Minzy opened her front door to a dark house. Dragging her feet through the door, she flipped the lights on as she aimlessly walked towards the kitchen to gaze into the fridge. Though her body was in the kitchen her mind was elsewhere. She thought about how grateful she was to have her father admitted in the hospital. He was getting really annoying with all his bickering of how much he hated her mother and that he was going to go find her and bring her back to make her life a living hell. Minzy didn’t feel the need to feed into his negativity as she tried to hurry through his paper work and without a word she left him in the hands of the nurses with a look of pity before leaving. Now here she was, grabbing a pack of oreos and the jug of milk in hand as she headed towards Zelo’s room to finally get some rest. The last day of school was out of the question as Minzy didn’t get to bed until five in the morning. Her day didn’t start until one in the afternoon. Groaning at the annoying sunlight she had been fighting the entire time, she finally gave in and rolled out of bed. Lazily she made her way to her room and decided to start off with a nice long and needed shower. The shower was a great help as she felt a bit stronger and awake to conquer the thing she was determined to take care of before the school year ended, her ties to Seunghyun.

Taking plastic bags and boxes out, she opened her door into her room and gazed all around. Quickly analyzing her room before stepping inside to get started. If her eyes were set upon an item and it triggered any thought tracing to Seunghyun, whether good or bad it was thrown into the plastic bag or box. Hesitating at the photos that adorned her dresser, they were some of the key memories that linked her to Seunghyun and they were some of the best. Closing her eyes, she reached for them and placed them into the box before she could convince herself otherwise. Before she knew it, she had gone through every part of her room tossing items into the bags and boxes quicker by the moment. It seemed as if with time things became much easier to toss into the boxes and bags and she hoped that this symbolized how her heart would feel with time towards Seunghyun. Pulling off the shirt she was wearing, she tossed it into the box and grinned. She had bought the shirt in hopes to get a compliment from Seunghyun earlier in the year, but there was no use for that anymore. Clapping her hands together, she stood proudly as she looked around her room and was amazed to see how empty and plain it looked. She literally had but a few items left and frowned to think how her room reflected how much he influenced her way of thinking and more so her way of life. Taking out her phone, she turned it on and took a photo of the bags and boxes that were piled along her wall and sent it to Seunghyun to come by and look through it if he’d like. Minzy went about checking on her brother before she went to the store to buy some groceries. She returned with items to make spaghetti and a side salad for herself. She was grooving out to the music that was blasting threw her speakers that she didn’t hear her doorbell ringing and someone letting themselves into the house. Dipping her finger and tasting her pasta sauce, she twirled around and the delightful taste and was surprised to see none other than Seunghyun standing in her doorway.

“, you scared me,” she breathed as she walked over to her speakers and turned them down.

“Sorry,” he chuckled.

She nodded in understanding as she pointed towards her room, “Go ahead and help yourself to the bags and boxes. Take whatever you want that’s in there. I’ll just be here eating my dinner.”

His face went blank as his build stiffened, “Alright.” Without another word he disappeared down the hall and into her room.

Sitting next to Zelo, Minzy skimmed through a teen magazine. She was somewhat amazed as to how long Seunghyun was in her room. She had finished her dinner, cleaned the kitchen, taken out the trash, and read through two magazines yet not one peep from her room. At the rate he was going, she figured she was going to have to clean her room all over again. Or who knows, maybe he had fallen asleep after being so overwhelmed with how much she was throwing out. Minzy didn’t realize she had fallen asleep until she heard someone softly calling her name. Slowly fluttering her eyes open, she looked to see Seunghyun standing in Zelo’s bedroom doorway. “Hey, you done?”

He nodded as he came into view with a box in hand, “I just have a few questions about some of the items.”

Sitting up, she stretched and yawned, “Sure thing, what’s up?”

Setting down the box, he pulled out two small teddy bears that were hooked at the hip like a couple, “What’s this? I never got you this.”

“You’re right, I actually got you that. That’s something I got you over the summer. I was planning on giving it to you as a cheesy gift of how we’re still hooked at the hip after all these years. But…”

“You never got the chance to,” he finished her sentence as he nodded and reached for something else in the box. Pulling out the photos she had adorning her now empty desk, “These were some of the best memories we had together…”

“The more the reason to get rid of them,” she cut in.

Her words cut like a knife as he tensed up before going through the box once again, “One last thing…”

Minzy couldn’t help but burst into laughter as he pulled out the red lingerie, “How does that not surprise me?”

“What,” he laughed. “I need to know, since this is the most important piece of clothing I found,” he teased as he wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Rolling her eyes at him, she sighed as she walked up to him. Staring deep into his eyes, she draped her left arm around his neck as she tip toed up to his ear and whispered, “What do you think it’s for? It’s the lingerie you described one drunken night of what you wanted me to wear on our first night together.” She could feel how tense he was under her touch and couldn’t help but inwardly laugh at how she still had a hold on him. “Would you like me to try it on,” she ily whispered before lightly blowing on his ear.

“ yeah,” he growled as he gripped at her hips.

But she on the other hand burst into laughter once again as she pushed away, “In your ing dreams!”

“,” he hissed in frustration.

“Takes one to know one,” she stuck her tongue out at him. “Now is that all? There’s nothing else you want to take?”

“No, but I know I can’t have what I really want,” he said sadly.

Though she knew exactly what he meant by that, she chose to ignore it, “Okay, well it’s getting late.”

He nodded in understanding, not wanting to push her any further, “Yeah it is. I’ll see you tomorrow at graduation?”

She paused and thought about it, “No, I’m not participating in the ceremony. There’s no reason for me to do so.”

“Then I’ll see you at Hyuna’s party then,” he asked.

She shrugged not really wanting to attend that either, “I’m not sure.”

“Alright, I guess I’ll see you when I see you then,” he waved as he picked up the box and turned to leave.

Minzy lit her cigarette before throwing the lit match into the garbage can in front of her. Squeezing the gasoline into the can, a burst of flames followed. A sad grin pulled at the corner of her lips as she drank some of her father’s alcohol and quietly stood watching some of her items go up in flames. Tossing more items into the can to feed the fire, she felt as though burning all of her things that reminded her of Seunghyun was a better route than just throwing them out into the garbage. As if clearing out all this stuff from her room wasn’t symbolizing enough, burning them was her way of burning her ties to Seunghyun. She was burning all the memories and watching them float off as ashes into the dark air. Raising the bottle of alcohol to commemorate the ashes as they disappeared, she felt a burden begin to lift off her shoulders.

Minzy laughed on the phone as she talked with Mr. Park. She was so grateful that he wasn’t pushy about her not attending the graduation ceremony. He only gave her praise for being able to work a miracle in turning her life around educationally. Though she didn’t out right admit it, but hearing all the praise and support was all she needed. She didn’t need the grand show of gowns, formal praise, and diplomas shown off to a huge crowd. It was all pointless when the crowd was filled with people she truly didn’t care about. Hanging up, she smiled as she looked at the beautiful scene before her, “Oh have I missed you!” Squealing like a little girl, she quickly made her way into the mall to start shopping. Minzy went about all the stores rewarding herself with a new wardrobe. It was the greatest feeling to be shopping midday with barely anyone in the mall due to the various graduations going on around the city. She couldn’t believe how therapeutic it was for her to be out and about shopping. She was determined to find a new and improved look. Over the years she had learned what was appealing to Seunghyun and found herself dressing accordingly. Now it was different, the only person’s taste that mattered was her own. She was out to shop for herself and anything and everything that she felt looked good on her. “I might as well find an outfit for Hyuna’s party,” she said to herself. “I need to give everyone one last impression,” she grinned to herself as she went in search for the perfect outfit for tonight. 

Minzy pulled up to the dead end street that had an over flow of people and cars. Parking, she sighed as she flipped her mirror towards her and examined herself. She was dressed in an elegant white top with light blue denim jeans. She had dressed sweet and simple, compared to her flashy stylish type of outfit everyone including her was used to seeing her wear. Though she knew she looked flawless she couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. “You got this,” she said to herself before stepping out of the car. She felt proud of herself as she received side glances and whispers. Some of the few were of shock and surprise as to how fresh she looked. This gave her the extra boost to step up to Hyuna’s door and make her way through. As expected there was a sea of people all around. Getting glances here and there, they all kept their distance allowing her some movement throughout the house. She didn’t really know why she was looking all around as if trying to spot someone in the crowd, when in reality she didn’t have any expectations of seeing or meeting up with anyone. Finding her way to the kitchen she reached for two cold bottles of vodka. Popping the first bottle, she took one long gulp to help ease the tension.

“Minzy is that you,” Hyuna appeared in awe at Minzy’s new look. “You look ing amazing girl,” she nodded as she hugged her.

“Thanks,” Minzy grinned.

“Thanks for coming, you know your way around the house and of course please help yourself to whatever you want,” Hyuna said sweetly being such a great hostess.

“Thanks girl,” Minzy waved as Hyuna continued on welcoming other people. Grinning at the open invitation, she found herself being drawn to the music playing. Letting the music carry her to the basement, it became darker with each step she took and before she knew it she was surrounded by black lights. Downing a little more of the open bottle, she enjoyed the fact that she really couldn’t see the people around her. This allowed her body to take shape of the music playing. Swaying her hips from side to side, she lifted her bottles in the air and danced like she didn’t care. She felt like she had been dancing for hours, as she made her way back out of the black light basement. Gazing down to her second bottle, she noticed she was half way through it. Hugging it close to her body, she moved out to the back yard to get some fresh air. Gasping as the cool air hit her heated body, she inhaled deeply as she moved further into the yard. The yard was dimly lit, but the vibe was more relaxed than that of the basement. Grabbing an empty chair, she took a free seat and gazed out at the night sky. It was clear of clouds as the stars sprinkled the sky that was lit by the full moon.

“Jiyong are you ing serious right now,” a familiar voice said from behind.

Closing her eyes, she wanted nothing more than to be ignored or even better have that couple take their conversation elsewhere.

“Do we really have to do this right now,” he answered.

“Yes we have to do this right ing now,” Fei hissed as the pair came into Minzy’s view. “I need to know where we stand. I’m tired of waiting!”

“I don’t know what you want me to say,” Jiyong shrugged her off as he kept trying to divert her gaze.

Meanwhile Minzy couldn’t help but sit and watch, knowing very well if she moved or got up to leave she would be noticed.

“Just...tell me,” Fei said through gritted teeth.

Jiyong sighed and glanced over to see Minzy who sat there, “Minzy what are you doing here?”

Minzy raised her hands and stood to her feet, “I was just leaving…”

“Minzy?! Are you ting me,” Fei snapped as she turned her wrath towards Minzy.

But unlike Jiyong, Minzy wasn’t going to avoid the situation, “I’m just here enjoying this vodka. Don’t get me involved…”

“You’re the reason why we’re even arguing,” Fei growled as she pointed at her.

Jiyong finally stepped up and stood in front of Fei and looked to Minzy, “Look it’s nothing you can…”

“No, since she’s here we can settle this right now,” Fei cut him off and stood next to Jiyong. “Minzy do you like Jiyong,” Fei bluntly said.

“Fei that’s none of your ing business. What I feel towards Jiyong is between me and Jiyong,” Minzy quickly snapped. “But as for you, as an old friend let me be just as blunt in letting you know that you can’t force someone to like you.”

“And you know this from experience,” Fei spoke with a smug look on her face.

Minzy shrugged her shoulders in different to her comment, “Yes as in past experience, not current experience. Like the situation you’re in right now.”

“You ,” Fei spat as she postured Minzy.

“ I wish you would, because I know for damn sure you don’t know how to fight,” Minzy spoke coolly. “Come at me,” Minzy smirked as she waved for Fei to come near her.

Fei tried to lunge at Minzy, to be blocked by Jiyong, “Stop it alright! That’s enough!”

“Move out of my ing way,” Fei tried to push past him and failed.

Jiyong gazed back at Minzy with a pleading look and she couldn’t help but roll her eyes as she turned to pick up her vodka. “Whatever, I'm done with this. Bye ,” Minzy raised her bottle and took a drink as she turned to leave back into the house. As she entered, she heard her name being called and was met with a drink thrown in her face. Gasping as she was shocked by the cool splash of alcohol on her face, she looked to see it was none other than Bom glaring at her.

“You have some ing nerve to be here,” Bom grabbed another drink and sipped it before raising to throw it at Minzy.

But Minzy was quick to act as she gripped the end of the vodka bottle and swung it against the nearest wall. The shattering of the glass startled everyone including Bom who stopped in place. Meanwhile Minzy raised the sharp glass shard in her hand towards Bom, “You of all people shouldn’t be talking! You wanna throw a drink in my ing face you better think again!” Everyone gasped as they all stepped back and awaited Bom’s response. Though Minzy could see the fear in Bom’s eyes, Bom tried to stay strong. Gripping tightly to the drink in hand, Bom lifted the alcohol to her lips. But Minzy quickly moved towards her and knocked the drink out of her hands making the group gasp. “Are you out of your ing mind?! Don’t you know drinking alcohol will harm the ing baby,” Minzy spat angrily.

This made everyone gasp even more as more people started to group up to watch what was going on. “I…I’m not ing pregnant,” Bom quickly stuttered loudly as she glanced around to the crowd. “I’m not pregnant!”

“So then, are you a liar,” Seunghyun stepped past the crowd to reveal himself.

“I…I…I’m sorry Seunghyun,” Bom’s head dropped in shame as everyone including Minzy stood stunned.

“How can you lie about that kind of ,” Seunghyun growled in frustration. “Are you ing kidding me?!”

“I’m sorry Seunghyun. I thought that, that was the only way to get you to look only at me instead of her,” Bom glared over towards Minzy.

Minzy was fed up with the bull she had put up with as she threw the rest of the bottle left onto the ground to let it shatter as she stepped up to Bom. “Listen here let me set the record straight for your lying . I was his first. I was his girlfriend. I was the reason why you were all the sudden cool and close to Fei and even invited to this ing party! In the end it was always me, and it will forever be me on top.”

“I ing hate you,” Bom hissed through her tears.

“es hate me because they ain’t me. But that’s not even the issue at hand. Good luck trying to win Seunghyun over this one,” Minzy smirked before she turned to see Seunghyun standing at loss for words. For a split second her heart hurt for him and she couldn’t help but reach out to give him a hug and kiss on the cheek as she whispered into his ear, “Be strong.” Gazing back, Minzy winked at Bom before flipping her hair and walking away flawlessly on top of the world.

Everyone moved away from Minzy as she found her way back into the kitchen to take two more bottles of vodka. Turning she was met with Hyuna, “Hyuna girl….”

Hyuna quickly embraced her, “Girl I didn’t know! I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize how bad things were for you.”

Minzy accepted the hug and smiled to herself, “Girl it’s no big deal.”

Hyuna pulled away enough to look Minzy in the face, “I hate how everyone is all ed up and yet you get stuck in the middle of it.”

She shrugged as Hyuna frowned at her, “No worries. It was worth the drinks.” The pair laughed as Minzy hugged the bottles as if they were dear to her.

“Well I’m glad you came. Please feel free to drink as much as you want,” Hyuna gave Minzy one last hug before she walked off.

Grinning Minzy watched her friend walk off before she turned to take a box full of vodka. Carrying the box to her car, she felt the box slip right through her hands and into the arms of Jiyong. “Here let me take these for you.”

“You don’t have to, I know you have your hands full with Fei,” she said as she approached her car. Opening her car door, she allowed Jiyong to slide the box into her back seat. “But thanks anyway.”

“Sure,” he grinned as he closed the door and stood in place.

“Yes?”

Before she knew what was going on, Jiyong took her in his arms as he crushed his lips against hers. Kissing her with driven passion, then pulling away slowly, “If what you said back there was true. I want something more between me and you.”

Catching her breath, Minzy looked up into his eyes, “Jiyong there are things that need to happen before you and I can ever happen and you know this. Though Fei and I are no longer friends, I still can’t do that to her.”

He sighed before hanging his head low, “I understand. But maybe we could like hang out or something over the summer.”

“Sure, I’d like that,” Minzy grinned trying not to further discourage him.

“I’ll catch you later then,” he waved before turning to head back to the party.

She waved as she got into her car to feel her phone buzz. Pulling it out, she noticed the various missed calls from her father. As she got ready to dial her father’s phone, her passenger side door opened. Looking over, she was surprised to see Seunghyun jump into her car. “Taking me outta here please,” he quickly said gazing at the house as if expected someone to come after him.

“What,” she was confused as to why he was in her car.

“Please Minzy,” he looked at her with desperation.

Sighing, she started her car and quickly drove off. When they were clear of the party, Minzy broke the silence between them, “Am I dropping you off at your house?”

“No not yet, can you take me to the park by my house,” he asked as he sat staring out the window.

Within minutes they had arrived at their destination, “Alright here we are.”

“Did you know how hard it’s been trying to let you go because of my responsibility to the baby that never existed,” he asked as he turned his gaze to her. Meanwhile Minzy knew better and sat in silence as she turned off the car. “My world was turned upside down when I thought I had a kid. I started to actually change my goals in life to be a father. I was going to start working instead of going to college in order to provide for the unexpected family. And now…”

“And now you have a chance to still focus on you and what you need to do to be a more prepared father in the future,” Minzy finished his sentence. “Take it as a blessing rather than a curse to have experienced such thing. At least now you’ll be able to keep those goals in mind for when it does happen.”

“But it still ing hurts. How could she lie to me like that,” he hissed out of frustration. 

Minzy chuckled and shrugged, “Love makes you do and say crazy things. Understand she was competing with pretty tough competition.”

“Damn right,” he nodded and laughed along with her. “I knew I could depend on you.”

“Well don’t depend on me for long,” she teased as she turned her car back on and drove him to his house. “This is probably the last time you’ll see me out and about before I prepare for college.”

“So you won’t have any time to hang out with any friends? I thought you got a scholarship,” he wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Rolling her eyes, she hit his arm and waved for him to get out of her car, “Go already! You’re wasting my gas.”

He laughed and waved as she drove off. Hearing her phone buzz again, she glanced down to see it was her father again. She felt nervous and stepped on the gas as she made her way home. She wondered why her father was calling her at four in the morning. Was he drinking again? Was her mom back? Did something happen to Zelo? So many things were running through her mind as she approached her home to see an unfamiliar car in her driveway with all the lights on in her house.

“What the hell is going on,” she asked herself out loud as she gazed at the strange car before heading into her house. Opening the door it was quiet, “Hello?”

“Where the have you been,” her father appeared from the kitchen limping. “I’ve been calling you all night! It’s Zelo…”

Minzy zoned out as she subconsciously rushed to her brother’s room that was closed. Quickly opening the door, she saw a nurse towering over her brother and felt her heart drop. “No,” she gasped as she saw the nurse pick up the sheet covering her brother’s legs and started to lift it.

But at the sound of her voice, the nurse paused to look at her and she nearly fainted as she saw Zelo laying still with his eyes wide open. “M…Minzy,” Zelo mumbled with a cracked voice.