Chapter 20

Taeyeon would come back to her. Tiffany knew she would. Sooner or later, Taeyeon would realize that in the end, it was her who she really loved and not that Jessica. Jessica was nothing but a rebound. Yes, Tiffany was that confident because, "First love never dies." 

It wouldn’t take a Sherlock Holmes to tell how much Taeyeon missed her. The jealousy and insecurity in her eyes whenever she spotted her with Siwon and other guys. The forced smiles and laughter whenever Sunny tried to be funny. The black circles and bags under her eyes indicating crying and lack of sleep.

Unfortunately for her, Taeyeon’s feelings mirrored her own. But her pride wouldn’t let her make a move. 

For Taeyeon, days became tougher and tougher as they went by. She thought she’d get used to not having Tiffany by her side. She always contemplated on texting and calling her, wanting to ask for her forgiveness and another chance to be together. She was desperate, but also a coward at the same time as all attempts of reconciling were abandoned in fear that things would just get worse. 

There were also times that she wanted to talk to Jessica. There also came a time wherein she wanted to visit the bar and chat with her in person. But she couldn’t bring herself to because the memory of that drunken night still haunted her. So, whenever she was online, she kept on checking Jessica’s page on the tutorial website to see if she had responded to the feedback she left a week ago. She found none but new feedbacks from other tutees had emerged. 

Sooyeon-noona is the best English teacher ever!! She’s also hot and gorgeous. Kekeke.

Tsk. What a ert. 

I love her teaching techniques. I love her pretty face and y body too. You’re jjang, Sooyeon-ah! ^_^ 

Sooyeon-ah? Are they that close already? Heck, I don’t even call her that. And y body!? 

“That girl…” Unconsciously, Taeyeon’s hand formed into a fist. Remembering the times she’d seen Jessica’s skin exposed unintentionally, she got a bit flustered.

“Don’t tell me she’s also sleeping over during their sessions?”

“Hey!” A deep voice echoed in the air. 

Taeyeon looked over her shoulder. A frown crossed her face upon spotting a guy with a tall stature walking towards her. 

“What’s up? Something bothering you?” Taecyeon tapped her shoulder as a greeting. 

Shaking her head, an exasperated sigh came from Taeyeon, negating her action. 

Sensing the gloomy aura surrounding Taeyeon, he wore his happiest face in effort to lighten up the mood.“I heard you got the highest mark in the remedial exams.” 

Taeyeon gave him a weak nod. “Yeah.” 

“Wow, you must be that inspired! Love does wonders, huh?” Taecyeon clapped his hands and waggled his eyebrows. 

She flinched upon hearing of the word ‘love’. Yes, wonders and disasters. “I just don’t want to take the subject again next semester.”

Taecyeon snorted, “Yeah, right. Now quit avoiding the question. What’s troubling you?”

Taeyeon’s expression darkened. “Why does that concern you?” Irritation laced her voice. She knew of his nosy nature but she didn’t want to deal with it right now. 

“Aren’t we buddies now?” Ignoring the girl’s cross look, Taecyeon resumed his teasing. 

A flash of black appeared before her eyes.“Buddies your face!” Taeyeon bellowed, her eyes blazing in fury as she looked at Taecyeon, who was taken aback by the girl’s flare-up.  

“This is all your fault!” She curled her fists and repeatedly smacked the tall boy’s chest with all the strength she got. “If only you didn’t interfere-”

If it were a guy, Taecyeon would have already fought back and knocked the attacker out. “Taeyeon! What the is wrong with you?! Stop!” Taecyeon yelled as he grabbed Taeyeon’s wrists and pried himself away from the aggressive girl. 

Taecyeon growled as he smoothed out the creases left by Taeyeon’s fists on his shirt. Glancing to his side to confront the girl, his jaw went shut when he saw the petite girl’s eyes wet with tears – swallowing all the bitter words he intended to say. 

“Sorry.” Taeyeon mumbled as brushed tear after tear with the back of her hand while the other was covering , muffling her whimpers.   

Taecyeon rejected her apology. There was no need to say that. “Here.” He proffered his handkerchief and smiled. “Don’t worry. It’s clean.” 

With slight hesitance, Taeyeon took the piece of fabric and patted her eyes dry. 

Taecyeon allowed her sobs to subside before touching the subject again.“I’m not going to force you to tell me what’s going on. But I can see you’re not fine. You’re always here, at the back of the gym, alone, staring into space.” He sighed and continued, “Believe me or not, Taeyeon, I’m concerned.” 

It was si