“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.”

—Helen Keller

Migyung stared at the small potted plant in her window. The plant had grown bigger. From nothing to a lush green small bush. And she could see two buds peeking out from between them.

She was tempted to search up what kind of plant it was but she restrained herself. She had waited long enough, she could wait a little more, was how she reasoned with herself. She was a patient woman and she was in no rush.

Therefore, she picked up a spray bottle, filled with water and started watering the little plant. Somewhere along the activity, she started to sing and before she knew it, she was picking up the vacuum cleaner, and cleaning her living room.

When she was done, out of whatever trance she was in, she looked around and was stunned to see the living room looking so clean and fresh. She had even changed the covers of the cushions on the sofa. A big bag of plastic was filled with trash she had finally pulled out from beneath the sofa and behind the tv table. It was surprising, the amount of trash and a strange sense of satisfaction filled her.

She didn't remember the last time she had cleaned her house with her own hand. She just hired a house cleaner once in a while. She had never thought a simple task like cleaning could actually make her feel so light and just…hopeful for the rest of the day.

Shaking her head, unaware of the smile on her face and despite the sudden weakness she felt, she headed to her bathroom and took a long, hot shower. She did her skincare routine as usual, taking a little extra time to get that eyeliner right and then spent a good ten minutes deciding her outfit.

She decided to walk down to the coffee shop a block away from her apartment building and bought herself a caramel macchiato. She deserved something sweet. For that moment, she stopped counting the calories and decided to enjoy the taste of it and how it energised her.

If she was being honest, she loved days like this. Days when the shining sun didn't hurt. Days when the little stain on her crisp white shirt didn't bother her that much. Days when everything was just perfect even if she missed her bus.

No matter how much she liked the darkness and the night, she loved the good days more. They felt like a dream and she always wanted to live them to the fullest before she had to wake up.

In the beginning, she hated the good days because they just reminded her of all that she had lost. Somewhere along the line though, the dark days had been too much and when she had a good day, she was just grateful for it. It didn't feel like a reverse nightmare anymore.

“Someone’s happy today,” Nathan said, sliding closer to her as they both sat down along with the dancers as they took a break.

Migyung shrugged, the smile etched on her face not dimming. “It's just a good day.”

“And you just got some during the weekend.” he was smirking as he said it, pulling a gasp out of her just as she punched his arm.

“I did not! What do you take me for? And Hoseok wasn’t free during the weekend. He’s not even in the country.”

“Oh, so you do agree he is your boyfriend now.”

Tsk, she had walked right into it and she could only slap herself mentally for the slip up.

“He is not my boyfriend. It's too soon to put a label on what's going on,” she replied as calmly as possible.

“Why not? From what I saw the other day, the guy adores you. He is whipped for you and so are you.”

She turned to look at Nathan. His eyes were trained at one of the male dancers who had gotten up and started practising on his own. Brows furrowed, the director shouted at the young man to rest with his best glare on and it made Migyung smile.

Nathan was such a good person, an even better friend.

“I won't deny being whipped for him,” she said, getting his full attention once again. “I really, really like him, Nathan. I can't even explain how much and that's why I don't want to jinx it or rush into it. Not when I'm trying to pick up my pieces. And we agreed to it, to take things slowly. He knows I’m not in a state of mind to be emotionally involved in a relationship.”

He stared at her for a moment, lips curved in an ‘o’ and eyes glazed as if thinking. Migyung stayed silent observing the group before her cracking jokes and having fun. She felt so content at this moment.

“You guys are so wise, I swear to God. How old are you kids again?”

Migyung burst out laughing at that, Nathan joining when she said, “No need to show you are an old hag. We all know you will start using the senior citizen seats next year.”

Feigning all the offence of the world collected, the man scoffed and got up brushing his pants. “Oh, puh-lease, no need to be so uptight. I can see your wrinkles from miles away.”

Migyung pushed him playfully, making the man laugh. They got up soon and resumed the routine.

Migyung held the mic tightly, her body bending forward slightly as her body moved with the rhythm. Shinee's Lucifer reverberated through the small karaoke room.

Her heart beat fast, excitement making her extra enthusiastic as she performed the choreography as best as she could while holding the mic. Behind her she could hear Heejae cheering her and it pushed her to turn around and be extra dramatic. When the song came to an end, she did an elaborate bow, Heejae clapping loudly before she entered the code of the song she was going to sing.

The two friends had met after a long time and though they usually met for drinks, Heejae suggested going to karaoke. Surprisingly, she didn't order any alcoholic drinks and Migyung was thankful since she had held out well since friday night. She was content drinking sprite.

Her eyes bulged out a little when the music started and Heejae started singing Fine by Taeyeon. Judging by her enthusiasm during her turn, Migyung thought she would choose a cheerful song but instead she chose a sentimental song.

Migyung whistled seeing Heejae belting the high notes with all her being, the veins in her neck bulging as if her life depended on her performance. She didn't remember a time when they had been this serious for karaoke.

But then she saw a tear rolling down her face during the bridge and her voice hitched a little. That's when Migyung moved and stopped the song and ran to hug her friend, letting her cry in her arms without any questions.

They sat on the sofa, Migyung rubbing Heejae’s arm as the woman sniffled and wiped her tears away. Migyung knew her friend well enough to know she would talk when she felt calm enough. She didn't like prying, so she waited for her to explain if she wanted.

“How did you feel when you found your ex cheating on you?” Heejae asked instead, startling Migyung.

She took a deep breath, trying to remember what she exactly felt back then but as luck would have it, she didn't even remember the guy’s name.

“I don't know,” she answered truthfully. “Honestly, I felt more betrayed and hurt seeing Mijung purposely trying to hurt me. It's not like she liked him, she just wanted to prove she could have everything I did. I don't remember what I felt about him though. It's such a blur.”

Heejae let out a huff, silence descending on them as they lost themselves in their thoughts. It took Migyung back to the dream she had had in her high, where she had felt such piercing pain shooting through her body seeing Hoseok seeing only Mijung. The thought made her gulp tightly, now knowing exactly what Heejae must be feeling.

“Do you love him, Heejae?” she asked, breaking the silence.

“No, but I thought I could.”

“Then don't think about it. Don't think about what could have been and what can be. It didn't help me much, you know that.”

Heejae turned to look at her then, cracking a smile. Migyung bumped her shoulder playfully, grinning as she picked up the controller and the catalogue with all the song codes.

“Deux?” she asked, looking at her friend hopefully.

Heejae chuckled and nodded. “Deux.”

Soon, Turn around and look at me filled the small room, the girls dancing to their heart's content, uncaring of the choreography because there was no way they could do it. They just enjoyed the song, the memories and the sentiments that were connected to the song for them both.

They sang and danced for themselves, something they had both let go off as a profession, until the real pain of reality hit them in the gut.

A/N:

So, that's 3 more iconic k-pop idols mentioned now in addition to H.O.T and Super Junior. Idk if it's just me but I really like when I see other idols and idol groups being mentioned.

I found out about Deux when I was watching Hospital Playlist and if you've watched it, you know what choreography I'm talking about. Kim Sungjae was such an amazing artist, may his soul rest in peace.

I hope you liked this chapter. Do tell me how you feel about it and if you have connected the dots with TBA ;)

Don't forget to take care of yourself. Drink lots of water, treat yourself to something nice, be it food or songs or clothes.

Thank you for reading!!