Storms of Youth

Broken Bonds

Lily was sitting on her bed, texting her friend Jasmin. She typed, "Hey, can I come to your house?" A moment later, Jasmin’s reply came in, brimming with excitement. Guess what?! We're going to Jeju Island for a trip, so we’ll meet there!

Meanwhile, Riya stood drenched in the rain, waiting outside. Jack noticed her but chose to pretend he didn’t recognize her. A kind shop owner nearby handed Riya a towel, saying, “Here, dry yourself off.” Riya took the towel and wrapped it around herself, shivering slightly. “Shall we go?” she asked. Jack nodded without making eye contact, and they began walking together.

As they walked in awkward silence, the rain began to ease, and they folded the umbrella. Jack finally broke the quiet, “Did you hear the rumor about us?” Riya nodded, looking straight ahead at the road. Jack sighed and said, “I made it up.”

Riya froze mid-step, confusion flooding her face. “Why the hell would you do that?” she demanded, clearly shocked.

Jack continued walking nonchalantly, as if his confession meant nothing. I had a girlfriend before. She cheated on me. When I found out, we had this big scene in class. I stormed off to the washroom... and that’s when I saw you.

Riya’s cheeks flushed pink, surprised at the sudden intimacy in his words. Jack didn’t seem to notice her reaction as he continued, “My friends saw us together, and I wanted her to think she was no longer the center of my world.”

Riya’s face turned a deeper shade of red, and Jack smirked at her. “Are you mad at me?” he asked playfully.

Riya shook her head, her voice small. No... No one really knows me, so I don’t care. But if those girls bully me...

Jack interrupted her, his tone softening, “Call me if that happens.”

The next morning, Lily was packing her luggage, preparing for the trip. As she made her way downstairs, she saw her grandmother waiting for her. “Can you stay with me for two days?” her grandmother asked, her voice tender.

Lily smiled warmly, holding her grandmother’s hand. Granny, I’ll be back in three or four days. It’s just a trip with friends. She hugged her grandmother, feeling the love that had always been there. Before leaving, Lily handed over some important documents. “Take care of these while I’m away,” she said, giving her grandmother a reassuring smile before heading out.

Elsewhere, Jasmin was boarding a plane when she spotted her mother’s friend — and with her, Thomas. She muttered under her breath in annoyance, "Of all people..." To her dismay, Thomas’s parents called her over and embraced her like she was still a child, much to Thomas’s quiet amusement as he watched her every move.

Lily, on her way to Jeju Island, settled into the car that was taking her to the meeting spot Jasmin had mentioned. That same day, Jack’s parents announced their wedding anniversary celebration, inviting all their friends and family to Jeju.

When Lily arrived at the destination, she spotted Riya’s father. Her bodyguards immediately blocked him from approaching her, but Lily waved them off. “It’s okay, let him through,” she said kindly. She greeted Riya’s father warmly, and he smiled, “We’re here to meet someone.” Lily smiled back. “Me too, uncle,” she said, and they headed to a nearby café together.

Back at home, Lily’s grandmother was reviewing the documents her granddaughter had left behind. Her heart sank as she realized half of Lily’s shares would go to her stepsister, and that Lily was also paying back her father for her mother’s medical treatment. Just then, Lily’s stepmother appeared, grabbing the check with greedy eyes. Lily’s grandmother shook her head in disappointment, knowing the truth of the situation.

Meanwhile, Jasmin lands at Jeju and refuses Thomas’s offer to help with her luggage, only to stumble in the process. Thomas, ever watchful, caught her just in time, causing her parents to laugh awkwardly at the scene. Jasmin, however, was anything but amused.

Later, as Jasmin called Lily, she was surprised when Lily arrived quickly. Thomas’s parents, shocked and overjoyed, recognized her instantly. Lily?! Your mom and I were besties! Thomas’s mother exclaimed, tears of joy in her eyes as she hugged Lily tightly. Lily, feeling a warmth she had long missed, smiled softly.

She then casually offered Thomas a bro-handshake, teasing him, “Don’t start again.” Thomas responded with a playful smirk, and Lily dragged Jasmin aside. “Where’s your luggage?” Jasmin asked. “My bodyguards will bring it,” Lily replied, waving it off like it was no big deal.

When the bodyguards finally arrived with Riya’s parents’ luggage, they dropped it off near Jasmin, who looked confused but nodded in thanks. Lily added, “I’ll go with them,” and they all parted ways.

Once they were alone, Riya began telling Lily everything that had happened to Jack. Lily gasped in shock. Riya, he’s using you! Don’t let him get too close! Jasmin playfully smacked Lily’s hand, interrupting the serious conversation. “I think he’s into you!” she teased, and Riya blushed. Lily shook her head, skeptical. “You two are delusional,” she said with a smile.

Switching topics, Lily asked, “Anyway, why are we even in Jeju?” Riya replied, “Jack’s parents invited us to a party.” Jasmin dramatically fainted at the news, and Lily nearly lost it.

The group traveled together in a passenger van, their chaotic energy filling the small space as they searched for their hotel. When they finally arrived, they found themselves standing in front of a massive, bustling building. As they walked inside, the hotel manager spotted Lily and bowed deeply. Lily, utterly confused, asked, “What’s going on?”

The manager smiled, explaining, Because of Ms. Lily, we’re offering a 50% discount. The group looked at Lily like she was some sort of superhero, but she shrugged it off as they checked in.

Later, Lily excused herself to use the restroom. On her way, a small boy accidentally bumped into her, falling to the floor. “I’m sorry!” he said, looking up at her with wide eyes. Lily helped him up, only to realize it was Jacob’s younger brother. The boy’s face lit up when he recognized her.

Just then, Jacob appeared, finishing a phone call. “Hey, nice to see you again, Lily,” he said with a smile. “You too!” she replied warmly.

A middle-aged woman approached, scolding the boy gently. “Be careful next time,” she said, her tone maternal. Lily greeted her politely, but the woman didn’t seem pleased.

Jacob then asked, Lily Flores, right? Mathew’s friend? As soon as he mentioned Mathew’s name, his mother’s smile disappeared. Lily offered a handshake, trying to be polite. “Nice to meet you,” she said, but Jacob’s mother quickly grabbed her younger son and walked away without a word.

Jacob looked confused as he watched his mother leave. “See you later, Lily,” he said, slightly bewildered. “Yeah, see you,” Lily replied, her voice carrying a hint of confusion. Jasmin and Riya, who had been watching from a distance, giggled like it was a rom-com. Lily noticed them and rolled her eyes, pretending not to hear their teasing.

Soon, everyone headed to their rooms. Jasmin and Riya shared one, while Lily was left alone in hers. Before long, Riya signaled to Jasmin that Thomas was in the room next door. Jasmin glanced over, catching Thomas’s smile. She smiled back shyly before slipping into her room.