Quickly a month and a half passed.  While Dae’s case was still hung up in the courts and Sung-hee wondered where in the world he got such a great lawyer, her father’s final hearing was today.  Either he was going to be convicted of kidnapping, laundering money and evasion of the police or he was going to get off scot free.  She had only attended one hearing as a witness, which had been hectic.  Trying to keep everything hush, hush during Thunder’s comeback was harder than she thought reporters smelled blood and they wouldn’t leave until they found the wound.  Every other hearing she managed to get out of going to.  But this one was important; with Delphine’s support she was finally going to have complete closure. 

Glancing to her left she found Delphine walking towards her with a paper bag in and two cups of coffee in her hands.  Though it was a typical sight Sung-hee laughed heartily and wondered if that was what Delphine intended.  As soon as the younger girl reached her she took the bag out of and Delphine flexed her jaw before thanking her.  “I swear sometimes I wish I could just sprout a third arm or something now that would be wonderful.”

Taking her coffee from Delphine, Sung-hee chuckled and leaned against the wall the image of a three armed Delphine running through her head.  “While that would be useful I think that would probably freak your boyfriend out randomly sprouting arms like that.”

Blushing cherry red Delphine punched Sung-hee’s arm harshly, hiding her pout behind the coffee cup.  “Yah!  M-my boyfriend would like me anyway thank you very much.” 

“Awww how cute, you still aren’t use to calling him your boyfriend.”  Just for added embarrassment Sung-hee pinched Delphine’s cheek.

Swatting the older girl’s hand away Delphine snatched the paper bag back and glared.  “Shut your mouth Park it’s not cute.”  Sung-hee pulled out her phone and started to dial someone.  “Wait who are you calling?” 

“I’m going to ask Seung Ho if he thinks you’re adorable and if he would mind if you had-Hey!”  Delphine had instantly reached for the phone yelling at Sung-hee to not even thinking about it.  Holding the phone out of Delphine’s reach Sung-hee tried to push her away.  “What is this?  Abuse!”

“You call him Park I swear I’ll tell Cheon doong that your bias used to be Lee Joon!”

Sung-hee hesitated for only a moment before laughing loudly, “Girl please he already knows like I’d keep that from him.”

“Bah!  Darn you and your open and secure relationship!”

Laughing gleefully Sung-hee finally managed to dial Seung Ho and put the phone to her ear.  “Hey oppa I’ve got a question for you-”

“Sung-hee Park!”

“Yeah that was Delphine, speaking of do you think that she-” Before Sung-hee could finish Delphine snatched the phone away and shoved Sung-hee against the bench almost spilling the coffee and the bag of bagels. 

“Seung Ho!  Hi,” She paused a little shocked before a slight blush crept on her cheeks, “yeah I miss you too I hope practice is going well.  What Sung-hee?  No she’s just being crazy you know her she’s a crazy girl.  Actually we have to go the trial is going to start soon,”  suddenly Delphine blushed and she turned away from a grinning Sung-hee, “yeah I love you too I’ll call you when it’s over.”

As soon as Delphine turned back she was met with Sung-hee’s grinning expression.  “You too are way too cute I swear I could just squish you both.”

Unable to stay mad any longer Delphine punched her friend’s arm playfully and “Shut it Park and eat the bagels I bought you.”

Still smiling Sung-hee took two bagels out of the bag and handed one to Delphine, “So violent you and Seung Ho both.”

Before Delphine could respond she spotted Hwan walking towards the court room escorted by two police men his head down and a worried look etched on his face.  In a flash Delphine went after him still convinced he hadn’t learned his lesson the first time.  Forgetting the bagel and coffee Sung-hee loops both arms in Delphine’s pulling her back quickly and hissed, “Don’t even think about it.”

Delphine struggled for a moment before glaring darkly as Hwan disappeared into the court room and tried once again to get out of Sung-hee’s hold.  “Why did you do that?  He deserves every bit of what he gets!”

Rolling her eyes Sung-hee let Delphine go and picked up her coffee and bagel tossing them in the trash.  “Because I think I would prefer you didn’t go to jail for assault for one and two no matter how much he deserves it he’s not worth spilled coffee and a dropped bagel.”  Flicking Delphine’s forehead she managed to get a smile out of the younger girl.

“I guess so.”

The pair was signaled that it was alright to come inside and Sung-hee looped arms with Delphine, “Besides just focus on the prize the Men in MBLAQ concert is tomorrow if all goes well it will be the perfect way to celebrate.”  Delphine didn’t respond but grinned and walked in synch with Sung-hee to the courtroom both nervous for what was to come.

~~~~~

Guilty of all charges….sentence…no parole...guilty. It was all Sung-hee could think about the whole night and day, even as she was standing in the front row waiting for the concert to start.  She couldn’t believe that it finally happened and she was free, finally free.  “Yah, Park, get your head out of the clouds!  The concert is starting in ten minutes and you look like some sort of zombie!” 

Blinking in surprise, Sung-hee shoved Delphine playfully and shrugged, “Can you blame me?  Besides, not all of us turn into chatterboxes when we’re excited.”

Delphine eyed Sung-hee suspiciously, “Bs you wouldn’t shut up the whole way here about how amazing it was going to be the whole ride here.  I thought Kaang-ssi was going to duct tape your mouth shut.”

“You were talking just as much as I was, hush your mouth.  Oh and I already know what Seung Ho is doing for his solo.”  Sticking her tongue out Sung-hee turned from Delphine as the other girl tried to grab onto her arm and begged her to tell what the stage would be.  “No way not going to happen that would ruin the y.”

“No it wouldn’t come on!”  Delphine was nearly whining at this point only to have the concert start before Sung-hee could say anything.  Since they were near the front actual conversation for the next two to three hours would not be possible much to Delphine’s disgruntlement.  However, the second that the boys appeared all annoyance disappeared from her face, and like Sung-hee, Delphine screamed with the other A+ as loud as she could. 

Of course the concert went wonderfully Sung-hee and Delphine were certain that they were going to lose their voice but neither cared.  And both, for a split second, when Lee Joon was dancing with the pole melted into fangirl puddles completely forgetting about the true dorky attitude of his. 

Psychically tired but emotionally and mentally wired they made their way backstage with some struggling.  A lot of fans were trying their best to get backstage and get a glimpse of their precious MBLAQ which led to a lot of pushing and shoving and even some name calling.  But, determined to see their boyfriends, the duo pushed through and fixed their clothes before slipping into the boys’ dressing room.  Mir was the first to notice them but both motioned for him to keep quiet and snuck up behind their respective partner and hugged them tightly.

“You guys were amazing!”  Delphine and Sung-hee looked at each other surprised they spoke at the same time and laughed boisterously their laughter infecting Seung Ho and Thunder as well while the two turned and hugged the girls back. 

“I smell a group hug coming on!”  Before anyone could protest Mir’s shout the maknae ran forward and pulled Seung Ho and Thunder together effectively dragging Delphine and Sung-hee with them and hugged both of his hyungs tightly.  “Yah!  G.O hyung, Joonie hyung get your butts over here!”  Knowing the maknae would drag them over Joon and G.O came over and completed the group hug. 

“Yah I can’t breathe you babos!”

“You’re messing up our clothes you know how long it took to pick these out and get ready?”

“Just enjoy the hug you meanies!”

“Shut it maknae! Park!  Escape maneuver, number four!”  Instantly the pair stood on their tip toes and kissed their partner deeply smiling a little as everyone started to back away.

“Okay, don’t need to be a part of that.”

“Get a room.”

“Noona’s you’re so mean.”  Mir threw a Styrofoam cup at Sung-hee as she pulled away from Thunder who pouted a little in response.

Turning towards the maknae she stuck her tongue out, “You’re just jealous and crazy for calling a group hug at all the wrong times.”

He shook his head and took a seat on the couch making sure to take up all the space that he possibly could.  “My group hugs are wonderful but if you’re going to interrupt them with your kissing then G.O hyung is ri-”

Sung-hee stuck her fingers in her ears and closed her eyes, “La la la la la I refuse to believe you’re not innocent la la la la la I can’t hear you!”  The room erupted in laughter and Thunder pulled Sung-hee closer kissing her cheek and pulled her arms down.

“And you say you’re not cute.”

Pouting a little Sung-hee shook her head and poked his chest lightly, “I refuse to believe I’m cute.”

Before Thunder could respond the door opened and Sung-hee paid no mind to it, until a voice reached her ears.  “Who’s not cute?” 

Turning, she found Rena dressed in black shorts with a white tank top and grey over-shirt, cocking her head to the side cutely and giving a sweet smile.  Hellos were exchanged along with bows before Sung-hee explained what had happened.  Rena laughed cheerfully before informing everyone that she had been sent by one of the coordi-noona’s to inform the band that they were about to leave for the after party. 

Sung-hee and Delphine exchanged excited but nervous looks as everyone followed Rena down to where the vans were.  While they both enjoyed a good party neither of them felt they dressed properly and the idea of being around other famous people that they didn’t know unnerved them.  But as the group chatted lightly in the van, neither spoke of their fears and remained content with adding lightly to the conversation here and there. 

The hall that had been reserved was tasteful.  Though the music was loud regular conversation was still possible, food lined the left wall and a bar was on the right.  In the middle there was a dance floor where plenty of people were already dancing though most hovered outside talking and drinking.  Mir and Lee Joon headed straight for the food with G.O lagging behind.  Seung Ho, Thunder, Sung-hee and Delphine took a seat at a nearby table with Kaang. 

Forgetting their nervousness Delphine and Sung-hee proceeded to gush over the concert excitedly waving their arms and laughing loudly.  Thunder of course mimicked Sung-hee until the conversation on their end stopped and turned into a copying battle and finally a poke war.  Just when Sung-hee thought she would win Thunder wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close lightly brushing her lips with his.  “Not fair.”

He chuckled and opened his mouth to respond but before he could speak Rena sat down next to him and leaned on the table so she could look at both of them clearly.  “You guys wanna go dance?  Everyone else is out on the floor.”

Raising a brow Sung-hee looked around the room to find Mir still at the table and Lee Joon talking with who Sung-hee thought was Doojoon but she wasn’t sure the only one on the dance floor she took interest in was G.O and he looked perfectly content with his partner.  “Maybe in a little bit I want my boy,” she emphasized my while wrapping her arm around Thunder’s waist, “to rest a bit and talk.”  She rested her head on Thunder’s shoulder not missing the disgruntled turn of Rena’s lips. 

“Maybe later Rena.”  Glancing over at Delphine the pair rolled their eyes together before Sung-hee turned her attention back to Thunder and kissed his cheek.  I love you but really you are just too nice for your own good.  With a little pout Rena stayed a bit longer for light conversation before getting dragged away by another party goer.

The instant that she left Sung-hee turned to Thunder and pouted, “How come she’s here anyway?”

He shrugged, “She’s close to debut she was at Cube for a while but transferred over that and she pouted and whined until she got approval to come.”  Searching her face for a moment he grinned and kissed her cheek, “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”

Flushing from embarrassment Sung-hee stuck out her tongue and looked away, “I am not jealous hush.” 

Once again he grinned and leaned down to her ear, “You are but don’t worry baby you know I’ll never look at anyone else.”  He lightly kissed her just behind her ear making her shiver lightly and shift closer to him trying her best to keep the pout on her face.  “Come on don’t be like that.”  Giving her his best puppy dog eyes a smile finally broke on her face.

“Fine but I’m still going to be jealous.”

Instantly the smirk returned to his lips, “Oh so you admit it?”

Flushing once again she narrowed her eyes at him and nudged him with her hip.  “Hush.” 

Unfortunately for Sung-hee he didn’t ‘hush’ but relentlessly resulting in many more poke wars all of which were continuously interrupted by none other than Rena.  Each time she was dragged away by a friend or left disgruntled no one was really paying attention to her.  After the third time that she came by Delphine broke out of her conversation with Seung Ho and demanded permission to lock Rena in a closet on the grounds she was annoying.  Seung Ho then spent nearly five minutes convincing her that it was a bad idea. 

Just as Sung-hee was relaxing again she spotted Rena out of the corner of her eye and nearly wanted to throw the water an attendant had gotten for her at the girl.  Rena just looked pleased that she was annoying Sung-hee so much.  It hadn’t taken her long to figure out that Rena was trying to present a challenge for her in her relationship but Sung-hee had yet to figure out how exactly she was going to react. 

When Rena was about to the table Thunder stood and grabbed Sung-hee’s hand, “Shall we?”  When she raised a brow he smiled and glanced over at Rena for half a second, “Come on I want to dance with my girlfriend at least once.”  Smiling Sung-hee nodded and allowed Thunder to lead her to the dance floor but as they passed Rena she looked back and smirked smugly. 

Challenge accepted.