CHAPTER 16     “SICA!!! WAIT!!!”   Why are you still following me Taengoo?! It’ll only be harder for the two of us…   I bit my lip in utter frustration of what’s happening.   “ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO HER HOUSE?!”   I’m… I’m sorry Taengoo…   Until I get my mind set, I-I don’t think I can see you… If not, I might just force myself to be colder and colder with you…   “Umn Jessie, you don’t have to go to my house if there’s a problem… Taeyeon Sunbae also seems upset too.”   “…”   I started to drone all the voice gnawing through my head right now… Taengoo’s Voice, Seohyun-ssi’s Voice, Sunny’s Voice, and even my own…   I need to get out of here… But… here I am frozen at my place again!   … …   Sica didn’t notice however the little murmurs that her two companions are throwing at each other as she mute the disturbances around.     “…”   “What’s with that face you imposter?!”   “Huh! Nothing S-U-N-B-A-E, I just don’t like you being so close to Jessie.”   “You mean your prey you bastard!”   “Even so… grin; you’re the one who’s saying it. SHE’S MINE.”   “Why you little?!”   “In trying to get TWO rabbits, both escape your grasp”   “Huh? Wha- I don’t!“   “Don’t fool me YOU bastard, TSK. I thought we could be friends, but now I’m beginning to hate you more and more.”   “…”   “I’ll definitely take Jessie away from you!”   “…”   “Thanks by the way for pushing her to my direction there. T-A-E-N-G-O-O hahaha”     “Grrr… SICA!!! Don’t be tricked by this person!! She’s not what you think she is!”   “Pout. Yah… That’s cruel Taeyeon Sunbae! You don’t have to say that…”     Taengoo… She’s trying so hard to keep me from leaving…   Maybe I should-?   Should I stay?     Then the cinema’s door open and out comes…   “TaeTae? Why did you leave the cinema? Are you- OH… Jessica”   Tiffany…   I see…   Breathe in… Breathe out…   Okay take that step away from here!!!   “YOONG COME ON, LET’S GO!” “O-okay”   Support h…her… SUPPORT TAENGOO A…N…ANDD TIFFANY…   … …   “Sica… stay…”   For a split second, my motion ceased to a halt before I closed my eyes and blindly walked towards the cinema’s glass doors…   I-I don’t have to stay with her…   She-sh-she’s doing very well with her…   The-the-y… are doing well without me.     SLIDE~ And the electronic door to CGV cinema opens, I take a foot out and the strong gust of winter immediately greeted me. Brrr… I tried to put my hands on the deepest corners of my pockets and braced my body in response to the cold. It’s almost as chilling as my torn and empty heart… As I wait for my body to adapt to the harsh winds outside however, I wonder with the predicament I’m in, will Taengoo’s winter coat still be enough to keep me warm?       XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX       Outside the cinema after screening time     Sica…   Wh-why did she agree to go into that Yoona’s house?!   We were walking around window shopping in Myeongdong Shopping Plaza but my thoughts kept coming back to Sica and that IM”P” Yoona…   “Hey TaeTae… are you feeling okay?”     “Eh?” Shoot was it showing so much on my face?!   “You-‘ve been looking down ever since we left the CGV cinema…”   “Oh… really? He he, don’t worry about me Fany! I’m okay! See?!” I tried flexing my muscles and giving her iron man like poses to prove that I’m okay.   “Giggling”   “You are such a dork, you know that Tae?! Hahaha”   Yes! I smiled lightly hoping she won’t dig deeper in the topic.   “But… really these past few days you seemed really down… You even missed school for weeks… Anything wrong Tae? You know you can always tell me right?”   Yeah… tell you that I got my heart broken by you when you fell in love with my bestfriend, so I was sent a Video Girl from heaven jumping out of my TV screen, who I lied introducing to you as my sister, whom possibly I have now happen to have fallen in love with, who is now acting strange for God knows what reason?   Yeah…   Tell you that huh?   this bat sh*t crazy life.   “Why Fany…? Do you worry about me?” and Taeyeon you just HAD to ask her that. You just HAD to.   Idiot.   “Of course! You’re one of my really close friends Taetae” She says all giddy and glowing with that tantalizing million dollar eye-smile of hers…   Sigh…   If she had said these months ago, I probably would’ve jumped over a wall, fence and even scaled the top of a building in glee. I’d have acted like spiderman spinning my invisible web for the first time ever going around town until my heart ran out of oxygen and I passed out, lie on my back while I continue laughing and thanking the heavens for my good fortune…   But…   Why now it feels so barren and worthless?   “TaeTae, Shall we go to your house?”   “Huh?”       XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX       In an expensive looking apartment complex     “Please come in Jessie!”   “Thank you for having me Yoong!” She said removing her fur stiletto boots while I hand her our guest house slippers.   Of course! Innocent sweet kid all the way~!   “Hihi I’m sorry if the house is a bit messy, maid asked for a day off and I couldn’t help it but say yes.”   WRONG. Of course I had to shoo that tattletale away! Why spoil my parent’s surprise if I can help it?   Sica’s Thoughts: Hmnnn this is the first time I’ve entered someone’s house besides Taengoo’s… A different style, smell and mood… Kinda refreshing J Maybe this is a good decision after all?     He he he, you are now officially inside my house Jessie!!! You’re a little nudge away from being my co-star in this epic extravanganza treat for my parents!   He he he No way I’m backing out now!!!   “Jessie, My room’s in the second floor… Oops, the steps are a little narrow, watch your step.”   “Thanks Yoong~ You’re so kind”   Well duh, I need to of course. So I could trap you.   “No… I’m just naturally caring I guess? hehe” I said looking back down, feigning humility, and then seeing her looking up at me creating that fine upward slanting line on her beautiful lips… and I immediately feel my cheeks flush! Badump Badump Badump   THE ! Now even stares do that to me?!     “He… He… Jessie you mind heading there first? I’ll just get us some refreshments. Is juice okay with you?” I bowed my head avoiding her face and stayed on the right side of the stairs letting her pass by.   “HMN oh you don’t have too! But thank you, and yes, juice will be fine” Looking up… GULP. That smile again?! Badump Badump Badump gotta get outta here fast!   “Okay! Be back in a flash, the door’s the last one on the right. Don’t get lost!”   “Silly Yoong I won’t! Hihi Thank you again!”   “Yeah…” GO DOWN YOONA!! GO DOWN!! AND GET THAT DAMN JUICE.   , I ing think I need a sip of alco as well to calm my nerves!!!   Why? Why am I reacting like that to her?!   I reached our mini bar, grabbed my stashed vodka flask and took a swig at it.   Phew… the feel of fire lining my throat is somewhat calming… it always has anyways, my best companion… during “lecture me” “torture me” “degrade me” sessions my parents would have, with their call on my uality and their pressure on having the “perfect” child shoved down my throat while they strangle me alive.   “Let’s see you es, how much of a child I turn out to be when you find on your stupid religious site my amateur produced video. Starring none other than your perfect daughther. Im Yoona.”   I grabbed some apple juice, poured two glasses of it and took another mouthful of the clear liquid before putting the flask back on my alco-stash.   Careful to not spill the glasses while I feel a faint buzz on my head, I trugged up with nothing on my mind but accomplishing the plan.   My revenge on my parents.     Click.   “Sorry for the wait Jessie!!!” I said smiling softly as I placed the tray of juice atop my coffee table in the center of the room.   “Oh, no it’s my fault for intruding… I actually have been pretty occupied by the paintings you have hung on your wall…   You made them all?”   Huh? Those scenery crap?! Ugh yeah?   “Ugh yes, hihi I’m the acting President of the school’s Art Club, that’s actually where I met Taeyeon Sunbae… She dropped by that day we met”   “OHHHH You’re REALLY GOOD!” She said beaming while grabbing one