[Flashback]

Please, can we meet?
- Lisa

Just one last time, I promise.
- Lisa

Text me back, please. I miss you.
- Lisa

I still love you. This time out thing isn’t working out for me.
- Lisa

Moonbyul groans as she reads the series of text messages that have woken her up at 7 in the morning on a Saturday. She tosses her phone aside and turns to her side, hoping to fall back asleep. She decides that she’ll text Lisa later, not to pacify her ex, but to clarify that it’s a full-blown breakup and not a “time out” as Lisa has put it.

That girl does not know how to call it quits.

After tossing and turning in her king-sized bed for a good 20 minutes, Moonbyul reluctantly gets out of bed and tries to make good use of her early start to the day. 15 minutes later, she’s lacing up her Nike trainers and out the door for a morning jog.

The wind feels cool against her cheeks and her jogs are slow but steady. She’s surprised that her stamina has not faltered despite not maintaining her workout routine due to major exams coming up. Iggy Azalea’s music is blasting in her ears and she finds herself effortlessly running to the beat of the songs.

Someone taps her on the shoulder and she instinctively pulls out her earphones, snapping her head around, ready to lash out at the person who has surprised her. A brunette who looks about Moonbyul’s age is staring at her breathlessly as she waves a familiar brown purse in front of Moonbyul.

“My purse.” Moonbyul carefully retrieves her purse from the stranger, not quite comprehending the situation.

“I saw you… drop your purse… about 2 kilometres ago…I tried calling for you… but obviously… you couldn’t listen… because of the… the earphones you had on… I have to say… you… are a fast… runner.” The girl gives Moonbyul a thumbs up, doubling over to catch her breath

Mesmerised by the sudden appearance of a pretty stranger, Moonbyul stares mutedly at the girl’s flush cheeks and decides that this must be destiny.

“I’m Moonbyul.”

“I’m… Eun Ae…”

“Thanks for returning me my purse, Eun Ae. Would you like to grab coffee later?”

[End of flashback]

//

“I didn’t know we were having company.” Moonbyul says with a confused smile on her face as she glances at her rear view mirror and finds Wheein sulking back at her.

“She’s all alone on a Friday night. Be nice.” Yongsun throws a concern look at her friend in the back seat – who’s now sulking and looking out the window – and instantly feels sorry for her. She knows she shouldn’t be taking sides but it’s pretty ty of Hyejin to completely abandon Wheein for Wendy – her now girlfriend. When Yongsun finds out that Wheein doesn’t have anything planned for tonight, she decides that she should tag along with her and Moonbyul to Lisa’s farewell party.

And it’s not that Moonbyul hates the idea of Wheein coming along, it’s just that it’s the first time she and Yongsun are going to a party as an item and it’s supposed to be romantic, exciting, and intimate. She would be lying if she had said she wasn’t disappointed to find Wheein standing next to Yongsun at the door when she came up to her date for the night to the car.

“Does she know anyone at the party?” Moonbyul asks, hoping a ‘yes’ for an answer so that they don’t have to babysit Wheein throughout the night.

“Not that I know of. Do you, Wheein?”

“No. Aside from you guys, Hyejin is my only friend. I mean, was.” Wheein croaks, barely an audible whisper.

“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of you. And who knows perhaps you’ll meet some new friends there.” Yongsun takes Wheein’s hand and gently squeezes it.

“Yes, you will.” Moonbyul readily agrees, though her intention for Wheein might not be the same as Yongsun’s.

They quickly pull up in front of a bungalow owned by Lisa’s dad that is all-too familiar to Moonbyul. She used to stay here with Lisa’s family whenever her dad had to be at Seoul on business trips. It’s where she’d spend most of her summer vacations at when she was younger and in love with Lisa.  They’d make breakfast together under the watchful eyes of the maids and frolic in the pool the entire evening until their fingers and toes get wrinkly or until Lisa’s father summons them for dinner.

Moonbyul feels a pang of nostalgia as she realises that she does have good memories with Lisa. The problem with their current relationship is that she has learned to grow up while Lisa hasn’t.

They park at the side of the bungalow and make their way to the wide open gates where the party has seemingly already started. People are moving in and out of the house with at least one red cup in their hands, the house was shaking with loud music, and some guests are sitting on the grass chatting away.

It isn’t long till Moonbyul sees bouncy Cleopatra hair making its away towards them in the sea of party goers.

“Byullie, you made it!” Lisa grins widely.

“Hey you. The party looks great.” Moonbyul smiles. Yongsun and Wheein each manages an awkward ‘hi’ from behind Moonbyul.

“I’d hug you, love, but as you can see, my hands are full.” Lisa says, passing cups of beer to the trio. Wheein instantly downs her drink without hesitant – determined to drown her sorrows quite literally.

“Where can I get more?”

“At the bar round the back near the swimming pool. I have to warn you though, there’s a big crowd there right now because Hiroyasu Kayama is performing one of his famous cocktail tricks.” Lisa winks.

“I have all night.” Wheein shrugs and crushes her cup, disappearing into the crowd.

“I like her.” Lisa smiles, taking a huge sip of beer.

“Well, that was easy.” Moonbyul says quietly now that Wheein is out of their hair.

“Wait, you have Hiroyasu Kayama in your backyard