Seoul, South Korea – December 2, 2016

LEE JIYEON | AYAKA

Kim Myungsoo had always been a good friend of mine ever since we saw each other in the music room. Somehow, we just clicked right off the bat and became each other’s friends and soon, best friends. And you know, Myung is actually my first guy best friend. I mean, it’s not really my thing to associate myself with guys—that explains why I was single since birth before being with Kai—so I was really surprised to be friends with him. I never thought that someone could understand me as much as he does, not even my past best friends in Japan or even Gayoung. With Myung, I could just be myself and he could already tell everything about me that even I, don’t know. It’s amazing, really… having this person in your life that you could really count on—a friend who would there to listen about anything, may it be about your boyfriend, rants or simply, anything, a friend who would be there in just one call, saving you from almost everything, and a friend whom you can cry and lean on, a friend whom you can be yourself and not pretend to be anything or anyone. I am lucky to have him in my life and I will fight hard to keep it—I will make sure that our friendship stays, forever.

“I’ll pick you up by 10 and when I arrive, I want you out of that house. Are we clear?” Kai asked as soon as he parked his car by the Kim’s mansion—I mean, Myungsoo’s house.

“Don’t be too much. I’ll just text you when we’re done.” I exclaimed but before I could leave, Kai locked the car door automatically—earning him a glare from me, “Seriously, mister?!” I scoffed.

“10:30, and that’s final. Well, we can change it to 11:00 but I’ll go with you.” He smirked, “Would you want that, babe?” and just like teasing me, he winked.

Argh, this guy is seriously too possessive—but charming-hot-kind-of-possessive.

“Fine, 10:30,” I surrendered as I kissed his cheeks goodbye, “And not a minute early, okay?” I smiled, “See you later babe,” I exclaimed.

“See you later, A,” he winked.

I finally went out of the car and waved him goodbye but typical Kai didn’t drive off.

“Go inside, I want to make sure you’re safe before I leave.” Kai exclaimed through the car window.

“I’m fine, just go,” I exclaimed, chuckling.

Sometimes I get really annoyed whenever Kai becomes protective but sometimes, I couldn’t help but to fall in love with him all over again.

“Ji!” I was snapped out of my trance when Myung called me, coming out of their house.

“Myung!” I smiled as he welcomed me with a big hug.

“No hugs, you two!” we were in the middle of the moment when Kai shouted, leaving me embarrassed while Myung laughed.

“Don’t worry Kim Jongin, your girlfriend’s safe with me.” Myung smiled, almost teasing my boyfriend.

And of course, Kai got cranky and almost went out of the car.

“Hey, chill K,” I laughed, “Leave now babe, I’ll be going inside now.” I exclaimed.

Kai just huffed before turning the engine on again, “10:30, A,” he reminded before finally driving off.

“I thought he wouldn’t leave,” Myung chuckled.

“I’m sorry about that.” I exclaimed as we walked towards their house.

“Kai is really possessive, huh?” Myung exclaimed as he shook his head.

“Don’t mind him, he’s just a little bit crazy.” I commented.

“Yeah, crazy for you,” Myung winked which caused me to scoff.

“Don’t make comments like that!” I muttered, laughing.

“Anyway, noona has been waiting for you.” Myung smiled as we enter their house and as soon as we came in, his parents welcomed me warmly.

“Jiyeon! I missed you, darling!” Aunt Sojin exclaimed as soon as she saw me, walking towards me and hugging me tight.

“I missed you too, aunt Sojin!” I exclaimed as I hugged her back.

“I thought you wouldn’t come anymore! I was quiet sad!” she mumbled, “I heard from Myung here that you were quiet busy but good thing you were able to find the time to come and join us for dinner.” She smiled as I smiled back.

“Well, I kind of miss your dishes aunt Sojin.” I kid as I laughed.

“Well don’t worry darling, I cooked all the dishes that you loved last time.” She muttered, “Anyway, come on now, Taeyeon has been waiting for you since morning! She has been really busy cooking for you.”

“She did?” I asked, surprised.

“Yeah, peace offering,” Mr. Kim kid, nodding his head and I couldn’t help but to giggle at him.

“I guess so,” I smiled back.

We finally went inside the dining room and the table was full of delicious and mouth watering food while Taeyeon-eonni was waiting for us, standing beside the chair. I quickly smiled when I saw her and bowed to show respect.

“Good thing you’re finally here, Jiyeon.” Taeyeon-eonni greeted, smiling genuinely. And somehow, that smile put my heart at ease—letting me forget the first time we met, which is rather unpleasant.

The whole night was a blast. I didn’t think that I would actually enjoy my stay at the Kim’s mansion, given the unpleasant meeting of me and Myung’s sister. But all the bad blood ended tonight. Taeyeon-eonni made sure that I was fine the whole night and opened up great conversations, earning a few laughs and giggles. The food was also amazing and Taeyeon-eonni couldn’t help but boast her talent in the kitchen and I couldn’t agree more—the food that she made was simple delicious, period. After eating, the Kim’s and I went to their living room, having a little more chitchat, talking about Myung and Taeyeon-eonni’s childhood. We were having a great night when Taeyeon-eonni borrowed me from her parents and brother, wanting to have a small talk with me and of course, I obliged.

“It has been a while now, huh?” eonni asked as soon as we reached their garden and out of her family’s earshot.

“What is?” I asked.

“I am really sorry for how I acted the first we met.” She started, “The first time I saw you, I felt like I saw a ghost—Nayoung’s ghost… until I realized you weren’t her.” She sighed, “That time, I couldn’t help but to feel the urge to expose my brother because I thought… he was only using you. I mean, you’re almost the exact same replica of his dead lover and through the years, I have seen him get hurt by the loss of her.” She exclaimed.

“And you thought that he was using me to cope up with his sadness?” I asked and eonni just nodded.

“I don’t want my brother to hurt anybody just because he was hurting that’s why I decided to tell you. I also wanted him to snap out of it and see the reality that… Nayoung is never coming back.” She sighed, yet again and then smiled at me, “But I guess, I was wrong.” She exclaimed. “What you and my brother have is something good. Your friendship is something I am greatful for. I bet you don’t know but you kind of converted him back to what he was before—before the death of his first love—and I thank you for that.”

I smiled and held her hands, “I am also thankful that I have your brother, eonni.” I exclaimed, “He’s a great friend and I am actually thankful to Nayoung because if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have met my best friend.”

“I know, that’s why I wanted to ask you to continue looking out for my brother. He had such terrible past and with you with his side, I know he isn’t going back to his darkness again.” She mumbled, “As I go back to France, I hope you’d still be there for my brother and stay as his best friend.”

I nodded and smiled, “Don’t worry eonni, I’ll stay with him.”

OH SEHUN

I stared at Joohyun who is currently doing my assignments right now. I actually told her not to do it anymore since I don’t give a but she was so persistent in doing my things so I finally surrendered and let her do it. It has been a few weeks now since she had been following me like a lost puppy and I couldn’t say I hate it… but I actually love it. I somehow miss spending time with someone and Joohyun being here is actually filling the void in my heart. But somehow, I couldn’t help but to wonder about the things she said last time about ballet—her, not being able to dance anymore and just the thought of it breaks my heart.

“Joohyun, are you okay?” I blurted out, without really thinking about what I just said.

“Of couse, why wouldn’t I be okay?” she asked, laughing.

“N-no, I mean,” I stuttered, finding the right words to say, “About what you said to Gayoung… you, not being able to dance… is… is that true?” I asked, trailing.

Gayoung suddenly stopped writing, but then, she quickly went back to what she was doing and smiled.

“What about it?” she asked, seemingly unfazed by it.

“You really can’t dance ballet anymore?” I asked, repeating myself but now, clearer.

“Y-yeah,” she answered, sounding almost fine with it but I was quick to hear that little crack in her voice and I know, she’s taking it too hard on herself.

“W-why?” I asked.

She finally stopped writing and focused on me, removing her glasses.

“Well, to make the long story short, I danced in the recital, made a really awful mistake and sustained an injury.” She narrated with no emotions, “Nothing major,” she shrugged but I know too well that she was just faking it just so I wouldn’t see her vulnerable.

“Nothing major?” I scoffed, “Don’t tell me it wasn’t major. For all I know, ballet is your life and now that you can’t do that one thing you badly want to do, I know that you’re taking it too much in yourself.” I exclaimed as I went closer to her but she quickly stood up before I could even reach her.

“Your assignment’s nearly done. Just continue it, my mom’s probably waiting for me now.” she suddenly excused and was about to leave when I stopped her.

“Stop acting like your fine Bae Joohyun!” I exclaimed, “You left me for that ing ballet and now that you can’t do it, you’re telling me that it’s fine?!” I shouted—I don’t know why I did but I just felt so annoyed with how she’s coping with her tragedy.

She should be crying, or better yet, going to some theraphy to get back on track—not like this! Not acting like nothing happened!

“Its fine!” she shouted back, tears welling in her eyes and I don’t know what happened to me but I pulled her closer to me and hugged her tight.

“Cry,” I mumbled, “It will make you feel better,” I told her and just like that, the waterworks started.

Colossians 4:5‭-‬6 - Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone