I don't even know how long it's been since Jihyo and I sat across each other in this booth.

But what I know is that it's been long enough for her to finally stop fidgeting in her seat and look up at me nervously.

"So... uhm... you wanna order?" Jihyo asks shakily, with, I suppose, a gaze as hopeful as her voice just sounded. I wasn't looking at her, and I didn't bother even if she adds rather awkwardly, "I heard they got donuts just yesterday."

That was fucking lame. But I didn't want to be a bitch, so I just resorted to a tired sigh.

After that, the silence was loud again. Jihyo was just staring at me, and I could feel it. And it's uncomfortable. She needs to just STOP! Still not facing her, I decided to reach up, biting my thumbnails in a desperate attempt to stop myself from shaking violently. I guessed Jihyo noticed, because I saw from my peripheral vision the way she squirmed, sinking further into her seat as the little glint of hope in her eyes completely died down.

"Mo, please say something."

This time, I couldn't help it, so I rolled my eyes.

"I don't fucking want donuts, okay?" I glanced at her for a second, my gaze sharp, maybe that's why her eyes widened a little in surprise. "You know, Sana loves donuts. Maybe she'd like some for when the two of you sneak off to your secret rendezvous later on behind the soccer field's big maple tree."

Okay, so that was lame. I know. I'm being such a baby again.

But what exactly can I do?!

I saw hurt flash in Jihyo's eyes, swallowing presumably the growing lump inside her throat before she speaks again, completely ignoring my sarcasm. "Okay, then perhaps a vanilla milkshake or—"

At that, I straight-up scoffed. Seriously?! Like— How could she— She really had the fucking audacity to— When she literally just fucking—

Just what the absolute FUCK!

"You... hooked up with my... with my..." I sighed, clenching my fists impossibly tighter. I can't even say it. And I can't even look at her. I was just facing the depressing white walls of the diner and desperately focusing my gaze on the stupid hotdog posters they had up on it. It just made me feel even more ridiculous. "Just— Seriously, what the fuck were you thinking, Jihyo?!"

I wasn't able to stop myself from facing her abruptly, anymore, my clenched fist landing on the wooden diner table between us. The gesture effectively created a loud BANG! which successfully earned a few attention from the rest of the customers inside the place,

And which was also probably the reason why Jihyo had to visibly flinch.

"Look, can you maybe just calm down—" She probably realized that whatever she was going say wouldn't make me any calmer, anyway, so she decided to cut herself off and, instead, mumble under her breath, "I said I was sorry, Momo."

"Oh, are you?!" I asked, glaring at her sharply. "Cause come to think of it, Jihyo—you and Sana sneaking off to the gym lockers together in the middle of a 'student council meeting' just screams Oh no, I don't FUCKING think so!"

I didn't mean to be that sarcastic, well, at least not to Jihyo. I never yelled at her. Not even once.

But finding out that she fucking slept with my sister — the same fucking sister she knows I absolutely hate  with all of my being — how exactly the fuck could I not?!

And it wasn't just the feeling of betrayal, okay? It was the fact that she's still going at it with Sana until now, like she just couldn't stop herself from acting rather naïve, falling for Sana's little casanova games—so she had to fucking lie to my face just to see her in secret, too.

THAT WAS THE LAST FUCKING STRAW!

I saw her sigh again, shutting her eyes as she slowly hung her head low in defeat.

"Mo, please don't do that."

"I just don't fucking get it, Jih!" This time, I couldn't stop myself from even standing up, my hands all over the place. I was frustrated as shit. "Why— Just-just why her? Why Sana?" I was also pretty sure my veins are popping out of my neck as I spat out Sana's name in complete rage. "Not that I expected you to stay a virgin for the rest of your life, but seriously?! Fucking Sana?!"

She was about to retort, but I held a finger up at her face. It was almost the same time as her eyes started to turn glossy, (and it was honestly kind of unfair how I instantly wanted to just shut up and hug her when I saw that she was about to cry, but I rather forced myself to stop).

"Look, I know I'm not actually someone who's supposed to have a say on your sex life, but this is just fucking messed up, Jihyo! Are you even seeing how messed up this is?!" I squeaked out, hands gesturing everywhere. I was legitimately freaking out—all over the place! I didn't even realize my pitch could go this high. Apparently, I just needed to be furious enough to achieve that Minnie Mouse voice I've always tried copying as a kid, (don't ask). "You and my sister. My sister! The same leather-jacket-motorcycle-riding-casanova-sister I endlessly complain to you about on a daily basis!"

After screaming all of that out, my eyes suddenly, involuntarily roamed the place. Apparently the staff clearing the table next to ours was eavesdropping this whole time, and maybe I also caught a glimpse of some of the customers staring at us, watching. There was even a kid filming us with his stupid phone.

And so, I sat back down with a huff. I just really had to. My knees are starting to turn jelly again, the same way it did when Jihyo nodded at my question nervously earlier, back at the gym lockers. I barely even remember the next thing after that. All I know is that there was this loud ringing in my ears that pretty much muffled the rest of Jihyo's futile attempts of explaining herself (and Sana, apparently), until eventually I just stormed out of the place, Jihyo running after me without second thought.

Oh, so apparently I just left Nayeon in there with Sana.

Too bad. Guess that's what she gets for making me storm out of the campus and straight into the fucking diner wearing this ridiculous fucking pirate costume.

Anyway, back to the real issue—

"Momo, if you could just listen to me for one second," Jihyo lets out almost breathlessly, probably because the tears in her eyes are now dangerously attempting to fall at once. "Sana and I, we're not just messing around, okay? She's serious about this, about me. And I think I am, too."

I instantly froze at that, feeling like I could throw up at any second right then and there. I felt sick to my stomach, and it was like the ringing in my ears is back. I was just about to storm off again, but Jihyo caught my wrist from across the table just in time.

"Mo, did you hear what I just said?" She asks, a little more gently this time. Her voice was still shaking, eyes still watery from the unshed tears, but she managed to hold my gaze, and I was stuck. "Sana wants me to be her girlfriend. She wants us to date. Publicly. Officially, this time."

I just continued to stare at her.

I just don't get it. Like, seriously, I really fucking don't.

Why is she telling me all of this just now, when it's obvious it wasn't even a part of her plan if only I hadn't caught her on act? Also, why is she looking at me with such hopeful and pleading eyes, as if she's waiting for me to give her my approval; the blessing to go out there and date my sister.

What the fuck is she still waiting for?

She could just go ahead and do that. Like I care.

(Like I give a flying fuck about her feelings, when obviously, she doesn't even give a single strand of shit about mine.)

"So what do you want me to say?" I ask, tone sharp. My eyes never left hers across from me, and this time, I felt a real, absolutely genuine tear quickly roll down my left cheek.

Apparently, it alarmed Jihyo, because her eyes widened at the sight of me, now officially crying before her like the pathetic loser that I am.

"Momo..."

Jihyo stood up, so I did too, maybe even a little quicker than she did, so she wouldn't be able to carry on with her funny, little attempt of reaching out to wipe my tears away.

"Hey, it's-it's... whatever, okay?" I let out, chuckling forcedly. Jihyo stopped in her tracks when she realized that I didn't want her anywhere near me, and I was internally grateful for that. "Go ahead and see Sana if you want to. Don't think about me. You..." I gestured in front of me, towards her, reaching my other hand up to wipe a new falling tear away, myself. "...you do you."

I didn't wait for Jihyo's response anymore before storming out of the diner, leaving her frozen and just standing there all by herself.

/

"I say you suck it up and tell her you're in love with her!"

For probably the hundredth time now, I rolled my eyes at, my gym partner, Jeongyeon's stupid statement.

After storming off dramatically for the second time around and escaping the entire Jihyo situation like a fucking coward, I decided to put off a little steam at my only favorite place in the entire world, the gym. This is probably the second safest place to me, where I know I could always run off to if needed, (the first one was Jihyo's house.)

Anyway, I can't even explain how grateful I am to find out that Jeongyeon's in here, too. Apparently she's just too good enough for college that she decided to skip her ruthless 7 am to 7 pm schedule today. I guess that's actually something to my advantage. At least I got someone to talk to about the whole Sana-and-Jihyo drama, even if Jeongyeon is basically just a big idiot baby most of the time.

Letting out a sigh, I took a deep breath before laying on my back comfortably on the bench press. "For the last time, you idiot, I am not in love with her," I retorted, directed at Jeongyeon who just chuckled mischievously at my response.

I positioned my arms the way Jeongyeon silently nudged me to, holding tightly onto each end of the huge 89 lbs. bench press weight and taking three short, deep breaths in.

Remember when I said I was freakishly strong? Well, this is where I get it all from. Like I said, the gym was my second safest place on earth.

(Perhaps that's why Jihyo's place was my first.)

Stop thinking about her.

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, you are." Jeongyeon went on, making me roll my eyes at her before pushing the barbel up with all of my gathered upper arm strength, ignoring the way Jeongyeon adds subconsciously, (almost even forgetting I had an approximately 40-kilogram weight hanging on the air right on top of me). "Jihyo's pretty much all you ever talk about when you come in here, telling me about her day instead of yours, asking me about college applications because even though you have absolutely zero plans in going, you wanted to be able to help her get into one of the best ones around and— Oh! Don't even get me started on that time you were basically destroying the punching bag with your bare knuckles when you told me you saw your sister eyeing your best friend in a not-so-friendly way—"

AAAND, that's it. Now, we're choking.

"--I- fuck! Jeong! F-fucking help me over here you useless p-piece of—"

"Oh, shit, shit, shit. Sorry. Here, I got you," Jeongyeon's gaze finally snapped towards where I was struggling on lifting the heavy weights over my upper chest, almost choking me to death. When she got the barbel off me, I immediately stood up, shooting her a sharp glare.

"You almost killed me, you fucking shithead!"

At this, Jeongyeon raised both of her hands up in a gesture of surrender.

"Hey! Don't look at me, you're the one suddenly struggling to lift a supposedly very easy 89 lbs. for you," she chuckled teasingly at me once again. "See? You're distracted as hell because you knew I was right!"

I rolled my eyes, pushing her aside before going straight for the shower rooms, but not before turning around to send a flying middle finger towards Jeongyeon's spot, who yelled after me,

"You're gonna have to stop being such a hopeless in-denial soon, you know that, Momoring!"

/

"In love with her, tch," I continued to unconsciously mumble to myself as I went on with kicking the tiny pebbles I pass by off the pavement of the sidewalk. "Like she knows what she's talking about! The only person I'm considered pretty much in love with is 1989 Cameron Diaz!"

I shoved both of my hands inside the pocket of my jeans the second I stepped into the campus quadrangle. Hanging my head low like the usual, I kept on walking towards the entrance of the high school building, avoiding every single person's gaze in the process. I really hate this place. And the people in here... ugh. I don't even get those who actually love high school. Like ?? fucking weirdos.

I fucking hate high school. I always have. It's hard socializing with people your age, because mostly they're all trying to figure out their own separate shit, and that's just a total mess when mixed together with everyone else's.

I fucking hate mess, too. Exactly why I only ever let one friend in.

Well, now apparently, that one friend is gone, too.

So, good for me, I guess? Besides, Jihyo chose to start creating her own series of mess with stupid Sana, anyway, and I've decided that I don't really need all that shit in my life.

Seriously, I'm fine— all by myself, all alone;

And all that peace and quiet and—

"—listen here, you musical freak, if you don't write my part the way I want it to be, I am going to make sure you spend the rest of your remaining months in this school exactly like every typical day in hell."

I turned around at the sound of the rather unfamiliar voice, and there, I saw some girl walking next to a nervous-looking Nayeon, who only has her gaze on the floor while she hugged her messy binder of compiled play compositions and scripts up against her chest.

Scoffing to myself, I decided to just put my earphones back on and ignore them, but not until I caught a glimpse of the same girl pulling Nayeon by the arm harshly when the theater nerd refused to face her.

"Hey, didn't you hear me? I was talking to you—"

"Yah," I called out as I paused on my spot just a few meters away from them, cutting the girl off. This made both her and a slightly surprised Nayeon turn to face my direction, where they saw me looking at them unimpressed with one of my earbuds in hand. Turning my attention completely to the other girl, I gestured with my head as I spoke to her boredly. "Leave her alone."

I also made sure to stare directly at the tight grip she had on Nayeon's arm, which I'm pretty sure is now starting to bruise. I scoffed.

Meanwhile, the girl just raised her eyebrow at me, "Excuse me? Go mind your own business, you freak. Who do you think you are?"

I swear my blood started boiling that instant, but not because of what the dumb girl said.

It was because I suddenly felt an arm wrap around my shoulder coolly, the way sisters usually do.

(That is, if they were actually on good terms because one of them wasn't thick-faced enough to casually steal the other's best friend for the sake of her stupid, raging teenage hormones.)

"I'm sorry, did I hear that right?" Sana's cool chuckle echoed my ears, making me glance at her briefly where I caught sight of her staring seriously at the girl holding Nayeon's arm. "Well, since you're very much interested, let me tell you something. The 'freak' that you're talking about has a name— Hirai Momo— and she's actually my sister," she went on, tone turning rather deeper than usual, and I swear I saw the girl's eyes widen at the recognition of the Minatozaki Sana, now looking at her threateningly. "Huh, I guess that'd be a huge problem now, wouldn't it?"

The girl seemed to cower immediately after sensing the rather unpleasant tension in Sana's voice, growing so intimidated she had no other choice but to just swallow the lump in her throat and abruptly let go of Nayeon's arm. Then, she walked away, leaving just the three of us standing outside the entrance of the campus, a very awkward silence consuming us alive.

Great.

Being the wise person that I am, I knew it'd be the smartest move to flee the scene first before anyone else could, but just as I shrugged Sana's arm off wordlessly, she started to speak again, which, for some reason, really pushed me to the edge.

"You alright there?" She walked up to an obviously surprised Nayeon, who froze when she felt Minatozaki Sana's hand reach over to soothe the slightly bruised skin of her upper arm. "That was intense. Good thing I was passing by just in time—"

And that was it for me. I stopped walking, turning back around so I'm facing the two of them— who apparently neither even give a shit about my presence at all —and it made my blood boil.

"Right, of course. She was passing by. She shoo-ed the mean girl away. She's the good guy. The hero. The knight in shining armor."

I rolled my eyes when both Sana and Nayeon finally turned towards my direction as well. "What the hell's your problem, Momo?" Sana asks, narrowing her eyes at me. It only pushed my buttons even more.

"What's my problem?! You tell me!" I marched angrily towards her, shoving her by the shoulder when I was in a proximity close enough. It caused Nayeon's eyes to widen in surprise.

"Hey, guys—" she attempted to step in between us, but wasn't able to, because I pointed a finger right at a frowning Sana's face, exclaiming through gritted teeth.

"It's always you, isn't it? The little hero with her cool, little stunts that never fail to make her little fans swoon? Oh, Minatozaki Sana, the great savior, the main character— And who's that funny little loser standing next to her?" I faked a gasp. "That's her sister?! No way!"

And yeah, I might've fabricated another high pitched, girly voice when I let the last part out in a completely sarcastic tone.

Sana didn't even move in her spot. Instead, she just looked at me, eyes looking rather indifferent, which effectively just made me feel even more pathetic.

"You know you're being a whole different level of dramatic right now, right?" She retorts eventually after a few short seconds, before shoving both of her hands inside the pocket of her jeans. "Okay, so you're the savior. You shoo-ed the mean girl away, fine. Whatever." She scoffed, shaking her head at me as a disbelieving smirk slowly made its way up the corner of her mouth. "That's what all this is for? Fucking credit? Seriously, Momo, you need to stop being so immature sometimes."

I blinked at that repeatedly, my jaw dropping to the ground.

Did I fucking hear her right?

"Oh, I'm dramatic? Really?" I pointed at my chest, my gaze still shooting sharp daggers at her. "And the immature one? Just— wow, Sana." Letting out another scoff, I pushed her even harder this time, making her stumble a few steps back. I took that as an opportunity to march closer towards her again. "You fucking piece of shit, it was you who slept with my fucking best friend, not the other way around!"

The scene, of course, effectively earned another gasp from Nayeon, who finally managed to stand in front of me successfully, holding me by my forearms. "Oh my god, Momo, stop it!"

I barely even heard Nayeon's exclaim in my head, the sound of ringing in my ears just heightening even more at the sight of Sana looking at me in utter disbelief and letting out,

"See? I fucking knew it. That's what this is about!" She exclaims, scoffing once again. This time, she didn't step closer towards me, leaving a great distance between her and Nayeon, who's still standing in front of me. "Look, Momo, I'm all for whatever Jihyo wants, okay? If she wants to stop seeing me, I'll leave her alone. Now, if she really wants to be with me, you've gotta go and figure your shit out with her. I can't be a fucking part of that."

DOES THIS ASSHOLE EVEN HEAR WHAT'S COMING OUT OF HER FUCKING MOUTH?

I was seriously just about to push Nayeon aside so I could let Sana have it again, if it wasn't for rather two familiar voices stopping me from doing so.

"Sana, enough!" Jihyo's voice was the louder one, since she's very much closer to us than the second voice, who exclaimed just the same time as Jihyo did—

"What the hell is going on here?"

Vice principal Kang's voice was the one that made me turn towards the entrance of the main gate, where he was walking towards us with Jinyoung, our annoying math teacher, scurrying after him, unpleasant frowns etched on both of their faces.

The sight made me hang my head low in an instant, shutting my eyes as I mumbled under my breath,

"Fuck."

/