Days passed by and gradually seemed to get longer for Kwon Yuri. Yoona smiles, hugs and kisses but conversation never broke out. She didn’t want to let it get to her, but every time she saw the younger on the field, practising rather than cuddling with her own girlfriend, it didn’t take long for Yuri to realise she’d been somewhat forgotten. Not entirely, but enough for Yoona to almost overlook a goodnight phone call.

Yuri would never let the word ‘stay’ pass her lips because she knew better than to disturb Yoona with her clinginess. She knew Yoona had much more important things to do than talk to her about drive thrus and mickey mouse or drink smoothies and watch chick flicks.

Her friends could see. Yoona’s friends could see. They were losing each other, both of them too absorbed in different worlds to realise it. Yoona being more oblivious than Yuri.

A small hang out session was all their friends wanted but it was something Yoona didn’t have time for. Not now anyway. Her excuse always being soccer and trophies. It was like her future career was the only thing that mattered. It was like she’d completely fallen in love with the sport.

When Hyoyeon had asked how their relationship was going, the answer from Yuri was enough to finally make her do something. To finally try and get them back on track. It was a shame seeing them so distant yet, pretend like everything was fine the moment they saw each other. The passion was still there but it didn’t seem to be growing.

Hyoyeon stood outside the main building, anxious as her mind flew like the morning breeze. Cold thoughts and she was shivering.

What am I thinking? I should’ve asked Taeyeon instead.

Footsteps around the corner and then came the tall, lanky figure dressed in her soccer jersey. With dirt on her face and grass stains on her knees, good presentation didn’t fit well in Choi Sooyoung’s book. Especially if she was showing up for a short, tremendously ill-mannered dancer like Hyoyeon.

Surprisingly, neither of them had landed a punch yet.

“Well…this is awkward.” And Hyoyeon couldn’t help but agree. “Why the hell do you want to talk to me?”

“I have a giant urge to gut you right now, but I might as well save that for later. I didn’t meet with you to talk about us.”

Sooyoung raised a brow, folding her arms over her chest. “What else would you need to talk to me about?”

“This is about Yoona and Yuri.”

“Oh you want to break them up, right?” Sooyoung rudely asked. “Because you’re scared Yoong’s going to emotionally hurt her.”

“Actually, the opposite, you .”

The taller one scoffed, not believing that the devil herself would want to strengthen Yoona and Yuri’s relationship. “Yeah right. I doubt you’d even want to help. I could literally break your leg again right now. On purpose this time.”

“Wow. How childish of you to bring that back up.”

“How childish of you to hold a useless grudge.”

Hyoyeon took intimidating steps towards the taller, knowing she wasn’t going to back down on some petty argument. “You kicked that ball on purpose. I would’ve been able to dance in Europe if I had won that contest but I didn’t because you’re so at kicking a ball.”

“Step off, man. If you knew how to run, it wouldn’t have hit your puny leg.”

“If you knew how to aim at a net, I wouldn’t need to run.”

In a split second, Sooyoung had grabbed the other girl by her collar, throwing her back against the wall and bringing their faces dangerously close. They’d gotten in a fist fight once, but it ended with bruised knuckles, a broken nose and suspensions for both of them. Neither of them had won it.

“Did you actually think we could get over this and help Yoona and Yuri out?” Sooyoung’s voice was unusually low, menacing even. It was amazing how it didn’t faze Hyoyeon, already having heard it multiple times before.

She gave a stern look, her fingers wrapped around the taller girl’s small wrists. “Yes.” With just one push, Sooyoung’s hands were ripped off the older one’s shirt. “I do. Tell me. When was the last time you’ve seen Yoona unknowingly smile out of nowhere? When was the last time Yoona’s talked to you about what she’s been doing with Yuri?”

Her breathing heavy, Sooyoung managed to question, “How the hell do you know Yoong even does those things?”

“Because that’s exactly what Yuri does.” The dancing queen fixed up her shirt before continuing. “Used to. The only name that seems to be coming out of Yul’s mouth now is Taecyeon.”

“Wait what?!” Sooyoung didn’t know this, and she bet Yoona didn’t know either. “What do you mean? Is Yuri cheating?!”

“No, you asshat. While your idiot friend is too busy worrying about the soccer game, Yuri’s been spending more time venting to big ears.”

“You’re kidding me.” Sooyoung had her arms on her hips as she sighed. She didn’t know whether to blame Yoona for being so oblivious or Yuri for knowing being with Taecyeon could hurt her girlfriend. Everything was so messed up, Sooyoung could actually picture them breaking up, and that was the last thing any of them needed right now.

Hyoyeon spoke. “We have to talk to them about it. Help them. But we can’t do that if you’re going to be a little about what happened.”

“Oh I’m the little ?”

“Don’t even start.”

Sooyoung groaned “Why would you even ask me for help? You could’ve asked the other girls for it instead of going through this.”

“Because you’re the closest to Yoona. She’ll listen to you.”

“How can I trust you? Before they started dating, you hated seeing them together and now you just agree with it all of a sudden?” Sooyoung seemed too defensive in wanting to help. Hyoyeon thought she needed to take her on a trip.

“I love Yuri and I want her to be happy. You love Yoona and you want her to be happy. If you can’t help me with this, both of them will be the opposite of that.”

“You’re guilt tripping me.”

“It’s true though, isn’t it?” Sooyoung was still sceptical in agreeing with the plan. “Stop giving a about us for a while. Right now, it’s about those two.”

Even though she wanted to so badly leave, Sooyoung couldn’t help but agree. She’d never admit it out loud but she’d do anything to keep those two together. Even though she’s told Yoona that love meant nothing to her, the relationship blossoming between her and Yuri was enough to convince Sooyoung otherwise. Maybe, love truly existed to few.

Hyoyeon extended her arm to the shikshin, waiting for a handshake. “For Yoonyul.”

“Yoonyul?” The taller raised a brow. “Is that what you call them?”

“Actually, Seo made it up…She’s getting pretty into it.”

Sooyoung slowly and unknowingly smiled. “I like it.”

She stretched out her own arm and shook Hyoyeon’s hand, both nodding at their agreement.

Before letting go, the older spoke.

“After this, I’m beating the crap out of you.”

***

Hyoyeon leaned against a bathroom stall as she watched her friend clean the cut on her lip. Her father had punched her. Not hard enough to knock her out, but enough to leave a wound. She’d been wearing that giant scarf all day, covering up the ugly mark in hopes no one would see it. Every day, Yuri would have new ones and it disgusted Hyoyeon knowing she couldn’t do anything about it.

Well, she could, but Yuri wouldn’t let her. Yuri was too caring towards her father to let anything happen to him. For some reason, bad things happened to the nicest of people.

“And then he took me to go see that new movie that came out last week. He likes romantic comedies, he’s told me.”

“Ah, I see.” Hyoyeon tried to seem interested, but she couldn’t stop herself from changing the topic even if she tried. “So enough of monkey boy. How’s you and Yoona going?”

“Y-Yoong?” Yuri stuttered out, taken aback by the sudden question. “She’s still got that football game to worry about so we haven’t talked much.”

“And that’s okay with you?”

“Of course. You can’t stand between Yoona and her soccer.” Yuri chuckled bitterly, trying to cover the fact that it killed her to think her girlfriend went on more dates with a soccer ball than she did with Yuri.

Hyoyeon sighed and made her way to the younger one, standing in front of the mirror. She took the washcloth off her and cleaned the cut herself, continuing to make conversation.

“Why didn’t you tell her we have a dance competition coming up?”

“Why should I when she has the game on the same night?”

“She’ll be there if she truly cares for you.”

Yuri pulled back from her friend, looking at her with knitted brows. “She does, Hyo. Yoona doesn’t need to watch me dance to let me know she cares. I trust her enough.”

“She shouldn’t be neglecting you like this, Yul. You know that.”

The taller girl grabbed a hold of her friend’s shoulders, flashing her a reassuring smile. “I’m okay. It’s just because Yoona has a lot on her plate. Once she wins her game, she’ll have time for me. I will not resort to being a needy girlfriend.”

Yoona would make time for you regardless, Yul. Please open your eyes and talk to her. It was impossible to get Yuri to understand how Yoona was treating her. Yuri didn’t want to fight anymore but instead, go along with whatever her girlfriend wanted. Because if she did this, she wouldn’t have to argue with Yoona all the time. And everything would be okay.

But it wasn’t.

“I bet she has no idea how you feel right now. If you just talked to her, she’ll understand.”

“You have no idea how I feel right now. I’m completely fine with Yoona spending a little less time with me. I’m completely fine if she doesn’t show up for the dance contest. Everything is fine.” Yuri took back the cloth, rinsing it again beneath the tap.

“You keep saying that but I never see the glimmer in your eyes anymore. The ones that told me you’re speaking the truth.”

“Does Kim Hyoyeon think I’m lying? Maybe the glimmers are sleeping.” The older rolled her eyes at her friend. She obviously didn’t want to take this talk seriously. She obviously didn’t even want to have this talk in the first place.

“Maybe they should wake up and go back to chasing what they want.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Yuri asked after placing the damp cloth into a plastic bag. She gave a quizzical look, not sure if her friend was making any sense. “Are you mocking me?”

Hyoyeon waved off the question, changing the topic once more. “What’s up with you and Taecyeon? Why are you suddenly all out with him?”

“Because Taec understands me.”

“And I don’t? I’m in a relationship myself, you know?”

“Did you date Yoona too?”

That shut Hyoyeon up. So the actual fact that they both dated Yoona was the reason why Yuri was hanging out with him more. But does that mean whenever they’re together, Yuri and Taecyeon just talk about Yoona the whole time?

That’s…weird…

“Did you think I had a thing for him or something?”

Hyoyeon shrugged. “Well it was so sudden, and you guys hang out like, all the time. Not my fault for believing.”

“I hang out with you guys more. It’s like you’re jealous or something.”

“Not exactly, Kwon Yuri. Yoona would be jealous too if she found out her girlfriend secretly has dates with her ex.” Yuri slapped the older girl on the shoulder at her untruthful wording.

“Excuse me but they aren’t dates. He’s my-”

“Friend. I was kidding.” Hyoyeon wrapped the younger’s scarf around her neck, pulling it over to cover the cut, but also to stop her from talking any further. She grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the restroom – going towards the cafeteria.

She’d done all she could, only to fail into making Yuri talk to Yoona first. It was the shikshin’s turn.

She better not mess this up.

***

“Quick question. Smoothies or boba?”

Yoona stuffed her jersey over her head before answering her friend’s query. “Smoothies. I love smoothies.”

“Another question. Football or…study sessions?”

“Football, of course. Football over anything.”

Sooyoung caressed her invisible beard. “Okay, let me rephrase that. Football or...study sessions with Yuri?”

Yoona stopped rummaging through her bag and looked at her friend. How did they get from smoothies to Yuri so quick? It was clear Sooyoung was up to something just by the expression on her face. A mix of mischief and fake disinterest.

“Why are you asking me that question?”

Sooyoung shrugged. “Why are you not answering it?”

“Because it’s a stupid question.”

“How so?”

“You’re putting two things I extremely like up against each other. That’s not fair play.” Yoona retorted.

“Dude, they’re just questions.” The younger shook her head before finishing up her searching, sitting on a bench to do up her laces she had left untied.

“So?”

“So what?” Yoona tried to act dumb, really not wanting to answer the earlier question.

“Yuri or football?”

“Jessica or football?”

“Football. Now you answer.”

Yoona scoffed. “What a lie.”

“Just answer the damn question.”

Her friend was really persistent in trying to avoid it, which only put her at the deeper end of the ocean. If Yoona was hesitating to answer a simple query like this, it must mean she wasn’t ready to give up on soccer for a girl. More specifically, Kwon Yuri – her girlfriend.

Yoona was quiet for a while before finally voicing her answer. “Both. I like both.”

“Oh come on. Are you kidding me? Is it so hard to answer with Yuri?”

“Why are you even asking me that question? Who are you going to give this information to? I like Yuri. I like soccer. Am I not allowed that?”

Sooyoung stood, a little pissed at her friend’s sudden outburst. “Unfortunately, no.”

Yoona tilted her head and furrowed her brows. “Why the hell not?”

“Because you can’t go to a football game and a dance competition at the same time. Unless you have super powers or something.”

Yoona had never been so confused in her entire life. And yes. This was much more confusing than a maths equation. She stood also, mimicking her friend’s position as she held her confused expression. She knew this was going to go off into a topic she didn’t want to hear, but for some reason, she still asked.

“What are you going on about, Choi Sooyoung? What does a dance competition have to do with anything?”

“Hello? Your girlfriend?” The taller girl knocked her knuckles on top of Yoona’s head, wondering if there was even a brain in there. “She has a dance competition to go to on the same day of our game.”

“She has a what?!”

“A dance compe-”

Almighty Him Yoona abruptly pushed Sooyoung against the lockers without as much as a warning. Her fingers constricted the older one’s collar as her jaw clenched.

Was this reaction expected? Hell no. Not by a long shot. If anything, Sooyoung had thought she’d left the room by now to search for her girlfriend. But here Yoona was, pinning her with fiery eyes.

What the hell is wrong with this chick?

“How’d you know she had a dance competition and why the hell didn’t she tell me?” Her grip tightened.

“Jeez, man! Calm down!”

“How can I when I know my own girlfriend tells you things about her before I even know?”

“She didn’t tell me,” Sooyoung pushed her friend away, making her land on the floor. “Hyoyeon did, you idiot!”

Yoona only sat with palms planted flat on the ground. She stared at her friend in shock. There were so many questions running through her head, she didn’t know how to comprehend all the information. Sooyoung talks to Hyoyeon now? And Yuri has a dance competition she didn’t know about? Why didn’t Yuri tell her?

“Soo, I didn’t know she even had one…”

Sooyoung was hunched over as she caught her breath, her hands placed firmly on her knees. She lifted up her head to look at Yoona. “ to know your girlfriend keeps things from you, huh?” It was amazing no one had come in yet to witness the two girls out of breath.

“Wanna know something else?” Yoona didn’t but she nodded anyways. “I see her hanging out a lot more with Taecyeon than she does with you.”

“S-She does?” Yoona hastily stood up. She wondered how long her head had been caught up with the upcoming game. How long had she gone without actually having a proper conversation with Yuri to know what had been going on in the older girl’s life.

It was almost as if she was dating a stranger.

“I love you, man and I want the best for you two but…it’s horrible how much you neglect her.” Sooyoung muttered. “And it’s amazing she’s still willing to be with you. I know you like her a lot and I know you care for her but right now, it’s almost like she’s the least important person to you.”

“That’s not true.” Yoona retorted.

“Then tell me what is. Because from where I stand, you guys are basically just buddies. You’re too ashamed to even be seen with her in public, for goodness sakes.” She flailed her arms, frustrated. “I may not have been in a relationship before but from what I know, you’re supposed to put her before anything else, especially yourself.”

And Sooyoung was right. Yoona knew she was. There were so many things she was doing wrong, she was lucky to even still call Yuri hers. She spent all this time stealing a soccer ball when the only thing she should’ve been stealing was Yuri’s heart. Why was she wasting her time like this?

“Sooyoung, I-”

“What are you going to do?”

Yoona tilted her head.

“Practise starts in 5 minutes. Yuri’s leaving in 1. What are you going to do?”

Finally understanding what she meant, Yoona had done up her last shoe, grabbed her bag and dashed out the locker rooms, missing the smirk on her friend’s face.

***

Running towards her tree, Yoona finds her girlfriend, making her way to the art building. It seemed she was going somewhere else rather than home.

“Yuri!” She turned and found Yoona out of breath as she caught up to the older girl. No words could describe how Yuri felt because it was always her trying to find Yoona nowadays. It must’ve been something important.

“Babe?”

She breathed between every two or three words. “Hey…I almost thought you’d left already.”

“Not yet.” Yuri pushed back the loose hair covering the taller girl’s face. “Are you alright? Did you need something?”

“Yeah I-” Yoona had finally looked into Yuri’s eyes. It had been a while since she’d done that. “I missed you.”

Yuri rolled her eyes with a smile. “I missed you too. Why the sudden confession?”

“I don’t say it enough.” The shorter one’s eyes averted towards the soccer jersey that Yoona was wearing, her smile fading.

“You know you’re late for training, right?”

This is worth it. Yoona thought.

“Coach can wait. Let’s go get some smoothies.” Yoona grabbed a hold of Yuri’s hand and was about to drag her to her car, but Yuri gently yanked her back, almost having their bodies collide.

“Actually Yoong…I have other plans.”

“What?” As if on cue, Taecyeon had walked out of the art building, the door sounding a noise. Yuri turned with a smile and wave with the boy returning it. The smile she given him had Yoona feeling like she was on the losing end. Feeling like she was losing her girlfriend.

The latter turned back a moment later, her smile disappearing as she saw the frown on Yoona’s face. She knew why. “I can’t just cancel on him. You know that.”

“Why are you hanging out with him?”

“He’s my friend? And you’ve been a little busy lately so…” Yuri trailed off as she averted her eyes to the ground.

Yoona didn’t know what to feel. Yuri had been replacing her for Taecyeon. All this time, Yuri had needed someone to talk to and her own girlfriend couldn’t be that person because her own girlfriend was a selfish idiot who looked towards a ball. Who looked towards herself.

“Do you like him?”

Yuri’s head shot up, her brows knitted. “You’re the only one that I like, Yoong.” She ran her fingers over Yoona’s cheek. “Don’t take this the wrong way. The other girls can’t relate to me as much and I had no one to talk to so I-”

“You can talk to me. I’m your girlfriend. I’ll always be here.”

“I have tried but you’ve been training more and talking less. I didn’t want to be a burden.” It hurt to think that Yuri saw herself as a burden. That she was too afraid to talk to Yoona because she thought she’d be bothering her.

Gosh, you’re not a bother. You’ll never be a bother. Please don’t ever think that. I’m so sorry.

“I’m so sorry, Yul…” That was the first time she’d spoken those words.

“It’s okay. I understand with the whole game coming up and all. Just take your time and do what you need to do to win.”

“I care about you so much.”

“I know you do.” Yuri wrapped her arms around Yoona’s waist, burying her face into the crook of the former’s neck. Instantly, Yoona’s head fell on Yuri’s shoulder, begging herself not to cry. “But I have to go now.”

And just like that, Yuri had let go, about to make her way to Taecyeon when Yoona had gripped her wrist, preventing her from moving.

“Yoong, you have to let go.” Yuri didn’t how much Yoona couldn’t do that. Yuri didn’t know how much Yoona was hurting. Yuri didn’t know how much Yoona regretted everything she’d done.

“Wait, I…” She paused. “…Is there anything you want to tell me?”

Yuri slowly shook her head, confused. “No?”

“Is there…something you need me to know? Anything coming up?” Yoona didn’t want to be so straightforward. She needed to see if her girlfriend was willing to tell her about her dance competition.

Yuri chuckled. “There’s nothing, Yoong.”

“But-” She decided to dismiss the question, moving to another one as she knew Yuri wasn’t going to tell her. “-do you still think about me?” Yuri chuckled once again. She pushed down her scarf and had her soft lips meet with Yoona’s. Quick yet, savouring. With the small touch, Yoona could feel a small cut against her own teeth as she tugged at her girlfriend’s bottom lip.

She ignored it.

The latter’s eyes were still closed with lips still puckered as Yuri parted away, pulling up her scarf again. “Of course I still think about you. Every minute of the day…I’ll see you later, okay?”

Yoona nodded, frowning.

Yuri then left with Taecyeon, leaving the younger standing by the tree. She turned and faced the giant plant behind her, staring at it and remembering the events that took place when her girlfriend had sat against the tree for the first time.

Yoona’s forehead landed on its trunk, her eyes shut tight as tears threatened to fall because of the pain in her head and the pain in her heart.

Gradually, she put in more force.

And no one was there to stop her.

…

__________

Hey I finally enjoyed writing a chapter lmao!! I hope you liked this one as much as I did. Or half as much. Or just hate it, I don’t mind :’DDD

Thank you for reading! And Happy (early) New Years since I probably won’t update on the day!! :*