed my back.
"I know this is a lot, but I am sure the doctor will explain step by step so you will know what is happening. I wish we didn't have to rush like this. I'll let the nurse know you're awake."
My mom gave me a tight squeeze before getting up and walking outside the room.
I leaned back in my bed, poking at my fingers. My brother still stood at the edge of my bed.
"Are you hungry Byeol?"
My brother patted my leg to get my attention. I nodded, comfort food is what I needed.
"I'll go see what's available."
He said, walking out to find what were my food options.
I sighed and looked down at my hands. My nails looked dirty, probably from when I passed out.
I jumped when I heard something vibrate. I looked at the noise and saw my phone on the table beside me.
"Oh I forgot about you."
I grabbed it and turned it on.
2% yikes.
Next thing I saw was the amount of notifications. Missed calls & texts from pretty much from anyone who had my number from school.
I scrolled through them, a bunch of 'are you okay' and 'please message back when you can'.
I stopped when I saw Seojun's name.
'Please call me back when you see this. Whoever reads this please....'
The rest of the message cut off and of course curiosity got the best of me and I clicked it.
It read,
'Whoever reads this please let me know she is okay. I can't lose her too.'
I sucked in my breath. My face felt hot and my eyes started to swell up with tears.
All these mixed feelings and to get this message, my heart was not okay.
I put the phone down and tried to suck up my tears. I was cut off when my phone vibrated again
I looked and saw Seojun's caller ID.
Shit, I forgot read receipts are a thing.
I stared at his icon, trying to decide what to do. But my phone chose for me as my screen went black.
"Great."
I placed my phone back on the table and laid myself back down. The door opened up and my family came in.
"Cafeteria was closed but we got you vending machine food!"
Hyungwon cheered holding chocolate and a soda.
Oh I didn't even check what time it was.
"Such a good meal, thank you."
I laughed and took the items from him. He got me a Hersheys, of course my brother knew me so well. I started unwrapping it.
We sat there for a few more hours, in that time nurses came in to check my vitals and said my doctor will be here tomorrow to further discuss the surgery.
I looked up to the clock on the wall and saw it was nearly midnight. My brother noticed too before he spoke.
"I convinced mom to actually come home so we're going to head out in a little bit. We love you but sleeping in chairs is not fun."
I realized that my mom was probably here these past 4 days. She's crazy.
"We'll be back here early though so we can talk to the doctor together."
My mom spoke and went to grab her belongings. She noticed my phone.
"Do you want a charger for your phone right now? I am sure it's dead."
I was going to say yes but then realized charging it would mean confrontation with Seojun...
"I am good for now, just bring one tomorrow."
She nodded and walked towards me for one last hug. She held me for longer than usual.
"Thank you for not giving up sweetie."
She kissed the top of my head and let go.
My brother just came in and patted my head.
"Congrats on not dying."
He said and I scoffed. My mom smacked him across the head with her bag.
"Let's go."
She grabbed Hyungwon's arm and dragged him out.
Oh he was for sure getting scolded in the car.
"Bye!"
I waved as they walked out.
I laid back once again and looked to the ceiling. This felt like a dream. I never thought my condition would get this bad that I would be in a coma for 4 days.
But even after 4 days of rest, I was still tired. I felt my eyes droop down and I tried to ignore my thoughts of what tomorrow would bring.
.⋅ ε 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲 з ⋅.
*knocks on door*
heyyyy.....
It's been a while huh? This year had been super crazy with school and everything so if you're reading this I just want to say thank you so much!! Hope the chapter isn't crappy haha.
Happy Holidays everyone!!