Irene has never slept so soundly since her childhood.

 

 

She wakes up and finds the reason - Wendy.

 

 

 

The young Canadian sleeps in her all-night stiff position but Irene has unconsciously buried her tiny face in the crook of her neck.

 

 

Wendy is also slim now but not as skinny as Irene does, ‘cause she exercises a lot and gains muscles instead. It’s quite still bony for Irene to lean on her shoulders, yet she gives her warmth, and comfort.

 

 

 

Irene doesn’t have schedule today. And she’s too tired to practice. Maybe she needs a break. She looks at the sleeping Wendy and wonders why she could always be so bright and carefree.

 

 

“I think she’s not going to wake up that early, so I can…… hehehe” Irene boldly puts her arms around Wendy’s waist. Strangely, she enjoys the feeling of it.

 

 

 

As for Wendy, she is dreaming of Ginger chasing her down the hallway.

 

 

Feeling itchy on her stomach, she reaches her hand and scratches ……….. She grabs a hand instead.

 

 

 

“AH~~~~~” Wendy screams in fear that she has slept with someone.

 

 

“It’s me.” Irene coldly looks up and is not pleased that her peaceful moment has ended.

 

 

 

Wendy is completely caught off guard which Irene’s face is so close to hers. Not to mention she could feel Irene’s hands through the thin piece of cloth on her defined stomach.

 

 

“Argh……….. Good morning.” She doesn’t know what else to say.

 

 

“Hm.” Irene replies shortly and doesn’t intend to retrieve her hands at all.

 

 

 

They have stayed in that position for some good minutes.

 

 

Until Wendy could not feel her left arm as it’s under Irene’s head all the time. 

 

 

 

“Irene-xi. Can you sit up ? My arm is numb…….” 

 

 

“Oh…… Sorry.” Irene immediately sits upright and fixes her bed hair.

 

 

 

Wendy also follows suit and flexes her arms. 

 

 

Irene watches anxiously and sees if the younger girl is alright.

 

 

 

“Wendy-ah.”

 

 

“Yes, Irene-xi ?” Wendy casually answers since she’s too focus on her arm.

 

 

 

“You didn’t call me 'Irene-xi' on the phone last night.” The Korean smirks.

 

 

“I did ? Oh……. Sorry, but I’ve just call you 'Irene-xi', right ?” The Canadian is worried seeing the smirk.

 

 

 

“Unnie.” Irene playfully crosses her arms.

 

 

“Irene-unnie ?” Wendy is confused.

 

 

“Bae Joohyun.” 

 

 

“Huh ?”

 

 

 

A smack on Wendy’s head.

 

 

 

“Joohyun-unnie ?” The poor girl pretends to shred a tear holding her head.

 

 

“Better.” Irene smiles. “But don’t call it on the streets. Just “Irene” if you wish. I grant you this privilege because you are an English-speaker.” 

 

 

 

“Got it.” Wendy nods her head fiercely since she doesn’t want an upset violent Irene to appear again. Who knows such a petite beauty can hit so hard.

 

 

“You ?”

 

 

 

“H-huh …………. S-Son Seunghwan !!” Wendy shouts out the correct answer just in time.

 

 

Irene retrieves her hand form mid-air and calls in her singsong voice while hopping out of her room, “Seunghwan-ah ~ Seunghwannie~” 

 

 

 

Wendy can only pout sitting on the bed. Yet weirdly, she doesn’t hate it as much as Taeyeon or Seulgi or Joy call her that. Maybe it’s just because Irene’s Daegu accent ?

 

 

 

Irene is in a good mood and cooks some simple breakfast. Most of the time, she is too lazy and usually orders take-away or skip breakfast.

 

 

Wendy sits and waits by the table like a child.

 

 

 

“How's that ?” Irene serves her scrambled egg and toast, expectantly asks as Wendy is holding a fork.

 

 

That’s really some simple breakfast.

 

 

 

“G-good. Tastes just right.” Wendy carefully replies after having a bite of each.

 

 

“I don’t cook often.”  

 

 

 

“Yeah, you’re so busy.” Wendy rolls her eyes.

 

 

“And I haven’t cook for anyone yet. Whenever I go back to Daegu, my parents always do the cooking. Today’s your lucky day.” Irene shoots a glare.

 

 

 

“M-my pleasure.” Wendy gulps and continues her eating.

 

 

“So……… Are you going back to the studio today ?” 

 

 

 

“No. Taeyeon-unnie always takes a break the next day after the shooting.” 

 

 

“Which means you’re free today ?” Irene raises one eyebrow.

 

 

 

“Hmm……. Let me text Taeyeon-unnie to make sure.” Wendy types as she speaks.

 

 

“I am free today too~~~~~~” 

 

 

 

“That’t good for you……….. Ah, Taeyeon-unnie’s replied — Yes we’re closed today. Have fun.” Wendy reads out the message.

 

 

“Let’s go somewhere and have fun then ~” Irene is ready to go.

 

 

 

“Don’t we at least have to clean the dishes first ? And I wanna change my clothes too.” 

 

 

“Then, I’ll do the dishes and you go home and get changed. Now is ………. 12:15. Meet me one hour later downstairs.” Irene quickly comes up with a plan.

 

 

“Roger that.” Wendy nods and leaves like a wind.

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Wendy opens the door and is greeted by Taeyeon with Ginger in her arms.

 

 

 

“Wendy ? Why are you back ? I thought you’re going out with Irene.” 

 

 

“U-unnie…….. I have to c-ch-chhange first.” Wendy can hardly catch her breathe.

 

 

 

“Oh~ A date.” Taeyeon smirks and rubs her chin. Ginger barks agreeing.

 

 

“Whatever you wanna call it. I’m in a hurry.” The younger girl rolls her eyes again and rushes to her room.

 

 

 

Wendy steps out from her room 15 minutes later.

 

 

 

“What took you so long ?? Although it’s a date………” Taeyeon hears the door and sees the girl. “Oh~~~~ It’s definitely a date.” 

 

 

 

Our duo are carefree people so they seldom dress up. They prefer T-shirts and jeans since their job requires them moving around a lot. It’s more comfortable for their long working hours too.

 

 

And today, Wendy wears a white shirt coated with a cream-colored cardigan, and a pair of black tight pencil jeans, finishing with a pair of blue-white flowered TOMS. 

 

 

 

“Unnie, How does it look ?” Wendy nervously stands in front of Taeyeon and scratches the back of her head.

 

 

“Hmmm……… I’ll fall for you if I were Irene.” Taeyeon teases and winks at the younger girl.

 

 

“Unnie…….. ”

 

 

“You’re meeting at her dorm right ?”

 

 

 

“Yeah, downstairs…… About 30 minutes later.” Wendy checks her wristwatch.

 

 

“You’re not telling me you plan to get there by bus ?” 

 

 

 

A nod.

 

 

 

“Don’t you know you should arrive early for a date ? And Irene is a very punctual person as I know.” Taeyeon face-palms then searches for something in her bag.

 

 

“I told you it’s NOT A DATE.” 

 

 

 

“Take this. You’ve got your driver’s license two months ago, right ?” Taeyeon throws Wendy a car key.

 

 

“Yeah. I passed it in high scoresssss……..  Ooops, got cha. It’s the key of your Lamborghini !!!! You expect me to drive this high-profile white convertible Lamborghini to her dorm ?”

 

 

 

“It’s perfect for first date. I trust you. So don’t freaking scratch it.” Taeyeon proudly answers.

 

 

“IT’S NOT A DATE. How about your Land Rover ?” 

 

 

 

“I have to use it today, for taking Ginger to the animal hospital for regular check-up. You know only Land Rover has the trunk to fit Ginger so…….. And it’s white, matches your outfits too. GO, or you’ll be late. Have fun~” Taeyeon shrugs and waves her goodbye.

 

 

 

Wendy then obediently hurries to the garage.

 

 

“Here we go.” She takes a deep breathe and starts off the engine.

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

A loud engine sound blasts into Irene’s ears. She wonders what car is that and looks at her Baby-G. 

 

 

It’s 1pm. 

 

 

When Irene steps down from her dorm, she finds an embarrassed Wendy awkwardly parking by the sidewalk while avoiding pedestrians’ gazes at her car.

 

 

 

“Wow. I’m deeply impressed. Where did you get this Lamborghini ?” Irene has never seen and ridden on such luxurious sports car. 

 

 

“It’s Taeyeon-unnie’s. She has lent me this instead of her usual Land Rover ‘cause she needs it to take Ginger for check-ups.” Wendy shyly opens the door for Irene.

 

 

 

“I see. It matches your clothes too.” Irene giggles a bit.

 

 

“T-thanks. So where’re we going ?” Wendy gets in too.

 

 

“SM building.” 

 

 

“I thought you are free today ?” 

 

 

 

“I’m not going there for work nor practice. I WANT to take you there.” Irene wants to fulfill Wendy’s dream - to sing.

 

 

“What ? Is there an audition or something ? I haven’t prepared anything.” Wendy starts driving.

 

 

 

“It’s not an open audition, just an internal mutual assessment for trainees. It’s more like a mini talent show indeed.” Irene answers as if it’s nothing.

 

 

“We’re the audience then ?”

 

 

 

“We can join in if we want.” Irene grins. She expects to see Wendy outshining the others on the stage.

 

 

Irene is popular among trainees, but more popularity means more jealousy. There are a lot gossips attacking her. Thus, she wants to prove herself, prove them wrong. Now, she also wants to give Wendy a chance. 

 

 

 

They pull up and park in SM building after a short driving. Wendy’s car has drawn much attention.

 

 

When Irene steps out from the car, everyone is looking now.

 

 

 

“That’s Irene…….. Damn, look at that car.”

 

 

“Who’s that girl ? Her rich friend ? Pfffff……. Gold-digger.”

 

 

“I told you she only got to debut just because of money.”

 

 

 

Wendy overhears those conversation and quickly pulls Irene into the building. “How could they say that about you ?” 

 

 

“I’m used to that.” Irene shrugs.

 

 

 

Irene turns on her “cold-face” mode and guides Wendy to the floor where the trainees are.

 

 

 

“Hi, Irene-noona. You’re here too ? The show starts in 30 minutes. Oh, you’ve brought another pretty noona here. Hello ~ My name is Mark ! ” Mark, another trainee, is the first to greet them. He reaches out his hand to Wendy.

 

 

“Yeah…. Hey kid, don’t you try to hit on her. Don’t people always bring their friends to the show too ? Last time you brought Donghyuk, right ?” Irene smacks his hand away.

 

 

 

“Hi Mark. I’m Wendy.” Wendy on the other hand, tries to play nice in this unfamiliar place.

 

 

“Wendy-noona, nice to meet you. I have to go to practice first. See you later~” Mark throws a wink to Wendy before he leaves.

 

 

 

“Ashhhh~ That kid.” Irene frowns.

 

 

“He’s cute.” Wendy smiles at Mark’s actions.

 

 

 

“He tried to hit on you.” Irene doesn’t like to share her Wendy with the others. HER Wendy.

 

 

“He’s just a kid.” Wendy pats the older girl’s back and comforts her.

 

 

 

“Hi, Irene-xi. It’s nice to see you again.” Han-sol is the second male trainee approaches them.

 

 

“Hi.” Cold as ice.

 

 

 

“I thought you won’t participate in the show again. Is this your friend ? She’s welcome to join in too.” Han-sol puts on his charismatic smile. 

 

 

“Yes.” Another cold reply.

 

 

“A-a-hmmm. Hi, I’m Wendy.” 

 

 

 

Irene holds Wendy’s arm and walks away before Han-sol gets to say another word.

 

 

Their hands are locked while they squeeze through the crowded corridor.

 

 

 

Irene brings Wendy to a practice room at the far end of the floor.

 

 

“Why are you co cold to everyone ?”

 

 

“He has a crush on me. He keeps asking me out.”

 

 

 

“Oh…… I see. He’s quite handsome and seems nice. Why don’t you just try to go out with him, like for once ?” Wendy curiously looks around.

 

 

“I don’t want to.” Irene stops her stretching.

 

 

 

“But you can’t just keep locking people out from your heart. You’re hurt and you can’t mend it yourself.” Wendy sits in front of an electric piano.

 

 

“What if I tried and failed ?” Irene looks at her own reflection in the mirror.

 

 

 

Wendy sighs and starts playing.

 

 

 

“When you try your best but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse….” 

 

 

 

Wendy’s smoothing voice is always alluring. 

 

 

Irene turns around and watches.

 

 

 

“When the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse ?”

 

 

 

These lyrics could really hit hard.

 

 

Wendy chokes a bit while singing. Irene finds a tear streaming down her face.

 

 

 

“Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

I will try to fix you…..”

 

 

 

( “Fix you” - Coldplay)

 

 

 

Wendy manages to finish the chorus without messing up and finds Irene weeping.

 

 

She runs up and wraps her arms around her. “I’m sorry…… I didn’t plan to make you cry.” 

 

 

 

“Thank you, for fixing me up a bit.” Irene mumbles that words on Wendy’s shoulders. 

 

 

“Don’t cry…. Your make-up will wear off.” 

 

 

 

Irene recomposes herself and wipes her tears. “Give me a minute. I need to change.” 

 

 

“O-okay.” Wendy turns her back towards Irene.

 

 

 

“I’m done.” Irene changes into a white dress and lets her hair down.

 

 

“Wow ~ What’re you going to perform in a dress ?” Wendy is blown away with her goddess look.

 

 

 

“Modern dancing. And you ? Sing that song ?” Irene is more than happy when she sees Wendy’s reaction.

 

 

“Sing, yes. That song, no.” Wendy smirks as she picks up a wooden guitar from the other side of the room. “I’ve a better idea.”

 

 

 

“You know how to play piano and guitar ?” Irene discovers more of Wendy’s talents as she gets to know her more.

 

 

“And flute and saxophone.”

 

 

 

“Too bad you can’t perform all today.” Irene chuckles.

 

 

“It’s about time. Let’s go.”

 

 

 

The two then brightly heads towards the stage.