“Woah there-” Yena could feel Chaewon’s grip tighten around the cuff of her fluffy sleeve. Eyes squeezed tight, Yena gritted her front teeth together. As boring as physics class was, Yena wished she paid better attention as she tested the law of gravity firsthand. Her voice trembled with each slight bump or skit under her snow boots. She squeezed the palm of Chaewon’s hand as if it were her own dear life. 

“I’m not going to make it!” Yena was preemptively beginning to shift her weight to her knees to block the momentum of a fall she was causing herself. Nayeon had taught Yena this specific maneuver as a mechanism to prevent busting her down the mountain. To say the least, Yena went a little overboard in predicting whether or not she was going to crash. A classic example of the old saying, “The cure can sometimes be worse than the illness.”

“Oh no, you don’t.” Chaewon’s supporting arm prevented Yena’s from self-ejecting into the snow. Yena could feel the wind slash into her eardrums and abuse the exposed skin on her face. The wobbling under Yena’s feet began to slowly subside as they cruised over a fresh blanket of snow that dropped by earlier that morning. Are we down the hill already?

“Open your eyes now.” She could hear Chaewon’s sweet voice calling for her. Unfolding the small fabric from the pink beanie off her eyelids. Yena's eyes shot up at the visual of the landscape. The baby sun was slowly stretching over the horizon creating a small yellow-shadow over the mountain top and trees. The sky was still a mellowish purple as most of nature was still yet to arise from their late-night slumber. Yena was no longer a bed-ridden doll, but a high-flying eagle as she cruised down the length of the ski hill. The breeze that berated her face was no longer scary, if anything, it made her feel more alive than she ever had. Straightening up her posture, she could hear a teasing giggle from her side. Just for safety precaution, Yena wiggled her hand deep into Chaewon’s. It was just to make sure Chaewon wouldn’t mischievously try letting go like some other girl did. *Cough* Nayeon *Cough*. Much to her surprise, she felt Chaewon’s finger’s lace tighter onto her own. Don’t worry I’ll never let go Chaewon’s hand answered for her.

Overhead, Yena’s eyes were caught by a flock of birds soaring past her. She was nearly at eye level with one particular glossy blue flyer. Yena could have sworn the bird winked at her before tilting to a side and allowing its wingspan to catch the drift of the air; She followed as best as she could as the bird magnificently soared towards the sky and back to the rest of its flock. If Yena could choose one animal she would be in an alternative life, it would definitely be a bird-...wait no. She still wanted to be a duck.

Before she knew it, the momentum of their speed diminished. A heavy swoosh echoed through Yena’s ear as she felt her ski dig deeper into the fluffy snow. The noise disappeared once she felt her body jerk backward and stop in its track. 

“Let’s do that again!” Yena eagerly shook her head. She frowned when she saw Chaewon roll her eyes under her blue helmet. “I already wasted all my spare energy trying to drag you up here.” Chaewon bent down to unbuckle the brace that held Yena snow boots down to the ski. She regretted not skiing once with Yena throughout the vacation, opting to spend her time with Eunbi instead. In order to make up for it; over the slumbering bodies inside the V.I.P room. Chaewon practically carried Yena over all her hospital equipment. 

“Pleaseee, just one more time?” Chaewon adored at how cute Yena was being.

“No, we have to head back before Mina and Nayeon unnie wake up.” Yena’s face froze as if the winter chill had completely encompassed her body. She took a deep gulp before nodding in agreement. If the couple had learned they went up to ski so early, and especially in the condition, Yena was in. Nayeon would have personally throw them both off the mountain quicker than Mina could find a knife to murder them with. Before Yena could react, her spine jolted as if she was electrocuted by a thousand-watt battery. Quivering in visible pain, she cleared her face and neck of the snow she was bombarded with. Her ears burned as she listened to Chaewon gasp from laughing. She wouldn’t let her get away with it. Bending down and bear-hugging the snow in front of her, Yena used all the tiny strength and energy she had to lift the packed snow. As she was nearing her arms in an overarching throw, Newton betrayed her as she felt another electric jolt. All the snow she was preparing to throw dropped on top of her helmet and seeped through the exposed parts of her clothes. She could hear Chawon's body drop onto the soft snow. Her booming voice could have woken up half the damn mountain as the echo carried around the landscape. Angrily storming off, Yena left Chaewon to be eaten by whatever bear she had just pissed off. Chaewon stumbled to quickly get to her feet and crunched through the snow back to Yena. Her head and shoulders involuntarily shook like a spasm from the hiccup attack she had caught.

“Don-’t leave- w-we- can go one more time.” Chaewon was able to muster a sentence over her sparse breaths and hiccups. Yena only continued to trudge through the pathway down the mountain. Her foot indents in the snow were many inches deeper than needed to be.

“Ducky-” Chaewon agilely made her way closer to Yena, gripping onto the edge of her pink Mitton. Yena huffed as she felt her slim strength betray her in escaping Chaewon's anchor. Her neck craned back as she felt Chaewon’s other hand, grip onto the back of her parka, and heave her in closer. In one fluid action, Chaewon was able to drag Yena back towards herself while spinning her around so she could face herself. Before Yena was able to sound off her anger at how unfair it was that she was overpowering her sick body, she stiffened to the warm nose that brushed against hers. She inhaled deeply and squeezed her eyes as she tasted the younger girl’s warm lips. One small kiss turned into a second, and then into an everlasting third one. Being the novice she was, Yena only stood still with her lips puckered as Chaewon was the one to engage and dis-engage all three kisses. A skill she was convinced she desperately needed to work on with enough practice. Panting for air, they both stood into each other's arms while basking in the ever-rising sun. This has to be a dream. Yena clenched onto Chaewon’s shoulders just to test her theory. She felt Chaewon’s hand on her waist push their bodies closer, You’re not dreaming Ducky. They both laughed when Chaewon’s eyes bulged towards the tip of her nose in confusion. A strange and sticky goo ran down and upon her upper lip which turned out to be nothing other than Yena’s stray snot. They both laughed as Yena apologetically dabbed Chaewon’s nose with the tip of her Mitton. 

“Let’s hurry up before you get more sick~”

The walk back to the resort was Yena’s least favorite part. She thought skiing would be an amazing sport that would allow her to freely soar down the mountain. It wasn’t until this trip she realized how tedious and un-worth it really all was. A mixture of constantly taking off your ski, walking up the mountain, getting onto the ski cart, putting back on your ski, and vice versa; diminished Yena’s appeal to the sport, and not to mention, she was still deathly afraid of heights.

“Kim Chaewon!” Both girls halted in their tracks. Yena had her index finger hoovering the gold elevator button to return to their room before they heard a thunderous yell from the end of the lobby. She could hear the cluttering of two sets of footsteps close in on them with haste. We’re so dead Yena groaned.

She was shocked to see a much taller figure than Mina and Nayeon attempting to hug and kiss Chaewon. Chaewon quickly swatted off the many red imprints on her cheeks. The smaller gentleman behind her only gave a small hug.

“Good morning my sweet daughter.” The older lady, Yena now recognized as Chaewon’s mother smiled eagerly. “You were never a morning person as a child. Oh, how college has changed you!” The lady clapped happily. Chaewon in an annoyed voice, “It’s not that I wasn’t a morning person, you guys were just never around to see me in the morning.”

Yena was too busy being starstruck by the visible youth and charm Chaewon’s mother maintained. Her skin was as clear if not on par with her own Kim Minju. If Chaewon was the princess of the kingdom, Chaewon’s mother was most definitely the Queen. 

Mrs. Kim turned brightly towards Yena as if she had just realized she was standing there. “Oh my, oh my, child! Are you feeling better?” Yena stumbled a step backward as she felt the clasp of a hand slap her bare forehead. There was little point of Mrs. Kim trying to take Yena’s temperature with how aggressively she had applied the slap.

“Watch it.” Chaewon protested and wrapped her two hands around her mom’s arm to pry it off. Yena ignored the stinging sensation she felt and politely greeted Mrs. Kim. A fuzzy flashback clouded her brain. Mrs. Kim's aggressive and affectionate manner seemed awfully familiar to her. 

“We were soooo heartbroken last night when we saw you collapse.” Mrs. Kim pouted while folding her hands around Yena’s. “Oh, you poor thing.” She continued to berate and baby Yena as if she was a newborn toddler. 

Just at that moment, a ding from the elevator behind them sounded off. The silver mechanic door slid to the right revealing the sleepy faces of Mina, Nayeon, Yuri, and Wonyoung. 

“Told you so,” Yuri observed in a flat and exhausted voice. The unamusing and lack of surprise was written all over her face.

Mrs. Kim and Yena made their way for the four girls to exit the elevator and join them.

“Oh, Mina darling!” Nayeon sweetie!” Both the older girls were bombarded with stained red cheeks as well. Unlike Chaewon, they both stood firm and accepted the onslaught Mrs.Kim left on their faces.

“Merry Christmas Mrs.Kim, did you sleep well?” Mina returned to hug Mrs. Kim before waving a hand at Mr. Kim.

“Yes, my husband and I are about to catch an early breakfast with my mother!” Mrs. Kim covered a hand over her face as if she had unraveled Einstein’s biggest dilemma. 

“Oh, Chaewon sweetie! I forgot to mention your grandmother is here too!.”

“Huh, that old hag?” Chaewon face soured. Yena recalled how Chaewon’s grandmother had been her primary caretaker for most of her childhood. She told her how there were a lot of nasty rumors that her grandmother was a retired mafia or yakuza member, Chaewon told her that she never really believed any of them though. 

Mr. Kim cleared his voice, “Yes, you should join your mother and I in attending breakfast together. We haven’t celebrated Christmas together in a very long time.” He nodded his head approvingly while fiddling with the end of his wispy mustache.

“But-” A stern cough from Mina convinced Chaewon she shouldn’t say otherwise.

“You’ve seen Yena enough, go eat with your other parent’s for a change.” Nayeon shooed off Chaewon dismissively. Yena giggled at noting how Nayeon referred to Chaewon’s biological parents as other parents instead of real. A distinction Yena couldn’t tell was intentional or not, but she opted to choose the former.

Yena also nodded her head while shy poking Chaewon’s side. Hesitantly, Chaewon bit her lip. She gave in to the pressure and begrudgingly signaled for her mother to lead the way.

“Make sure to say goodbye to us before you guys finish checking out today.” Mr. Kim waved back at Mina and Nayeon.

Yena smiled as she watched Chaewon bickering with her parents in the distance. The younger girl was desperately attempting to loosen the grip of her mother and father who had their arms around her shoulders. Speaking of shoulders, why did her’s feel so heavy?

“As for you.” Yena gulped as the menacing figures of Mina and Yuri toppled over her like demons with fiery eyes. “We’re taking you back to your room.”

“Oh come on. It’s Christmas!” Desperately, Yena waved her arms around the lobby to emphasize the various Christmas decorations. “At least let Yuri and I hit the buffet one last time before we leave later.” Mina was astonished to see not only Yuri but also Wonyoung quickly move from her side and towards Yena. The three girls tried their best to gain pity points to win Mina’s heart; which considering the left side of Yuri's hair was sticking up and Wonyoung was still wearing her ridiculous bunny slippers, it wasn’t working.

“Come on babe, we might as well.” Nayeon linked her arm around her girlfriend and left a small kiss on the cheek. “Fatasses.” Mina rolled her eyes but continued to walk hand in hand with her girlfriend towards the entrance of the breakfast buffet. 

Arriving at a small round table covered in a special green Christmas cloth and a teddy bear placed in the center; Yena arrived with at least five plates full of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and soups. She greedily rubbed her hands together. Unraveling a fork and knife from the fancy red napkin that was on the table. The knife in her hand cut smoothly through the plate of stacked pancakes releasing an aroma of sweet blueberry and maple syrup. She was moments from devouring half the stack in one menacing bite before she bit down onto open air. 

“No, no, no.” Yena groaned loudly as Mina replaced her plate of pancakes with a silver plate she had brought over. “The kitchen chefs prepared a special non-fat breakfast to speed up your recovery.” A combination of disgust and pain clouded Yena. Mina pushed down the girl’s bangs to conceal her dissatisfaction. “You have no right to complain, after doing what you did this morning.” Mina smiled. Yena only crossed her arms and sank deeper into her chair. I should have gone with Chaewon, I bet they’re eating real good. Taking a sip of her coffee, Mina chimed. “Merry Christmas ”. The passive-aggressiveness was overwhelming with how the Japanese girl made sure to squint her eyes in an exaggerated smile

Nayeon came quickly to Yena’s rescue by hugging the girl from behind. “Don’t be mad because she loves me more.” Dropping her plate on the table and rummaging through her hoodie pocket. Nayeon proudly waved the small gift Yena had given her last night.

Wonyoung and Yuri were itching to release a small snicker but a nasty side glare from Mina was all that was needed to quickly discourage the girls.

“You want to sleep on the floor tonight don’t you babe?” Mina’s lips pushed uncomfortably closer to Nayeon’s ears. An involuntary yelp escaped Nayeon’s mouth as she felt her girlfriend’s grip onto her hand tighten.

Throughout the trip, Mina was highly anticipating what magnificent gift the thoughtful and adorable Choi Yena would get for her. She was guilty of asking both Yuri and Minju in private if they knew what Yena got for her. The two dumbstrucklingly shook their shoulders, apparently predicting Yena’s behaviors were not a strong suit for her supposed best friends. So that night, while all the girls were having a great time in the V.I.P room after the fireworks. Mina couldn’t help but feel excited when she saw Yena approach Nayeon and her with two wrapped gifts.

♡-------------------------------------------------------♡

Last night 

 “Oh, you shouldn’t have Yena.”

“Shut up, you’ve been waiting for this moment all vacation.”

…

“Ouch.”

♡-------------------------------------------------------♡

After Yena caused Nayeon to tear up from a measly snow globe with the cheesy text “Too Pretty Im Nayeon.” Surely, Yena would do justice for The Myoui Mina, aka the #1 beauty in the medical department(Don’t tell Momo or Sana), aka the world's best mother, and best unnie….Or so she thought. Mina couldn’t prevent the pain her face bled once she unwrapped a flimsy paper-back book that read. “50 Ways to Prevent Snoring.” 

“You should have seen her face, Wonyoung.” Nayeon almost fell out of her chair while chunks of cereal flew out of and onto a behored Yuri.

Wonyoung cleared with excitement. “You know, ever since Yena unnie came around everyone forgets that after Chaewon, I was the daughter.” Wonyoung pouted while pointing at herself. “I'm the only one who ever called Mina unnie mom, but apparently I'm the least one loved.” The highschooler waved her open arms.

“Don’t say that Wonyoung, it’s just that you are the biggest disappointment out of the three.” Nayeon patted the younger girl’s and forced her to sit back down before she grabbed any more attention.

“Anyways, so in order to win Mina unnie’s heart back I got this.” Wonyoung proudly dropped a cute pink present. The tag read “From your REAL daughter, Chou Wonyoung.” 

“Awh this is so sweet of you.” Mina leaned over the table to rub Wonyoung’s chin. Nayeon only gagged and leaned on Yuri who was regretting not catching some more sleep with everybody upstairs. 

With a bright smile, Mina unraveled the well-wrapped present. At least someone knows how to treat me righ-.

Yuri’s face was covered in spit out coffee as the table erupted from laughter. Yena folded her arms on the table and dropped her head instantly in a jeering shake. Even Yuri couldn’t help but shake her head in an unsurprised chuckle. “It’s not funny!” Wonyoung turned to the three laughing girls. “Don’t you like it unnie?” Wonyoung bent across the table to Mina’s unwavering face at the gift below her. The Japanese girl’s hand violently twitched once or twice as she seriously contemplated how much harm she could inflict with a butter knife.

Nayeon picked up the small book Wonyoung had assembled for Mina and juggled it in her hand. “Wonyoung Picture Book, 100 pictures of the b