July 5, 2008

"Are you okay ?" Se Ra clung her right hand around Byul's neck then bumped her chest to the girl's back. They had just finished school and were heading to academy. Since the incident two days ago, Moonbyul seemed a little bit off. Se Ra couldn't realy point a finger at the odds other than realization that Byul's stare seemed miles away most of the times. 

"Things are just fine," Moonbyul replied with stare fixed ahead the narrow road between concrete apartment buildings. "I'm just hungry. I hadn't had my breakfast 'cause Mom was too busy cleaning the house." She didn't even bother to smile to Se Ra as it would be too noticable to be faked. I will not cry over the incident again, if THAT is what you are asking right now. As the thought passed by, Moonbyul couldn't help but felt her heart sting.

After the incident, she felt like everything but happy and lively. It was fortunate for her to not cry at the studio as everyone persumably could see. But was hoarse, her eyes were burnt, her cheeks were rigid. Minhyuk's rejection to be her partner echoed over and over again like a broken verse of death hymne. 

The moment after Minhyuk spurted the words, the girls at the studio giggled and rocked their body in enjoyment. They whispered, muttered, and exchanged gaze of agreement of what Minhyuk had said. They were on the same page that there was no way the 'golden' boy should lower his level to be in the same dance with an uninteresting partner. 

Never Moonbyul had evef felt humiliated more than that. Her body trembled over sadness. No, it wasn't sadness but rather anger. She was angry to nobody but herself. She felt worthless as she couldn't do anything while witnessing Minhyuk went back to his sitting position as if his words damaged no one. She couldn't say a word to defend herself from embarrasment. She felt helpless as she unconciously agreed with the crowd that she didn't deserve Minhyuk's time. That she wasn't worthy, worse that she was the 'frog' all along. 

! I can't breath again.

"Are you really ok ? As in 'o-k-a-y' ?" Se Ra repeated while staring at Moonbyul in concern. She could easily notice that sweat were flowing furiously on Byul's forehead. "Are you sick ? Do you want me to take you home ? We can just skip going to academy, we for sure have ano-"

"Yeah, I'm okay. Really," Moonbyul cut Se Ra off in what seemed to be more a whisper. "I'm just a little bit dizzy. That's all."

What should I do ? Do I have to give her another days so she can think over everything that happened by herself ? Do I have to confront her directly ? Wise not, but will she be alright then ? Se Ra put down her hand lifelessly and gripped Moonbyul' hand. She felt like a useless friend as she couldn't even cheer Byul up for a blink of time. She knew really well that despite the fact that both of them were close, there were just cross lines that couldn't be bothered by each other respectively, and Byul's case was just right one of them.

"Hey, do you want some chicken skewers ?" Se Ra strecthed her arms out blocking the other girl when they passed street-food vendor metres away across from the academy. "Come on ! It's all on me," she cheered.

"No, thanks. I'll just-"

"No rejecting ! If you turn this down, for God's sake, it means things between us are over." Se Ra didn' t have other choices than to be a pushover. She hated acting like that yet she would even more hateful to herself if she didn't do something to help easing Byul's pain. Just how damaging the incident could be for you, Ddong ? Se Ra dragged Moonbyul along with her towards the food tent. 

I can't afford other depressions. Yesterday was bad enough as it was and here I am gambling on losing my best friend. God, dammit ! Pull yourself together, Byul !  Moonbyul eagerly then walked behind Se Ra and forced a grin across her face to show her gratitude. Thanks for being with me and for being you, you little witch !

"But yo, I've warned you that I'm famished right now. Don't blame me if I drain your wallet up," Moonbyul smirked and started shoving chicken meat onto . 

"Be my guest, you beggar !" Se Ra couldn't help but felt lighter on her weight to see her bestfriend's face lit a little. For seemed to be minutes, the girls were busy stuffing their cheeks with food

"He didn't even ask my number, you know," Moonbyul broke the silence between the munchings.

"What do you mean ?" Se Ra looked at Moonbyul while biting a skewer stick. 

"Minhyuk."

"No, not him again, Byul ! Please, I beg you !" Se Ra cut off Byul's words.

"No, please, just hear me out. I need to feel relief. My heart right now is so stuffy 'cause I can't express my feelings," Moonbyul pleaded. She stared hard at her friend in hope that the person could see what was pictured in her eyes. 

"Ok, stop staring at me like that !" Se Ra gave up then continued, " but you have to promise me there will be no more tears for that no good big ol' jerk Minhyuk."

"Wh-what ? I'm not gonna cry nor I had cried before !" Moonbyul stammered as she realized that she had put her guard down. 

"Yeah, whatever ! Let's assume your eyes got all swollen from reading too much." It's always fun teasing you, Ddong ! " So, where were we ?" Se Ra tried luring the conversation back.

"He didn't even ask my number," Moonbyul sighed, "even after Mr. Kim told him that he will still be my partner no matter what." Moonbyul could recollect the memory clearly as Mr. Kim forced Minhyuk to go along with his decision and insisted that there would be no other way around. 

"Being a good player for no team is no good, Minhyuk-ah. You have to help and support others to point out and improve your own flaws," Mr. Kim insisted then spread his gaze throughout the studio. He for sure could see the girls' frustrated faces as he said so. But he had made his mind up. Moonbyul's too talented to be wasted. She'll learn a thing or two from Minhyuk.

Hearing so, Minhyuk sat there motionless. He didn't nod nor said something. He was just as composed as ever yet with ominous stare. 

"Then what do you expect ?" Se Ra pulled back Moonbyul to reality. "Do you expect him to be friendly to you after all that happened ? Are we talking about the same Minhyuk here ?"

"No, I mean, for communication wise-" Moonbyul's words were cut off by the moment she saw Minhyuk walking towards the academy' front door with a girl. 

Lim Ye Won

The 'flower girl' of the academy. The very girl who giggled the most and sighed in desperation louder than anyone else back at the incident. 

"Hey, what's wrong ?" Too late, Se Ra didn't see what Moonbyul did.

"Nothing. Just nothing."