"Taeyeon, stand up, you need to prepare!" My mother ordered as soon as she opened my room's door

 

 

"Huh? Prepare for what?" I asked in a muffled voice, can't help it, my blanket sure is getting more and more attractive every passing day.

 

 

"You forgot?! Today is you granddad's birthday, ready yourself, he's expecting for you to be present"

 

 

"Mom, can I not pass? I'm sure my cousins can keep him company and forget about me" I really hate going to these kinds of parties, they are just way too boring.

 

 

"How about a no? You've been passing up family gatherings Kim Taeyeon, and don't make school an excuse, I know you're already done with your schoolworks, so you better hurry up or I'll ground you"

 

 

"Mom, you know you can't ground me" I need my gadgets for school, no way she'll take it all.

 

 

"I will throw these green things outside then" my eyes grew wide as I saw her make her way through a corner of my room and took hold of one of my dookongs.

 

 

"No!" I immediately bolted up and ran towards her and grabbed my baby "Fine mom! I'm going! Go out" after placing my dookong in it's rightful place, I pushed my now laughing mother out my door.

 

 

"Okay okay,we'll leave at 10" she reminded

 

 

"What?! You woke me up so early!" I grunted

 

 

"Why, you can be so hard to persuade sometimes, I was just taking drastic measures" she said as she disappeared through a corner.

 

 

Ugh, good, now I can't go back to sleep. Defeated, I just sat in my bed for minutes, doing particularly nothing, then I grabbed my phone to message my cousin to ask if she's also going to the party, good thing she is, or else I might just be busy stuffing myself with food due to boredom.

 

 

When the clock hit 9 am, I stood up and took a bath, it was 9:45 when I finished dressing up, I didn't wear anything fancy, just my favorite black leather jacket on top of a white polo, skinny jeans, then my addidas superstar shoes, I was plain, not that I care, it's not like I was going to a date.

 

 

I made my way down the stairs to our living room to be welcomed by my sister who seemed to be excited for this, exactly my opposite.

 

 

"Hi sis!" She gretted me with all smiles.

 

 

"Miyoung, you sound too excited" I told her as I rolled my eyes and sat beside her.

 

 

"You are just too down, why don't you just enjoy? It's not everyday we get to see our relatives. And did you just call me Miyoung? It's Tiffany sissy!"

 

 

"See them? It's not like they even remember my face, they are all just boasting about their earnings, drink and get themselves wasted, and dance like they are in the club. Isn't that such a pain?"

 

 

"Loosen up! Why don't you just bond with our cousins? I can tell that they also want to meet you"

 

 

"I'm close with them, just that, when we spend time together, they choose to date their phones instead, so it's the same with being alone" It's true, they'll talk with you at the start, and after a few minutes, everyone's engrossed in their own little worlds, or be talking about a guy or a girl they hit it off with.

 

 

"But-"

 

 

"Girls let's go!" She was interrupted by our dad's call outside our house. 

 

 

"Coming!" I shouted back and stood up to proceed to the door, my sister following behind.

 

 

The journey to my granddad's house was silent and long, good thing I had my earphones with me because my sister is already sleeping beside me. A few more minutes and a big house was already seen.

 

 

"Hey Miyoung, wake up idiot we're here" I tried to wake her up and shook her shoulders, she groggily opened her eyes then made herself presentable by straightening her dress as soon as she stepped out the car, I could only roll my eyes in the sight.

 

 

As soon as we opened the door, the cheery atmosphere welcomed us, and some of our relatives came over to greet us, I can also even hear some of them saying that the favorites are here.

 

 

I greeted my aunts and uncles that I'm close with, and I just bowed to those I'm not, I'm a kid who grew up to know what respect is. Then I made my way to my granddad and saw some of my cousins handing him their gifts, while I, had none except three pieces of candies in my pocket that I brought from home, how could I forget a gift.

 

 

"Taeyeon-ah" I heard my name called and immediately smiled at him, brushing away the thought of a gift.

 

 

"Nonno! Happy birthday!" I greeted him with all smiles, hugged and gave him a kiss on the cheek.I love my granddad even though I hated the idea of going to this party. "You're becoming more handsome!" I told him, still grinning and I just earned a laugh.

 

 

"And you're... Still short" he teased me

 

 

"Umm, nonno, I don't have a gift..." I trailed, completely ashamed

 

 

"It's fine, I'm even surprised that you came"

 

 

"Well yes, my mom kind of threatened me" I admitted, he knew me too well, I then took out the candies in my pocket and handed it to him. "Nonno, take it, it's my gift! I'll give you a proper one next year" I told him cheekily "see, it's three pieces, means I love you!" 

 

 

"Aigoo, thankyou child" he said and smiled warmly "Have you eaten? Go ahead, I'm sure you're hungry dear"

 

 

"Okay nonno, bye! Happy birthday again" then I made my way to the area where food is located and I saw my cousin, Hyoyeon, picking out what to eat. I ran towards her and dangled my arms around her neck, causing her to bend down but not fall over.

 

 

"Damn you Kim!" She blurted out and forcefully removed my arms from her neck.

 

 

"Hey, it's not nice to curse yourself " i replied as I stuck my tounge out and she just rolled her eyes.

 

 

"Pick out what to eat Tae, I'll head over to their table" she told me and pointed to the table that's occupied by a small group of our cousins, good thing I'm close to them.

 

 

After I was done choosing from the variety of dishes, I also made my way to them.

 

 

"Hey guys" I greeted and earned their attentions and greetings back.

 

 

"Looks like you decided to come out from your hole little one" Heechul oppa commented as he patted my back, I could just pout at him.

 

 

"No choice, I can't afford to put my dookongs in danger" I told him and took a bite.

 

 

"Well unnie, coming out once in a while is great, and doing it often is better. You're dear cousins miss you~" Yuna added.

 

 

"I'm a busy student you know"

 

 

"We know, you're the smartest of us all" it was Kangin oppa's turn.

 

 

"Hey, Hyoyeon is smart too!" I let out, earning laughs and a glare "What?"

 

 

"Shut up and just eat Tae"

 

 

When everyone was done eating, the host of the program started saying things that I didn't remember, my cousins also disappeared somewhere, leaving me behind. I was getting bored- well I always was, I wanted to sleep but the noise wasn't helping, it's only noon but the guests are already comfortable, cards lain here and there, children playing tag, men drinking. It was always like this, only the start was planned, the end is unsure, but what I'm sure of- is that it won't end soon.

 

 

Hours passed, I witnessed the women transform from playing cards, drinking, gossiping, eating, boasting about their children, and then back to cards again, aren't they getting tired of it?

 

 

I watched as children tripped over, made fun of, cried, then again laugh and proceed to playing.

 

 

Men singing their lungs out, missing notes, not reading the lyrics correctly, then went back to drinking and left the minus one song playing.

 

 

It was always the same, nothing out of the ordinary. I then decided to glance at the door, I don't know, maybe for a change of view, as I was staring and admiring it's structure, it opened, revealing a goddess- wait, someone who seems like one. Indeed, she is very beautiful, I couldn't take my eyes off of her as she made her way towards my granddad and gave her greetings together with someone else who's slightly taller than her. Why did goddesses descend on Earth. I know, I'm overreacting, I couldn't help it, they just seemed to beautiful to be true.

 

 

I followed their- her movements, from picking out what to eat, and looking for a table, our eyes met, then I looked around and saw that the table where I was at was the only one clean and available. I looked at her direction again, they're heading this way.

 

 

I panicked, unsure of what to do, and I decided to stand up, I fastened my pace and looked around for my other cousins- for Hyoyeon, I immediately found her, thanks to her loud laugh.

 

 

"Hyo!" I called her and shook her shoulders frantically

 

 

"Hey Tae! Hold your horses dude!" She grunted and held my hands in place "Sit" she pointed to the chair beside her and BoA unnie "Spill"

 

 

"There's this girl..." I trailed

 

 

"What?! You got someone pregnant?!" She cut me off, I threw a glare making her shut  

 

 

"As I was saying, there's a really stunning girl I saw today... Do you know her?" I shyly asked, It was rare for me to take interest in others, more specifically to someone I just saw minutes ago.

 

 

"Where?" She asked, completely amused, then I pointed to where the beauty is, I just saw her drop her jaws "Huge catch"

 

 

"So.. Do you know her?" I asked impatiently

 

 

"Sadly no" she responded, causing my hopes to crumble down "I'll ask Yuna if she knows her, that kid has a list of all the people in the family" she joked, it's true, Yuna is a sweet girl so she's known by almost everyone.

 

 

I followed Hyoyeon by my eyes and saw her talking to Yuna and simply pointed the girl, Yuna told her something and made Hyoyeon smile. I guess she does know her.

 

 

"So...?" I let out as soon as Hyoyeon sat down.

 

 

"Easy girl, quit getting impatient. So, those two are the Jung sisters" she paused "They are the Jungs'- grandpa's business partners- daughters which is pretty obvious. The black haired is Jung Soo Jung or Krystal, she's the younger one. And the other one, your crush, is Jung Sooyeon or Jessica, same age with us. The two just returned the other day from America so we just saw them today"

 

 

"I see..." I mumbled as I glanced at their direction and stared at Jessica, but my luck ran out as she suddenly faced my direction an caught my eyes, I immediately switched my gaze to Hyoyeon who was stiffling her laugh.

 

 

"Someone's inlove~" she sing sang, hah, inlove? No, I was just amazed by her beauty.

 

 

I sat beside my cousin, and spent my time typing whatever on my phone when I'm not staring at Jessica Jung. My eyes just kept on coming back to her, hopefully she doesn't feel it. Then I felt a nudge from Hyoyeon, waking me up from my daydreaming.

 

 

"What?!" I asked her and she just pointed to the stage "So?"

 

 

"They are calling you over there" she whispered, I looked around and saw all eyes on me.

 

 

"Miss Kim Taeyeon, would you mind going up the stage?" The host repeated, I could only sigh, I know where this is going.

 

 

I made my way towards the front and people clapped, I haven't even started yet.

 

 

"So, miss Taeyeon, your grandfather is asking for a performance from you"

 

 

"Nonno, I didn't prepare anything" I told him, I don't wanna sing right now, especially when she's around, I might make a fool out of myself.

 

 

"Taeyeon-ah, it's fine, this will be the greatest gift ever, would you not grant me that?"

 

 

"Ugh, fine nonno, just a little" I told him and he nodded, I took the guitar from the side, why was this here anyway? They completely planned this.

 

 

I looked through the crowd and sighed in relief when I saw Jessica engrossed in her phone, that lessened my nervousness, though a small part of me was saying that I wanted to impress her. 

 

 

Pushing my thoughts aside, I started strumming, the crowd went quiet, even my cousins became serious and calm from laughing their heads out from each others' jokes, the children stopped running around and stared at me, it was quiet, and I loved this feeling.

 

I then started singing.

 

 

 

I finished singing, people stood up, some surprised to my choice of song, I know, those kinds of songs doesn't fit me, but I don't know why I sang it, it was the first that came to mind when I looked at Jessica- which is, still scrolling through her phone, my eyes turned to the one beside her- Krystal, who was smiling at me, I smiled back at her, she gave me a thumbs up, was it for my performance or for approving me and her sister together? I sure hoped it was the latter.

 

 

I made my way down the stage to my cousins' table.

 

 

"What's with the song Taeyeon? Not like I'm complaining"

 

 

"Heechul oppa, she's inlove, let her be~" Hyoyeon answered him.

 

 

"Shut it Hyo" I then sat down, I felt my cheeks heat up, why? I don't know. Again, I glanced at the sisters' location, what I saw left me in a daze, Jessica's face is red and glared at her sister who was laughing hysterically and kept on glancing in my direction, what were they talking about? I sure am curious. But all in all, it was a cute moment so I took my phone and secretly snapped a photo, I was admiring my shot when I felt multiple presence behind me, I looked at my back and saw my cousin's behind me, all smiling smugly.

 

 

"Someone's inlove!!!" They shouted in unison, and earned stares from everyone, again, the hall turned quiet as they stared at our group, even the sisters' are now staring at us. Oh God it was embarrassing. So I immediately stood up and headed out but not before shouting: "I'm sorry for the commotion! It was nothing" and glared at my cousins with a reddened face. I should begin planning how to torture them.

 

 

My feet took me to the backyard, there was a pool there, and the area was surrounded by trees, the moon was illuminated in the pool, it was majestic, and slightly cold, good thing I had a jacket on. I proceeded to the gazebo in the side, plugged my earphones on and leaned on the bench and closed my eyes.

 

 

I was about to fall asleep when I felt a presence beside me. It was a woman based on the perfume. I didn't bother to open my eyes, maybe it was just one of my cousins, we sat there, side by side, which was weird, my cousins won't ever stay quiet in one place.

 

 

I opened my eyes, I regretted that I did, but a part was also relieved I did. What I saw was Jessica, eyes also closed but she wasn't leaning, it was as if she was enjoying the night breeze, the moon was lighting up her face, again, I simply snapped a photo, and turned off the music in my ears.

 

 

"What is Artemis doing here?" I blurted out and I gained her attention, I said it out loud?

 

 

"Huh?" Her voice... It was the first time I heard it. Though 'huh' was only what she said, I can feel the sweetness of her voice.

 

 

"The goddess of the moon, what are you doing here?" I cleared, and I heard her giggle. I should have opened my phone's voice recorder.

 

 

"I'm not Artemis" she paused and smiled at me, and held her hand out "Though I'm happy to be compared to a goddess, I'm Jessica by the way"

 

 

"O-oh,.." You can compare to any goddess out there.. "Taeyeon... Kim Taeyeon" then I shook her hand, soft, I would love to hold it for eternity, too bad I can't .

 

 

"I know" she said, smile still on her face, how did she know? "I know you, my parents always tell me about this certain Kim Taeyeon, a smart and talented kid. I've always wanted to meet you" I wanted to jump in joy, is she curious about me? Does she want to be my friend?

 

 

"I'm not that smart and talented, I'm overrated" I told her honestly

 

 

"You have it in you, the aura I mean, the way you stood, sat, everything shouts your smartness"

 

 

"Hey, where did all those compliments come from? Quit flattering me"

 

 

"What? I was just stating what I observed"

 

 

"You were observing me?" I , a smirk on my lips.

 

 

"What?" I saw her fidget and her face flush "I'm not!" She replied as she gazed to the front "By the way.... What was that about being in love earlier?" It was my turn to become a tomato.

 

 

"It's a secret~"

 

 

"Taeyeon!" I heard someone shout my name, it was my sister "We're going home!" What? And I was just getting closer to my dream girl! I glanced at my watch, it was already 12, then glanced at the one beside me, I saw her slightly shivering, she was just wearing a shirt that's why.

 

 

"I'll follow! Wait for a while!" I shouted and saw her go away "Okay, seems like this ends our conversation Jessica-ssi" I told her shyly and scratched my neck. I then took my jacket off and placed it over her shoulders. "Return it to me when we meet again, though I'm not sure when that is, you can just keep it if we don't"

 

 

"Just Jessica is good" she told me "Then... You tell me who it is you like when we meet again" she stated "Let's take a picture!" The pulled me up to the pool area.

 

 

"Huh?" I let out, picture?

 

 

"Taeyeon, smile!" She commanded as she looked at the screen, when I did, she clicked the capture button "Perfect!" She squealed, how come she's so cute? And then showed me the picture "Isn't it?"

 

 

"Yeah, perfect..." We look kind of alike at first glance, or were my eyes playing a trick on me? "Let's take another one" then I held my phone up, she posed, I clicked the button. "Thankyou"

 

 

"It was nothing, let's meet again sometime, fate will work on it for us" she then started to walk away, she was walking backwards, and was waving at me. "It was a great song! You better sing for me someday!" She shouted.

 

 

When she was out of sight, I glanced at my phone "Phone...Number... God why did I not ask for her number?! Taeyeon you ugh" then I remembered what she said "I hope... That fate will really work it out for us...then I'll sing my heart out" I mumbled and walked towards out car. 

 

 

"What took you so long?" My mom asked, completely wondering about my behavior "Normally you'll be the most excited one to go home" I didn't answer her question instead..

 

 

"Mom, when will be the next gathering?"