She stared at the painting before her in awe. After hours of work, she finally produced something that seemed so pure and elegant. She couldn't help but admire her work for a few more moments before turning to cart of art materials, placing down the paint-stained brush in a glass of water.

 

"It's finally finished..." Kwon Yuri whispered under her breath before continuing to admire her work, still keeping that proud smile...she couldn't help to. After all, ever since she's laid her eye on the first painting she saw during the art exhibit her grandfather took her to as a kid, she's always wanted to grow up to be an internationally-known artist. 

 

And right now, she's in the brink of reaching her dreams, being one of the top 5 students in the college of Fine Arts with a full scholarship. She's worked hard all her life, always wanting to expand her creativity and defining everything in life to be something more. Learning how to pile up all her emotions and release it onto a canvas. Almost reaching a level where she can call herself a high-class artist. And she won't sacrifice anything that'll destroy all the hard work she's done.

 

An echoing alarm went off in her studio, signaling that it was time for class. 

 

Yuri looked back at the source of the sound, which was her timer. She frowned slightly before untying the apron and placing it on her cart. Grabbing her sling bag, she ran out of her studio and headed for class.

 

~~~

 

As her professor explained their lesson for today, Yuri was taking down all she could with the usual red notebook she had and a mickey mouse pen. 

 

Yet the discussion interrupted by a noise outside along with a slam of the opening slide door. Yuri looked up from her notebook and saw a strawberry-blonde-haired person who looked quite flustered and breathless. "S-Sorry. I overslept for class." She explained under her breath as she was still panting. Yuri couldn't help but stare as the blonde figure walked across the room, handing the tardy slip.

 

"She must be a transfer student..." Yuri thought as she still stared at her, spellbounded.

 

"That's alright, Ms. Jung...it is just your first day." The professor smiled warmly at her. "Just don't let it happen again." The person, in return, just smiled back at him and nodded. "You may pick your seat now." 

 

She turned around, glancing across the room, choosing which seat was comfortable to her. After about a minute, she adjusted the strap on her bag and went up the little stairs on the side of the room, aiming for the 3rd row...next to Kwon Yuri. 

 

Yuri swore that she felt her heart beat faster and her palms begin to become sweaty as she saw her drop her bag right next to her and took her seat. She nonchalantly turned back to the front, trying to keep focused on the lesson yet she couldn't even hear anything, her heartbeat was louder than anything else. It even worsened as the girl beside her flipped her hair, letting her get a whiff of strawberry-scented hair. 

 

Yuri bit her lip. She was suddenly having a mental battle with herself. One that was shouting at her, telling herself to go back to focusing on the lesson yet the other one was  simply entranced by the person beside her, who was flipping at the pages of her notebook, and constantly analyzing every moment and expression the blonde gave. 

 

"Oh shoot..." She heard her whisper, reaching out for the bag beside her, digging in it, looking for something she needed at the moment. Yuri couldn't help but completely halt the battle in her mind and listen to the girl beside her. 

 

Once she put down the bag, she looked around for a moment before her eyes landed on Yuri. She opened to speak to the dark-haired girl for the first time, whispering, "Excuse me, do you have an extra pen?" 

 

Yuri was startled, turning to her with a slight flinch. "U-Uhm..." She tried to arrange the thoughts in her mind as she got over the voice she marveled at for a second. "H-Here, I have another pen. You can use this for today." She managed to mumble, giving the mickey mouse pen in her hand. 

 

"Oh, thanks." She whispered back with an appreciative smile. Yuri grabbed the pen in her pocket and tried to focus back on the lesson yet her mind still didn't quite as one eye was looking at her use the pen she owned. 

 

The blonde stopped writing for a second, noticing the mickey mouse design and the name 'Kwon Yuri' written on one side. She couldn't help but smile a bit at the cute childish trait the girl beside her possessed. 

 

Beside her, Yuri noticed the little smile as she looked at the pencil she held in her hand. She cringed in embarrassment, turning her head to the other side while her face turned red.

 

~~~

 

Yuri got out of the case room as fast as she could. She didn't know how to handle her loudly beating heart any longer. 

 

"Wait! Excuse me!" The familiar voice to Yuri made her heart skip a bit. She clenched her fists and turned to the source of the shouting, trying to calm down her heart again. 

 

She found the owner of the voice standing about 6 inches away from her, holding up the pen she borrowed. "I believe this belongs to you, Kwon Yuri?" She smiled. Yuri blushed as she nodded and grabbed the pen before sliding it in her pocket. "Thank you for lending me it." She bowed. "I'm Jessica, by the way. Jessica Jung." She introduced herself with a friendly smile, holding out her hand.

 

"Nice to meet you, Jessica. I'm sure you know my name but I...I'm Kwon Yuri." Yuri replied with a bashful smile, shaking Jessica's hand. 

 

Jessica couldn't help but giggle at the sheepish girl before her. "Oh I forgot, you can just call me Sica." She said while retracting her hand from Yuri.

 

"O-Okay...Sica." The nickname made Yuri smile, feeling a bit more comfortable and her heart slowed down to a more affectionate beat.

 

"Well, I have to go now. It's lunchtime and even though I have no one to be with, I still need to eat. So I'll see you around." Jessica explained, giving a wave and one last smile before turning her back on Yuri. 

 

Another mental battle went on in Yuri's head. And fortunately, the better side won. "W-Wait." She called out. "Wanna have lunch with me?" The tanned-skin girl uttered right before Jessica could start walking even if she knew that if she was rejected, it'll lower her self-esteem significantly.

 

Luckily, Sica gave a warm smile as she turned back to Yuri, nodding firmly to her offer. 

 

~~~

 

Yuri came home to her dimly-lit apartment after another outing with Jessica. She couldn't stop keeping the smile on her face as she reminisced her day. She made her feel so...different. Something that made her realize that she wasn't really complete. Like Sica was the missing side to her life. Ever since they met about 3 months ago, she's felt so many new different feelings...all was because of Jessica. 

 

Yuri kicked off her shoes and made her way to the kitchen, getting herself a glass of water before making her way to her studio. She stepped inside, opening the lights and walked towards the biggest window her apartment owned and looked over the city of Seoul with a smile. As she sipped her cold water, all in her mind was Jessica Jung.

 

Once she finished all the contents in the cup she held, she turned around and walked back to the door yet something in the middle of the room caught her eye. Yuri stopped walking and turned to the easel in the middle of the room. She walked towards it and touched the dried paint on the canvas. "...I haven't seen you in a while." She whispered to herself, smiling. It really has been a long time since she stepped in this studio, in fact, she hasn't painted ever since Sica entered her life.

 

She was so busy with Sica that she forgot all about her dream. She was too busy picturing a different one. One with Sica in her life and never leaving again. And Yuri didn't mind at all. All she cared about right now was her. 

 

As Yuri looked at the vivid colors that she once placed on the canvas about 3 months ago...and idea hatched in her head. 

 

She glanced at the clock, seeing that it was still early in the night so she got another blank canvas and started to paint. Inspiration hit her head with just one thought.

 

Hours flew by and she was still in her studio, not putting her brush down. Her palette was filled with bright colors; orange, yellow, pink, white, and a few more that represented the feelings that Jessica made Yuri feel. With every , Yuri never dropped her smile and the feelings she felt in her heart. It was the first time Yuri painted with this sensation that was bursting in her heart...and she loved every second of it.

 

And finally, as the clock struck 2am, she stepped back from the easel and dropped her brush in a glass of water. 

 

She stared at the painting with a small smile...as seconds passed, Yuri gained a wide grin. She stepped forward and gently the sides of the canvas as she looked at her work more closely. 

 

Yuri finally realized that was this explosive feeling that was growing in her heart. 

 

She was in love.

 

~~~

 

After a day of school, both Yuri and Jessica stepped into the apartment Yuri owned. She invited Jessica for a drink...or more like, she wanted Jessica to spend more time with her. "Make yourself feel at home, I'll go get our drinks." Yuri smiled and walked to her kitchen.

 

As Jessica sat on the couch in her living room, she couldn't help but notice how simple her apartment was yet it gave a feeling of bright creativity. There wasn't any paintings on her walls but it looked like the furniture and decorations--even the things that seemed spontaneously placed on the tables--seemed like they were artistically placed to fit with everything else. Like a picture perfect apartment. 

 

She stood up and looked around, she couldn't help to. Everything just seemed so elegant.

 

And while she was walking around, she found a door that had the same color as the walls. It exactly hidden but no one would've seen it at a first glance. Maybe they wouldn't even see it at the second glance but this time, the door was slightly open. Jessica looked through the small opening, finding a dimly lit room and in the middle was an easel. Curiosity got the best of her as she pushed the door open, gaining entry and she eagerly walked to the easel.

 

She was in denial by what she saw from a meter away. She walked towards it until she was only an inch away from colliding with it and only then did she feel her mind going crazy and her heart beating so warmly. She stared at the painting in fascination...yet her face couldn't help but turn red and warm. 

 

"...you like it?" Yuri asked as she just took a few steps towards her. 

 

"Y-Yuri...this is--"

 

"You." Yuri smiled.

 

Jessica glanced at Yuri smiling and went back to staring at the painting of herself, smiling with the clothes she wore the day they met and a mickey mouse pen in her hand. 

 

Yuri chuckled at the cute reaction Jessica was giving and walked towards her...she was saying everything tonight, not matter what will happen...she didn't want to regret anything.

 

She pulled herself back to reality when she felt Yuri's presence behind her, both of them admiring the painting. "You inspire me, Sica. You've given me a new inspiration. Something that's just so amazing and wonderful. Not the kind of inspiration from something that I can just paint looking at a window. Something else...something that only you can give me." Jessica's heart beated faster with every sentence Yuri stated...and it was only the start. "...you know what that is?" 

 

She shook her head lightly, staring at the painting of herself one more time before turning to Yuri. "What is it?" Sica asked as her heart yearned for an answer that'll not let itself down. 

 

Yuri smiled slightly and gently wrapped her arms around her, pulling her closer until their faces were so close. She stared deeply in Jessica's eyes...Yuri took a deep breath before whispering, "...love." She admitted. "I love you, Sica." Yuri held her breath as she finally whispered those words to the one she wanted to tell to the most. She expected the worst outcome...she didn't want to have her heart broken to pieces. 

 

Jessica stared at Yuri with the biggest smile she can possibly have. She felt like her heart was jumping around in her body. Warmth and happiness spread over her like wildfire. And finally, she opened to whisper back, "I love you too, Yuri." Yuri's eyes grew wide open, making Sica giggle. 

 

"R-Really?" 

 

"Yes!" Sica answered back immediately with a giggle.

 

"I-I..." Yuri was in complete shock and denial. She expected so little from Sica's response that she just didn't know what to do. Here she is, standing with Jessica in her arms that was completely reciprocating the same feelings she had yet not knowing what to do. "What happens now?" Yuri asked, dumbfounded.

 

Jessica couldn't hold back anymore as she had a fit of giggles and wrapped her arms around Yuri's neck, hugging her tightly. 

 

After a few minutes, she finally calmed down and Yuri got her mind together. They held each other as if they never wanted to let go. 

 

Yuri pulled away and sighed happily, moving her arms up and caressing Sica's face. "...I really do love you." She whispered with another smile.

 

"I really do love you too." Jessica smiled back. Yuri's smile grew bigger and leaned, capturing her lips gently and pulled her closer as they shared their first kiss as a couple.

 

~~~

 

It's been over a year ever since Yuri and Jessica got together. A year ever since Jessica became Yuri's inspiration. And a year ever since the two completed each other's lives.

 

But Yuri woke up in cold sweat one night, sitting up immediately from her bed in panic, panting. A nightmare formed in her dreams that made her feel guilty to her very core. 

 

It was a dream of her 7-year-old self, painting for the first time and suddenly, it turned into a horrible future wherein her dreams were never fulfilled and she let down everybody that sacrificed so many, expecting her to reach far. 

 

Jessica beside her woke up, startled by Yuri's sudden movement. "Are you okay, Yuri-ah?" She asked, still half-asleep as she caressed Yuri's arm, trying to comfort her. 

 

The frightened girl turned to the strawberry-scented person beside her, feeling calm already as soon as she heard Sica's voice. "Y-Yeah...sorry for waking you up." She mumbled, her heart rate turning back to normal. "Go back to sleep, I'm okay already." And pecked Sica's lips with the end of her sentence.

 

"Are you sure?"

 

"Yeah...I'll just go to the studio for a bit." 

 

"Okay..." Sica yawned and went back to slip while Yuri got on her slippers and walked to her studio. 

 

As soon as she walked in the room, she reached for the switches and turned them all on, leaving her studio well-lit. Yuri walked around the studio that was filled with countless art materials, having a room just filled of canvases waiting to be used, brushes dipped in water and any kind of paint ready to be used. 

 

She walked to the center where an easel held an empty canvas. Yuri stared at it with a frown. 

 

She turned to the cart behind her, that was filled with brushes that she once held everyday, but now only held once a week. 

 

Yuri stared at the whole room until her mind was too much of a mess and chose to stare into the view of Seoul outside her window instead. "What happened to me..." She whispered to herself. "I have Sica as my inspiration...how come I haven't been painting even more..." She talked to herself in disappointment. 

 

But as she pictured the 7-year-old version of herself, painting happily...countless houses, trees, and suns. She just couldn't give up.

 

Yuri picked up a brush and started painting the night away.

 

~~~

 

"Oh, Yuri, can I speak to you for a moment?" Her professor called before she and Jessica could exit the room. 

 

She turned back and nodded, she then looked at Sica, saying, "I'll be right back." 

 

"Alright." Sica smiled and let go of Yuri's hand, choosing to wait outside.

 

"What is it, professor?" Yuri asked, walking towards him.

 

"A colleague of mine asked me to choose a student of mine to have their first showcase of paintings in 2 months. I couldn't think of anyone better than Kwon Yuri." He smiled warmly. "Interested?"

 

Yuri couldn't stop the biggest smile from forming on her face and bowed, saying countless words of appreciation. "I won't let you down!" She confirmed with a last bow and waved goodbye to the professor, exiting the room.

 

"What was that about?" Sica asked right after Yuri walked back towards her. 

 

"He asked me if I was interested in showcasing my paintings. Me, Sica!" She announced proudly. 

 

"That's great, Yuri! I'm so happy for you!" Sica smiled, pulling her in for a hug. 

 

"Yeah, I know.." Yuri smiled happily and hugged Sica back tightly. "Oh, I think I'd better get started on those paintings. Can we cancel our plans for today?"

 

"O-Oh, of course. Go ahead, Yuri." At that moment, Sica realized how hard this relationship is gonna be now since Yuri's talents are being noticed. Especially with that showcase, she's going to be definitely busier after that. She was definitely happy for her but she also didn't know what was going to happen to their relationship now.

 

"Thanks. Let's just go out this weekend, okay? I love you." Yuri smiled and leaned, kissing her lightly.

 

"Okay...I love you too." Sica smiled back after returning the kiss. 

 

~~~

 

  Things really did get worse for them. Yuri's 2 months of preparation for the showcase left Sica no choice but to be just happy for her, even if it meant that they would only meet once or twice in two weeks with barely any texts or calls in between them. She terribly missed Yuri. But of course, she didn't want to be that part of her life as the person who weighs her down. 

 

  And after the showcase, Sica's worst fear was realized as Yuri got more art deals, showcases and even a deal of her owning her own gallery. She felt like Yuri already forgot about her...they barely went out any more and Yuri never left any more texts and calls to the point where Sica doesn't even expect anything from her phone anymore. 

 

The only time that Sica treasures now is during school. And with classes, it wasn't always spending time with her. Most of the time was about Yuri updating Sica about everything that's been happening with her, describing her new paintings and all the comments she's been receiving.

 

  She felt like Yuri took her words back. She wasn't her inspiration anymore.

 

~~~

 

  As Sica was heading home alone, since Yuri chose to only have morning classes and go to attend a meeting she had with an art dealer, she was passing by a coffee shop that was always present with her walks home and as she was casually glancing inside, she saw something that made her stop in her tracks and send waves of heartache to her heart.

 

Inside the shop was Yuri alone with a charming lady, holding Yuri's right hand and the back of it lightly with her thumb. What hurt Sica most was that Yuri didn't do anything to stop it. 

 

"She really did forget about me..." She whispered to herself with a voice that almost failed to come out and her lip already quivering.

 

Jessica couldn't stand there anymore as her knees felt weak so she quickly walked past the place and hid at the nearest alley, releasing all the tears that's piled up inside her. 

 

Yet inside the shop, Yuri was glancing at the store window when she saw the familiar hair color of her girlfriend at the far left side of it, making her stand up immediately and tried to get a better look of the place outside yet the figure was already gone. "Excuse me." She said to the art dealer and went out the door, looking left and right sides 

 

carefully, yet found nothing to what she expected.

 

At that moment, she realized how much she's missed Jessica. She knew how much she's missed her through these months but she still drove herself for her career. She couldn't help it; she owed it to herself. But she also owes it to herself to spend some time with the person she loves the most. 

 

~~~

 

The moment Yuri got home, she immediately walked towards her phone and dialed Sica's number. 

 

She was surprise with the voice that answered. It was a wavering voice that was choking on their tears. "He-Hello?" The voice mumbled.

 

"Sica?" Yuri asked in disbelief.

 

"..." Sica didn't know what to answer. She knew that voice. Her heart was aching because of that voice. 

 

"Are you in your apartment?" 

 

"I..." 

 

"I'm coming over." Yuri hung up the phone and ran towards Sica's apartment as fast as she could. 

 

~~~

 

She stopped right in front of Jessica's door, panting yet she didn't care. All she was thinking about was Sica crying and that she needed her right now. Just the thought of tears sliding down the person she loved broke her heart and she is gonna do everything she can to stop them from falling. 

 

She knocked and tried to fix herself a bit before a crying Jessica answered the door. Her eyes was already red from crying too much and she was breathing through her mouth as a runny nose blocked her breathing. Even though Yuri was the 'cause of Jessica's pain, she was the only who could stop it so she couldn't help herself...once she 

 

saw Yuri, she immediately hugged her, crying on her shoulder. "Yuri...Yuri, Yuri..." She cried. 

 

"Ssh...it's okay...I'm here now." Yuri whispered and hugged her tight, bringing both of them in and closed the door. She led the crying girl on the couch where she continued to comfort her. "What happened...? C'mon, you can tell me, right?" She mumbled, kissing the top of Sica's head tenderly.

 

"...tell me..." Sica uttered with a quivering voice. "...who was that girl in the coffee shop?" Yuri couldn't believe her own ears. 

 

"W-What? Sica--"

 

"Tell me." She demanded.

 

"That was only one of my art dealers."

 

"She was holding your hand, Yuri..." Sica pulled away, refusing to look directly at Yuri as she mumbled the words that stinged in both of their hearts. "...if you want to break up with me, then just break up with me. It's been 5 months of you neglecting me, I can take a hint." She couldn't hold in her strong form and cried even more as she whispered the last sentence. "Just please don't play with my heart anymore, Yuri...please. It hurts so bad, I can't take it anymore. Just end things with me..." She begged. 

 

Yuri creased her forehead and frowned, looking at Sica with such heartache and stood up, pulling her in for a hug. "Listen to me...her holding of my hand doesn't mean anything." She whispered in her ear. "I...will never ever play with your heart. I don't want to break up with you ever...'cause I'm in love with you." At that moment, she felt like crying herself. "I'm so sorry...I just...I got so overwhelmed by the sudden course of my career, I just...I'm so sorry." She cried, hugging her tightly as Sica cried as well. 

 

"I'll make it up to you.." Yuri continued, trying to pull herself together. "Let's have a date tomorrow, okay? Let's meet up at the usual spot..." Sica nodded, still crying in Yuri's arms. "I'll...leave you alone to your thoughts." Yuri pulled away with no objection from Sica and they just looked at each other right before Yuri walked out of Sica's apartment.

 

~~~

 

Sica leaned against the pole in their usual spot of meet up. She had high hopes of this day. This is going to be their first date in weeks and Sica's heart will finally feel relief after all the heartache that's been lingering in their relationship. 

 

Sica stood there, looking left and right in her best outfit, waiting for Yuri that still wasn't here at the time she said to meet up. 

 

She pouted and got out her cellphone.

 

Yuri was still in her apartment, in her apron, in front of a canvas, she was painting the last piece of her next showcase that was halfway done. Her cellphone was placed on the living room table, on silent. And after Sica sent the message, it vibrated on the table, moving away from it's original location for a few centimeters, unnoticed.

 

Every after 20 minutes, the phone would move a few centimeters away as Sica called and sent countless messages. 

 

After the 6th message, Sica sighed and stared at her cellphone. "Yuri..." She whispered particularly to no one. She didn't know how to feel anymore...or at least she didn't want to know. She didn't want the heartache to wash over her as she decided to just go home. 

 

As Sica turned left on the sidewalk and walked to go back to her home, a loud honk rung in Sica's ears that seemed to be getting so near to her so fast.

 

~~~

 

"Ah! Finally finished!" Yuri exclaimed with a big grin as she left her studio. While she sat on her couch, getting a rest, she reached out and checked her phone, finding the messages and missed calls listed on the device she held in her hand. 

 

Once she realized the huge mistake she's made, she grabbed her coat, not caring what she was wearing underneath and ran to Sica. 

 

~~~

 

Yuri stopped about 6 meters away from their meeting place. She found something very peculiar. A lot of people were gathered near the spot of their meeting place.

 

Even the police.

 

And ambulances.

 

"Sica." Yuri whispered under her breath and ran towards the scene. 

 

She pushed through the crowd, shouting, "Let me through!!" 

 

She stared at everything in disbelief. 

 

A messed-up flipped car. Blood splattered on the floor. 

 

"Wha..." Yuri was lost. She didn't know what was going on.

 

"Yes, sir. I'm here to report." Yuri's ears perked up to the sound of a policeman reporting the event. "About 20 minutes ago, the brake of a car malfunctioned, sending the car into the sidewalk. ...yes, sir. 4 injured and 1 death." Yuri eyes dilated and her skin turned pale...the whole world stopped spinning around her and her heart simply stopped beating after their chief asked for the name of the diseased and clearly answered with : "The person has been identified as Jessica Jung."