Son Naeun puts up a brave face; she smiles like she is happy, laughs like she is sincere but in reality, all she ever wants is to crumble and wish for everything to go away. Her insecurities are her biggest flaws, something she desperately wants to change but fails to do so. It tears her inside that she's sure it has a large gaping hole around where her heart is should be. She blames Taemin, Jinri--both. She'll see them, huddled up like old lovers and she would want to break into hysterics and wonder why she isn't enough. For all the sweetness she craves, the more sour she gets. The more she longs, the more she breaks.

 

They laugh over something and Naeun sinks more into her place. The magazine she was reading has been discarded long ago. Being friends with Suzy, who is friends with Soojung and is best friends with Jinri, is something she regrets at times. Because it means being dragged to drinking parties where she's there and he's there and Naeun feels invisible.

 

Taemin's face is b with happiness it makes Naeun's stomach twist in knots. She wishes she could make him smile or laugh like that, like he enjoys being around her. Taemin worries around her, he smiles without meaning to and spaces out like he's bored. But not around Jinri apparently.

 

Naeun tries to blink the incoming tears away. She will not let them see what they have done to her, not when they're around to see how they have broken her into this pathetic woman she has become. Naeun will persevere and brazen herself and find--

 

"Naeun-ah," Taemin is suddenly next to her, resting his head on her shoulder and relaxing into her. When has he gotten here? Naeun glances downwards and sees nothing but his upturned lips while his face is buried into her neck. "Naeun, my Naeun."

 

Naeun looks at Jinri, and discovers her staring before calmly looking away. She doesn't miss the flash of her hurt swimming in her eyes.

 

Naeun feels Taemin's hand on her waist, pulling her closely and hears his soft murmurs of her name, tickling her skin. He tells her he loves her and Naeun drops her gaze on Jinri's retreating back. She focuses on Taemin, eyes fluttering close and body melting against his.

 

Jinri may have had him then, but she has him now. That should be enough.