“Let’s take five everyone” the voice of their choreography director thundered through the room. The loud music that had been blaring seconds ago toned down in response. 

Wheein huffed as she let her heavy body plop to the ground. Tucking her legs underneath as she closed her tired eyes.
 

They had been practicing for hours now, time flowing by as the day had started coming to an end. The studio had no windows, leaving a sole clock in the center of the room as the only time indicator. 

A small tap on her shoulder made Wheein look up.

It was Yongsun, gently smiling down at Wheein as she offered her water bottle to the younger girl. She sat down next to her, watching Wheein carefully as she downed the entire bottle in one go.
 

Giggling at the sight, she reached out to tuck sweat-soaked bangs behind Wheein’s ears. “I think I’m finally getting the hang of it” Yongsun declared, a shy smile on her face. “Thank you for being such a good instructor Wheein-ah” she said. 

The younger girl smiled at that. “No worries unnie. I’m glad to help” she said. Wheein liked helping Yongsun, and dancing proved to be a great opportunity to get close to the older girl.

Loud laughter made Wheein perk up. The other two girls, Hyejin and Byulyi, were both on the floor as they joked around with each other. Byul being exceptionally clingy as she kept putting her arms around the younger girl. Hyejin was doubled over with laughter, struggling to regain her composure as she pulled the other girl close by the collar of her shirt to whisper something in her ear.
 

Wheein looked away at that, an uneasy feeling settling in the pit of her stomach. She knew that feeling all too well. “Just forget her” she thought. “Don’t even think about them.”

Wheein turned her attention back to Yongsun, eager to get a conversation going to distract her from the ever growing jealousy inside of her tummy. “Do you want to get dinner after practice?” 

Yongsun’s eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly regained her composure, throwing Wheein an eager smile. “Of course Wheein-ah. My treat!” 

“I invited you unnie, I’ll pay!” Wheein giggled, her mind wandering back to Hyejin as the two girls continued bickering about dinner.

Not really paying attention to Yongsun anymore, Wheein could faintly hear Byul and Hyejin’s own conversation. “What could possibly be so funny?” She thought feeling irritated as Hyejin once again erupted in giggles. Through the mirror, Wheein saw Hyejin clinging to Byul for dear life, head tucked into the older girls shoulder. Squeezing her eyes shut, Wheein tried to distract her mind from wandering to unpleasant thoughts. 

“Break is over everyone!”

~

Her feet were aching and her face was dripping with sweat as Wheein went over the choreography with Yongsun. The fast paced music echoing through the room made it that much easier for Wheein to finally get a clean routine. Yongsun was having a bit more trouble unfortunately, leaving their dinner plans for another day.

Wheein could faintly make out the encouraging cheers from Hyejin and Byul over the loud music. The other two girls holding a quick break to recharge their tired bodies, but to no avail. Byul was all over Hyejin, again. Wheein being unable to look away as she watched the older girl’s greasy attempt at jokingly wooing the younger girl. 

Wheein huffed as she stretched her arms over her head, trying to relieve her body of its pent up energy. The muscles in her stomach clenching and unclenching, leaving Wheein frowning as she continued to endure the uncomfortable feeling. Throwing another glance at the two girls, Wheein decided to go about a different approach. Making her way over to Hyejin, she flung her cold-sweat covered arms across the younger girl, resting her head on her back.

Hoping to earn some attention from her friend, she tightened her hold on Hyejin’s frame. 

“Wheein-ah you’re all sweaty” Hyejin gently said as she tried to wiggle her way out of Wheein’s embrace. Not wanting to upset the girl, Hyejin brushed her hand against the older girl’s cheeks, thumb rubbing across the soft skin. Wheein’s lips curled in a pout, making Hyejin giggle at the endearing sight.

“Puppy….” she trailed off. Eyes crinkling at the sides as she affectionately squeezed Wheein’s upper arm. “Go help Yongsun so we can all go home.”

And with that, Wheein dejectedly trudged back over to Yongsun, still feeling that growing uneasiness inside of her.

She needed Byul to back off on her friend, not feeling comfortable with the two girls’ sudden affection for one another.

“That annoying little brat” Wheein thought as she tried to shake off her annoyance.

~

For the remainder of the practice, Byul kept her eyes on Wheein. She had noticed the younger girl being in a foul mood ever since first break, but she hadn’t been able to talk to her about it yet. Too busy entertaining Hyejin.
 

They’d always been close, Byul was an easy going person, leaving Hyejin with no other option but to be comfortable around the older girl. They were playing around, Byul pushing a tired Hyejin around the studio on a worn out desk chair. The wheels squeaking at e