IZ*ONE University [THE REWRITE]

Chapter 17: I want to give every pretty thing to you

Choi Yena's POV

I found myself back in Yiren's room, and my head hurt a lot. It felt as if I had been struck by a baseball bat. I knew what that felt like because Yujin accidentally hit me when she tried out for the baseball team. I had gone along to support her. She was carrying the bat on her shoulder, and as she turned around, she accidentally swung it low. Since I was shorter than her, I got hit.

"You're awake?" Yiren said, carrying a glass of water as she opened the door.

"Yeah..." I smiled at her, and she smiled back weakly.

"Today's your last day, right?"

"Yup," I said as I got out of bed and stretched. "I'll be leaving later, after lunch, and I have a date."

"You know that my dad is stalking you?" she said, looking worried.

"Don't worry, I know."

I hugged her to help her relax, but she pushed me away.

"Just... I'm a little uncomfortable with skinship right now, Yena..."

"Did I do something inappropriate last night?"

"No, it's just complicated. I think I'll take a walk."

Yiren left me alone in the room, and it bothered me why she seemed tense around me. Did I do something to make her uncomfortable? Regardless, I needed to shower because I had a date with Yuri—a friendly date.

I recently discovered that I was completely in love with Joyul and wanted us to be more than friends. However, the world kept messing with my life. I found out that Yiren's dad was abusing her and that Joyul liked someone else—probably Kwangbae. How does Kwangbae manage to attract so many girls by just talking to them once?!

I stepped into the bathtub and placed my head underwater to calm my thoughts, but I kept getting flashbacks. I saw two men talking, felt like I was drowning, and remembered someone taking my hand. It all felt so real. I pulled my head out of the water and stared at my reflection. My eyes looked sad. I missed being truly happy.

Ahn Yujin's POV

"I miss them," I whispered as I stared into the night.

I was on the rooftop of our new house. My mom had decided to buy a new place for us because she was tired of Mrs. Jang's complaints. She now works as Sungmin Oppa's secretary at Choi Entertainment. Yena unnie helped my family when we moved out because we accidentally ran into each other on the street. It turned out that her brother needed an experienced PA since he had just become a board member.

Things haven't been going well for the twelve of us recently. Eunbi unnie has been skipping meals and is on her way to becoming a workaholic. Chaewon and Hyewon unnie have disappeared, and Minju and Hitomi have been very distant lately. I feel like we're all drifting apart, and I don't want that. Wonyoung and I are barely keeping our group from falling apart because we rarely see each other, and at lunch, we barely even speak. I also haven't been able to enjoy my dates with Wonyoung because I keep remembering what her father said.

"What are you thinking about, honey?" my mom asked as she sat beside me, her warmth wrapping around me like a soft blanket. "Don't worry; I won't reprimand you for being up here at 2 in the morning."

"Really?" I replied, a bit surprised but so grateful for her understanding.

"Mhm," she nodded and gently brushed my hair with her hand. "I know you've been sneaking up here ever since we moved, and that's okay with me as long as it helps you heal from whatever you're facing."