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Twenty One
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56v e r n o n
“I can’t remember what happened, sir.”
“Here are your photos.” Mr. Jung pushed a few photographs lying on his table towards me.
I had to prevent a scoff. Kudos to whoever took these. I feel like we were damn celebrities. The photos were rather blurred.
They were when we first entered the room, and we appeared as though we were arguing. That’s when I was dragging Catherine away as she was determined to find Jackson.
In the last photo, Catherine was leaving the room. Her hair was an unruly mess of tangled strands atop the disarrayed dress, and on her face, a shadow of distress. One could easily throw conclusions that we made out in that room. We did anyway. Not all the way though.
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Euphoria Twenty Two
c a t h e r i n e The hallways before our first class never fail to be so busy and noisy. Students from here and there are flocking, always got something to tell each other. But today is different because their eyes would so often drift at me. I am not totally unaware that I am still the subject of their shameless gossip. The consuming chaos exhausted me by the second so I made my way out of the crowd and went to our classroom, which was empty thirty minutes before class. There, I made the phone call to Vernon that I have been meaning to do since yesterday. “Hey." I forced the energy. I am never an enthusiastic person, but just to be more interesting, I feigned vitality. There was nothing from the other line but the soft whiz of the city breeze and of Vernon’s subtle breaths. Realizing that he is not speaking any second, I continued. “Uh, since you were suspended because of me, I figured I should make it up to you..” I gathered my guts that I had worked hard to collect. My pr
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Euphoria Twenty Three
v e r n o n “I’m sorry.” I was still catching my breath when I got the chance to call Catherine. I bet that she is cursing me now. Damn, I hate myself too. I got out of the storage room on Good Day and wiped my sweat. Ju Hoo, the thirty-something-year-old owner, surprisingly accepted me as a part-timer again. It must be because he is short of staff. I can tell that by the number of tasks he had given the moment he hired me. First, I unloaded his truckload of stocks to the storage room, displayed some of them in the grocery stands, and manned the counter. It was when I was behind the cashier, and there were no customers around when I got the availability to call Catherine. “I’m sorry." My guilt-stricken voice echoed in between my exasperated sigh.
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Euphoria Twenty Four
c a t h e r i n e I pierced my eyes against him. Vernon kept the taunting look. He towered over me from his side of the counter, growing intimidating by the second. I was tongue-tied for a moment; whether due to his question or to his smoldering eyes, I could hardly tell. “Why would you say that?” I blurted out, trying to sound offended although I am nothing but uncomfortable under his gaze. His intense autumn eyes that were now the sharpness of razors, lingered at me longer until he took them off with a nod. “Nothing.” “Why would you say that?” I urged. He then raised a stare, now with the stoic expression. The concealing look has resurfaced. “It’s just..” He clenched his jaw.
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Euphoria Twenty Five
c a t h e r i n e “Go ahead.” Vernon casually urged, oblivious of my nervousness. “Well..” I inhaled briefly, mustering my courage. “Why did you do that? Why did you claim the rumors that you..” My words halted when I caught a familiar built outside the convenience store. My mind went completely blank along with the rise of panic in my chest. From a nearby alley walked Jackson with his friends. I stared intently and I couldn’t be mistaken. My eyes are not lying to me. Growing larger by the second is my boyfriend dressed in all black, with a cigarette perched between his studded lips, and a cocky grin plastered for his mates. They were quickly approaching the store. “Fuck, it’s Jackson.” I left my seat and dashed into t
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Euphoria Twenty Six
v e r n o n “The other days, it was just the girl. Now, it’s a whole squad. Are they your fans or something?” Joo Hoo was both amused and intrigued as he joined me behind the counter. Both of our eyes darted at the small group from a particular table. Catherine was joined by my friends, Wonwoo, Mingyu, and Mark. They had been sitting there for a while, watching me with a grin like I am some sort of a spectacle. “It’s a weekend so they paid a visit,” I replied to Joo Hoo, my eyes squinting at Mingyu who’s now laughing with Catherine. “That girl, is she your girlfriend?” “No. She’s a friend.” On other days, I would have loathed Joo Hoo’s nosiness. Before, I have always been blatan
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Euphoria Twenty Seven
c a t h e r i n e It took me later than usual to arrive in the convenience store the next Monday because of Jackson’s sudden whims. After class, he insisted on spending time with me. He took me to his apartment, which without my knowledge is flooded by his group of friends—some faces I don't even know. Not that it was a bad thing. I don’t mind being around his friends but when I start getting out of place, I can’t help but lose interest. To cut the story short, he was enraged as usual because I had to leave early. “I told you, I need to study,” I explained exhaustedly. “This is the only time I’m asking for you!” “Yes and here I am but look, I feel invisible. You only ever talked with your friends like I’m some decoration in the corner.”
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Euphoria Twenty Eight
v e r n o n The final week of my suspension came to an end. All those days were spent without talking to Catherine. She didn’t try to reach out after our last meeting so I figured I must have offended her with my rudeness. Although that was never my intention, I did not try to make it up to her. It feels like our acquaintance was only driven by the never-ending returning of the favor. Since she has done so much in helping me with our school work, perhaps, she has no plans of seeing me again—given that she’s no longer indebted. “I would have prepared a welcome if I knew you’re returning to class today!” Mingyu was overly enthusiastic as he fetched me in the hallway. Except for Mingyu, everything else drew me in a sour mood. The noisy hallways had never been my cup o
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Euphoria Twenty Nine
c a t h e r i n e The Archive’s doorknob turned open and next was the silent creak of the door widening until it revealed Vernon. I frantically wiped away my tears as I felt him walk towards me. “It’s all fine now, seriously. You can leave.” I dismissed him soon as he got closer. But what did I expect? He heard nothing of it and slumped down on the floor beside me instead. To my surprise, he was carrying a first aid kit. I ignored the tug at my heartstring driven by that small gesture. “What is that?” I asked the obvious. “Yeah, uh, I dashed to the clinic before going here. I stole this.” He raised the kit proudly. I looked at him incredulously.
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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Euphoria Sixty Two
catherineI have never ran so fast my entire life. Seconds felt like forever. My tears fell without a warning. Strangers began to look at me as I stood and waited on the crosswalks, my knees staggering as I paced in agitation. Upon the stop light, I bolted my way to the crossing lane. I ran to the emergency room of Jung Hospital and I immediately found my sister. Naeun hugged me. I wiped away my tears as I tried to calm her."Hey, hey, it's fine. Mom will be fine. Thank you for bringing her here," kneeling down, I cupped her cheeks and hushed her down.Naeun called 911 when mom lost fainting and consciousness. According to Naeun, she vomited blood before that which our neighbor thankfully cleaned while I was in school. My nine-year old sister could only handle so much. It's bad enough
Euphoria Sixty One
catherineI threw my head back laughing. Vernon suppressed his grin by biting his lower lip, leaning on his elbow, and tilting his head as he watched me. When all the laughing subsided, I found his eyes back, their honey-coated irises twinkling in amusement, and the lines on the side of his lips were rising."Is that really a thing?," my brows furrowed."Oh you can search it," he pursed his lips on my phone.I shook my head and laid beside him instead."I'm starting to think this is how you are as a boyfriend.""You mean?" He leaned his head on his palm. Now all that's left for me to see was his flexed
Euphoria Sixty
catherineWe collapsed beside each other, ending up entangled limbs and sweat-covered beings bundled in white sheets floating in a brief moment of ecstasy. I was still carried away in the bliss of the feeling but all of that dissipated when I heard Vernon mutter something."What?" I giggled upon hearing him say those words. As much as I wanted to sound unaffected, my feigned laughter turned too fake and nervous.I mean, that was too random and unexpected. I don't do boyfriends because I love them. I date because I like someone. And like is too shallow a feeling compared to love. With Jackson, I used to say I love yous but I don't think they were ever sincere. And they only came on the later pa
Euphoria Fifty Nine
catherineVernon stilled in astonishment, gaping as if he had just heard the best news of his life. That flattered me, sent my heart warm and made it clench so good in gratitude. He inhaled sharply, stepped another inch closer and brushed his hand on my cheek. He crouched so our gazes would level.In a low quivering whisper, he seeked assurance. "Are you serious?""Yes. Why? Don't you want--" My words died in my throat. In one ferociously tender action, he kissed my strawberry lips crude and raw.Our mouth crashed at each other like converging tectonic plates, colliding in one violent haste-filled motion. His tongue reached down my throat. With its every flick, a bit of me withered.
Euphoria Fifty Eight
catherineJB's house and his extravagant parties never fail to surprise me. The guy's a rich kid. Later that evening, I went there alone after declining Vernon's offer to pick me up.The familiar loud music filled my ears upon walking on to the door and my eyes were immediately overwhelmed for there was so much happening--one thing I never much liked about parties. The lights were dimmed, and some kids gathered in the living room, playing pool. On a corner, there was some girl twerking and the people around her cheering. By the sofa, a couple was dry humping, and on the near kitchen counter, a beer pong game was going on. The sight of it all was too chaotic but they seemed fun.I was greeted by a few girls, whose names I barely know. Some guys offered a high five and a beer but I poli
Euphoria Fifty Seven
catherineVernon pulled away with a startled look on his face. It's not like we haven't made out before, and I could not entirely say those were meaningless, because no matter how I deny it, they meant something to me. But we have been strictly friends since that drunken night at JB's, and after that particular night in the bar. We've bonded like friends, studying, sneaking out in the library, and eating out together.The kissing part has already been foreign to me, yet the taste of his lips no matter how brief it was, resurrected the butterflies in my stomach. I distanced myself from him, suddenly feeling awkward after seeing him taken aback. My cheeks flushed profusely after realizing what I have done. I was never a conservative girl and a peck is nothing to me, but doing it on Vernon made me as shy as a middle schooler.
Euphoria Fifty Six
catherine"What can I do to help you, Cath?" In his hoarse bedroom voice, Vernon asked.The blinds of the unused classroom where we hid were all closed; prohibiting the tiniest sunlight in. We basked in the dimness of the room, only seeing the outlines of our bodies amid the shadows.When I had recovered from weeping, I laid on Vernon's lap as he sat on the desk. I didn't even know why I broke down that unexpectedly. It was just that he was saying so much, and my heart overflowed, and I had a downpour. I am the frailest emotional wreck at the moment, a lay of the finger could break me.He offered me his handkerchief which smelled of mint and the fresh morning dew from the woods, and I dried the ocean of my tears with its soft fabric. He and his handkerchief was the safety of
Euphoria Fifty Five
vernonAfter a few convincing, I made Catherine agree to attend a support group. I found the pamphlet at Daeyeong's desk earlier. He offered it to me after seeing that I have been eyeing it.Obviously, that made him more concerned. He asked me to talk about my "feelings" with him anytime or to talk it out with people who are going through the same thing. We weren't able to discuss more because I got pissed when he mentioned my deceased parents. It's not something I would want to talk to with anyone. But at least, I got the pamphlet. Upon reading it, I thought of Catherine.So that was what I immediately offered to her. At first, she was hesitant but for some reason, she soon heard me out."Okay," she said with the slightest turn of lips.
Euphoria Fifty Four
catherineThe anxiety and depresssion, it has happened to me a lot of times before, even when I was young and there wasn't really much to be depressed about.The first time I thought of dying, or wanting to die, was when I was eleven years old. I remember that clearly. It was my eleventh birthday and I got in a fight with my mom because she wouldn't let me invite my friends over. Don't get me wrong. My mom isn't a toxic parent, she was very nice and apologetic when she told me we had no money to celebrate my birthday and that I could not invite anyone. I, being spoiled and envious of my other friends who had nice birthday parties, threw a fit.My mom scolded me, and I tried to call my dad but he wasn't answering. It seemed like he didn't even remember my birthday. The open door of our classs that day gives an ample vi
