[Sooyoung’s POV]

My vision blurred as I opened my eyes. I titled my head towards my bedside clock. It read 10:04 am. I woke up a little later than usual... I moaned as I attempted to sit up but my entire body felt sore. Using all my willpower, I got up and walked towards the bathroom. After my shower I felt more refreshed but I grimaced as a purplish-blue bruise formed on the upper right part of my back. Perhaps I was a little too reckless yesterday. Shaking my wet hair I walk towards Jessica’s bed to wake her up. Much to my surprise no one was there. Did she get up before me? Strange.

The dorm was quiet… too quiet. I peeked around the kitchen and rooms but no one was there. I figured they must have all been out with personal activities so I simply grabbed some toast and sat on the couch flipping through the T.V. channels. I flipped to a drama where a couple was taking pictures in a photo booth with each other. I smiled thinking of our… outing. Suddenly remembering, I ran back to my room pulling a small silver locket out of my jacket pocket.

I opened it and stared at the small picture of Sica kissing my cheek. I touch my cheek and blush sheepishly. Too bad those stupid drunks last night ruined it. I meant to give this to her. Oh well. I’ll give it to her today… I hope she likes it! I wonder where she could be though. Determined to find her I leave the dorm and head towards the school. She’s probably in the library since she likes to read books.

I enter the school and start to head towards the library when I could hear loud music echoing through the halls. Curious, I walk towards it and it led to none other than the dance studio. I noticed Hyoyeon moving her hips to the beats, popping every limb in her body. I decided to watch and after the music stopped she noticed me leaning on the door clapping my hands.

“Oh, Sooyoung-ah!” She greeted happily. “What are you doing here?”

I walk towards her. “Ah, I was just bored. No one was in our dorm so I came to look for Sica…” She gave me a funny look and I quickly correct myself. “I…I mean I came to look for… something to do.”

“Right…” She responded still giving me a funny expression.

I tried to change the subject. “Uh… where are your other members?” I ask curiously looking around the empty room.

“I’m actually practicing for the festival. There is going to be a ‘dance battle’ segment. It requires a team of two, but I don’t have a partner yet.” She seemed a little disappointed.

“Why don’t I be your partner?” I offer and she looks at me shocked.

“Can you dance?” She raised her brow.

“You tell me.” I wink at her and she smiles, starting the music. It was ‘Sugar’ by Flo Rida. My body begins to feel the rhythm. The beats kick in and my body begins to move on its own. I used to be on my previous school’s dance team but it was more of a hobby I enjoyed.

“Wow!” Hyoyeon cheered clapping her hands. Soon she began to dance with me and our bodies moved together in unison. We were really getting into the music. Every movement seemed to click. Before we knew it, the music stopped and we stood there catching our breaths.

“Sooyoung, I had no idea you were such a good dancer!” She praised.

“Honestly, I didn’t either.” I laughed.

“Well partner, let’s own that stage!” She gave me a high-five.

“Let’s do it!” I shout enthusiastically.

After a couple hours of practice we lied on the floor panting. “Ah… so tired!” I whined.

Hyoyeon sat up. “It was fun though! We should meet up again some time.”

“Where are you going now?” I asked.

“I’m going to see Seohyunie. She wanted opinions on her piece for the festival.” Hyoyeon replied gathering her things.

“Wow, it seems like everyone is all worked up about this festival.” I speculated.

Hyoyeon looks up in thought. “You’re right. Everyone except Sica I suppose... she doesn’t go to them.”

I give her a puzzling look. “Why not?”

“She claims that she doesn’t like crowds, but I think it’s just cause’ she doesn’t have anyone to go with.” She winked at me then pulled something out of her pocket. “Oh… and I think you dropped this.” She held out a silver locket. I quickly check my pockets.

“Ahh! That’s mine!” I scramble towards her. She only laughed throwing it to me. Her sudden action surprised me and I juggled the locket finally catching it.

“Oh… cute picture by the way.” She laughed evilly before running out of the room.

“Wha…When…AISH!” I yell in frustration, throwing my hands into the air.

“As long as it’s safe… speaking of which... I should go find Sica!” I say happily skipping out of the room.

I walked by the library but it was closed. Where could she be? I look out the window and notice Sica sitting on a bench in the courtyard. What luck! My heart raced as I ran down towards the courtyard. I grasped the locket taking in a deep breath.

“Si..!” I was about to shout her name but I instantly stopped when a brown haired girl came running up to Sica embracing her. She looked familiar but I couldn’t put my finger on it. The two stood there together holding each other. I…I shouldn’t disturb them.

I returned to the dorm and found Yuri sitting in the kitchen sorting a huge pile of papers. She threw them up in frustration. “Ahh, how the heck did Taeyeon do this??”

I let out a small laugh before entering my room. I collapsed onto my bed and closed my eyes. The image of Jessica and that girl flooded my mind. “GAH, what’s wrong with me?!” I yelled into my pillow. The buzzing of my phone broke the silence. I check it and it read message from: ‘Sica’ without hesitation I read it.

[From: Sica

Yah Choi Sooyoung! I might be late tonight, so tell the others if they ask.]

Sooyoung smiled at her message. Even in text she greets me the same. I began to write a lengthy reply but decided to delete it all and replied with a simple ‘Okay.’

Sighing I exit the room and Yuri still sat there staring at the endless sheets. She took notice of my presence and greeted me. “Sooyoung-ah! Save me from this madness! I’m going to go insane soon!”

“It’s not my problem.” I tease and she only frowned.

“This is seriously no joke! I’m surprised Tae even got through half of this!” Yuri complained tossing more papers up into the air.

“You’re only making it harder…” I try to pick up the scattered papers.

Yuri laid her head on the table. “I don’t care… I just don’t want to see them anymore.”

I pat her shoulder. “Hey Yuri…”

“Yeah?”

“I saw… Sica hugging someone in the courtyard at the school…” I try to recall.

“Oh really?” Yuri perked up waiting for me to continue.

“Yeah… I was wondering if you knew who it could be?” I asked hoping for an answer.

She looked up in thought. “Hm… Sica wasn’t very ‘intimate’ or ‘touchy’ with anyone except maybe… you. It couldn’t be you obviously.”

“Ah…” I nod. “Wait, just me?” I ask in surprise.

“Yeah… you really surprised me last night! When she suddenly grabbed your hand and dragged you away to your room… then there was that time when you were sleeping together…” Yuri smiled deviously.

My face turned red. “Okay, okay I get it.”

“OMO!” Yuri shot up and looked mischievously at me. “Do you think… Sica has a girlfriend she’s not telling us about? Ohohoho”

“Hm…” My voice gave a slight tone of disappointment that Yuri seemed to pick up on.

“I was just kidding Sooyoung… Sica-baby is lot livelier when she’s with you.” she gave me a look of assurance and I bowed my head down smiling sheepishly.

She seemed satisfied by my reaction. “Why don’t we go for some ice-cream? I’m seriously eager for a break.” She stretched grabbing my arm and I couldn’t take no for an answer.

We made our way towards the ice-cream stand and I noticed Sica standing there with ‘mystery girl’ again. Yuri was busy texting Yoona when I pulled her behind a bush.

“Ouch! What’s...” I quickly cover and pointed to Sica.

She titled her head as she watched the two girls laughing and sharing an ice cream. The brown-haired girl was facing the other way so we could only see Sica’s face. Her smile was rare, but when it appeared, it was so genuine and gentle.

“I can’t recognize her… although she does seem familiar…” Yuri whispered to me. “Wait, why are we hiding?” she was about to get up but I quickly jerked her back down. “Yah!” she yelped.

Sica looked in our direction and I hid lower behind the bush. She simply shrugged at the girl.

“Sooyoung… if you wanted me, you didn’t need to be so rough.” Yuri joked.

“What are you…” I suddenly realized my position. I was lying on top of Yuri still firmly holding her wrist. Embarrassed, I hopped off her quickly.

I stared back at the two and when they were finished their treat, they intertwined hands and began walking away. I started to feel a tinge of pain in my chest. Was Yuri’s prediction true? I quickly stood up and began to walk away. I don’t know why… I just didn’t want to be there anymore.

We returned to the dorm and sat on my bed. “Jessica! What are you doing to me?!” I stretched out my arms and my eyelids felt heavy, they were about to close when an abrupt knocking on the door startled me. Before opening the door I could hear giggling coming from the other side. I open it and then I’m suddenly tackled.

“Sunny, what are you doing?” I ask the clinging girl.

“Tonight is movie night… you’ll pay for me right?”

I furl my eyebrows. “Yah! What makes you think that?”

She looks up and shows me her beady eyes. “…Because you’re a good person.”

I couldn’t help but be drawn in. I was about to give into her request but suddenly a pillow flies out of nowhere hitting the back of her head.

“Don’t do it Sooyoung, she always does this…” Taeyeon enters through the door.

“Oh you’re back already? Are you feeling better?” I ask cheerfully shaking Sunny off me.

“100%!” Taeyeon shouts giving me thumbs up.

“Taengie…” Sunny whines rubbing the back of head.

“You stop mooching off of people! I won’t let you victimize anyone else!” Taeyeon scolded the small, pouting girl.

“But Tae… how am I suppose to go to movie night with you?” She whined with her ‘aegyo’ voice.

“Aish, I just get back and you’re already stirring up trouble!” Taeyeon crosses her arms.

Sunny face changes into a frown. “Sorry Taeng, I won’t burden you anymore…” she was about to walk out slouched over but Taeyeon stops her and pats her head.

“You are such a kid Sunny… I’ll pay for you okay?” Sunny’s face brightened as she attacked Taeyeon.

“Movie night?” I ask them.

“Oh yeah, we schedule one every now and then… you should come!” Taeyeon kindly offered and I nodded my head.

“Great! Do you know where Jessica is?” She asked me.

“Uh…” I hesitate. “I don’t know, she just said she wouldn’t be back until late.”

“Oh, okay… we’re leaving soon, so you better get ready.” I nod and the two leave hand in hand.

---At the theatre---

We arrived and everyone was trying to figure out where to sit. They all decided on some romantic comedy. I couldn’t recall the name but we came a little late and the theatre was already dark. There was space at the back but I felt a little awkward being surrounded by couples all around me. I quietly took a seat beside Seohyun who was playing around with Hyoyeon. It was a little strange seeing her being playful but cute. Beside her sat Sunny and Taeyeon holding hands, and then Yuri and Yoona leaning their heads against each other. The awkwardness built up and I decided to turn my attention to the front and couldn’t believe my eyes. There sat Sica with that girl, 4 rows ahead of us. I rubbed my eyes to make sure I was seeing correctly.

I shook my head and tried to focus on the movie, but I couldn’t help but throw a glance at them every 5 minutes. During a romantic scene in the movie, I glanced at them again. I could only see their silhouettes but they turned towards each other. Their faces neared together but Sica quickly turned back to the screen. I sighed a small breath of relief. Wait, why was I relieved?

The movie ended and I practically booked it out of the theatre. The others caught up and were talking about the movie.

“It was so funny when the guy tried to hit her boyfriend but he just fell on his face!”

“Yeah, but it was so romantic when her took her to the beach to watch the sunset. “

“Yeah I liked that part too!”

Yuri waved her hand in front my face. “Sooyoung, what was you’re favorite part?” the others seemed curious as well.

“They almost kissed…” I said without thinking.

The other girls nodded. “Yeah, I’m glad that she rejected him though! The other guy was much better for her.”

“I think so too…” I agreed not really understanding what they were talking about.

---At the dorm---

“Goodnight.” I parted from them back to my room.

“Night Sooyoung-ah!” They waved before dispersing into their rooms.

I collapsed onto my bed closing my eyes. Talk about bad luck today. I sighed and heard an abrupt knock on the door. I go to open it and my eyes widen in surprise.

“Yo.” Jessica greeted playfully. I look to the girl beside her and finally recognize her.

“Wait… you’re…” she cut me off.

“I’ve heard a lot about you! I’m Tiffany!” she gave me an eye-smile. 

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:D