It had been a week, and Dove hadn't left her bed. Her side of the room looked nothing like its usual organized state-crumpled blankets, scattered notebooks, and empty wrappers from dark chocolate fudge brownies painted a picture of her unraveling Megan and Hyejin had tried giving her space, but their worry had reached its limit.
Megan knocked softly on the doorframe, her voice barely above a whisper. "Dove? Can we come in?"
Dove didn't move from her cocoon of blankets, her voice muffled and flat. "Sure."
Megan and Hyejin exchanged a glance before stepping inside. Megan perched carefully on the edge of the bed while Hyejin crossed her arms, leaning against the wall, her usual confident demeanour softened by concern.
"We heard what happened," Megan began cautiously. "But we didn't want to assume anything. We thought maybe... you'd want to talk about it?"
Dove's fingers tightened around the edge of her blanket, her shoulders tensing. "There's nothing to talk about. I'm fine," she said flatly.
Hyejin arched a brow, her voice gentle but firm. "Dove, you've been in bed for a week. You don't eat with us, you don't go to class. This isn't like you."
Megan reached out, her hand brushing against Dove's arm. "We just want you to know that we're here for you. Whenever you're ready."
"I'm fine," Dove repeated, her tone clipped. She didn't look at them, her gaze fixed somewhere distant. The girls hesitated, unsure whether to push further. Finally, Megan stood up and gave Hyejin a subtle nod.
"Alright," Megan said softly. "We won't push. Just... let us know if you need anything, okay?"
The two turned to leave, but just as they reached the door, Dove's voice cracked through the silence.
"I'm...not fine."
Megan and Hyejin froze, turning back to see Dove sitting up. Tears streamed down her face as she clutched the blanket around her shoulders.
"I'm not fine," she repeated, her voice trembling. "I-I feel like everything's falling apart. I feel like I can't breathe, like no matter what I do, it's not enough. And I hate it. I hate that I'm like this."
Her sobs broke free, loud and raw, as she buried her face in her hands. "I'm sorry. I'm being so dramatic. You guys shouldn't have to deal with this."
Megan immediately sat down beside her, wrapping an arm around Dove's shoulders. "Hey, stop that. You're not being dramatic. You're allowed to feel like this, Dove. It's okay."
Hyejin moved closer, her voice surprisingly soft. "You're always taking care of everyone else, but you never let anyone take care of you. Let us be here for you, okay?"
Dove looked up at them, her tear-streaked face crumpling. "I don't know what to do. I feel so lost."
Megan hugged her tightly, her voice steady. "You don't have to figure it out alone. We'll get through this together."
Megan and Hyejin sat quietly as Dove's sobs turned to shaky breaths. Megan stayed close, her arm a comforting weight around Dove's shoulders, while Hyejin leaned forward from her spot on the floor, her expression a mix of concern and quiet patience.
Dove sniffled, her fingers clutching the edge of the blanket. "There's... something I haven't told you," she began hesitantly, her voice barely audible.
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to." Megan said gently.
Dove shook her head. "No, I need to. I've been holding it in, and I think that's why I feel like I'm falling apart."
Hyejin gave her a small, encouraging nod. "We're here. Whatever it is, just say it."
Dove took a deep breath, her throat tightening. "Minho and I... we used to date."
Both girls froze for a moment. Megan's eyes widened, and Hyejin let out a soft "Whoa," but neither interrupted.
"It was in a boarding school in London." Dove continued, her voice trembling. "We were together for a while, but... he didn't want to commit. He said he wasn't ready for something serious, so he left without any other word."
Megan's grip on Dove's shoulder tightened slightly, offering silent support. "That must have been really hard," she said softly.
"It was," Dove admitted, her tears threatening to spill again. "I thought I'd be able to move on when I came here, but then he showed up, and it was like everything I worked so hard to bury came rushing back."
She wiped at her face with her sleeve, trying to steady her voice. "He'd been picking fights with me ever since i came here. And then there's Stella, she accused me of all these things I didn't do, and he believed her. Then he cornered me and said so many hurtful things to me last week, and I just... I can't take it anymore."
Hyejin crossed her arms, a sharp frown on her face. "So let me get this straight: he broke up with you because he couldn't commit, and now he's treating you like you're the problem? While his girlfriend stirs the pot?"
Dove nodded miserably. "Yeah. Pretty much."
Hyejin scoffed. "What a coward."
"Hyejin," Megan said, though her tone wasn't entirely disapproving.
"No, seriously," Hyejin continued, her voice rising slightly. "He's jealous that you're doing well without him. That's why he keeps picking fights with you. And Stella? She's probably just scared because she thinks you'll steal him away, I mean, I don't blame her. You're gorgeous."
Dove gave a weak laugh, though tears still streamed down her cheeks. "You don't have to defend me. I'm not perfect either. Maybe I made things worse by not handling it better."
"You're not perfect, Dove," Megan said gently, "but no one is. And none of this is your fault. You didn't ask for this."
Dove buried her face in her hands, her voice muffled. "I'm sorry for being so dramatic about all of this. You guys shouldn't have to deal with my mess."
"Stop apologizing," Megan said firmly, pulling Dove into a hug. "You're allowed to feel hurt. We're your friends, Dove. Let us be here for you."
Hyejin stood up, placing her hands on her hips. "And if either of them tries to mess with you again, they're going to have to deal with me. No one gets away with treating my bestie like that!"
Dove let out a small, watery laugh, glancing between her roommates. "Thank you," she whispered.
Megan smiled softly. "That's what we're here for."
Hyejin stood up, brushing imaginary dust off her pants. "Don't thank us yet. I'm seriously considering having a little chat with Minho."
"No!" Dove said quickly, her voice panicked. "Please don't. I don't want to make things worse."
Megan placed a calming hand on Dove's arm. "Don't worry. We won't do anything you're not comfortable with." She shot Hyejin a pointed look, who huffed but relented.
"Fine," Hyejin muttered. "But if he so much as looks at you wrong again, all bets are off."
Dove let out a small, genuine laugh, the sound surprising even her.
The three girls leaned in for a group hug. Not only did the heartfelt moment help Dove open up, but it also helped the girls grow closer. Although there was no guarantee that Hyejin wasn't gonna do something or the other to get revenge.
-ËËââââââââââââââââââââ
Awww, I wish I had roommates like Megan and Hyejin (I live at home).
I literally kind of teared up a little while writing it.
Anyway, I'll see you in the next chapter!