Sana sighed with relief as she watches the horizon out from the balcony

“[Sounds like a good view?]”

“Absolutely... I wish you can see it”

“[You’re there.. why don’t you just describe it to me]”

“What? I am not good at describing things,” She whined

“[cute..]” She quietly mumbled, but was enough for Sana to hear.

“I heard that”

“[Heard what??]” She pretended

“Whatever”

“[So... you’re not gonna describe the view you see?]”

“uh... hmm..” 

Sana thought well as her feelings flow through the bright horizon with the breeze blowing through coldly. She tried to pick up the right words to describe the view she is seeing to Chaeyoung.

“I.. I don’t think I’ll be able to describe it as perfectly as I see it.”

“[No worries, hearing your voice is perfect enough for me]”

“WOW! where did you steal that”

“[Nowhere]” she softly chuckled

“You’re smiling aren’t you?”

“[No?]”

“I know you are”

“[What are you?! a stalker? WHERE’S THE CAMERA!]”

“I just know... from the sound of your voice”

“[Weirdo..]” Chaeyoung smiled with a sigh

“Can’t you feel my smile over the phone?”

“[Are you?]” she taunted

“Ok.. fine— be like that”

“[I do..]”

“Then, that’s how I know you are too..— I guess we connect huh” Sana smiled gently awaiting her reply and she heard a sigh from Chaeyoung

“[okay.. so about that view?]”

“ah! right.. so uh the sun—”

They continued to talk throughout the morning as Sana’s smile never disappeared from that one phone call. ‘Oh, how I missed talking to you’ Sana enjoyed how Chaeyoung always listened to every word as if they were golden. The kindness and concern in her words with every response never fail to show; it came so naturally almost magical. 

🌨️

It’s eight in the morning and Sana ran late to school yet again as she finds Jeongyeon standing at the same usual spot waiting for her. Jeongyeon seems to be asleep standing with her back laid against the walls of the gates. Sana saw this and smiled.

‘Is she asleep while standing?.. wait... that’s a thing?’ she laughed ‘Cute..’

She smirked as she tiptoed over Jeongyeon, watching her closely.

‘huh.. her eyes are closed... I’ve never seen them this close’ She tilted her head and eyed the latter, appreciating her beauty.

“Don’t fall in love with me” Jeongyeon suddenly uttered

“ah! you’re awake!”

“yeah.. how do you think I’d be able to stand,” she laughed

“Were you just pretending?!”

“Nah... I was really tired... and you are late..” she yawned and stretched

“I’m sorry... I uh, had a late start.” She exclaimed

“You seemed happy” She squinted with her tired face and eyed the latter

“I got to talk to Chaeyoung this morning”

“Great! I am glad you guys worked it out” She smiled over her as she looked at the latter who seemed to be back to her bright and bubbly self

“I know right! anyway, let’s go?” she held out her hand for Jeongyeon to grab to which the latter accepted this wholeheartedly. Jeongyeon stared at Sana the whole time she was pulled in as Sana giggled brightly with her eyes.

‘At least she’s smiling. that’s enough for me’ Jeongyeon thought with a smile, forcefully pushing down the stinging pain. 

Another day in school passed by normally, Jeongyeon had been watching Sana more than usual as she sees her with Chaeyoung trying to ease up the conversation. Chaeyoung is still in her normal self as she tries her best to open up for Sana. After a few periods that had passed, the bell finally rang for lunch.

“Chaeyoung?” Sana smiled as she walked over to the latter across the dance studio

“Yeah?”

“It’s lunchtime~,” she said gleaming eyes

“R-Right you can go ahead” Sana pouted with a glare onto the latter “W-What?”

“You’re not coming?”

“I-... uh”

“Well?”

“F-Fine... I guess..” her eyes averted

“Yay~!” she immediately pulled Chaeyoung out of the studio

“S-Sana! wait!”

Sana ignored Chaeyoung’s whines as she continued to drag her towards the cafeteria to meet up with the rest of her friends

“Hi girls~!” she waved with a bubbly smile

“Took you guys long enough” Mina rolled her eyes and Momo came walking behind her with food in

“I was hungry, so we didn’t wait for you two lovebirds,” Momo chewed

“Lovebirds?” Sana laughed as Chaeyoung tried to ignore the small comment “please... she is Chaeyoung” Sana continued

“Hence why you guys can be a cute couple,” Momo taunted

“Hey, guys!” Jeongyeon came in with a wave as she interrupts the conversation

“Oh.. and here comes the rival too,” Momo laughed

“Rival? what?” she knitted her brows and chuckled at the latter

“Nothing~!”

“O.. kay?- Hey Sana... Chae... What are you guys getting?” Jeongyeon smiled as their conversations continued about what to get for lunch.

Chaeyoung remained quiet as she hasn’t talked, nor pay attention to what they were saying. The other girls noticed this as they began to talk while watching the three best friends.

“Who do you vote for?” Momo smirked and whispered

“Vote?” Nayeon asked

“Yeah.. isn’t it obvious?”

“What is obvious?” Jihyo snickered. 

The girls had been friends with Jeongyeon and Sana for a long time to know that the two had shared their fair share of moments.

“Oh.. you know what I am talking about.. don’t act coy!” Momo jokingly punched the latter

“Of course we know..’ She chuckled

“And it’s still Jeongyeon” Nayeon sighed with a giggle

“And it’s not” Momo taunted

“What do you mean..”

“Chaeyoung stepped into the plate.. of something that was supposed to be Jeongyeon?” Momo pointed at the three best friends as they see Jeongyeon and Sana talking casually with Chaeyoung just staring right at them. “That Chaeyoung might change things between the two..”

Nayeon and Jihyo sighed, and they placed down their chins onto their curled fingers

“Poor Jeongyeon..” Nayeon sighed

“Looks like the fight just got intense..”

“Is it wrong for me to like Chaeyoung?” Momo sighed

“WHAT?!” The girls silently gasped

“NOT ME!! I mean for Sana!”

“Oh.. but, why..” Nayeon grimaced

“I don’t know.. there’s something about her that might win Sana’s heart..”

“And you think Jeongyeon would let that?”

“Who knows, come on... it’s been 2 years since we knew them and they’ve been together for 9.. why don’t you think Jeongyeon never told her.. when for the fact we know what they both feel..” Momo sighed

“I guess it’s hard for Jeongyeon to tell Sana..” Mina uttered as the girls silently paid attention to her and watched the three best friends from a distance “It seems like she just doesn’t want anything to change..”

“-But.. she loves her right?.. why won’t she say anything..”

“Love doesn’t necessarily mean owning that person... Jeongyeon knows that she made sure Sana could feel her sincerity... Maybe they’re just waiting.”

“Waiting.. won’t do them good this time..” Nayeon sighed “-because a new player just arrived to take her away.”

“You’ll never know.,” Jihyo added

“Poor Jeongyeon.. why are you too slow!” Nayeon grunted and facepalmed herself as the girls laughed at this gesture

“She’s just being careful,” Mina smiled “-That’s the great thing about it.. you know, she’s sincere..” she sighed

Silence engulfed the girls as they continued to watch the best friends be themselves.

“Team Chaeyoung” Momo broke the silence with a bright tone

“Oh, come on!” Nayeon rolled her eyes “Team Jeongyeon”

“Mina! join me in team Chaeyoung!”

“Come on Jihyo! let’s go Jeongyeon” 

“what? I’m not taking part in this..” Mina scowled as she crossed her arms

“Ditto,” Jihyo uttered

“What kind of friend are you!” Nayeon fake gasped

“A good one.” Jihyo taunted

“Hey! join me! If you do, you’ll eventually get Jeongyeon to yourself,” Momo teased

“What?!”

“You really think... you can hide things from me?” She smirked and leaned again for another whisper “Join.. or else I’ll expose you!”

“Ugh!..” Mina grunted as she raised her hand “Team Chaeyoung..” Nayeon and Jihyo looked over Mina as the latter averted her eyes and her face flustered in red

“Mina? why” Jihyo sighed “Looks like I’m going Jeongyeon then?” Nayeon squealed as she hugged the latter tightly sticking her tongue out at the others

“Very mature” Momo smirked

“Whatever”

The girls returned with food on their trays and smiled at the others who remained to be quiet the moment they got back

"Uh.. something happened?" Sana knitted her brows as she looks over to her friends

"Nothing" Momo laughed "can I have that?" she immediately grabbed Sana's yogurt from her tray

"HEY!" and the girls continued to laugh

🌨️

It’s time for the next class and Sana is walking in the corridor on her way to Robotics class with a smile on her face. She suddenly saw from her peripheral vision, a small girl standing on the roof’s garden. The girl looked familiar, so she walked closer to the window to see Chaeyoung, looking up the cold blue sky as she stands on the roof barriers

“What is she doing.. that’s dangerous!” Sana gasped and her eyes widened as she ran towards the rooftop stairs.

“Chaeyoung!” She barged in which caught the girl off guard and tried to balance herself back on the barrier “What the heck are you doing! Get down from there!”

“Oh.. uh... I was just enjoying the breeze”

“What if you slip!?”

“That won’t happen,” She laughed

“Well... It can! Now get down from there!” Chaeyoung stared at her with a smile on her face as she took a step down from that barrier

“You don’t need to worry about me,” She laughed

“Ugh! Idiot!” She slapped Chaeyoung’s shoulder and sighed. The latter just gave out a soft chuckle as she began to fix her things

“Why are you here? We got a robotics class next”

“I.. just needed some fresh air..” she smiled

“Well, do that.. downstairs?”

“The roof always has that strong breeze you know”

“I don’t care! And why do you keep skipping class..”

“I just.. don’t feel it... that’s all” she sighed and continued to pack her bags

"Chaeyoung.." the latter ignored her call, Sana pinched her lips as she walked over towards Chaeyoung and grabbed her shoulders "Chaeyoung!" 

The latter stared at her blankly as their faces were slightly close to each other

"C-Chaeyoung.. is everything okay?"

"What do you think?"

"It's not.." Chaeyoung smiled as she gently grabbed Sana's hand from her shoulders 

"Can we skip class?"

"Ah.. uh.."

"You know what.. just go to class, you need-"

"I'll stay.."

"Are you sure?"

"Y-Yeah... I am sure."

Sana and Chaeyoung stayed silent for a few minutes. Chaeyoung’s gaze fixed on the horizon a small smile formed on her face showing her lost in her thoughts. Sana stayed silent, not wanting to disturb the cub’s thoughts as she watched her closely. ‘Were Chaeyoung’s eyes always that dreamy?’ She looked into Chaeyoung’s glass beady brown eyes the sun illuminating her face. On the outside she seems tough and carefree but yet her eyes are filled with sorrow. How can she skip so many classes but somehow not fail any of them? How can she feel like a stranger to me even if we were childhood friends? I feel like I know so much and so little about you at the same time. Sana’s thoughts spiraled to a halt when Chaeyoung faced her; her smile gone instead replaced with her normal expressionless blank face. 

“H-how do you manage to pass classes when you skip so much?” Sana spoke eagerly to break the silence 

“Aish it’s not that hard you just write whatever honestly” 

“I wish I could be more like you, Why is it so hard? It’s so frustrating,” Sana let out a small groan as she covered face with her hands

“You shouldn’t feel frustrated, it’s not easy for me either. I’m just doing it half-heartedly. Maybe it looks easy for me because I don’t care,” Chaeyoung pulled away Sana’s hands away from her face looking intensely into her eyes “The fact that you are getting worked up about this is proof that you want to do something, not like me that’s what makes you more respectable,” Chaeyoung averted her gaze back towards the horizon resting her arms on the roof barrier 

“Chaeyoung are you not respectable?” 

 “At the very least since I don’t have a problem doing things half-heartedly”

Sana knitted her eyebrows as she faced the girl. The familiarity of her face as Chaeyoung looked endlessly at the sky is one I’ve seen many times in the past, yet the thing she says is like a stranger. 

“I don’t mind being like this” 

With every word that leaves sends a deathly strike to my chest. I feel like I want to cry how did she become such a stranger to me? Sana’s face inched closer to Chaeyoung as she was curious about what happened. ‘I want to know, I want to know everything that happened to you in the 5 years I didn’t see you. I want to know how it all affects you, every single detail. Sana subconsciously moved her hand towards Chaeyoung’s face moving a few strands of her hair gently tucking it behind her ear. 

Chaeyoung snappily grabbed my hand holding it in front of their faces our eyes locking onto one another. Instead of the soft gaze that promised laughter that Sana expected, her eyes glared with an intensity that tightened Sana’s chest. Chaeyoung pulled her face away, letting go of Sana’s hand facing her back towards the latter. 

“We should go back to class,” Chaeyoung said in a low monotonous tone, without waiting for Sana’s reply she walked towards the door, before reaching the doorknob Sana ran towards Chaeyoung holding onto her wrist. 

“Wait! I- I have something to ask you..” Sana blurted out eager to get through Chaeyoung’s strong facade, determined to see the real Chaeyoung; the Chaeyoung when they were younger “L-let’s..hang out this weekend…” Chaeyoung looked at Sana with a puzzled look “This Weekend! You. Me together for lunch don’t be late” Sana didn’t wait for Chaeyoung to respond as she sprinted through the door running back to class. 

The last school bell rang and students packed up their things and left for home. Chaeyoung met up with the rest of the group who were waiting for her outside their class. 

“Took you long enough, you're even slower than grandma over here,” Jeongyeon teased earning a slap on the arm from Nayeon.

The two’s bickering drew a laugh from the rest of the group as they all headed out towards the front gate. The group was planning on going out to a nearby cafe. While Chaeyoung walked silently next to Sana as the rest were engulfed in the heated debate on which cafe they should go to. Chaeyoung notices two familiar faces standing by the front gate. Her face instantly lit up showing a dimpled smile. The change in facial expression didn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the group as they all gave her a puzzling look. 

“Hey, I’ll pass today I’ll see you guys tomorrow” Before anyone could argue back Chaeyoung sprinted away from the group and ran towards the two girls giving each of them a hug 

Chaeyoung’s smile was so bright it could be seen from outer space. Letting out small laughter as the three exchanged conversations. The rest of the group was left dumbfounded by the sudden change in Chaeyoung.

“Is that the same Chaeyoung?” Nayeon asked rapidly blinking her eyes 

“Who are those two girls?” Momo asked curiously as she eyed both of them up and down 

The rest of the group turned to Jeongyeon and Sana for an answer but both looked just as surprised as the rest shrugging their shoulders. The group was curious about who those two girls were but when they looked back the three disappeared. They let out heavy sighs before continuing their argument of which cafe to go to. Sana was curious about who those two girls were, but mostly on how they brought back the old Chaeyoung. The Chaeyoung she missed, it was the first time Sana saw Chaeyoung’s dimpled smile the one she adored when they were kids. Sana always enjoyed poking Chaeyoung’s dimple, but lately, Chaeyoung only showed forced fake smiles; it wasn’t the same ‘Does she only hang out with us because we used to be friends?’ Sana bit her lips clenching her hand, ‘I want to make Chaeyoung smile like that but how?’ 

Jeongyeon noticed the sudden silence of Sana and saw the girl clenched her hand, she slipped her hand on hers intertwining their fingers. Jeongyeon gave Sana a warm, sweet smile that was reciprocated by Sana

🌨️

Chaeyoung ran as fast as she could towards the two girls jumping onto each one of them giving them a tight hug 

“Ack, s-stop Chaeyounnie y-you are going to choke me” The small girl whined tapping Chaeyoung’s shoulder to let go 

“Oh, I’m sorry Dahyun-ah, I’m just surprised to see you guys!” 

“Missed us, short stuff?” The tanned, tall figured girl laughed

“Tzuyu! You giant baby!” she pounced over the tall girl hugging her from behind

“heh! nice to see you too small”

The girls laughed as they headed back to Chaeyoung’s apartment

🌨️

Jeongyeon noticed the sudden silence of Sana and saw the girl clenched her hand, she slipped her hand on hers intertwining their fingers. Jeongyeon gave Sana a warm, sweet smile that was reciprocated by Sana. 

“Well, I guess we’ll see everyone tomorrow,” Nayeon laughed as she waved.

Everyone followed through once Nayeon left, leaving Jeongyeon and Sana on their way back home. Silence engulfed both of them as they continued to walk hand in hand. The sun began to set leaving that orange teal color to the sky. They passed by the bridge as they see the water glistens to the bright light of the sun. Jeongyeon cleared to break the silence.

“Are you okay?”

“Y-Yeah” Sana smiled with a sad tone coming out from her, Jeongyeon sighed as she immediately pulled Sana to watch the shore by the bay.

“J-Jeongyeon?”

“Follow me Sana”

“O-Oh.. okay..”

They finally arrived at the end of the bay, to watch the sea crash through the rocks and the wind blows coldly through their skin. Jeongyeon sat by the edge and gestured for her to follow. Sana nodded and followed through.

“Well?” Jeongyeon started

“Well, what?” Sana chuckled

“Don’t play coy, Sana- I know something is wrong with you”

“No, it’s nothing,” she said as her hand held tightly onto Jeongyeon. She noticed this gesture with a smile

“You know..” She looked up the sunset with her eyes reflecting the smooth ray of the ocean view “You can always tell me anything.. I’ll always be here for you... So you really don’t need to lie.” Sana sighed as she smiled in relief. She felt safe with Jeongyeon’s presence, she felt as if nothing could change between them. She laid her head onto Jeongyeon’s shoulder with her eyes closed

“I just wanted everything back to how it used to..” Jeongyeon nodded and hummed “I just.. feel like I wanted to be more, I wanted to be important to her, Jeongyeon. I wanted to be important again.”

She never expected her words to hurt so much. It felt like she was just stabbed a thousand times in the chest, making her wonder if she wasn’t enough for her. She tried her best to put a smile, but it clearly didn’t reach her cheeks. 

“You are important Sana,” she uttered

‘You’ve always been important to me. There was never a day that I thought I would ever replace you.. There was never a day I’d thought someone was better than you.. Since the day I met you.. Since that day. You were already important to me.’

Sana chuckled as she clanged onto Jeongyeon tighter.

“Thank you Jeongyeon..” Jeongyeon hummed with a smile as she watched Sana, lay her head onto her shoulder and her eyes closed

‘You’re perfect for me..’ She watched her carefully and admired her soft skin, plump lips and long lashes that were so perfectly made for that perfect girl she’s been wanting for the past 9 years.

She stared longer, unknowingly leaning towards her to admire her beauty.. closer than she could possibly can.. With a smile she felt Sana’s lingering breath brush through her skin, She felt as if she knew what she wanted, what she yearned for. Her heart pounded as she’s an inch away from ruining that friendship, that friendship they built over the past 9 years. She was ready to take that leap.

“Jeongyeon?” Sana uttered which caught her off guard as she slightly jolted. Sana gently opened her eyes to still see the sunset halfway to disappearing.

“Y-yeah?”

“Are you free next week?”

“Ah.. y-yeah.. why?”

“It’s the first snow.. and..-“

“You want to spend the first snow together Sana?” She smiled, and Sana nodded shyly.

“Sure! I’d love to” She said with a chuckle as she held Sana tighter and wrapped her arms around her.

‘First snow... please be good to me this year.. I don’t ever want to lose her...’ She sighed as she continued to stare out in the horizon with a wish she wanted to keep for herself. A wish that Sana could accept.