I walked out of the bathroom hand in hand with Tiffany. I’m not kidding when I say that everyone stopped what they were doing to look at me. It was pretty embarrassing, but then Tiffany spoke up.

“Hey, everything is alright. Let’s just continue with the party!”

After her comment everyone started back in to their own conversations. “Hey Taeng, you’re okay right?”

I turned to see Yuri looking right at me. “Yeah Yul, I’m fine. Thanks for all of this,” I said while motioning my free hand around. “Even though I kind of ruined it.”

“Oh come on, don’t worry about it, besides it was Tiffany who planned everything, we just helped.”

“Ah jinjja?” I saw him nod as I looked down at Tiffany who was smiling up at me. God she was beautiful. “Then I guess I should be thanking her huh?” I quickly pulled her in to a hug only inducing a small squeal from her.

“Yah, Taeyeon-ah,” she whined after a few seconds. “Let me go!” I laughed at her cuteness and released her from my grasp.

 “Good, it’s my turn now,” a female voice came from behind me. I turned to see Sunny with her arms wide open. “Happy birthday Taengo.”

I smiled while stepping in to her hug. “Thanks Sunny. I take it you two have something to do with my cousin being here?” I then looked up to Hyomin who was standing just behind Sunny and I with a weird glare on his face.

“Yeah, we do,” Hyomin said firmly.

“Uh, well thanks. I really wanted to talk to him.” Wow why is this so awkward right now?

“No problem Taeng, it was the least I could do,” Sunny chimed while pulling out of our hug. Hyomin then quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. Wait a minute did he really think I was trying to like… come on to Sunny or something? Hello, Tiffany is literately a foot away.

I took a step back and wrapped an arm around Tiffany’s waist just as I heard a sound coming from the other side of the room.

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you,” a chorus of voices rang. Since all of us were singers, it actually sounded pretty good to be completely honest.

I could see Sooyoung carrying a rather large cake toward me. When the song ended I really didn’t know how I was feeling.

All these people were here to celebrate with me? How did I get so lucky? I felt arms squeezing around me. Don’t even get me started on how lucky I was for having Tiffany either. I’m sure about 95% of the men in Korea could help me out on that one. She was perfect. My friends were perfect, and this. This was definitely perfect.

I blew out the candles and secretly made my wish, which was for TYS to continue being successful and for Tiffany to continue being mine.

“Let’s cut the cake,” Sooyoung fittingly called only seconds after the candles were out.

“Okay, okay. Where’s a knife?”

“I have one here Tae,” Tiffany said as she made her way back from the food table. “I’ll cut it!”

I grinned at her eagerness. “Go for it!”

“Hey just remember, the birthday boy gets the first slice,” Luna called out from the group of people now gathered around the cake.

“I know, I know,” I heard from the girl standing in front of me. “Ahh,” she said as she turned to face me with a piece of cake in hand. I smiled and complied. What could really get better than thi-

“Oh my god, Fany-ah you’re so dead,” I said as I swallowed what little cake had made it to my mouth. After I opened my mouth she had shoved the piece in my face causing it to partially go in my mouth and then partially go a little bit of everywhere else. I could feel that it was all over almost the whole left side of my face.

Everyone else however, seemed to love it. They were all laughing away while each making a move to get their own slice.

I picked up the nearest napkin to try to get it off of me before Tiffany stopped me. “Here let me do it.” I was going to protest, but then she snagged the napkin out of my hand.

“Fine,” I said as I stuck my jaw out a little so she could get a better look. I then suddenly felt lips against my face.  “Omo.”  I could feel her smile as she then began to kiss the rest of the icing off my face.

This was one of the things I really enjoyed about her. Most people would try to cut back on the hugging and kissing while in public, but nope. Not Tiffany. I think she even tried to do it more when we were around others. It’s not that I didn’t like it, I actually loved it. I loved this. It was just hard for me to initiate it. I guess it was just that I was always told differently. With her being mostly raised in America, I guess it was more the social norm over there? In Korea all the ahjummas and ahjussis began to give you weird looks if you’re doing more than holding hands. Whatever. All I knew right now is that I was totally okay with her kissing me over and over.

She had sadly stopped the attack on my face. “I’m going to get a drink, do you want one?” I nodded and watched her walk away for longer than I should have. I couldn’t even manage to say a word after that.

I tried to regain my senses and most importantly my ability to talk. Taking a glance at the cake I decided to get another piece of cake, and actually eat it this time while I waited for her. I had finished eating it and she still wasn’t back yet. Hmm. I turned and scanned the room. “Ah,” I said aloud as I spotted her. She really didn’t make it very far from where the drinks were all located. I approached her from behind and wrapped my arms snugly around her waist, breathing in her sweet scent.

“Oh! Oh, h-hi Taeyeon. This is for you,” she said handing me a cup of something. I unattached myself from her and took the drink.

“Happy birthday Taeng,” was the phrase that brought my attention to the other people near. I looked up.

“Oh hey Amber, thanks! Thank you for coming.” I put an arm around her in a poor attempt of a half hug. “You too Victoria-ssi, thank you.”

“It’s not a problem Taeyeon-ah, I love these kinds of things. I’m just said I couldn’t make it last time.”

I took a drink before I responded. “Ah don’t worry about it, you didn’t miss much.” Wow. What in the world is this? This is delicious.

“I would say I missed something here,” she said as she motioned toward Tiffany and I with a smirk. I heard someone call then call her name. “I’ll see you all later.”

“Well she’s gotten friendlier,” I announced to the two girls left in front of me. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her say that many words to me in one setting ever.

“Yeah, now that she’s learning more Korean we can’t get her to shut up,” Amber joked.

“Ah was that it was? I just thought I must have done something to piss her off,” I laughed.

“You might’ve. She’s an odd one, but I still love her. Oh hey speaking of, are you and him okay?” She had nodded further in front of us where I looked and saw Hyoyeon. Omo, I totally forgot about him. “I heard what had happened.” I felt Tiffany’s hand slowly fold into mine. She must have seen my sudden change.

“I don’t know, I haven’t talked to him yet,” I truthfully responded.

“Oh! Then I’ll let you go. I’ll talk to you later.” And like that she left. Yah and she said Victoria was the odd one?

“Tae you don’t have to yet if you don’t want to, okay?” I appreciated her concern, but if I didn’t today I don’t know if I would ever have the chance again.

“Ani, Fany-ah. I have to.” I went to take another drink but it was empty. Aish… “But first I need a refill,” I said with a smile as I held up my cup.

She laughed at me, flashing her perfect smile. I seriously needed to make that my background on everything, starting with my phone, iPod, and computer. I could stare at her all day. “Alright let’s go.”

Wait what? I looked down to see my cup already full again. When did she do that?  Oh well. I guess it’s time to face Hyoyeon. I took a deep breath. “Here goes nothing.”

“Tae, it’ll be fine. I’ll be right here.” Crap I didn’t even mean to say it that loud. “Oh there he is.”

I looked to where she was looking and gulped.

“Hey Taeyeon, Tiffany.”

“H-hi,” I said back shakily. I don’t even know why I was so nervous. We’re cousins for crying out loud.

“Here, have a seat. Let’s talk,” he said as he motioned to the seats next to us. We all sat down, Tiffany’s hand never leaving mine, which I was very thankful for.

It was weird though I thought. How could this one person make me feel so utterly helpless yet secure at the same time? How could just one touch from her calm me down completely yet keep me up for hours just thinking about it? She had personally knocked down all the walls I already had built up inside of me. Maybe not all of them, but it was getting harder and harder to keep them up around her. I guess I didn’t need them anymore anyway. She was my new wall. Well I shouldn’t say wall, I guess she was my new source of comfort. My home.

I still kept most of my worries and insecurities to myself, but I was trying to do better. I was trying to let her in more. I knew with just a few simple words or hugs from her they would all disappear, but it was hard. I’ve always been one to keep things to myself, I’m not really sure why. Maybe I was just born that way or maybe I didn’t want to bother people with my opinions? I don’t know, I guess I didn’t mind it much, but I wanted to be better at opening up and letting people in for Tiffany’s sake.

The only person that I have pretty much opened all the way up to is Sooyoung, he knows almost everything there is to know about me. Don’t get me wrong, Yuri is one of my best friends too. Sooyoung however has always been the one to come to me and ask me what was wrong or how I was feeling, even if there was nothing wrong. Yuri was there for me as well, but he was more of the ‘wait and see’ kind of guy, which I didn’t mind. I’m glad I have both of them in my life. Very gl-

 “H-how are my parents?”

That pulled me from my thoughts. I thought carefully before responding.

“They’re good, they miss you a lot though Hyoyeon. They were devastated when you left.”

“Do they…do they hate me?” he looked rather worried about my answer to come.

“Of course not, they just miss you. They really beat themselves up over it. They were really sorry they said all those things to you Hyo.” It was silent for a while so I thought I should try to lighten up the conversation a little. “You know, if it wasn’t for you leaving though, I wouldn’t be here.”

He lifted his head up to look at me now. “J-jinjja?” I nodded. Tiffany looked equally as interested now.

“I had always wanted to be in music too, I think I just wanted to be like you at first,” I said bringing a small smile to his face. “I eventually fell in love with it though, but I didn’t tell anyone. I couldn’t after I saw how hard your parents were on you for it and I decided I didn’t want to go through that either.”

“How did you end up here then,” Hyoyeon asked. The two of them looked very curious now.

“Ah, well, you know I’ve never told anyone the whole story like this, besides my members.” Which wasn’t a lie, interviewers usually ask like how and why we got started, but I’ve never once told all of this. Just tiny bits here and there.

“Even more of a reason to tell me then,” Tiffany said from beside me as she scooted closer, hands still interlocked. I smiled back at her and then to Hyoyeon.

“Well I was planning to break it to them, but then that was, that was around the time that you left for Seoul. So I knew I couldn’t. Not then. It would have crushed them even more, since they were still helping your parents cope with it...” I took a deep breath and continued. “So I waited. I waited for things to go back to normal, or for you to come back, but then you debuted and-“

“That was two years Taeyeon.” I looked at him in confusion. What is he talking about? “You waited two years to tell them your dream? Because of me?”

“Uh no… Well I guess I did, but just let me finish okay?” He nodded and I felt Tiffany’s hand wrap tighter. “Once you debuted and I knew you were doing fine I decided to tell them. I sat my parents down and told them that I didn’t want to keep up the family business and that I wanted to do music. I even showed them you preforming on the internet. I remember saying that ‘if Hyoyeon could do it I could too!’” I said and laughed a little. “But then they immediately said they would let me try. The next weekend we took a trip up here and then entered that contest that led to me getting accepted by SM as a trainee,” I paused and looked right into Hyoyeon’s eyes. “It’s because they were afraid that I would leave them too, I never would have though. I’m not as brave as you are Hyo… So I want to thank you, for leaving all those years ago. I would have never been here if it wasn’t for you.”

“Well then it looks like I should be thanking you too,” the husky voice beside me rang, putting a smile on my cousin’s face. It was silent for a minute or so before he spoke again.

“I’m proud of you Tae, for making it here. I’ve always felt bad for leaving. Not only did I leave my parents though, I left you. You were like my little brother, I just. I don’t know how I could  have done that. I’m so sorry.” I saw his eyes start to water.

“Hey, hey, Hyoyeon, it’s fine,” I said as I let go of Tiffany’s hand and grabbed on to my cousin’s. “I’m not mad at all. Well maybe a little because you didn’t take me with you back then,” I said with a little laugh. “But I really don’t hold it against you. You were following your dreams. How could I be mad at that?”

“I just feel like I let you down Tae, like I let my family down. I’m seriously so sorry,” he paused. He then did something unexpected. Before I knew what was happening I was totally engulfed in his embrace. “I’m sorry for not texting or calling you either, especially after you gave Hyomin your number. I was afraid.”

I pulled out of the hug to look at him. “It’s really fine Hyo, you’re here now. That’s all that matters,” I said sitting back in my chair. It was silent for a while again.

“Hey, I’m going to get refills, do you want one as well Hyoyeon-ssi?”

“Sure Tiffany, please speak comfortably with me though, we’re practically family right?”

We both smiled at each other as she stood up. “Okay then Hyoyeon-ah, Tae, I’ll be right back.”

Just after she had walked away my cousin turned toward me again. “Care to tell me how you scored one of the biggest babes in Korea?”

I laughed as I finally turned away from Tiffany’s backside… I mean Tiffany… “Hey, you’re asking the wrong person. I don’t know how I did it either.” We were both laughing until a thought popped in to my head. “Hey Hyoyeon?” I heard him hum so I continued. “Next time I go home, you should come with me.”

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea Taeng. I don’t think my parents would be too happy with me if I just showed up.”

I laughed, I’m not even sure why though. Probably at how ridiculous that was “Hyung, they’ve been waiting for nothing but just that for like five years.”

“Er, maybe. I’ll have to think about it more.”

“Think about what?” Tiffany asked after setting three drinks down. A smirk grew to my face as I pulled her down on to my lap.

Her eyes were wide and her face started to get red as I spoke. “I told him he should come home with me next time I go.”

“O-oh yeah, that’s a great idea Hyoyeon-ah. That would be great for you tw-two,” she stuttered out after I pulled her closer to me. I don’t know what it was, but I just felt the sudden urge to have her close to me tonight. Like quadruple the amount I usually do, and that’s already a lot.

“Are you serious!?” I then heard the door slam shut.

“What in the world was that?” I started to turn to see what all the commotion was, but before I could look my question was answered.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“O-oh yeah, that’s a great idea Hyoyeon-ah. That would be great for you tw-two,” I stuttered from Taeyeon’s pull on me. I was already on his lap, how much closer did he want me? I didn’t mind at all though, I kind of actually loved it. Something about PDA just got me extra excited. I just wish he did this more often around people. I was about to reach down a steal a kiss but then a voice called out and a door slammed.

“Are you serious!?”

I looked at the source. Oh no.

“What is the world was that?” I felt Taeyeon move underneath me.

“Sunny,” I breathed. She looked like she was going to be in tears here soon too. Sunny almost never cries. She’s the strongest one of us. “Hey Taetae, I’m going to go check on her okay? Here take my drink,” I said as I stood up. After he took my cup, I bent down for one last kiss before I went, gah I could not get enough of him. Snap out of it Tiff, Sunny is in need!

As I was about half the way to the bathroom that I saw her walk in to I knew I probably couldn’t do this on my own. “Jessi! Seohyunie!” they both looked at me from their different positions and came at once when I waved them over. They weren’t the only ones however.

“Noona, what’s wrong with Sunny?”

“I don’t know Soo, we’re going to go find out. Keep the party going, okay?”

“Uhh ne? I’ll try.” I nodded to him and led the other two girls in to the restroom. Man I was spending an awful amount of time in here tonight.

“Unnie,” Seohyun called out.

“Go away guys, I don’t want to talk about it,” she protested from inside a stall.

“Oh Sunny we know that’s a lie, you want to talk about everything,” I said.

“Plus, we don’t care. We’re staying until you come out and talk.”

“Jess,” I said under my breath. “Be nice!”

It was a few minutes later and the three of us outside the stall were talking about random things waiting for her to come out. She’s worse than Jessi sometimes, being so stubborn.

“So did Oppa and his cousin make up?”

“Ne, they’re chatting like old friends now,” I said. Well at least I hoped so, I wasn’t out there so I wasn’t 100% sure.

“Well that’s good!”

“So he knows about you two too now,” Jessica asked a little sharply.

“Uh yeah, but I trust him not to say anything, plus he told me who he was secretly dating as well so, I mean…”

“Jinjja?”

“Ahh, who is it? Who is it,” Seohyun excitedly asked. Just then a thought popped in my head.

I motioned for them to come closer to me as I whispered who Hyoyeon’s girlfriend was and hoped for my plan to work out.

“No way!” “Oh my god seriously,” Jessica asked in English.

“Yes way,” I replied back in Korean.

“That’s so crazy, I never would have guessed he-“

“Yah tell me who it is!” We all stopped to see that Sunny was now out of the stall.

I leaped up and pulled her in to a hug. “If I tell you, will you tell us what’s wrong?” I heard her sigh and then felt a nod. “Fine, it’s Nicole from KARA.”

“What? Really? She never even talked about him…”

I nodded. “I know right? No! Don’t get me sidetracked. Talk now.”

I stood beside her and took her hand before she started talking. “Hyo-Hyomin thinks I’m cheating on him.” I heard Jessica scoff just as I was thinking it.

Who did he think he was? Accusing Sunny of doing exactly what he actually was doing.

“Who does he think you’re cheating on him with?” That was a good question.

“That’s where it gets even better. He thinks it’s Taeyeon.” I laughed aloud at that.

“Jinjja? How? Taeyeon was literately all over me all night…”

“I know right? Oh yeah, I wanted to talk to you about that too.” I rolled my eyes.

“Oh please. It’s his birthday, quit being such a mom,” I said teasingly. “Wow, seriously though Taeyeon?”

Sunny laughed again. “I know, if it was going to be one of them it would clearly be Sooyoung anyway.”

“Unnie!” “Excuse me?” “OH my god really?” were the rest of our reactions to that bomb.

“What? I’m just being honest Seobaby, and Jessica don’t even. You said plenty of times you don’t like him.”

“Whatever, stop! Let’s just go back to the party. Forget about that jerk and let’s go,” I said.

“Tiff,” Sunny spoke quietly.

“Sunny, I’m going to say something on behalf of all of us,” Jessica announced and I held my breath. I knew what she was going to say, I just hoped she said it in a nicer way then she probably was. “You need to dump him.” I let out my breath. Alright that wasn’t as bad as it could be. “He’s clearly cheating on you.”

And there it was.

“You don’t know that Jessica!”

“Yes I do! It’s obvious!”

I was about to shout, until someone beat me to it.

“Both of you stop!” It was Seohyun. Omo, she almost never raises her voice, and I mean ever. “Can’t we talk about this tomorrow, or another time? We’re missing oppa’s party.”

“She’s right,” I chimed in. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not missing anymore of it. Sunny I’m sorry that he thinks that, but we all know that’s ridiculous. So just forget about it tonight and have a drink or something. Jessica, just drop it tonight, please.”

“Tiff, sometimes I think that you should be leader,” Jessica laughed. “You heard her. Let’s go. Sunny I’m sorry.”

“Whatever, this isn’t over,” she said as she walked through the door. I saw Jess give me a look but I just held my hand up in between us.

“Not tonight.” I then left the bathroom and headed toward Taeyeon. Wait a second, I need a well-deserved drink after that. I decided to make a quick detour to where the drinks were located. I took a look at all the guests and they seemed to be having a good time. They were all laughing and joking along with everyone.

“Hey Tiff.”

“Oh! Oh Soo, you scared me. What’s up?”

“Oh nothing I was just wondering how many of those has he had,” he asked while nodding toward Taeyeon who was now drinking out of my cup.

“I have no idea, probably like three or four cups of the punch.”

“Four?” His eyes were wide now.

“Uh why?”

“Tiffany I’m sure you’re not aware of this but you can’t let Taeyeon get drunk, well I guess it might be too late for that, just don’t let him drink anymore.”

“What? Why?” I was so confused? Was he going to start vomiting? If so I really don’t think I could handle that.

“Well for starters, he can’t hold his alcohol at all, he’s a huge lightweight, and the second thing. The main thing really, uhh, well he gets sort of, uh…cuddly when he’s drunk. So I would make sure you’re glued to him the rest of the night.”

I took a glance at him and sure enough he was leaning against Hyoyeon. Oh god.

“Thanks Soo!” I quickly walked over to where Hyoyeon was sitting.

“Oh, poor baby.”

“Right? He’s a big mess tonight.”

I laughed. “Yeah sorry, I had no idea about his tolerance level, er well, his lack of one. I apologize.” I did feel bad about leaving him out here alone, and especially now. It was probably good for their bonding though right? It had to be.

“Don’t worry about it, but uh, I think it’s your turn.”

“Oh right!” I quickly sat down beside Taeyeon. “Hey Tae. Are you alright? Here give me that cup” I said taking the half empty cup from him and setting it on the table. I then took his face in my hands so I could get a better feel on how out of it he was. This wasn’t my first rodeo. I have a pretty high tolerance when it comes to alcohol so I’m usually the one babysitting the ones drinking.

He was squinting adorably before he recognized me. “Pany-ah!” I then felt his arm wrap around my waist as his head found my shoulder. My mouth curved upwards at his actions. I would totally be able to deal with this.

“Hey, tell Taengo I’ll call him soon.”

“That’s what they said last time!” Taeyeon was now pointing up at him. Oh my god tipsy Taeyeon was adorable.

“Taeng, you have my number too okay? You can call me. I better go check on Hyomin though. That guy can be such an sometimes.”

“I couldn’t say it better myself,” I agreed. “Thank you for coming though Hyoyeon. It really meant a lot to him.”

“No problem. I’ll see you all around.” I then watched him say goodbye to a few more of the guests before I was sidetracked by Taeyeon.

“Pany-ah, you look so pretty tonight.” He nuzzled into my neck.

I laughed. “Thank you Taetae, you look pretty cute tonight yourself.”

“Hmm, cute enough for you to kiss me,” he asked shyly. I could literately scream right now. I know this was probably the alcohol talking for him, but I couldn’t help but smile.

“I don’t know about that Kim Taeyeon,” I said teasingly. He started to raise his head off my shoulder.

“Oh, but Pany-ah ple-“ I cut him off with my lips. It took him longer to react due to the alcohol I figured but he definitely responded.

I felt his hand move against the back of my neck, entwining with my hair. He was pulling me in deeper. His second hand began wondering my body, and I didn’t stop him. Since we were sitting down and off to the side more, I didn’t think we would draw too much attention.

His hand caressed my thigh, setting it on fire. He then moved to my hip. I started to feel my breaths getting heavier as he sensually slid his hand slowly up my side, making sure he touched every inch of me he could. The next thing he did however, I was not ready for. In one swift movement he moved his hand from my side to on top of my causing a rushing sensation to move to the pit of my stomach. Omo.

That was it, I had to stop this, before it got any farther. There were people around. Not to mention that he is not even completely coherent for god sakes! If it were anywhere else though, I wouldn’t have had a problem, but this…

I took his hand off my chest and tried to pull away. ”Tae…Taeyeon.” There was no way to stop him right now. He was locked on to my lips. Only one thing popped in to my head. Oh god, sorry Taeyeon.

“Ow,” he yelped as he immediately backed off. “You, you bit me.”

“I know. You wouldn’t listen to me. We can’t do this here, okay?”

“But Pany-ah,” he whined and tried to pull me back in for a kiss.

“Taeyeon, I’ll bite you again,” I warned. He hastily reached for his lip. Omo, I hope I didn’t get him too bad, “Here, move your hand, let me see,” he tried to fight it for a second but then moved. Inspecting it closer I could see I didn’t get him as bad as I thought. Whew.

“It hurts Pany-ah,” he whined again. “Kiss it.”

I shook my head. I really could believe that he could go from being incredibly y to incredibly whiney in a matter of seconds. You really are something Kim Taeyeon.