The days dragged on and Jung continued to be distant. He would reply to my texts with “ok” or “yes” and that was it. I tried talking to him one more time, but he had shut the conversation down before I could even ask him any questions. I had gone out a couple times to get some fresh air, but Jung was treating me like a complete stranger. I was beginning to think that any chance I had at Jung accepting me was behind us. As the days continued, the pain in my chest didn’t subside. I started to get frustrated at my dad and Jung for making me feel like this. I suddenly felt the need to get out and do something reckless to relieve the stress.

‘Bora-yah. What’re you up to tonight?’ I texted.

‘HONG! In-Ho, Eun-Taek and I are headed to Beat tonight. Wish you could come!’ Beat was a club in Gangnam that a lot of the rich kids were going to these days. Bora knew there would be no way my dad would let me go, so she didn’t even bother asking.

‘What time are you heading there? I’ll meet you guys there.’

‘Really?!?!?!?! Hong! This is my dream come true! Make sure you dress up and doll yourself up!’ She texted back a bunch of emoticons and I was beginning to feel better already.

I went to my closet and pulled out a dress Bora had given the outfit to me for my birthday last year and told me to keep it just in case. It was a tight black one-piece with sequins on it. I put on black heel boots and put a bit of make-up on. I decided to put on some bright red lipstick and left my hair down. At around 10:30pm, I sent Jung a text message.

‘Headed out now.’ My text messages to Jung had gotten shorter as a result of his short replies.

I got downstairs and Jung was waiting by the door. He looked at me and I could almost see his soft gaze for a second.

“Where are you going?” He asked as I got to the door.

“I’m going out with my friends.”

“Where to? Dressed like this?” He wasn’t letting me out the front door.

“Beat.”

“Seol, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I’m going whether you come with me or not.” I opened the door and headed to the car. Jung followed behind me, unlocking the car door.

We drove in silence and I could tell Jung wanted to say something, but he couldn’t. I didn’t want to care anyway. This was a night where I was not going to care about what he was thinking or feeling. I was going to have fun with my friends and pretend for a second that I wasn’t stuck in this situation.

When I got to Beat, my friends were all waiting outside. I could hear the music coming from inside as soon as I got out of the car. I got out and ran up to Bora as she shrieked. “I can’t believe you’re here!!! We’re going to have so much fun!!!”

“Are you sure it’s ok to be out?” In-Ho was always so concerned.

“Yeah, I’m fine! Don’t worry.”

“Hi Jung!” Bora looked behind me, smiling and waving at him.

“Hey, Bora.” Jung replied back.

“Let’s head inside. It’s freezing!!” Eun-Taek called as he led us in.

The club was packed and the music was blaring. Bora dragged me to the bar and ordered us both a beer. She handed me one and leaned into my ear, “Nurse this all night and don’t take any drinks from anyone!” I nodded.

Jung was standing at the side, leaning against the wall. He was looking around, like he was worried about something. I almost forgot I was supposed to not care about Jung tonight. Shaking my thoughts away, I gulped down some beer and grabbed Bora’s arm. “Let’s dance!!!”

We headed to the dance floor as the music started to get louder. The club was getting more and more packed. Before I knew it, I had finished my beer. In-Ho would not leave my side and Eun-Taek was dancing with Bora as they always did. “Going to the washroom!” In-Ho said in my ear as he lightly grasped at my hand. I nodded and realized I was third wheel with Eun-Taek and Bora.

“I’ll be right back!” I mouthed to Bora. She nodded to me as I walked towards the bar. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my lower back. I looked beside me and saw a guy I had never seen before.

“Let me buy you a drink!” I examined his face and couldn’t help but compare him to Jung. He was good-looking, but nowhere near as good-looking as Jung. I decided to let him buy me a drink since I was set on letting loose and being reckless tonight.

“Sure!” I yelled back.