Joohyun stared at her reflection. She could hear constant appraises of her beauty from the shop assistants but it was faint to her ears. The dress she is trying on is what she might be wearing to prom yet she stood still expressionless.

“I think you look marvelous!” said Mrs. Bae

Joohyun snapped out of her daze once she felt her mothers hands on her shoulders. She smiled lightly as the shop assistants nodded their heads.

“You are going to break hearts with this dress,” said Mrs. Bae

Joohyun laughed as she could see how excited her mother is. Knowing that her mother was proud of how far her daughter has come, Joohyun didn’t want to disappoint her and just agreed in getting the dress. Once she stepped out of the dressing room, her mother grabbed the dress and headed to the counter.

“You don’t look pleased cupcake,”

Joohyun turned around and faced her father.

Joohyun turned around and faced her father. She approached and hugged him, once she let go she held on to his arms as they walked towards the cashier.

"I like the dress," reassured Joohyun

"I didn't mean the dress," said Mr. Bae

Her father was able to see through her facade and Joohyun knew it would useless if she tried to lie her way out of it. Maybe it's time that she actually admitted it to someone.

"I don't want to go to prom," sighed Joohyun

"Then you don't have to. Is someone forcing you? Is it that Hyunseung boy, do you want me to teach him a lesson," asked Mr. Bae concerned over his daughters wellbeing.

"It's not him. I actually want to go to prom...its just not with the people I'm with," said Joohyun

Mr. Bae stopped walking and gazed at his daughter who seemed to be in conflict.

"There is this girl I want to ask out, but I'm positively sure she's going to reject. I like her. I like her a lot," admitted Joohyn

Mr. Bae should have known his daughter liked girls. When she kept complaining about the boys in her school, he should have known. When she kept admiring a certain girl in her class, he should have known. Now his daughter stands in front of him, scared, and Mr. Bae wanted to show nothing more but support and love towards his only daughter.

"Aren't you jumping into conclusions a bit too fast? You're not even sure she'll reject you," said Mr. Bae

"She will. She definitely will," replied Joohyun

"How do you know?" Inquired Mr. Bae

"She doesn't like me. She can't stand me. That I am completely sure. There were moments I could have helped her but I didn't, instead I made it harder for her," said Joohyun sadly

"Then tell her how you really feel. Be transparent with her, tell her everything" said Mr. Bae

Joohyun nodded. Seulgi has been distant and lonely for years, she hasn't even been participating in class discussion like she used to. There were times when she wanted to approach Seulgi, sit with her on the same table in the library, have lunch with her; however she never had the guts to do it. She could never take actions to her thoughts.

"You're graduating Joohyun, it wouldn't hurt if you asked her for one last dance, right?" Smiled Mr. Bae

***

Seulgi was packing her belongings. She didn't have much, but she was cleaning her space. She was finally leaving this place and start a new somewhere else. She got the scholarship to the engineering university that she worked hard for.

"I don't think I've ever seen you smile before,"

Mrs. Rim entered the room and approached the young girl who was too eager to leave.

"So how do you feel?" Asked Mrs. Rim

"Nervous, but excited," replied Seulgi

"You'll do great wherever you go," smiled Mrs. Rim

"I want to thank you for supporting me. I know I've caused a lot of trouble and I'm a handful to deal with, but thank you for sticking up for me," said Seulgi

There weren't many people that stood up for her. There weren't many that liked her, but Seulgi didn't care. She moved on with life alone and it didn't bother her. Mrs. Rim however fought for Seulgi, the reason why Seulgi was able to go to school and able to achieve the scholarship was because of her. Mrs. Rim could have given up on her, could have let her rot in the orphanage till she was eighteen and then throw her to the streets, but the older woman didn't.

"You achieved it all by yourself Seulgi. The counselors came together to contribute an amount. Going to college you need at least new set of clothes and shoes; it's a fresh start"

Mrs. Rim handed her an envelope and Seulgi couldn't contain her emotions and hugged the older woman. When she would leave this town she thought she wouldn't look back; there was nothing a