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“Are you serious right now?” Leena groaned, running a palm over her face. “We get it, Soyoung. Your first time was hell. It was for all of us. But can we not talk about anymore? I don’t need to be reminded of the awful experience.”

“I’m only bringing it up because I’m worried,” Soyoung reasoned exasperatedly. “What if my future husband finds out I’m not a on our wedding night? Would he be mad at me? Would he file for a divorce? Crud, I knew I shouldn’t have given it away to Minhyuk. What was I thinking? Now I’ll never find a suitable husband for myself. I’m too young to be a divorcee,” the girl moped as she buried her face into her arms, which were folded on the table.

“Dude,”—Wooji lightly kicked her leg in attempt to gain her attention—“Nearly every girl in our school has had already. I’m sure your future husband won’t mind too much.”

“B-but,” Soyoung stammered hopelessly.

“You’re overthinking again.” Feilin sighed. “I’m sure you’re future spouse will love you no matter what.”

“Yeah,” Leena agreed with a lazy nod. “And if he really gives you the boot for letting some guy you thought you were so madly in love with pop your cherry before you even met him then he’s not worth it.”

“Ou, you guys have cherries? Can I have some?” The four girls glanced back toward the owner of the voice, who had so rudely intruded on their private conversation, only to be greeted with Jia’s beaming face as she plopped down. It was clear to them that she didn’t know what they were talking about.

Feilin blinked, stunned at her arrival. “You’re not going outside for lunch today?”

“Not yet.” Jia giggled. “I wanted to see what you girls were up to. Can I have some cherries now?” She stuck her palm out but no one handed her anything. “What? Did I mistranslate again?”

“No you didn’t mistranslate, Jia. It’s just that, well… we’re not talking about those kinds of cherries,” Soyoung explained, her cheeks tinted pink.

“Eh?” Jia placed her hand back down and tilted her head to the side, waiting for someone to further elaborate on what the girl meant. “Are there more than one kind of cherries or something?”

“Seriously? You’ve never heard someone use the word cherry in another context?” Leena deadpanned.

“No… should I have?” the clueless girl questioned.

“We’re talking about , bubble-brain,” Leena specified, rolling her eyes as she so often did whenever she talked to Jia.

“Ohhhhhhh.” Jia nodded in comprehension, ignoring the peeved tone the other girl had used. It was how Leena was. She might sound harsh and mean but deep down, Jia knew she was a good person. “What about it?”

“Soyoung here thinks she won’t be able to find a husband for herself because she’s already done the deed with somebody else,” Wooji said as she shook her head. “Which, in my opinion, is definitely an over-exaggeration on her part. I’m pretty sure a majority of the girls here have already lost their ity. It’s the twenty-first century for crying out loud. You have nothing to worry about.”

Suddenly, Jia raised her hand. It was like she was back in the classroom, eager to get called on by the teacher. However, the four girls were accustomed to this sort of thing by now. It was simply who she was and they didn’t mind the slightest bit. “Yes, Jia?” Wooji crossed her arms against her chest as they all waited for what she had to say.

“So there aren’t really any edible cherries? Just making sure.”

“No there isn’t. Maybe tomorrow.” Feilin chortled.

“Okay, sorry. You can continue,” Jia permitted.

So with a loud sigh, Soyoung spoke up, “I know, I know,” she resigned as she hung her head low. “This is just me trying to find an excuse in regretting the decision I made,” she confessed. “Honestly, it wasn’t even as special as I had expected it to be. People said it was going to feel good but it didn’t.”

Feilin couldn’t help but chuckle as she her teeth. “And by people, I’m going to assume that you’re referring to all of the articles and posts you read online?”

“You’re not alone about it not being special,” Leena cut in. “I freaking had my first time at some stupid party with a random guy I had just met. At least you knew Minhyuk’s name.”

“Are you kidding me? What’s so good about knowing the person who took your v-card?” Wooji scoffed in objection. “I had with my brother’s friend and even until this day, I still can’t look him in the eye. It was beyond awkward, especially because he had no idea what he was doing either.”

“That’s why you should only do it when you’re ready,” Feilin chided.

“Oh please,” Leena snickered. “I remember you telling me how terrible Seungjin was when you guys did it.”

The girl’s face reddened as she glared at her friend. “But I was ready for it. I was aware that it might hurt and yeah, I kind of regret it but not completely. I just wish he would have been more gentle and less selfish.” Next, all four of them turned their gazes to the last party who had yet to speak of her own experience.

Jia, who had zoned out a few minutes back, was playing with her fingers, oblivious to her friends’ anticipating eyes and ears. “Hey, it’s your turn to spill the beans.” Wooji elbowed her, snapping her out from her thoughts.

“Huh?” Jia looked at them, ignorance plastered all over her face.

“Your first time,” Leena specified. “Tell us about it. You’ve heard all of our stories. Now it’s your turn to talk.”

“I bet it was sweet.” Soyoung pouted, a little jealous. “Jia is so cute and lovable. There’s no sane guy out there who would dare to be rough on her.”

“You might never know,” Wooji argued, her lips forming a coy smirk. “The sweet and innocent ones could be the freakiest beneath the sheets. She could have been the rough one.”

“Even I have to admit that’s true.” Feilin laughed. “I’ve heard so many stories about all the nice girls in our school being wild behind closed doors.”

“Oh me?” Jia pointed at her face. “I’ve never had .”

“What?” all four of them shouted in perfect synchronization, earning many stares, glares and scowls from those who sat closest to their table.

“What?” Jia looked at them with a confused expression. “Did I use the wrong word again?” She searched her mind for the Korean words she wanted and when she realized she didn’t make a mistake, she pursed her lips out and peered at her friends. “I said it right. Did you guys not hear me?”

“No, we heard you.” Wooji gaped.

“It’s sho