Joy is a picky person. Being raised as the only spoiled daughter she had a hard time finding a roommate in university. She didn’t want to end up with someone that either partied too much and stayed up in the toilet barfing at three in the morning nor someone who didn’t have a social life to begin with.

“Irene, please help me with the design. I swear I’ll do anything you ask,” begged Joy

“No, you have to do it yourself,” said Joohyun as she picked up the scissor to cut part of the fabric.

“Irene, have I told you the real reason why I choose to live with you and not in the dorms with other students?” asked Joy

Joohyun hummed as she continued working with the fabric.

“It’s cause you’re beautiful. Really beautiful and graceful,” said Joy

“And the only reason I accepted you as a roommate was because I needed someone else to help pay the rent,” stated Joohyun

Joy huffed and mumbled some incoherent words before heading back to her station to work on her designs. Joohyun was thankful that her roommate calmed down; now she was able to focus on her work.

Sophomore year has been hard for all the design students. If the designs didn’t meet the qualifications of their professors it would be an immediate fail. It’s been stressful but Joohyun would have it no other way; she was grateful.

Every since high school, Joohyun has gotten a fresh start. She’s considered one of the top in her class, has new set of friends, and even though she lives far from her parents they still visit her every two weeks.

“Yeri is asking if we’re free tonight,” asked Joy looking up from her phone

“What does she have planned?” asked Joohyun

“Bar hopping,” replied Joy with a gleam in her eyes

***

“I swear I should stop hanging out with you girls,” said Key as he looked around the bar with disgust.

“They have cheap beer here!” giggled Yeri

This was the third bar they were in and Joohyun could sense Yeri is already tipsy. The younger girl would laugh at anything Joy would say, and she could see the faint blush on her roommates cheek.

“Irene, you’re a classy lady. Why are we here again?” complained Key

Key was the first person Joohyun has met on campus and they clicked right at the start. They had similar taste in fashion and most of the time during group projects they would partner together.

“Come on Key, at least it wasn’t a mess like the other two,” smiled Joohyun

The bar was fairly quiet compared to the others they were previously in, and Joohyun was thankful it wasn’t crowded.

“Feels like we’re babysitting them,” scoffed Key

Yeri giggled as she clutched on Joy’s arm to prevent her from falling while Joy was glaring at him.

“You know, it’s been a while since you’ve last been in a relationship. Why don’t we find you someone tonight,”  said Joy

“If you wanted time alone with Yeri, just say the words, Irene and I will be gone,” teased Key

Joy was blushing as Yeri kept giggling. It was really a sight to see, knowing fully well, that her roommate has a crush with the girl standing next to her.

“I’ll get us some drinks,” said Joohyun as she winked at Joy before leaving

She remembered when she first introduced Yeri to Joy, it was obvious that the latter was smitten with the younger girl. Joohyun recalls persuading Joy to ask Yeri out, but the tall girl was a coward and didn’t want to jeopardize the friendship she had with her crush. 

So when Joohyun was waiting for the drinks, she could see how close Yeri was to Joy; how Yeri had her arms wrapped around Joy’s. She thought of having another talk with Joy later tonight as she walked back with the drinks.

“Okay, this is our last drinks then we’re heading back,” said Joohyun

“Thank the lord!” praised Key

“Oh come on Irene, it’s still early,” whined Yeri

“No, you’re getting drunk and Joy can’t afford to drink anymore as she has she has to submit her designs by tomorrow noon,” said Joohyun

“Come on Ire—”

Joohyun couldn’t hear the rest as a sudden laughter erupted in the bar. They all turned to the source of the noise and saw a group around their age.

“They’re not bad looking,” stated Key as he took a sip of his drink

Just a few steps away from Joohyun stood Seulgi.

Kang Seulgi.

Seulgi, from high school.

Seulgi, who she wanted to go to prom with.

Seulgi, who she has fallen for.

She wasn’t skinny anymore nor wore clothes that covered her up. In front of Joohyun stood Seulgi; wearing a short sleeve shirt, laughing out loud with a bright smile on her face that Joohyun hasn’t seen before.

She still is beautiful.

Joohyun couldn’t help but smile. The feelings that she has hidden years ago has suddenly erupted in her chest; the fire still burning.

“Irene why are you star—”

Joy didn’t get to finish her se