PRESENT DAY

It was the final practice day for Eunbi and everyone else. The last thing she wanted to do was let Yewon down, so she took Minzy’s advice and knocked out once she finished the rest of the sake last night. Eunbi had some sort of spark in her - like she didn’t want to disappoint her. As if she wanted to let the singer know that the choice they made picking her as the choreographer wasn’t a mistake. 

So far, the morning was going as planned. Everyone was perfecting their moves and there were barely any mistakes. Eunbi was proud of the progress they made, and she was confident enough to say that the dance was finally perfect and finished. 

“And that’s a wrap!” Eunbi yelled, a wide grin on her face while beads of sweat dripped down her face and neck. “Good job everyone. You’ve all worked hard. Please go home and rest so you have enough energy for Yewon’s music video filming tomorrow.”

The other dancers jumped around from excitement. This was the first time they actually got to rest, so they didn’t hesitate to take the chance to up and go.

Yewon, on the other hand, stayed behind. Eunbi noticed while she was packing her things. “Hey,” she called out. “You should really get some rest for tomorrow, Yewon.”

The singer simply ignored her suggestion and stood in front of the mirror in the practice room while she played her song. She wanted to keep practicing. 

Eunbi shook her head and walked to the radio so she could stop the song. “I’m serious,” Eunbi sighed. “You’ve worked hard and your moves are all polished and perfect. There’s nothing else you need to work on.”

“Stop babying me,” Yewon rolled her eyes. “If I want to continue practicing then I will. Leave me alone.” 

She walked to the radio so she could play the song again, but Eunbi unplugged the device. “No,” the dancer refused. “If you overwork yourself, then there’s no point of you going to the filming tomorrow.”

“I said I’m going to keep practicing. Jesus, Eunbi! Can you just leave me alone?” Yewon groaned loudly and tried her best to grab her phone back from Eunbi, but failed miserably. Eunbi had it up too high. 

“If you don’t have enough energy for the filming then we can’t participate tomorrow!” Eunbi responded. “Now get your things and go.”

“Ugh,” Yewon huffed from annoyance. “I’m gonna be fine!”

“No you’re not!”

The two continued bickering. Yewon began jumping to try and grab her phone from Eunbi’s hand, but the dancer kept it high with her tongue out to tease the shorter one. Yewon pouted and glanced at Eunbi for a moment, taking in the unflattering faces she was making to . She laughed and Eunbi had to pause for a moment. Did she make Yewon laugh?

“Ha! Got it!” Yewon smiled as she took back her phone, soft giggles still passing her lips.

Eunbi was still in awe. She never realized how much she missed the sound of Yewon’s laugh. Yewon noticed what she did as well and began blushing. 

“You know what,” Yewon continued. “Maybe you’re right. I think I should go. Thanks again for today.”

Yewon rushed her words and easily threw on her jacket before grabbing her backpack on the way out.

Eunbi was smiling to herself. What they did today didn’t guarantee a new friendship, but she was overjoyed at the fact that she made her old best friend laugh. The stress she felt from these few weeks magically disappeared just from the sound of Yewon’s giggles. 

4 YEARS AGO

SEOUL ARTS INSTITUTE

NOVEMBER 12

“Oh my god,” Yewon exclaimed. “You scared me.”

Eunbi had snuck up behind her best friend with her favorite candy bar in one hand and a smoothie in the other. “Good,” she chuckled. “That was my goal.”

“Thanks,” Yewon muttered, hesitantly taking the smoothie into her hand along with the Kit Kat bar. “What are you doing here? I thought you had practice?”

“Skipped it,” Eunbi shrugged. She sat down beside Yewon as she stole a glance at the poetry book