Wendy dreaded the whole week thinking about Irene and why the girl reacted like that. She couldn't get her mind into it and wondered if she had done something to offend the latter. Moreover, she hadn't been able to talk with Irene at all, it seemed like she was avoiding her. They saw each other once in a while at the hall or lunch, but that was all. Irene walked her way like always and so did Wendy.    “I must be crazy to think about her. She clearly avoided me” Wendy concluded after a 30 minute thinking session. She was currently doing her assignments but glimpses of Irene kept on interrupting her.   “What's so great about her anyway?” Wendy clicked her tongue as she officially gives up on her assignments. She needed a distraction, a way so she could get completely rid of Irene and her sad face that day. But the guilt of offending Irene in any possible way was eating her alive.   “Ddeulgi! Let's go out for lunch!” Wendy called Seulgi in a matter of fact because she was her best friend and she needed some time.    Seulgi agreed in a heartbeat because it's free food of course. She can't reject free food and also Wendy, but for Seulgi, food is everything.   Casting aside uneven thoughts, Wendy quickly got ready and went out to the place they agreed to meet on, their favorite chicken restaurant.    “Did you call Joy?” Seulgi asked as soon as Wendy settled down beside her.    “How did you get here so quick?” Wendy asked, ignoring what Seulgi had questioned.   “I was around the neighborhood” Seulgi replied. Wendy didn't question further because Seulgi really had a long list of friends so it didn't matter.   “And no, I didn't call Joy, you know what happened last time” Wendy emphasized. Seulgi then burst out laughing remembering what exactly Wendy was talking about.   “Who even fights with the chef because the chicken wings was too small?” Wendy added remembering the horror when they all visited a fancy  restaurant and Joy threw a tantrum, they were kicked out from there.   “I was so embarrassed that I didn't even walk beside her that day” Seulgi said while chuckling.    They soon ordered their meal and talked about other things. Wendy was in ease as Seulgi always made it comfortable for her. Seulgi is her solace.   “Ah! Kai just texted me.” Seulgi said as she checked her phone.   “What's he saying?” Wendy replied, mouth stuffed with the fried chicken.   Seulgi took time to reply to him, and turned to Wendy, “He's going to ask Irene out.”   “Like right now?”   Seulgi nodded and got on with her food while Wendy gave a small nod, “That's cool”   “You know what I really don't get” Seulgi added, asking Wendy to pay attention to her words.   Wendy looked Seulgi with questioning gaze, Seulgi sighed, “Irene. How can he be in love with Irene when like everyone knows who that girl is?”   Wendy gave a nervous laugh, “You sound like Joy”   “Perks of hanging out with that girl”   Seulgi than shook her head, “Forget about Joy, but you do understand what I mean right?”   Wendy cleared , “I've heard the rumors  but they are called rumors for a reason”   “We all have seen her with almost every guy from the school” Seulgi replied.   Wendy stayed quiet, hoping Seulgi would stop talking about Irene in general.   “My sister’s getting married next year”    Seulgi blinked once, then twice as she finally smiled and got excited.   “Omo! Is she?”    Wendy nodded and told her all about her sister's soon to be husband even though Seulgi had met him few times already. That was the only way to stop them from having ‘Irene’ related conversation.   “Seul?” Wendy asked.   “yeah?”    Wendy gulped, “I heard this from a site where people voice out their problems…”   Seulgi nodded and Wendy continued, “This guy has a classmate whose reputation is bad…”   Wendy went explaining about her situation while changing few things up, she needed a solution because it still was etching her heart. She couldn't stay still and just ignore it.    “That classmate has been avoiding him?” Seulgi asked.   “Yea…ever since then”    “That's really dumb. He should've just assured that classmate that he didn't believe in those false rumors.” Seulgi sipped her caramel latte.   “Why would he assure when he isn't so sure himself?”   Seulgi giggled, “That's just how life works. From what I see, he wants to be friends with that classmate but he lost the chance after what he said. A little assurance could've been nice.”   Wendy casually looked out of the window and sighed, finally understanding why Irene got sad that day. It was because of her honesty, her words that didn't carry any assurance and which looked like she believed those rumors.    “Is something wrong Wannie?” Seulgi asked while holding Wendy’s resting hand.   “I'm all good” Wendy gave a wide smile but Seulgi didn't budge.   Seulgi heaved a long sigh, “Are you telling me the truth? I know you, Wendy, and you're definitely troubled.”   Wendy shook her head as she smiled sweetly, “I'm really fine, Seul! I could've said you if had something in my mind.”   “I'll believe it for now” Seulgi said while continuing to look at Wendy for the time being.       “What is this?” Wendy asked as soon as she saw Kai with his head down and Seulgi looking him with worried eyes.   “He got rejected” Seulgi replied while patting Kai sympathetically.   Wendy furrowed her brows, “Rejected from what?”   Kai lifted his head and Wendy saw those red swollen eyes and got worried.    “Irene said no” Kai whined.   “It's her loss honestly” Seulgi added hoping for Kai to feel better as the dance competition was approaching soon and she didn't want a sulking dancer to ruin it and also that she was genuinely worried for him as a friend.   “How is it her loss? She's the prettiest human being in this world!” Kai said with muffled voice and Wendy sat beside him, patting his back.   “It's fine, Kai! You have to be strong!” Wendy said hoping the latter isn't crying.   “I like her so much” Kai whispered.    Seulgi sighed, “Don't be like this now. I'm pretty sure it meant nothing to her.”   “Did it?” Kai stood as his eyes looked teary.   Wendy quickly butted in, “No, no…she must've some reason behind it!”   “Why the heck is he crying?” Joy asked as soon as she entered the group and saw the commotion. Seulgi quickly filled on her about the whole situation.   “Don't cry over her, life's so much better than her” Joy said.   “But she kissed me countless time…” Kai mumbled.   “You were just a toy to her, let's just admit this fact” Joy scoffed telling the reality straight to Kai’s face.   “No…she said she liked it”   Wendy’s heart thumped for no apparent reason. Seulgi stood up and dragged Kai and Wendy, “Class is about to start. Catch you later, Joy!”   What's up with Irene?       Wendy sneaked up to the rooftop and she felt guilty for lying to her friends about it. She said that she had some work in the staff room and fled upstairs. She came determined to talk with Irene and sort th