Room 97

Chapter 8

The next day, Jennie went to work with an arm sling hanging around her neck. Her colleagues got worried, knowing Lisa actually did it. But Jennie defended Lisa, saying she fell off the stairs at her house and sprained her elbow. Her colleagues bought it, but Jisoo didn’t.

When it was their break, Jisoo talked to Jennie in private.

“Come on, Lisa broke your elbow, didn’t she?” Jisoo interrogated.

“Well, it’s not on purpose.” Jennie dismissively said. But was it really not on purpose?

“So she really did?”

“Yes, but by accident. It’s not a big deal. I’m fine.” Jennie assured her.

“What did she do to you? And not to mention you were crying yesterday.” Jisoo said and Jennie was taken aback by her statement. “She made you cry too, didn’t she?”

“No...” Jennie slowly said.

“Come on Jennie, you can tell me anything. And we promised you that we’ll protect you from that...creepy patient of yours.”

“Alright.” Jennie sighed as her face fell down. “She got mad, but I don’t know why. First, she was crying, I calmed her down. And then suddenly she went berserk and pushed me off of the chair...and that’s how I got a sprained elbow.”

“And you even forgot to lock her door!”

“I’m sorry.” Jennie mumbled.

“It’s alright. At least she didn’t attempt to get away.” Jisoo sighed. “But why were you crying, though? You didn’t cry because of your sprained elbow, did you?” Jennie shook her head, still avoiding Jisoo’s eyes. “Then why? You really got me worried yesterday, you know.”

“I don’t even know how I should explain this to you.” Jennie said and she sighed.

“Explain what exactly?” Jisoo confusedly asked and Jenne finally looked at her eyes.

“Is it weird that I grew attached to her?” Jisoo’s eyes widened.

“Are you kidding me?”

“Do I look like one?”

“But...I don’t understand.”

“I don’t really understand too, but she makes me so curious about her. She’s like a book full of mystery that I want to read all day.” Jennie paused. “I’ve never seen her get mad like that, I was so shocked and caught off guard.”

“Oh my god.” Jisoo chuckled and Jennie gave her a puzzled look. “No way.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You didn’t just grow attached to her, you like her!”

“I...do I?”

“If a patient got mad at me and got yelled by them, I’m pretty sure I won't cry just because of that. Unless they already meant something to me and such actions would definitely affect me.” Jisoo said. “But don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.” She winked.

After their private talk, Jennie went to Lisa’s room. Her heart beating faster as she was getting close to the door, it felt just like her first day. What would Lisa do next to her? Kill her? She gulped nervously at the thought and she unlocked the door. She twisted the knob and slowly opening the door. She saw Lisa still in bed, her back facing her. Jennie took a deep breath and cleared her throat to make her presence known.

“It’s lunch time.” Jennie announced and Lisa slowly got up and went to the door, not even looking at Jennie. It made Jennie’s heart ached. Jennie thought she was slowly getting Lisa’s trust but it now seemed that she was back to zero. Lisa was her usual self again.

Once they reached the cafeteria, Lisa sat on the chair while Jennie got her lunch. Lisa saw Jennie’s arm sling and she did regret pushing Jennie. She didn’t mean to hurt her like that. She only did it because she thought it was the right thing to do to protect herself for her own self. Weird? Indeed.

Jennie returned to the table and started feeding Lisa. The spoon hadn’t even reached Lisa’s lips yet but Lisa prevented Jennie from doing it by holding her hand, making the food spill from the spoon. Jennie was shocked by her action. Was Lisa going to break her hand now? Lisa snatched the spoon from Jennie’s hand and pulled the tray to her and started eating by herself. Needless to say, Jennie was glad Lisa didn’t break her hand.

After Lisa’s disgusting lunch, Jennie brought her back to her room and told her to wait for her so she could clean Lisa up. Jennie then returned to the room, carrying the basin with struggle in one hand while Lisa’s uniform was in her other hand. The basin almost slipped out of her hand but Lisa was kind enough to help her. Jennie just watched Lisa put the basin on the table and took her top off and started cleaning herself.

Jennie didn’t know if she should be glad that Lisa was helping herself or be frustrated that Lisa was ignoring her. Maybe Jisoo was right. Maybe she already liked Lisa that even small things like ignoring her was already making her a bit mad. She just stayed silent until Lisa was finished cleaning herself and got dressed. Once Lisa was done, she picked up the basin and started walking to the door. Before she could even hold the doorknob, Lisa spoke.

“I’m sorry.” Lisa said, her voice was stern. Jennie sighed and glanced at her.

“It’s fine.” Jennie shortly answered and was about to open the door again but Lisa spoke again.

“I didn’t mean to do it.” Lisa said, her voice softer than usual. Jennie turned her head again to Lisa and she was surprised that the latter was walking towards her while looking at her elbow. “Does it hurt?” She asked.

“A bit.” Lisa met her eyes.

“Can we talk?” Jennie just nodded and the two sat on their usual spot before talking. Jennie stayed silent as she waited for Lisa to speak first. “I’m really sorry for what I did yesterday.” Lisa said with a hint of guilt in her voice. “I told you before you’ll regret not tying my sleeves.”

“I have no regrets.” Jennie said and sighed. “I hope you’re okay now.”

“Y-you’re not...going to leave, are you?” Lisa hesitantly asked.

“Why would I?”

“Because I hurt you. Everyone leaves when I hurt them.” Lisa said in a low voice as her eyes went on the floor. Jennie halfheartedly smiled as she put her hand on Lisa’s knee.

“Haven’t I told you that it’s my job to be brave?” Lisa slowly lifted her head to meet her eyes. Jennie’s eyes widened when she saw Lisa’s eyes were filled with tears again. She quickly withdrew her hand and moved slightly away from Lisa. She just didn’t want to end up with two sprained elbows.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Lisa began to sob and Jennie felt her heart melted. She had never seen Lisa this vulnerable and seeing her like this made her weak and vulnerable as well.

“I understand.” Jennie said even though she was still puzzled to why she began being aggressive. “It’s okay.”

“Can’t you all just kill me? I don’t want to be here anymore.” Lisa said between her sobs and Jennie stood up to sit next to Lisa.

“Stop saying that. You’re making me even more scared.” Jennie said as she began rubbing Lisa’s back.

“You don’t understand.”

“Then I’ll try my best to understand you. I want you to know that starting today, your battles would be mine as well. We will do this together. I want you to be brave for me and please, let me help you.” Jennie hopefully said.

“There’s no chance for me to win this battle. I’ve already lost.” Lisa sniffed and Jennie lifted her chin and made her look at her. Jennie flashed a soft smile that Lisa adored and Jennie wiped her tears.

“Don’t you believe in second chances? Maybe next time we’ll win the battle.” Jennie brought down her hand to hold Lisa’s. “I just want you to hold on and be brave.”

“Why do you care so much?” Lisa weakly said, her energy got drained from crying. “It’s not that I even matter to live.”

“Lisa, you’re more than that.” Jennie said as her thumb began drawing circles on Lisa’s hand. “I care because you’re my most favorite person here. I like talking to you. I like spending my time with you. Even if it would cost my life by just staying here, I won’t leave your side.” Jennie shyly smiled. Did she just subtly confess to the most dangerous person in that horrible place? Maybe she did and she wished Lisa would take a hint and stop pushing her away.

“You are crazy.” Lisa said and Jennie halfheartedly chuckled.

“Maybe I am.” Jennie responded. “You matter to me.”