JL Academy | 10.20.15 | 1:05pm

 

The Top Elites walked down the halls of the campus conversing leisurely after a tough review session in their Advance Physics class.  While everyone worried about the upcoming midterms, for the four Elites, it was business as usual.

 

One thing that never fails worth mentioning about these four is their academic prowess, particularly Amber and Irene.  Kai and Joohyuk are definitely not in the same level of genius as the other two but by association and by constant interaction, the two girls definitely rubbed off on them.  Amber, Kai and Joohyuk, having been friends since they were kids, with Irene added into the mix in their middle school days, the four grew up being groomed in the same academic rigor with their parents sparing no resource and paying strict attention to their children’s intellectual acumen.

 

Amber, the uncontested number one rank of the pack, has definitely played a significant role in the success of the other three’s high school academic career through their intense and serious private study sessions.  They prepare long before anyone else does.  They were always ahead of the curve and they worked hard to keep it that way.  Senior year was no different.  The four glided through the lectures and reviews while the rest toiled through the semester barely making it.  Let’s just say the Top Elite title came with that untouchable wall of exclusivity.  Even in an elite institution, the elites of the elites still persist to exist in this form of near perfection.

 

Amidst the attention and reverence that the school population gives them, they mercilessly play to their strengths and add to that prestigious value.  How?  Simple.  Their nonchalant-don’t-care attitude.  Their peers always talked about them and it varied from praise to jealousy to admiration to repulsion.  Yet nothing moves them or shakes them.  Inadvertently, whatever they do and whatever they say often moves or shakes everyone else.

 

Just look at the countless glances others have already stolen of them, fawning over the glimmering untouchable prestige while the four mindlessly chatted about unimportant subject matters by Irene’s locker.

 

“So guys, I need you to open up your Saturday for me,” Kai quipped.

 

“Why?”  Joohyuk asked.

 

“It’s actually Krystal’s birthday…I want to do something nice for her since she’s spending her birthday with new people.  So I talked to Sulli and she’s getting her friends to meet at Yuri sunbae’s Cheongdam-dong café for a party.”

 

Joohyuk stole a glance at Amber for a reaction while Irene perked, “Yeah, I’m not busy this Saturday.  I’m down.”

 

“Joohyuk?”  Kai patted his chest.

 

“Sulli actually told me about it already and I told her I’d come.”

 

“That’s my boy!”  Kai gave Joohyuk a high-five.

 

Amber remained stoic, showing no signs of interest, so Kai hooked his arm around his best friend’s neck, while he asked, “And you Amber?  Tell me you’re gonna help a bro out and come out this Saturday…”

 

In a flat tone, she answered, “I have better things to do.”

 

“Like what?!  Study?! Are you kidding me?!  Come on bro!  Do it for me…the more the merrier.  Plus, you’re Krystal’s partner.  I thought you guys were on good terms already…”

 

Krystal.  Partner.  Good terms.  That itch…

 

“Then let’s go together.”

 

Krystal pulled Amber while walking her to the car.  They were like hugging under the umbrella, almost to the point that it got in the way of their walking.  Amber felt her focus, nervousness, heart rate, and energy galvanized in a rare but familiar manner.  She was rendered stunned, dumbfounded by Krystal’s sudden invasion of her space forcing her to unnecessarily linger.  In fact, that’s all she’s doing right now...staring…lingering.

 

As they reached the car, Krystal opened the door but Amber stood still.

 

Facing the tomboy, Krystal smiled as she told her, “You’re crazy.  Look at you.  You’re drenched.  I think you should get in before you get sick.”

 

Then everything finally registered—her wet appearance, water dripping from her hair, clothes completely soaked, yet strangely warm from the stares that were exuding from the person in front of her.

 

Snap out of it, Amber.

 

Without saying a word, she nodded her head, broke the lingering, hopped inside the car and quickly shut the door.  Amber kept her head focused in front of her and told Donghae, “Let’s go.”

 

Amber’s car drove away but even as the shared space between the two slowly increased in distance, the force that triggered that four shades of itch lingered with the same intensity.  Amber couldn’t help but take a peek at the side mirror, watching curiously as Krystal stood in the same spot as they drove away.

 

Meanwhile, Donghae watched and observed the whole thing.  Donghae, in his short time working as Amber’s chief executive assistant, has quickly learned the charm of the young heiress.  Amber was more than what people typically gave her credit for.  She was contemplative, yet keenly perceptive.  She’s very mature for her age but Donghae has discovered the youth that was still secretly vibrant in her.  And although Amber was cold, Donghae would be first to defend that she cannot be mistaken for entitled.  Amber was respectful and she treated people well—way better than he expected.  Therefore, he was taken aback by Amber’s outrageous request of running through the pouring rain and getting drenched as well.  And for the first time, he questioned Amber’s command.  But it all made sense as he glanced in his rearview mirror witnessing a very interesting side of Amber that he’s never seen before.

 

So he chuckled and said, “Was that worth the trouble of getting soaked and losing an umbrella Amber-ssi?”

 

That caught Amber’s attention immediately.  Clearing while fixing herself in her seat, she answered, “What?”

 

He grinned and said, “For miss Jung.”

 

Once again hawking at the uncomfortable question, she answered, “She’s a…uhh…ahem…I was just being nice.”

 

 

Giggling and grinning to himself, Donghae muttered, “Yes you were.”

 

---

 

“So?”  Kai probed once again while Irene and Joohyuk watched intently for Amber’s response.

 

“I’ll think about,” she said shoving Kai’s arm aside to which Kai responded by hugging her again.  “I’ll take that over a ‘no’ any day!”

 

After much of the commotion died down, Kai told the others, “I’ll catch you guys later.  I have to go to the company.”

 

It was basic routine for Kai.  After classes he usually heads straight to his father’s entertainment company to train in dance.

 

Irene also followed suit, “I gotta go too.  I have a student leadership meeting.”

 

Joohyuk and Amber bid their friends goodbye and headed for the library.  Since there was no practice for today, the two friends decided to do some light studying for the midterms.

 

When they reached the library, Amber’s eyes immediately landed on one person.  Maintaining her demeanor, she quickly reverted her attention towards something else in the room.  Joohyuk, who was watching for the subtle cues, didn’t even spot a chink in Amber’s armor…at least not yet.

 

Krystal was sitting across from Sulli at a desk vigorously studying for finance.  The two were immersed in their back-and-forth dialogue as they probed each other with test questions.  Sulli asked Krystal, “Is depreciation a source or use of cash in the Cash Flow Statement?”

 

“It’s use of cash because it is expensed in the Income Statement, right?”

 

In the same moment that Krystal answered, Amber and Joohyuk were walking by.  Upon hearing Krystal’s answer, Amber instantaneously stopped.  Joohyuk stopped with Amber.

 

The two were standing next to the two girls’ table and Sulli and Krystal couldn’t ignore their presence.  Confused, the two girls’ turned their attention to the two standing Elites.

 

Amber shifted her body to face Krystal and stared at her with a neutrally blank expression that could be mistaken for almost a scowl.  Amber hovered over their table and began eyeing the notes on Krystal’s notebook.  And as though by instinct, by some impulsive possession that has frequently taken over Amber’s decision-making as of lately when it came to this one particular person, Amber snatched the notebook and took the seat right next to Krystal.

 

“Yah!  What are you doing?”  Krystal sneered at Amber’s unpredictable actions.

 

Joohyuk and Sulli exchanged questioning looks as he took the seat next to Sulli.  Meanwhile, Amber continued to flip through the pages and scanned Krystal’s notes to find her suspicions to be correct.

 

Amber finally piped up and turned to Krystal, “I thought you said that you’re not the type to get anything less than A.”

 

Krystal had an incredulously annoyed look on her face.  Of course she felt mildly offended but she didn’t really know how to counter Amber’s valid crassness.

 

Seeing Krystal’s non-response, Amber’s rippped the papers from the notebook binding—notes that Amber genuinely thought that would just ruin Krystal in her exams.  Due to Amber’s impudence, however, she didn’t think to provide an explanation first for her actions, something she deems unnecessary by habit, which typically causes hostility with the other party.

 

Krystal, to that effect, was peeved, “Yah—”

 

“At this rate, you’re lucky if you get a B- on the test.”

 

“What the hell Amber!”  Krystal took her notebook back.

 

“If you want to get an A, you’re going to have to scrap these notes…no offense.”  She slid the notes that she ripped off from Krystal’s notebook aside.

 

“Write this down,” Amber pointed at the notebook, “Depreciation is a non-cash expense; therefore, it will show as a source of cash flow on the Cash Flow Statement.”

 

Krystal immediately retorted, “I don’t need your help.”

 

Amber finally took the time to acknowledge the frustration in Krystal eyes.  Yet she, too, couldn’t hide her mutual frustration in Krystal’s enduring pride.  But because of that damn itch, because she felt ethereally compelled for some god-forsaken reason, Amber softened up.

 

Finally—this was a golden cue that Joohyuk and Sulli have been anticipating for, to which they unhesitatingly made a mental note of.

 

In a slightly softer, less hostile tone, Amber asked, “So you really don’t want my help?”

 

Sulli interjected, “I want your help.”

 

Krystal tossed her a glare, “Yah!”

 

“Krystal, do you want an A or not?”  Amber asked.

 

Krystal didn’t answer.  Instead, she stared at Amber.  She was furious at Amber’s blatant way of ‘helping’ her, there’s no doubt about it.  But she also can’t get herself to say no.  A part of that was the demanding yet alluring presence that magnetized Krystal to the way Amber was staring at her.  There it was again—the layers that her immediately into Amber’s world—a world of confusion, exhilaration, mystery and wonder all at the same.

 

This time Amber gently grabbed the notebook and the pen from Krystal’s hand and began scribbling away.  Krystal let her.  Amber picked up on it as concession.  And so the unprecedented review with the Top Elites continued.

An hour and a half into studying and the pages that Amber ripped out were already replaced with pages that Amber filled up for Krystal.  Needless to say, the two didn’t exactly agree all the time.  In fact, they incessantly bickered.

 

Amber’s temperamental personality mixed with Krystal’s sensitivity was a recipe for chaos.  Joohyuk and Sulli couldn’t help but laugh throughout the whole study session because the highs and lows of temper and emotions flaring could not be any more pronounced with these two.

 

Amber would easily get frustrated when Krystal can’t get a concept.  Amber would naturally raise her voice to which Krystal will defensively react to by raising her voice.  Sulli and Joohyuk worked hard to mitigate the bickering and the two would calm down.  Krystal will finally get the concept and then they would move on to the next one.  Now repeat this cycle about ten times and sure enough, it didn’t take long until Krystal and Amber became the center of attention in the library.

 

“If financial leverage is 1.34, $1 in equity supports how much of assets and how much of debt?”  Amber tested Krystal.  Amber has explained this concept to Krystal about three times now and her patience was once again running thin.

 

“If financial leverage is 1.34 then…” Krystal was really trying to keep with the overload of information but found the concepts still challenging.  So she tried her best shot in answering, “then a dollar of equity supports…”

 

Joohyuk tried to help, “It supports a—”

 

“Shh!  Let Krystal answer.”  Amber stopped him.  “Think Krystal.  I explained this like three times already…”

 

“It supports…umm…34—”

 

“Don’t guess Krystal.  Think logically through it,” Amber curtly prompted.

 

Sulli was gearing up for it.  She knew this would be another tipping point.  She whispered a countdown to Joohyuk, “Watch this…3…2…”

 

Krystal answered, “It supports 34 cents of assets?”

 

“…1.”

 

“NO!  Oh my god…it’s ing simple Krystal.  It supports 1.34 in assets—duh!  Financial leverage is Asset/Equity!  That means $1 of equity supports 1.34 of assets and that 34 cents is supported by debt!  Think about the simple equation Krystal!  Asset will always equal to Liability plus—”

 

“Why are you yelling at me?!”

 

“I’m not yelling at you!  I’m trying to explain—”

 

“You’re still yelling at me right now!”

 

Joohyuk stepped in, “Guys!  We’re in a library!”

 

Amber grumbled, tossing the pencil on the table, ready to give up.  “I can’t do this.  This is driving me nuts.”

 

Krystal scoffed and angrily pointed out, “Yah!  The feeling is mutual!”

 

Sulli was watching and laughing unable to hold back her amusement while Amber stood up from her chair and said, “I can’t do this Namjoo.  I’m sorry.”  She turned to Krystal and sneered back, “You’re driving me crazy,” before walking away.

 

Slumping in her seat as she grumbled in complaint, Krystal looks at Joohyuk and said, “Your friend is a psycho.”

 

Joohyuk and Sulli could only giggle to themselves.

 

After five minutes, Amber surprisingly came back, this time dropping a notebook—her notebook—on the table.  Pushing the notebook towards Krystal, she calmly said, “Obviously…this is not working out so just take my notes.  It explains the finance concepts thoroughly and in a simple manner that you could probably understand better than the textbook.”

 

Still mad from earlier, Krystal pushed it away and retorted, “I don’t want it.”

 

That only frustrated Amber more.  Good thing that five-minute walk from the library to her locker did the trick in calming her tension.  As she grabbed her finance notebook, she told herself to keep her cool once she goes back to Krystal.  On a side note, Amber has become better and better with her anger management techniques.

 

Deflecting Krystal’s response, Amber instead took a deep breath and calmly said, “Just please take it.”

 

“Yeah Soojung, just take it.  If you won’t, I’ll take it.  Who wouldn’t want class rank number one’s notes for finance,” Sulli remarked earning her a playful nudge from Joohyuk.

 

Amber took a seat again.  She pushed her notebook towards Krystal for another attempt.  “Just take the notes…please.”

 

Krystal took a deep breath as well.  For this moment, putting all the bickering and the reviewing aside, she had a clamoring question that needed an answer, “Why are you helping me?”

 

“Because why not.”  Amber answered flatly.

 

Krystal just studied Amber’s face a little longer but wasn’t fully convinced.  If Krystal were to overthink this, she’s sure to question the reason for Amber’s actions.  Yes, she’s kind of brute in her fashion and method of ‘helping’, if you can even call it that, but nevertheless, it struck her with the question why.

 

In whatever the case, Krystal may never get a straight answer from Amber and she was keen enough to predict that.  But if there was anything that this gesture proved today for her, it was that Amber didn’t hate her.  She would be satisfied in confirming just that in an opportune moment that could afford some clarity such as the one right now.

 

So Krystal crossed her arms, takes a long look at Amber and pressed, “I’ll take the notes if you answer a simple yes or no question.”

 

Amber pinching the bridge of her nose, keeping her temper under control, sighs as she quietly groused, “Oh my god, this girl is driving me insane.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Amber took deep sigh, as she answered Krystal with a suppressed grin, “Fine.  What?”

 

Leaning an inch closer, she asked, “Do you hate me?  Yes or no.”

 

Itchy all over, all over again.

 

A sudden thought crossed Amber’s mind before she answered.

 

"We are autonomous in defining meaning.  We all choose what to give meaning to, whether it’d be our internal feelings and/or the object—rather the subject—of your emotions…AKA who you are feeling those feelings for."

 

She could hear Yuri’s voice in the back of her mind.

 

But then suddenly…something clicked.

 

Lingering is not the same things as defining meaning.

 

Logic, once again, proved to be the winner in Amber’s mind that was able to provide a loophole for this itchy contention.

 

Amber mirrored Krystal, crossing her arm, as she leaned in close with only a foot separating her face from hers…and she lingered.

 

And in classic neutral Amber fashion, she answered, “Do you think if I hated you, I would still be sitting right here, begging you to take my notes?”

 

Krystal gulped nervously as she got her answer.

 

For once…lingering never felt so good, so right, so true.

---

10.24.15 | Cheongdam-dong | 2:54pm

 

Amber stared inside the small silver gift bag in front of her.  Her car is parked and she’s sitting inside of it unable to move because of this one little item that’s sitting in front of her.  Inside the bag was a small feathered, steel anchor keychain.  She stares at it and double thinks her plan on what to do with it…

FLASHBACK

---

A couple days ago…

 

On her way to the library after the lunch break, Amber decided to make a stop at the campus cafe to get a cup of coffee before grinding away the next two hours in her study.  Before entering the café, two people in her peripheral caught her attention.  Across from the café was the campus bookstore.  Through the glass window she could see Krystal perusing through one of the shelves as Sulli was paying for something on the counter.

 

Amber may appear to be in her own world, showing aloofness to her surroundings, but little do people really know is how observant Amber really was.  She appears to be apathetic, which she was for the most part when it comes to things that she deems trivial, which is 95% of things that’s around her.  But you can’t mistake her for being oblivious and unaware.

 

And so Amber observes Krystal for the next minute.  She watches her as she picks up different keychains pairing it with the key fob that she had on hand.  From the distance she sees Krystal finally settling for one particular keychain.  She held on to it and even tried it on her key fob.  The next second, Sulli calls Krystal over, and with a little bit of hesitation in Krystal’s expression, she puts the keychain back on the shelf then proceeds to walk out of the store arm in arm with Sulli.

 

---

She was parked at the Cheongdam-dong café minutes away from the actual start of the surprise party that Kai has put together for Krystal.  She decided to come because…why not…I’m just being nice.  In fact, she even bought a present.

 

I even bought a ing present!

 

She is questioning why she was even there.  She wasn’t planning on coming but…I already bought a present……why the hell did I get her a present?

 

This was uncharacteristic of her.  There was this constant battle in her head raising questions about the motive behind the gift purchase.  She looked at the keychain and forfeited against her logic.  What am I doing?

 

In the end, she conceded.  In quiet frustration, Amber opened the passenger glove box and shoved the gift bag inside.

 

That was more like it.  That was never her style in the first place.  She took a deep breath, running through the regrets in her mind, before stepping out of her vehicle to begrudgingly trudge her way inside the café.  To hell with it…

 

As she entered, she found a group of people whom were Krystal’s friends…the people that she normally sits with and talks with at school.  She was greeted with nervous hellos from them while she managed to greet them back with a polite “hi” back.  It was awkward for Amber.  She was not known to be a sociable person, unlike her three friends.  And so being close like this to her other classmates that she barely interacted with was a little unnerving and uncomfortable.  And the feeling goes both ways.  Therefore, to see Amber actually show up was a very surprising turn of events for everyone in that room.

 

Thankfully she spotted Irene at one of the tables chatting away with Sulli and began making her way towards her but was immediately intercepted by Joohyuk.

 

“Bro!  You made it!”

 

She sighed and nodded her head as Joohyuk gave her a friendly hug.  She was relieved to find at least her best friends to be at this small party.  Furthermore, she spotted Sunny walking towards her and found another breath of fresh air and comfort in the uncomfortable unfamiliarity.

 

“Oh Amber, you’re here.”

 

She politely bowed and flashed her a timid smile, “Yeah…I made it.”

 

“Well it’s good to see you here.  Joohyuk told me that you probably weren’t coming.”

 

“Yeah…I thought I’d stop by,” Amber said as she rubbed the back of her head.

 

Sunny gave her big smile before excusing herself to attend to the other guests of the café.

 

Joohyuk, sensing the awkward aura Amber was emitting, couldn’t be more proud to see his best friend actually attend one of these parties.  It wasn’t Amber style to even give these social events a thought.  And he’s intrigued even more that out of all the social events, she has manage to show up to this one…to Krystal’s birthday.

 

Joohyuk could only smirk at his best friend, to which Amber jeered at, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
 

“What?” Joohyuk shrugged his shoulders.  “I’m just really excited because wow…the Amber Liu has decided to show up to a party.  Do you know how many times Kai, Irene and I would try to get you to hang out with us at social events like this and how many of those times you actually showed up to?”

 

“I go to parties all the time.”

 

“Yeah for JL Group, or your birthday, or one of your family parties that you are force to go to.  But never a party where it’s just your friends and your classmates.”

 

“So what?  It’s not a big deal,” Amber coldly retorted.

 

“Look around…” Joohyuk pointed at the other people in the café, “These people are just as shocked as I am that you’re here.”

 

Amber rolled her eyes and quipped, “Fine.  Should I leave?”

 

Joohyuk grabbed her by the shoulder and pushed her away from the door towards the tables.  “I’m just messing with you bro.  You’re already here, just enjoy the party…plus it’s Krystal’s birthday.  You’re her partner so just stay.”

 

An idea suddenly popped into Amber’s mind.  She turned around and halted Joohyuk.  “Wait a second.  Did you get a gift for Krystal?”

 

A little confused, Joohyuk reached inside his jacket pocket while he answered, “Uh…yeah.”

 

Joohuk pulls out an envelope and holds it out.  “Nothing big.  Just a birthday card and gift card inside.”

 

“Perfect.”  She stole it from Joohyuk and walked over to the counter and grabbed a pen.  She signed her name on the back next to Joohyuk’s name and walked back to where she left him and gave the card back to him.

 

He looked at his revised card and with an incredulous look on his face, he tossed a scowl towards the tomboy and griped, “Yah!  Are you serious?”

 

With a small mischievous smirk, Amber answered, “Dead serious.”

 

“Yah…” Joohyuk shook his head in disbelief.  “You’re probably the richest person in this room and you couldn’t stop by a store to buy yourself your own gift?  Unbelievable.”

 

Amber grinned as a response.

 

A minute later, Amber takes a look around the room.  She takes seat next to Irene and Joohyuk as they waited for the birthday celebrant to show up.  Amber scans the room and notices something.

 

“Where’s Jongin?”  She asked.

 

Irene answered, “He’s the one bringing Krystal here.”

---

KRYSTAL POV

 

“Happy Birthday Soojung-ie!”  My sister squeezed me in for a hug.

 

“Thank you unnie.”

 

She handed me a small blue box and said, “It’s nothing big but I hope you like it.”

 

I gasped in excitement as I opened it.  It was a beautiful white gold necklace with two little heart pendant.  “Unnie!  This is beautiful!  Thank you so much!”  I engulfed her one more time in hug.

 

“I’m glad you like it!”  She smiled rubbing the crown of my head.  “Here, let me help you.”

 

I turned around facing the other direction as Jessica hooked the beautiful necklace around my neck.  As expected of my wonderful sister, she knows exactly what my style is and she knows how to spoil me on my birthday.

 

I stood in front of my mirror as we both took a look at the new necklace around my neck.  Jessica stood behind me and nodded her head in approval.  “The necklace looks great on you.  And it matches really well with your outfit…Speaking of which.  Why are you so dressed up?  Are you going somewhere?”

 

Taking a seat at the edge of my bed, I told my sister, “Actually…a friend of mine said he wanted to take me somewhere nice today because it was my birthday…”

 

“A boy?”  She gave me mischievous smirk.

 

I quickly dismissed her suspicions, “Kai is just a friend.  Him and his friends have been so nice to me lately so it would have been rude to decline, don’t you think?”

 

“Kai?  As in Jongin-ie?”

 

“Yeah.  Kim Jongin.”

 

“Wow…look at you,” she said while crossing her arms while gushing over nothing.  “So my sister is going on a date with JL Group’s Top Elite heartthrob.”

 

“Oh my god unnie, it’s not a date!  He’s just a friend and I’m just being nice!  Plus he said there are other people that are going to be there.”

 

She then sat next to me while continued to tease, “Oh come on Soojung!  He’s just a friend?”

 

In a straight face with a flat tone and with sincerity in my voice, I told her, “He’s just a friend.”

 

She examined my face, squinting her eyes, raising an eyebrow.  After a couple of seconds, she continued to prod, “You don’t like Kai?”

 

“Unnie…”

 

“I’m only asking because I’m curious and I care.”

 

“Unnie…Kai is nice.  He’s good-looking, I can give him that.  He’s pretty smart and he’s also very talented.  He comes from a good family so I guess you could say he has the full package.  But…ehh.”

 

I thought about my sister’s questions.   I don’t really have the time to give to things like boyfriends or “love”.  And even if I did…Kai just didn’t strike me as someone I could fall in love with as cool, as handsome, as nice as he was.

 

I explained to my sister, “You know when you know.  With Kai…I don’t think it’s there…as in… that spark, that nervous feeling when someone looks into your eyes and you want to…”

 

.

 

My mind went straight to painting an image of Amber’s eyes—the way she would look at me, the way she would make me feel…  .  What am I thinking?!

 

“And you want to what Soojung?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Scrunching her eyebrows, she poked me, “Did you just space out on me?”

 

I cleared my throat and cleared my mind of these unwarranted thoughts, “Ahem…um yeah…basically my point is that he’s just a friend.  That’s the limit of my perspective of him.”

 

*Buzz* *Buzz* *Buzz*

 

My phone vibrated on my bed.  I reached for it and opened the text message.  It was Kai saying that he’s in front of the house.

 

“And on that note,” I leaned in and gave my sister a peck on the cheek, “I got to go.  I’ll see you later at the dinner tonight.”

 

Sighing, she quipped, “Don’t be late and be safe.”

---

 

“They’re here!  She’s coming!”  Jonghyun loudly whispered as they all gathered in one spot to surprise Krystal.  The people had on their party hats and their birthday whistles ready to greet Krystal.

 

The door of the bell rung with Krystal entering followed by Kai.  As they stepped inside, mini poppers were launched and a big, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” was belted by the friends who came to surprise Krystal.

 

Surprised and tremendously touched by her friend’s kindness, Krystal wore a big smile as the others began showering her with birthday wishes and affectionate hugs.  It was a very nice gesture by her friends.  She was grateful for their quick acceptance and all the effort they put to make her feel special on her birthday.

 

Krystal didn’t expect much for her 18^th birthday.  She was the new girl.  And although she was able to make a few friends pretty quickly, she expected her 18^th birthday to be uneventful.  All of her close friends were in California after all.  But the fact that some of her friends were kind of enough to throw a small party for her, Krystal was really grateful for it.

 

Kai suddenly grabbed her hand, “Happy birthday, Krystal.  Do you like the surprise?”

 

She was genuinely thankful for Kai.  She acknowledged Kai’s genuine effort.  She was thankful for his hospitality and friendship.  And because of that, she pulled him in for a hug and said, “Thank you Kai.  I love the surprise and I'm really grateful.”

 

The rest of the crowd took a notice of it, which prompted an immediate chorus of teasing, clapping, and cheering.

 

As the festivities began, Krystal looked around the café, and was, of course, surprised to see one person.  This person caught her full attention.

 

Amber was standing with Joohyuk and Irene as they were chatting away in their conversation.  Krystal had a warm feeling in her chest.  That kind of feeling she almost exposed in her conversation with Jessica from earlier.  It was hard for Krystal to no longer ignore it but she was far from wanting to define it.  All that she knew, as she staring across the room at the neutral, cold, llama-looking face that has grabbed her curiosity and persists in continuing to yank on it…this same feeling…was a feeling she has never experienced with anyone else.

 

It magnetized her.  She was constantly tossing caution to the wind in attempts to know more.  It was like an addicting game she found herself playing whenever an opportunity presented itself to peel layers of that skin called Amber’s mystery.  And for some reason, as each day passed, she was finding more and more confidence as she discovers Amber allowing to give her more and more entrance.

 

The festivities continued.  Krystal and her friends mingled for the next hours.  Kai rarely left Krystal’s side and the rest were just happy to have a social break from the hard days of studying from the midterms.  Later into the party, Joohyuk, Irene and Amber finally made their way to greet the celebrant.  Krystal gladly greeted them but kept her thoughts at bay.

 

“Happy birthday, Krystal,” Joohyuk gave her a hug.

 

“Happy birthday,” Irene followed.

 

It was like roll call and they were all anticipating for Amber’s turn.

 

In a very Amber fashion, Amber flashes Krystal a small smile, merely nodding her head, and said in a monotone, “Happy birthday.”

 

Krystal met eyes with Amber and she too didn’t really know how to respond to her in front of the watching eyes.  Kai, however, interjected to save the almost awkward moment.

 

Things eased back to normal while they were joined with the others.  Joohyuk and Irene gregariously interacted with people while Amber stayed somewhat aloof and observant of the whole scene.  She watched and quietly drank her fruit punch from a distance.  It was out of the ordinary for Amber to be in these situations so she, too, could admit how unprepared she was to mingle for more than an hour with a room full of people who are supposedly her friends.

 

But she didn’t mind though.  And there was only really one reason she didn’t mind.

 

Krystal.

 

Amber was taking mental notes the entire time.  Like the way Krystal would laugh—how she would throw her head back and use one hand to cover .  That is when Krystal genuinely thought that something was funny.  Or the way Krystal would interact with her friends—she hugged them, smiled with them, laughed with them and genuinely expressed her happiness, wearing her heart on her sleeve easily exposed when she’s really happy.  Or when Krystal would seemingly steal all the attention in the room with the way she carried herself in such confidence.  ing ethereal, as Amber would mockingly say in her head.

 

Oh yeah...she didn't mind at all.  She didn’t mind one bit because she was able to linger.

---

 

It was the end of the party and there were others that bid their goodbyes.  It was the weekend before the midterms after all and there was still a lot of studying left to do for some of Krystal’s friends and classmates.

 

Krystal, Joohyuk, Irene, Amber, Sulli, and Kai stood in a circle.

 

Sulli and Irene gave Krystal a hug and said, “Happy birthday again Krystal.  We’ll get going with Joohyuk.  He said he’ll take us.”

 

“Thank you guys for coming.”

 

Joohyuk turned to Amber, “Are you okay bro?  Do you need a ride?”

 

Amber shook her head and answered, “I’m good.  I have my car.  Thanks.”

 

The three bid their goodbyes and left.

 

Amber then turned to Krystal and said, “I’m gonna get going too…Happy birthday, Krys.”  She nodded her head, still trying to navigate through the awkward space between her and her partner.

 

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*

 

It was coming from Kai’s pocket.  He pulled it out and eyed his phone with a serious expression.  He shot a glance at Amber, which immediately signaled to Amber who the caller might be.  Amber caught on it right away.  Krystal, on the other hand, noticed the exchange between the two friends.

 

Kai stepped away and answered the call, leaving Krystal and Amber alone.

 

Say something, idiot.  Amber chided herself.

 

“So…” Krystal broke the ice.  “Thanks for the card Amber.”

 

“What card?”  Amber retorted.

 

Krystal looked at her quizzically and said, “The card that you and Joohyuk gave me.”

 

You’re a real idiot.  You almost forgot.  Amber chided herself once again.

 

“Ah.  The card.  Yes.  Uhh…You’re welcome.”

 

And it was silent again.

 

Finally… “Krystal, actually—”

 

“Hey bro, I need a favor,” Kai came back interrupting Amber.

 

“What’s up?”  Amber knew her best friend more than anyone and has noticed the change of expression in Kai’s face.

 

“Can you take Krystal home?  I have to run because of an…an emergency.”

 

Amber knew exactly what Kai was talking about and so she really had no choice but to step up for her friend in this moment.

 

“Yeah no problem.  Go,” Amber patted Kai’s shoulder.

 

Kai then turned to Krystal and said, “I apologize Krystal.  I can’t really explain much but Amber here will take you home.  I’m sorry again.”

 

Krystal wanted to ask but it sounded urgent and she didn’t want to pry.  She smiled and squeezed Kai’s arm and said, “No need to say sorry.  Thank you for today Kai.”

 

Kai flashed her his charming smile.  He was smitten by Krystal, it was obvious.  But in this moment, Kai had to take care of something more important.

 

Before leaving, Amber pulled him aside away from Krystal’s earshot just to make sure, “Are you okay?”

 

In a nervous, sort of frantic voice, he said, “Y-Yeah.  I’m sorry again bro.”
 

“You don’t need to say sorry…Is she okay?”

 

“I-I think she’s okay.  I have to go now to make sure.”

 

“She’ll be fine,” Amber assured him with a confident smile.  “You just make sure to tell omoni I said hi.”

 

“Thanks bro,” Kai patted Amber on the sidearm before hurrying out.

 

Meanwhile, Krystal watched the exchange of the two.  There was something that amazed her about Amber.  She may not be friendly but she seems to be a great friend.  She may be cold but she seems to be the warmest with them.

 

Again it was another layer that she has come to discover.

 

Amber made her way towards Krystal.  And in an Amber’s dry and flat tone, she said, “I guess I’ll be taking you home.”

 

Amber walked Krystal to the car and as she hasn’t failed to do yet, she opened the passenger seat for the princess.  As they both buckled themselves in the car, Amber cleared and said, “So uhh…just tell me where to go.”

 

Krystal nodded her head and smiled.  How badly did Amber want to linger with that smile… Instead, she started the car and kept her eyes on the road while Krystal gave her directions.

 

Feeling a little parched, Krystal reached for the water bottle that she kept with her to take a drink.  As she was taking a drink, a random motorcycle swerved in their lane, causing Amber to jerk the car in reflex avoiding the accident.

 

“Yah you ing idiot!”  With Amber’s temper flaring, she yelled through the windshield at the cyclist who almost caused the accident.  To her credit, the motorcyclist was a little reckless in his driving.

 

Krystal spilled some water on her dress while Amber kept uttering curses at the motorcycle.  Amber quickly remembered the person that was sitting next to her and immediately pulled the reins on her anger, calming herself within seconds despite the contortion on her face.  Krystal observed this and thought how funny Amber looked in containing her temper.

 

Amber glanced at Krystal and found her smirking at her.  She also saw the wet spot on Krystal’s dress and mentally cursed the motorcyclist one more time in her head.

 

Amber asked, “Are you okay?”

 

Chuckling, Krystal responded, “I’m fine.  It’s just water.”

 

Amber pointed at the glove box and said, “I think I may have some tissue there or—”

 

As Krystal was about to open the glove box, Amber suddenly remembered what she put in there.  !

 

It was barely open before Amber leaned over to shut the glove box, which startled Krystal, “Actually!  Wait!  There’s nothing there.  U-Uhh…” Amber reached for her back pocket where she kept her handkerchief.  Pulling that quickly, she handed it to Krystal, “Here!  U-Uhh…You can use this instead!”

 

Krystal eyed Amber curiously.  This was the most expressive she has ever seen Amber.  In fact, it kind of confused her.

 

“Are you…are you okay?”  Krystal asked.

 

Clearing , gaining back her composure, she said, “Y-Yeah…I’m good.”

 

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*

 

Krystal reached for purse and pulled out her phone.  Amber was once again saved by the ring.

 

“Hello?”  Krystal answered.

 

“Soojung-ie, are you on your way home?”

 

It was Jessica on the other end.  “Yes unnie.”

 

“Is Kai taking you home?”

 

Krystal glanced towards Amber’s direction, “Actually…Amber is taking me home.”

 

“Amber?  Hmm…put me on speaker phone.”

 

Following her sister’s request, Krystal put Jessica on speaker and held the phone in between them.

 

“Amber!”

 

“U-Uhh…yes sunabae-nim.”

 

Unbeknownst to Krystal, Jessica was about to do something that would catch both of them off guard.  “I know Uncle James and Aunt Michelle are out of the country.  And you already know it’s Krsytal’s birthday today.  We are having a BBQ American dinner and I think it would be nice if you join us.  What do you say?”
 

Both Amber and Krystal looked at each other confounded by Jessica’s sudden invitation.

 

“Uh…unnie,” Krystal was surprised.

 

“Sunbae…I wouldn’t want to intrude in your family's—”

 

“Nonesense Amber.  Your family is like my family.  So what do you say?”

 

“Unnie, I don’t think we should pressure Amber,” Krystal added.

 

“Yeah sunbae, I don’t want to impose on your family and Krystal.”

 

“Amber,” Jessica switched to a more stern tone, “It’s really not a big deal and Krystal, you’re fine with it, right?”
 

The two exchanged hesitant looks again before Krystal answered timidly, “Of course it’s fine with me…Is it fine with you, Amber?”

 

Seeing the opportunity—rather an offer that Amber couldn’t decline out of regard and respect for a sunbae who was close to her and her family, Amber could only say one thing.

 

“Yeah…it’s fine with me.

---

 

KRYSTAL POV

 

I don’t know what has gotten into my sister’s head to invite Amber for the dinner.  I mean…yeah it’s not a big deal but it has been an awkward day between us.

 

My new friends here in Korea have been a blessing.  Throwing the nice birthday party for me was unexpected and it was lovely to spend the day with them.  I really couldn’t complain about anything about today.  The food was great, I was with good company, and I have received a lot of love from many people.  But if there was one thing that bothered me about today so far was how awkward it was between Amber and I.

 

I thought we were past.  Remember.  You guys were there.  She said doesn't hate me, right?

 

Ugh.  Whatever.

 

When we reached my place, we walked inside and made our way towards the backyard while she quietly followed me.

 

“I hope you don’t mind, we’re having burgers and hotdogs for my dinner.  It was my request so dad’s out there grilling.”

 

She timidly smiled and nodded her head, “It’s your birthday princess.”

 

Did she just make a joke?  I swear she just made a joke.  That was probably the first time today where the air between us wasn't as weird and heavy.

 

We made our way towards my parents who were busy working the grill while Jessica set up the table outside.  Even though we have maids in the house to help us around, when it comes to family dinners for special occasions like birthdays, it is usually a very relaxed night where my mom or dad would insist on doing the cooking while Jessica or I helped out.

 

“Mom!  Dad!  Unnie!”  I ran to them and gave them a hug.

 

Amber stood back and bowed, greeting my family with manners, “Hello sunbae-nim, Director Jung, omonim.”

 

“Aigoo Amber-ah, you don’t need to address me as 'Director' when you’re in my household,” dad walked over and patted her on the back, “In fact, just please call me uncle.”

 

Standing straight while she reluctantly rubbed the back of her neck.  “Ah…yes…uncle.”

 

“Come Amber, come sit here.  We’re about almost done.”

 

I watched Amber as my sister pulled her to table.  She didn’t have the unreadable neutral aura that she so regularly sports.  She seemed a bit out of her comfort zone, taken aback by the casualness of my family.  It was refreshing to see yet another layer of Amber.

 

I walked over to her and said, “Just relax and don’t mind them.  I’m going to get inside to prepare the drinks.  Did you want me to get you anything?”

 

She immediately stood up and said, “It’s your birthday Krystal, you should be the one relaxing.”

 

I pushed her down insisting, “Really it’s okay, Amber.  It’s not a big deal.”  I showed a smile before walking away.

 

She then pulled my hand.  And there it was again.

 

“I can help.  I want to help.  So let me help.”

 

See this is what I mean…that spark, that nervous feeling when someone looks into your eyes and you want to…

 

...You want to stay and look in the same way just because you were drawn to the story behind them, like you are enraptured by the thought of discovering a truth about yourself, your world, your existence that nothing else made sense in that moment but to stare right back and hope to capture the person you’re looking at in the same equal conundrum.

 

But who am I kidding?  What do I know?

 

“F-Fine.  You can help me.”  I quickly walked away trying to regain my composure.

 

After preparing the drinks, Amber helped me by carrying the bowl of ice and cups and by the time we came back out, the food was ready.

 

We sat around the table and dug into the awesome BBQ, burgers, and hotdog that my parents wonderfully grilled.  It was like I was back in California with this American food.

 

The dinner was perfect.  Sure it wasn’t extravagant by any means but having my whole family around me was priceless.  Amber loosened up a bit too.  My dad and mom asked her a lot of questions to keep any awkwardness from creeping in.  My sister made the effort to make her feel comfortable.  I joked around with Amber and she surprisingly joked back.  And overall the conversation around the table was fun and I just felt really at home.

 

Other than the orphanage, I don’t think I have ever seen Amber smile (or at least half-smile) this much.  For once I actually felt really at ease with her…like she has become a real friend.  It was nice.  I'll be honest...this made my day.

 

After the dessert, Amber checked her watch and placed her napkin on the table.

 

“Uncle, omonim, Jessica sunbae, Krystal, thank you for the wonderful dinner and for welcoming me into your lovely home.  I should take my leave since it’s late.  Thank you again.”

 

“Of course, Amber!  You’re always welcome,” my mom hugged her followed by Jessica.

 

“Come visit anytime, Amber.”  My dad shook her hand.

 

She bowed one last time and I followed her to walk her out.

 

I walked her to the front door before she stopped.  She turned to me and said, “You’re family is great.”

 

“They are.  I’m very fortunate,” I told her.

 

Chuckling, she said, “Now I understand why you’re such a princess.”

 

“Hey look...I’m only letting you call me that because it’s true but at least I don’t always act like one.  I’m pretty independent you know.”

 

She retorted, “Suuure…”

 

“Yah!”  I raised my hand to jokingly slap her arm to which she immediately took a step back to shield herself.

 

See…this was better.  I liked this better.

 

After the gigglingr died, she suddenly grabbed my arm and said, “Follow me real quick.”

 

And without getting the chance to say anything, she pulled me towards where her car was parked.  When we reached the passenger door, she opened it and I watched her grab something out of the glove box.

 

She pulled out this silver bag and suddenly extended it to me.  Clearing , with her hand in her pocket, trying to stay neutral and cool, she said, “Happy birthday.  Don’t get your hopes up because it’s really nothing.  But…h-happy birthday Krystal.”

 

I was flushed by her gesture.  It was another unexpected event that was like the cherry on top of the ice cream.

 

I took the bag and , “So that’s why you were acting weird in the car earlier.”

 

“Uh…Umm…w-well…” I'm finding this flustered-Amber more and more charming each time.

 

“Well…thank you Amber.”  I looked inside the bag and was even more astonished to find the simplest yet perfect gift.  Simple in that it was nothing extravagant.  Perfect in that it was something I really wanted.

 

And I finally realized something.  I successfully uncovered another layer of Amber.  Yes she’s tough, she’s got an awful temper, and a tongue of a sailor.  She’s arctic cold but dangerously warm.  She keeps most people at a distance but she is someone you would want in your corner.  And last but not least…

 

Beyond the Top Elite, JL Group heiress, mysterious, untouchable façade…Amber was simple and simply perfect.

 

---

 

Author's Note

Long chapter. I hope it made up for my delayed update.

It's a pretty light chapter though with hella Kryber overload.  And mildang has no chill, right?

Now that that's framed, I think it's time to shake things up a little bit, don't you think?

- Z