Chapter 3.      The first week of school comes and goes and before Taeyeon knows it, they were already almost reaching the second half of the semester. Surprisingly for Taeyeon, she was totally enjoying school, never once skipping lectures or classes. She don't know why but she kept looking forward to school each day. Because it meant, getting to see Tiffany and being with Tiffany.       Taeyeon wasn't quiet and shy anymore and it was all thanks to Tiffany. She don't know what happened, but with Tiffany around and hanging out with Tiffany often has made her a little more outspoken.        Needless to mention, she have been spending every hours, minutes in school with Tiffany. From attending lectures together to attending classes together to having lunch together and even spending after school hours together due to their club activities or project meetings. They would even spend some time after school at their school cafe just to relax and have some coffee to chill. She's loving it and she was totally enjoying every seconds she have with Tiffany. She knew she was falling for Tiffany but as the coward she is, she swore to herself that she wouldn't even dream of admitting yet confess to that girl because the last thing she wants was rejection and lose Tiffany as a friend.        Taeyeon entered the lecture hall and immediately turn towards the corner of the lecture hall. She frowned when she didn't see Tiffany there because that was her usual place. She scanned around the hall, thinking Tiffany had gone to mingle with other students. When she didn't spot Tiffany around, she decided to just take a seat first. Maybe she woke up late. She tried to console herself.        It was their usual routine to attend lectures together despite how early the lecture is. And it was their usual routine to always sit beside each other during lectures. She don't know how but even if she had gone to the lectures with her other classmates, she would always end up sitting beside Tiffany. But she's not complaining because it is one of the reason why she enjoys the lectures so much even if the subject is boring.     Taeyeon and Tiffany would have their own little conversation among themselves or be sharing notes with each other and even, snacking together while listening to the lectures. The gestures may be small but she loves these little moments with Tiffany.        She snapped out of her thoughts when she sensed someone sitting beside her.      "Good morning." She greeted the person.        "Good morning." Yuri greeted back. She glanced over Taeyeon's shoulder and noticed the empty seat beside her. "Where's Tiffany?" She asked because she knew those two are inseparable when it comes to lectures. They are always sticking together. She even suspected both of them to have feelings for each other but didn't say it out loud.        Taeyeon shrugged her shoulder. "She woke up late, I think. Jessica?" She asked about their other friend.        "As usual. Still sleeping." Yuri said as she settled in her seat and took out her notes.        Taeyeon did the same too.        It was only 15 minutes into the lecture and Taeyeon was getting bored. She tried to talk to Yuri but it didn't felt the same as talking to Tiffany. She can't concentrate on what the lecturer is talking because her mind keep thinking of Tiffany. In the end, she took out her phone and texts her.        "Yah! Where are you?"        The reply came fast. "At home."      Taeyeon frowned at her phone screen, feeling slightly disappointed. It was the first time she had attend lecture without Tiffany. "You're not coming for lecture?"        "Nope."        "Why didn't you tell me?"        "Sorry. I studied for today's test till late last night and woke up with a headache today."        "You're sick? Are you coming to school then?" Taeyeon typed back and waited. In her mind, she was already planning to skip class if Tiffany isn't coming to school.        "Yup. Still have to take that stupid test, remember."        "Oh yeah. Forgot about that. I'm bored!"        "Hahaha! No one's there to entertain you?"        "No..." Taeyeon add a sad face emoticon.        "Awww... You poor thing. Concentrate on the lecture then."        "I can't. Mrs Robot makes me sleepy." Taeyeon replied back, using the nickname she and Tiffany once came up for this lecturer because she was too monotone in her lecture.        "HAHAHA! I could totally imagine her voice right now."        "And yet you're laughing at me. You owe me a lifetime supply of ice-cream for ditching me  today."        "Fine fine. Go concentrate on the lecture and lend me your notes later ok. I'll go shower and head down to school soon."        "ICE-CREAM!"        "And get you that ice cream."      Taeyeon was secretly smiling to herself when she read Tiffany's reply which ended with a speechless face emoticon.        "That's better."       "Kid. I'll see you later then."        "See ya." Taeyeon replied and kept her phone away. She then tried to focus on the lecture and wrote every important points that the lecturer said. It was probably her most focused lecture ever. Because she'll be lending her notes to Tiffany and she wants to impress her.        ------------     "Phew!" Tiffany huffed and took in a deep breath as soon as she got out of the classroom.      Taeyeon  smiled. "How was it?" She asked, referring to the test they had just took.        "Difficult."        "Yeah." Taeyeon couldn't agree more. She waited for Tiffany to pack her pencil case into her bag before they starting walking towards the school gate.        "How's your headache?" She asked.        "Still bad. Think it got worst thanks to the test." Tiffany replied, massaging her temples to soothe it.        "Go home and rest then." Taeyeon didn't know what else to say. She wanted to tell comforting words to make Tiffany better but she was afraid that it would be too obvious. Besides, she was never good with words.      "Oh, Taetae." Tiffany said when they reach the school gate, standing at the spot where they parted ways everyday.        "Mmm?" Taeyeon answered. She had allowed Tiffany to use that nickname because Tiffany insisted and she didn't know how to say no Tiffany. Besides, it was comforting and pleasant to hear Tiffany calls her that. Tiffany gave a different meaning to her name. She felt special.        "Lend me the notes for today's lecture."        "Oh." Taeyeon dig in her bag and took out the notes, handing it to Tiffany.        "Thanks." Tiffany took the notes before waving it to Taeyeon, conveying her goodbye. "I'll see you tomorrow."        But Taeyeon stood still and Tiffany raised an eyebrow at her, thinking Taeyeon have something else to say.        "You're walking home?"        "Err... Yes?" Tiffany looks at her confusingly. "Haven't I been doing that for the past three months?"        Taeyeon chuckled when she realized the stupidity of her question. "Come on, I'll walk with you then." She then turned and begin walking towards the direction where Tiffany always took each day without even waiting for Tiffany's response.        "What?" Tiffany chased after Taeyeon, walking astride her. "Where are you going?" She asked.        "Home."      "But don't you usually take the subway?"        "Yeah." Taeyeon looks at Tiffany and smiles when the girl still have that confused look on her face. "I'll walk with you."        "What? Why?"      "No why. I couldn't possibly let you walk alone with this kind of weather with that headache of yours. What if you faint?" Taeyeon cares and concern for Tiffany but she won't admit it out loud.        Tiffany giggled. "I won't faint."        "I said what if."        "Then I'm telling you, I won't." Tiffany said. She loves the attention and care but she didn't want to trouble Taeyeon. In fact, she hates troubling anybody. She don't like to be a nuisance to anyone. But the fact is, she is just an independent girl who hates to be dependent on anyone.        "Then let me make sure of that." Taeyeon was equally stubborn.        Tiffany grabbed Taeyeon's arm, stopping her from walking. "I'm fine Taeyeon. Go home. Go take the subway."        Taeyeon shook her head. "I'll walk with you and walk back. Besides you said your house is a walking distance. And I have time. If you faint, who will attend lectures with me tomorrow? You've already ditch me today. Are you gonna ditch me again tomorrow and the whole week? What? Is this week called 'ditching Taeyeon week' in your weekly organiser or something?" Taeyeon said dramatically but jokingly. She remembered that Tiffany had told her that she likes to name her weeks every month so that she will always have something to look forward to. Sometimes, during lectures, they would even discuss what to name that week or the weeks that coming up. It was fun and it was just one of the few random things they talked about in lectures.      Tiffany laughed at the dramatic girl beside her who was already pouting. "Fine fine." She finally relented.        "Besides I could use the exercise."          "Yeah before your lazy bum expanded." Tiffany jokes. They have been getting very comfortable with each other for the past three months to be able to joke like this and Tiffany was slowly getting to know more secrets about Taeyeon.      "You know Taetae." Tiffany speaks again as they resume walking. "I prefer your this dorky and funny side rather than your quiet, shy and introvert side when I first met you."    Taeyeon smiles. She don't know what did Tiffany do to her. But around Tiffany, she was comfortable, she was able to be herself and not plaster that fake smile or attitude that she always put up. "I'm still shy though."       "But not with me. And that's a good thing."      "Can't help it. You're too loud. I've to catch up." Taeyeon jokes, earning a pinch on her arm from the person beside her. They continued walking while talking along the way. Taeyeon didn't even realised how far she have walk