"I'll get going," Yujin said before she stormed out of Wonyoung's room. As Yujin turned her back from Wonyoung, the younger girl's world seemed to stop. With a loud bang from the door, Wonyoung's tears jerked off her eyes. Her legs felt weak until she fell on her knees. She reached for the cover of her bed to help herself up. Slowly, she managed to sit on her bed. Wonyoung kept her head down as her sobs take over the silence of her room. As the time passed by, Wonyoung only cried harder to the point that she started having trouble breathing. She let herself fall on her bed before turning herself over so that she is lying face down with her head on a pillow. She buries her face on her soft pillow in order to contain her sobs but it wasn't enough. Wonyoung's pillow starts to get soaked in tears but she just clutched it like it would help her keep herself together.

"This isn't working anymore. Let's break up," 

Yujin's voice resonated in Wonyoung's mind. She sniffed silently, her eyes now dry after crying for hours. The moment replayed on her mind and she felt her heart being pierced a thousand times over. Again, she saw herself trying to reach for Yujin's hand but the latter kept on taking a step back. Wonyoung tried to save what they have but Yujin already made up her mind. The younger girl swore she heard Yujin's voice crack while calling it off; she thought there was still hope. It was all wishful thinking because as Yujin left her standing there, heartbroken, she also took that hope with her. 

Wonyoung watched as the love of her life walked away that easily. This made her reflect: was she not enough? She knew she gave Yujin everything. They were perfect and everybody saw that. As far as she knows, she didn't do anything that could lead to a breakup. They were okay; but, okay doesn't necessarily mean fine.

For weeks, Wonyoung became a walking corpse. Thankfully, Yujin is a year ahead of her because if they were classmates, it would've been torture. However, there are times that the younger girl would see Yujin in the school's cafeteria or in their track whenever they go out for PE. There were also moments where Wonyoung would sneak some glances down the track from her window seat just so she could see how Yujin is doing. Even though it seems useless now, she still knows Yujin's schedule by heart. 

While hurrying to go out of her room, Wonyoung bumped into someone on her way out of the door. As she looked up to the person standing still in front of her, she felt her heart race as she smells a familiar scent. The moment she looked up, Yujin took her hand to open her palm and there the older girl put something before closing Wonyoung's fist. Without words, Yujin left Wonyoung there, standing and heart racing. Wonyoung gulped as her fingers slowly unveiled the thing that Yujin gave her. Upon seeing the item, her shoulders fell and she was close to crying again. She clenched her fists and ran as fast as she could. When she finally got outside, she searched for a trash can and there she threw the bracelet—that she gave Yujin as a gift—away. 

With that, Wonyoung knew she deserved better; but, something was still missing. She wants to think that Yujin is still the one for her but for now, enough is enough.

That event was two years ago yet Wonyoung and Yujin still act like they are strangers.

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Of all the people that Wonyoung would be schoolmates with again, it just had to be Yujin. She attended her welcoming ceremony and while looking for the way to the restroom, she heard a familiar voice and laughter. She turned her head to confirm and regret fell upon her since the moment that she turned her head, her eyes locked with Yujin's and the older girl suddenly fell silent. They looked at each other for at least five seconds before Wonyoung remembered that her bladder was about to burst. She was already washing her hands when she felt movement behind her. Wonyoung looked up to the mirror to see who came and she wishes she just minded her own business because for the second time today, she met the gaze of the person she despises the most.

Yujin cleared as Wonyoung finished washing her hands, "Long time no see and talk, Wonyoung," she greeted but Wonyoung was not having any of it. The younger girl did not respond; instead, she dried her hands and went out without batting an eye at the older girl. Yujin sighed at how Wonyoung acted but she still followed the younger girl out. She reached for Wonyoung's arms to stop the latter from walking away.

"You can't avoid me forever," Yujin waited for Wonyoung to talk but there was just silence and a glare, "I mean we're schoolmates. Again," the older girl continued and Wonyoung forced Yujin to let go of her arm.

"I was able to do it two years ago, how much harder could it be to do it again?" Wonyoung said before turning her heels and for the first time, she is the one walking away from Yujin.

The older girl watched Wonyoung walk further away from her. She looked down as she reminisced the moment she did the same to the younger girl. To be honest, Yujin has been haunted by that memory since it happened. She couldn't remember what had gotten into her to leave Wonyoung hanging. When she gave back the bracelet, she thought it was the right thing to do because why would she keep something so dear when she ended things between them so harshly. She watched as Wonyoung threw it away and she cried herself to sleep that night. She hates it when Wonyoung gets hurt; but she hates it more knowing that she is the reason behind that pain. What could she do, anyway? The damage has already been done. Yujin got into the high school that she wanted and met new people. They were able to distract her from Wonyoung—especially this girl named Kim Minjoo.

"Yujin!" she snapped out from her trance when she heard her name. She turned around and she saw Minjoo running towards her. "Hey," she greeted back, raising her hands, palms facing Minjoo, for a high five which Minjoo accepted. 

"What are you doing here standing?" the senior asked.

"I saw someone," Yujin paused, "I used to know," 

"The girl you kept on telling me?" Minjoo asked innocently. Yujin did not answer but she just looked at Minjoo before wrapping her arms around the older girl's shoulders and dragging her away from where she was standing earlier. Minjoo knew that something was wrong so she didn't bother asking Yujin any more questions. Little do they know, Wonyoung was watching them from afar—with beads of tears rolling down her cheeks. 

"And it got harder," Wonyoung whispered to herself before walking away with heavy footsteps.

While Wonyoung drags herself away from where she saw Yujin and Minjoo, her phone rang and she saw Chaewon's name flashing on the screen. She answered it immediately and she faked a smile, in hopes that it would deceive the girl on the other end of the line that she is okay and happy.

"You called!" she attempted to sound enthusiastic and cheerful.

"Did I just hear your voice crack?" Chaewon sounded doubtful and Wonyoung would've cursed under her breath but she knows that the older girl would hear it.

"You must be imagining it," 

"Really? From where I'm standing, I think I could see your tears shining—or is that just a result of your oily face?" Chaewon teased.

Wonyoung looked around to see if Chaewon was really somewhere near her. She was busy scanning the area that she didn't notice the person she was looking for was already walking towards her. Chaewon got Wonyoung's attention by lightly hitting the latter's head. Wonyoung was about to get mad but as soon as she saw Chaewon, she threw herself to the older girl and hugged her tight. Chaewon could only grin as she hugged Wonyoung back.

After their short reunion, Chaewon was the first one to pull away from the hug, "How was the ceremony?" she asked and Wonyoung sighed, "Boring," the younger girl said as she rolled her eyes. Chaewon laughed at this gesture before pinching the younger girl's cheeks.

The two girls first met when Wonyoung went to the school before her entrance exam. She read online that it is advisable to check for your room before the actual exam because looking for your name when there are already a lot of people will be a waste of time and energy. She was looking around, checking every room if her name is on the list posted outside the doors. Wonyoung would be lying if she told herself that she didn't get intimidated by the high school students looking at her. While she was walking, still preoccupied with looking for her name, she suddenly bumped into someone. Wonyoung was quick to bow multiple times while repeatedly apologizing. She heard the person in front of her giggle and she felt the hands of the student holding her arms to stop her from bowing. She looked up, "Don't worry. It's okay. Are you looking for your exam room?" the student asked and Wonyoung's face lit up. 

The student helped Wonyoung find her room. She even told her a shorter path if ever she runs late. Before they parted ways, Wonyoung shyly asked the name of the student. The girl looked back and said, "Kim Chaewon. I'll be a senior when you get in. I'll be looking forward to seeing you around here," Chaewon said with a smile before running away since she is almost late for her last class.

"You were so cute back then. How could you grow so fast? You're literally way taller than when I first saw you and that was roughly a year ago," Chaewon complained.

"I'm still cute, what do you mean by 'were'?" Wonyoung pouted to look like she was upset but Chaewon only laughed at her. 

Chaewon and Wonyoung are currently eating at the cafeteria while they were catching up and remembering their first encounter. 

"You loved me since the very first time you saw me," Wonyoung proudly said and before Chaewon could argue, the younger girl kept speaking, "You even waited outside my room before the exam began. Talk about whipped," the freshman teased and Chaewon couldn't help but crack up at the former's silliness. While the two were laughing, Chaewon's eyes landed on the entrance and there she saw Minjoo and Yujin entering. Before she could look away, though, Yujin looked at their direction and met gazes with her. She immediately cleared and talked to Wonyoung like nothing happened.

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After breaking eye contact with Chaewon, Yujin held Minjoo's hand to stop her from walking. The older girl was confused but she let Yujin drag her out. When they finally stopped walking, Minjoo finally had the chance to ask Yujin, "And why did we leave the cafeteria when you said you were hungry?" Minjoo had her brows raised and Yujin smiled a little, just enough to show her dimples, "She was there. With you-know-who. I didn't know they were friends," the younger girl said, "Oh," is the only thing that came out of Minjoo's mouth.

They started moving again, but this time, they're headed to the field. Minjoo made sure she was walking right beside Yujin before she talked, "It's funny how our exes managed to find each other. I wonder how they knew each other," she said and she heard Yujin click her tongue, "Anything wrong?" Minjoo asked to which Yujin shook her head, "Wonyoung is usually intimidated easily with upperclassmen. Chaewon is a senior and she's a freshman—how did that happen?" Yujin wondered.

"Chaewon is a good person. I can assure you that because I know her better than you do," Minjoo chuckled.

"Of course you do. I just don't understand how Wonyoung suddenly clicked with Chaewon. It's just the first day," Yujin said.

Minjoo's expressions darkened, "Why are you acting like that anyway? It's not like you have a say in whoever she interacts with," and that statement made Yujin feel worse, "You don't get it, do you? I want her to come to me again. I want to talk to her again. We have some unresolved issues that I need to fix," Yujin's frustration was obvious. Minjoo stopped on her tracks and Yujin did the same. The latter looked over her shoulder to see what made the older girl stop, "Then go talk to her right now. You hurt her, Yujin. You can't expect her to come running to you and ask for your presence. The moment you left her hanging, you built a wall between the two of you," Yujin hates it whenever Minjoo knocks some sense into her. They have been talking about Wonyoung ever since they became friends. They accidentally crossed paths when Yujin got lost looking for her room and she ended up in the other wing of the building. She was walking around when she heard someone crying. She followed the sound and she found Minjoo, hugging her knees, hair messed up and face full of tears. Yujin offered to treat her some ice cream and it so happened that during that day, Minjoo and Chaewon broke up because the former felt like she would be a distraction to Chaewon given that the older girl will be busy studying for university exams.

Yujin moved a muscle but she still hesitated whether she would approach Wonyoung or not. Minjoo turned her back on Yujin and started walking away. Yujin followed and Minjoo could only smirk as the younger girl seems to be catching the bait. As they near the cafeteria, Yujin realized what Minjoo wanted to do so she stopped dead on her tracks but fate seemed to be playing around because as Minjoo was about to open the door, Wonyoung and Chaewon went out. There was an awkward silence among the four, "Chaewon, let's talk," Minjoo directly said as she took Chaewon's hand and started walking away. Chaewon didn't even resist and she gave Wonyoung a small smile.

Wonyoung was about to walk away when Yujin held her right arm, "Wait," Yujin said but it was almost whisper. Wonyoung didn't bother looking at Yujin, "Talk," is all that she said. "Not here. Come with me," Yujin said and she was about to reach for Wonyoung's hand to hold it when the latter clenched her fists—Yujin got the signal. She just led the way; hoping that the younger girl will not run away while they're walking.

They reached the end of the hallway and there are no students roaming around since it's lunchtime. Silence filled the air and Wonyoung was feeling uncomfortable. She didn't expect that she'll have this private talk with Yujin as soon as she entered high school. She suddenly thought of Chaewon. From the older girl's stories, Minjoo wasn't a bad person but it really hurt when they broke up. Chaewon knew that her intentions were good but it that she didn't seem to have a say in their breakup. Maybe that's what brought Chaewon and Wonyoung closer—facing a breakup they didn't know was coming but they learned to it up anyway.

Yujin cleared , "I see you're close with Chaewon," she looked at Wonyoung, waiting for an answer.

Wonyoung crossed her arms, "And what about it?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing. It surprised me. I mean you weren't like me. You had trouble making friends before,"

"Keyword: before," Wonyoung coldly said.

"Yeah," Yujin forced a chuckle, "I guess you did change,"

"People do that, Yujin. It's normal,"

"Am I not a person then?" Yujin looked directly into Wonyoung's eyes, "Bold of you to think you didn't change. Who called for the breakup, Ahn Yujin?" Wonyoung's words pierced through Yujin like a sword. 

Tears started filling up Yujin's eyes but she tried to speak, "Was it that easy for you to move on?"

Wonyoung furrowed her eyebrows, "What is that easy for you to decide a breakup?" and she started crying. The younger girl harshly wiped her tears but they kept coming. Yujin's expressions softened as she watches the person she wanted to protect the most break down in front of her eyes. She remembers the night she decided to break up. She immediately went out because she wouldn't be able to take it if she hears Wonyoung crying. 

"Will you give me another chance? If I tell you I still love you?" Wonyoung looked at Yujin, dumbfounded, "Is this a joke? You still love me? Then why did you break me if you did love me?" Wonyoung asked, her voice cracking. Yujin let her tears go as she looked down, "I was scared. There were so many changes happening in our lives all at once that it got the best of me," the older girl saw her tears fall on the ground.

Wonyoung chuckled and it slowly turned into a soft laugh—a sarcastic one, rather. "Now I get it. After two years I finally got it," Wonyoung was shaking her head in disbelief and Yujin looked at her, "I don't know if you know this yourself but the problem with you is that you're stuck with what you're used to and you don't want anything different to happen. You don't want things to spiral out of control; you want them to be in the order you want them to be. You're scared of change, Yujin," Wonyoung stood straight, "Is it really me that you love? Or was it the girl from two years ago that you left? Is it really love or are you just guilty?" Wonyoung said in a straight face. 

Yujin got slapped with reality yet again.

The older girl averted her gaze and Wonyoung couldn't help but be hurt again. She would be lying if she said she doesn't love Yujin anymore; but it would be bigger of a lie if she said she'll be okay with going back to the old her.

"Sorry, Yujin. The girl you want to protect can take care of herself now. She is thankful to you, though. She wouldn't be a warrior if not for you," Wonyoung started walking away but she stopped. Without turning her head, she spoke again, "Change may be scary but it's a part of life, Yujin. You can't force people to continue being themselves, I mean the way you're used to them being them, when they could be better. You were too busy keeping things the way they were in your point of view but you can't do that to people. If you really love a person, if you really did love me," Wonyoung paused as she looked over her shoulder and met eyes with Yujin, "You would've accepted and loved another me—who became the person standing in front of you right now," 

Wonyoung turned away and walked. She left Yujin standing there and the older girl just looked at the younger girl's back. Yujin smiled to herself as she shook her head slowly, "It turns out it wasn't Wonyoung who was stuck in the past. It was me."