Oh God, she really did that. I mean, to be requested for a one-on-one chat is nerve-racking enough, so for her to do so in front of our entire group of friends is… wow. I won’t be able to look at any of them in the eyes without instantly burning up from embarrassment anymore… not for the next few days, at least. Still, why did she have to go straight for an unnecessary overkill, and what have I ever done to deserve this in the first place?! Sure, I’ve survived through similar circumstances in the past, but never have I been in a situation where I’m alone with her for more than 2 minutes at a time- since I’ve made sure to avoid being in said-situations at all costs. This time, however, there’s no way out. It’s as if she knew about my tactics and now she’s forcing me to succumb to my biggest fear. She even included seven other witnesses just so I’m left with no routes of escape whatsoever. I can’t decide on whether to describe that as ‘clever’ or ‘mean’, but it’s not like there’s no point fretting about it anymore. I’m already dragging my heavy feet along the hallways to where she’s waiting, my heartbeat pounding at a dangerously-fast rate. Deep breaths, Dahyun-ah. Just act like you normally do. Relax your shoulders, clear out your throat, and arch out that pretty little smile of yours. It’s been convincing enough to deceive everyone up until now, so I’m sure everything’s going to be just fine. “Sorry to keep you waiting, milady!” “Oh my, what a pleasant surprise… I honestly didn’t expect for you to show up.” “Wha- you seriously thought I’d be an and ditch you without a word?!” “I mean, you have been avoiding me lately, so you can’t blame me for assuming.” “Me? Avoiding my precious unnie? How could I ever!” Lying through your teeth as usual, even when the guilt’s still difficult to bear. Even when it’s such an obvious fact… here I am still putting on this oblivious act. Yes, she’s absolutely correct, actually. You’ve been doing exactly that, Kim Dahyun. Constantly avoiding that delicate, alluring face of hers. Hiding like an absolute coward. “Dahyunnie… you literally hid yourself behind a curtain as soon as you got here.” “That’s… to show you this new trick I’ve mastered!” “Um… what do you mea-” “Look, it’s a barking dog!” “Sure, but I-” “And now it’s you, a cute swa… actually the neck’s a bit short, so I guess it’s me, an eagle!” “Your shadowgraphy is wonderful, but I didn’t ask to meet up with you for a free show.” “You think it’s wonderful? Why thank you so much for your kindness!” Okay, I swear I’m not usually this annoying… or so I hope. I just have this uncontrollable tendency whenever she’s around, my brain malfunctioning to the point that even I wouldn’t be able to explain myself. I lose control of my tongue and continuously spout words out of my mouth, only regaining my sanity when somebody’s already staring at me in disbelief. Perhaps it’s my subconscious mind temporarily grasping the reins, desperately trying to distract her away from the embarrassing truth. Perhaps it’s an automatic defence mechanism that’s making me even guiltier, no matter how much I’d want to put the blame on her instead. “Say… have I done something wrong?” “Other than committing a travelling violation during Phys Ed today, I don’t think so?” “That’s not- please Dahyunnie, I just want to know why you’ve been keeping a distance from me.” “You’re just thinking too much again, unnie~” The audacity, I know. Even I get surprised by my own thick skin sometimes. Unlike the words that came out of my own mouth, I’m the one who’s thinking too much by going out of my way and acting like this before any of my concerns can even come close to becoming the reality, far too scared of my fragile heart getting shattered by another’s. I’m by no means proud of being such a guilty liar, but no matter how much I meditate in hopes to gain some inner peace or brainwash myself to have the strength to act truthfully, it’s just far too easy for my cowardice to overpower my morality. Without a doubt, she’s the last person on Earth who deserves to be tormented by my silly choices of action… yet here she stands before me with an expression of melancholy now decorating her pretty little face, making me feel as if my chest has been pierced by a cold, merciless knife. … I just can’t tell if she’s the one who put that knife in me or whether if I did that to myself. “See, you’re still being dismissive. Can’t you just talk to me?” “But we are talking, no?” “You’ve yet to give me an explanation, Dahyunnie.” “There’s really nothing for me to explain though, unnie.” “I… gosh, what on Earth happened to us?” An accident, that’s what. A fatal accident that will forever haunt me as long as I’m by their sides. But the sad reality is, even if I could go back in time and relive my days, I’d probably end up in this exact same situation. I don’t have total control over such emotions, after-all. If I did, I wouldn’t have this problem in the first place. I’d make sure to prevent it at all costs- Even if it costs my very own ‘happily ever after’. “Uh… a beautiful friendship, I guess?” “You’re really not going to cooperate with me today, are you?” “What else was I supposed to say?! That question was honestly weird as hell!” “You are seriously testing my patience, Kim Dahyun…” The topic of friendships tends to make my heart ache, since I’m basically going through all this just for the sake of protecting my most precious one. I don’t have a clue to how I’ve been facing her without suffocating to death from my self-condemnation yet, but if I ever suffer from a broken heart syndrome, she’ll most definitely be one of the reasons. If only they can put an end to my misery. It’ll hurt either way, anyways. Look what I’ve gotten myself into. “Oh by the way! Did our short maknae tell you about this new movie she wants to watch? It’s going to be up in the cinemas next week and it seems like she wants to go with the entire gang. It’s been quite a while since we’ve all had a popcorn party, anyways.” “You’re changing the subject again.” “Shoot- my bad! I thought we were done.” “It’s okay, I wanted to talk about Chaeyoung as well, anyways.” “Wait… what?” Son Chaeyoung, AKA my bro, my homie, a best friend who’s more like a non-biological sister to me. Similar to the person who’s currently keeping me company, she has the ability to fill me with absolute joy yet simultaneously drown me in sorrow. The latter part hasn’t always been the case, and despite of her being the main cause behind my current behaviour, she’s never the one to be blamed. Both of them are innocent. I really wish I wa