"Chaeyoung... you're in love with Mina aren't you?"

"What? No i am not! Why are you and Jeongyeon saying these worthle-"
"Because it is true!"
"Dahyun! I am here to ask help from you dealing with Mina."
"And yet- you ask help for her means you must be-"
"I am not!"
"WHY ARE YOU DENYI-"
"I JUST WANT TO STOP!"

Dahyun silenced and listened to her. People snapped their heads onto them, and whispered as they walk by. She dropped a tear from her eye and quickly wiped it.

"Chaeyoung.."
"I..- I want to stop Dahyun.." she hanged her head low and sat back onto her chair.
"Chae.. I-"
"I badly want to stop.. i want her to stop... these bonds we make.. it's bad for me- because I know, I wont ever be.. more than just a friend."
"Chaeyoung please...-"
"Dahyun.." she cried "Jeongyeon loves Mina... and I know Mina does too...- I.. I Need help.. please.." she begged "I really need to stop.. I can't go further.."

Dahyun sighed and moved closer to the young cub.
"There. There.. relax.."
"I am.. I am in love.. but I don't want to.. I really REALLY DONT WANT TO.. but I can't help it.. every day, every night, I see her, I want to be with her, I care for her so much Dahyun..- I.. I just can't"
"Stop Chae.. it's bad fo-"
"Please... help me.."

"Look.. I am not one to talk about this. But i can understand. I told you, Mina is straight. But you wont know. The girl cares for you so much- i understand how you-"
"But.. this bond. I cant hold any-"
"Then dont.. tell her. You dont know what she feels Chae."
"But we know what she does. She likes Jeongyeon.."
"You'll never know for sure."

Dahyun smiled, trying to calm the cub.
"Calm down.. you know what- end your day today, and how bout we grab some refreshments.. to calm you down. Okay?"
"O-okay.. thanks Dahyun."
"No worries."

***

"Hey! Stop making a mess Momo!"
"Look! I will clean it!"
"No you wont!" Mina laughed
"Hey! Who's side are you on!"
"No one! I am just here to sulk!"

"Oh! About your roommate?" Momo nudged
"Oh shut up! There's nothing going on."
"Sure?- it is oddly odd of you to make a bond with just a stranger. Sure" Sana taunted

"Look, it's just a bond like we do, nothing more to that! And plus she did it first"
"Uhuh- i believe you"
"No she did.. she admitted it while i was asleep"

"You know Chaeyoung likes girls right?- she had a girlfriend"
"Had! And thats her first"
"And you.. can be her second!" Momo laughed

"What?! No! She only sees me as a friend!"

"Funny- Mina, Jeongyeon said he likes you right?" Sana came in carrying a pot onto the table "careful it is hot"
"Y-yeah."
"Have you thought of an answer for him yet?"
"I guess?- n-no? I still havent moved on from Bambam you guys.."

"Ah! That Bambam, when all Jeongyeon does was save you- every time you are in trouble" Sana smirked
"What about you? Hasnt Tzuyu told you he likes you!"
"Look! Tzuyu has someone else in mind- and he doesn't like me"
"How sure are you shiba"
"Stop calling me that!"

"Stop yapping you guys! And start eating! I AM HUNGRY"
"Oh shuz it" Sana battered
"FINE I AM EATING FIRST!!"
"Yahhh!"

 

***

The girls began eating lunch together and hanged out around Sana's living room playing a board game.

"So, Mina, what would you do, if Chaeyoung really hates you for shouting at her like that" Sana chuckled

"Well I have to apologize"
"What if that's not he only reason she is distant?" Momo added "ah! 10 steps back?! Are you serious?"

"Momo you are very unlucky" Sana taunted "well yeah. What if there is still more?"
"What else is there to mad about?"
"I dont know- or maybe.. SHE did something wrong. Don't you think?" Momo commented

"Yeah, maybe she did something you would hate"

"Impossible, it seems she hates me for something.."
"Who knows- anyway, why are you bothered so suddenly?" Sana knitted her brows

"Because I did not want my roommate to be mad at m-"
"Or- you just did not want to lose your bond" Momo smirked "tell me Minari, was Chaeyoung a good kisser?" She wiggled her brows

"N-No.. y-yes? LOOK I DONT KNOW OKAY?!"
"Ah! Is she better than me?" Sana pouted
"Or me?!" Momo added

"NO! Look! It's not about the kiss or the bond, it's about Chaeyoung itself."
"Why bother, she is just a friend Minari."
"She is NOT just a friend? She is more than that—"
"In what way."
"In.. a best friend kind of way."

"You are too gullible Minari."
"What?"
"You kept thinking Chaeyoung is a best friend, when she herself does not open things to you. How could you say that?"
"You dont know her-"
"You dont either.. so why is she special?"
"I-.."

Mina froze, without any word to counter the older
"Exactly." Sana smiled "I don't even know why is this even important."

Mina sighed

Why is she important.. why am I even bothered? It's not like there is anything in between? Is there?

I've been thinking hard enough, until I see Jeongyeon's face popping into my mind- and consecutively Memories with Chaeyoung had popped as well. The two best friends had been driving me nuts, I somehow.. remembered Chaeyoung's warmth.

Why? What is it?

"Oy! Stop sulking and start playing penguin!"
"Ah! Right!"
"Enough thinking about your girlfriend!" Momo nudged right at me

"Omy god! MOMO! She is not my girlfriend, and It is somewhat weird to call her that!"
"Ah- she must be thinking about her boyfriend then!"
"What?!"
"She got both a girlfriend and a boyfriend.. and they both happen to be BEST FRIENDS!!" Sana laughed and teased me

"OH SHUT UP!!! They are not either of that!"
"Aww penguin getting mad!"
"S-shut up!"


 

***

It's half past six and i decided to leave Sana's house after the frustrating board games. I began walking towards home and passed by the convenience store to grab something to eat, and maybe grab something for Chaeyoung on the way too.

"Ah good evening" I bowed
"Good evening Miss" the cashier said to me.
"Got anything for a head ache?"
"Ah- how bout try this one."
"T-thank you."

Suddenly a guy cut in line and drops his goods on the counter

"Hey! You just can't cut in line?"
"Sorry. I am just in a hurry."
"Doesn't matter! Don't act like you own the place"
"Look miss, i just need this and i'll leave."
"No, go back like every other normal peo-"

He leaned down and I saw his eyes widened as we met.

"Here, swipe my card, and i'll pay for hers too."
"W-wha-"
"Shut up and take it."
"What?! No!"

"Excuse me, please do as I-"
"No- don-"

The guy leaned down and glared at me- dropping a quarter of his scarf for me to see who he is.

"Mina- if you keep doing this, people are just gonna-"
"J-Jihy-"
"Please take the card. Thank you"
"Y-yes sir"

"Ah! I am sorry. Thank you" we bowed and left

I followed him to the park as he sat down by the bench opening a can of soda
"Geeze Mina, you sure are something"
"You should have to-"
"I did not know it was you, until I leaned down. I am sorry."

Jihyo took off his scarf covering his mouth
"Ah! That's better!! FRESH AIR!"
"Why are you out here."
"It's suffocating at home.. i believe Tzuyu and Jeongyeon also went out"
"WHAT?!"
"Look it's fine, when the day starts tomorrow, we'll do a press conference about Jeongyeon's recent incident, and everything will come to normal." He gave out a deep sigh

"Hey.. why the long face."
"Nothing.." he chuckled
"That sure is not.. NOTHING"
"Attentive as always, no wonder Jeongyeon likes you"
"J-Jeongyeon?!"
"Stop pretending, Tzuyu and I already knew he told you how he feels.. you can quit the facade" He laughed
"O-oh." I laughed awkwardly

He immediately sighed and hanged his head low
"Why are you sad?"
"Oh nothing, it's just that. A good friend of mine will get hurt."
"About?"
"Cause Jeongyeon likes you."
"Ah.. but I dont-"
"I know- he even said it himself, he wont force you"
"He.. wont?"
"You want him to?"
"No- I-"
"He wont. He is very understanding, and very kind.. " he sighed again "maybe that is why Nayeon likes him so much"
"N-Nayeon?"

"Ah.. yeah. She liked him ever since, uh.. i think it was Trainee days.- But Jeongyeon was still in a relationship with Irene."
"I see.."
"It hurts you know.."
"Huh?"
"Having to see your bestfriend, love someone else.. or see the person you love, love someone else." He smiled softly

"Y-you.. you're in love with Nayeon aren't you?"
"I guess, but it's something she just wouldnt see.. she wont see me more than just a friend you know?"
"Have you tried?"
"No. Because I did not want to lose her"
"You wont know unless you-"

"Oldest advice in the books Mina-" he chuckled "but I bet, if you knew a best friend of yours was in love with you, but you love someone else.. I don't think you'll ever manage to stay and hurt them more.."
"Jihyo.."
"It's hard I know..- but I just gotta let her be happy you know..- it's for her own good." He sighed and faces the sky with a smile

"Ever felt this way when you were in love?" He mumbled
"Sometimes.. but most of the times they end up hurting me."
"I see..- if only there was a way to fall in love and not get hurt... then the world will be a better place huh"
"Yeah maybe" i chuckled

"Ahh! You know what, let's go home, i bet You are tired"
"Yeah. You too."
"Yeap! Well then, thanks for the small talks Mina-ssi" he smiled and waved

"Bye!"

***

Ah! Home sweet home. Huh- Chaeyoung's not here again? Dont tell me she is back at that bar?

I sighed and plopped my body over the bed.
"You know.. who cares.. why do i care anyway.."

My tired self just relaxed and shut my eyes over, giving myself a snooze.

***

*ring* *ring *ring* *ring*

"Ah! What is it!"
(MINA WHERE ARE YOU?! JYP IS LOOKING FOR YOU!!)
"W-What?!"
(YOU IDIOT! It's 9:45!)
"HOLY !!"
(HURRY UP OR WE ARE DEAD!!)
"Ah! I am coming!!!"

! ! What? Why? Did I over sleep? HOW?!- oh great I am still wearing the same clothes I am wearing! Aah! No need to take a shower!
this ! I AM OUT!!

I ran out of the door and out of the house on the way to JYP, why am I always late?! Tell me! Why!!

 

***

"Mina!"
"J-Jihyo!"
"Hurry! JYP needs to talk to you!"
"What?! Wh-why?!"
"J-just come."

I followed him as he dragged me all the way to JYP's office, the urgency of the matter seemed big that I am really needed

"PD-Nim!" Jihyo alerted
"Ah! Mina there you are!"

"I-I am sorry Pd-nim! What's so urgent"

I saw two other men and a woman sitting in front of his office. Together with ICEY.

"Ah! Miyoui Mina" She bowed "I am Kim Yeongsim- reporter for Korea's dispatch team"

"Ah.. hello."
"Yes- we've been talking to JYP recently of an unknown photo of you involved in Yoo Jeongyeon's incident correct"
"Ah- y-yes mam."

"However, one of my- uh.. editors, insists on dropping a couples news in two weeks time, I am afraid I should let you and JYP know about this."
"Uh- what news?"

"A news about you and Jeongyeon" JYP interrupted

"wait.. What?!"