Six Months Later

“Come on Taejoon, you can’t skeeve out of this festival,” Eungyul called out, dragging his ever elusive friend out of hiding.

“We already had a festival this year, why are we having another one?” Taejoon half-complained, already exhausted by the number of fan girls that had already come after him today. Although what he was asking was a valid question.

“It’s yours and Hyunjae’s fault for getting tied at first place at the national competition a few months ago. The school uses every excuse to celebrate and you know that,” Eungyul scolded.

“Excuse me, it’s not just us; they’re celebrating your entrance onto the national team too,” Taejoon shot back. “It’s honoring all of us, so why are we actually working? The fan girls are bad enough as it is, now they can actually reach us.”

“Just wait until tonight,” Eungyul coaxed him. “The girls will be coming, that means Jaehee too.”

“And your girlfriend right,” Taejoon teased. “I heard you two got back together.”

Eungyul blushed. “So?” he blustered. “Aren’t you dating Jaehee?”

Taejoon’s mood suddenly darkened. “That’s right, which is why I’m trying to hide from the fan girls, since they keep on mauling me the second they lay their eyes on me. Why aren’t you complaining about it?”

“Well, they’re only going after you. Hyunjae and I are relatively new to them, so they’re not sure what to make of us. You’ve been a celebrity for way too long.” Seeing his expression darken, Eungyul hastily added, “Only a few more hours before the private after party, now let’s get to work.”

:::

Jaehee shifted uncomfortably at the front gates of the school, still hesitant to take that last step. Yes, her friends had accepted the truth after a bit of shock and betrayal, but she actually hadn’t seen them since she left. Talking on the phone was fine, but they hadn’t actually seen her yet as a girl and accepted it. The short burgundy and black brocade dress she was wearing would definitely hit them in face that she was actually a girl, as would the shoulder length hair, which she had grown out since leaving Genie High. Only Taejoon had seen her dressed properly as a girl so far, but she was living in his house; he just made a lot more visits home than he did before. Not to mention the number of CFs and photo shoots they did together; they were just waiting to release them all at once this week to bring her firmly into the celebrity fold. But still, she was nervous.

“Who are you waiting for?” A low voice questioned from behind her.

Almost jumping from fright, Jaehee turned around. “Taejoon, you scared me! What are you doing here?” She scolded.

“Well, I was wondering why I got a text fifteen minutes ago saying you were at the gates, but I still didn’t see you at the party, so I figured you were still here. Do you really think that any of them would suddenly hate you after all this time if they were to finally see you as a girl?”

She laughed softly. “You’re right, I was just being stupid. After all, Eungyul accepted me, and the others already saw me as a girl during the Miss Genie contest.”

“You do realize how much ammunition that gives them, right?” Taejoon reminded her. “Being the only actual girl in the contest and yet not winning because you weren’t feminine enough; I almost died laughing when I heard you say that, the others will be worse once they remember. As for Eungyul, he thought he was gay because he fell in love with you. Of course he had accepted that you were a girl so quickly; he was relieved that he was straight all along. Accepting you were a girl let him move on from his crush on you, and he could get back together with his girlfriend, since they really only broke up because he wasn’t sure about his feelings for you.”

“You’re still jealous about Eungyul, aren’t you?” she asked disbelievingly. She sighed in exasperation. “Haven’t you realized by now, you’re the only one I love. Eungyul and Junghoon may have had feelings for me, but all this time, I’ve only had eyes for you. It was for you that I risked so much to meet; it was for you that I came halfway across the world. It’s always been only you.”

At that passionate declaration of love, Taejoon couldn’t help but grab Jaehee and express all of the feelings he had swelling inside him with a kiss. Wanting this moment to last forever, he held on for as long he could, only breaking apart from her lips when the need for oxygen outweighed his need to physically demonstrate how much he loved her. “When I was struggling to decide what to do, you were the only person stubborn enough to try to break my walls. And each time you came back to try again, I couldn’t help but to let you in a bit and gradually fall in love with you.”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Eungyul cut in nervously, “but the others sent to see what’s the holdup.”

Jaehee sent a venomous glare towards Eungyul, all positive feelings towards seeing him again dying a sudden death. “I’ll be talking with your girlfriend, Eungyul. Nice way to meet you again in a long time, isn’t it?” Stalking off in the direction of the party, she left behind a quickly paling Eungyul and a conflicted Taejoon.

“Please tell me I’ll live, Taejoon,” he begged.

Caught between fury at the interruption and amusement at Eungyul’s predicament, amusement swiftly won at the other’s expression. “Well, I’ll be sure to give a good speech at your funeral,” he joked, heading after his girlfriend.

“Wait, Taejoon, stop joking! This is serious…” Eungyul quickly ran after the other teen on seeing him leave him alone at the gates, still pleading for Taejoon’s help…

:::

Jaehee took a quick breath, wanting to brace herself before seeing her friends again. At least this time, my hair is real, she thought wryly, touching the shoulder-length strands.

“Hey, I’ll be right behind you if you need any help, so just take that last step. They’ve been waiting to see you again,” Taejoon whispered as he slipped his hand into hers.

She smiled brightly at him and said, “Right,” as the two walked into the pool area.

“Hey, Taejoon, who’s the pretty girl on your arm? Anyone we want to meet?” Seungri called out, noticing the two.

Jaehee smiled at that. That was the perfect moment to announce herself as far as she was concerned. “Well, it’s not so much a matter of meeting but rather a reunion,” She let out in a familiar voice, causing all of her friends to turn around and do a double take and recognize her. “Hello guys, it’s been a while…”

A/N: Sorry for the delay, I just had to change some things around before posting this. Please note that this is the final chapter, but there will be additional scenes added in the form of additional chapters. I take requests, so if you would like to see something, please let me know. Thanks for reading!