“When the wind plays jokes, hold me tight in case I fly away

You’ll be in trouble if you crumple me up like that.
I may seem nice but I have a strong pride,

I’ve never been hurt over love or thought of anyone seriously before,
So it’s serious for the first time.

 

 

I try to act strong on the outside but my heart is like paper,
I got a paper heart.
I like you so much that I’m actually a bit scared,
I got a paper heart.”

 

 

 

(Paper Heart - f(x))

 

 

 

 

The young couple still haven’t seen each other after Jessica and Irene had their “little talk”.

 

 

However, they talk a lot on the phone.

 

 

 

“Wendy-ah.”

 

 

“Irene ? You’re home ?”

 

 

 

“Hm. Guess who I’ve talked to today.”

 

 

“Tifffany-xi ? You’re debuting next Saturday, right ?”

 

 

 

“It’s Jessica-unnie. Didn’t Taeyeon mention this name when she told her story ?”

 

 

“ She mentioned like …. for once. It did ring a bell but I forgot I’ve heard it from you before.”

 

 

 

“I know right. I couldn’t believe it when I first heard that too.”

 

 

“So …… How and what did she say ?”

 

 

 

Wendy and Irene then exchanges all the info they got from their unnies.

 

 

 

“Should we like…….. help them ? Give a little push or something ? I’m sure of Taeyeon-unnie still loves Jessica-unnie.”

 

 

“I’m sure of that too. But Sica-unnie doesn’t seem to think she could love Taeyeon-unnie again.  I mean, she said she is “no match” for someone good as her …..”

 

 

 

“It’s Taeyeon-unnie to judge, not Jessica-unnie, not us.”

 

 

“Will Taeyeon-unnie come to the after-party of my debut ? ‘Cause Sica-unnie’ll be there.”

 

 

 

“I can talk her into going …….. She’s the photographer of your promotion pictures after all.”

 

 

“Then it’s on their own.”

 

 

 

“Yeah, give them time ..…. ”

 

 

“Wendy-ah……. Will you come too ? I haven’t seen you for 10 days.”

 

 

“Hey, they haven’t seen each other for 4 years ….. I will come, definitely.”

 

 

 

“Promise ?”

 

 

“Promise.”

 

 

 

Or sometimes like this.

 

 

 

“Irene ?”

 

 

“Wendy-ah~ I can’t sleep.”

 

 

 

“I thought you’ve been sleeping for only 4-5 hours a day.”

 

 

“I just can’t fall asleep. And you’re awake too ~ ”

 

 

 

“Taeyeon-unnie’s been working again yet my family’s been contacting me so ….. I still stay up late. Want me to sing for you ?”

 

 

“Glad to hear Taeyeon-unnie’s getting better. So your family’s doing fine, right ? No, I just wanna hear you voice.”

 

 

 

“Yeah ……. They’re ….. Just called to check if I’m alive.”

 

 

“Okay ~ Just let me know if you need me….. I mean I can hear you out or something….. “

 

 

 

“You should go to sleep, now. Or you’ll be ugly.”

 

 

“Pfffffff….. You too ! Goodnight.”

 

 

“Night.”

 

 

 

Or this …………

 

 

 

“Wendy-ah…….. I’m getting more nervous as the debut day’s approaching. It’s really happening to me.”

 

 

“Hey, I saw your performance and I’m sure you’ll rule the stage.”

 

 

 

“What if I’m not good enough ? What if I make an mistake on the stage ? What if I sing off-key ? What if-”

 

 

“You’re the best for me. It’s time for your dream to come true. Don’t take a step back now. Just rock it like you always do.”

 

 

 

“But I-”

 

 

“How about I going to your practice room tomorrow ?”

 

 

 

“What ? Aren’t the studio super busy these days ?”

 

 

“Taeyeon-unnie seems fine now. Seulgi and Joy, along with some Taeyeon-unnie’s friends are here too. I think I can make it.”

 

 

 

“So 7pm ?”

 

 

“Fine for me. See you then~”

 

 

 

One day before Irene’s debut, she finally meets a 20-year-old Canadian girl that she has been missing.

 

 

She nearly cries when the Canadian opens the door of the little practice room they used last time.

 

 

 

“Hey, what’s wrong ? Did I do something wrong …… Or did someone do something wrong to you ????”  The Canadian is extremely concerned with the unusual sparkling in Irene’s eye, and she cups Irene’s tiny face with her hands.

 

 

“Nothing. I’m just ………. ” Irene chokes down as she feels the warmth emitting from the other girl’s fingers to her skin.

 

 

 

“Hey….. I am here.” Wendy speaks so softly as if she’s mumbling, while she looks into Irene’s eyes trying to read from them.

 

 

 

Irene couldn’t hold it any longer and pulls Wendy into her embrace.

 

 

She couldn’t bare to see that loving look on her face, in fear that she might lose her control.

 

 

 

“Please be there for me.” Irene whimpers on Wendy’s shoulders.

 

 

 

“I always am. Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, 1 year later, 4 years later, as long as you need me……..” 

 

 

Or even if you don’t need me, but Wendy swallows these words back to the bottom of her heart. 

 

 

 

Taeyeon’s words echoes in her head - she loves Irene. But will it be returned ? Even Taeyeon and Jessica love each other, they couldn’t be together. She rather stays by Irene’s side, at least when she could.

 

 

 

“Promise ?” Irene is always the insecure girl, other than Taeyeon.

 

 

She reminds Wendy so much of her unnie since the very first day they met.

 

 

 

“Promise. I mean every word I say. I’m a bad liar.” 

 

 

Wendy pulls away and flashes her signature bright smile. 

 

 

 

Irene’s heart is startled once again.

 

 

She turns away and says, “Practice with me.”

 

 

Wendy never say no.

 

 

 

The two spend the night in the same space, but with different thoughts in their minds.

 

 

 

Wendy is like the sun in Irene’s life. Shiny, comforting, guides her way, brings back hope and light to her. And Irene’s unsure if she is the sun for her own, and if she’s qualified to make this sun hers.

 

 

She is scared that Wendy would walk away like the others do, after knowing what a restrained, dull and inexpressive person she really is. She is scared that she is not the Irene whom Wendy has in her head.

 

 

People have left her in the cold after ripping her heart open.

 

 

 

She just wants to know if Wendy’s willing to stay with her, no matter what happens.

 

 

Although Wendy’s words should have assured her, she is unnerved in front of love. 

 

 

 

“When it’s raining down, put an umbrella over me, 

Don’t make me cry.
I might rip so always make your words gentle and soft,

Okay ?

Engrave it deeply in your heart,
Because I’m telling you ahead of time,
In case you don’t know.”

 

 

“Wanna see your name written on the side of my heart?
I got a paper heart
I like you so much that I’m actually a bit scared
I got a paper heart….”

 

 

 

Wendy accompanies Irene home before she returns to her home, in silence.

 

 

They don’t know what to say without spilling the beans out.

 

 

 

The younger pair. The older pair. All tangled up in love.