*One more thing, I know I said that this chapter will be about prom night, but I lied >.< I'm sorry! And another thing, angsty scene ahead...I'm sorry!! >.< Please hide the pitch forks, guns, knives, bombs, or whatever weapons you have in your hands right now! Please don't kill me! T.T Anyway, enjoy...


Chapter 11 – Crying hearts


Taeyeon kept her eyes focused on her enemy. She made sure to block anything and everything around her. This was it. This will determine who will reign victory of the onslaught battle they’ve initiated a couple of weeks back. If she lost now, then the whole world will fall in to the hands of the evil.


She has to end the Shinee gang’s supremacy over the entire Dookong High permanently. She needs to liberate the misfits, the nerds and the outcasts alike. Plus being the protagonist of the story and all, she has the ultimate responsibility to protect everyone. And being the protagonist also guarantees her predetermined victory. There’s no way in hell she could lose…right…?


Concentrate, she chanted in her head.


Running her tongue over her chapped lips, she could taste the metallic flavor of her blood. Beads of sweat dropped down the side of her face. She gulped. She could feel her eyes slowly losing its moist.


Just a little longer, Taeyeon. You’re almost there.


As she observed Taemin’s face, she noticed his left eye twitching. This brought her hope.


He’s going to blink soon!


She smiled victoriously to herself. The countdown was on.


…5


…4


…3


“For goodness sake, just beat him up Taeyeon! Stop staring at him!”


A loud piercing sonic wave of a sound suddenly pierced her ears. It disrupted all of her focus. Everything around her suddenly started deteriorating. The walls she built to block everything around her collapsed and she found herself surrounded by so many people. The loud dolphin-like sound became lucid and she suddenly found herself wanting to cringe in pain and cover her ears.
Before she could stop herself, her eyelids dropped and she blinked.


Everyone gasped.


Taeyeon’s mouth dropped open in shock and in complete disbelief.


S-she can’t believe it. She…she…she lost. It felt like everything she has fought for has been lost. Her mind was in an absolute haze.


Her legs gave way and she dropped pitifully on her knees. Her will and her strength were depleted out of her soon after. She raised her arms above her head in a dramatic manner and screamed in despair. “NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! WAEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!”


Jessica rolled her eyes. She marched straight to Taeyeon in her sergeant stride and gave her a hard smack behind the head, awaking the latter up from her delusion.


“Yah! Stop fooling around and beat him up!” Jessica ordered.


Taeyeon blinked again. Finally back to her senses, she quickly scrambled back up to her feet and on to her fighting stance. Taemin got on his fighting stance as well.


Still possessed by Sooyoung, Yoona turned to Taeyeon. “FINISH HIM!” She roared in that deep, creepy Mortal Kombat voice.


Taeyeon nodded determinedly.


Both arms in the air, with one of her legs perched, Taeyeon stood in her crane kick stance. She has seen this on TV once when she and Jessica were watching the Karate Kid. She thought it looked really cool and seemed to be a very effective move. From that day on, she decided she would make the crane kick her Fatality move.


Taemin smirked. “That only works in the movies midget!”


With that last retort, Taemin ran head on towards Taeyeon, swinging his fist with extreme force. Everyone held their breaths as they watched the last scene unfold before them.


From the crowd’s point of view it looked like he’ll actually land the hit on Taeyeon. But to their surprise, Taeyeon jumped off on her feet at the last second, releasing the infamous crane kick.


Taemin’s eyes widened in shock and in fear when he saw the tiny foot shooting fast straight to his face.


*Bam!*


A loud crack was heard as the foot collided with his face. His whole body was sent flying to the other side of the circle.


Everyone gasped.


When Taemin didn’t move, the whole crowd broke out in to a loud cheer. The other girls had also finished the rest of the Shinee boys just in time to see Taeyeon’s incredible kick. They ran over to her and engulfed her in to a big bear hug.


Unknown to them, Taemin has gotten back on his feet. By this time his nose was no longer recognizable. His legs wobbled as he tried to regain his fighting stance. He was completely pissed. The midget has humiliated him far too many times. He won’t let her get away with it this time around. No he won’t.


He spat the blood from his mouth and wiped the trailing blood on his chin. “YAH! KIM TAEYEON!”


Everyone was startled. They didn’t notice Taemin at all. It was far too late when they did notice his presence. By this time, he was already half way across Taeyeon.


Taeyeon instinctively shut her eyes in terror as she waited for the impact.


Everyone gasped and the whole crowd became silent.   


Not feeling any pain whatsoever, Taeyeon cautiously opened her eyes to see what was going on. Her jaw dropped open at the inconceivable scene before her.


Seohyun has scooped Taemin up and has positioned him into a reverse piledriver position. Without wasting another second, Seohyun dropped to her knees, unleashing the infamous Tombstone piledriver.


Once she dropped Taemin’s lifeless body on the ground, she glanced at Taeyeon’s direction and raised both eyebrows at her in a playful manner, which only meant one thing:


Sooyoung.


And the crowd went wild. Everyone ran over to Seohyun and lifted her up. They cheered and congratulated the other girls, dubbing them as The Avengers of Dookong High.


Random people started congratulating Taeyeon, patting her on the back repeatedly. She was thoroughly happy that the planned had worked. Although she was full of glee, she couldn’t help but get this unusual feeling inside her heart. It’s like she’s forgetting something, something very important. She looked up. And amongst the cheering crowd, she saw the reason behind the twinge in her heart.


------


It was after dinner and the two were sitting comfortably on the living room couch watching television. Jessica sat on one end of the couch with a bowl of ice cream sitting on her lap, while Taeyeon sat on the other end snacking on a bag of opened Doritos.


Jessica has been sitting there for the past half hour watching Taeyeon from the corner of her eyes. It has been three days since Taeyeon indirectly “rejected” her. Actually, she’s not even sure if she got rejected because she never really confessed to begin with. But she was certain Taeyeon knew of her feelings. And she was certain the she felt the same way. Her words and her actions speak for it. That’s why she was befuddled when the older girl abruptly changed.


In the ice cream parlor she was warm and affectionate. Although Taeyeon never said it, just the way she held her in her arms was a clear indication that she loved her or at least liked her. She was going confess to the older girl as soon as they get home, but all of that was ruined when Taeyeon decided to shut her down. She became distant and cold and it confused her.


She just left me in dark right after that, without me even knowing what she truly felt for me.


And now seeing her sitting on the couch so comfortably with no care about the world seems like it didn’t even mean bother her at all. And that fact tore her heart in to pieces. Why, Taeyeon? She really wants to know.


Feeling brazen and confident she decided to confront the older girl about it. This was it. She cleared loud enough for Taeyeon to hear. Unfortunately, the latter was too immersed in to the TV program she was watching to even notice her presence. The girl cackled instead in response, unleashing her ahjumma laugh.


Jessica wasn’t too please by her reaction at all, well the lack thereof. She tried clearing again, this time a bit louder than how normal people would, hoping it’ll make her presence known to the other girl. But as soon as she decided to clear , Taeyeon had also decided to unleash yet another wave of her ahjumma laugh drowning the poor girl’s effort in the process. Jessica furrowed her brows and frowned deeply at this.


Okay, she asked for it!


Before Taeyeon knew it, Jessica kicked her on the side of her abdomen.


“Oomf!” Taeyeon tore her eyes away from the TV and stared incredulously at Jessica with wild eyes. “YAH! What was that for!?”


Jessica grinned triumphantly now that she has gotten Taeyeon’s unconditional attention.


“Well, you were ignoring me so I had to get your attention.” Jessica explained with a blank look on her face.


“W-wha--you could have just tapped me instead of kicking me!” Taeyeon whined. Jessica just shrugged her shoulders in indifference.


Taeyeon frowned. The part she just kicked was still aching from the blows Taemin inflicted on her. It felt really sore now. Although their relationship wasn’t so good at the moment, she was hopeful that the girl would still care for her. But it seems like the contrary.


She still hates me. Taeyeon thought sadly. Suddenly she didn’t feel like watching television anymore.


“I’m going to bed.” Taeyeon mumbled before getting up from the couch and limping her way over to the guest room leaving Jessica alone in the living room.


Jessica was stunned when Taeyeon got up and left. She didn’t think her kick would actually make her want to up and leave. She just wanted her attention, is all.


Did I kick her that hard?


She bit her lower lip and mentally scolded herself for being so violent.  Well, it’s not her fault she’s the way she is. It runs in the family. But still, she shouldn’t have kicked her so hard. She probably hates me now. Her frown deepened even more.


“Aish! Jessica, you’re so stupid!”


She peered over her shoulder and worriedly stared at the dark hallway.


“Should I go check on her?”


She got up and was about to take a step, but stopped midstride. “No. She’ll be fine.” She tried to convince herself.


She sat back down on the couch and grabbed the bowl of melting ice cream from the coffee table and began devouring it. She sat there for a minute or so just staring blankly at the television. Her eyes were glued to the TV but her mind wandered to Taeyeon’s condition. If she really did kick her that hard, then the girl is probably in a lot of pain right now. This caused her guilt to ascent. But if she didn’t kick her that hard then she’d looked like a fool for actually caring. Plus, she was supposed to be avoiding her. It was the only way she can keep her feelings at bay for the blonde girl.


She nibbled on the tip of the spoon as she contemplated whether she should check on the girl or not. In the end, her conscious won her out.


Oh screw it! I don’t care whether I’ll look like a fool or not! I need to make sure she’s alright.


She got up from the couch and hurried over to the guest room; Taeyeon’s room, she now refers to. She lightly knocked on the door. Hearing a soft muffled acknowledgement from the other girl, she entered the room.


Taeyeon sat up from the bed and eyed the approaching girl curiously. She didn’t think Jessica would actually come and check on her.


Jessica stood awkwardly a foot away from the bed. She wasn’t sure whether she should sit or just stand.


Taeyeon smiled amusedly at her uncertainty. She’s never seen her so confused. “Sit down.” She patted the empty spot beside her.


Jessica obediently sat down and swung her legs over the bed. After inhaling a huge breath, she started her speech.


“Um, I-I’m sorry, for kicking you earlier. I didn’t mean to hit you that hard. And I didn’t mean to hurt you. I-I just wanted to get your attention, but you kept ignoring me, so I couldn’t help it. Before I knew it, my violent nature won me over, so I unintentionally hurt you. Well, I guess it wasn’t unintentional since I really did want to make you pay for ignoring me. No-wait, that’s not what I meant! I-uh, what I meant was that I didn’t mean to hurt you, it was just, I—err—ugh! You just frustrate me sometimes and I get upset. You know how I am when I get upset. When I’m angry I freaking turn in to the hulk, but a beautiful hulk that is. Wait, what the hell am I even saying? Ugh! Anyway, I’m really sorry. Sorry for mumbling out nonsense and sorry for hurting you.” She shut her eyes and hung her head low in both guilt and humiliation.


Taeyeon smiled at this. She can’t help it. The girl was remarkably intriguing. One minute she acts like a merciless ice princess, the next she acts like an adorable stuttering, mumbling little kid. She likes this side of her a lot. It proves that the girl isn’t all ice. Often people misunderstand her cold exterior. But once you actually get to know her, like really know her, she isn’t all that bad. And she knew Jessica cared for her, like how she cares for the brunette.


Jessica waited impatiently for Taeyeon’s reply. It has been a complete minute since her utterly embarrassing apology speech. She probably thinks I’m a weird insensitive b*tch now. She’s probably laughing at me with her stupid ahjumma laugh in her head.


She tried to convince herself that she didn’t care what the latter thought about her. Why should I care what she thinks about me? It’s not like her opinions matter to me. She pouted. As the clock ticked, her pout slowly turned in to a deep frown. Even though she told herself she didn’t care, deep, deep down she really did care. Just the thought of Taeyeon ridiculing her made her heart sink. Her eyes became glossy.


Ugh, why am I being so emotional? 


She looked away and blinked away her bound-to-spill tears.


Taeyeon looked at the girl beside her and furrowed her brows worriedly. “Hey, are you okay?” She placed her hand over Jessica’s, but the girl immediately pulled hers away upon contact. She really can’t hold the tears in any longer.


You know what? Forget it. I really can’t do this anymore.


She swung her legs down to the carpeted floor and was about to make her escape when a small, soft hand grabbed her wrist.


“Yah, let go!” She tried tugging her arm from her clasp, without really using much force, but the small girl held on.


Taeyeon yanked Jessica’s arm making her fall back on the bed.


Jessica was about to scoot away when two slender arms wrapped itself around her petite waist. Short legs soon came to her side and she found her back pressed against Taeyeon’s front. She stiffened on the spot. Her heart began racing rapidly and her cheeks turned rosy red. What is she doing?


And when she thought it couldn’t get any worst, the girl back hugging her scooted even closer to her diminishing any sort of space left between the two.


Taeyeon rested her chin on Jessica’s shoulder and whispered softly. “Don’t cry, Sooyeon-ah.”


Jessica’s eyes widened and opened agape in astonishment. S-she, she called me Sooyeon. She couldn’t believe her ears. Her eyes became moist again. “W-what did you say?” She asked in a trembling voice. She wanted to verify what she just heard to make sure it wasn’t just her imagination playing tricks on her.


“Don’t cry, Sooyeon-ah.” Taeyeon repeated again. She tightened her hold on Jessica’s waist as a reassurance.


Jessica’s whole body flushed with relief and pleasure. She was ready to submit and melt in to her embrace when something crossed her mind. It was the same thought that’s been bothering her and keeping her restless. She knew she has to confront Taeyeon about it. It’s now or never, she thought. She reluctantly pried Taeyeon’s arms from her waist and stood up.


Taeyeon looked up at her surprised by her sudden behavior. “What’s wrong?”


“Taeyeon,” She started. Her heart has doubled its speed. She was quite nervous to know her answer, but she can’t back out now. She knew she has to be brazen about this if she wants clarity and closure. “P-please be honest. What do you feel about me?” She bit her lower lip as she waited for Taeyeon’s reply.


Taeyeon was taken aback by her unexpected question. She knew it was only time until Jessica finally confronts her about it but she didn’t think she’d confront her about it now. She left her hanging in the past and she knew she has an obligation to provide her with a proper answer. But was she ready to give an honest reply? Does she even have an answer?


Sooyoung’s words are still ringing in her mind. She feels like there’s some truth in it. Her heart is still conflicted. She is not confident on what she feels for her.


“You like her, but you don’t love her.”


“Taeyeon-ah—”


“I-I don’t know.” Taeyeon lowered her head in guilt.


Jessica watched the cowering girl dejectedly. S-she doesn’t know? But I was certain she felt the same way…w-why? Her heart sank and all of the hurt came rushing back in. She tried her best to keep her face straight, but it was faltering with every second. She looked away, and blinked the forming tears away. 


Taeyeon looked up and frowned when she saw the girl’s distraught state. Seeing Jessica broken like this crushed her heart. I’m hurting her again, she thought sadly. Determined, she quickly grabbed hold of the girl’s hand.


“S-Sooyeon-ah."


Jessica refused to look but that didn’t stop Taeyeon. She has to let her know what’s in her mind, what’s in her heart. “Sooyeon, I know I’ve kept you in the dark, and I know how much it hurt you and I’m really sorry for doing that. I’m sorry for being a jerk. You’ve waited for so long and you deserve an answer. But as much as I want to give you a clear answer, I-I just can’t.” She slumped down her shoulders in defeat. “I know it’s very selfish of me to ask you to do this, but can you please wait a little longer. I need more time. P-please give me some more time. I promise, I’ll sort this out. I’ll—”


Jessica shook her head vehemently, not wanting to listen to anything Taeyeon has to say anymore. Every word that came out of repeatedly stabbed her already wounded heart. Anymore words and it might just kill her. Unable to hold in her tears any longer, Jessica shut her eyes and allowed the tears to flow freely down her cheeks.


Seeing the tears, it worried Taeyeon. “Sooyeon-ah, please, I—”


Jessica tried to yank her arm away from Taeyeon’s grasp, but the latter won’t let her go.


Taeyeon held on. She doesn’t want her to run away. She wants her here. Don’t go.


But Jessica was persistent. She pulled with more force.


Taeyeon’s fingers were starting to lose its grip. Desperate, Taeyeon jumped to her feet and engulfed the younger girl in tight embrace.


Jessica resisted at first; she pushed and she repeatedly hit Taeyeon on the shoulders but Taeyeon didn’t budge. Gradually, Jessica found herself succumbing to the security of the older girl’s arms. She unconsciously buried her face in Taeyeon’s chest, seeking anxiously for comfort and warmth to alleviate the pain and the coldness in her heart.


“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Taeyeon murmured over and over again in to the brunette’s hair. She truly felt sorry for everything she has done to her; for hurting her, for making her suffer all this while and for being such an inadequate and confounded person. If only she wasn’t so confused with her feelings and only if she wasn’t such coward then Jessica wouldn’t have to go through all of this right now. Her eyes were on the verge of tears. It hurt her to see Jessica suffering. I’m sorry.


Jessica knew she shouldn’t but she did. She grabbed the side of Taeyeon’s shirt with her trembling fingers and held on frantically. She felt like she’ll collapse if she didn’t.


When Taeyeon’s arms tightened around her, she couldn’t help but cry even harder. In every tear that fell from her eyes, she released all of the hurt she received, all of the pain and misery she endured, and all of the love she still held for the girl. She has no more words to offer, only tears. She sobbed and sobbed until Taeyeon’s shirt was damp.


Taeyeon could care less about her shirt. She allowed the girl to release all of her anger and frustrations to her. She deserved all of the hatred.


After a while, Jessica’s shaking shoulder subsided. Taeyeon loosened her hold, but kept her arms around the younger girl.


“Sooyeon-ah. I’m really sorry and you have every right to hate me. But I’m begging you, please, Sooyeon-ah give me more time. I’ll sort this out, I promise. Just please—”


She couldn’t finish her sentence because Jessica pushed her away violently causing her to stumble backwards, almost losing her footing.


“Sooyeon-ah…” Tears welled up in her eyes.


Jessica’s face was covered with tears; her eyes red and is still b with new oncoming tears. Her lips quivered and her breathing was deep. She was an absolute mess both inside and outside. 


The awful sight twinged Taeyeon's heart painfully.


“Sooyeon, just give me a little more time! Please! I’ll try to sort this out! I wish I could give you an answer but I can’t. This is hard for me too! I-I’m a mess inside too!” She exploded as she jabbed at her chest violently. “I’m confused and I’m hurting! I-I don’t know what to do.” She felt resigned and defeated. “P-please…” She took a cautious step towards the shaking girl. “Please wait for me…” She reached forward to take Jessica’s hand in hers. It gave her hope when the girl didn’t withdraw. But to her utter and complete disappointment, the younger girl quickly pulled hers away at the last second and took a step back. Taeyeon’s heart sank even deeper. She looked up at the girl and gazed at her with pleading eyes.


Jessica held Taeyeon’s gaze. “I-I don’t know…” She whispered hoarsely. She was losing the will to say what she wants to convey. Seeing Taeyeon begging is giving her second thoughts.


Should I give her more time? But how much more am I going to hurt just so she can come to terms with her feelings? Will I have to suffer forever? I can’t…


She shook her thoughts away and took a deep breath. “I don’t know long I can wait for you. My heart, it hurts so much.” Her voice choked. Tears fell down seamlessly from her face. “I can’t wait for you because waiting for you is like waiting for my wish to a shooting star to come true. It gives me hope and temporary happiness. But it also gives me pain knowing it’ll never come true. It’s useless and pointless. I can’t—no, I don’t want to wait and hope for something I know that’ll never happen. I-I just can’t…”


Taeyeon’s mouth dropped open. The silent tears that have been welling up in her eyes flowed down her cheeks. “What are you trying to say…?” She croaked out.


Jessica frowned at her sadly. “I’m sorry…Taeyeon…I can't wait for you.” She bit her bottom lip to prevent herself from letting out a whimper. She has to be strong. She has to end it now or else she’ll just continue hurting. “I’m sorry…” She whispered again before turning on her heels and leaving Taeyeon by herself.


At the click of the closed door, Taeyeon fell down to her knees, her strength completely deflated out of her. That’s when she finally let out the cries she’s been trying so hard to hold in. She finally let her guard down and allowed herself to drown in sorrow.


------


That night, neither one of them could get a wink. The two laid there in the confines of their individual rooms contemplating about the decisions they had made that night. One regretted letting the other slipped through their grasp, while the other continued to hurt despite her efforts of letting the other go. They twisted and turned in their beds trying to their best to forget about the things that have occurred and all the hurtful things that’s been lashed at them. It was difficult but at least for a moment they did forget.


Finally, after what seemed like forever, the two were finally able to cry themselves to sleep. But before either one of them fell into deep slumber, the two made an unconscious wish to the dark night sky that’s watching over them.


Unknown to them, Gods and Goddesses were watching the scene from the heavens. One of them beckoned an angel.


“Yes, your highness?”


“Grant their wishes.”


The angel smiled. “As you wish.”



------

A/N: How was it? I hope it wasn't that bad  What do you guys think Taengsic wished for? And who do you think the God was? Anyway, I promise happy Taengsic next chapter...err sort of. You can kill me afterwards if it doesn't turn out happy ok? Lol. 

Comments are very much appreciated. Thank you to all who commented and subscribed!

Foreword to my new story right here:

http://www.asianfanfics.com/story/view/202865/secret-lover-drama-jessica-romance-snsd-taesica-taeyeon-taengsic