I focused my mind and tried to see if there were any more thoughts swirling around in his head.

Nothing.

I shrugged; he probably fell asleep. Understandable, since he would be tired after the musical.

I plopped down into the purple swivel chair in front of the desk and pulled the large notepad towards me. I picked out a blue pen from the Keroro (Seohyun’s, of course.) cup and began writing out my long thought process.

GIRLS CLOSE TO DONGHAE

1. Jung Jessica/Sooyeon

Reason: Ex-girlfriend, still friends

2. Kim Taeyeon

Reason: Good dongsaeng/oppa relationship

3. Lee Sunny/Soonkyu

Reason: Also has a good dongsaeng/oppa relationship

4. Hwang Tiffany/Miyoung

Reason: Possible crush, close friends

I hesitated, unsure if I should put myself on the list.

I was close friends with Donghae after all, and I could always cross stuff out later.

GIRLS CLOSE TO DONGHAE

1. Jung Jessica/Sooyeon

Reason: Ex-girlfriend, still friends

2. Kim Taeyeon

Reason: Good dongsaeng/oppa relationship

3. Lee Sunny/Soonkyu

Reason: Also has a good dongsaeng/oppa relationship

4. Hwang Tiffany/Miyoung

Reason: Possible crush, close friends

5. Kim Hyoyeon

Reason: Close friends because of Lee Hyukjae

6. Kwon Yuri

Reason: Close friends

7. Choi Sooyoung

Reason: Good relationship as friends

8. Im Yoona

Reason: Ex-crush, still friends

9. Seo Joohyun/Seohyun

Reason: Worked together, as a result, good friends

I stared disbelievingly at my list.

Was Donghae really close to my whole group?

Talk about a player.

GIRLS CLOSE TO DONGHAE

1. Jung Jessica/Sooyeon

Reason: Ex-girlfriend, still friends

2. Kim Taeyeon

Reason: Good dongsaeng/oppa relationship

3. Lee Sunny/Soonkyu

Reason: Also has a good dongsaeng/oppa relationship

4. Hwang Tiffany/Miyoung

Reason: Possible crush, close friends

5. Kim Hyoyeon

Reason: Close friends because of Lee Hyukjae

6. Kwon Yuri

Reason: Close friends

7. Choi Sooyoung

Reason: Good relationship as friends

8. Im Yoona

Reason: Ex-crush, still friends

9. Seo Joohyun/Seohyun

Reason: Worked together, as a result, good friends

10. Amber Liu

Reason: Like siblings, known as lookalikes

11. Choi Sulli/Jinri

Reason: Sibling relationship

12. Min Sunye

Reason: Former crush, close friends

13. Kwon Boa

Reason: Close dongsaeng/oppa relationship

14. Park Gyuri

Reason: Hyukjae

15. Goo Hara

Reason: Friends through Jessica

16. Park Sunyoung/Luna

Reason: Labelmates

17. Song Qian/Victoria

Reason: Friends

18. Ariel Lin

Reason: Friends, thinks she’s pretty

19. Jung Soojung/Krystal

Reason: Jessica’s sister; treats her like a dongsaeng

I dropped the pen and massaged my hand, scanning my list up and down.

Wow--Donghae was close to a lot of girls. He was probably close to some others that I just didn’t know about. I never kept up with his life that attentively.

How in the world would I narrow it down from this insanely huge list?

I sighed and resolved to begin crossing some names out, the girls I couldn’t see Hyukjae loving in that way.

GIRLS CLOSE TO DONGHAE

1. Jung Jessica/Sooyeon

Reason: Ex-girlfriend, still friends

2. Kim Taeyeon

Reason: Good dongsaeng/oppa relationship

3. Lee Sunny/Soonkyu

Reason: Also has a good dongsaeng/oppa relationship

4. Hwang Tiffany/Miyoung

Reason: Possible crush, close friends

5. Kim Hyoyeon

Reason: Close friends because of Lee Hyukjae

6. Kwon Yuri

Reason: Close friends

7. Choi Sooyoung

Reason: Good relationship as friends

8. Im Yoona

Reason: Ex-crush, still friends

9. Seo Joohyun/Seohyun

Reason: Worked together, as a result, good friends

10. Amber Liu

Reason: Like siblings, known as lookalikes

11. Choi Sulli/Jinri

Reason: Sibling relationship

12. Min Sunye

Reason: Former crush, close friends

13. Kwon Boa

Reason: Close dongsaeng/oppa relationship

14. Park Gyuri

Reason: Hyukjae

15. Goo Hara

Reason: Friends through Jessica

16. Park Sunyoung/Luna

Reason: Labelmates

17. Song Qian/Victoria

Reason: Friends

18. Ariel Lin

Reason: Friends, thinks she’s pretty

19. Jung Soojung/Krystal

Reason: Jessica’s sister; treats her like a dongsaeng

I settled on not crossing Taeyeon off. Earlier, he did think she was attractive, as repulsive as it was to have my best guy friend hitting on my leader. I shuddered.

I skimmed the list over again, humming a random tune to myself.

My name wasn’t crossed off.

GIRLS CLOSE TO DONGHAE

1. Jung Jessica/Sooyeon

Reason: Ex-girlfriend, still friends

2. Kim Taeyeon

Reason: Good dongsaeng/oppa relationship

3. Lee Sunny/Soonkyu

Reason: Also has a good dongsaeng/oppa relationship

4. Hwang Tiffany/Miyoung

Reason: Possible crush, close friends

5. Kim Hyoyeon

Reason: Close friends because of Lee Hyukjae

6. Kwon Yuri

Reason: Close friends

7. Choi Sooyoung

Reason: Good relationship as friends

8. Im Yoona

Reason: Ex-crush, still friends

9. Seo Joohyun/Seohyun

Reason: Worked together, as a result, good friends

10. Amber Liu

Reason: Like siblings, known as lookalikes

11. Choi Sulli/Jinri

Reason: Sibling relationship

12. Min Sunye

Reason: Former crush, close friends

13. Kwon Boa

Reason: Close dongsaeng/oppa relationship

14. Park Gyuri

Reason: Hyukjae

15. Goo Hara

Reason: Friends through Jessica

16. Park Sunyoung/Luna

Reason: Labelmates

17. Song Qian/Victoria

Reason: Friends

18. Ariel Lin

Reason: Friends, thinks she’s pretty

19. Jung Soojung/Krystal

Reason: Jessica’s sister; treats her like a dongsaeng

I even took the liberty of scribbling it out with black; I was quite proud of myself.

I tore the piece of paper from the notepad and folded it up, sticking it underneath my pillow. Seohyun was probably in the bathroom, using her special organic facial wash or something, the healthy kind she used every night. I scrambled underneath the covers for warmth and waited.

But typical me, I ended up falling asleep.

-----

“Unnie, wake up!”

I swatted at the voice and rolled over on to my other side. “No.”

“We have schedules all day today, Hyoyeon-unnie. The first one is with Super Junior.”

“I don’t care.”

The outside you says you don’t care, but the inside you is screaming for joy because you get to see me.

Shut up, I don’t need this in the morning.

I don’t hear any denial~

“Go away!” I shouted out unintentionally, causing Seohyun to jump back a little.

“U-Unnie?”

“Oh, gosh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t--I didn’t mean to scream at you.” I said pathetically, smushing my face with the pillow.

“Are you...still sick? Tiffany-unnie can go in your place--”

“No, I’m fine!” I bolted up, smiling.

I’m excited to see you too, Hyoyeon!

I scowled and Seohyun put a hand on my forehead. “You’re still a bit warm, unnie. I don’t think you should go because you could get even more sick and--”

“Nothing makeup can’t fix,” I pushed her hand away and grinned.

“Okay, then wash up in the bathroom and we’ll go. Everyone’s just waiting for you.”

I began to walk out of my room, until Seohyun tapped on my shoulder urgently.

“Yeah?”

“You should try that facial wash I got! It’s really refreshing and cleanses your pores--”

I slammed the door in her face with a roll of my eyes. Maknaes would never change

Hey, that was mean!

Nyeh.

Are you gonna shower before you come?

Ew, stop being a boy.

Well, if you want me to be lesbian.

What’s that supposed to mean?

Since you know, from a boy to a girl, I’d still like girls. Duh.

Oh, right.

Dummy.

Who are you calling a dummy?

“HYOYEON!”

I blinked. “Oh, hi, Sica.”

“I’m worried for you.” she said seriously. “I think you’re going insane.”

“Yah!” I whapped her arm with the back of my hand. “I’m perfectly sane!”

She snorted. “Okay.”

“Who’s going to the shoot?” I asked, slipping into the bathroom.

Well, me, Donghae, Kyuhyun--

Not your members, mine!

Hmph.

She stood at the door and ticked people off with her fingers. “You, me, Taeyeon, Yoona, Sooyoung, and Seohyun.”

“What’s Yuri up to?”

“Acting lessons.”

“Soonkyu?”

I heard Sunny’s voice scream at me from somewhere else in the dorm and laughed.

Jessica smiled. “Vocal lessons.”

“Tiffany?”

“Vocal lessons with Sunny; now hurry!”

“Someone’s in a rush,” I purposely reached for my toothbrush at an extremely slow pace.

Always the jokester.

You’re still here?

I can’t really leave, y’know...

“Not me,” Jessica dropped her voice to a whisper, “Taeyeon. She hasn’t talked to Leeteuk for the longest time, and she has this whole rant prepared.”

“Ah, poor him.” I snickered.

I think I’ll warn Teukie-hyung.

You will do no such thing. This is girl business!

I’m in it too!

Intruding in it, you mean.

“Jung Sooyeon, eat your breakfast before it gets cold!”

Jessica huffed and waved at me, leaving the doorframe. “You don’t need to use my full name, Kim Taeyeon!”

So how was your sleep, my princess?

First of all, never call me that again. Second, what are you, Edward Cullen?

No, he watches innocent teenage girls in their sleep.

...And how do you know?

I can’t let her know that Donghae made me watch it with him--block thoughts, block thoughts, block thoughts...

Heh. I could’ve guessed it was Donghae.

Hurry up and do your girly stuff! We’re already on our way.

How punctual you all are. And I don’t do girly stuff!

You don’t? Like putting on makeup or blow-drying your hair? Don’t girls do that?

It’s the morning, and I honestly don’t give a donkey’s .

Don’t you care about your image?

No, it’s just you, why would I care?

You’re right, you’re pretty anyway.

Uh, thanks?

It was a COMPLIMENT, Hyoyeon. The nice thing to do is give one back. Nudge. Nudge.

You give me a headache.

Actually, Hyoyeon, that’s an insult.

I know.

So mean!

So whiny!

Are you mocking me?

What does it sound like to you?

“HYOYEON, WHY ARE YOU JUST STANDING THERE, STARING AT YOURSELF IN THE MIRROR?”

I grabbed my toothbrush and smeared some toothpaste on it quickly, shoving into my mouth. “I’m brushing my teeth, Taeyeon!”

“We’re on a schedule here!”

“Calm down, you’ll have time to yell at Leeteuk.” I spat out the minty toothpaste and rinsed my mouth hastily.

“I--yell--Jungsu--what?” she spluttered.

“Jessica has a surprisingly big mouth.” I grinned.

“JUNG SOOYEON!” and the leader stormed away.

Are you done being girly?

Hyukjae...

Sorry, are you done being you?

That makes no sense.

You make no sense.

That makes even less sense.

“Unnie, are you sure you’re okay?” Seohyun peeked into the bathroom, chewing on her lip worriedly.

“Yeah, what?”

“You’re...you’re doing it again. Like, arguing with yourself?” Seohyun smiled.

“Oh.”

People are questioning your mental health, hahaha.

Like they haven’t questioned yours?

Point.

“Done?” Sooyoung rested her arm on Seohyun’s shoulder and eyed my head to toe.

I looked down at my plain black sweatpants and smiley face T-shirt. “Done!”

“Don’t you wanna change?” Seohyun protested.

“Shush, Maknae, we have places to be!” Sooyoung took poor Seohyun by the shoulders and pushed her away.

“But the facial wash--”

“That’s enough from you!”

I laughed and turned the faucet off, racing back into my room to steal a pair of socks from Seohyun.

“Hyoyeon, we will leave without you!” Taeyeon called.

HURRY, HYOYEON!

I’m not running in socks! What if I fall and crack my head?

You’ve danced in socks before and never slipped!

That’s different.

I am rolling my eyes at you, since you can’t see.

Shut up.

Are you on your way yet?

“I’m walking out the door!” I made an abrupt and loud outburst, scaring the morning daylights out of Yoona, who was next-to-last to walk out of the dorm.

Huh, she’s cute when she’s screaming for no reason.

“God, Hyoyeon, you don’t need to announce that!” she laughed about the ordeal, whereas Jessica would’ve hit me for sure; I was so glad that Yoona was cool about everything.

“Sorry,” I grinned falsely.

Tsk, tsk, Hyoyeon. I just know you’ll be the one to blow the whole darn secret.

Goodbye, Hyukjae!

You mean, see you soon.

Whatever.

Did I make you mad?

No.

Are you sure?

I’m sure! If I was lying, you could tell, couldn’t you?

Oh, yeah. Okay, good.

I jumped into the van and dove for the backseat, squashing Sooyoung in the process.

“My legs, Hyoyeon!” she shrieked.

“They’re long enough, don’t you think?”

“Hilarious,” she drawled sarcastically.

Hey, Hyukjae!

Yes, ma’am?

Don’t call me that.

Yes, milady?

Never in your life.

Yes, Hyoyeonnie?

Give me the second hint!

For the thing? Oh, yeah. Hmm, lemme think of a good one.

I’m on to you, Hyukjae.

You figured it out already?! HOLY CRAP, I’M NOT READY FOR THIS--

No, you dork! I’m kinda close and I need more hints!

She’s never had black hair.

What kind of dumb hint is that?

It’s a hint, okay?

Alright, alright.

I placed my hands in the pocket of my sweatshirt, the piece of paper--my list.

-----

GIRLS CLOSE TO DONGHAE

1. Jung Jessica/Sooyeon

Reason: Ex-girlfriend, still friends

2. Kim Taeyeon

Reason: Good dongsaeng/oppa relationship

3. Lee Sunny/Soonkyu

Reason: Also has a good dongsaeng/oppa relationship

4. Hwang Tiffany/Miyoung

Reason: Possible crush, close friends

5. Kim Hyoyeon

Reason: Close friends because of Lee Hyukjae

6. Kwon Yuri

Reason: Close friends

7. Choi Sooyoung

Reason: Good relationship as friends

8. Im Yoona

Reason: Ex-crush, still friends

9. Seo Joohyun/Seohyun

Reason: Worked together, as a result, good friends

10. Amber Liu

Reason: Like siblings, known as lookalikes

11. Choi Sulli/Jinri

Reason: Sibling relationship

12. Min Sunye

Reason: Former crush, close friends

13. Kwon Boa

Reason: Close dongsaeng/oppa relationship

14. Park Gyuri

Reason: Hyukjae

15. Goo Hara

Reason: Friends through Jessica

16. Park Sunyoung/Luna

Reason: Labelmates

17. Song Qian/Victoria

Reason: Friends

18. Ariel Lin

Reason: Friends, thinks she’s pretty

19. Jung Soojung/Krystal

Reason: Jessica’s sister; treats her like a dongsaeng

I blinked.

And blinked.

And stared.

And then almost fell over from my sitting position on the ground in the dressing room.

Hyukjae liked Taeyeon?

Wait, no--he loved Taeyeon?

Kim Taeyeon?!

The quite unavailable and taken kid leader, Taeyeon? That one?

What the heck are you talking about?

I made a list of like twenty possible girls.

Twenty? Geez, Hyoyeon.

Well, nineteen.

Still...

And I came down to Taeyeon.

Uh, good job!

What?

That wasn’t the real hint; I was just messing with you. Make your list over again or whatever.

I made a look of irritation that I hoped he would somehow be able to sense or receive as I flipped the paper over and began recreating my list.

GIRLS CLOSE TO DONGHAE

1. Jung Jessica/Sooyeon

Reason: Ex-girlfriend, still friends

2. Kim Taeyeon

Reason: Good dongsaeng/oppa relationship

3. Lee Sunny/Soonkyu

Reason: Also has a good dongsaeng/oppa relationship

4. Hwang Tiffany/Miyoung

Reason: Possible crush, close friends

5. Kim Hyoyeon

Reason: Close friends because of Lee Hyukjae

6. Kwon Yuri

Reason: Close friends

7. Choi Sooyoung

Reason: Good relationship as friends

8. Im Yoona

Reason: Ex-crush, still friends

9. Seo Joohyun/Seohyun

Reason: Worked together, as a result, good friends

10. Amber Liu

Reason: Like siblings, known as lookalikes

11. Choi Sulli/Jinri

Reason: Sibling relationship

12. Min Sunye

Reason: Former crush, close friends

13. Kwon Boa

Reason: Close dongsaeng/oppa relationship

14. Park Gyuri

Reason: Hyukjae

15. Goo Hara

Reason: Friends through Jessica

16. Park Sunyoung/Luna

Reason: Labelmates

17. Song Qian/Victoria

Reason: Friends

18. Ariel Lin

Reason: Friends, thinks she’s pretty

19. Jung Soojung/Krystal

Reason: Jessica’s sister; treats her like a dongsaeng

Now what?

I’ll give you two hints ‘cause I’m nice.

Wow, thanks so much.

Sarcasm is rude!

Sorry~

Okay, first of all, she’s single.

Thank goodness.

Why?

Well, if you loved a taken girl, that’d be kinda bad, don’t you think? And I’m so glad it’s not Taeyeon...

Why would you think that?

I don’t know; you find her attractive.

I was just being a boy.

Okay, what’s the hint? Don’t keep me in suspense!

She isn’t more than four years younger than me.

Agh, I don’t know everyone’s birthdays!

That’s why there’s Google!

“Hyoyeon, what are you doing in here?”

I stuffed the paper back into my pocket. “Oh, hi, Yoona!”

“You’re in the wrong dressing room!”

“Oh, oops, my bad,” I grinned.

“Come on, come on!” she tugged on my hand and dragged me away from my sanctuary, and into the room next door.

Seohyun was currently having her hair curled like a princess. The other girls all sat on the couch, already dressed in casual blouses and jeans or spring dresses, some shivering, others looking bored out of their minds.

“Unnie!” Seohyun greeted, smiling at me and glancing at me from her peripherals.

“Sorry, I got lost,” was my excuse.

“We’ve been here so many times, though.” Jessica was clearly unconvinced.

“I’m gonna go say hi to the guys!” Sooyoung stood up in her black canvas sneakers and red sundress with blue flower prints.

“I’ll come with you!” Yoona chirped, straightening her top a bit.

“Can I come?”

“Hyoyeon, it’s your turn.” Taeyeon pointed to the empty seat in front of the mirror.

Seohyun picked up her outfit from a rack of various ones and went behind a long screen to change.

“Darn,” I muttered, reluctantly sitting down.

You prettied up yet?

No; are Sooyoung and Yoona with you?

Uh, they just walked on to the set. How’d you know?

They announced they were going to see you guys.

Are you rolling your eyes?

Maybe.

Wait, are you still sick?

Nope.

Lie.

It’s just a little cold.

Flu, Hyoyeon. It’s the flu.

I got better! It’s not even that serious!

What if you pass out from the bright lights or accidentally trip and then you need to go to the emergency room and--

I don’t think I’d pass out from some lights. What would I trip on? And Hyukjae, I’ve never been to the emergency room and I don’t plan to.

But what if?!

You’re like my mom, but ten times worse.

Am not! Are you done yet? Donghae keeps poking me.

The stylist put the hair curler down and ran her fingers through the curls slightly. “Okay, Hyoyeon-sshi, you look great!”

“Thanks,” I went over to the rack. “Which one is mine?”

“That girly dress,” Jessica smirked and pointed to the strapless yellow sundress with white print flowers and simple black flats to match.

I looked at Jessica’s outfit--a white tank-top under a cropped cut long-sleeved gray sweater and skinny jeans and--lucky her--sneakers.

Outrage.

“We must’ve swapped or something.” I groaned, wondering just why SPAO would put me in a dress for this shoot.

‘Cause you’re pretty?

Shush.

“Aw, Hyoyeon, you’ll look pretty!” Taeyeon laughed.

“But how come only Sooyoung and I are wearing dresses?”

“Oh, come on, it’s not like you’ve never worn a dress before.” Jessica got up and grabbed the outfit, ing it into my arms.

“But when I do, you’re all wearing one too, so I don’t feel left out or weird!”

“You have Sooyoung.” Taeyeon offered.

“That doesn’t help.” I grumbled, stalking behind the screen and silently fuming.

“Spring has a casual side to it and a flowery side! You just happened to pick the short straw.” I could hear Jessica cackling.

Ooh, poor, unfortunate Hyoyeonnie...

“Sooyeon, I’m more than capable of attacking you.” I directed my anger towards Jessica instead, slipping the dress over my head with caution, so I wouldn’t ruin my hair; the stylists nagged at me about destroying their perfect works of art.

Stylists were weird.

“Pass,” she responded nonchalantly.

“Girls, you’re needed.” our stylist popped her head back in and waved at us with importance.

“Let’s go,” Taeyeon took hold of my arm while I was hopping around barefoot, holding the flats in one hand and trying to adjust my dress with the other.

“Taeyeon, wait!” I screeched.

“Oh, Hyoyeon, you look so cute.”

I wanna see!

ert.

“Sooyeon,” I said dangerously.

“You don’t scare me--OW! Taeyeon, Hyoyeon hit me with a shoe!”

“Stop fighting! You’re making me look bad!” Taeyeon pouted.

Ah, our leader was unique, indeed.

---

I've been updating every night now OTL

I am writing TOO fast for this.