"W-what?!" Tiffany bursted out at the top of her lungs. Taeyeon quickly covered Tiffany's mouth with her hand. To retaliate, Tiffany gave Taeyeon's hand a slimy . 

"EW-YAH!!!!" 

"That's what you get~"

"Ugh, could you hear me out?"

"No! How are you in love with Leeteuk oppa?! What happened?"

"Love works in weird ways..."

"No, Taeng... this can't be love."

"And why not?"

"Because... I can tell. You couldn't have fallen in love so quickly, even after you've known Leeteuk oppa for years. Something's wrong..."

"No-I'm in love. Fany, trust me."

"What makes you think that you're in love?"

"..."

"What makes him different from all the other guys you've known?"

"..."

"Have you ever been in love before, Taeyeon?! Trust me when I say this, I HAVE. And I know... you aren't in love. You don't have that joyful look in your eyes. It's more of a look of... sadness? Lost touch with reality? I don't know... but it's not love."

"Fany..."

"Did he ask you to be his girlfriend? Did he say 'I love you' to you?"

"No, but..."

"Good. Don't tell him. And get ready for bed. We have rehearsals tomorrow." My goodness Taeyeon... you don't even know what you're doing to Kyusun...

Flashback to earlier that night

"Sungmin oppa, what did you want to discuss?" Tiffany stepped into the bathroom and locked the door, cupping her phone so her loud voice wouldn't echo in the dorm.

"It's about Taeyeon and Kyusun..."

"So you know too?"

"That Kyusun likes Taeyeon?"

"No-Kyusun likes Taeyeon?"

"Maybe more than that... he never stops talking about her to me."

"Wow..." EEK! Taeyeon, this could be the start of a whole new romantic rendezous!

"So I need your help setting them up."

"I'd love to... but there is one problem."

"What?"

"Taeyeon hasn't realized her feelings yet."

"Aish, that kid... it's really obvious though."

"Right? She's just too dense for her own good..."

"But I guess there is another problem as well..."

"And that is?"

"Leeteuk has been going on several dates with Taeyeon... and it's tearing the poor guy apart. Kyusun hasn't smiled in the dorm for ages..."

"Oh no..."

"I'm afraid that he's trying to force himself to move on..."

"We have to do something... and quick. They can't do this to themselves... it'll just cause more drama for everyone... especially Taeyeon. She's dealing with a lot, correct?"

"Ever since Sunny-"

"That's what I thought... She's losing faith, isn't she?"

"Yes..."

"If only Sunny was still here... maybe she could help us out..."

"If only..."

"So let's do this together. Help make things right. Deal?"

"Deal."

"Sungmin"

"Tiffany"

"CROSS!"

End of flashback

The next day of rehearsals came. Everyone in their respective dorms got ready and headed out. A certain bunny however, was taking an especially long time.

"Hey, so what did the ocean say to the other?" Sunny started.

"What?" Jessica asked over the phone.

"Nothing, he just waved!"

"Wow... I sea what you did there!"

"I'm shore you did!""

"Yeah, BEACH." 

"Wait Jessi, did you just call me the b-word?"

"No... I said 'beach.'"

"But it sounds like it."

"Hm, maybe I did, maybe I didn't."

"You totally did that on purpose..."

"You started the puns! Haha!"

"Yeah, yeah..."

"Hey, Sooyoung's calling me. I'll see you in a few, okay?"

"Aw... but I don't want to hang up!" Sunny pouted.

"Aish, I can just feel you pouting through the phone... I told you, aegyo doesn't work on me!"

"With the exception of mine~"

"Hm... whatever you say, beach."

"What did you say?"

"Hehe, nothing! Bye Kyu!"

"Hm, goodbye Jessi~" Sunny smiled. It was working... she was getting over Taeyeon. Sungmin peered past the wall, remembering what Tiffany had told him. How is this happening? Taeyeon will be crushed... "Hey Kyusun, who was that on the phone? Taeyeon? Is she finally showing her feelings?"

"What feelings, hyung?"

"Oh, maybe I shouldn't have said anything..."

"Tell me hyung!"

"Oh well I guess I can't take back what I've said... I think Taeyeon likes you~"

"What? No... she couldn't. She has Leeteuk hyung. Haven't you overheard their video chats?"

"Maybe Taeyeon just finds him as a close friend. I'd know... It's happened to me before..." Stupid friendzone... Sunny... T.T

Why do I feel weird all of a sudden? Like I feel guilty? Eh, whatever... This stuff happens all the time when hyung talks about anything related to his love life. Sunny thought.

"It's okay... I'm over her..."

"You say you are... but are you really?"

"Yes, hyung. Now let's get going! I don't want to keep Jessica waiting. I made her lunch!" Dang it... Kyu why are you like this...?

"Yeah, okay okay. Let's go..."

When all the SM groups arrived, everyone went to separate practice rooms with their respective partners... except for Sunny, Taeyeon, and Jessica.

"Jessi noona~ I brought you some lunch! No cucumbers, I remembered!" Sunny chimed as she handed Jessica the pink lunchbox over.

"Aw, thanks Kyu! You're soooo sweet!"

"You know who's sweeter?"

"Who?"

"...Her name starts with a 'J.'"

Jessica smiled.

"And she has the cutest personality ever."

Jessica couldn't help but look over at Taeyeon for a moment. The look on her face was priceless. Jealous, Taeng? I would.

"That someone... is you!" Sunny smiled and pinched Jessica's cheeks. Jessica grabbed Sunny's in retaliation.

"Grrr! No you're sweeter!"

"No you are!"

"Ow! My face hurts!"

"Hehe, me too! Ouchie..."

The two's sweet moment was interrupted by a loud clearing of the throat.

*AHEM*

The two looked over, still pinching the other's cheeks.

"Um, Kyusun, we have to practice... and Jessica, I think I heard Sooyoung calling you... something about part rearranging?"

Jessica scoffed under her breath. I can literally feel her cold stare... and that's saying something, coming from me...

"Ah, okay. Kyu I'll see you in a few hours! Thanks again for the lunch."

"Hehe, no problem! My pleasure to feed you." Jessica walked off, leaving the two by themselves.

"So Kyusun, let's start the opening. So what we're going to do is-" the sound of the door opening cut Taeyeon off.

"Hi, I'm Park JiHyun and I will be your choreographer for your duet in the concert. Nice to meet you two." JiHyun winked.

"Wha-Not to be rude, but I thought that we had full creative power in our piece."

"Really? I was assigned by your managers... I could call them if you want Taeyeon-ssi..." Taeyeon was touched by the lady's kindness.

"No, no. It's okay. We're happy to be working with you," Taeyeon smiled.

Earlier that day...

"So they're practicing in that room?"

"Yes."

"Tiffany do you think that they'll notice something's fishy if I just pop in?"

"No... if you're nice Taeyeon will take the bait. This is for love, JiHyun!"

"Ah, okay... are they really that bad?"

"Girl you don't know the half of it..." 

"Okay, I'll do it."

"Good. I owe you one..."

"Okay so again, my name is Park JiHyun. It's really great to meet you both!"

"Haha, nice to meet you too. You're sweet," Sunny said. Sweeter than Jessica? Taeyeon thought.

"Thanks. Ok so let's get right to work. Now I assume you two are close?"

"More or less..." Taeyeon said.

"Good. So the song has a y feel right? So let's have Taeyeon stand here..." JiHyun placed Taeyeon in the middle of the stage, "and we'll have you sing the first few lines. Then let's have Kyusun come here..." JiHyun placed Sunny to Taeyeon's right, slightly behind her, "and sing this part. Afterwards I need you to come to Taeyeon from behind and-"

"Excuse me?!" Taeyeon bursted.

"What?"

"Isn't that a bit too... sensual?!"

"Why? I mean you two are in your mid-twenties... and I've seen Hush Hush and Lady Marmalade Taeyeon... this isn't much worse." Taeyeon couldn't argue with that, though she felt uncomfortable with Sunny... behind her like that. However, Sunny didn't argue.

A couple hours passed and Taeyeon's face couldn't be redder. All the dances JiHyun choregraphed... almost caused a major nosebleed for the Byuntaeng. She moved her body away from Sunny after finishing the practice for the day. Sunny couldn't help but crack a smile. She's either really innocent... or really erted... Sunny plopped down next to Taeyeon, who was sitting on the floor. JiHyun noticed and took this as a chance to continue the plan. "Hey guys, I'm going to head out. Since mostly everyone has left, is it okay that I go?" 

"Sure, go ahead. You've worked hard today," Sunny smiled.

"Thank you. I'll see you on Wednesday."

"Bye!"

JiHyun headed out of the room and met up with Tiffany and Sungmin. "Are you sure we should do this?" she asked. 

"Yeah... this could get them to sort things out."

"Don't you think this is dangerous?"

"I mean... they won't kill each other. The worst that could happen is a little yelling. We can monitor them too."

"Okay... here goes nothing..." JiHyun took the key to the practice room Sunny and Taeyeon were in and locked the door. Sunny and Taeyeon didn't hear this though and were silently sitting inside drinking water.

"I hope they'll be okay..."

"We'll check up on them later. Let's get everyone else home for tonight. They at least need to work out any problems they have. We can't have awkward or conflicting members."

"Okay... let's go home." With that, they managed to get everyone to leave, including Jessica and Leeteuk, telling them that their love interests were practicing extra for skipping last week. 

Sunyeon was sitting on the floor, side by side in complete silence. The silence was broken by Sunny's voice. "Thanks for the practice... I'm going home." Taeyeon looked up. He's leaving already...? Not even asking about me... not even bothering to stay a bit longer to chat? "Yeah, yeah. I'm leaving too," Taeyeon said. Why did I say that so condesendingly?! Ugh this isn't helping me... Sunny headed to the door, placing her hand on the handle. She pushed down, but the door wouldn't budge. She tried again... then again. "What's wrong?" Taeyeon finally asked. "The...the door. It's jammed." Taeyeon's eyes widened. "What?!" Taeyeon pushed Sunny aside and started jamming down on the handle. "Stop! You're going to break it!" Sunny yelled. Then she started hitting the door. "Hello? Is anyone still here?!" Grr... why is he so smart? "Taeyeon, open the window and see if any cars are still there." Taeyeon did as asked, but when she tried opening them, they wouldn't budge either. "The windows don't open... but I don't see any cars either." Sunny sank down to the floor, giving up on the chance that someone would still be there. 

"We're locked in..." Sunny finally managed to work out. Taeyeon saw that he wasn't lying and sat down too. They were across the room from each other and were again sitting in silence, deep in thought. It was awkward, and from time to time they'd just look over at each other. Everytime Taeyeon would look at Sunny, Sunny would turn her head and she'd look away, and vice versa. Half an hour passed, and the quiet was killing them. Then they started to think a bit...

I wonder if she's angry with me...

I don't know what happened between me and him...

Do I have a reason to be angry with her?

Does he think that I'm avoiding him...? Maybe that's why...

Was I really avoiding her that much? That would explain why...

"Are you mad at me?" The two asked at the exact same time. Shocked by the sudden noise, they shyly looked away. It was quiet again for a few more moments.

"No," Sunny said.

"No what?" Taeyeon asked, puzzled.

"No I'm not mad at you..."

"But I thought-"

"Taeyeon... I can't get mad at you... no matter what." Taeeyon looked at Sunny quizically. 

"Wha-"

"I can't find myself to get mad... or rather stay angry with you for long."

"Kyusun..."

"As much as I want to... I can't. Something about you... I admire."

"But Jessica-"

"I will tell you that I like Jessica... we are really close now. In fact, I like her a lot. She's amazing... but I don't want her to be a problem to our friendship. I mean, ever since I met Jessica you've been distant towards me. Are you not on good terms with her?"

"No, I love Jessica... I don't know. I don't know why I've been distant when you're so good to me. It's just that I feel uncomfortable now, for whatever reason. I can't put my finger on it. I guess that I just need some time off. Can that happen?" Sunny sadly looked at her feet.

"Yeah... I guess so... but no more awkward practices? And can we try to be good friends again?"

"Of course... well, I mean I'd be terrible if we were awkward now... we're locked in, the best thing we can do now is to be friendly." Taeyeon smiled, and Sunny smiled back. She got up and walked over to Taeyeon and sat down beside her. 

"I don't want to be weird... and even if we are going to spend time away... let's at least have some fun tonight?"

"Haha, sure." Sunny remembered something and got up. 

"Hey, are you hungry?"

"No," Taeyeon's stomach growled, "... yes." Sunny chuckled.

"Let's share this!" Sunny grabbed her backpack and pulled out a light green lunchbox. She opened it and it revealed rice, a side of dukbokki, kimchi, and bulgogi (meat). She took out a pair of wooden chopsticks, picked up some rice, bulgogi, and kimchi, and shoved it into Taeyeon's mouth. 

"Is it good?" Sunny smiled sweetly, and Taeyeon could feel her heart melt. I missed your smile... a genuine one at that.

After finishing their meal, the two sat and chatted a bit, catching up with this and that. It was soon getting late and cold in the unheated room. Taeyeon yawned and started to shiver a bit. Sunny looked over, and Taeyeon seemed to know what she was thinking.

"I'm fine, don't worry." She cracked a reassuring smile.

"You're shivering and tired... plus it's dark and cold. I don't want you to get sick."

"So-" Taeyeon was cut off by Sunny. She wrapped her arms around her in a securing hug. She then moved Taeyeon inbetween her legs in a way so they were facing the same direction. The two were warmer, but totally uncomfortable. The butterflies spread all over their stomachs and a blush rose to their cheeks. 

"K-kyusun!" Taeyeon screached.

"Y-yeah?" Sunny answered, unable to understand what she just did.

"Why are you doing this?"

"I'm... worried about you."

"Kyusun... this is inappropriate..."

"Hehe, so are you uncomfortable? What if I did this?" Sunny rested her face on Taeyeon's shoulder. When Taeyeon tried turning to face Sunny, she stopped suddenly only to have their noses touch... again. 

"Kyusun! Why are you doing this all of a sudden?" 

"Well you said to act normal right? Like old times? I guess I just like teasing you." Why did I just do that? Ugh... that just made this more embarrassing... "Do you want me to stop?" Sunny started moving away. Taeyeon quickly stopped her, grabbing her hands.

"N-no... it was warm." she choked out. It started to rain outside. The pitter-patter of the rain started to pick up, getting louder and more meanicing. It wasn't long until the terrifying thunder began rolling. A jolt ran through Taeyeon's back. Sunny tightened her grip on Taeyeon's waist.

"Are you okay?" 

"Y-yeah-" Another clap of electricity blared throughout the building.

"Eeek!" Taeyeon turned to Sunny's chest, asking for protection.

"It's okay... I've got you," Sunny took Taeyeon in, holding her carefully and protectively. All the emotions ran through Taeyeon's heart at once. Warmth, lifting, comfort, safety, and love. She just sat there, snuggled into the heat of Sunny's chest. It was one of the most comforting feelings ever, reminding Taeyeon of the times that she would share a bed with Sunny in their dorm when she had a nightmare. Sunny was always there for her, to protect her from anything (except fireworks). Sunny rubbed Taeyeon's back lovingly, trying to slow her heart beat. 

"You'll be okay... just sleep. I'll protect you. It's just thunder..."

"I-I know..." Taeyeon had been scared by lightning ever since the Horror Movie Factory episode where she had to go into a haunted room. There was thunder outside, and she associated thunder with fear.

"Sleep, okay? It's getting late anyway."

"I will..." It wasn't long until Taeyeon fell asleep. Sunny stared at her for a while. She smiled again. It's hard to shake this feeling... Another blast of thunder struck the room, causing the kid to shudder in her sleep.

"Taeyeon, I'll keep you safe. Don't be scared... I love you..." Did I really just say that?

Taeyeon, however, did not hear those words. Although she did feel a bit warmer inside and slept the best she ever had since Sunny's disappearance.

Looong chapter! Sorry it's late! I hope it was okay, not disappointing... I wanted to develop so much, but it wouldn't be good for the storyline... Thanks to the readers, subscribers, upvoters (11!!!), and commenters! I love you guys! Please continue to show your love by leaving a comment! I'd love to hear your opinions, whether good or bad. Until next time~ :3