“I’m Seulgi and this is my friend Wendy.”

“Right… Nice to meet you both.” The way she said that and kept her eyes on Wendy, made her think that maybe this wasn’t their first meeting after all. Could this be the girl? She was certainly beautiful, but there wasn’t enough recognition to be sure.

“Are you here as part of the company?” Wendy asked trying to rule out the possibility that they’ve worked together.

“A sister company. I don’t believe we’ve worked together if that’s what you’re wondering.” Irene said smirking over her glass.

“Ahh…” Wendy nodded. There certainly was an odd vibe, but she had her doubts. How could I have possibly managed to get this girl alone?

“Have you two met before though?” Seulgi asked picking up on her vibe as well.

“I’m sure I would have remembered that. Wendy, you haven’t seen me before have you?” Irene with masked expectant eyes.

“I’m sure I would have remembered as well.”

“There you have it.” She said setting her drink down on the bar. “I did come here for another reason, if I’m completely honest. Seulgi, I was hoping you would treat me with a dance.”

“Um, I dunno. I promised to stick by friend so…” Seulgi glanced at Wendy feeling a little guilty. She had thought Irene had come over for Wendy.

“One dance can’t hurt. Could it?” She asked looking at Wendy for an answer.

“No-no. Go ahead, Seulgi. I’ll be fine.” It wasn’t really fine, and she didn’t know why. But when has that ever stopped her from giving someone the answer they wanted to hear?

“Are you sure?” Seulgi asked again, this time whispering it closer to her ear.

She nodded again a bit more vigorously this time. “Go for it. I’ll be here.”

Seulgi gave her a long look before offering her hand to Irene. “I guess I’ll take that dance then. As a thanks for the drinks.”

They’re free. Wendy couldn’t help but think bitterly. She sighed. She should be happy for her friend. That girl was quite the catch.

She followed them through the crowd with her eyes not wanting to lose them. The dance floor was packed, so they stuck close together. Although, Wendy was pretty sure it wasn’t the crowd that kept them that close to each other. They seemed to have had a good chemistry right off the bat. When they made no move to come back after the first song she finally looked away.

This is the same venue they held the party at last time. The balcony should definitely still be here. I mean… I don’t think they remove things like that. She was thinking it was about time to get some fresh air. She downed the rest of her drink and left the spot she promised to be waiting at. She’s sure they wouldn’t miss her. She didn’t worry too much about bumping people on her way through the crowd like she usually would. Wendy had the alcohol to thank for that.

Once the night air hit her face, she felt a million times better. This was the way things usually went. If Seulgi was around, she could just about kiss her chances goodbye with women. Except, usually Seulgi would stick by Wendy anyway. This time she didn’t. She understood why she wouldn’t, but it still stung.

And Irene, she could have sworn she had come over for her. The looks Irene gave her must have all been wishful thinking.
“At least there’s a nice view…”

Her statement brought back memories she thought were gone forever.

The view was the same and the statement she made was the same, except it didn’t come from her. She wasn’t wrong before. Irene was familiar because she met her for a brief, but intense, encounter.

It was colder the last time she was here. After all the drinks she had, she thought the brisk air would be refreshing. She stumbled out of the balcony doors, but was able to regain her balance fast. She wasn’t expecting to see anyone else out here, considering the weather, but there was one other woman. Her dark hair was wisping in the breeze, and Wendy didn’t even need to see her face to know that she was beautiful.

Her shoulders were low, and the way she leaned against the railing told Wendy that she wasn’t having such a good time. Despite all the liquor Wendy had consumed, Irene wasn’t the only one having a bad time. Seeing her did raise Wendy’s mood, she had to admit.

The woman sighed, dispelling a thick cloud from as she did. “At least there’s a nice view.”

“The view is very beautiful isn’t it?” Wendy said stepping up to a piece of the rail next to the woman. The woman jumped a little startled by the interruption. “It really doesn’t compare to the beauty that is you, I must say.” Wendy said with a charmingly sloppy smile.

Irene laughed out loud, eyes twinkling. It may have been one of the worst lines she’s ever heard, but when it came from the right person it didn’t really matter. This clearly drunk sort of sad looking girl made it sound sweet none the less.

“I think you need to work on your game, but I won’t send you away just yet. You’re just lucky I’m feeling the need for some company.”

Wendy’s smile didn’t fall one bit. The laugh she drew from the girl was enough to get her on a high. “Maybe you’ll reconsider if I told you that I thought of that right on the spot. No prior planning needed.”

Irene leaned her head on her palm and chuckled, finding the girl to be awfully cute. “People say most things right on the spot, don’t they?”

It was Wendy’s turn to laugh. “I suppose you’re right.” She was quiet for a moment, looking down at the woman who was momentarily shorter than her due to the way she was leaning on the rail. Her smile didn’t disappear but it had humbled a bit. She stuck out her hand. “I’m Wendy, by the way.”

Irene stood up straight and turned fully towards the shorter woman. She was in for a bigger treat than she thought. “I never thought I’d get the pleasure of meeting the illustrious Wendy.”

“Um, illustrious?” Wendy knew she was good at her job, but she’d never take it that far.

Irene noticed the quick change in Wendy. The direct compliment had turned her shy. “Yes, illustrious. You aren’t aware of how your colleagues have raved about you? From what I’ve heard, you’ve gotten them out of quite a lot of messes.”

Wendy shrugged and looked down at her feet with what she was sure was a blush. It was hard to tell because of how the alcohol had warmed her. She was sure Irene wouldn’t be able to tell with the added rosiness that came due to the cold, but turning away was just instinct. “I suppose I didn’t think any of it got outside of the team. I don’t really go out drinking quite as much as they do. Who knew they’d talk about me while they did?”

“You came over here so confidently, and you’re letting the charade drop so quickly.” Irene said amused. Irene somehow knew she wasn’t at all like her first approach. But she thought Wendy’s shy smile was just as captivating.

“Ah, well you’re embarrassing me.” Wendy laughed trying to shake off the sheepish feeling she got from the short excursion about herself. “But enough about my incredible achievements. I haven’t even gotten your name.”

“Of course. It’s Irene.”

“Irene… I’m afraid your reputation doesn’t precede you the way mine does. I’m beginning to believe it’s you who should be feeling bashful.” Wendy teased back with her confidence, although this time it was more fake than anything.

Irene laughed loudly again, thrown off by Wendy’s boldness after what she just witnessed. “Wow, the way you so readily threw that in my face has me reevaluating you again. Sometimes I’m a bit timid, but I haven’t felt shy in years. I’ve had to get used to so many people trying to hit on me.” She gave Wendy a playful pointed look. “I can easily instill that feelings in others, though.” Irene reached her hand out to push Wendy’s hair back from her face, making her shiver. Irene chuckled at her response.

“I wouldn’t doubt it.” Wendy murmured entranced. Irene took a step closer, bridging a gap that was barely there to begin with.

“You know, I’ve gotten really cold while being out here… You wouldn’t mind-”

“I’d love to warm you up.”

Damn… What could she do now? Seulgi was out dancing with her mystery girl, and they looked happy enough without her. I shouldn’t tell her. If they like each other, who am I to get in the way? It was just one night after all. I didn’t even remember her until now.

It was just her luck, wasn’t it? She didn’t smoke, but this seemed like it nice time to have one. Maybe it was fate that I brought them together… She was trying to be positive, but she didn’t like it one bit. Her Seulgi. No, her ex-Seulgi, and her never was Irene… I’m getting ahead of myself.

“What are you thinking about out here? Seems to be your place… Our place if you think about it. Have you thought about it?” Irene asked from the spot right next to her.

Wendy jumped a bit. She didn’t even notice her. Irene smiled at her response, maybe thinking about how their roles had changed.

“About that night? Sure, I remember now. Sorry I didn’t before. I thought I could handle more…”

“About your friend-”

“Don’t worry about it.” Wendy waved her hand as if to wipe away the worries she thought Irene had. “It was one night, right? She’s better than me anyway. For now though, it’s probably best we don’t tell her about us.”

Irene turned away and looked at the view instead. “I’m glad to hear that…” She said after swallowing the rest of her sentence. “I was worried you’d be upset about our date. Anyway, she’s worried about you. She’s probably scrambling around looking for you. I just wanted to get a word with you before.”

“Right.” Wendy nodded and turned back towards the party. Keeping the hurt she tried desperately not to feel off her face was hard and she was sure she was failing. She needed another drink. “Let’s go find her.”

“Wendy, I’m sorry you didn’t find your mystery girl, and I’m even more sorry that we went there for you and it was me who got a date. She’s just really-”

Wendy pressed her finger to her a lot more sober friend’s lips to interrupt her. “Seulgi-bear, yous my best friend. I am nothing but ecstatic!” She kicked her heels off in her living room and made her way to her bedroom, with a lot of assistance from Seulgi.

Seulgi laughed. “Seulgi-bear? You haven’t called me that since we were dating.” She didn’t realize she missed it so much until now.

“Do you think Irene’s gonna be using it instead?” She finally made it to her bed, but not until after Seulgi made her change. She simply plopped down on it, but Seulgi was forcing her to shift into a better position so she could cover her.

“Irene? Nah, that’s patented as Wendy’s. Anyway, we’re only going on a date.”

Patented Wendy’s? The thought made her feel warm. Irene and Seulgi on a date? She didn’t need to think about such things now.

Once she was all settled in, she grabbed Seulgi’s hand. “Stay with me, yeah? The room’s spinning and-“

“And you need me to hold your hair?” Seulgi grinned. “Of course. I would be more than happy to. I’m going to change then.”

After Seulgi had scooched under the blanket next to Wendy, they shifted into a position that they had grown so used to before.

“Seulgi-bear?” Wendy called out tiredly.

“Yes, my Wan and only?” In her inebriated state, Wendy couldn’t help but laugh at Seulgi’s horrible humor. “You only laugh this hard at my jokes when you're drink. They deserve more than that.” She grinned into Wendy’s hair, enjoying the feeling of Wendy laughing against her.

“No they don’t, but I promise to always appreciate it when I’m drunk. You know, you are funny. It just comes from your innocent obliviousness, rather than the stuff you intentionally say.”

Seulgi chuckled. “A terrible compliment, but I’ll accept. What was it that you wanted to say?”

“Nothing really.” Wendy yawned. “I just wanted to say your name.”

Who y'all rooting for?

lol because i'll admit things turned out different than planned