FRIENDS
UNTOUCHABLE (KRYBER)After Yuri told her that Krystal wants to transfer rooms, Amber had totally lost hope. She felt awkward being in their room more than ever. And because of that, she tried avoiding Krystal more by leaving their room too early and coming back in too late just before their curfew.
Sometimes she comes home seeing Krystal already sleeping. But on days that Krystal is still wide awake, Amber’s strategy is to go for a quick shower before heading to bed without talking to her roommate. This is the best solution Amber could think of so Krystal won't feel awkward around her.
"It's just for one school year," she keeps telling herself. "Next year she'll have the chance to transfer rooms."
It was one of those nights when Amber came home late. Just after she opened the room door, Krystal went out of the bathroom with just a towel wrapped around her body.
Seeing the shocked expression on Krystal's face, Amber immediately closed the door behind her. "I-I'm sorry," she said, looking down at the floor while walking towards her closet. "I'm gonna take a quick shower so you can change here."
Amber grabbed all the clothes she could and swiftly walked to the bathroom, passing by Krystal.
"Amber..."
Amber felt her heart flutter with the sound of Krystal's voice calling her name. She turned around to the lady. "Yes?"
"Are you... are you avoiding me...?"
Amber opened to say something. However, seeing Krystal's almost body distracts her thoughts. She tried to focus her eyes on the other woman's face, but she can't help noticing Krystal's exposed shoulder and neck. The messy bun on Krystal's hair isn't helping as well as it just adds up to her hotness.
"Amber, are you okay?"
Amber almost smacked herself for acting like that. But she needs to get out of the situation first. "I... uh... I'll take a shower first. Let's talk later." Without waiting for any response from Krystal, she went in the bathroom and locked the door.
---
Amber slumped back on the passenger's seat, finally feeling relieved that they are out on the field now.
"Wow, you look like you just got out of the trial room, Cap," said Taeyeon who's on the driver's seat. "Is she still making you nervous?"
Amber simply smiled without saying anything.
"Hey, what's up, guys?" said Yuri, sticking her head out between Taeyeon and Amber. "Having a private conversation here while Tiffany and I are just sitting behind you?"
"Yeah. You three, including you Cap, have been acting weird. What's up?" it was Tiffany's turn to ask.
The three friends looked at each other. Amber gestured not to tell Tiffany who Krystal really is. All SAU missions are being monitored real-time. She doesn’t want to cause a commotion in the Control Room especially that Krystal and her mom is there.
Taeyeon nodded, and Yuri settled back on her chair.
"We were just talking about Captain's first love, Tiffany," said Taeyeon, making Amber and Yuri look at her with bulging eyes. "We've known her for years but this morning, during lunch, was the first time she ever talked about it."
Tiffany scooted closer, feeling more curious. "Wow. Interesting! So, what about it?"
"C'mon, guys, I'm not going to talk about my personal life with you, not on this trip," said Amber lazily.
"You don't have to tell us, Cap. Yuri can tell us. Right, man?" said Taeyeon, quickly glancing at Yuri from the back.
"Yeah, it'll be my pleasure," said Yuri, smirking. "I was lucky enough to witness how it blossomed."
Amber folded her arms across her chest and rolled her eyes.
"Is this the same girl that Captain mentioned during her last interview with Amy, two weeks ago? I remember she said they are no longer together, right?" said Tiffany, looking excited.
"Yup, they broke up. And yes, same girl," answered Yuri. "It's still a story worth telling you and Taeyeon."
"We're excited!" Taeyeon exclaimed. "It's going to be a thirty-minute drive to Jeoswa Village. Fill us in, man."
"It'll be my pleasure."
---
"How did they meet?"
Tiffany's voice echoed through the speakers in the Control Room. One of the staffs increased the volume a bit for it to be heard clearly.
"They started as roommates during college," said Yuri, her voice filling the room. "Amber liked this girl since day one but it was not a good start for them. They were kind of feeling awkward around each other."
"Why?"
"Amber's already feeling inferior of getting roomed with a beautiful chick. Then there was a rumor that this girl wanted to transfer rooms. Amber felt more awkward because of it. They stayed like that for about two months -- not talking and sort of avoiding each other -- until one day they talked about it and settled the issue."
"Hmm. I can see someone's smiling," said Jiwon, nudging her friend. She, Krystal, and Krystal’s mom are sitting on a couch at the back of the Control Room, watching the big screen in front that displays Troop C on one screen and Jeoswa Village on the other.
"It’s just that Yuri’s being Yuri again, same old sweet-talker," said Krystal, shaking her head.
"At least she was able to make you smile now. You were worried as earlier."
"Can't help it, Jiwon. I don't think I’ll be able to fully relax unless I'm sure Katie's safe." Krystal glanced at the other screen where her daughter is seen inside the car.
"Don't worry, I’m sure she'll be fine."
"And how did that happen?" it was Taeyeon who asked this time.
"I don't know how. They just became friends after that. Feed us more details, Cap, will you?"
"Nah. Shut up," said Amber, dismissing them.
People in the Control Room laughed at Amber's response.
"Why does it seem to me that everyone here is eager to hear this story? Look at these people, they are actually listening," asked Krystal, amazed.
Jiwon chuckled. "It's because it's Amber we're talking about here. No one in AEF knows about her personal life except probably for Yuri and me. And she's been working like a robot for years -- work, home, work again, training. I believe this is the first time they are seeing her other side, even if it's just through Yuri's storytelling."
Krystal smiled as she shakes her head. "That's the typical Amber I knew."
"Aren't you feeling awkward about this, Krys?" asked Krystal's mom who looks displeased. "They may find out it's you."
Krystal raised an eyebrow. "Mom, I never intended to keep my relationship with her secret. You know that. Yes, I've no plans of bragging about it but I've no plans to deny it either. What's wrong with that?"
"What if Jihoon finds out?"
"Jihoon? Your granddaughter is in danger and you're still thinking about that?"
The older lady couldn't answer. She stood up. "I'll be back. I need to take some air." The two younger women watched her walk out of that room.
"Even after all these years, she still thinks that Amber is the biggest mistake of my life," said Krystal, irritated. "I don't understand her. Amber, Yuri, and the troop are risking their lives to save my daughter. Why can't she just look at it like that?"
Jiwon rubbed her hand against Krystal's back. "Hey. Some people will just never understand."
"I just couldn't believe her, Jiwon. I'm married to a MAN and has a daughter with him, and... ugh..."
"Hey, there are more important things to be worried about, like Katie's safety. Forget about your mom for a bit and while she's out, tell me how you and Amber became close."
"What?" asked Krystal, chuckling. "I can't believe you're asking me that. You know the whole story, right?"
"It was a lifetime ago, Krys. I've already forgotten about the tiny details. And Yuri doesn't know either," said Jiwon, pointing at the screen. "Aside from the fact that I need to distract you from getting worried, I just thought that you're the perfect person to ask about the continuation of that story."
Krystal smiled. She looked at the screen too. "Oh, yes, Jiwon. I'm the perfect person to tell you how we became friends."
---
"Hey."
Amber stepped out of the bathroom and was called by Krystal who's sitting crossed-legged on her bed, a blanket covering her legs.
"Hey, you're still awake," said Amber, walking to her closet to fix her things. She really feels happy and embarrassed right now. Krystal's too beautiful looking simple in her white nightgown.
"You said we'll talk after you take a shower, right?"
"Y-yeah. I said that."
"Why do you look like I am scaring you?" asked Krystal.
Amber hesitantly sat on her bed. "No. It's not like that. It's just that... I... I know that you don't like to be around me..."
Krystal's eyebrows furrowed. "Huh? Where did you get that?"
"Well, there are rumors spreading around here that you wanted to change rooms."
"Oh. That... Yeah. I asked the admin if they can transfer me to another room," admitted Krystal shyly. "But that's not because I don't like you. My mom, she wants me to transfer rooms."
Amber felt a little hope hearing that. "Why? Is it because of me?"
Krystal nodded hesitantly. "I'm sorry. It's not your fault. It's just that my mom's being crazy. She thinks that rooming with you is like rooming with a man. That's the reason I couldn't talk to you during the freshmen orientation, mom's just sitting at the back."
Amber looked down on the floor. Hearing the real reason made her feel more embarrassed of herself.
"Again, it's not your fault," said Krystal, as if knowing what Amber is thinking. "You don't need to feel sorry for being who you are. It's just that some people are judgmental."
Amber was able to make a small smile because of it. "Did I ever made you feel like that, that you're living with a man?"
"Not at all," said Krystal quickly. "I actually didn't feel that I have a roommate. You've been avoiding me since the school started."
"It's because I felt that you feel awkward around me. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable so I tried to stay away as much as I can."
"Well, yes, I felt awkward at first too. For a short time, I was cautious around you. But then as time goes by, I realized that you're not like the other type that my mom talks about."
"Type? Like what?"
"You know, the ert ones."
That made Amber chuckle. "So, you don't think I'm ert?"
"At least not yet," said Krystal, smiling. Then her expression changed to an apologetic one. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I didn't mean to make you feel like that. It's all my fault. Also, I hope you don't resent my mom. I'm her only child so she's really looking after me as much as she could."
"Don't worry, I totally understand," said Amber, sincerely. Finding out more how kind Krystal is makes her like this girl a little more today. "Hearing it from you made me feel better."
"That's comforting to know."
"So, does that mean you're still transferring rooms?"
"If Dorm C will miraculously be available this year, then yes. If not, maybe next school year."
"Okay." Amber felt sad at that. But at least she's got the whole year to spend with Krystal.
"But can you please stop avoiding me? Why don't we just enjoy each other's company while we're rooming together, right?"
"I agree. That's a great idea."
Krystal went down from the bed and stood in front of Amber. She laid out her hand. "Friends?"
Amber happily shook Krystal's hand. "Friends."
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