Turning her blow-dryer off, Jessica looked in the mirror and gave her hair a flip and a half-hearted smile. Good. Her hair smelled and gave off the essence of years of expensive care, even with only a shower, brush, and blow-dry. Her face, still cute, even with only foundation and mascara on. She was just going to the airport, so she didn’t need to put in a -ton- of effort. She was just gonna put her hair up in a wig so the shower was more for hygiene’s sake. The bathrobe actually pulled her whole barely-trying look together nicely, and she totally would wear it if she could get away with it. Unfortunately, no, it would draw attention to her at the airport, and she didn’t particularly want that, more than usual.

     Why am I so anxious? She thought to herself as she shed her bathrobe and slipped on a pair of underwear. She felt like she was sneaking out of a house and she had to be super quiet and sneaky or risk getting in trouble and in super hot water. There is nothing stopping me from going. There is no rule or law that prevents me from going. Who cares if it makes Bossyeon grumpy? She’ll find out I went anyway and get allll pissy and then I’ll get back and she’ll frown and then talk a bunch of subtle aggressive blah as if she’s my dad.

     Perhaps it was that, but her mind also wandered back to the long yet kinda vague text from Tiffany she got shortly after their most recent meeting as a group.

 ‘I understand your frustration but please tread lightly. It’s not as simple as escaping a bunch of restrictions placed on you by fame or struggling for independence. I’m not going all lecturey on you, just hoping you be careful and know you are loved and always considered. Remember that, okay? <3’

 At the time Jessica had sent out a quick ‘I will, love you <3’ but she couldn’t help but wonder if she was actively ignoring Fany’s advice. She knew this would piss off Taeyeon and SM and possibly a few other members in the group. No. Nonono. This was fine. She had no schedule. She would be back in time to meet with the members and to resume schedules. She would fulfill her Girls’ Generation duties. What should it matter to them? Not to mention if she acted scared of them, it would give them the impression they could push her around. They couldn’t.

  She carefully put on her black wig and low-key shades, and grabbed her luggage. Off to New York. She intentionally walked with sass and a purpose, as though affirming to herself her independence and strength. I don’t have to sneak out or pussyfoot around anything, her steps grew louder, I am Jessica Jung, entertainer, model, and up-and-coming designer. This is my life!

     I’m Kim Taeyeon, and my life is hell. Taeyeon couldn’t help but think to herself as she spit out her toothpaste and looked at herself in the mirror. A very tired, haggled, shiny-faced, windstorm-haired human-monster hybrid lazily stared back at her, done with nonsense…-Jessica’s anyway. She blew a strand of hair out of her face and splashed herself with running water. At that moment, Sunny bounded in, leaped up behind her and poked both of her cheeks.

 “Bwing bwing! Sleeping beauty~!” She exclaimed.

 “Gah!” Taeyeon yelped in surprise, splashing water directly into her eyes. Groaning at her startled actions, she aggressively reached out for a towel and began wiping them. When finished, she shot Sunny a puffy-eyed irritated stare, but couldn’t help but smile. “Yah! Energizer Sunny-Bunny!”

 Sunny giggled but looked slightly concerned. “Did you sleep well last night?”

  “Actually, yes.” Taeyeon opened the closet door and reached up to get a bath towel. “I was exhausted. You don’t need to worry, all right? You’ll get worry lines if you do and you’ll lose your aegyo throne.” She teased. “I’m gonna take a shower.”

  “I worry anyway, about my Taetae, cause usually up late you stay-stay, and that’s pretty cray-cray” Sunny replied perkily, turning to leave, then gripped the wall, sticking her tongue out at her. “You can snuggle with me if you can’t sleep, kayy?”

  Taeyeon rolled her eyes and chuckled as Sunny left. Shedding her bathrobe, she sighed and stepped in the shower. Living with Sunny, Tiffany, and essentially Hyoyeon was one of the few actual joys in her life. She might enjoy it more if Sooyoung were here. And Seohyun. And what the hell, throw in Yoona and Yuri to stir up trouble.

  Taeyeon closed her eyes as water poured down on her and for a few seconds she silently wished that she could wish for Jessica to live here as well.

     She had to keep herself from running when she saw that face. Instead, she perked up and quickened her pace. She wanted to throw herself into his arms, but she knew they shouldn’t hug there at the risk of paparazzi. She stopped short and stared up at the smiling Tyler Kwon. “How was your flight, my queen?”

  “Definitely not the worst.” She smiled. “It always is kind of nice to fly alone every once in a while.”

 “I like your choice of hair,” He helped her with her luggage and they headed onward.

 “I was kinda inspired by Anna Sui.”

  “One-track fashionista mind, eh?”

  “I’m just so excited!” She blurted out a little loudly. “I feel like I have a firm grasp on my life for once! I can go to school and be a designer and possibly a girlfriend, at least in public, and-,”

  “Still be the most GorJess girl in Girls’ Generation,” Tyler finished, slick.

  Jessica blushed and gave him a light thwack. “That’s Yoona’s job.”

  Tyler shrugged. “Different perspective, I suppose.” They made their way to a black car with tinted windows and slid in the backseat. Once the doors were closed and the driver took off, Tyler grabbed her and gave her a tight hug. “I feel like spoiling my queen today,” He cheekily murmured. “I hope you’re hungry. I made us reservations and have a few more surprises for you later.”

  “You’re the best,” She grabbed onto his coat and nestled her head on his shoulder.

     “Yoona, what are you doing?” Hyoyeon turned over to Yoona, who was quietly hunched over the shelf of movies that the roommates kept.

  “Nothing, jeez!” Yoona turned around abruptly, holding out her hands. “Can I browse?”

  “Uh huh. I don’t believe that for a second.” Hyoyeon strode over to her. “Whatever it is it’s probably lame.”

  “Oh, I can assure you,” Yoona reached behind her back and pulled out the Mean Girls DVD case she had super-quickly stuffed behind her in her jeans. “It’s pretty fetch. CATCH!” She tossed the case to Yuri, who slid across the floor to catch it and bolted towards the door.

  “Yah! That’s Tiffany’s!” Hyoyeon gasped. “...WAIT. EVERY TIME WE HAVE GROUP MEETINGS HERE, ONE OF OUR MOVIES DISAPPEARS. YOU TWO!” She charged after Yuri.

  “Run! Lock it in your car and I’ll take it back to my apartment with the rest of them!” Yoona yelled after her.

  Yuri almost made it, and then a Tiffany appeared, blocking the door. “I’ll be taking that!” She wrestled the DVD out of Yuri’s hands. “You thief!”

  “Fun police!” Yuri quipped back at her.

  “Be sure to bring the rest back, you two.” Tiffany laughed and put the DVD back and stifled a yawn. It’s way too early for this, she thought to herself. Why the hell did Tae wanna rehearse at 5:30 in the friggin’ morning? She’s passive-aggressive, there’s a motive behind this somehow...

  “We’re back!” Sooyoung chirped as she walked in with Seohyun, both carrying bags. “And we brought plenty of breakfast food for everyone!”

  “We can eat after rehearsal!” Taeyeon interjected. “Full stomachs will make us lazy.”

  “But unnieeeeeee the food will be col-” Tiffany shot Sooyoung a curt ‘shhh’ look and her eyes grew worried as she turned to Taeyeon. “You seem stressed, Taeboo. Everything ok?”

  “Everything’s fine, Fany-dearest. Just a bit on edge. My gears have really felt some friction lately-” Everyone collectively gave a subtle wince as they recognized who she was talking about. “and that could mess up our soshi-mojo. So I want to make sure we’re still good for the Shenzhen fanmeet.” Taeyeon sighed. “Now we just have to wait on Jessica and we can get it out of the way and eat and engage in all the sillyness in the world. I really hope she didn’t forget about our rehearsal or anything.”

  “I’m sure she didn’t,” Tiffany chuckled nervously. “It’s near-impossible to get Sleepy Sica out of bed. I’ll wake our princess up.”

  “Or I’ll get my peas in a pod and give her a rude one myself,” Taeyeon muttered quietly.

  Tiffany reached for her pink Samsung Galaxy and quickly shot out ‘Hey! Get your princess patoot over to the dorms, we have rehearsal and Tae’s really on edge. Don’t bother putting on makeup. You’re still gorjess. x’  

     As Jessica and Tyler indulged in some white wine at a private, romantic table, Jessica’s phone vibrated. Tyler peered over at her from the rim of his glass. “Mmm?”

  Jessica scoffed. “Bet it’s Bossyeon wondering where I am and wondering why I can’t work overtime.”

  Tyler chuckled. “You’re off-the-clock. I want tonight to be worry-free for my queen. Might I suggest shutting your phone off?”

  Jessica looked uncomfortable. “Mm, I don’t know. There could be an emergency...”
    

  “Worry. Free. Personally, I think Jessica Jung deserves a few hours where she can enjoy a date like a normal human being.”

  Jessica gave him a small smile. “I think I’ll keep you around,” She said and reached into her bag and shut her cell off without even glancing at it.

  Tyler sipped his wine, continuing to gaze at her and Jessica’s cheeks tinged. “Hey, stop staring at me!”

  Tyler gulped and put his wine glass down, grinning at her. “An artist, and a work of art herself. I’m a lucky man.”

  “Stop, stop! I don’t have nearly enough ways to call you handsome.” Jessica giggled. “So, tell me,” She raised the glass to her lips. “How’s work been?”

     “It’s been an hour.” Taeyeon spoke up glumly after sixty minutes of mindless small talk and dilly-dallying. “She forgot.”

  “Now, now, we don’t know that.” Sooyoung countered. “Sica’s practically glued to her phone, and there’s no way she’d straight up ignore us. She’s probably, as Fany said, sleeping through it because we’re having rehearsal at like 6:30 AM. One text won’t wake her. I’ll call her.” Sooyoung pulled out her iPhone and speed-dialed Jessica. “Huh,” Sooyoung stared at the phone dumbfounded. “It went straight to voicemail. She must have her phone off,” She commented absentmindedly.

  Taeyeon bolted out of her seat. “YAH!”

  “Hey sleepyhead, it’s Soo. We have rehearsal and I don’t know why you’re not answering buttttttt if you’re not here in an hour, we’re storming your apartment cause I can’t eat breakfast until you’re here, and that’s the most important meal of the day. Wake up! See you soon!” As Sooyoung hung up, Taeyeon seemed upset. “What’s her deal? I thought we agreed to -never- turn our phones off in case of emergency or...or something like this! She can’t just shut us out!”

  “Again, we don’t know the details…” Hyoyeon backtracked. “She may have just forgot to plug it into her charger before bed. Either way, when we see her, she’s getting a soshi double-oh-seven bang on the head!”

  Taeyeon sulked back into her seat, and the waiting continued.

     “Why’d we go to a different place for dessert?” Jessica asked confused, as they slid into a booth at another restaurant. “We could have just had the dessert tray at the other place,”

  “Didn’t I say that I wanted to spoil you?” Tyler picked up a menu and absentmindedly looked it over, while Jessica did the same.

  “Okay, but then I really don’t get it. I don’t mean to sound rude, but I can’t help but wonder how taking me from a five-star restaurant, to another restaurant, is spoiling me. Do they have better desserts here or…” As Jessica scanned the menu, something caught her eye. A ‘Golden Opulence Sundae’ for $1,000, with various expensive imported chocolates, ingredients, edible gold, and caviar. Her eyes widened. “Wait...you didn’t…”

  “Special order, Golden Opulence Sundae, for Mr. Tyler Kwon?” A waiter came over at that moment, delicately carrying a sundae fit for royalty adorned with a golden leaf, luscious fruits and nuts, and a sugar flower. Jessica’s jaw dropped and Tyler chuckled at the sight. “That would be correct, though the sundae is for my queen, right across from me.”

  “All right then,” They placed the dessert extravagance in front of an awestruck Jessica as Tyler requested a coffee and then the bill.

  She looked at Tyler and he grinned and gestured to the delicacy. “All for you.”

  “Oh my gosh...You really didn’t need to go to so much trouble...for just dessert…”

  “Think of it more my indulgence than yours then. I heard about this expensive sundae, and I thought I’d spoil my lovely girlfriend. Two birds, one stone. And look, it’s made with vanilla ice cream generally, but I requested chocolate since that’s your favorite.”

  Jessica shook her head, awestruck. “This is amazing, Tyler, thank you…”

  “No problem, enjoy,” Tyler said as a coffee was placed in front of him.

  “Though, I shouldn’t eat all of this, I just ate a rather nice dinner and I need to keep my GG body…”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Tyler smirked as he raised the cup to his lips. “This is your night of extravagance, remember?”

  “Yes, but I also want you to help me finish it anyway. You were curious about it, and I feel a little less like a brat by enjoying a sundae with my thoughtful boyfriend. Two birds, one stone?” Jessica smiled and offered a spoon towards him.

  Tyler grinned and took it. “You’re definitely my kind of woman.”

     “Two. Hours.” Taeyeon darkly said between her teeth. “It’s already daylight out. Let’s head to her apartment.”

  “If anybody’s good at waking up a Sleepy Sica, it’s me,” Yuri said excitedly, throwing on her hoodie.

  Hyoyeon sighed resignedly and reached for her phone and shot out a quick text. “Before we go likely barking up the wrong tree, give five more minutes. I have a hunch and I want to see if I’m right.”

  “Hyo, we already tried calling and texting her, she’s not gonna answer.” Sooyoung said as she re-tied her laces.  

  “I didn’t text Jessica,” Hyoyeon replied as she examined her nails.

     “So, where to next?” Jessica asked happily as they left the restaurant and clambered into the car.

  “Well, we have a few options. We can hit up a club, we can go shopping, get some inspiration for you, or we can head to the hotel room and spend a cozy night in together. Either way, before that, I have one more stop for us, so hold tigh-,” At that moment, Tyler’s phone vibrated. He chuckled. “I should have taken my own advice. I’m just going to see who it is, and then my phone’s going off as well.” He took his phone out of his pocket, and looked at the screen, then raised his eyebrows. “Oh,”

  “Hmmm?” Jessica leaned over, curious, as Tyler slid her his phone.

  ‘Hyoyeon: Jessica’s with you right now, isn’t she?’

  Jessica’s eyebrows raised and she felt a small bit of fear run through her. What could it be that they were trying to reach her for earlier, that Hyoyeon would go to text Tyler? “Ah,”

  “What do you want me to say?” Tyler asked.

  Jessica sighed. “Tell her yes and ask her-” She paused. “Wait, just tell her yes. If there are any necessary details, Hyoyeon will indeed tell.” A few seconds passed and then she piped up again. “Actually, add an apology about my phone being off.”

     Hyoyeon’s phone vibrated a couple minutes after and all eight girls in the room stared curiously at it.

  “How’d you get a response from her?” Seohyun asked curiously.

  “Like I said, I didn’t text Jessica.” Hyoyeon reached for her phone and gave it a look.

  ‘Yes, and she apologizes about her phone being off. I suggested it so we could enjoy a quiet date, please do not be upset with her.’

  “She’s with Tyler, don’t go to her apartment.” Hyoyeon announced.

  “I knew it! She either completely forgot about rehearsal or ditched it to screw Tyler!” Taeyeon exclaimed and stood up angrily. “Well, lover time can wait. Let’s go! At this point I don’t care if we interrupt them!”

  “Tae, there’s still two more of the five minutes I asked for, hang on.” Hyoyeon stopped her and shot a quick response back to Tyler.

    Tyler’s phone vibrated no later than sixty seconds after replying to Hyoyeon and Jessica immediately grabbed for it.

  ‘Mhm. Where are you guys exactly?’

  Jessica bit her lip and with a bit of hesitation typed out, like a girl admitting to her mother that she hid her report card from her, ‘New York City. We have business there. Will be back in time for group meeting and Shenzhen fanmeet.’ After sending it, she handed her phone back to Tyler. “Should I turn it off now?” He asked her.

  Jessica paused. “No, if it’s important, I need to know. If it’s nagging, then I don’t need to hear it. I’ll have you look at the next text and decide for yourself, and I’ll fix whatever it is tomorrow.”

  Tyler nodded and put an arm around her shoulder.

     Hyoyeon looked at the response, gave a heavy sigh, and looked up at the rest of the group. “No use guys, she’s in New York City.”

  “WHAT?!” Tiffany exclaimed. Taeyeon looked like she was going to burst a blood vessel. “Great, just great, she completely wasted our time. If she was going to forget the damn rehearsal, she could have at least sent a text about where she was going, so we didn’t wait on her!”

  “She probably didn’t know we were waiting on her,” Tiffany quickly rushed in to calm Taeyeon down. “She probably didn’t think it was necessary…”

  “She still should have told us…” Yuri spoke quietly, disappointed.

  “I agree, but…”

  “Let’s just go and rehearse.” Taeyeon breathed and stomped out of the dorms, heading downstairs.

  Hyoyeon reached to respond to Tyler, paused, and decided against it for now, running to catch up with the other girls.

     Tyler delicately led Jessica into a Tiffany & Co. store. “I know we’re not engaged or anything, but we’ve been going steady for a while, and we’ve tossed the idea of marriage here and there. So I thought we’d get pick bracelets or necklaces for each other as tokens of our relationship. I’ll pick out something for you, and you pick out something for me. What do you think?”

  “That’s such a sweet idea,” Jessica smiled. “Thank you,”
    

  “No problem, can’t wait to see what my up-and-coming designer picks out for me.” Tyler sauntered off in the other direction, while Jessica scanned the store. She ruled out cuff links, she wanted it to be something he could wear every day. She also ruled out watches, though tempting, because she knew he was very particular about those. She decided to pick out a bracelet for him. Not feminine, yet not flashy either. Something classy, elegant, admirable, yet good for everyday. Hmmm…

  Ten minutes later, Jessica popped up behind Tyler, hands behind her back with a gleeful smile. “Got yours?”

  Tyler turned around, one of his hands clasping something tightly and grinned back at her. “Sure, show each other on the count of one...two…”

  Simultaneously, they showed their hands. Jessica had picked out a tiny link bracelet of 18k rose gold. Tyler looked down and his smile grew. “Nice choice,” He said. “Very subtle, yet it makes a great accent and every time I see it, classiness, attractiveness, and elegance will pop in my head in the form of my queen.”

  Jessica didn’t say anything. Her eyes softened, and with only a small smile, she took her 18k rose gold bracelet that Tyler picked out for her, and fastened it around her wrist, lifting her arm off to show off the cursive gold writing of ‘Love’. “Yours is better,” Was all she could comment on it. She wrapped her arms around him and snuggled into his shoulder. “I was tempted to go clubbing, but I think we should continue this in the hotel room.” She suggested in a low tone of seduction.

  Tyler chuckled. “Then I’ll go pay for these,” As he turned, Jessica tapped his shoulder. “Uh, did you hear from Hyoyeon at all?”

  Tyler checked his phone and then looked back at her nonchalantly. “No, nothing.”

  “It’s been about a half hour. The silent treatment.” Jessica made a sour face. “I’ve pissed them off for whatever reason. Never mind, I don’t care anymore. Mind if I browse while you pay?”

 Tyler nodded approvingly. “Get inspired.”

     After rehearsal, the eight girls reheated the food Sooyoung and Seohyun brought and had a late lukewarm breakfast of champions on the floor.

  “I haven’t seen ‘Complete’ on a setlist in a while,” Hyoyeon commented as she put a bit of rice in .

  “Well, I, for one, am glad to see it back on there.” Yoona said.

  “Me too,” Sooyoung said with a full mouth as she showed four fried eggs no mercy. “And Jessica will be too.”

  Taeyeon’s eyebrow twitched and she hastily slammed a mini-carton of juice as their manager walked in, took one look and sighed. “Where’s Jessica?”
    

  “New York with Tyler,” Yoona answered in a low doubtful voice.

  “Without notifying either of us.” Taeyeon piped up in a frustrated tone. “We waited on her for two hours.” Hyoyeon quickly shot Taeyeon a worried ‘you-don’t-need-to-tell-him-that’ look.

  “I see,” Their manager rubbed his forehead in thought and sighed again. “I hate seeing you girls like this. Tensions are always high nowadays and it’s all centered around one problem.”

  “Well, the ice princess needs a good dethroning.” Taeyeon shrugged, aggressively biting into a banana.

  “She may get it,” At that, Taeyeon paused, banana sitting in , and she looked directly up at their manager with uncertain and surprised eyes.

  “Huh?” Sunny tilted her head in confusion. “What are you saying?”

  Their manager paused. “It may be time for Girls’ Generation to remove an unruly cog.”
    

  “No.” Sunny immediately responded flatly, her expression going into a stern frown. “That’s not an option. How could you even suggest it, let alone so casually?!”

  “I’m not saying it’s a good thing, or even a good idea,” Their manager quickly put his hands up in defense. “Just something to consider. Think about it. Tensions have been running high for months, your performances have become more and more painful to put together and execute, Jessica has been showing some disregard to Girls’ Generation’s growing popularity and jobs, as well as sort of threatening us with her on-and-off desire to leave…”

  “But she renewed her contract!” Yoona blurted. “She wants to stay.”

  “An entertainer anyway. Not necessarily a member of the group.” Their manager surveyed the shocked and torn expressions of the girls. “The point is, this situation shows no reliable signs of improving. You girls work very hard. It may be best to have a group of eight girls with a strong bond giving it their all as opposed to nine girls keeping one vocalist but with the weight of the world. Change can be productive. I understand, however, that only you as a group collectively can judge your relationship with Jessica. I could be way off base. Removing her could destroy the group in terms of popularity and depress you all from performing. It is for those reasons I will leave the decision of whether or not to drop Jessica from the group up to you.” Their manager breathed heavily and cleared his throat. “Please think it over. Good afternoon, ladies.” At, that, he left the room.

  A dripping silence encased the room as doubt and anxiety settled in. “We…” Tiffany finally spoke up. “We would never consider-”

  “We -should- consider,” Taeyeon interjected, staring holes into her feet. Tiffany jolted a bit, taken aback, and Taeyeon sent her an apologetic look before regaining her stern demeanor. “Manager has his reasons, and they’re worth hearing out.”

  “But…” Yuri weakly tried to argue, but Taeyeon dusted herself off and stood up.

  “Do not think about how this will affect anybody else except soshi as a group. Not an individual member, not Jessica, not the company, and not our popularity. Do not think about whether the rest of the group will begrudge you for your opinion. Do not think about your personal relationship with her. Instead, honestly think about whether or not keeping her in is good for the group. We’ll meet tomorrow and collectively vote on it.” She walked over to the wall and grabbed her bag. “I’m feeling extremely tired. Please excuse me.” She left.

  The other members slowly and somberly rose after a pause and gathered their things, some with tears in their eyes, some members leaving with each other for support and others preferring to be alone. One of those members being Hyoyeon, who reached into her bag, and with a tired energy, shot out a text, and was the last one to leave rehearsal.

     While Jessica and Tyler were in their own little world in a dimly lit king-bed hotel suite, amidst the playful giggles and satisfied moans of a lover’s mini-paradise, no one noticed Tyler’s cell phone light up on the hotel desk.

     ‘Hyoyeon: Tell Jessica she’s in deep trouble.’