1 Hour.

Only 1 hour left.

In the next hour she was going to step onto that stage and showcase to the world she had done it...Finally.

Graduation was something nearly everyone looked forward too, even more so now in college where they were once pubescent teens, entering the expansive campus with expectations and deliberations. And now, leaving such stereotype and becoming men and women who have been crafted into ideal individuals to make a mark in society and in their life. To create a name for themselves, catapult themselves into the limelight of their careers and thrive in creating an ideal future for themselves and everyone else.

They were also there to make everyone around them proud, announcing the success they have achieved and how this milestone has been overcome, and celebrating an eventful day with the people who mean the most to you.

Seulgi was happy.

Well...somewhat.

Actually, she was less than happy.

Distraught more like it and confused and even angry.

It was only a month ago Joohyun broke off their relationship. Saying she no longer loved her, needed her or wanted her. She said she outgrew them both, got tired and no longer needed what they had and those words is what made Seulgi's heart break, hearing it crack inside of her in a million jagged pieces, feeling the piercing edges cut through. The first few days, she cried herself to sleep. While at home, her parent's noticed the solemness across her face but they didn't need to ask what or why she was like that, it’s as if they knew already and they only uttered the words "Honey, did you need anything?" or they pulled her into hug.

She didn't understand how and she didn't understand why.

It was a simple "I don't love you anymore."

To Seulgi, she didn't understand how Joohyun had made up her mind like that and just decided to pull the plug. But at the back of her mind, she had an inkling she was hiding something which even confused her more.

She initially felt denial, unable to fathom how the one person she loved had just disappeared just like that. No more hangouts, no more regular calls, no more regular texts and there was no one for her to visit in that office.

She tried amending what they had, where they had their last phone call just last week. She could hear Joohyun, hold her breath then saying it's probably best they go their seperate ways and apologise for the abruptness of it all. There was tremble, a hitch in the tone of her voice and Seulgi couldn't help but wonder if this is really what Joohyun wanted, if she had made this decision against her will or simply, she was just so sorry for no longer feeling the same way she felt. It was hard pill to swallow and people weren't lying when they said "the truth hurts."

Now, she was probably angry.

She didn't want to be angry, especially on this special day where all her hard work had paid off and she was going to embark on life after college. But there was no denying the fact that Joohyun helped her get to the finish line, but also the false promise of her being there.

She clenches her jaw, tapping her heels against the cold granite floor as it echoes while she sits on a pew, one of the wooden benches that were outlaid on the sides of the foyer of the science building. With her black graduation gown beside her neatly folded and the royal blue silk sash that was adorn with bordering gold trims, Seulgi was concerned she may start crying again and that the makeup that Joy and Yeri had worked hard on putting on her face may fade. She waited for the two of them while they were sorting out the mortarboards for the three of them, since the ones they intially received were eiether too small or too large for their heads. Eventually, the two of them emerge bickering as they approach her, causing her to slightly smile at their remergence.

"Hey Yeri stop complaining!"

"How could I not? You took your damn precious time trying to figure which one fits you!" Yeri scoffs.

"Hey I didn't want these damn things messing up my hair okay?!"

"You can't be serious? That's what you're concerned about!?"

Joy holds up her hand to shush Yeri, but is only met with a swat of her hand. Seulgi watches the two, giggling at how best friends never fail to make her laugh even in times like this.

"Seul sorry we made you wait, its all beacause of THIS ONE who wants to make a fashion statement on graduation day." Yeri rolls her eyes, glancing at Joy as she hands Seulgi's mortarboard to her. Seulgi gladly takes it and props on her head, perfectly fitting her.

"Well would you look at that Joy? Seulgi still looks even more PERFECT than you even though you tried on everything!"

A slap is met across Yeri's arm. "Hey Kim Yerim shut up!"

Seulgi touches the bridge of her nose, watching the two still bicker in front of her and the fact that this whole fiasco was echoing throughout the foyer. The only thing they needed to add was a speaker so everyone on campus could hear how ridiculous this fight was over a mortarboard.

"Guys..."

"I'm just glad I don't have to deal with you as much now that were graduating." Yeri scoffs.

Joy has an offended look across her face, agape as Yeri smirks. She was ready to hit the latter once again on the arm until Seulgi figured she had enough of this.

"GUYS! Could you please stop?"

They both look at her like deers in headlights, their bodies immediately retracting away from each other and looking like they were going to be scolded. She sighs, glancing at the both of them

"Okay, are you guys done?"

They both nod in unison.

"Good. In case you both didn't realise but were graduating soon. Fighting over mortarboards isn't the best thing to be doing right now. What are you guys, 10 year-olds?"

"Well she started it taking her damn time try---"

"Yeri I get it, Joy over here likes to take her damn time in ANYTHING." Joy was ready to retaliate when Seulgi held out her hand, this time shushing her. "...And Yeri over here likes to nit-pick and tease you about anything and everything. So, would you guys be kind enough to enjoy our last day in college than fighting?"

Joy looks at her as she purses her lips together and tucking a strand of hair underneath her mortarboard.

"Sorry Seul. It's just you know, how Yeri and I are. It’s the only way our friendship with each other work..."

"Yeah, I know and I'm always the mediator in this, so I'm just doing my part aren't I?"

Yeri and Joy snicker at such title but they weren't going to deny it, if she wasn't there they'd probably bicker with other until the world's end. Seulgi approaches the two them, linking her arms with the both of them and leading them out towards the campus' main garden square where the ceremony would be held.

"Come on guys, we have a ceremony to attend to. What better way to end college than celebrating it with my two best friends, right?" She tilts her head at the both of them encouraging a smile from eiether of them.

"You're right. We started together, so let's end it together."

"I agree, it would've been great too if Jooh--- I mean...You know what? This is perfect just the three of us..."

Joy bites on her bottom lip, realising her slip up and for Yeri to slightly lean back and give her a death stare behind Seulgi.

"...Sorry Seul, I didn't mean to."

"Its okay."

If Seulgi was being honest, she felt uneasy and even sad at the slip up. In all honesty she missed hearing her name or even seeing her in the flesh. The heartbreak was still very fresh, not even close to healing considering it had only been a month. She swallows a lump in , trying to surpress any tears that would fall from her eyes and this was not without notice from the two beside her. Yeri squeezes her arm for comfort, as she continues to walk with the both of them in tow, looking forward, eyes straight ahead.

"Seul...How are you holding up?" Yeri hesitantly asks.

She glances at the limestone pavement beneath their feet, seeing it shift backwards as they continue to walk towards the garden square. She slightly turns to Yeri who looks at her with concern.

"Not great."

"I don't blame you. Heartbreak is never easy..." Joy adds, gently rubbing her arm.

Yeri looks at Joy, while Seulgi is preoccupied with her own thoughts.

In all honesty, they knew what really happened and how Joohyun was really left with no choice. Well, maybe she did have other choices, but they figured she opted for the option that wouldn't compromise the both of them together - for careers sake. The lesser of two evils...

Was it selfish?

Maybe...some would say so.

And both Yeri and Joy were at crossroads when Joohyun told them not to say anything to Seulgi.

A week before graduation they had met up with her.

They remember as they walked towards her on the pier, her petite figure that usually commanded a presence, an authority like how she was as their professor had now become a fragile. Solemness across her face and evidence that what she did hurt her just as much as she hurt Seulgi. Seeing their professor looking like this was hard to fathom, they never thought they'd see her at her worst, but here she was - hugging herself as she looked outward towards the sun, patiently waiting for them.

"Hey..." Joohyun said, the tone in her voice less resounding and less charismatic than usual.

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