Chapter 9

Footprints

"Oh my, there are so many good looking people here!" Chaewon shrieked as she saw a few models walking by.

Chaewon, Minju, Yena and Hyewon were sitting at the resort's cafeteria after settling into their respective rooms. They have free time until dinner.

"Is there a space for one more person?" a voice said.

A tall woman with long black hair and sheepish smile was standing by their table.

"Chaeyeon!" they all said at once.

Chaeyeon grinned, "Happy to see me?"

"I missed hearing you laugh like a maniac," Hyewon said.

Chaeyeon rolled her eyes, "Just say that you missed me, Hyewon."

Hyewon playfully glared at the younger girl. She pulled a chair beside her for Chaeyeon to sit.

"Unnie, you're not working today?" asked Minju.

"I’m on leave. Sakura invited me to come because I worked with the magazine before. She has so much influence over the boss. I wonder how she made Ms. Kwon agreed to add me in even though it was last minute," Chaeyeon said.

Yena chimed, “Maybe she did it by cuddling her to sleep.”

Chaeyeon looked at her, shocked.

“Wait, did I miss something?”

The others laughed, even Hyewon.

"It seems like everyone is dating but me," Chaeyeon sighed.

Hyewon scoffed, “Oh please, you’re not the only one.”

Yena shrugged, “Maybe you both should just date each other. Problem solved!”

Both Chaeyeon and Hyewon scowled at the duck, causing her to bit her lip.

“Are you kids dating too? You guys are always together,” Yena asked to Minju and Chaewon.

Minju and Chaewon looked at each other briefly before broke out into laughter.

“No. We’re best friends,” replied Chaewon.

Minju nodded, “Yeah, just… friends.”

"So oppa, I'll see you tonight?" said a familiar voice.

Hyewon was the first to notice it, and she turned her head around to see who it was. The others followed suit. Eunbi was talking to a man. A handsome man.

"Yeah, sure," he replied with his dimples showed.

He hugged Eunbi once again before waving goodbye and leave. Eunbi was still smiling until her was out of her sight.

Hyewon turned back and glanced at Minju, "I wonder where Sakura is.”

Minju bit her lip, speechless.

"I hate to say I told you so," she added with a shrug.

"Hyewon, why do you hate them being together so much? Sakura is obviously happier with Eunbi now," Yena said.

"I’m just keeping it real. I love Saku-chan and I think she is great, but seriously with Kwon Eunbi? She’s out of her league," Hyewon replied.


**


“Kkura-ya!" Eunbi called as she saw her girlfriend outside of her room.

Sakura glanced at Eunbi before letting out a heavy sigh. She was trying to avoid her.

Eunbi reached forward for Sakura’s hands, "Where were you? You just left me there.”

Sakura scoffed, "I left you? You're the one who forgot about me once you met your… oppa."

"I was looking for you but you weren’t there. I wanted to introduce you to him."

She smiled, "He asked to meet us for dinner. He's a great guy, and I bet you'll like him. "

"Of course," Sakura replied, bitter.


**


This is ridiculous.

Sakura can hardly focus on her food. She and Eunbi were at the resort’s restaurant for dinner that evening, with Myungsoo.

"Oppa, that is so funny!" Eunbi said as she slapped his arm playfully.

Sakura rolled her eyes for the nth time and took a sip of her drink. She was trying hard to maintain her cool, but honestly she was on the edge.

"Sakura, did you know that Eunbi used to think that I'm her prince charming?" Myungsoo asked.

He had no ill intention, the guy just wanted to make sure that Sakura wasn’t left out in their conversation. But it only fueled Sakura’s jealousy.

"Oh really? Prince Charming?" Sakura said, with a forced smile.

"Stop it oppa, you're embarrassing me!" Eunbi pouted.

Sakura was shocked watching Eunbi acting cute in front of another person other than her. She knew that she might be overreacting, that the two are probably just friends, but the green monster inside her was slowly taking over her.

"Did you remember the day that you were lost in the snow?" Myungsoo asked as he looked at Eunbi.

"How can I forget? You came to save me," Eunbi replied.

"Sakura, it was kinda funny. She fought with her sister and then she ran into the forest."

“Yujin broke my favourite mug. I was only 12 at the time,” Eunbi added, glancing at Sakura.

"I got lost and was crying my heart out when Myungsoo oppa came. He's an excellent skier. He was skiing nearby and saw me crying in the snow."

"I don't know what could've happened to me if he didn't come," Eunbi added.

Myungsoo smiled and reached to hold Eunbi's hand, "You were like a little bunny lost in the snow. Don’t go hopping around randomly again, little bunny."

Eunbi chuckled and squeezed his hand.

Sakura could feel the anger boiling inside of her. She can’t take it anymore.

"I don’t even know how to ski," Sakura muttered under her breath.

Suddenly she stood up, "I have to go, Eun."

"Kkura? What's wrong?" Eunbi held her arm.

“It’s nothing. Enjoy your dinner,” Sakura shook her head and pulled her arm away from Eunbi's grip.

Eunbi watched as Sakura slowly walked towards the door. Something does not feel right.

"I'm sorry oppa, I have to check on my girlfriend."

"Wait!" Myungsoo grabbed her arm.

Eunbi stopped.

"Don't go, I'm sure she'll be okay. I have a lot more I wanted to talk to you. Stay."

Eunbi looked at Myungsoo and then at Sakura who was almost out of her sight.

"Plus, the desert has arrived, it's your favourite macarons," he added, smiling.

Eunbi hesitated but then she decided to sit at her chair again.

"You're right, she'll probably just go back to her room. I’ll talk to her later," Eunbi said, trying to reassure herself.


 

**
 

Sakura put on her coat and scarf before walking out of the restaurant. It was cold outside and the sky had turned dark, but Sakura didn't care. She kept walking away from the resort. For every step she took she was sure that Eunbi was chasing her. She's pretty sure that Eunbi will come look for her and smother her with sweet words and that there's nothing she should worry about.

After walking for a few minute, she slowed down and turned around.

Where is Eunbi?

Sakura realized that she had walked quite far from the restaurant and the resort building.

She had been walking alone. Eunbi didn't come for her.

She chose to stay with him.

The realization just hit Sakura like a truck. Suddenly she felt so stupid for believing Eunbi’s words. Maybe Hyewon was right after all, that Eunbi was just playing her all along. Maybe the story about the dreams were lies too.

Her heart was hurting inside. She tugged on her chest, crumpling the coat, as if that would ease the pain. Tears were b in her eyes. And once it fell down her cheeks, she couldn’t stop crying.

Sakura turned around, and keep on walking. She didn’t want anyone to see her like that. Weak.