Upon reaching the dorm and realising that Taeyeon was not back from her schedule, Tiffany sits on the sofa anxiously, picking her nails and racking her brains about the possible scenarios that might happen when she brings this topic up with Taeyeon.

“Hey, what’s up.” Sunny greeted her as she walked into the kitchen to grab a drink, before plopping down beside her.

“Hi, nothing much, just thinking.” Tiffany runs her fingers through her hair.

“What about? Want to share?” Sunny turns and faces her.

“I’m not very sure but it’s about Taeyeon.” 

“Is this about you finally realising your feelings for her?” Sunny half jokes.

“My what?” Tiffany narrows her eyes incredulously.

“Are you telling me you don’t notice yourself whenever you’re with her?” Tiffany shakes her head, perplexed.

“You laugh way too much at her lame jokes, you care so deeply about her sometimes it hurts you and it shows, and you are way too sad when you guys have your fights. These are only some of the many things that I can remember from the back of my head. Her jokes are bad Tiffany, like almost facepalm worthy. And it’s true that we all care about each other very much but the way your face scrunches when even the most minor thing happens to her and the way you worry about her even when it’s probably nothing is really something else. Also remember that fight you two had not long back? You were so sad and so mad as if someone had just punched your dog and we all know how much you love and treasure prince.”

As Sunny explained her views, Tiffany couldn’t help but wonder if the feeling that she could not fathom earlier was actually what Sunny was trying to convey, having a fondness for Taeyeon? 

“How do you actually tell the difference between friendship and love?” Tiffany slowly articulates her thoughts.

“I’m going to sound cheesy, but my best advice is to listen to your heart. When you see her, how do you feel?” Sunny reaches out her hand and places it on Tiffany’s chest, right above her beating heart.

Tiffany blushes slightly as she was aware that her heart began beating quicker after she fully digested Sunny’s question. 

“I can see that you have found your answer.” Sunny grins and punches Tiffany lightly on her shoulder. 

Tiffany grabs her hand and squeezes it. “Thank you. I really needed that. I have been so confused and Taeyeon’s friend was no help.” 

“Do you mean the one working at the coffee shop near here?” 

“Oh, you’ve met her?” 

“Yeah, once.”

“Right, so the only thing she said was that I should talk to Taeyeon about it.”

“She’s right, you should.” As if it was planned, the keypad to the door started beeping and two seconds later, Taeyeon pushed the door open.

“Oh, hey guys.” Taeyeon greeted with a tired smile. 

“Hi, welcome back, Tae.” Sunny waved before giving Tiffany a pointed look and a little nudge on her shoulder.

Tiffany looks at Sunny gratefully before going to approach Taeyeon. “Hi Tae, can we talk?”

Tiffany has had many crushes for years, most of which shared her feelings and a handful who did not. Even so, each time, she was very clear about her feelings and would be straightforward with it, regardless of the outcome. If they had accepted it, it would be her fate and if they didn’t, well, this was life and there are so many other people out there anyway, she thinks. 

But Taeyeon, sweet, beautiful, kind, caring, compassionate, thoughtful, considerate, strong, affirmative, Taeyeon. Not enough positive words in the dictionary could do justice as to what an amazing person she is. Taeyeon was uncharted waters. Taeyeon is a coworker, Taeyeon is a friend, Taeyeon is family, how could she possibly be upfront and honest about her feelings? 

“What’s up?” Taeyeon uses a towel and ruffles her wet hair. Tiffany was patiently waiting on the bed while Taeyeon went to take a shower.

“Our conversation previously has gotten me thinking ever since and I think that I have figured some stuff out.” Tiffany chooses her words carefully, without accidentally spilling any potentially shocking information. 

“Our conversation? What about?” Taeyeon prodded her mind and tried to remember the events that happened then. 

“You remember that we were talking about your love life?” Tiffany treaded carefully, ensuring not to scare Taeyeon into closing the metaphorical door in her face.

“Uhm… Yes?” Taeyeon became wary of her answers, making sure she did not let anything slip like she had before. 

“I was just wondering about it and stuff and was befuddled... So I just happened to see her and we kinda talked about it.” Tiffany hesitates a little.

“You went and talked to her about me?” Taeyeon wasn’t sure she understood what Tiffany was saying fully.

“Well, yes I guess? She helped me understand some things and told me to bring it up with you.”

“Wait. Wait. Wait. What kind of things? Also what exactly did she say?” Taeyeon wanted to clear things up before the feeling of betrayal set in. She couldn’t have possibly told Tiffany that Taeyeon was harbouring secret feelings for her. Could she? 

“I did bring you up when we talked, but we mostly talked about other things.” Tiffany could not find the courage to tell her. 

“Oh, nothing else?” Taeyeon internally heaved a sigh of relief. She was so caught up in her own feelings that she did not notice Tiffany’s mood dropping slightly at how she was more interested in ending the conversation.

Upon noticing that Taeyeon was not going to even attempt asking about what the ‘other things’ she mentioned were, Tiffany shakes her head dejectedly. 

“Alright then, thank you for telling me.” She reaches out and squeezes her hand. “I really appreciate it.”

A/N: As usual, thank you for reading! Have a great one :)