[Jessica’s POV]

“Sica?” Sooyoung called as she lay in the thin and small hospital bed.

“Hmm?” I responded, fiddling with my phone.

“Are you going to wait for me?” she asked innocently.

I put down my phone. “I don’t know, why?”

She twiddled her thumbs. “I just wanted something to look forward to when I get out.”

I raised my brow. “Well your knee will be better, you can look forward to that.”

“I guess… but I’d rather see you when I wake up.” She gushed.

My face reddened. “W-what nonsense are y-you talking a-about?”

She chuckled. “You said you’d treat me to an all I can eat buffet, remember?”

I instantly slapped her in the shoulder, though I couldn’t help but crack a smile.  “Aish, your inner Shikshin really can’t be stopped huh?”

“Nope.” She gave me a dorky grin.

I just shook my head and sighed in response.

The nurse came into the room. “Alright, Miss Choi, we’re all ready for you.”

Sooyoung instantly tensed up, gripping onto my hand tightly.

Slightly startled, I look down and her expression was a frightful. I’ve never seen her so vulnerable before. I couldn’t help but feel a little… protective.

I squeezed her hand back. “You’ll be just fine Soo. I’ll be here when you get out.”

She frowned. “Really? You… promise?” she asked childishly.

I nodded. “Of course.”

I could feel her tension ease away when she smiled up at me.

“Thanks Sica.” 

I smile back as the nurse helped Sooyoung move onto the portable bed and she wheeled down the hall as I could only watch from the lone doorway.

I had to admit I felt a little anxious.

“Jessica-shi?” a voice called from behind me.

I shake my thoughts and respond to the vaguely familiar nurse that’s been tending to Sooyoung.

“Yes?”

“Uhm, don’t feel the need to stay, Sooyoung-shi won’t be out for a few hours and even then, she’ll still be out from the anesthetics.” She explained in a professional manner. 

I most definitely didn’t want to sit here for hours.

“Ah, yes… could you please contact me when she’s out?” I asked the nurse, not forgetting the promise I just made a few moments ago.

She nodded. “Of course… I’m sure a familiar face will brighten her mood when she wakes up. Those anesthetics tend to have a moody side effect.”

“Great thanks. I’ll be back then.” I said, soon departing from the hospital.

I took in a deep breath of fresh air. It sure felt nice after sitting in that hospital for so long… now I can imagine how Sooyoung felt.

Glancing at my watch I frowned. So I guess I had a few hours to kill, and wasn’t very sure on how to spend them.

I glance at my phone and realize I had a spam of texts from Tiffany.

Most of them were asking where I was. I felt a little guilty for not responding earlier. I know how much she likes to worry over small things.

Typing in her number, I called her and waited.

 “JESS!” she answered hastily.

 “Hey Tiff, sorry I—“ before I could finish, she cut me off.

“Why didn’t you reply? You know how worried I was? I was feeling bad for not walking home with you yesterday…”

I laughed. “Relax Tiff, I was just at the hospital and had my phone on silent… sorry for worrying you.” 

There was a slight pause and a then a loud sigh. “Alright, as long you’re fine…”

Tiffany was always the type that looks out for others rather than herself. Though it could be burdensome sometimes, I appreciated her concern.

“So Jess… are you still at the hospital?” she asked.

“No, I just left. She just went in for the operation.” I explained.

“Ah, well did you want to hang out while you’re waiting?” she asked expectantly.

I shrug. “Why not?”

“Great! Want to meet at the café near the shop?”

“Sure. I’ll see you soon.” I could hear her giggle excitedly. I just give a small smile and hang up.  

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I arrived at the café and Tiffany was already inside, eagerly waiting. She waved me over and I took a seat across from her.

“Hey Tiff!” I greet and she smiles back.

“Hey!” She smiled back at me. “So… why haven’t you been coming to school huh?”

I hesitated. Not because I didn’t know the answer, but because I wasn’t sure to tell her the true reason of my lack of attendance.

“I… was just at the hospital. I overslept.” I finally answered after the faltered pause.

She crossed her arms with a disappointed expression. “Jessi, you really worry me. I notice that you’ve been a little off lately. Is something on your mind?” she asks in her usual, motherly tone.

I let out a deep sigh. She was always a perceptive one. “I don’t know... I guess just a lot has happened recently.” I answer admittedly. “But you shouldn’t worry, I’m fine.” I smiled in assurance, but deep inside I wasn’t too sure. 

She nodded understandingly. “Alright, but I’m here to listen if you need anything.”

“Thanks Tiff.”

We soon ordered and it arrived just as quick.

There was a solemn silence between us before I spoke up again. “Tiff?”

She turns her attention back to me and waited for me to continue.

“Have you… ever been in love?” I asked out of the blue.

She instantly froze up. “N-no. W-why do you a-ask?” she stammers while looking down at the table, playing with her fingers.

She seriously can be read like an open book. I wondered who it was.

“I was just wondering...” I shrugged and continued to eat.

She gave me a strange look. “Why? Are you?”

I nearly choked on my drink and hastily wiped my mouth with a napkin.

“N-no! I was just curious! R-really!” I tried to convince her, but I found that I was just as bad at keeping a straight face.

“You’re lying~” she teased. “Who is it?”

“No one!” I quickly defend. Damn, why’d I have to bring up this topic? As a matter of fact, why did I even bring it up in the first place? It’s not like I had feelings for anyone… right?

“Fine, but I will find out sooner or later.” She winked at me.

I just shook my head and ate my meal as a distraction.

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“Jess! Let’s go sing karaoke!” she beamed after we finished.

“Eh?” I was a little startled by her sudden outburst. Though the idea didn’t really appeal to me either.

I glanced at my phone. So far, no missed messages. I had no idea why I was so anxious.

‘You want to see her.’ a subconscious voice whispered to me.

“Jess?” Tiffany waved her hand in my face.

“Ah, yes?” I asked, dazed.

“Did you get enough sleep? You keep zoning out on me, and why do you keep looking at your phone? Are you in a rush?” she bombarded me with questions.

“No, it’s fine. Sorry. What were you saying?” I asked, shaking away the previous thoughts.

“Well I was saying that we should go sing some karaoke to maybe ease your mind a little. It’s easier to voice your thoughts than to keep them bottled up.” She smiled.

I returned the gesture. “Alright sure, just the two of us?” I asked.

“Yeah, unless you  had someone else in mind.” She giggled.

I shook my head. “Not at all. Let’s go.” I took her hand and we went off to the nearest karaoke bar.

-----------

“You can stand under my umbrella~Eh, eh eh.” Tiffany began to sing to me and I could only chuckle at her serious expression.

The song ended and she giggled, skipping back to the small, sunken-in couch.

I clapped excitedly.

“What did you think Jess?” she asked.

I nodded approvingly. “Very lovely rendition of Rihanna’s version.”

“Thanks! Since the festival competition, I’ve been seriously thinking of becoming a singer.” She beamed.

My eyes widened. I was a little surprised by her rise in confidence, but didn’t doubt her capability. “Wow, that’s quite a tough industry to break, but I’ll support you.”

She hugged me tightly.

“Thanks Jessi!” she said before handing me the microphone.

“Your turn!”

I just got up shyly, and walked towards the “stage”.

“Woo~!! Jessica! Jessica!” Tiffany cheered me on enthusiastically, clapping her hands together.

I just laughed and scrolled through the options, when suddenly a particular song caught my eye. A memory flashed in my mind.

{Flashback}

Yoona and Yuri were still busy looking at the store and I was getting bored.

“Hey, want to go to the music store?” Sooyoung asked, pointing towards it.

I nodded and we entered the store. “What kind of music do you like Sica?” she asked attempting to start conversation.

“Hmm… anything really…” I replied.

She nodded and we continued to browse. I put on headphones at a sample station and began flipping through the songs, stopping at a particular track.

 “This song is my favorite.” I said listening intently.

Sooyoung pick up the other set of headphones and her eyes widened in surprise at the music filling her ears. “Wow! This is my favorite too!”

I smiled. “Complete by SNSD?” I questioned in surprise as well.

She nodded and as we listened we began to sing along.

Manneun shigan sogeh byulhagetjiman doo sohn noji angireul

Just For love yuhngwontorok majimagil sarang

Geudaegil baraeyo

To make my life complete…

You make my life complete.

I blushed at her as I sang the last line.

“Have you ever thought about being a singer?” I asked her sincerely. I was in a much brighter mood than earlier.

She chuckled. “Not really, how about you?” she asks.

I look up in wonder then shake my head. “Nah.”

We both begin to laugh.

{End Flashback}

That was when Sooyoung and I went on that “double-date” with Yoona and Yuri awhile back.

I hadn’t realized that I unconsciously pressed play and just finished singing. I must have done it while thinking of the memory. I touched my chest and realized my heart was beating at a rapid pace.

“Wow Jessi! That was beautiful!” Tiffany praised, clapping her hands together.

I bowed playfully in response.

“Thank you, thank you.”

“Hmm… what next…” I could hear Tiffany mumble quietly.

I suddenly remember my phone and go to check it.

[3 missed calls]

My eyes widen and I quickly open to see two from the hospital, and one from Yuri.

“What’s wrong Jess?” she asks quizzically.

“Ah sorry Tiff, I need to go. Sooyoung just got out. Thanks for the outing, it was really fun!” I say in a fast manner and turned to leave, but I felt a soft hand wrap around my wrist.

“Please don’t go Jess…” I heard her whisper in a small voice. Her hair covered her eyes as she stared at her lap.

I felt bad for just leaving her like this, but I couldn’t break my promise to Sooyoung… she needed me.

“Sorry Tiff, let’s meet up again soon okay?” I tried reasoning.

Just then she got up and her face was merely inches from mine.

“T-Tiff? Wha—mmph!“ I stopped speaking when she grabbed my cheeks.

Her lips were on mine as she pulled herself closer to me.

I froze and dropped my phone as a name flashed on the screen. 

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Note: That flashback was from Chapter 9 :) 

Soo..... Things seem to be heating up now :P  

Sorry again guys for the lack of updates, I fully give you permission to raise your pitchforks and torches, but first let me explain myself lol 

I recently picked up a job tutoring korean kids/teens ESL (English as a Second Language) and its very exciting ^_^ I get to learn some korean as well, however the downside is it takes my weekday evenings and the week can get exhausting. 

I do hope that you'll continue to support my story and I'll try harder to be a diligent author :) 

Now that that's out of the way, I hope you all have a fantastic week and study hard! 

Comments/Feedback is well appreciated! 

Until next time,

~Rainey 

Also, I want to feature a secondary pairing to be 'featured' so to speak, and wanted to know which one you'd prefer: