S1 High School,

Taeyeon’s POV

I’m so tired…I should have gone home instead of going to school today. I worked for the past 2 days and even slept in the office, I shouldn’t feel guilty even if I skip school. Aish…history class is so boring, and on top of that, I don’t understand a single thing the teacher is saying. Aigoo…it’s only first period but I’m already falling asleep.

I looked at Yuri, who was seating 2 rows in front of mine. Looking at Yuri and Tiffany during class is my favorite hobby. Yuri always throw stuff at Jessica to wake her up or throw her some secret messages or whatever. As for Fany, her face is always full of different expressions during class which always cracked me up.

Tiffany…I haven’t seen her since the other day…I was too busy with work and didn’t come home ever since. 3 days already…I haven’t seen her for 3 whole days…and that kid skipped class today.

I barely stayed awake until break time, gosh I hate school sometimes.

“Ya Kim Tae Yeon! Where is Tiffany?!” I looked up and saw Jessica standing in front of me, an angry expression on her face.

“…” I ignored her and went back to my notes.

“Ya I’m talking to you!”

”Calm down Sica-ah” Yuri tried to calm her a bit, she was literally screaming in the class.

“Gosh your friend is such an idiot. Fany didn’t come to class yesterday already and today she didn’t answer my phone calls either…where is she?”

“Taeyeon-ah, you sure you don’t know where Fany is? We went to the apartment yesterday but no one answered…” Yuri asked me this time.

“I don’t know where she is” I told both them, not looking up.

The bell rang as our teacher came in, forcing everyone to go sit at their desks. I felt Sica’s glare on me as she went back to her seat. What’s wrong with her?

“Yuri-ah…do you think something happened to Fany? Maybe she is sick? She gets sick often…that girl doesn’t know how to take care of herself…”

“Don’t worry…maybe she only wanted to skip class”

Fany sick? Could it be? I wasn’t at home for 3 days…did that girl get in trouble again?

“Taeyeon-ah?” I heard SunYe’s concern voice. I sighed before packing my bag and storming out of the class.

“What do you think you’re doing Kim Tae Yeon?” the teacher screamed after me. It was too late though, I was already out of the class, running as fast as I could.

TaeNy’s Apartment,

I don’t know why I rushed back home…but the thought of something happening to that clumsy girl just scared me. When I opened the apartment’s door, I found a par of shoes in the entrance…shoes that weren’t mine and obviously, not Fany’s either. I walked cautiously along the hallway, in case there was someone. The door to Fany’s room was slightly opened and I nearly got a heart attack when I pushed it to get a full view inside the room.

“YA! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!” I screamed.

Tiffany was lying on her bed, covered by her blanket while a guy was sitting beside her, when I saw them, his body was leaning toward her…I thought he was kissing her…or taking advantage of her.

My voice startled both of them, when the guy turned around; I realized it was Sungmin…what the hell?

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked him.

“Can you please lower your voice? She was about to sleep” he took a glimpse at Tiffany before standing up.

I hate the way he is looking at me…

“What are you doing in my apartment?”

“I was worried about her so I came. I’m glad I did since she is down with a high fever”

I looked at the girl lying on the bed, her face was still reddish and she was sweating, I could hear her breathing clearly…so you were sick Tiffany?

I looked back at Sungmin. “You can go now” I told him before walking away. I wanted to go take a shower first before taking a look at Fany.

“Where were you? You’re living with her but you didn’t know she was sick since yesterday? She didn’t eat anything as well…what’s wrong with you?” he raised his voice…I stopped and turned to face him.

“Excuse me?” I managed to keep my voice low.

“I don’t understand how you can be so cold, even if you don’t like her, be more responsible! What if it was more serious? Don’t you care about her at all?”

I stared at him, trying to keep control of myself. “You better leave…” I was about to leave again when I heard her voice.

“Sungmin stay…”

I looked at the girl lying on the bed…Fany’s eyes were opened now, even though I could barely see her eyes. What did she say?

“Sungmin…I want you to stay…”

Sungmin turned and looked at her. “Tiffany…”

“Please…stay with me” she grabbed his hand…and gave him a smile.

I stood there and looked at the two of them…she must be joking, right?

“I want Sungmin to stay with me. And I’m sure you’re busy so don’t worry. Sungmin can take care of me” finally she was looking at me…as hard as I tried to, I couldn’t read her expression.

She must be joking…did she really ask Sungmin to stay with her? In her room? In my apartment? Something must be wrong…

I wanted to scream, I wanted to ask her what she was doing but I didn’t. I had to clench my teeth in order to not say something I might regret later. I looked at both of them one last time before leaving the room, and leaving the apartment.

Outside in Seoul,

Yuri’s POV

I’m so smart; using Sica’s bad grades to lure her into studying with me after school is awesome! I can sit there quietly and look at her studying…her gorgeous face…oh…and when she concentrates, she is so pretty. Ah…Jessica…

We were just done studying at the library and were walking on the street. All the homework made me hungry so I asked her if she wanted to eat something, which she accepted.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Pizza! Let’s go eat pizza!” she happily said.

How cute.

“Hmm…there is a nice place near here, it’s quite close so we can walk, and I’ll let my car here”

“That’s fine”

We were walking side by side and happily talking when I noticed how our hands were so close to each other. All I have to do was touched her hand then “accidentally” hold it. We’ve never hold hand before…not that we have to since we’re not officially dating. Actually, I don’t even know what we are right now…friends? Close friends?

I made up my mind and made sure Jessica was not looking before I tried to hold her hand. I was going to make my move when Sica stopped and pointed at someone across the street.

“Hey Yuri…isn’t it Yoona?”

I looked at the direction she was pointing at and my jaw dropped. Across the street, I saw my little sister entering an lingerie shop, and she wasn’t alone…Seohyun was there too…and they were holding hands…OMG

“No no no…no no no…NO!” I started to scream

Sica gave me a what-the-hell face “Will you please calm down?!”

“No…nononono…oh my god…oh my god…”

“Ya! What’s wrong with you? They’re not stealing or committing a crime!”

“What? They’re going in a lingerie shop!!! How do you want me to calm down? Why…why did I see that? Why…why???”

“They’re not doing anything bad, they’re going shopping. It’s no big deal”

“You wouldn’t say that if it was your sister!”

“I go with my sister sometimes…”

“Huh? Whatever it’s not the same…they’re going in together! They’re together as a couple and they went in there…why would they do that? No…I don’t want to know…”

“Please, they might be buying a gift or something…”

“Not my birthday…not my parents’ birthday…not Taengoo…No there is no birthday!!!”

“Jesus! Calm down or I knock you down! Maybe they’re buying a gift for a friend!”

“Why would they do that? They’re too young…you don’t buy that for your friend…they should buy…I don’t know…dolls or books…but not that! I’m going to take her home”

“Nonono!!! You stopped it, she’s a big girl now, don’t embarrass her in front of her girlfriend!” Sica held my arms and stopped me from crossing the street.

“Aigooo…what do I do???”

“Nothing! I didn’t know you were so overprotective…let her live her life! Come on, let’s go eat!” she dragged me away.

My little sister…the little baby…and worse, Seohyun…Sica thought I freaked out too much? I can’t even imagine Taeyeon’s reaction if she was to learn about it.

The Kwon Residence, around 6pm

Yuri’s POV

I can’t believe it…Sica dumped me at the restaurant, before we could even order our food. Aish…her mother had to call her and asked her to come home quickly before we could had dinner together. Not only did I spot my sister going into a lingerie shop, but I also missed a nice dinner with my…soon-to-be-official girlfriend. What a loss.

I came home depressed and greeted my parents. I tried my best to not show my freak out attitude in front of them…I didn’t want to spill out about Yoona. Not that they would freak out anyway…they’ll probably have the same reaction as Jessica.

I walked like a zombie to my room. “AHHHHH” I screamed when I turned on the light.

Taeyeon was lying on my bed...like a dead fish, she was staring at the ceiling…something that we always do when we need to think.

“Ya! You scared me babo! What were you doing in the dark?”

“…”

“Taengoo! Taengoo!! Guess what I saw earlier!!!” I blurted out.

“…” No reaction…weird…

I dropped my bag and jumped on my bed. “Okay…Miss Taeyeon; you’re my first patient today. What’s the problem? Why did you leave class today?”

“…” Taeyeon was still quiet; she closed her eyes and breathed deeply. I noticed that she was clenching her teeth…something must have upset her a lot.

“What’s wrong? Come on now, tell me. I haven’t seen you like this since…2 years ago. Did something happen with Sunye? Is she leaving again?”

“Tiffany…she is sick…”

“What? Is she ok? What kind of illness??”

“No…she has fever, apparently since yesterday”

“And you’re worried about her?”

“I found it today…when I came home…Sungmin was there too”

“Sungmin? What was he doing there in the morning?”

“Apparently doing something I wasn’t…taking care of her” she smiled…a defeat smile.

“I think Sungmin…”

“She wanted him to stay…”she cut me off. “She asked him to stay…when I told him to leave. She took his hand and almost beg him to stay and take care of her…do you believe it?” Taeyeon was angry now…I knew she hold it all day…she was about to explode soon.

“Taeyeon…listen…” I wanted to calm her down.

Taeng got off from my bed and walked to the window. She stood there and looked outside. “I was so close…so close to…when I saw them together…Yuri, I wanted to kill him…”

I didn’t know what to tell her, I know why she felt this way…she hasn’t realize it yet.

“Why? I thought you guys were friends?” I knew the answer of course; I just wanted Taeyeon to know it too.

“I can’t…I can’t stand seeing him with Tiffany...did you see how he looks at her?”

Taeyeon…what about you? Don’t you see how Tiffany looks at you?

“I think he really cares about her…”

“What are you doing? Are you siding with him?” she abruptly turned and stared at me, like I had betrayed her.

I rolled my eyes. “First of all, calm down and second, I’m just telling you what I think…from what I observed, he really likes her”

“Thanks! I can see he likes her, he doesn’t really hide it…”

“Why should he? He likes her and wants to be with her so he’s trying…that’s brave” I dared to say…maybe provoking Taeng will wake her up.

“Am I supposed to be happy?”

“I don’t know, you tell me? Taeyeon…you know I love you but…I don’t approve what you’re doing”

“What are you talking about? I didn’t do anything”

“Maybe that’s the problem…What do you want? Are you with Sunye? Do you like Tiffany?”

“I…”

“You can’t keep pushing Fany away, hurting her, showing off your new relationship and then expect her to be patiently waiting for you to notice her. The girl can only take that much…stops being so selfish!” I was finally scolding her…something that I should have done earlier.

Taeyeon was looking like a child…standing there after being scolded, sometimes she is so clueless…I know she wanted to argue back but she knew I was right.

“Of all people…you should know better why it’s like this…why I can’t hurt Sunye…I’d never hurt her…”

“Actually I don’t get it. Isn’t Sunye feeling better now? And besides, it’s about feelings Taeyeon, you’re not doing charity. Either you love the girl or not, don’t stay with someone because you feel responsible”

“It’s complicated…”

“No it’s not. You don’t want to hurt Sunye? But what you’re doing now is actually hurting not only Sunye but also Fany. Aish…I don’t know. Do what you want but please, don’t hold on Tiffany when you know you can’t…won’t be with her. Let her be happy with someone else if you refuse to be that person” I walked to the door and looked at Taeyeon, making sure she had heard every single word I said to her.

“Just think about it…anyway we’re eating dinner soon so if you want, you know where the kitchen is” With that, I left the room.

I might have sound harsh but I know she needs it. Taeyeon has to move on…stop thinking about the past…she has always been around Sunye, so much that she thinks there is no one else for her.

TaeNy’s Apartment,

Taeyeon’s POV

I didn’t stay and eat dinner with Yuri’s family, I though it would be better to go home…go home and see Tiffany. Before I open the door, I prayed that Sungmin would be gone…I was calm now but I wouldn’t take it well if he hasn’t left yet. There is no reason for him to stay until night…

The apartment was very quiet…I sighed in relief when I didn’t see his shoes. All the lights were turned off so I knew Fany was resting in her room. I walked quietly in my room to take a shower and change my clothes.

I hesitated a little bit before knocking on Fany’s door, there was no reason to be scare but I was. After the way she looked at me this morning, I was afraid of her…afraid she will push me away and…ask for Sungmin instead.

I took a deep breath before knocking on her door. “Fany-ah? Are you awake?”

*silence*

“Hmm…I’m coming in…” I slowly opened the door.

It was already dark in the room, with the light coming from the hallway; I could see her figure lying under the blanket. I didn’t dare to turn on the light, in case I wake her up. I only walked to her bed and make sure she was fine.

Because of the darkness, I couldn’t really see her face but even before my hand touched her forehead, I could feel the heat. She was really hot…and sweating…her fever hasn’t cool down at all. How could Sungmin leave her like this?

I went in the bathroom and put a towel under cold water before putting it on Fany’s forehead. She was still asleep. Seeing her lying there…my heart aches.

It was around dinner time so I decided to cook some porridge for her, if I believe what Sungmin said, she hasn’t eat anything yesterday…how can I be so stupid…not calling home to check on her.

After the porridge was done, I brought it in Tiffany’s room. “Fany-ah…Fany-ah…” I gently stroke her hair to wake her up.

It took awhile before she opened her eyes. “Taeyeon-ah?” her voice was almost inaudible.

“Yeah it’s me…are you hungry? I made porridge for you” I smiled at her. No matter what happened between us these past days, I can’t show her a sad or worried face…I want to make her smile again.

Fany stared at me…I know she was confused, I’ve been switching mood quite often these days. “Are you sure your food is edible?” she gave me a smile. Her smile, although weak made me feel better.

“Babo, I’m a better cook than you. And let me tell you, it’s a five star porridge!” I said while helping Fany sit against her bed.

“…five star huh? Let me try first” she was about to take the bowl from me when I stopped her.

“What are you doing? I’m feeding you…come on, say ahhhhh” Fany did as I asked but she kept on staring at me, like I just did something extraordinary.

I’ve never fed anyone before…it was funny, especially since she was a little bit embarrassed at the situation.

“Fany-ah…I…” I looked into the bowl, as if there was something very interesting happening inside. The words were stuck in my throat…”I…I’m sorry…for everything…I’m really sorry…”

Her face saddened at my apology…she wasn’t thinking about those events, I suppose. “You…you don’t…”

“No…I acted like an idiot…since the beginning I was only selfish and I’m sorry. It won’t happen again…I promise.”

Fany looked away and smiled to herself. “…don’t make any promise Taeyeon-ah…”

It wasn’t harsh…she didn’t scold me nor…tried to hurt me. But those words…I…I realized how hurt she has been all this time.

I swallowed hard and tried to keep my composure. I deserved it…I completely deserved it.

“Where are you medications?” I asked once she was done eating.

“In the kitchen…I can take them myself, you don’t need…”

“You’re sick so just stay there, don’t act strong…you can barely talk…” I sighed.

I came back from the kitchen with a glass of water and her medication. “Come on take it” I helped her take her medication before laying her on the bed again.

“Thank you…you can go now, you probably have some works to do or have to see Sunye…” she tried to push me away again…her last sentence sounded so...bitter.

It hurt me when she said that…she has never push me away…twice in a day. “I’m staying…until you fall asleep. Please let me” I asked sincerely, trying to hide the sadness in my voice.

I turned off the light and sat on the floor, beside her bed. Tiffany was staring at the ceiling, her eyes wide opened. “You don’t have to stay…” she quietly said.

“I want to”

There was a pause before she spoke again. “Does it make you feel better?”

Does it? What I’m doing now…is it to appease my guiltiness?

“No it doesn’t…I just want to”

There was another pause.

“…I…I’m tired Taeyeon-ah...” She wasn’t talking about her body…she wasn’t feeling tired because she was sick…she was tired of everything…she was tired of me.

I don’t remember the last time I felt the tears coming…I stopped crying a long time ago, I don’t even know what it is like to shed tears anymore. Why…why her words had such an impact on me?

I tried to speak but there was nothing I could say…nothing that could make her feel better…at least not from me. I have so much to tell her but what for? Even I couldn’t trust my own words…

A part of me was glad that Fany was exhausted, she fell asleep immediately. The atmosphere was so awkward…she was no longer smiling and loud; the bright Tiffany has become quiet and sad…all because of me.

I stood up and looked at her sleeping face. I was ready to leave the room when I heard her voice. “Taengoo…” she was talking in her sleep.

My curiosity won over and I sat down again, wanting to hear more.

“Taengoo-ah…me…be with me…not Sunye…”

I knew it…deep inside I knew about her feelings…I knew how painful it was for her to see me with Sunye, how painful it was every time I ignore her, every time I looked at someone else.

“I’m so sorry Fany...” I kneeled down and touched her face. “I…I care, I really care about you…and I…there…there is only you…I only see you Fany-ah…please, just a little longer…wait for me a little longer and…everything will be like before…I promise…” I took Fany’s hand and kissed it.

I know what I have to do now and the only thought of it scare me. Am I going to be brave enough?