“What are you wearing!?” I exclaimed.

 

She raised her perfectly manicured brow at me. She gave me a once over.

 

“That should be my line,” she said. “What are you wearing?”

 

“This is your idea!” I screamed. “We’re supposed to be incognito!”

 

“It is my idea. But dressing up like a criminal isn’t a part of it,” she told me.

 

“Wha- a criminal?!”

 

I looked down at my get up. I had a black hoodie on, a pair of dark grey skinny jeans, a pair of converse, a mask, a pair of sunglasses, and, to top it of, a black cap.

 

“Okay...I get what you’re saying, but at least I’m trying to hide myself,” I defended. “While you’re...you’re…”

 

I all but paused as I took in her clothes. She had a white sleeveless shirt on, a pair of blue denim, and a pair of white heeled boots. I unconsciously gulped when I noticed her top was slightly see-through.

 

It's black.

 

I heard her clear .

 

I looked back up to meet her eyes.

 

She was raising a brow at me and a small smirk played on her lips.

 

“See something you like?” she said, her tone teasing.

 

“I...you’re wearing...you look good,” I finished lamely.

 

This is the most casual look I’ve seen on her.

 

Jessica rolled her eyes at me.

 

 

“Of course I look good. I’m the CEO of a fashion brand. I always look good,” she said a matter-of-factly.

 

It was now my turn to roll my eyes.

 

“Well aren’t you the little narcissist,” I mocked.

 

She was about to speak up but I hurriedly shushed her. Taking the pair of sunglasses from where they hung on my collar, I put it on her. Then I removed my cap and fixed it on top of her head.

 

“There. At least that will hide some of that pretty face,” I said as I pinched her cheek.

 

She stared at me.

 

“What?” I asked.

 

“It’s just...are you always this much of a flirt with everyone?”

 

“Wha- I...I wasn’t...” I said.

 

I was pulled out of my thoughts when she grabbed me and pulled me into an alley.

 

“Don’t look back,” Jessica said.

 

Like an idiot, I turned my head around only for Jessica to forcefully turn my head back around.

 

“I just told you not to look back!” she harshly whispered at me.

 

“Sorry,” I mumbled.

 

After a moment of her looking over my shoulder, she nudged me.

 

“Soo, let’s go. They’re walking.”

 

She looped her arm around mine and dragged me towards the direction Tiffany and Taeyeon were going.

 

Yep. We’re following Tiffany and Taeyeon on their date. First of all, I’d just like to clarify that I was against it but Jessica thought it’d be fun. Second, the reason why I went on board with the idea is well...who was I to reject a whole day spent with Jessica?

 

Obviously, not me even if it meant tailing our best friends on their date. Which is not the best idea seeing that this is probably breaking some type of best friend code.

 

But hey. I get to spend it with her so I’m not complaining.

 

And I take it back.

 

This...following thing? Not my forte. Ashamed to admit it but I don't have the best stamina. I might be skinny but that's mostly due to my metabolism. If I knew we would be running around this whole damn park, I would have just stayed home.

 

But I’m not.

 

“Can we rest?” I said.

 

I was heaving and very out of breath.

 

She turned around to look at me, a smirk slowly forming on her lips.

 

“Tired?”

 

“Yes.”

 

She spared a glance at the two before turning back to me once again.

 

“Sure. Let’s go sit over there,” she said.

 

Thank god.

 

We sat at a bench not far from the two. They were currently buying food and drinks.

 

Food.

 

I could feel my stomach growling.

 

And as if on cue, it did. Out loud. Very loud.

 

I felt my cheeks burning from embarrassment.

 

“It’s actually a miracle you’ve lasted this long,” Jessica said with a laugh.

 

I frowned at her.

 

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

 

“I’ve known you long enough to know that that stomach of yours is a void.”

 

*Growl*

 

I placed my hands over my stomach.

 

“Uh…”

 

I couldn’t help but glare at her when I heard her snigger beside me.

 

It’s not like I control what my body wants.

 

“I think we better feed the beast,” she said standing up from her seat.

 

She held out her hand to me and I took it as I stood up.

 

“Yeah, any longer and I might just eat you,” I said with an all so serious tone.

 

Humoring me, she replied, “I doubt I’m that tasty.”

 

“That’s not for you to say. Besides, I’m sure you’d be...very delicious.”

 

I smirked seeing the blush on her cheeks.

 

I brought up our hands close to my mouth and then slightly bit her knuckles. She let out a squeak.

 

“Yah!”

 

She quickly withdrew her hand.

 

“See? Delicious.” I made no effort covering my flirty tone.

 

I sure didn’t expect what happened next because if I did, I would have spared myself from the feeling of teeth sinking into my skin.

 

As an act of revenge, Jessica grabbed and bit my hand. Hard.

 

“AAHHH! Ow ow ow!”

 

“Hmph. Serves you right,” was her smug statement.

 

“I didn’t bite you that hard!” I exclaimed, nursing my hand.

 

Looking at it, I saw her teeth marks denting my skin and the skin around it turn red.

 

She stuck her tongue out.

 

I winced slightly as my cool fingertips touched the reddened skin.

 

Suddenly, Jessica was pulling my injured hand towards her.

 

“Let me see,” she said softly. “Does it really hurt that much?”

 

“Yes, really,” I made an exaggerated painful wince.

 

That’s a lie. The brunt of the pain had already subsided and all that’s left was a tingly burning sensation. It only hurt when I touched it.

 

“You big baby,” she mocked.

 

“And here I thought you were going to kiss it all better.”

 

I was surprised when I saw her actually considering it.

 

“I’m kidding,” I quickly said.

 

Just then, soft lips made contact on my injured hand. It was quick but that chaste touch of her lips was enough for my nerves to register the feeling.

 

It was now my turn to blush.

 

“Better?”

 

I dumbly nodded.

 

“Anyways, let’s go buy some food. I feel hungry now too.”

 

I just nodded again.

 

She shot me a questioning glance before dragging me away.

 

---

 

“Are they gone?”

 

“Yep.”

 

“Thank god.”

 

I couldn’t help but laugh in amusement as she huffed. She was pouting as she fidgeted with her fingers.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“I’m fine,” she snapped.

 

“Sure, you are,” was my sarcastic reply.

 

She sighed.

 

“Jess just worries too much sometimes.”

 

“And that explains why they were following us?”

 

She sighed again.

 

“I can’t really be mad at her but I wish she won’t hover so much. She's such a mom sometimes.”

 

“She’s your friend. I understand why she would be protective of you.”

 

“I know that and I’m grateful that she cares about me. What irks me is that she also...”

 

---

 

“I don’t trust her.”

 

That made me stop mid bite.

 

“It’s just...she’s too nice,” she added with exasperation.

 

“And that’s bad?”

 

Seeing my confusion, she explains further, “Of course it is! Seeing people take advantage of her kindness, it’s so frustrating to watch. There should be a limit to just how nice a person can be. It’s like she still hasn’t realized that not everyone is as nice as her. It’s one of the reasons why I can’t just leave her out of my sight.”

 

I looked on with awe and a bit of jealousy.

 

I wonder if she’d care that much about me?

 

“And that’s why you don’t trust her?”.

 

“I do trust her,” she quickly said. “Just not with people that raise certain flags. And especially not with relationships. Like I said, she’s too nice for her own good. I’ve had to witness all her “relationships” since college which means I also got a front row seat in seeing her cry and fall apart post-breakup. It’s not a pretty sight.”

 

I made a thoughtful hum.

 

“Just imagining Tiffany crying…” instead I finished my sentence by stuffing my mouth with food with a frown.

 

Now I felt myself becoming protective and mad at those people who had treated her wrongly.

 

“I want this relationship to work. I like Taeyeon,” she said.

 

My ears perked up at that and stared at her.

 

“You l-like Taeyeon?” I stuttered.

 

She nodded.

 

“She’s nice. A bit of a dork, but she’s cute,” was her nonchalant reply.

 

“You think she’s cute?”

 

I can feel my jealousy bubbling inside me.

 

“Yeah. I mean, don’t you? I get that she’s your friend but even you have eyes. Don’t you agree that she’s cute.”

 

I clenched my jaw as I answered.

 

“Of course I think that too. But don’t let that baby face fool you because she’s just as much as a as she is cute.”

 

 

“A ? Taeyeon?”

 

I nodded.

 

“And for the record, she has a thing for butts.”

 

“Really?” she cocked a brow at me.

 

She seemed highly amused at that.

 

“Really.”

 

Silence settled between us and we continued eating with our food. But not for long.

 

“So you really think Taeyeon is cute?” I blurted all of a sudden.

 

I mentally facepalmed myself.

 

I just couldn’t let it go, could I?

 

Looking up at me with a questioning eye, she wiped with a napkin.

 

“I thought we already covered this?”

 

“Just...clarifying.”

 

“Well I do,” she said. “I mean she’s so small. ”

 

I snorted.

 

“Hey, you’re not so tall yourself.”

 

I then felt her kick my shin under the table causing me to yelp.

 

“Ow!”

 

“I am not short.”

 

“You keep telling yourself that,” I shot back.

 

Hah! Payback.

 

“I’m not,” she huffed.

 

I sniggered.

 

“Awww. Small or...small,” I grinned. “I still like you. I mean you’re still so cute even when you’re angry.” I reached over the table and pinched her cheeks.

 

She swatted my hand away, glaring at me.

 

“Maybe you’re just a giant,” she grumbled. Huffing once more, she said, “Let’s just finish eating.”

 

---

 

“So this was fun?”

 

She was looking at me expectantly.

 

As usual, my inclination to tease lead me to pretend to contemplate on my answer. I snuck a glance at her and I saw her frowning.

 

“If it wasn’t, just tell me,” she told me in a sulking tone.

 

I immediately dropped the teasing.

 

“Stop sulking. I had fun.”

 

“I’m not sulking.”

 

I gave her a disbelieving look.

 

“I had fun. I promise. Even if we did mostly spend our time following the two, it was still fun.”

 

“Yeah. Sorry about that. Thinking about it, it was actually a pretty dumb idea.”

 

“It was pretty dumb.”

 

She hit my arm.

 

“Ow!”

 

“You’re supposed to tell me it’s not. Aren’t friends supposed to say that?”

 

“Well I’m not most friends. I’m the type to tell things as it is.”

 

“Oh really? So I trust you to always be honest with me?”

 

“Yep,” I answered confidently. “And as your honest friend, I have to say, Sica. You’re probably the most violent girl I’ve ever met.”

 

“Oh. I’m the most- yah!”

 

I then received a series of hits. I tried to block with my hands. I laughed at how fun it was to .

 

“See? Violent.”

 

“Well you deserve it.”

 

I finally caught both her arms by the wrist and held them in place. We were both panting slightly and staring at each other. I grinned at her and in return she smiled at me.

 

“I had fun,” I said.

 

“Even if I dragged you around the amusement park?”

 

Rolling my eyes, I replied, “Yes. I really did.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Really. I had fun since I got to spend it with you.”

 

She blushed.

 

I chuckled.

 

“You’re doing it on purpose, aren’t you?”

 

Moving my gaze away and finally letting go of her wrists, I hummed.

 

“I don’t know what you mean?” I feigned innocence.

 

“Play dumb all you want, I know your game Ms. Choi.”

 

I looked at her in surprise.

 

“Really? And what game would that be?”

 

“You know…,” she sighed in frustration. “How you always seem to do and say things to make me get all flustered.”

 

I perked up at that.

 

“I make you flustered?” I asked slyly.

 

“See! That right there.”

 

She poked me with her index finger.

 

By this time, I was grinning from ear to ear.

 

“Do I really make you flustered?”

 

“Yes. And you know it. And I also know you enjoy it, you...you sadist.”

 

I barked out laughing.

 

“A sadist? I think that’s taking it a bit too far, Sica,” I said. “But I do admit I enjoy making you blush.”

 

“I knew it!”

 

I laughed once again.

 

“You just get even cuter when you blush. I can’t help it.”

 

Instead of replying, she turned her gaze away from me and back at the road. She stayed silent after that.

 

I suddenly felt a creeping guilt all of a sudden.

 

“Sica?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Just tell me if I’m taking it too far.”

 

“...”

 

“...”

 

“Am I really cute?” she asked as she glanced at me.

 

“The cutest,” I quickly said without much thought.

 

“That’s probably just you though.”

 

“So what? Doesn’t my opinion matter to you?”

 

Her face turned redder. She broke her gaze away from me.

 

“Of course it does,” she replied, just soft enough for me to hear.

 

I smiled.

 

---

 

Both girls continued to walk until they reached where Sooyoung parked her motorcycle.

 

“I am not riding that,” Jessica said.

 

“Come on, Sica. You’ll be safe. I promise,” Sooyoung said encouragingly. “I’ll keep you safe.”

 

“Do you know how many motorcycle accidents happen in a year?!”

 

Sooyoung sighed.

 

“Look, I’ll drive slowly. I even brought an extra helmet with me.”

 

Sooyoung proceeded to mount her bike.

 

“Come on, Sica.”

 

Jessica eyed the motorcycle wearily.

 

“Fine,” she relented.

 

She was about to put on the helmet when Sooyoung stopped her.

 

“Wear my hoodie. It’ll keep you warm from the wind. It’s a bit chilly tonight.”

 

Sooyoung stripped off her hoody and gave it to her. Jessica thanked her and put it on. After Jessica wore her helmet she sat behind Sooyoung. She became troubled when she realized she didn’t know where to place her hands.

 

“Where do I hold on?”

 

Sooyoung grabbed her hands and placed them around her waist.

 

“Here.”

 

“O-Oh.”

 

“Grab tight, okay?”

 

“Okay.”

 

Jessica felt nervous as she felt the bike roar to life. She grabbed tighter once they started moving. A squeal escaped her lips when Sooyoung suddenly speeded up.

 

She pinched her stomach causing Sooyoung to suddenly jerk. This caused her to slightly swerve.

 

Jessica squealed.

 

“Sica! Don’t do that or we’ll fall!” Sooyoung exclaimed.

 

“You said you’d drive slowly!”

 

Sighing, Sooyoung pulled on the breaks.

 

“Sorry. Teasing you while we're on this was a bad idea.”

 

“You think?!” Jessica glared. “Just drive slowly from now on or else I’ll pinch you again!”

 

“Yes, ma’am!”

 

They resumed on their way home.

 

Sooyoung didn’t mind the slow drive.

 

Not one bit.

 

---

 

“Thanks for the ride.”

 

Jessica gave back the helmet. She then proceeded to comb her fingers through her hair, frowning a bit when her fingers got tangled up in some strands.

 

Sooyoung caught herself mesmerized by the action.

 

“No problem,” she mumbled.

 

Once Jessica was satisfied with her hair, she turned back to look at Sooyoung.

 

“So, how was your first ride?”

 

“It was okay,” she shrugged.

 

Sooyoung chuckled. It’s not like she was expecting much.

 

“Well at least I kept my promise, didn’t I?”

 

Raising her a pointed eyebrow, Jessica crossed her arms.

 

“We almost fell at the beginning.”

 

Sooyoung mirrored her stance.

 

“And who’s fault is that, Ms. Stomach Pincher?

 

“And I told you to slow down,” she shot back.

 

They glared at each other. Their gazes were unwavering until moments later they found themselves giggling, shoulders finally relaxing.

 

“I should go,” Sooyoung spoke up, biting her lip.

 

“Yeah. I should go in too.”

 

Jessica smiled warmly at her.

 

Sooyoung couldn’t help returning the smile with her own.

 

“Goodnight, Sica.”

 

She saw Jessica approaching her. Thinking she was going for a hug, Sooyoung moved to open her arms. Instead of a hug, she felt a cold hand on her cheek and a soft press of warm lips on her other cheek.

 

As Jessica pulled away, a triumphant smirk was on her lips as she saw her companion’s expression.

 

“Now who’s blushing?” she teased.

 

“Y-You...uh…” Sooyoung tried to mumble out a response but she couldn’t think of any.

 

“And I’ve managed to make her speechless too,” she snickered.

 

“You just caught me by surprise. That’s all.”

 

Sooyoung commended herself for being able to make a coherent reply.

 

Jessica was still smirking at her. She took a few steps back. She was about to bid her goodbye when she realized she was still wearing her hoodie. She was about to take it off when Sooyoung stopped her.

 

“Keep it for now. I’ll get it back some other time.”

 

She winked.

 

“Okay.”

 

“Good night.”

 

“Good night, Soo.”

 

She took the few steps towards her gate. She made one final wave at Sooyoung before closing the gate behind her.

 

Sooyoung waited a few more moments before getting off the bike and opening the saddle bag. She pulled out a single stem flower.

 

A gardenia.

 

She made sure to ask the florist for a plastic single stem water container to submerge the stem into. She thought of it since to keep the flower from wilting throughout the day.

 

She hurriedly walked towards the gate and dropped it in the mail slot. Smiling proudly at herself, she strutted back to her bike. With one last look towards the house, she put on her helmet and drove away.

 

If only Sooyoung stayed a while longer, she would have seen the hand picking up the flower.

 

 

---

 

A/N:

So....yeah. hahahahaha still kind of a filler chapter. i hope you liked it still ( > v < )

Anyways, the gardenia means secret love. They also symbolize purity and sweetness as well as convey joy. It also tells the receiver, "You are lovely."