---A couple weeks later—

[Jessica’s POV]

It’s already been a painful couple of weeks since Sooyoung was discharged from the hospital. Don’t get me wrong, I was ‘happy’ so to speak about her return, but that was before I remembered how loud the dorm was with her around. Not to mention that she would always bug me to buy her food that I can’t recall promising to get her.

“Sica~! It’s time to get up!” I felt a hard shake on my shoulder as I lazed in my bed. Today would be her first day back at school as she was off her crutches and could freely move with a small brace on her knee.

I groaned and covered my face with my pillow in an attempt to drown out the

“Sica! Come on! Why are you back to being a lazy, ice princess huh?” Sooyoung pouted, still not giving up.

I smirked underneath the pillow. This was almost like a game between us every morning for the past few weeks. At first I just took it as revenge for making me sleep in that uncomfortable hospital bed, but now it’s just amusing.

“Shica... wakey, wakey uppy! Or we’re going to be late!” She was now resorting to her aegyo, or that’s what she calls it anyway. It sounded more like she developed an over-exaggerated lisp. 

I still showed no signs of moving, but was clearly already awake.

I heard her sigh before the weight on the bed was lifted and the room went silent.

‘Did she give up already?’ I wondered but my thoughts were answered when I felt the weight return a few moments later. My gut somehow felt uneasy as I was now bracing myself for what was coming.

“I didn’t want to resort to this, but you’ve forced my hand.” I could hear her mumble and before I could react, she yanked the pillow from my face and shoved a horrendous, green, lumpy vegetable in my face.

I let out a high-pitched squeal, forcefully pushing her off the bed. 

“Ooww!” Sooyoung slowly got up, rubbing her behind and also palming her ear with the other hand.

I sat up, glaring at her furiously at her appalling action. “CHOI SOOYOUNG! I SWEAR IF YOU DO THAT AGAIN...” I growled and she chuckled seemingly not fazed.

“I’m sorry, what was that? I think I lost hearing in my right ear.” She hit her ear with her palm.

“Ugh.” I rolled my eyes and flipped off my blankets and headed towards the bathroom, but not before harshly kicking away the disgusting vegetable that now lay on the floor.

“Hey! Don’t take it out on the innocent vegetable!” Sooyoung gasped at my actions.

I stifled a laugh and merely shook my head. “Would you rather I kick YOU instead?” I suggested but she shook her head fearfully.

I entered the bathroom and freshened up for yet another long day.

------

I yawned, still a little sleepy as we made our way to class. Sooyoung was by my side, happily greeting some students on the way. She’s grown rather popular among the student body despite being at the school less than a year. I guess I wasn’t really surprised as she was a rather socialite type of person, where as I was pretty anti-social and not to mention that my cold demeanor tended to put people off.

My thoughts were broken when an arm was swung around my shoulder.

“Hey Sooyoung-ah! Hey Sica-baby~” an all too familiar voice cooed in my ear.

I shrugged her arm off. “Yuri, how many times have I told you... STOP calling me that.”

She giggled and threw her arm around Sooyoung and I again, pulling us close.

“What do you guys say we go out for a lunch date? Yoona’s in.” she offered.

“I don’t mind... if Sica wants to that is...” Sooyoung answered, grinning expectantly at me.

“I guess...” I mumbled and Yuri jumped, tugging us with her. “Great! We’ll meet up later then! Ciao!” she shouted before pulling away

I rubbed my shoulder. “Why is she so excited?”

Sooyoung chuckled. “Maybe she’s just happy that we all get to hang out again like we used to.”

I nodded as we entered the classroom but not before long I was engulfed in a tight hug.

“JESSI!” The eye-smiling girl greeted like she usually did. She released the hug and turned to Sooyoung. “Hey Soo, glad to see you back on your feet!”

I could feel Sooyoung back off a little and smiled awkwardly. “Y-yeah me too. Thanks.” I was a little confused by her sudden change in mood but shook off the feeling, turning my attention to Tiffany.

“So what’s up?” I ask, initiating some conversation that we hadn’t had in awhile since that day at the karaoke. We texted each other and met between classes but never really hung out. In all honesty, I still felt slightly awkward about the whole ‘kiss’ incident but tried not to think much of it.

“Nothing much... what do you say we go for lunch? We haven’t hung out in such a long time... I miss you.” she pouted cutely and I couldn’t help but pinch her cheek.

“Okay, I’m actually going with Yuri, Yoona and Sooyoung...” Tiffany instantly frowned and I felt a little bad. “Want to join us?” I offered, unable to resist her small pout.

She instantly perked up and nodded furiously before glancing back at Sooyoung. “If you don’t mind.” She smiled brightly.

Sooyoung shook her head and smiled back. “No, of course not.”

“Great! Let’s sit down!” she giggled before grabbing my hand and skipping off towards a free desk.

I glanced back at Sooyoung who just sat in one of the desks near the front.

For some reason I had a heavy feeling of guilt creep inside me. I wasn’t quite sure why.

I shrugged off the feeling and sat next to Tiffany who continued happily continued gossiping and talking about whatever she did on the weekend. I responded accordingly but wasn’t truly listening and found myself taking glances at the tall girl at the front of the room.

------

The bell finally rang, indicating lunchtime. I stretched my arms above my head while yawning. Class seemed to drag on endlessly and I could barely stop myself from nodding off to sleep.

“Shall we go Jess?” I could hear Tiffany shuffling and gathering her things.

I meekly nodded while standing up, slowly pushing together my books and hardly used writing utensils.

“You’re still such a sleepyhead.” She giggled and I just rolled my eyes.

“What do you expect when class is so boring?” I retorted, still yawning.

“It’s not that bad Jess, you just need some motivation.” She explained and I raised my brow.

“Since when did you become so studious?”

The last time I recalled, she was nearly as bad as me, but had the will to stay awake.

She however seemed appalled. “What do you mean? I’ve always been studious! I’ve just... never showed it!” She replied dramatically.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah sure... let’s go for lunch.”

She nodded and followed me out the door.

I looked down the emptied halls for a particular giant but she was nowhere to be found.

‘Where did she go? Is she that much of a Shikshin that she couldn’t wait for us?’

I smirked at my own thoughts and felt a tap on my shoulder.

“What are you looking for?”

“Oh, Sooyoung... I swear that pabo is so impatient.” I frowned.

“Maybe she went to meet up with the others.” Tiffany suggested and I agreed.

“Let’s go meet—“ I was about to walk off but was stopped when Tiffany held onto my hand, pulling me back.

“Wait Jess... I just want to talk to you about something.” She lowered her head.

“What is it?” I asked curiously and little confused about her sudden serious mood.

“About what happened... a couple weeks ago... at the karaoke...” she began and I turned to her, giving my full attention.

“O-oh? What about it?” I asked, caught a little off guard.

“You’re not weirded out or anything right?” she asked cautiously.

I shook my head. “Of course not... why would I be? I mean, it was just a friendly kiss right?”

‘I mean, why would it be anything more... right?’

She sighed in relief. “Oh thank goodness... I thought you’d think I was weird or something...”

“Don’t be silly... well I do think you’re a little weird, but not for that reason.” I teased to lighten the mood and she instantly pouted, hitting my arm.

“Yah! That’s not nice.” She crossed her arms.

I laughed out loud. “Okay, okay... sorry. Let’s go find the others.”

I smirked, an idea coming to my head. I quickly turned around, planting a quick peck on her lips.

She instantly halted, her body freezing and blood rushed to her face.

“W-wha-what was t-that f-for?” she sputtered out and I couldn’t help but laugh loudly.

“Payback.” I stuck my tongue out at her and spun on my heel, walking down the hall with a teasing grin on my face.

Soon she followed after me with her head down, probably embarrassed.

----

[General POV]

As they continued down the hall, little did they know, they were being watched from around the corner.

Choi Sooyoung.

She leaned against the wall, holding her chest. It felt like a fire was slowly burning her heart, away the oxygen.

“Ergh, why does it hurt so bad?”

‘Because you like her and you’re jealous.’ Her conscious wittily answered the obvious.

“I shouldn’t be jealous... it’s not like... she’s mine.” She whispered the last part.

“Then make her yours.” A voice boomed in the silent halls and Sooyoung jumped, still holding her chest.

“Wha? Hyoyeon? What are you doing here?” she sighed out.

“That’s not important.” She chuckled, roughly patting my shoulder. “What’s important is that you need to stop watching from the sidelines and go play the game.”

 Sooyoung raised her brow. “What are you talking about?”

Hyoyeon slapped her forehead with her palm. “Go make her yours, you pabo!”

Sooyoung turned red and stared down at the floor. “She’s j-just my friend!”

The dancer sighed. “Aish, you two are really meant for each other... you both are giant pabos!”

Before Sooyoung could reply, the latter walked off, leaving her to her own thoughts.

‘She’s just my friend... we won’t be... anything more.’

Sooyoung thought dejectedly, the replay of what just happened between Jessica and Tiffany still fresh in her mind. 

Hey readers...

Aish, this is such a fail update... >.> 

I don't know what to do with myself anymore guys.. OTL 

Oh yes, 

And happy Valentines day-

~Rainey