Cp. 17

I blinked my eyes rapidly and never took my gaze off her. Am I hearing things?

“What did you just say?” I tried to confirm it once again when all she did was staring back at me in blank expression. “Taeyeon, what did you just say?”

She seemed to gain her conscious and hurriedly withdraw her hand off me. “I’m hungry.”

“What?”

I looked at her incredulously who just shrugged her shoulder in nonchalant manner.

“I just said that I’m hungry.” She started to take a big step ahead, slowly leaving me behind in wonder. “If you aren’t going to walk, then I’ll just head to that stall first.” She added later while glancing at me. At times like this, it seemed like I did not know her. Or what was through inside her mind with this abrupt change of attitude.

I did catch what her sentences were, but I did not know what the meaning of it. It looked like she was talking to herself, but what she just said had successfully made my stomach flip. Not to mention, my heart was pounding irregularly just after she finished talking in her breathy voice. And bam, she was acting weird all of sudden after saying things like that right across my face. Something had definitely happened, because she was just fine before. There wasn’t any sign of her being like that, no until this.

I sighed inwardly and followed her from behind with small steps. I bet she noticed my gloom expression, but she stayed still. We went to the said place and ate quietly, and no this silence wasn’t the one we used to have.

This is just a plain awkward kind of silence. I silently stared at her. Is she suffering PMS or something? Her mood swing is so unpredictable. I looked down at my food and huffed. I didn’t have any appetite left, thanks to this sudden turn of event.

I was hoping this day would end soon and she would act like she used to.

***

“That’s so lame right?”

I stopped laughing when the look on her face didn’t change. She’d probably scoff on this cheesy scene, but here she’s. I inwardly sighed.

After that night the following days around were still the same. Taeyeon was still the same or maybe even worse, I was referring to her strange behavior. I often caught her staring into something with creased forehead as if thinking deeply about how to solve nation’s problematic issue— well, her look was just as serious as that.

Just like now, where both of us quietly sat here on the couch, watching movie after I had excessed a lot of effort for making her do so. I literally begged her to accompany me. 

She just stared at television with a flat expression without any attempt to stop, and I was again worried. “Yo, Taeyeon-ah?”

She didn’t move nor did she respond.

Like I said before, she had been spacing out lately. With mind wondering somewhere. Ever since her sudden comment, which she refused to elaborate fully at me, was making her act differently. I, of course, aware of what she said although she kept on telling me she was hungry at that time to distract me. All I wanted was an explanation from her. I didn’t want to suddenly probe her with anything that would discomfort her.

I didn’t know what was going inside my mind when suddenly, I just found myself leaning on her side. She wasn’t aware of my action, I thought, judging from her pale face that since earlier looked so distracted didn’t change. Heck, she didn’t even respond to my calling.

I was worried at her condition. Like seriously, worried. I knew she was quiet person, but what I meant was, she never been this quiet.

I examined her for a while, and I noticed this visible frown of her again. It was a sign that she was thinking over something rather deeply, or was under so much stress. I didn’t know why but what I knew for sure, I did not want to see her being like that so, I had to divert her attention right at that moment.

I was bracing myself to do this, leaning to her side even closer; I was aiming for her soft skin. I held my breath and in less than three seconds, I had landed my lips on her cheek and stayed still—tenderly conveying my feeling towards her. My eyes subtly closed the moment my lips got to peck her cheek. I just couldn’t describe how amazing it felt like. The moment was just right. The feeling was just right.

Withdrawing my head back, I opened my eyes and watched her expression changed. Taeyeon had this deadpanned look and I didn’t know whether it was a good sign or not.

“W-why did you do that?”

“Do what?” I responded back with smile, but Taeyeon’s look remained same. In fact, from my quick examination, she was getting more depressed by the second.

What did I do?!

My smile faltered and I genuinely scared, she wasn’t taking my joke and it was another sign of her being damn serious.

I cleared my throat and began to speak. “I just didn’t want to see you look so distracted like that. So, in order to get your conscious back, I decided to disturb your ongoing long thought over something by kissing you,”  I scratched my not so itchy cheek. Well, that sounds weird. Nice move. “On the cheek..” I finished with awkward smile displayed on.

Her eyes softened and she heaved a sigh while looking away. “Just don’t do that please?”

It sounded like a whisper, whether she was serious with it or not, but it didn’t lessen me from being taken back. What the heck does it mean?

“You’re bound on giving me a heart-attack if you do.” She chuckled lightly. “You could punch me, pinch me, anything but that.”

I didn’t know whether I should take her word, her eyes didn’t even twinkling like it used to be whenever she was joking about something. Noted, she was even chuckling right there.

Although she seemed to act nonchalant, something was clearly off.

“Do you want ice cream?” I asked again, hoping it would make her ease and speak to me if she ever had problem. I would gladly help her. Taeyeon always be there for me, and I should be there for her as well.

She held my gaze for a second then shook her head. Smiling a bit genuine this time. “I think I’ll pass.”

“Oh.” It was weird. This freak would never resist ice cream. Something must have happened.

I was about to ask again but she had stood up, halting my mouth from speaking any word. I threw a questioned look at her which she noticed right away by looking down at me to answer. “I just not in the mood, I guess.”

“Are you not feeling well?”

She shook her head. “I just feel like it.”

Taeyeon put a small smile and walked to her own room —leaving me stare at her disappearing figure with this big question mark inside my mind. I slouched back and was trying to immerse myself with the movie but it seemed like I couldn’t find my concentration anymore.

In the end, I decided to turn off the television.

“She is strange.” I mumbled while looking at my reflection through this pitched black surface. I felt empty, the space beside me felt empty. “What’s changing you, huh?”

***

“Where are you going?”

She looked surprised when her eyes met mine. While smiling which I could tell was somewhat awkward, she then pointed outside with her thumb. “Well, I need to meet someone.”

“Ah..”

She glanced at me with hand was already grabbing the knob, seemingly waiting for me to say more. I gulped and was about to ask but the door before her had already burst open, halting my movement.

Sooyoung’s head popped up in between the gap.

“Yah, how long do you think I need to wait for you outside?” Sooyoung was still oblivious with my presence until Taeyeon cleared , shifting her gaze towards me.

“AH, Hi Tiffany!” She slipped half of her body inside, and processed to talk to me like that —sandwiched by the door. “I thought you didn’t want to take—YAH!”

To say that my voice loud was understatement because Sooyoung’s was loud and high. Not to mention, she shouted right in front of me.

I noticed the glare that was directed to Taeyeon.

“What the heck did you just do?!”

“Sorry, I thought I saw a bug or something like that. So, I intend to kill it.” Taeyeon nonchalantly answered. She then calmly put her shoes on while me, of course still staring at both of them.

“By pushing this door?! Against me?”

My tall friend grunted and Taeyeon did a slight wave with her hand. Sooyoung inwardly sighed, fully facing me now. “Do you want to tag alo— OH MY GOD! ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?!”

Taeyeon innocently looked up and shrugged her shoulder. “I did nothing.”

I think I got it.  

Sooyoung scoffed then turned to see me, smiling. “Do you want to take-“

“I think I’ll pass.” I quickly answered, witnessing Sooyoung’s smile, which started to fade.

“I didn’t even get to finish my sentence! What is this?”

She eyed me with frown and I couldn’t help but gulp. She didn’t need to know about this. At least, let us fix whatever it was that now had been affecting our bond in some way.

My eyes were trying to smile as well, but it would only look forced. So, I settled with a small smile when Sooyoung raised her eyebrow at me. “I know what you’re going to ask me anyway.” I winked playfully, carefully masking my true emotion. “And I’m kind of missing my bed. So you two can go ahead.”

I saw her throw a glance at Taeyeon before sighing loudly this time. “Okay. Take care, I’ll be going.”

“Yes. You guys, have fun!”

Sooyoung then opened the door and walked out, Taeyeon followed suit behind her after bidding her goodbye without even glancing at me.

I closed the door and dragged myself towards the cushion, throwing myself against it. Not only she acted differently, she did even seem to avoid me a lot lately. Like slowly distancing herself from me. My phone on the desk vibrated, signaling for an incoming message. I blindly took it and felt my eyes widen, this one freaking message was coming from, Taeyeon.

Just lock the door and go to sleep.
I bring the spare keys.

And don’t wait for me.

“What is this?” I muttered as I read the text. “One minute she ignores me and then in another minute she still shows her care.”  

What the hell Kim Taeyeon?!

***

“…”

“Why? I couldn’t call my best friend now, huh?” I walked past people with one hand handling phone. I could already see the sign of our favorite café and fastened my pace.

“…”

“Jessi.. please don’t be a sore . I equally cherish you as much you know.”

The door automatically opened as I walked through it, still hearing my best friend chatter from the other line. I sighed. “Just get here fast enough so I can tell you my problem.”

I rejected the call and scanned the surrounding. Making up my mind to make my order first, I immediately went for queuing. Being in this place was reminding me of this certain person. It unconsciously brought smile to my face, but when I recalled her recent attitude, I couldn’t help but frown. I might get too immersed with my thought that I didn’t even realize that it was already my turn.

“Miss?”

Someone behind me cleared his throat and I immediately sprung back to life. “Y-yes. One macchiato please.”  

The girl behind counter nodded and announced the bill. I quickly paid for it, and waited for my drink to be served. As soon as I got it, I couldn’t help but be sentimental again after seeing this brown liquid which reminded me of her soft eyes.

While walking to search for any table left, my eyes would subtly glance over my drink and because of that, I got shocked when suddenly being shoved aside.

“Sorry,”

I weakly said as I unintentionally bumped onto someone after constantly looking at my drink instead of my step. I knew, I was the one at fault, so I didn’t yell although this spilled coffee was kinda hot.

With everything that took a turn around me, which ridiculously out of the blue, was making my mind have a hard time to cope up with any of it. I couldn’t think straight at this moment.

“Watch where you step- oh,”

Looking up to see who it was, I couldn’t believe out of people, why did I need to run into this person.

My day is going so much better, I sarcastically thought while taking a step back. Even to stand near him was a hard time for me because I could just inflict an abuse after seeing his smug face.

“Didn’t know that I will meet you here.” He spoke cheekily as he tilted his head and was looking at me. “What a coincidence.” 

Nearly scoffing at him, I countered back. “No. I don’t. How I wish to never meet you anymore, you cheater.”

His smile faltered as he switched to glare at me instead. “No one can ever accusing me like that.”

“Well, I don’t see anything wrong to ever do that to you.” I sneered. “You deserve it. And no, I wasn’t accusing. I’m merely stating a fact.”

He clenched his teeth after hearing my words. He probably didn’t like to be beaten, so I smirked.

“Like you did not do anything wrong. You are cheating as well. So, don’t get it over your head. You aren’t saint either.” He retorted back, leering again after seeing my annoyed expression. “Oh which reminds me. Where is your petit boyfriend?” 

By now, I was rolling my eyes. The nerve of this guy was really something. “What? Are you fond of him or something?”

His smirk was going wider. “Oh yes. In fact, I’m fond of him too much that I don’t want to see you with him anymore. Therefore, I want to advise him to think twice before going even further in relationship with you. Because you do not deserve anyone.”

“Whatever.” Turning my body around, I was ready to walk out any moment before I threw this macchiato over his face. “I’m wasting my time for hearing your nonsense talk here.”

“Oh wait,”

I was about to ignore his remark, but the mention of my best friend’s name had made me freeze in place.

“Well, Taeyeon is a good girl isn’t she?”