CHAPTER sixteen

The look on their faces made Taecyeon know they weren't happy with him. Not at all. His father sat behind the desk with his mother standing behind his father. Taecyeon was summoned after his return him. He honestly forget his parents were annoyed with him due to all the information Taeyeon had told him. Now all his attention is on his parents and their irrated face. 

"I hope you understand why you are here" his father's voice was stern and deep. 

In all honestly, he wasn't exactly sure why he was here but he knew that it regard the promise he made with the principal about returning to school again. 

But rather than speaking his mind, he replied "Yes" and avoided the yelling. 

"We are a family of our word - I hope you understand that promising to return to school means once everything dies down-"

"You'll need to enroll back into university. With Yoona" His father put much imphasies on "With Yoona" 

"But-" Taecyeon started but when his mother shook her hand, he knew it wasn't time for him to speak out. 

His father wasn't hearing excuses anymore, "We allowed you to take a year off from school because of... Your issues. It's already been almost two years now. I'm tired of waiting around. Your education needs to come first" 

"I know father but-"

"No buts. You made your promise. I expect you to keep it now" 

Defeated he answered, "Yes father"

"Good. Two months" 

His eyes widen at the near date, "FATHER!" 

"Taecyeon!" His mother warned, "Sit back down!"

He complied, and allowed his mother to continue, "We've tired of your childish behavior. Late nights, drinking... and even those trips to clubs. We allowed you to have your fun but it's time for you to grow up. We are tired of cleaning up your mess everytime you cause trouble" 

"Mother, please..."

"Our word is final" 

He threw the couch pillow across the room, letting out his frusration "WHAT THE HELL!" 

"Alright don't need to take out your anger in my pillow" Jay replied, eyeing his friend from across the room. 

Taecyeon rose up to retrive the pillow only to throw it back to the couch, "Why are they making me go back so soon?" 

Junho looked at him confused, "It's almost been two years, Taecyeon. That's a lot of time" 

He shot a glare to Junho but he wasn't playing attention to him anymore. 

"Everyone else is in school, Taecyeon. It's not a bad place" Junsu spoke up now, leaving Wooyoung, who too hasn't returned to school. 

"Yeah... Even I'm in school. You know how much I hated it before" 

He shook his head, "You don't get it guys..." 

"We do get it" Junsu replied, fullying know the reason Taecyeon doesn't wish return to school anymore, " But we don't get why you can't let it go..." 

He sighed, "I loved her, guys. I wanted to marry her. To have kids and grow old" 

Junsu patted his back, "Life doesn't go to our own wishes" 

They were as they as, high school sweet hearts. They had met in school, he asked her out during a school dance, their first kiss was during their lunch. All milestones of their relationship happened in school. They even planned to attend the same University. He hoped that in university they could make more memories together but she left him at the alter and he lost the passion to go to school. 

Despite the two years, he still missed her. He still loved her. There was days he believed she would come back and they would live happliy ever after. Those were the days where he would drink until he didn't even know his name. He knew his friends and sister have come to hate her because of what she did but he knew that if she asked to come back into his life... He would allow her. They were each other first love and he swore they'd do everything together: have kids, fund a organization, start a dance school, grow old. He was foolish and stupid- he knew that. But he couldn't move on... He won't. 

Hyoyeon had just finished her pratice with some SM artist. She was one of their main choregraphers and was well loved and respect. Hyoyeon was once a trainee as well but after realizing she wasn't suited for singing, they gave her a job as a choregrahper. She saw many trainees come and go and some came to be her good friends. She had recently choregraphed the new song "The Boys" for one of the certainly famous girl groups, Girl's Generation. She was blasting their current album on her ipod, mindlessly entering a small empty cafe. She sat in one of the stools, looking for quick service. 

She removed her headphones when she noticed a women dressed in black was infront of her. Hyoyeon looked up, immeditily recognizing the worker.

"Hey! Taeyeon right?" She smiled brightly. 

She nodded and smiled, "Yes, Hyoyeon" 

"It's good to see you again!" 

It's been a few weeks since they had last seen each other but  Taeyeon had made such a good impression with her polite and cheerful attitude. She didn't talk so Hyoyeon had hope that they would have a chance to speak.

"Good to see you too" She smiled, and pulled out her note book and pen, "Can I get you something?"

Hyoyeon quickly looked at her menu and gave her order. She watched as Taeyeon moved around smoothly, not even playing attention to the fact that Hyoyeon was watching her. Taeyeon was quietly humming a song to herself, which Hyoyeon was dying to know what song it was. 

"Here you go" Taeyeon handed her drink and muffin.

Before she could disapear behind the door, Hyoyeon stopped her. 

"What song were you humming?"

Taeyeon looked surprised at first but laughed, "You heared me? I'm pretty bad wasn't I? It's was a song I made up" 

"Really? The melody was really good! Have you ever thought singing as an artist?" 

Taeyeon gave her a small smile, but avoided the question, "Did you want anything else?"

"I'm fine" 

She smile, and began wiping the counter "How was your day?" 

"I just came back from training some kids at SM" 

"Oh..." Taeyeon couldn't help but freeze at the sound of the company, "You must be tired" 

Before Hyoyeon could answer, her phone rang off. "I'm sorry, I have to take this" 

Taeyeon nodded in understandment and walked over to finish her list of duties before she could finish up work. Despite the distance, she could hear Hyoyeon's angry voice. 

"Seriously Junho! Give me a break!" 

Silence

Hyoyeon sighed, dropping her angry tone of voice, "I'm sorry okay?" 

Silence

"Hello? Hello?.... Junho?- AISH That kid!" 

She slammed her phone down on the counter. "Sorry about that Taeyeon. You can come back now"

Taeyeon entered the room, giving her a soft smile but nonetheless never said anything regarding the phonecall.

"Did you want another refill?"

Hyoyeon shook her head, "No thank you" 

There was a sudden change in mood. Hyoyeon had lost her smile and her usually bright personallity. Taeyeon wasn't one to get involve in other people's private life. She had bad luck of when she did try and get involve. So she remained silent and allowed Hyoyeon to be consumed in her thoughts.

When her co-worker entered, it meant she had finished her shift. 

"Hyoyeon...." She waited until Hyoyeon had looked up, "It was good seeing you" 

"Oh... You're leaving?" 

"My shift finished"

There was an awkward silence between the two and Taeyeon debated whether to leave or not. 

"Is it okay for to stay with me?" 

The sad tone in her had guilted her to stayed. 

"Let's move to a booth then" Taeyeon suggested. 

The silenece had consumed them again. Hyoyeon awkwardly drank her coffee, dying to tell someone of her relationship problems.

"Taeyeon, if I tell you something, can you keep it a secret?" 

Taeyeon looked at her in confusion, "No" She finally answered, "I won't" 

"I just don't know who to talk to. Everyone has been so busy so we haven't been able to meet"

"It's alright, Hyoyeon. I understand" 

She smiled, taking a sip of her coffee.  "I love Junho, I really do but lately we've been fighting over the simpliest of things" 

Taeyeon nodded, "Are you thinking of ending the relationship then?" 

Hyoyeon stopped to think of her answer, "No, no. Never. I love him. I just don't get why he's behaving like this" 

"Like what?"

"Like being the woman in the relationship. He gets angry over the smallest things like if I don't call him when I finish work. He freaks out when I mention a guy's name. He wants to know where I am always. It's getting on my nerves now!"

"Was he always like this?"

Hyoyeon shook her head, "No... We were fine. Just recently it seems like he can't trust me"

"Define recently" 

"I-I guess since I took my trip in America and Europe of some concerts and training for some artists" 

Taeyeon nodded, tyring to process the current information in her mind. 

She sighed, "Maybe I should have agreed to move in with him..." 

"Why did you say no then?"

"I'm not ready... I know after moving in it means marrage after but  my career has just started."

"Do you see yourself getting married to him?" 

Once again Hyoyeon had to stop and think about the question. "Yes. I do. I know I'm young but I love Junho with all of my heart... I can't picture myself with anyone else now"

"Have you told him?"

"No... He won't talk about it anymore since I told him I don't want to live with him" 

"Maybe you should tell him. It just seems he's scared you lose you"

"You think?" 

She nodded, "He probably believes you are losing hope in their relationship... So he is trying to pull you back it"

"In a very stupid manner I might add"

Taeyeon and Hyoyeon laughed, "Boys will be boys"

Hyoyeon smiled not only has Taeyeon stayed to listened but even opened her eyes to Junho's side. 

"Thanks Taeyeon" 

Taeyeon had been at the Ok's mansion for the last couple of days. She dearly missed her cousin and when Mrs. Ok asked if she could visit for a couple of days, she of course said yes. Yoona had been willing to talk more than usual but mainly questions regarding university life and programs. At first she was caught off guard with the sudden interest in the classes she was taking but after awhile she enjoyed hearing Yoona take interest in a normal teenage activities. 

Today they had decieded to watch a American movie in living room. Taeyeon needed to better her English skills and Yoona was the only willing friend who agreed. Yoona watched silently while on ther other Taeyeon would randomly repeat the actor's lines. By the end of the movie Taeyeon was in tears. 

"Don't look at me like that Yoona" She hissed as she covered her eyes with her hands.

Yoona didn't reply but stood up and walked off to the kitchen. After a few minutes, she came back holding a glass of water. She handed Taeyeon the glass and sat back down. She watched the blue screen as she waited for Taeyeon to drink her glass.

"Thanks" She picked up the remote and turned it back to the news. 

They watched in silence, simply enjoy the company. 

"I want to go there" Taeyeon comment as the screen showed the current state of Japan months after the tragedy.

"But not just there, everywhere. I want to travel... Make a difference" 

Yoona nodded her, listening. 

She looked at Yoona as her cousin watched the news. Until now she never stopped to think if Yoona had a dream other than being a doctor, and that was killed when she married Taecyeon. A dream is meant to push you forward. Now the only thing that seemed to push Yoona forward was her mother. The mother who at this moment laying in the hospital bed. In all honestly Taeyeon knew the chances of overcome the same cancer twice was harder than the first. She often wondered what would happen to Yoona after the death of her mother. Yoona is strong girl but what if at her weakest moment she can't handle anymore of the stress and pain? 

Taeyeon shook her head... She shouldn't be thinking of the worst possible outcomes when she needed to stay positive for Yoona. Yoona looked at her confused but said nothing. She couldn't help but sigh wondering what really went on in Yoona's mind. She was the closest to Yoona and yet she still had troubles with understanding her. At times like these Taeyeon learned to surpress the many questions in her mind because she knew Yoona would automatically pull back in their conversation.  She rather asking her what her real dream is, she layed back onto the couch an watched the news with Yoona. 

"Jess! Stop standing around with no bags!" Tiffany yelled as she grabbed on 4 bags of groceries. 

Jessica jumped up from the curb, "Calm down" She walked over to the trunk of the car and grabbed the 2 lightest bags.

"Still such a princess" Tiffany mummered. 

Hyoyeon laughed, "It doesn't help that Jay treats her so well" 

Jessica stuck her tounge out at the other two girls, "Jealous?" 

Tiffany rolled her eyes and moved towards the front door, followed by Hyoyeon. 

"YAH" Jessica yelled, "Wait for me!"

Tiffany opened the door to be greeted by her maids. She smiled at them as they immediatly reached for the bags. One more showed up to help Jessica. They scurried down the hall to the kitchen leaving the girls in the foeya. Tiffany and Jessica couldn't help but look at the mirror to fit their messy hair. Hyoyeon on the other hand was already taking off her shoes. 

Sometimes Hyoyeon couldn't believe they were all friends, they were totally different. Tiffany and Jessica were too feminine for her liking. She preferred running shoes over heels. It was only thanks to Junho that they had all befriended each other. Despite the lack of same interest she has with the other two girls, they were always there for her. Whenever they were together, they managed to have fun. No matter the time zone, they always answered the phone. 

"Tiff, I'm going ahead" 

From the corner of her eyes, she saw Tiffany nod her head. She continued to walk down the hall and enjoyed all the family pictures on the white walls. No one ever stopped or slowed down to look at them closely. Everyone had been here enough times so no one seem to care to notice. While others are too amazed by grandness of the house to notice the little things. 

She heard the sound of the television . Confused, she began to tip toe into the living room. 

"Oh" she laughed at herself. 

Taeyeon had turned around confused, but smiles to recognize the person standing, "Hello" she said, standing up with Yoona.

Hyoyeon stared at the two cousins with small smiles on their faces. "Did I disturb your time?" 

Taeyeon shook her head, "just watching the news. Tiffany isn't here at the moment." 

She pointed back with her thumb, "She, along with Jessica are back there" 

From down the hall, Hyoyeon could hear their footsteps and their loud conversation. 

"He asked me out for coffee again" said Tiffany. 

"It's the guy you told me about before right?" 

"Yes-" 

But before she could finish her sentence, they reached the living room. Both girls were shocked to see Taeyeon and Yoona in the mansion. 

"I thought you were with my parents for the day?" asked Tiffany

Yoona shook her head but said nothing. 

Tiffany gave her famous eye smile, "More the better!" she clasped her hands together, "At least we won't burn the kitchen down!" 

Taeyeon drew her eyebrows together in confusion, while Yoona had some understanding. 

"The group is having a bonfire to celebrate the start of the summer" Tiffany explained. 

"Except the problem is that Jessica here" Hyoyeon threw a sharp glance at the blonde girl "promised to cook for tonight" 

"Except we can't cook the save our lives..." Tiffany finished off. 

Jessica and Yoona watched from their stools as the other three girls move around the large kitchen. Taeyeon directed the other two girls, except Hyoyeon seemed to be the only one actually helping. Tiffany, on the other hand followed Taeyeon and just watched whatever she would do. Jessica watched with her elbows on the counter and her chin in the palm of her hands. She was enjoying the scene way too much. It reminded her of her grandmother in the states. 

"Almost done?" she asked, checking the time on her phone. 

Taeyeon looked up for a brief moment, with a small smile "Yup, just a few more things to finish" 

Jessica was glad it was Taeyeon who answered and not Tiffany.. 

She loved Tiffany except when she was angry or new at something. It is during those times when Tiffany would become a totally different person. She wouldn't change from a sweet and funny to a short-tempered and annoying. It was rare to see Tiffany angry because she is usually flexible about everything, except when learning sometime new. She is a perfectionist. Everything she does must be right or all of hell breaks lose. 

"Done" announced Tiffany with a bright smile on her face. She looked at her best friend with happiness written on her face. 

Hyoyeon looked at the clock, noticing the time. "The boys are coming soon" 

The eyes on Jessica and Tiffany widen realizing they were short on time to change. They scrambled out the kitchen. Soon after they left Yoona jumped down the stool and left the room as well. Taeyeon began to clean the dishes. 

"You don't need to do that, the maids will do it" 

"It's alright, I don't mind washing dishes" 

"But if you do that, you won't have time to get ready" 

"I wasn't really invited" 

Hyoyeon touched Taeyon forearm, causing Taeyeon to stop. 

"The girls would never ask you to help if they didn't expect you to come. They are just preoccupied at the moment to tell you" 

Taeyeon hesitated in answering because of the reassuring smile that Hyoyeon gave. When she knew she wasn't going anywhere to tonight, she sighed in defeat. 

"Good!" she said, pulling the small girl out the kitchen, "Jessica would love to curl your hair!" 

Taeyeon bit her upper lip, slightly scared. 

Jessica finished the last curl on Taeyeon's long hair. She smiled at her success, proud of her outcome. 

"Done" she announced to the rest of the group, who were relaxing on the other side of Tiffany's bedroom. 

Tiffany hurried out off her seat to reach Jessica and Taeyeon. She stared at Taeyeon from the mirror. 

"You look amazing with your hair curled, Tae!" Tiffany complimented, "You should do it more often" 

"You think?" Taeyeon couldn't help but smile. She knew she was blushing too. Its not often when she receives a compliment. 

Jessica nodded her head in agreement,"Have you ever thought of lightening your hair color a few shades lighter? Maybe even a blonde-ish color?" 
Before she could answer, the sound of the door bell rang. Tiffany looked up, 

"Come on Jess, that's probably Jay" 

They walked towards the door but Tiffany stopped to turn around, "Yoona, come with us" 
With no words, she got up from the bed and gracefully walked towards the girls. When she reached them, all three walked out the door. 

"Taeyeon?" 

"Yes?" she replied, rising from her vanity stool. 

"I wanted to say thank you for helping me out the other day" 

She gave a small smile, "Don't worry about it" 

Knock Knock

The knob turned and Junho's head popped inside with a smile on his face. 

"Hello" he said awkwardly 

He opened the door wider, letting himself in. 

"Hyoyeon, everyone is down now. They wanted me get you two." he looked at Taeyeon, "Hey Taeyeon" 

She smiled and waved her small hand to him,

"Let's go then?" asked the couple.

"Tayeon, we'll catch up with you. We need to discuss something" 

She nodded her head, already walking towards the door, "I'll see you both downstairs then" 

"I saw her" She said when Taeyeon left the room. She looked worried which cause her boyfriend to close the gap between the two, and grabbed on to her forearm.

"Hyo, who did you see?" 

"Yuri" she said in a cold voice. 

Junho's eyes widen, "What? Where?" 

She pursed her lips, " Do you remember about a special guest for the trainees that's from Russia that I told you about a few weeks ago?" 

Junho reflected back before he could answer, "So she's the special guest... Did she recognize you?" 

"She was in a middle of class, she didn't even see me." 

"Do the girls know?" 

"I didn't want to tell them" 

"I understand" 

Aside from Taecyeon having the broken heart, Jessica and Tiffany had also felt betrayed by Yuri's actions. They had treated her as their little sister, showered her with their love and care. They always supported her in any couples quarrels. They were suppose to be the bridesmaid for the wedding. Except she never showed up for the wedding, leaving the groom with a letter of good-bye and apologizes.

Hyoyeon had never became close to Yuri like the other girls. They were awkward in each other's presences. Hyoyeon had tried many times to break the ice in their friendship but it never seemed to work out. So she just accepted they weren't meant to be sisters like the other girls were to Yuri. 

"How long is she staying in SM?" 

"Just another week or so" 

"Everyone is leaving in a few days for the trip, no one will see her" 

Hyoyeon looked to the floor, worried and scared. Yuri leaving had cause a lot of unwanted tension in the group. Many of the members still hold resentment towards the girl for the damage she left Taecyeon in. Now that their group was finally together as a whole, she didn't want anything or anyone to ruin the group dynamic 

Junho wrapped his hand around his girlfriend's waist closing the small gap between them. Hyoyeon rested her head on his chest, able to hear his heartbeat. 

"Dont worry too much, Hyo." 

He kissed her forehead, causing her to smile. No matter how long they've together he could always make her blush. 

"Let's go downstairs now, Hyo." 

The boys quickly gathered around the round dinner table. The table had been nicely prepared by the maids with the food in middle, calling the boys over. 

"This looks amazing" Changsung said his attention focused on the table. 

Junsu took a sit beside him, patting his back, "You are drooling, Changsung" 

Immediately he refocused to reality, closed his mouth and wiped the drool on his arm. Nickhun laughed at the sight of his friends, while he sat on the other side of Changsung. When the Jay entered with the meat, the boys knew that this meal was going to be amazing. 

Jay sat beside Junsu, saving a seat for his wife. He placed the meat in the center of the table, waiting for Taecyeon to bring out the portable burner (I think that's what it's called)

"Chansung, stop looking at the food like you want to undress it" Jay said, the same moment as Taecyeon entered the room with the portable burner. He placed it in the middle, and sat beside Nickhun. 

Jay and Junsu quickly began to turn the burner on, while the other boys waited for the girls and Junho. 

"I thought you sent Junho to fetch Hyoyeon and Yoona's cousin?" 

"I swear I did, Khun" Taecyeon asked.

Right on command the couple came in side by side. 

"Sorry!" Hyoyeon mumbled 

Junho led them a seat away from Jay so there was a space for Jessicia. 

"Say sorry to Chang, he looks very impatient" 

"WHAT? no no... I'm just hungry" 

"All that's left is the girls now"

"We're here!" Tiffany said as she and the others entered the room. 

Jessica sat herself beside her husband. Hyoyeon patted the seat beside for Taeyeon. Tiffany pulled both girls to the table, placing herself in the middle of the girls.Taeyeon smile towards Hyoyeon and Yoona sat awkwardly beside her husband. 

"Can we eat now? I'm starving" Changsung whinned 

Taecyeon laughed, "Let's eat!!" 

Changsung, Junsu and Jay quickly grabbed whatever their hands could reach. 

"Excuse me!" Jessica yelled, slapping Jay's arm. 

Jay extracted his arm, realizing his mistake. Junho and Taecyeon were patiently waiting for the girls beside them to take what they waited first. Nickhun, the gentleman that he is, passed a plate of food to Taeyon and Tiffany. 

"I'm sorry babe" he mumbled, "Let me get that for you." he reached his arm over to one Jessica's favorite dishes. 

She smiled, already forgiving him. Seeing his wife happy he knew it was alright to take his own food. 

The table was quiet for a while, as everyone ate. When Tiffany looked up across from her, she couldn't help laugh at the sight of Changsung. He looked like a beast. 

He, as well as the rest of the group stopped to see why she was laughing. The girls couldnt help but laugh along, while the boys shook their heads in embarrassment. Chansung's cheek turned red, "I'm sorry, the food is really good. You guys did an amazing job" 

"I'm surprised you can cook so well" Junsu commented. 

"Actually Taeyeon cooked it all" Hyoyeon corrected 

"We just helped out" Tiffany bleamed with a smile

Chansung eyes widen, looking straight into Taeyeon's eyes. 

"You should cook for all out events from now on. NO! You should cook for me all the time" 

Rather than be shocked by the directness of his words, she laughed instead. "I'll have to think about it" 

The rest of the group laughed, "Taeyeon, we should have joined the group before Jessica decided she would make my birthday dinner two years ago" Junsu jokingly said. 

Jessica sent him the death stare, "Haha, very funny. It was the thought that counts!" 

"You're right. I enjoyed the burnt food" 

The group laughed, recalling the memory. 

"Never will I do anything nice for you!" she stuck her tongue out but still smiled, not taking anything to heart. She knew she at cooking. 

"From now on, I think Taeyoen and Yoona are the only girls that can cook for us" Chansung said, as he took another serving. 

"Hyoyeon's cooking isn't that bad" Junho tried to defend his girlfriend. 

Chansung chewed on his food thinking about it, "I guess Hyoyeon too" 

Hyoyeon laughed, "Basically, Jessica and Tiffany are banned from the kitchen?" 

He stopped to think about it, "Yeah, you right" he looked at both Jessica and Tiffany, "I'm sorry" 

Tiffany laughed, "Trust me, I ready know that!" 

The group laughed as they moved from food to school. A topic that majority of the group had in common. Yoona continued to watch the group as they converse. She never had a meal this loud and lively. Everyone was enjoying themselves. The scene was all too new for Yoona, but she liked it. She liked the warm feeling she felt. 

Taecyeon, on the other hand, was cautious of his actions and words. A lot of the conversations seemed to recall the past, which meant his ex-fiancé would often come up during conversation. It was one thing to talk about it with the group but another when his wife was right beside him. He wasn't worried of Yoona being jealous but he is trying so hard to move forward in their relationship that it didn't make sense to bring up the past. Yoona quietly laughed along with the group when Jay made a joke regarding his attempt of wearing skinny jeans in one of many attempts to impress Jessica, only to have his pants rip in front of her. Taecyeon, shocked, turned his head to Yoona. As soon as she felt his stare she stopped laughing and stared at him back.  

The first thing he looked was her eyes. Her eyes weren't blank as the usual but seemed to show some emotion of happiness on them. He unconsciously smile at the sight of her eyes. Yoona continued to look at him with no change in expression. It didn't matter that Yoona probably thought he was weird but it felt as if this was a start of everything for them. For that he continued to smile the whole way through dinner.  

 author's note:(January 5, 2012) First update of the year! I hope everyone had a good Christmas and new year. Sorry I couldn't update. I kept getting side-track. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I'm trying to show everyone's personality before the real show starts

» layout credit