October 23, 2013 | Seoul, Korea

KRYSTAL’S POV

Amber shifts so I can lean back on her shoulder. Her arm wraps around me and I play with her fingers as I recall my past. “My story starts off pretty basic, nothing crazy,” I start, “My mom and dad both came from Korea to San Francisco. They met, got married, then had my sister, Jessica. Six years later, they had me. We moved to Korea, because my sister wanted to pursue a singing career. She got into SM Entertainment when she was eleven — I was scouted too, but since I was only five years old at the time, my parents turned down SM’s offer.  Because my sister was part of the entertainment industry, I naturally fell into that world as well. I started doing commercials at seven, and when I was eleven, I joined SM. To be honest, I never really even thought about whether or not I was going to be an entertainer. It was just all I knew my whole life. As you probably already know, Jess was part of a girl group seven years after she started training. I debuted at 15, almost 16. Even just a few years ago, I was still known as Jessica’s little sister. Recently, Jess-”

I hesitate to bring up Jess’s story, wondering if it is even important to bring up. Ultimately, I decide that Jessica’s struggles are also my struggles, and I should tell Amber the whole story. “To be honest,” Amber says, “I was a big fan of your sister’s group. I know the media version of what happened, but I’m not sure if that was the truth. It must have hurt you a lot too, huh?”

I nod, “When Jess was kicked out of the group and split with SM, it was hard for everyone. Obviously, she was hurt in many aspects — emotionally, career-wise… I think the struggle for me, even to this day, is that I’m still with SM and still have to work alongside her ex-group with the very people that asked her to leave. SM continues to negatively impact Jess’s career to this day, and honestly, I don’t know how to feel. I love my job, but sometimes… I feel like my association with SM is sort of an act of betrayal to my sister.”

Amber shakes her head, “I can’t even begin to imagine what that’s like on a daily basis. You and your sister are both strong women for being able to push through that. Major corporations just love pitting people against one another like this for profit sake. But, what can we do, huh? We’re still a part of the system, whether we like it or not.”

“Not only do they like pitting people against one another, they also like setting people up,” I joke.

Amber smirks, “So, the news I saw about you and that guy?”

I chuckle, “His name was Kai, and everything was set up. We just had to pretend we were dating for a few photographs so that SM could ‘confirm’ something was going on, then continue to let the public draw their own conclusions for a year. Then SM confirmed we broke up. That was that. We were friends before, during, and after — nothing more, nothing less. Ever.”

“Well, that’s the price we pay as entertainers. At the end of the day, we’re all pawns of the industry, the companies. But since you mentioned her, I would really like to meet-” There is a knock on my door, and I jump out of Amber’s arms. Opening the door, Amber whispers behind me, “Speak of the devil…”

AMBER’ S POV

“Yah! Who are you calling a devil?” Korean shoots from her red lips.

Standing up and hopping over with one foot, I give my most charming smile and stick my hand out, “Hi, you must be Jessica.”

“And you must be out of your mind, if you think I’m going to shake hands with a strange guy who my sister is hanging out alone with in her apartment!” Jessica’s voice shrills.

Krystal reaches over to steady me, making sure there is no pressure on my knee, “Chill out, Jess. Her name is Amber.”

Jessica’s eyebrows shoot up, “The gal pal?!”

I laugh, “That’s me.”

Jessica relaxes visibly. “Krystal doesn’t have any gal pals,” she says, shooting me a look of fake suspicion.

I clench my jaw slightly and Krystal my arm, “She knows about us already, Am. Don’t worry about it. You think I would hide this kind of stuff from my sister?”

“As if you could try to hide something like this from me,” Jessica teases, taking off her white cardigan and draping it over a chair.

As Krystal helps me back to the couch, she asks, “What’s with the sudden visit, Jess?”

“It’s your birthday tomorrow, so I just wanted to be the first to give you your birthday present.”

I glance at my backpack lying in a pile beside the couch. I had wanted to be the first to give Krystal her birthday gifts, but I guess that wouldn’t be happening this year. Krystal turns into little-sister-Soojung and cutely sticks her hand out, “Hand it over.”

“You can have the first part right now,” Jessica laughs, handing Krystal the card.

Soojung whines cutely and wiggles her whole body, “I want to see the rest.” Jessica shoots Krystal an icy look of warning and Krystal sits down next to me and reads the card silently. “What?” Krystal exclaims suddenly, “Mom and dad are back tomorrow?”

Jessica’s grim look was something I wasn’t expecting, “Yeah. They’re back. I wrote the card before I knew about…” Jessica’s words trail off as she nods her head in my direction.

I turn to look at Krystal’s hardened face, “What’s going on, Krys?”

“It’s rude to ask about family business,” Jessica says emotionlessly.

“Jess, I tell her everything. And this… kind of involves her. I have to say it.” Jessica shrugs and Krystal turns to me, “Look, my parents… They’re the conservative type. I haven’t told them about us yet. I hope you don’t mind if it stays that way for a little bit.”

I rub her arm, “It’s okay, Krys. Whenever you’re ready. We don’t need to move that fast.”

Jessica says suddenly, “Krystal, I would ask you if you need to use the restroom, but I know you aren’t stupid. Give a few minutes alone with this girl, okay?”

Although I’m fairly sure I have nothing to be afraid of, I suddenly wish my knee was not hurt, so I can run if I need to. Krystal gets up and throws her sister a look before walking into her room and closing the door. “So…” I say.

“Look. I just want to ask you if you’re serious about Krystal, or if you just want to sleep with her, then leave.”

“What? Who do you think I am?”

“Okay, no offense, but most of the people that try to get at my sister are just looking for a quick lay. Once they find out it’s not so easy, most of them just lose interest. This is the first time Krystal’s actually liked someone back. She didn’t tell you that, did she?”

I shake my head, “I honestly thought she had at least one boyfriend before I talked to her today. After that, I still assumed she had been in a relationship before. Look, I understand you’re worried, but I’ve never felt the way I feel about Krystal with anyone else. I’m in this for the long haul, and I’m sure my actions will prove that, so don’t just take my word for it.”

“I won’t,” Jessica replies bluntly but softens a little, “I love her to death. I know the relationship you guys have is going to be very challenging. There are so many obstacles and I can only protect Soojung from a few. I just want to make sure that the ones she’s going to have to go through herself are going to be worth something in the end.”

“Trust me when I say, Soojung won’t have to go through any obstacles alone. I will be with her each and every step of the way, doing what I can to help. In this relationship, her obstacles are my obstacles, and I won’t let anything get in our way.”

“Krystal!” Jessica belts out.

Krystal shoots out of her room and onto the couch next to me, “You okay, Am?”

I laugh as Jessica says, “Hey! What about me?”

“I’m fine, babe,” I answer before Krystal can retort something sassy back to her older sister.

“I’ll leave you guys with with this.” Jessica pulls out a small box from her tote bag and hands it to Krystal, then shoves an envelope into my hands. “Have the birthday girl open her present first.”

“Wait, Jess-” Krystal calls as Jessica closes the front door.

Krystal opens the small box, revealing what’s inside — a pair of elegant opal earrings, Krystal’s birthstone. The note inside is written in blue ink.

For tomorrow night.

xoxo,

J

We look at each other, both confused. “Open the envelope,” Krystal orders.

I lift the flap and slowly take out the contents. It’s a card with something inside. “Congratulations! You graduated!” I read the front of the card aloud. Krystal’s expression is still puzzled, although I sense a hint of amusement. I open the card slowly and a menu for an expensive Korean restaurant appears first. Staring at the menu, Krystal and I eye each other again, trying to figure out Jessica’s vague hints. Sliding the menu aside, I read Jessica’s blue ink writing, “If you're reading this, you've passed my test. Time for you to meet the Jung’s. If you pass tomorrow night’s test, then you will officially graduate from Jung Training Academy and Krystal will be officially released into your care. Reservation’s at 7. I told them Krystal’s gal pal was coming to the birthday dinner. Good luck. J.”

I hesitate look at Krystal. I already feel the nervous energy pouring out of her, and she jumps up, anxious. Suddenly she yells exactly what’s on my mind, “What the , Jessica?!”

———

Author’s Note: Hi everyone! Hope you enjoyed my little update today. Let me know what you thought and what you want to see next by leaving a comment! How do you think Amber’s meeting with the Jung’s will go? Also, what you guys think about the Krystal and Kai breakup news? Initially, I wasn’t going to add Kai into the story, but since the news came out, I thought I’d make it part of Krystal’s backstory.

Again, I want to say a huge thank you to those who upvoted and subscribed — you guys keep me motivated!

See you in the part 3!

-RYTK