It’s been three days since our phone call and it seemed my dear sister was either impatient or was doing this to annoy me.

 

Probably both.

 

“Your phone’s ringing again.”

 

I looked at Jessica who was sitting beside me and just gave her an apologetic smile.

 

“Ignore it. I’ll just put my phone on silent,” I said.

 

“Are you sure it’s not important?”

 

“Not really. It’s just my sister.”

 

“Oh. Soojin unnie?”

 

I smiled when I heard her say my sister’s name.

 

She remembers.

 

“Why are you looking at me like that?” She asked, her eyebrows knitted in confusion.

 

“I’m just surprised you remembered,” I replied.

 

“Why is it surprising?”

 

“Oh. I don’t know. You just seem to space out a lot,” I teased.

 

The next thing I knew, I felt her slap my arm.

 

“Yah. I do listen, you know?”

 

“Arasso, arasso,” I said as I held both hands up in defense.

 

“So why won’t you answer the phone?” Jessica asked. “If you don’t mind me asking,” she quickly added.

 

I sheepishly rubbed my neck and said, “She’s been bugging me on what I want as a present?”

 

“A present? What for?”

 

Oh right. I haven’t told her yet.

 

“My birthday’s coming up soon so she asked what I want as a present.”

 

“When is your birthday?”

 

“On the 10th.”

 

I heard her make a humming noise.

 

“You don’t have to trouble yourself in getting me a present, Jessica-ssi.”

 

Cocking an eyebrow my way, she said, “Who said I was getting you a present?”

 

Well this is embarrassing.

 

“Uhm...I-I,” I stuttered. “Nevermind.”

 

I heard her giggle beside me causing me to pout. Suddenly, I thought to ask her’s.

 

“When is your birthday?” I asked.

 

“April 18.”

 

“What year?”

 

“1989. Why?”

 

1989. So she’s almost a year older than me.

 

Giving her a grin, I said, “I guess I should call you Jessica unnie then.”

 

“What?”

 

“I’m born in 1990. We’re about 11 months apart,” I explained.

 

“Oh.”

 

“Unnie~” I said, copying Sunny’s aegyo voice.

 

She was taken aback, a slight blush creeping on her cheeks.

 

“Y-Yah. Stop that. Aren’t you embarrassed?” I heard her say.

 

“Why? Don’t you want me to call you 'unnie'?” I teased.

 

I saw the way her face contorted and I couldn’t help but laugh. It was very much similar to my reaction to Sunny’s aegyo.

 

“Yah! Stop it. Jessica’s just fine.”

 

Satisfied at seeing her slightly flustered, I decided to stop.

 

“Okay then, Jes-si-ca,” I said. “Why don’t you want me calling you, unnie?”

 

She looked at me for a moment before looking in the other direction.

 

“It’s a bit embarrassing being called ‘unnie’ by someone taller than me.”

 

Ah. A height complex.

 

“Awww~ you’re just too cute sometimes,” I said. I didn’t hold back and hugged her from behind, resting my chin on her head. “Being short just makes you even more adorable, unnie.”

 

“Get off me. You’re heavy,” she told me in an annoyed voice. “And don’t call me short.”

 

As I continued annoying her, time seemed to run quickly as the train stopped at her station. We hopped off the train and walked towards her workplace. Ever since the day I first walked her to her office, I decided to walk her the next day, then the following day, then the day after that, then the day after the day after that, and the...you get what I mean.

 

It’s my own selfish way of prolonging our time together. I could text or call her and invite her out sometime but I’m too much of a coward to initiate anything. I can’t remember the last time I was this nervous about calling someone over the phone.

 

“So, is this a thing now?” Jessica asked.

 

“What thing?”

 

“This,” she gestured to us both.

 

“If you want, I’ll stop,” I said.

 

Please don’t.

 

“No. It’s fine. You’re nice to be around with,” she said.

 

Well I wasn’t expecting that response. I felt my chest flutter. From simple remarks to compliments, she made me feel so giddy inside.

 

When we were just a few steps away from the entrance of her building, she suddenly stopped. I looked at her curiously. She had this annoyed and bewildered expression on her face. I glanced in the same direction as her and saw a woman standing near the entrance.

 

This is my first time seeing her.

 

She had long dark hair curled in waves that ran past her shoulders. She was dressed stylishly like Jessica but in bolder colors. Looking at the woman closely, even from her side profile, you could easily tell that she’s pretty. She was hard to miss.

 

I also noticed she had a cup of coffee in each hand.

 

Is she waiting for someone?

 

I saw the woman glance our way and made eye contact with us. She graced us with such a beaming smile, making her eyes form crescents by the way her cheeks move up at the action.

 

I bet anyone on the receiving end of that would be a goner. I would be too if I wasn’t already...

 

I noticed Jessica’s silhouette move from the corner of my eye. She was walking straight towards the woman. I quickly followed after her.

 

“Morning!” The woman greeted enthusiastically.

 

“What are you doing here so early?” Jessica said. The annoyed expression I saw earlier was still on her face.

 

“I happened to come to work early today so I thought, 'Why not buy us some coffee?'”

 

Jessica eyed her suspiciously before saying, “Oh really?”

 

I saw the woman nod before she turned her attention to me.

 

“Hi, there,” she said to me. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Tiffany.”

 

She gave me one of those pretty eye smiles that I couldn’t help but reciprocate with a smile of my own.

 

“No we haven’t. I’m Sooyoung.”

 

I saw her eyes widen for a moment before grinning at me.

 

“Oh~ so you’re Sooyoung,” she said excitedly. She had this glint in her eye when she said that.

 

“Um. Yeah. That Sooyoung,” I replied awkwardly, a bit unsure why she was referring to me that way.

 

“Jessi’s told me about you. I asked her when I could meet you but she keeps saying ‘later’.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Uh Huh. But knowing her, I had to take matters into my own hands.”

 

“I knew it,” Jessica muttered beside me.

 

“So is this why you were waiting here?” I asked.

 

She nodded. “I usually come to the office at a later time but I made the effort to come early today, hoping I’d catch both of you.”

 

That makes sense. All those times I’ve walked Jessica to work, this was my first time meeting her. Our conversation would have continued but...

 

“Okay. Meeting’s over,” Jessica interrupted. “Tiffany, you go in first. I’ll just talk to Sooyoung for a bit.”

 

Tiffany was about to say something but I saw Jessica glare at her.

 

What’s happening?

 

Tiffany gave a pout and walked inside but not before winking at me. I watched as Tiffany walked away. I blushed when I caught myself checking her out.

 

What can I say? She’s a pretty woman.

 

When I looked back at Jessica, she had this really annoyed expression once again. This time, it was directed at me.

 

“Did you just check out my best friend?”

 

“Wh-what?” I stuttered.

 

“I saw you.”

 

Busted.

 

“Okay. I was. I just thought she’s pretty is all,” I confessed. “I like your friend by the way.”

 

If earlier she seemed annoyed, right now, she looked mad as hell.

 

“Then why don’t you go talk to her instead if you like her so much?” she snapped at me before walking away.

 

As I saw her stomp away, I felt guilty for some reason.

 

---

 

At work, I couldn’t focus. I told Sunny about what happened this morning and she hit me on the head.

 

“Pabo.”

 

“What?”

 

“Just call her and apologize.”

 

“For what?”

 

I was so confused.

 

Why was she telling me to apologize?

 

She sighed. “Just call her.”

 

After saying that, Sunny left. I deliberated on it, glancing at my phone once in awhile. I finally got up the courage to call after Sunny hit me again when she found out I haven’t called yet when she returned half an hour later.

 

I felt my heart pounding loudly as I heard the other line ringing. I heard the other line finally pick up and I took a deep breath.

 

“I’m sorry,” I blurted out. There was a pregnant pause from the other line.

 

“What for?”

 

“Uh- I...I don’t know?” I heard myself say. “I just know I made you mad this morning and I wanted to say sorry.”

 

I heard her sigh on the phone.

 

I really must have done something wrong.

 

“People wouldn’t find it sincere if you don’t even know what you’re apologizing for,” Jessica said. “Anyways, I’m the one who should apologize.”

 

What? This has gotten even more confusing.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“I was being childish this morning. I got mad at you because I felt insecure.”

 

“Jessica, I don’t understand.”

 

“...”

 

“Jessica?”

 

“I...I was just...jealous…”

 

“Jealous? Of what?”

 

“I...I was jealous at how you easily got along with Tiffany.”

 

“That’s nothing to be jealous of.”

 

“I know. But it’s just…,” she paused then groaned. “For crying out loud, we only learned each other’s names after almost a month of knowing each other.”

 

I found myself laughing. It really did sound ridiculous once you say it out loud. I heard Jessica laugh too on the other line.

 

“So what? I still got to know you first, didn’t I?” I said.

 

“Yeah. But...,” she reasoned further. ”You also called her pretty.”

 

My eyes widened at that. I had to bite down hard on my lip to stop myself from grinning like a madwoman.

 

“But I call you beautiful,” I told her.

 

There was a long pause.

 

“You really know your way with words, don’t you?”

 

I chuckled.

 

“My friends tell me I’m quite the charmer actually.”

 

“That’s right. So be careful with this one, Jessica-ssi,” I heard someone say beside me. I almost fell off my chair from shock.

 

I shot a glare at the intruder but she just rolled her eyes at me. I tried to shoo her away but she showed no signs of moving and opted to stand next to me, leaning on my desk.

 

“Who was that?” Jessica asked.

 

---

 

“That’s right. So be careful with this one, Jessica-ssi”.

 

I heard an unfamiliar voice on the other line.

 

“Who was that?” I asked.

 

“That was Sunny,” answered Sooyoung. I can tell she was annoyed.

 

Sunny? That’s one of her friends if I remember correctly.

 

Next I heard sounds of struggling in the background.

 

“Hi! This is Sunny,” said a chirpy voice.

 

“Oh. Ummm...Hello, Sunny-ssi.”

 

“Give me back my phone!” I heard Sooyoung protest on the other line.

 

I assume she has Sooyoung’s phone.

 

“Nope. I wanna talk to her,” I heard Sunny say.

 

“But that’s my phone!” Sooyoung argued.

 

“Yah! Want me to say something embarrassing about you?” threatened Sunny.

 

I didn’t hear anything from Sooyoung after that and Sunny then continued to converse with me.

 

“Jessica-ssi, did this idiot apologize to you?” Sunny asked me. “If not, I’ll make her.”

 

“Jessica’s fine,” I said.

 

I’ve never really been that sensitive with honorifics unless it’s someone really younger or older than me. From what Sooyoung told me, we are all around the same age.

 

“Jessica, you can call me Sunny then,” Sunny replied. “So did she apologize?”

 

“She did actually although I should be the one apologizing.”

 

“It’s alright, Jessica. Knowing this idiot, it’s most likely her fault. She can be so dense at times. And for that, I apologize. Honestly, I’m a bit concerned you took this pabo under your wing.”

 

“Hey! I resent that,” I heard Sooyoung say.

 

“I’m just stating facts,” Sunny retorted.

 

I laughed at the two bickering friends.

 

“Sorry about that.”

 

“It’s fine.”

 

At that moment, my best friend came waltzing in my office.

 

“Jess, did you check the emails-” She stopped midway when she saw me on the phone. “Oh! Are you talking to Sooyoung?”

 

I looked up at her. I remembered the talk with Tiffany earlier this morning.

 

“That wasn’t nice, Jess,” Tiffany said once I entered the building. Clearly she heard our conversation.

 

I realized that she was right and I wanted to walk back and apologize but when I looked back, Sooyoung was no longer there.

 

“See? Now you’re feeling guilty,” she pointed out. “It’s painted all over your face.”

 

Again. She was right.

 

“I...I just...I don’t know,” I tried to say. “I just felt so annoyed.”

 

I saw her smirk at me.

 

“What? Because she told you I’m pretty,” she teased, while framing her face with her hands.

 

So she heard that.

 

“Not that. I don’t care if she thinks you’re pretty,” I said.

 

Okay. Maybe I do. Which is weird.

 

“You just got so friendly with each other so fast,” I explained.

 

Tiffany laughed. I shot her a glare.

 

“You are cute sometimes, you know?” Tiffany said as she proceeded to pinch both my cheeks. “Seeing you all jealous. It’s a bit refreshing.”

 

I pushed her hands away.

 

“What do you mean by jealous?” I asked.

 

“This,” she gestured at me. “This is jealousy.”

 

“Why would I be jealous?”

 

I saw her tilt her head to the side and squinted her eyes, thinking.

 

“Like you said. It’s because we got along pretty easily?” Tiffany replied. “But that’s nothing to be jealous about.”

 

“You shouldn’t have gotten mad at her just because you aren’t exactly ‘socially adept’,” she added, making air-quotes with her fingers as she said the last part.

 

I’d fight back for her mocking my social skills but I couldn’t deny that she was right.

 

I sighed.

 

“You’re right,” I agreed. “You just made it seem so easy to befriend her while it took me-”

 

“I know. But that’s okay. You still became friends in the end, right?”

 

“Yeah.” I smiled.

 

“You should apologize to her, Jess.”

 

“I know. I’ll do it later.”

 

“Good girl,” Tiffany said as she patted my head.

 

I swatted her hand away, shooting her an annoyed look.

 

She just giggled.

 

And since that morning, I’ve been meaning to call Sooyoung to apologize. I felt relieved when she called me first. I was too embarrassed and kept thinking about what I should say. ‘Sorry’ wasn’t enough to cover my outburst earlier.

 

I motioned to Tiffany to quiet down and she did.

 

“Is that her now?” she whispered.

 

“Actually, I’m talking to her friend, Sunny. I talked with Sooyoung earlier.”

 

“Hi, Sunny!” Tiffany screamed.

 

I looked at her incredulously.

 

Couldn’t she have asked for the phone instead?

 

“Who’s that?” I heard Sunny ask on the other end.

 

“Tiffany. She’s my friend,” I explained quickly.

 

“Best friend,” Tiffany interjected.

 

“Tell her I said ‘Hi’.”

 

Realizing I’ll be playing messenger, I decided to put her on loud speaker.

 

“Why not tell her yourself? I’ve put you on speaker,” I said as I lay my phone on my table.

 

“Hi, Tiffany-ssi!”

 

“You can just call me Tiffany. I don’t mind,” Tiffany answered back. “Is Sooyoung there?”

 

“She is. Wait a moment. I’ll put you on speaker too so we can all talk,” Sunny said. “Okay. Done.”

 

“Sooyoung, hey. It’s Tiffany.”

 

“Hi, Tiffany,” Sooyoung greeted back.

 

“So did Jessica apologize?”

 

“She did actually.”

 

“That’s great. She’s been moping around since this morning but she’s been too much of a coward to call you.”

 

I couldn’t help but glare at Tiffany when she said that but I was completely ignored.

 

“Oh. Really? That’s funny since Sooyoung here was moping too,” this time it was Sunny.

 

Tiffany shot me a smirk I oddly found irritating.

 

“That is funny,” Tiffany said back. “Hey, why don’t we all meetup sometime? I’d like to meet Jessica’s new friends. I haven’t exactly talked to Sooyoung for long because someone didn’t want me to.”

 

She gave me a pointed look as she said the last statement. I only responded by rolling my eyes at her.

 

“That would be great. I’d like to meet you too, especially Jessica since Sooyoung here has been selfishly keeping her all to herself.”

 

Tiffany laughed.

 

“They’re both the same.”

 

I ignored Tiffany’s comment as I questioned the fluttering feeling inside of me.

 

“Yah!” Sooyoung voiced out.

 

“Where do you suggest we meet?”

 

Tiffany and Sunny proceeded to plan the time, date, and place of the meetup. As for Sooyoung and I, we were rendered silent as the two completely forgot about us (and that it was our phones they were using).

 

---

 

“This is such a nice cafe, Jess,” Tiffany commented. “I like the ambiance of it all.”

 

I looked around the place and I had to agree. The place had a stylish interior while keeping up that cozy welcoming feeling. Besides that, I also took an interest in the 2D graphic paintings on the walls.

 

I glimpsed at the food display. All of the food seemed exquisite and delicious. The smell wafting from the kitchen made it ten times more appetizing. I could feel my stomach getting excited.

 

“Jessica! Tiffany! Over here!”

 

I looked for the origin of the voice.

 

Sure enough, at a secluded corner of the cafe, I saw Sooyoung happily waving at us. She gestured for us to come.

 

Tiffany and I walked over and sat opposite to her.

 

“You’re alone?” I asked.

 

“Sunny’s just finishing a few things. She’ll come soon. Yuri and Taeyeon are still back in the kitchen, washing and restocking. The lunch hour rush just finished you see.”

 

“It’s fine. We don’t mind,” Tiffany said.

 

“So, do you guys want anything?” Sooyoung asked.

 

We still haven’t had lunch yet so we were actually pretty hungry.

 

“Sure. What do you recommend?” I asked.

 

“Oh. There’s Yuri.” Sooyoung waved at a tall tanned girl with long dark straight hair. “Yuri, could you give us a copy of the menu.”

 

She nodded from where she was standing and walked to the counter. Moments later the girl, Yuri, came with two sets of menu.

 

“I’d like you guys to meet my friend, Yuri,” Sooyoung said to us. “Yuri, this is Jessica and Tiffany.”

 

“Good afternoon, ladies. I’m Kwon Yuri at your service,” she greeted accompanied with a bow and then winking at us.

 

“Could you at least spare them from your flirting? Please.” Sooyoung begged.

 

Yuri just smirked at her.

 

“Yes, boss,” Yuri said with a mock salute then turned to us. She proceeded to introduce to us their best sellers and recommending some dishes we might like.

 

Tiffany ordered for the both of us.

 

“No cucumbers please,” I quickly added.

 

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be back with your orders right away,” Yuri said before walking away.

 

“You don’t like cucumbers?” I heard Sooyoung ask.

 

“No,” I answered.

 

“She hates them. Even the smell of it makes her nauseous,” Tiffany added. “According to her.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

I saw a mischievous smirk on her lips so I quickly said, “If you’re thinking of using cucumbers against me, you’re dead.”

 

“I’ll take her word if I were you,” Tiffany gravely said beside me. “Seriously.”

 

I was satisfied to see a bit of terror in her eyes.

 

When Yuri came with our food, she was accompanied by two petite women. One had short bobbed hair with bangs and the other had longer hair. They were both almost a head shorter than Yuri.

 

I lowkey cheered that I won over them at the height department.

 

“Finally,” Sooyoung said exasperatedly.

 

“Shut up and help us,” demanded the short-haired woman.

 

From her voice, I could tell that this person was Sunny so the other unknown girl must be Taeyeon. They were both cute.

 

“Gladly. I’m starving,” Sooyoung said again.

 

“You always are,” Sunny quipped.

 

Sooyoung stood up and took some of the plates off their hands.

 

When all the food was placed on the table, we proceeded with the introductions.

 

“You guys met Yuri earlier,” Sooyoung began. “Shorty No. 1 is Sunkyu and Shorty No. 2 over there is Taeyeon.”

 

“Yah! I thought we banned anything related to height jokes, shikshin?” the Taeyeon girl said, making sure to emphasize the shikshin.

 

“It’s Sun-ny,” Sunny enunciated.

 

I looked at Sooyoung for an explanation.

 

“Her real name’s Lee Sunkyu but she goes by Sunny.”

 

Sunkyu. A bit old fashioned. But it still sounds cute though.

 

“Anyways,” Sunny began. She approached Sooyoung and hit her at the back of her head, shocking me and Tiffany.

 

“Ow! What was that for?!” Sooyoung exclaimed.

 

“That’s for not telling us that you were friends with ‘the Jessica Jung’,” Sunny said, pointing at me. “No wonder she looked so familiar.”

 

I saw Yuri and Taeyeon share a meaningful look as if finally realizing who I am.

 

“What?” was the only thing I heard from Sooyoung.

 

All the while, I heard Tiffany giggling beside me.

 

“Pabo!”

 

Another hit to the head by Sunny.

 

“What’s with all the violence?!” Sooyoung protested. “What are you so mad about?”

 

The next thing I knew, Sunny made a 90-degree bow my way.

 

“Pardon this idiot over here. To think that you had to suffer from her company all this time,” she said with such dramatic gestures.

 

I couldn’t help but laugh.

 

A while back, I did figure out that Sooyoung was oblivious of who I am, not that I’m expecting everyone to recognize me. Although, I have found myself being recognized by some people, mostly girls of course. Besides co-owning Blanc & Eclare, currently one of the rising clothing brands in South Korea right now, I do some part time modeling too. I just love wearing clothes so sometimes I find myself accepting modeling offers or modeling for my own clothes.

 

“It’s fine, Sunny. I figured that out when she asked me for my name. I thought she knew all this time so she never bothered to ask. Until just a week ago anyways,” I said with a light laugh. “I don’t really expect everyone to know me.”

 

“You’re lucky she’s nice,” Sunny said to Sooyoung.

 

“What’s going on?” Sooyoung had a clueless expression and looked at the rest of us for some sort of explanation.

 

That expression looks rather cute on her.

 

Sunny made a deep sigh.

 

“Wait there. I’ll be back,” Sunny said before quickly walking away, leaving a bewildered Sooyoung.

 

“They seem like a fun bunch,” Tiffany told me. I could only nod and chuckle in agreement.

 

I heard Sooyoung groan across from me.

 

“Could someone please explain to me what’s happening?” pleaded Sooyoung then looked at me. I was about to explain myself when Sunny came strutting back our way.

 

She dropped a handful of magazines on Sooyoung’s lap and then saying, “Educate yourself.”

 

“What?” Sooyoung said looking down at her lap. “What do you want me to do with these?”

 

“I think she wants you to read them,” Yuri said.

 

“You have all these magazines in your office and you never bothered to look at them?” Taeyeon asked, surprised at the stack. They still seem relatively new with the lack of visible creases and folds. “Even I have read them.”

 

“They’re for the clients to read,” Sooyoung shrugged. “And besides, I’m not in the mood to read. I just want to eat,” complained Sooyoung.

 

I saw Sunny roll her eyes at her. She faced then faced us and gave us an apologetic smile.

 

“Omo. Sorry about her,” Sunny apologized while pointing to Sooyoung. “She’s not exactly in touch with the fashion industry.”

 

I saw Sooyoung shrug.

 

“It’s okay. Not everyone is. We understand,” Tiffany said on our behalf. “You guys are really funny.”

 

Those things aside, we continued with the introductions.

 

“As you all probably know, I’m Jessica,” I introduced myself.

 

“I’m Tiffany, her best and only friend...‘til now that is. ”

 

I reacted by slapping her arm. She just laughed at me and said, “But it’s true.”

 

I heard Sooyoung snigger so I glared at her. She saw me and immediately looked away.

 

“Stop scaring the poor thing, Jess,” Tiffany said. “God knows how long before you can make another friend.”

 

I frowned at her comment. I decided there wasn't a point in arguing over something even I admit is true.

 

“Since introductions are over, let’s eat,” Sooyoung enthusiastically announced.

 

---

 

“By the way, did Sooyoung tell you?” Sunny brought up.

 

“Tell us what?” Jessica inquired.

 

“About the party,” Sunny answered.

 

Oh the party.

 

Jessica and Tiffany shot me questioning glances.

 

“I haven’t. I forgot,” I said sheepishly.

 

“What party?” Tiffany asked.

 

I could see she was excited.

 

“Sooyoung’s birthday party. We plan to hold a small get together on the 10th,” Yuri answered. “You guys are invited by the way.”

 

“We’ll probably just have dinner and drinks,” Taeyeon added.

 

“Oh! I can bring the drinks,” Tiffany volunteered.

 

As I watched the others chat about who brings what and who does what, I noticed Jessica sitting quietly and eating away at her food.

 

I picked up my phone and texted her.

 

Me: Hi.

 

Across from me, I saw her pull out her phone. After reading my text, she looked up at me questioningly. I texted her again.

 

Me: Let’s talk here.

 

Jessica: ?

 

Me: More private.

 

Jessica: Okay.

 

Me: So…

 

Jessica: Your party?

 

Me: Let them take charge of that.

 

Jessica: They seem pretty excited about it. Why aren’t you?

 

Me: Me? Well, it’s just my birthday. It just marks that time of the year when I’ve grown a year closer to my death. So, nope. Not really interested. But I do like the food part.

 

Jessica: Just the food?

 

Me: Okay. Maybe the presents too. Hahaha

 

Jessica: I know what I said earlier but I was still meaning to give you one. I’m just not exactly sure what to give you. I’m not really great with gifts.

 

Jessica: So is there anything you want?

 

I thought about it for a minute. I decided to be a bit playful. And by that, I mean some innocent flirting.

 

Why not?

 

I quickly texted.

 

Me: You.

 

I looked up from my phone and saw her eyes grow wide. I smirked and sent her a wink.

 

Me: Just kidding ;)

 

It took some time before I got a reply. At that time, I was having a sip of water.

 

Jessica: Well, why not? ;)

 

The water went down the wrong pipe and I started coughing up. All eyes were suddenly on me. I waved them off by saying that I was fine in between coughs. Thankfully, they got back to party planning.

 

I glanced at Jessica, and sure enough, she had a smirk directed at me. And guess what?

 

She winked at me.

 

SHE WINKED AT ME!

 

I got another text moments later.

 

Jessica: But seriously though, don’t you want anything?

 

I’m looking at it.

 

Me: I don’t really have anything I want.

 

Me: And besides, I was serious when I told you not to bother getting me anything on my birthday.

 

Jessica: I’ll feel bad if I don’t.

 

Me: Then what about that?

 

Jessica: That?

 

Me: Don’t feel bad about it.

 

Me: That’s it. That’s your present.

 

Jessica: ...

 

Jessica: Sometimes, I really don’t know what to do with you.

 

Me: I’ll take that as a compliment.

 

Jessica: Fine then. I won’t give you a present on your birthday.

 

Me: Glad we’ve come to an agreement.

 

I was about to continue to another topic when I heard someone clear their throat. I looked up from my phone and found everyone eyeing the two of us.

 

“Is there something you’d like to share?” Sunny asked accompanied by an amused grin directed my way.

 

“Nope,” I quickly replied.

 

On the other hand, I saw Jessica stealthily open a game on her phone, pretending to have been busy playing the whole time.

 

Well isn't she sneaky one?

 

They weren’t convinced one bit from what I could tell. Thankfully, they just let it go and continued with their conversation once again. This time, I decided to join. I had to make sure they weren’t planning anything weird.