When most of the guests have gradually returned home which includes the reluctant stubborn Hoya, Jiyeon decides that it’s probably best for three of them; L. Joe, Jinyoung and herself to have a little talk, so the three take a seat outside in the backyard where gushes of cold wind blowing past them and a still moonlight watches over the three friends.

                L. Joe can never learn to behave himself in a strained atmosphere especially after what Jinyoung had known about their history. Not that he doesn’t feel guilty, he just doesn’t know how to act according to situation for most of the time.

                “You can just spit it out, Jinyoung,” L. Joe starts off with an awkward rise in his left brow.

                Feeling ridiculed by L. Joe’s sudden sentence, he gives L. Joe a cold look. “What do you mean I can just spit it out? I can’t just spit it out like it’s a freaking bubblegum. You guys lied to me.”

                “We didn’t lie to you,” Jiyeon insists with a trace of guilt in her voice. “We honestly didn’t know what to do at first. We meant to tell you soon, but never this way. I’m sorry.”

                “I don’t get it. Why is it so hard for you guys to just let me know that you two have been so very close since you guys were bunch of kids?”

                “It’s not as it seems, Jinyoung. We kinda-” L. Joe pauses to exchange gaze with Jiyeon. She swallows back hard before nods to him.

                “We didn’t talk to each other until recently.”

                Jinyoung obviously doesn’t comprehend anything that just came out of L. Joe’s mouth. He gave them two a puzzled stare. “The heck does the supposed to mean?”

                ‘It means, we weren’t friends before you put us together. Before you get to know me, me and L. Joe were a complete stranger to each other. But we stopped being strangers when you let me in. We gradually manage to be friends again.”

                “Huh? When did I put you guys together? Cuz I obviously don’t remember matching you guys together.  Why would I even introduce you to L. Joe? Like L. Joe’s already too damn famous I don’t need to hook him up or something. And what, I let you in? I let you in? Jiyeon, I didn’t let you in. I want you in. Oh my God, what is this? I don’t get this…..” Jinyoung blurts out, his expression seems confused more than ever.

                “Oh brother,” L. Joe sighs. “This is going to be a long night.”

***

                After L. Joe and Jinyoung have said goodbye to Jiyeon and her family, the two close friends walk down the empty road; only three mansions away before reaching L. Joe’s.

                Jinyoung looks at L. Joe for awhile, feeling hesitant to say wha’s on his mind. But he mans up anyway. “Can I use this time to say what I want?”

                L. Joe shrugs. “Yeah okay.”

                Jinyoung pulls his coat tight around his body to keep warm. He does need some warmth in his body to keep his mind running sane. “I felt like a fool just now.”

                L. Joe turns to his friend. His brows collides. “What?”

                “No, I mean,” Jinyoung lets a short awkward laugh escape. “I told you how I felt for Jiyeon whilst you being so much closer to her. I felt so stupid, and really embarrassed.”

                “You didn’t think it was a good thing to tell me what you feel about Jiyeon knowing that I’m her friend?”

                “You’re not just a friend to her, L. Joe. You’re super tight with her. I feel jealous.”

                L . Joe’s nostrils flare out. “DUDEEE!” He then grabs Jinyoung close to him. “Are you ing high? Whatever thing that I have with her won’t be the same with what we have, okay. Drop the jealousy, oppa~ You know I wove you this big,” L. Joe practically yells in the middle of the night while doing a circle in the air.

                Jinyoung pushes L. Joe playfully with a snort. “Ya! Are you ed up? You can’t just confess to me like that after what just happened? What do you take me for? I need time to process this whole thing, okay.”

                “Oppa so handsome when he’s mad~” L. Joe grabs Jinyoung’s hand and swings along as they both stroll down the icy road.

                “OMG lemme go,” Jinyoung pulls back his hand. “And I’m still mad at you guys.”

                “Jinyoung~” L. Joe walks next to his bes tfriend nevertheless. He looks at Jinyoung and they both burst into laughter. He then headlocks Jinyoung and his snowcap off his head.

                “Ya!” Jinyoung yells when his favorite snowcap fall on the road. L. Joe quickly bends down to pick it up.

                “Sorry.”

                “I know,” Jinyoung says and takes the snow cap. But L. Joe holds it firm.

                “No. I’m really sorry. I’m really really sorry.” And this time, no more mister-playing-games. L. Joe’s stern look erases the short smile on Jinyoung’s face from the little fun they had earlier.

                Jinyoung tries to smiles his best. “It’s okay. I gotta respect your personal matter.”

                “And please don’t feel stupid about telling me how you really feel for her. You know I’m gon’ support you just the same. I’m your buddy, and you’re mine. We must always have each other’s back, right?” L. Joe says, rising his brow as he helps putting on the snowcap on Jinyoung’s head.

                “Right,” Jinyoung finally beams as he fixes his snowcap. “Race you to the big gate!” He suddenly yells before makes a quick runaway for L. Joe’s mansion.

                “No fair!” L. Joe shouts before he takes off as well with a wide smile. He doesn’t mind at all though. He’s just delighted that everything is back to normal. No more holding back any secrets!

                Hoya on the other hand, has been trying to reach both L. Joe and Jinyoung to ask about the home video and what actually happened between L. Joe and Jiyoen in the past but his effort was futile. They both didn’t answers any of the calls or have been replying any texts from Hoya. Now Hoya feels kinda left out. How could they not let him in?!

***

                Jiyeon sits in front of her make-up table, combing down her brown hair that has grown long over the year. Today she has a plan with some of  her friends from her debate club. She wasn’t much of an active debater when she was a senior but she does enjoy getting together on reunions like this. Her dad knocks on the door and she gets up to open the door.

                With a beautiful warm smile, she asks, “Yes dad?”

                “You’re done?”

                “Yup. Hold on, lemme  get my purse.” Jiyeon disappears for awhile into her room to get her bag and comes out seconds later. “Let’s go.”

                “Are you sure you’re just attending some school reunion lunch? Cuz you sure dress like you have someone special to impress.”

                Jiyeon snorts  as her dad indirectly compliments her. “I’m not dating anyone dad.”

                “I’m not saying you are. It’s just that you…”

                Jiyeon’s mom comes out of the kitchen and is surprised to find her haughtier looking all gorgeous in her pastel pink knee-length dress with red bright polka-dots. “Tell me who’s this lucky guy? Why don’t’ you two just have a lunch here?”

                “Mom,”                                                                                    Jiyeon frowns. Her parents can’t possibly be driving her crazy. “I’m not seeing anyone special.  It really is just a small gathering with some of my friends from the debate club.”

                “Okay,” her dad shrugs. “If you say so.”

                “It is so.”

                “Honey,”Jiyeon’s mom nudges her husband’s elbow swiftly. “Now stop teasing your daughter. We both know she has her own choice already.” And a brow is raised.

                “Right~” Her dad then pauses. “Who is it?”

                Hana slaps her husband’s hand, flashing an are-you-kidding-me look.

                Jiyeon, who realizes the strange signal made by her mom to her dad, rolls her eyes and she crosses her arms across her chest. “You guys, seriously stop it. Dad, when can we go?”

                “Alright. Coming sweetie,” her dad says as he plants a soft kiss on his wife’s forehead. “Bye hon.”

                “Bye hon,” her mom says as she slaps her husband’s when he walks away.

                “My eyes…” Jiyeon turns away and leaves. “Bye mom,” she manages as she put on her shoes.

                “Bye hon~ Be safe.”

***

                Jiyeon’s dad rests his arm on the steering wheel as he applies brake when the light turns red.

                “So,” his dad breaks off the silence. “Have L. Joe told you?”

                Jiyeon gasps. “Told me what?”

                “About this weekend’s plan?”

                “What about this weekend? What plan?”

                The lights turns green and he steps on the gas before makes a left turn right down the junction. “So he hasn’t.”

                “I guess,” Jiyeon hesitates. “But you seem to know something. You can tell me.”

                “Okay. Last night, Kyumin told me about their New Year’s plan, and he would like us to join his family on a vacation.”

                “That’s weird. It’s been ages since we last had any vacation together.”

                “You don’t want to join?”

                Jiyeon’s eyes open a little wider. “Oh! So we’re joining them?”

                “Yes. I mean, I see no harm why we wouldn’t. We don’t have any other plans for this New Year, yet. So why not join them? I think it’ll be good for us as old friends. I mean, you can bond more with L. Joe. We’ll have a good time, enjoy each other’s company. Like old times.”

                Jiyeon shrugs, “I guess. I don’t know. L. Joe and I are friends but I don’t think we’re that close like we used to be.”

                “Then take this chance, honey” her dad smiles. Hoping her daughter would join them. He does need them to get closer during this vacation. The time is running out for his old friend anyway.

                “Okay.” Jiyeon slowly nods. “So, we’re we going?”

                “Your school.” His dad raises brows on his daughter obvious question.

                “ No, dad. I mean, this vacation, where are we going to?”

                “Oh. Right,” hid dad chuckles. “I think it’s just somewhere in Japan.”

                “Just somewhere in Japan?” Jiyeon literally gasps in disbelief. That stinking rich family!

===

Is it just me or Changjo is getting incredibly hot? =,.='