With only the dim lighting from the sitting room lamp skimming over the two figures standing awkwardly in the hallway, the heavy scene felt crippling. Taking another hitched breath, the blonde kept her eyes down. “What you fail to understand is that he’s given me everything I need.”

“Except the love you deserve.” Her company kept his tone quiet as he examined the female in front of him.

“It’s a small price to pay.” She brushed the comment off before even thinking about it.

The male half of the conversation was getting frustrated with the going back and forth. They must have had similar talks at least fifty times before. “I don’t know who you’re trying to convince, but I’m not buying that you actually mean that.” He took a step towards the woman holding on to her own arms, but she only did the opposite and shuffled away until her back met the wall, showing she wanted to keep a good distance between them.

“What do you want me to say?” For the first time in the twenty minutes they had been stood there, she looked up. “That we should continue like this? That I love you back?” Coughing a bitter laugh, YooRa thrashed her head to the side to make a point. “This apartment, the bills, the furniture, even the clothes I’m wearing right now: he paid for it all. Him and I have been through a lot of together, and of course we rip chunks out of each other from time to time…” A distant smile dared to show itself of swollen lips as YooRa stared down at her arms folded under her chest. “…But I can’t leave him.” Feeling herself tremble only made her wish he’d come back right now and stop being mad at her. “How can you expect me to betray him for you?”

With furrowed brows, the younger man raised his voice. He was angry. Probably the most agitated he’d ever been in his entire life – but for an unknown reason, still not at her. “The one thing that would have made me give him a second though…You never even mentioned it.” Knowing he wasn’t going to get anywhere with the situation tonight, the guest turned around. “Not once in any of our conversations have you ever mentioned loving him. It was always about duty and the feeling of obligation. So before you say anything else, seriously think about whatever kind of lie you’re trying to sell me.” Reaching for the door handle, her company glanced back over his shoulder. “I’m risking everything because I care about you, not because I feel like I owe you.” Holding himself back from saying anymore, the boy opened the barrier he was still holding on to and stepped out into the communal hallway.

YooRa watched the back of the man disappear as the door shut behind him. Running a hand over her face as soon as she knew she was alone, she couldn’t keep it together any longer. Sliding down the wall she’d backed herself up against, the female covered with the back of her wrist. Hanging her head, the woman’s shoulders shook as she choked a sob.

The pulsing of her heartbeat forcing its way around her body matched the rhythm of the living room clock ticking away to itself and a sure feeling of nausea crept up in unison with the realization of the last pieces of her heart threatening to break away.

Yang YooRa, 22
Million Dollar Man – Lana Del Rey
“And there it was again, that voice in my head. Sometimes it told me I stayed because I liked the financial stability despite knowing I could take care of myself. Sometimes it told me it was because the was the best I’d ever had, or that there would be nobody to want me after I left him. And sometimes, like only moments ago, it told me that it was because I loved him and always had.”

Lee ByungHun, 20
It’s Not Over – Daughtry
“You’re crazy if you think this is going to go on any longer. You’ve been brainwashed by spending too much time with him. But don’t worry because you won’t see him again where he’s going. I’ll kill you before I let anyone else have you.”

Bang KyungNae, 19
Bad Dog – Neon Hitch
“Why can’t you see what’s happening? Is this the way you want to live? You’re playing a dangerous game when you could just as well leave him and be happy. What the ’s wrong with you? You’re my best friend but I refuse to watch this anymore. It’s worse than a daytime drama on Freeview.”

Lee ChangSub, 22
Must Be The Ganja - Eminem
“I hate to interrupt this touching moment, but I think the living room is on fire. Oh, what I mean is, I dropped my joint and then it started smouldering. I picked it up but there was flames…”

Lee ChanHee, 20
Sassy – Kat Graham
“What did you expect me to do? No…I left it at home…Stop screaming at me down the phone, it grates on my delicate ear dru---No, I highly doubt he died from being hit with a frying pan. Jesus Christ, don’t say things like that! I’m too pretty to go to prison.”

Choi JongHyun, 18
Show Me – Evans Blue
 “How did you end up tied down like this, to ByungHun of all people? I heard about what you used to be like. Why do you stay? What is it about him that is so special to you? Are you a masochist? Is that all you think you’re worth? , are you brain damaged?”

Kim TaeHyung, 18
Desperate Meassures – Mariana’s Trench
“Why are all of your friends so weird? I suppose birds of a feather flock together---Ouch, don’t punch me – It was a compliment~”

Kim MyungSoo, 22
Heartbeat – Childish Gambino
“No matter how you look at it, it’s all your fault. You ruined this family; You ruined him. I hope you never forget what you’ve done. I hope it haunts you and you can’t go a day without remembering the result of your game.”