Seulgi’s POV

Her lips are probably the most perfect pair in this world.

“Calm down.”

“I’m sorry, Bae Joohyun.”

“Calm down.”

“I’m really s--”

Ah, not probably.

Definitely.

Joohyun’s lips were just pressed against mine, not moving at all.

But the feeling of it was heaven.

After a few seconds, she slowly pulled away and looked at me in the eyes while rubbing my nape.

“Calm down, Seulgi.”

I don’t think she knows that I’m far from calming down.

“Just calm down, okay?”

I simply nodded and smiled widely like I always do when she’s around.

I can’t show her how much I want to explode at what she just did.

Bae Joohyun.

She’s definitely an angel.

I can’t help but giggle remembering that.

Her soft lips against mine.

Her warmth.

It’s what I’ve been seeking- begging- from her ever since I met her, right?

And it only made me want more.

“BAE JOOHYUN!” I called out to her loudly, waving while I was at the classroom’s door. I was absent during the morning class, but I came early for the afternoon classes to be with her during lunch. Who knows what the punks from yesterday would do this time...

...and I don’t mind another kiss from her.

Damn, I’m giggling again.

“You’re way too loud everyday!” Her bestfriend answered back, picking up her pen that I predicted she would throw at me.

“Don’t you learn ever learn, Wendy?” I grinned and pointed at her pen with my lips. “If I catch that again, I will punch a hole on your head with it.”

She went to hide behind her bestfriend - my queen and goddess- who just sighed and ignored us...as usual.

I forgot to mention, she messaged me last night about the kiss.

‘Don’t ever tell anyone about what happened there and don’t act like it happened.’

‘What are you going to do if I did?’

‘I’d kill you.’

She does the threats now and it’s not like I’m complaining - she’s feisty and yet I can only see a goddess in her.

“Let’s go eat lunch! I saw Joy and Yeri on the way here and they’re already heading towards the place!” I continued, walking towards the both of them. She just nodded and Wendy walked in between.

Why is she so protective of her today?

I don’t get all her constant glares and blockings everytime I try to make a conversation with Bae Joohyun.

She doesn’t even let me go beside her.

What is wrong with her today?

Well in any case, we finally arrived at our usual spot. I went away for a moment to do something and when I came back, Bae Joohyun is between Wendy and Joy.

So, they’re not letting me go near her?

“But that’s my spot!!” I groaned as I pointed at Wendy who just continued to eat.

I have to act like nothing happened yesterday, right?

“Go sit where I sat.” She plainly replied.

She didn’t even bothered to shout or something.

Wow.

I didn’t know she was capable of doing that.

“But I sit beside Bae Joohyun!” I continued, stomping my foot to scare her away. It’s no use.

“Shut up, Kang.”

And wow, she used my last name this time.

Kinda like how the other people did.

Something is definitely wrong with Wendy.

“Okay...” I glanced at everyone else and saw Bae Joohyun looking at Wendy, probably in confusion.I’m not sure though, she has that poker face again.

Joy and Yeri just tried to eat together in their own spots. They’re probably scared right now.

The tension is real.

“I didn’t know you called her that way, Seungwan-ah.” I paused a moment when I sat down and looked at the owner of the voice.

Bae Joohyun.

She cares now...

She cares about me...

She probably felt that I felt unpleasant when Wendy called me by that.

“Why wouldn’t I? It’s her name, isn’t it?”

She was right though.

It is a part of my name.

Heck, it’s my last name.

But why so sudden?

Bae Joohyun glanced at me and her eyes were enough for me to lose my thoughts.

She is indeed the most beautiful.

She is indeed an angel.

I want to have you all on my own.

I like you, Bae Joohyun.

“U-unnie...” Yeri tapped my knee lightly to bring me back to my senses, pointing her finger upwards.

So, I looked up.

Bae Joohyun.

“Let’s go to the cafeteria. I’m craving for something else.”

I really like you, Bae Joohyun.

And with a wide smile, I just nodded and stood up, quickly taking my place beside her.

Just a step and we already faintly heard Wendy murmur something. I was about to turn around and ask until I felt her hand on my wrist, her head shaking slightly before pulling me.

You really know how to stop me, don’t you?

The walk to the cafeteria was silent...except for students whispering to each other and gasping as we passed by.

It started to irritate me.

No one else can look at you, but me.

No one else can say your name, but me.

“Calm down.”

Your voice.

You really know how to stop me, don’t you?

I can’t help but feel warm inside, my smile staying still on my face.

Even though it doesn’t sound nice...

“So she’s the one who’s been following Joohyun around? The transferee...”

Even though it hurts...

“...I don’t get it. They won’t ever look good together...”

Their words...

“They’re both girls...it’s not gonna happen.”

I know I can’t have you.

“Too bad, she’s also pretty, talented and smart...but Joohyun won’t accept her.”

They don’t have to rub it in.

“Seulgi.”

But your voice is way louder than theirs even with just a whisper...

“Yes, Bae Joohyun?”

You called my name and yet you’re still walking, looking ahead.

“Just listen to my voice.”

I intend to do just that.

“Just my voice.”

You really are something.

“Only mine.”

That’s why I like you, Bae Joohyun.

That’s why it can’t be anyone else.

No one’s POV

“That’s what you’re craving for?!”

“What’s wrong about it?”

“But I-”

“What?”

“I expected something better than that.”

“What do you mean something better than this?”

“I just didn’t know you’d crave so much for it that you’d walk out here....

...for an apple?”

“I can crave whatever I want.”

“You could’ve just told me to buy it for you!”

“I can do whatever I want.”

“But-”

“Seulgi.”

“...fine. Let’s head back now?”

Joohyun shook her head and walked the opposite way from the spot. Seulgi, although a bit confused, followed quickly. They headed towards an empty bench in a park-like area inside the school, Joohyun sitting down with a sigh after finishing half of her apple.

“Is something wrong, Bae Joohyun?” Seulgi asked, sitting across the other.

Yes.

Everything is wrong.

You’re making everything go wrong.

“Nothing.”

“Why are we out here then?”

I know you noticed Wendy’s strange behavior too.

“It just felt stuffy there.”

“Because of Joy and Yeri? Because there are more people there?”

I know you know that’s not what I meant.

“No. Just...a lot of people are passing by there nowadays.”

“Well, that’s true. But that might be because they want to get a glimpse of you....”

Or you...

Or us together...

I hate it.

I hate that people are thinking like that right now.

“I don’t think so.” I plainly replied.

Sure, the confessions and other advances decreased because of you scaring them...because of your presence.

“Are you mad at me, Bae Joohyun?”

Yes.

I hate you so much.

More than anyone else.

More than anything.

“No.”

Then I see you looking down, like a kid who got scolded.

You’re not frowning, but I’d be a fool not to feel it.

You’re being vulnerable, aren’t you?

And this isn’t the first time you’ve been like this...you’re always like this.

But you don’t show it, right?

You’re pretending to be that person who comes off loud and strong.

You want people to recognize you.

But why me?

Why did you choose me to get there?

I can’t give what you want.

Nor will I ever give it to you.

I don’t like you, Kang Seulgi.

I hate you.

...but why do I feel angrier when I see you like this?

“I’m glad you’re not angry with me, Bae Joohyun.”

I am. I actually am.

“Seulgi...”

I hate it when I say your name.

I hate your name.

“Yeah?”

But I hate your voice more.

“There’s going to be a dance practice this afternoon....”

“Yeah and..?”

“I’m telling coach we’re gonna dance to Be Natural together during the school festival in three months .”

So I’m getting rid of that negative aura on you because it’s irritating me.

I’d rather see your bear smile.

That wide smile.

It’s less irritating.

Like nothing bad happened, like nothing hurts you.

But why isn’t it coming out....

“Seulgi?”

Shouldn’t you be celebrating and shouting it out?

That’s what you want, right?

“Oh, yeah... Yeah, that’s good.”

Why are you acting like this is not what you wanted?

“But are you sure you want to dance with me?”

Where did your conceitedness go? Your confidence?

“Yeah. Last Friday’s enough evidence.”

You just nodded and smiled. I feel angry.

I’m giving you what you want now and yet you’re acting like you don’t want it.

What is wrong with you?!

“Is something wrong?”

I asked, but I only got a shake of your head.

The word nothing coming out of your mouth.

I hate you, Kang Seulgi.

Stop messing with me.

Since lunchtime until Seulgi walked the two bestfriends home, Joohyun and everyone else could notice the difference in her behavior. She didn’t dance during practice which the coach just nodded to and understood, letting her stay in a corner to watch everyone else. Her eyes were on Joohyun, but even she could notice that Seulgi was distracted. Her eyes were on her, but they seemed somewhat....lost.

“Seulgi.”

After letting Wendy go in first, Joohyun called out to the walking second giant who had her head hanging low as she walked away. Seulgi stopped on her tracks and turned around, walking back to where her goddess stood.

“Yeah?”

I know I will regret this...

“Be careful when you go home. Don’t look down, you might bump onto something.”

...but it came out this time.

Your bear smile.

That wide smile on your lips.

Your lips...

“I will because you told me so.”

“Do it for yourself, stupid.”

“You’re stupid...”

Please don’t go near me

. I don’t like it when you’re near.

Seulgi took a few steps forward and wrapped an arm around Joohyun’s waist and the other around her shoulders. It wasn’t that tight. But it wasn’t loose either.

Please....

“...but thank you, Bae Joohyun.”

Don’t make me hate you more.

The next day... 

“JOOHYUN-AH!!!” Wendy’s voice rang through the whole house and practically the whole neighborhood, definitely waking Joohyun up.

“What the is your proble--” She stopped as she heard the sound of a chainsaw coming up fast, quickly getting her lamp and protectively backing up herself and Wendy at the corner of the bed. “J-just stay behind me, okay?!” Wendy nodded, tears already streaming down her cheeks.

It was until then the sound of the chainsaw seemed to die down and the culprit stepped inside their room.

“GO AWAY OR I’LL KILL YOU!!” The two had their eyes closed, Joohyun holding the lamp in front of them with her shaking hands, evidently scared.

A loud chuckle.

What.the.

“Bae Joohyun!”

.

Joohyun opened her eyes, only to be greeted by Ms. Bear herself armed with her bear smile and a small chainsaw.

“Yo, Bae Joohyun!”

And the smile grew wider.

Grew more conceited.

And Joohyun lost it.

Her lamp flew across the room in a considerably fast speed. But still slow enough for Seulgi to catch.

“Woah, woah...this might be expensive!”

Then, pillows came her way at first.

Next were books.

Then pens and pencils.

Water bottle.

Bag.

Everything else that was on Joohyun’s side.

“Wow...” Seulgi whistled as she looked around. “You messed up your room! I didn’t know you c--”

A notebook hit her. Right on her face.

Hard.

Too hard she dropped the chainsaw on the floor and sat while covering her face, groaning in pain.

Soon, the chaotic noise was replaced by a very unfamiliar sound.

So unfamiliar it had Seulgi and Wendy’s jaws dropped.

So unfamiliar their hair stood up.

Bae Joohyun was laughing.

Out loud.

A first time...even for Wendy.

“Oh my God, you should’ve seen your face! Hahaha!” Her hands were already on her stomach as she kept on laughing, already bending down a bit. “I- I can’t even-- Hahaha!”

Seulgi crawled her way towards Joohyun, leveling with her.

“You think this is funny?! My face hurts so much, okay?! It already feels like your notes are in my face!”

“I-I- hahaha! It was- hahaha!” Joohyun slapped Seulgi on her arm, a hand covering as she laughed everytime Seulgi says how much it hurt her face, even making the face she made when the notebook hit her face.

Wendy stood a few meters away from the two, a deep frown on her face.

‘In our years of friendship, even being as bestfriends...I never saw you like this, Joohyun. You never laughed so much like this.’ Her thoughts starting to take over as she looked at them and clenched her fists on her sides. ‘You two look like a happy couple playing around...this isn’t you, Joohyun.’ She bit her lip to stop herself from bursting out needlessly. ‘...this isn’t you.’

Wendy knew this wasn’t the right time to do so since it’s her bestfriend’s first time to laugh like that, making her leave the room and the house filled with the unfamiliar laughter. She cried in her room at their house.

She cried at the awful feeling creeping up.

But the two never knew anything about it.

“I didn’t know you could actually laugh, Bae Joohyun.” Seulgi grinned, nudging the other’s shoulder.

“Shut up.” Joohyun had already recovered after a few minutes from the incident and started to clean the room up with her ever famous poker face. “Just help me clean up my room. It was your fault anyway.”

“Your laugh is really cute!” Seulgi’s eyes disappeared into semi-crescents and a chuckle was heard, earning her a glare from the returning Ms. Uninterested.

“Why are you even here?” Piling up the books and notebooks, Joohyun picked them up in one go and stood up, carefully walking to her small shelf until Seulgi decided to show up in front and took the books, her grin still present.

“It’s Saturday! We have a date, remember?!”

Joohyun frowned inside as she remembered why she would be going on a date with Seulgi.

MOCK EXAMS

1. Kang Seulgi - 97.8

2. Bae Joohyun - 97.3

3. Ahn Heeyeon - 95

2. Bae Joohyun - 97.3

2.

She was number two.

For the first time.

And oh, did she mention it hurt like hell?

Well, it did.

“Bae Joohyun?” Joohyun flinched as she came back to her senses, her eyes looking up at the taller person standing a few inches in front of her.

She froze.

Why are you so near me, Kang Seulgi....

I don’t like it when you’re near.

“Bae Joohyun...”

I hate your voice...

Seulgi took another step closer without the other noticing it, leaning towards Joohyun with their face now just a few centimeters apart.

“I like you, Bae Joohyun.”

Then it finally registered to Joohyun.

“Ow ow!!”

Joohyun smothered her hand on the bear’s face, pushing her away from her.