Park Jiyeon was never a naïve girl, and she knew her boyfriend’s habits. The late night rendezvous, the constant text messages, and phone calls. How he suddenly started missing out on her performances for important ‘meetings’. Oh please, you can’t fool Jiyeon. She might be the Maknae, and she might be young, but she knows how to decipher the lies, from the truth.

She knew those were pathetic excuses, and she knew he was cheating on her. But she refused to let him go. They were known to be the sweetest teen couple. And she had even said that he was her ideal type AND her first kiss. She remembered when he asked her out at the end of one of her performances. She recalled it like it was just yesterday.

She remembered of the sweet nothings he would whisper in her ear on their dates. She remembered how he would always put her first. But now, what was she worth? Where did the love go?

And as she reminisced about the sweet memories, a crystal-clear tear rolled down the beautiful girl’s face. 

{ flashback. }

“Jiyeon-ah, there’s someone outside who wishes to see you.” Her manager had called out over the chaos backstage to the girl. Jiyeon was in the process of removing her make-up, when she heard his voice.

“Ohhh~ maknae!” The T-ara members teased. Jiyeon giggled and brushed them off. “Did they say who they were?” She asked him. Her manager shook his head. “Aniyo, but they are very young. Around your age I think.” He replied. Jiyeon smiled and shook her head. She made her way out the hallway. ‘Who could it possibly be?’ She thought to herself. ‘Someone around my ageis what Manager Oppa said.’

She looked around the lobby, but didn’t see anyone. Her face contorted into an irritated pout. “Jiyeon-ah.” She heard. She jumped and turned around abruptly. She gasped, and her eyes widened at who was in front of her. “S-Seungho-ssi.” She stuttered. Yes, in front of her, and in all his prince charming glory was Yoo Seungho. He shot her a breathtaking smile.

The exact same smile he used in their “Lies” MV. She smiled at him. “What are you doing here?” She asks. He comes closer to her, until they’re only inches apart. He raised an eyebrow in a very amused manner and turned away as he laughed in a breathy way.  

She bit her lip. “So?” She asked. He turned back to her and bit his lip as well. “Mwo? Can’t a friend come and cheer another friend on?” He asks. She choked up. “I-I –

But she was cut off. “Chukahae.” He smiled. “On your win, I mean.” He adds. She bowed. “Kamsahamnida, Seungho-ssi.” She smiled. “Don’t call me that.” He says. Her eyes widened. “Mworago?” She takes a step back. He chuckles. “Call me ‘Oppa’.” He says. Jiyeon’s face heated up, and she swore her face must’ve looked like a tomato.

He chuckled a little more as he saw the look on her face. “Gwenchanaeyo?” He asked her softly. She nodded her head furiously. “N-neh, gwenchana.” She responded. He takes her hand. She looks up all of a sudden. The word ‘Shock’ literally painting itself on her face.

“How about we go get coffee in a while?” He asks. Jiyeon’s jaw drops. “A-ah, mollaeyo. I mean – I don’t know if I have a schedule. And you? Aren’t you busy?” She stutters. He nods his head. “Aniyo, that’s why I came to see you.” He says. Jiyeon nods. “I’ll be right back. I have to go change and ask my manager and –

She rambled on. He cut her off with a chuckle. “Arasso, I’ll wait right here.” He says and sits on the bench. She blushed and took a look back at him as she made her way back to the backstage rooms. And on her way, she couldn’t help but think; ‘Why is he really here?’ She pondered as she opened the door, and was instantly bombarded with questions.

“Sooo~ are you going to tell us who it was?” Soyeon asked. “Neh, neh! Tell us!” Hyomin pulled on her arm. “You’ve got to tell us.” Eunjung shook the Maknae’s shoulder. Jiyeon blushed and looked down. “Oh, oh! Look, she’s blushing!” Qri pointed out.

“Who was it!?” Boram asked. Jiyeon mumbled something incoherently. “Who!?” They all shouted. “Seungho.” She said a little bolder. “What did he want?” Hwa Young asked. Jiyeon blushed even more. “H-he wanted to know if I wanted to go get some coffee with him.” She said.

“M-mworago?” Soyeon pouts. “You’re going to miss out on our winning celebration?!” She exclaimed and pulled on Jiyeon’s hand.”Yah! Soyeon-ah, let her go!” Eunjung said and smacked Soyeon’s hand away.

“Now, go get changed! You don’t want to keep someone like HIM waiting!” Qri said and ushered Jiyeon towards the dressing rooms. “Ahhh~ I’m so excited!” Hyomin exclaimed. “And why are you excited?” Qri shouts. “Because, HELLO, this is our Maknae’s first date!” Hyomin cried out.

The rest of the girls giggled and Jiyeon finally came out. She looked breathtaking. “Go~go~go!” They all chanted. “Maknae Jiyeon, HWAITING!” They sang and pushed her out the door. Jiyeon blushed the whole way to the lobby. She was sort of nervous. ‘What is he left because I took too long!?’ She fiddled with her fingers.

She neared the lobby, and she saw him sitting down, head leaned back with his eyes closed. She almost squealed at the scene. He heard her heels, and shot up. “Oh, Jiyeon-ah, ready to go?” He asked and straightened up and she walked towards him. She nodded.

He led her out the door. “Which café are we going to?” She asked. He took her hand and smiled at her. She blushed, and he mused. “To the new one by SeoulPlaza.” He said. Jiyeon nodded. “Oh, I’ve been wanting to go since it opened, but I haven’t had the time.” She said. He smirked.

“Well then, I guess the first time you go, you’ll be going with me.” He said. She was practically putty in his hands. He saw that they were nearing the café and he tightened his hold on her hand. And he could’ve sworn she squeezed back.

They crossed the street, and people started recognizing them. He put his hood up, and hugged her close. Her eyes widened at his bold action. She looked up at him and he smiled down at her. “People were starting to point.” He said. She sighed in a very lovesick way and nodded. He opened the door to café, and led her in. They stepped up to the counter, and they both ordered.

“Let’s go take a seat.” She smiled. He followed her, and they took a booth with the city view. She looked around. “This place is nice. It’s warm and everything looks so cute.” She marveled. He chuckled at her childish excitement. “So um … Seungho-ss – I mean, Oppa, what is your real meaning of bringing me here?” She asked and she placed her chin on her palm. He always knew Jiyeon was smart when it was to these types of things.

“I – I actually wanted –

He was cut off by the waiter who had set down their coffees and bread and left. Jiyeon’s eyes glittered as the pastries and coffee that were placed on the table. She immediately went for the cake and dug in. He looked at her with an amused expression. “Is it good?” He asked. Jiyeon looked up at him with doe eyes and nodded like a little kid. He laughed and Jiyeon pouted. “Mwo? Is there something on my face?” She asked. He shook his head, and was about to say something, until Jiyeon’s phone rang.

♫ i don’t wanna be without you girl majikmak isaneun jeobeodugil barae oneul – 

She took it out of her peacoat pocket, and looked at the Caller ID. “Mian.” She mouthed, and picked up the phone. It was Soyeon. “Yah, Park Jiyeon, how’s it going?” She heard her Unnie ask. Jiyeon looked at Seungho and caught him looking at her. She turned away quickly and hissed into the phone. “Well, it was going pretty well, until YOU interrupted!” She heard snickers in the back. Jiyeon’s eyes widened.

“Am I on speakerphone?” She asked. Eunjung’s laughter was heard. “Neh.” Jiyeon glared at hung up. She turned back to Seungho and smiled. “What were you going to say?” She asked. Seungho smiled. “Jiyeon-ah,” He breaths. Her eyes flutter at his tone. “Look, I know we’ve only known each other for a small period of time, and that we only hang out every so often, but …” He trailed off. Jiyeon’s chest was about to burst. ‘Where is he going with this?’ She thought.

“Jiyeon-ah, I wanted to know … if you – if you would go out with me?” He asked shyly. Jiyeon’s breath caught, and her heart skipped a beat. “S-Seungho-ah … I – I –

He looked at her, and she couldn’t find the right words. He took her hand, “A simple ‘Yes’ would do.” He chuckled. Jiyeon nodded furiously.

“Yes!” She exclaimed, and Seungho couldn’t have been happier. “Ah, chincha!?”He grabbed her hand. He forgot of the table that separated them, and stole a kiss from her. When they broke apart, Jiyeon was left breathless—mouth parted, lips swollen, and an uneven breath. Seungho on the other hand bit his lip and caressed her cheek.

{  flashback end. }

Jiyeon choked on a sob as she stared at a picture of her and Seungho on their first ‘Official’ date. She gripped the phone in her hand and bit her lip to stifle the sobs threatening to rip out her chest.

{ knock! knock ! }

Jiyeon stumbled around for tissues and wiped her face. The door opened. It was Eunjung. “Yah! Park Jiyeon, we’re supposed to be practicing! Ppali!” Eunjung came over and dragged her off the sofa. Jiyeon sniffled and nodded. Eunjung stared at her dongsaeng for a while.

There was something wrong with the maknae, and Eunjung couldn’t help but think of his name; Seungho. Eunjung saw the way Jiyeon’s usual bright and optimistic spark fade away. Jiyeon cleared . “I’ll be right there, Unnie. Don’t worry about me.” Jiyeon muttered. Eunjung sighed and walked away.

‘Something’s wrong with Jiyeon-ah, and I can’t help but think it’s all because of him.’ Eunjung frowned and shook her head. ‘She doesn’t deserve it, any of it—whatever he’s doing to make her like this.’ Eunjung adds before opening the door to the practice room, where all of the members are dancing and singing to Ya Ya Ya.

As soon as Eunjung closed the door behind her, Jiyeon sank to the floor, sobs wracking her lithe body. “W-wae?” She asked herself. “Wae?”

Jiyeon hugged herself and tried to stifle her heart-wrenching sobs as best as she could. You never knew who would walk by in these hallways.