Wonderwall • ℍ𝕒𝕖𝕤𝕠𝕠

𝟘𝟚

It is often said that tough times can pave the way for the most glorious moments in one's life. However, for Jisoo, that moment seemed elusive, always just out of reach. Every day felt like a gloomy haze, devoid of any joy or light. Despite her best efforts - working tirelessly at the bakery, looking after her son, and fighting against the return of the dark clouds of depression that she had recently escaped from - happiness remained a distant dream for her.

In those dark and merciless moments, Jisoo often questioned the worth of her own existence. The constant struggle to mask the mental anguish she carried only added to her heavy load.

Despite the challenges, Jisoo somehow persevered, even if she couldn't quite grasp how she did it. Deep down, she recognized that the love for her son and the unwavering support of her dear friend were the pillars that carried her through that tumultuous phase in her life.

Though still grappling with feelings of loneliness and sadness, Jisoo found solace in the belief that better days lay ahead. She held onto the hope that, someday, the light at the end of the tunnel would finally shine upon her, even if she couldn't predict when that moment would arrive.

Following a lengthy and intense discussion with JongSuk's school principal, Jisoo said her farewells feeling drained and disheartened. Over the past few months, she had been deeply disappointed by her son's attitude and behavior. Ever since the new school year began, he had been causing trouble and behaving rudely towards everyone at school.

Feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about how to address the situation with her son, Jisoo found herself at a loss. The tension and clashes at school seemed to spill over into their home life, making it seem as though her son held the power within their household.

Jisoo let out a sigh of pure disillusionment as she spotted him sitting outside the principal's office, seemingly unfazed and annoyed at having to wait for her. Gathering her thoughts, she took a deep breath and slowly made her way towards him.

"Do you want to go home or..?" Jisoo began to ask, but before she could finish, JongSuk abruptly cut her off.

"Where else should I go? Do you want me to leave too and never come back? Huh? Answer me!!!" JongSuk's brazen words echoed, oblivious to the presence of other school staff nearby. Clutching the strap of her bag tightly, Jisoo pressed her lips together, the ache in her chest intensifying.

"Please....JongSuk....behave, will you!" Jisoo mumbled under her breath, her gaze steady as she looked at him. JongSuk scoffed and swiftly left his mother alone in the waiting room outside the principal's office.

"JongSuk!?" Jisoo uttered with a nearly broken expression on her face, but her words were abruptly cut off by the principal's secretary.

"Mrs. Choi.....oh....my bad....I mean Miss Kim! Would you sign this form for me, please?" the secretary uttered nervously, eliciting a smile from Jisoo.

"It's still Mrs. Choi..." Jisoo clarified gently as she picked up the pen and swiftly added her signature to the document.

"All done, and...you can still call me by my marital name," Jisoo said with a small smile. The woman smiled back, but her expression seemed strange and stoic.

"I'm sorry....I'm not allowed to...I just forgot! So please excuse my mistake from earlier!" she said, bowing down to Jisoo. Confused by this response, Jisoo blinked slowly in disbelief.

"Not allowed? What do you mean?" Jisoo asked, glancing around the room. Everyone seemed to be doing their best to ignore her.

"Miss Kim, I'm sorry but I have to go...have a nice day further!" she muttered before quickly retreating to her desk. Jisoo stood there, feeling like a complete fool, as she always struggled to comprehend why these people treated her so differently. She had never given them any reason to treat her in such a manner.

Hurriedly exiting the room, Jisoo began scanning the aisles for her son, feeling irritated that he hadn't waited for her. Desperately searching every nook and cranny of the school, she couldn't shake the feeling of being weirded out by something or someone, and just when she thought things couldn't get any stranger, they did.

Squinting at the familiar figure, Jisoo felt a sense of recognition wash over her. Her legs moved almost on their own accord as she approached the person.

"You?" she said in disbelief, as she recognized the same individual from the bakery earlier that day. His eyes widened in surprise at seeing her again.

"Oh....what a surprise to see you here?!" he said with a smile spreading across his face. Jisoo felt a wave of confusion wash over her and quickly fixed a stern gaze on him.

"Are you following me? Are you that desperate to know my name that you had to track me down here? I'm warning you....stop acting like a lunatic and stop following me. I'm not the person you think I am...I already told you that I don't know you from anywhere. So cut this nonsense and leave me alone!" Jisoo uttered firmly, her eyes steady, before turning and leaving him with her words hanging in the air. He stood there, completely baffled by her abrupt and cutting demeanor.

"Holy shit...! What was that for?" he scoffed in pure shock, trying to make sense of the unexpected encounter.