Taeyeon’s POV

I was on my way to pick up SunYe, I called her this morning and we decided to spend the afternoon together…to talk. Tiffany was going out with her friends so I didn’t feel too bad for leaving her.

I arrived at Sunye’s house and saw her waiting for me in front of the gate. She was wearing a light shirt and a jeans and was smiling even before she saw my car. I stopped the car right in front of her. “Hi Taeyeon-ah!” she greeted me as she sat on the passenger seat.

“Hey…so where do you want to go?” I went straight to the point.

She gave me one of her biggest smile. “You know where I want to go…”

Of course I knew…we’ve been there a million times before. I could even drive blindfolded and still find my direction. Compare to yesterday, I was more relaxed around her…it was still awkward but at least, my brain was working.

We arrived at Sunye’s favorite place; a hill. There was an amazing view of the city from there. I remember how we find out about that place. It was 6 years ago; we had skipped school that day and wandered around the streets. Sunye saw that hill from afar and wanted to go there. We walked all day to go up on that hill but it was worth it. The view was breath-taking…it’s still is.

We both sat on the grass, looking at the tall buildings. Suddenly, I felt the familiarity. We sat exactly on that spot; our bodies were exactly positioned the same ways, 2 years ago…when she told me she was leaving.

I closed my eyes and waited for her to announce it…I already knew what it was.

“I’m going to stay in Seoul” she started. “For good…”

How familiar…

“And I want you back in my life Taeyeon. For 2 years, we haven’t talked to each other, you haven’t answer any of my phone calls…respond to any letters…I want us to be like before…” she breathed deeply…I knew she had closed her eyes…she always breathe deeply before closing them.

“Did your parents come back too?” I didn’t want nor need to respond to what she has just said. It was clear already…she’ll always be a part of my life. I just don’t know which role she was playing…

“Nope…only Sungmin came back with me. You know…to make sure I’m fine” she smiled.

“Are you fine now? What if…”

She tried to reassure me. “Everything is fine…I’m healthy now. For that matter, I’m going to transfer to your school starting Monday”

“Don’t your parents want you to join an elite school?”

“I didn’t want to and I told them it would be better if I was in the same school as you. They know you will keep an eye on me”

“I’ll try…” Of course I’ll keep an eye on her…Didn’t I promise it?

There was a weird silence between us before she spoke again. “Sungmin told me about yesterday…are you living with this Tiffany girl?” she was looking at me now.

As surprising as it was, I didn’t think before answering her. It came out naturally. “We’re roommates…it’s complicated”

“Do you like her?” she asked me directly…I didn’t think she would be so…direct.

“She’s annoyingly loud…and clumsy” It was true…I wonder how she hasn’t end in the hospital yet, see how clumsy she was.

“So…Taeyeon…can you do me a favor? Since we’re friends”

“Try” I smiled at her

“I know you don’t like it but for the charity dinner next week, can you be my partner?” her voice was uncertain…she probably thought I would refuse it.

“Yes”

She turned her head and looked at me surprised. “Really? Wow…it was easier than I thought” she laughed.

“I have to go anyway…my parents can’t attend so…”

“So that’s why you don’t mind going with me” she gave me an understanding smile. She knew I hate those dinners night with all those people acting nice and friendly.

We stayed there for another hour, just sitting and looking at the view like during the old times. We always spend our times like this, quietly enjoying each other’s company without having to talk and I’ve always like it…It was special.

She has been gone for 2 years but it felt as if, she has never left. I realized that no matter what I do, she will always have an influence on me. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t let her go…I was tied down by my promise...by what she has done for me...

TaeNy’s Apartment,

Tiffany’s POV

I told Taeyeon I was going out with Sooyoung and Hyo; I didn’t want her to think I’d stay miserably at home while she had her little date. I didn’t feel like going out though…I wouldn’t be able to do anything anyway…I was too busy thinking about what Taeyeon was doing.

I was going to cook something for myself when the door bell rang. I went to open the door and it was Sungmin. He held up the plastic bags he was holding and smiled at me. “Hungry?”

“How do you know I haven’t eaten yet?” I asked him as we were eating the food he brought.

“I didn’t know…I only give it a try” he laughed. “I assumed you’ll eat the food anyway”

I smiled back at him. “You were right!” we both laughed together.

“Taeyeon went out already?” he asked me while looking around the apartment.

“Yeah…before lunch”

“She went out with Sunye” he told me…like I didn’t know it already.

“Since…since when do they know each other?” I asked him. Immediately, I wanted to take it back...maybe it was better not to know…

“They know each other since they were children…around 8 or 9 years old. It was after my parents moved in our actual house which is close to Taeyeon’s house. I don’t remember how they met but they also went to the same school”

“So they’re close friends…” I was reassuring myself…childhood friends like with Yuri…nothing more.

“They’ve always been more than that…it was…just not official” he looked carefully at me…probably studying my reaction...

“And then your family moved again?” I asked. It was obvious that they haven’t seen each other for a long time.

“Yes…for personal matters” He didn’t say more…he didn’t want to say more.

“And now you’re back…” I couldn’t have sound more defeated than I was…this statement was a reminder for myself…that from now on, nothing will be the same. It won’t only be Taeyeon and me anymore…there was a third person coming into the picture.

Sungmin hesitantly asked me. “Hmmm Tiffany…do you like going out for dinner?”

I looked at him confused…was he asking me out? Already? “Huh what? Are you asking me out?” I laugh nervously.

“Well…there is charity dinner next week and I can invite someone so…would you like to come with me? There is lot of food!” he smiled…trying to convince me.

“I…I’ve never been to those dinners thing…I don’t know…”

“It’s just dinner…with music and food. You don’t need to tell me now…It’s next Saturday so you can take your time and give me an answer next week” he insisted.

“…Fine, I’ll think about it” I finally told him.

I might ask Taengoo for her advice…she knows this world better than I do.

Sungmin stayed for a while and we just talked about random things, he is a really nice. I was surprised that he was older than me by 2 years. He looks pretty young. After he left, I was back to my depressed mood again…What was Taeyeon doing with Sunye…this girl she probably has still feelings for.

Somewhere in Seoul at night,

Yuri’s POV

I can’t believe they all wanted to eat ramen at this hour, and of course, the restaurant doesn’t do delivery, so who has to go out and buy? ME! I parked my car in front of the restaurant and went in to take my order.

When I left the restaurant, I saw Jessica walking across the street, alone. I quickly put the food in my car before running after her. Jessica turned around the corner and was stopped by a young couple coming out from a club. I don’t know why but my first reaction was to hide…and spy on them.

I recognized the guy that stopped Jessica…he was a rich kid, spending most of his time partying and spending money than doing anything intelligent. How does Jessica know him?

“Jessica, Jessica…how are you?” I heard him asking her. He was probably a little bit drunk; his voice tone was kind of rude and the way he looked at her…I could have beat him up for looking at her this way.

Sica didn’t answer him, she didn’t even look at him…she wanted to leave but he stopped her again. “Come on Sica, you’re not happy to see me?” he said while getting closer to her.

“Donghae! What are you doing?” a girl’s voice shouted from nowhere. It was probably his girlfriend; she looked really pissed as she walked out from the club. “Why are you talking to this gold digger?” she said in a very disgusting voice.

Jessica was looking away from the couple; the girl was now hugging Donghae and kissing him on the neck. “So Jessica…are you seeing anyone now?” The way Donghae asked her was more to humiliate her than anything else.

The girl laughed hysterically. “Who wants to date a loser? Look at her, only another loser can be desperate enough to…”

“Ah Jessica!” I called her as I ran toward them. “I thought we had to meet in front of the restaurant?” I stopped by her side and naturally held her hand. “You forgot where we had to meet, don’t you? Aigoo you’re so absent-minded” I pat her head.

Jessica looked at me, her eyes were lost and empty…it’s the first time that I saw her like that. She didn’t react at all; she was lost in her world.

“Kwon Yuri, what a surprise! Are you dating her?” Donghae was looking at both of us.

I looked harshly at him. “Can’t you see?” then I turned to look at Jessica. “Are you hungry? Shall we go now?” I wanted to get out of there…Something was going to happen and I didn’t want to know what.

“Wow you’re really smart. After seducing Donghae, you set your eyes on Yuri…both of them really rich. You’re such a gold digger” she insulted Sica again.

“What did you say?” I stood between the girl and Jessica without letting go of her hand.

Donghae looked at me then let out a soft laugh. “Anyway, I’m pretty sure that you heard about the charity gala next week” he said. “I believe I’ll see you there with your pretty girlfriend” his eyes were still fixed on Sica.

His girlfriend laughed. “I don’t think she will dare going to such an event with this poor girl! What a shame it would be. I can see the gossips already! The elder daughter of Kwon Corp. dating Lee Donghae ex-gold digger fiancé”

What? His ex-fiancé? Jessica was going to marry this *********? I couldn’t control my expression…this was the last thing that I expected. I wanted to look at Jessica and ask her if it was true…but that would make it worse only. So I play it cool…

“Of course we’ll be there! Why would I be ashamed of introducing my gorgeous girlfriend? I’m blessed to have her by my side…I wonder if you can say the same” I looked at Donghae then at his girlfriend. She didn’t look quite happy but didn’t dare to respond.

“I have your words Kwon Yuri. You better show up” he smirked at me then looked at Jessica. “See you next week Princess” he said to her before entering the club again. His girlfriend gave us a last nasty look before following him inside.

As soon as both of them disappeared into the club, Jessica let go of my hand and ran away. I knew she wanted to be alone but how can I not run after her?

I ran after Jessica but without catching up with her, I just wanted to make sure she will be alright. After a good run, she stopped in a park and sat on a bench. I knew I should have stayed away and just watch over her but my curiosity won over.

“Jessica…” I softly called her.

She wasn’t crying…I knew she wouldn’t let herself cry in front of me.

“What’s wrong with you?” she suddenly screamed at me. “Why did you have to jump in the conversation? Why didn’t you just stay away?”

“I…I…just…wanted to help you…”

“You shouldn’t have! They would have talked and talked only, then that’s it! But now because of you…” she was really angry at me…

“Jessica…no one deserves to be treated like this, you shouldn’t have let them talk to you like that” I argued back.

“This is my problem!” she started walking away again. “I’m not going with you next week to those dirty parties”

“It’s a charity dinner…it’ll be fine, don’t worry” I was now following Jessica; she was randomly walking around the street.

“I know those “dinners” too well…Don’t try to fool me too...” she stopped walking and looked at me. “Are you playing with me Yuri? Is it another rich kid kind of bet? What are you trying to do?” her eyes were becoming red…I knew she was fighting the tears…

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…I really want to help you Sica, I’m sincere” I walked to her.

She didn’t believe me...”You’re all the same…all of you…don’t think you can trick me like he did! I won’t believe you Kwon Yuri! And I’m not going with you next week!” she walked away again.

“Jessica! Wait!” This time, I got angry…I stopped in front of her and held both of her amrs, stopping her from going away.

She tried to break away from my grip. “Ya! Let go of me! You’re as bad as these people” now the tears were falling…I knew she would break down sooner or later…

“STOP IT!” I screamed.

It was the first time that she saw me screaming, which explained her shock expression and her silence. She was like a little girl…weak and afraid…what happened to you Jessica?

“Please…look at me” I softly told her. Jessica did like I asked her…like an obedient girl, she looked at me. “I’m…I’m sorry for screaming at you…I really didn’t want to…but…Jessica, I’m not like those people. Can’t you see the difference? I’ll never be like them and the fact that you can even doubt me…it…it really hurts…”

Jessica was still looking straight into my eyes…we’ve never look at each other for such a long time…her eyes were still teary but I felt that she has calmed down.

“I’m not going to question you, as much as I want to know more about you, I’ll never ever force anything on you Jessica. I can give you all the time and space that you want but…please, let me watch over you”

“Why? Why are you doing all this?” I could barely hear her question…her voice was so soft…so far away.

I wanted to tell her how I feel, why I kept on chasing her even though she always pushed me away. I wanted to tell her how much she means to me; how far I could go to protect her and make her happy…but the words…they wouldn’t come out.

“Because…I…we’re…you’re a really close friend Jessica and…I really care about you” I said those stupid words…those that were so easy to say because they were safe…

“It’s pretty late now…I’ll drive you home” I told her. When she didn’t respond, I simply took her hand and lead the way.

Jessica didn’t say a single word in the car, neither did I. My mind was full of theories about Jessica and Donghae. How did they know each other? What’s with the fiancé thing? I really had to fight against my curiosity…

Once we reached her home, I greeted her good night and before she left my car, she warned me to stay away from her. “We are from two different worlds Yuri…and I promised to myself…that I’d never step in it again. As for you…it would be better not to be seen with me…you heard about my reputation…”

I was about to argue back but she was already out of the car, running in her house. I’ve always been an optimistic person, but why…every time I look at Jessica…I always see her running away from me…she keeps on going farther and farther away…I’ll probably never get tired running after her…but even I, Kwon Yuri have my limits. And one day…I might not be able to catch up with her anymore…