Ever since she can remember Park Chaeyoung has always felt a soft tug at the tip of her pinky. It’s subtle but there. Just a gentle tug. A constant reminder that somewhere in this world, her soulmate is waiting for her. Chaeyoung remembers when she asked her mom about it. The girl was 7 years old, barely old enough to comprehend anything, but the girl had always been too curious for her own good.

 

“Mummy do you also feel a little pull on your hand?” Little Chaeyoung innocently asked, trying to mimic the pull she’s been feeling lately. Mrs. Park smiled at her baby girl, “I do.” She admitted, which got the little girl squealing so adorably. “What is it mummy?” She asked. Mrs. Park thought for a moment before she lifted her baby girl in her arms carrying her to her study. Setting Chaeyoung on her lap, Mrs. Park drew two circles with a red string in between them.

 

“This is you Chaeyoung and this other circle is your soulmate?”

 

“Soulmate? Is it food?” The ever gluttonous girl asked, Mrs. Park chuckled at her little girl and thought to herself ‘Well sweetheart sometimes it can be.’

 

“No sweetie, it's another person, a boy or even a girl. You see, everyone on Earth has a soulmate. He or she is a person that is meant for you, chosen by the universe. And we are all tied to our soulmate by the Red String of Fate. That little tug on your pinky means that your soulmate is out there, waiting for you to find them.” Mrs. Park explained to her daughter who had her eyes wide at the news.

 

“Wow mummy! That’s so cool...but how do I know if I’ve met my soulmate already?”

 

“When you meet your soulmate a red mark will appear on your wrist with your and your soulmate’s first initials merged together to form a unique mark.” Mrs. Park showed her daughter the mark on her left wrist. Chaeyoung traced the mark, starting to daydream of the day she will find her soulmate.

 

But as time passed, Chaeyoung’s mark has yet to appear. It’s been 19 years and she still doesn’t have her mark, but the blonde know’s her soulmate is out there...the tug on her pinky keeps reminding her of that.

 

“Rosie Posie get your out of that bed right now! Didn’t you say you have a morning class?” Alice shouted from the kitchen, “This kid..seriously how is she going to survive uni.” Alice shook her head, worried for her little sister’s first day of college. The Park family is originally from Melbourne, Australia. But when Chaeyoung’s older sister, Alice, moved to Seoul, South Korea for work Chaeyoung decided to transfer during her senior year of highschool and apply for university in Seoul to follow her sister. Their parents were worried, but allowed their children to go.

 

The shouting stirred Chaeyoung just tad, but enough to rouse her out of her slumber. The blonde girl reached out for her phone to check the time and her eyes widened. It was already 08:50..and her first class starts at 10am.

 

“Crap crap crap I’m late.” The girl jumped out of bed, running to the bathroom trying to get ready as fast as she possibly could. It’s a half an hour commute to campus and trying to find parking will most likely be hell, “I can’t believe I slept in.” Chaeyoung groaned, finally running out of her bedroom after finding something somewhat decent to wear.

 

“Ah there she is in her morning glory.” Alice chuckled, setting some plates on the dining table, “let’s eat.”

 

“Unnie, how can I eat? I have to..OMG it’s already 0930!” Chaeyoung was hopping around the kitchen stuffing a piece of toast in , because she already had one shoe on. Alice watched her usual composed little sister freak out, trying to hold her laughter but ultimately failing.

 

“Mmm mmm mmmm!” Chaeyoung huffed, words indiscernible because of the toast still between her lips, which Alice plucked out of so the girl can speak, while trying to get her other shoe on, “I said, it’s not funny. I’m late on my first day!”

 

“I thought your class starts at 10, you’ve got plenty of time.” Alice pointed at the wall clock, the time reading 0830 am.

 

“Wait what?” Chaeyoung checked her wristwatch and the watch said the same time. Soon, a loud cackle echoed in the Park’s sisters household.

 

“Don’t tell me…” Chaeyoung groaned. The appearance of her best friend, Lisa, laughing without any sound coming out of her gave the blonde her answer.

 

“You and Lisa..of course.” Chaeyoung stopped panicking and put her best friend in a friendly headlock, “ Ah Chae..I’m sorry..okay. But we knew you weren’t going to get up without a little motivation.” Lisa chuckled, Chaeyoung let the girl go and plopped down on the chair to eat breakfast.

 

“You call me panicking because I thought I was late for our first day of uni a little motivation?”

 

“Oh c’mon it was pretty funny seeing the ever composed Park Chaeyoung all flustered, right unnie.” Lisa looked at Alice and the older girl put her hand up for a high-five which of course Lisa compiled. The two looked at the blonde, cheeks full with a small little pout.

 

“Alright we’re sorry Rosie posie. Hurry and eat you two, so you guys can head out.” Alice smiled at her sister, side hugging the girl before taking a seat next to her.

 

~ ~ ~ ~

 

Chaeyoung is a music major with a minor in psychology, while Lisa will be studying dance with a minor in photography. Since both girls were in the arts department, they had many of the same pre-requisite classes, which means they chose almost the same lectures and labs.

 

“Math, english, science, do we really need to take these classes?” Lisa huffed, waving her schedule with annoyance.

 

“Everyone has to take these classes before we can take actual classes in our departments. Now c’mon we have english lit.”

 

“English lit..ugh I hate English..” Lisa groaned even more, while Chaeyoung dragged the girl with her.

 

After class ended, Chaeyoung could not hold her laughter...literally 10 minutes in Lisa fell asleep and their professor was quite playful..and slammed a book right next to the girl. Waking her up with quite a startle.

 

“That’s your karma for this morning.” Chaeyoung stuck her tongue out at the girl, while Lisa playfully glared at her.

 

“Why didn’t you wake me up?”

 

“Trust me, I tried to.”

 

“Yeah yeah okay. Ugh I have to go to my Calc class, have fun in sociology. Let’s meet up for lunch?” Chaeyoung nodded yes, and Lisa went off to her next class. While the blonde went to hers.

 

When Chaeyoung walked into her class, she zoomed to the back corner chair away from everyone else.

 

“Alright everyone today we’re going to talk about soulmates.” The sociology professor, Dr. Hwang began to lecture after going through the class syllabus. The class immediately hollered at this, and Dr. Hwang had to calm them down. “Okay okay settle down.”

 

“Now, I want to ask, does anyone here wish that the whole soulmate/soulmark not exist?”

 

Silence…

 

“Wow this is a first, usually there would be 1 or…” Dr. Hwang stopped when a girl in front of Chaeyoung raised her hand.

 

“Ah yes..” Dr. Hwang paused, seeing who raised her hand.. “Ms. Kim.”

 

At the mention of the surname, Chaeyoung noticed how a lot of the students suddenly turned to the girl’s direction. Some started to squeal and others were taking photos.

 

“Okay everyone phones away, let’s listen to what Ms. Kim has to say.” Dr. Hwang commanded.

 

 

“I personally wish that the whole soulmate thing didn’t exist. Don’t you guys think it’s just stupid? Like who or what decided that the universe gets to pick the one for me? Like is the universe living my life? I think that we should have free will over who is the one ‘meant’ for us.” This Ms. Kim finished before taking a seat.

 

“Does anyone oppose this statement?” Dr. Hwang asked and before she knew it Chaeyoung began speaking, “I actually think the soulmate thing is amazing. Imagine out there on the planet there is someone that is meant for you. It takes the guest work out of falling in love. You don’t have to wonder if the person you’re dating is the one for you. If they’re worth the risk of falling hard for.”

 

“I’m assuming you haven’t found your soulmate yet huh.” Ms. Kim turned around and when Chaeyoung met eyes with the girl. It was like time stopped, and the butterflies in Chaeyoung’s stomach were going crazy.

 

“I uhm not yet.” Chaeyoung admitted.

 

“Figured.”

 

“Alright, that’s our time for today. We’ll pick this up next time. I want everyone to write a one page paper on their opinions on soulmate. Ms. Kim and uhm..” Dr. Hwang gestured to Chaeyoung.

 

“Oh Park Chaeyoung.”

 

“Okay well Ms. Kim and Ms. Park you two are exempt, thanks for the little debate.”

 

Once everyone filtered out of the class, it was just Chaeyoung and the famous Ms. Kim in the lecture hall.

 

“So have you found yours?” Chaeyoung spoke, surprising herself at the sudden socialness.

 

“Not yet.”

 

“I see, well Ms. Kim...all I have to say is the universe is never wrong. Your soulmate, whoever they are, they will protect you, make you happy, and most of all love you with all their heart. Mark my word on this.”

 

~ ~ ~

 

One year later, and Chaeyoung wishes that she never told that to the cat eyed girl in her sociology class.

 

“Chaengie! Look at this.”

 

“Why hello Ms. Jennie Kim.” Chaeyoung chuckled, trying to take a look at whatever the girl was trying to show her.

 

“Will you ever let that go?”

 

“Sorry Jen, I just remember how we were when we first met.”

 

“Yeah yeah, anyways look at my little Kuku. Isn’t he the sweetest.” Jennie was squealing about her pomeranian.

 

“Not as cute as my joohwangie.” Chaeyoung huffed, showing Jennie a picture of her fish.

 

“Nuh-uh my Kuku is wayyy cuter.”

 

“Noooo my joohwangie is.”

 

“Nooo it’s my…”

 

“Okay enough you two, my Dalgomie is the cutest end of conversation. Let’s go eat. My big baby is already waiting for us at the cafe.” Jisoo, Jennie’s best friend, interrupted and dragged the two before they could get another word out.

 

“There you guys are! Hi Baby.” Lisa greeted Jisoo with a kiss on her cheek, “I already ordered everyone’s usual.” Lisa smiled, just as the barista called out her name.

 

“I’ll help you babe.” Jisoo stood and went with her girlfriend to grab their drinks. Once the two girls left Jennie suddenly but seriously said, “I know.”

 

“Know what?” Chaeyoung asked, confused.

 

“This.” Jennie said, grabbing Chaeyoung’s left wrist, removing her watch to reveal the mark.

 

“Oh uhh yeah.” Chaeyoung tried to nonchalantly reply, when she was internally panicking.

 

“Since when? Who is it? Why didn’t you tell me?” More questions from the brunette.

 

“Uhm last year and it uhm.” Chaeyoung was trying to find an excuse or a name or something to get her out of this predicament. “It’s just some girl, we aren’t close yet. And I didn’t mean to hide it from you, it happened one day after one of my evening labs.” Chaeyoung lied, waiting for Jennie to mention her mark too..but the brunette didn't. She just smiled at the blonde and said, “Well looks like our tall chipmunk finally got her lifelong wish.”

 

“Yeah..”

 

Alright let’s pause here and take a quick step back to what happened the past year. It’s pretty easy really. After her calc class, Lisa was squealing about the Kims. The girl found out about them while chatting to one of her classmates. Turns out Jennie Kim and Kim Jisoo are the universities most sought out girls. They both have the looks, the money, and the brains. Everyone knows who they are..well everyone except Chaeyoung who Lisa so kindly informed everything about the two. Later that night, Chaeyoung was at home about to shower when she saw it...the mark. It was a C and a J merged together kind of like the Chanel logo, but the C looking more like a protective shield in front of the J. Of course Chaeoyoung freaked out, trying to remember who she could have met today with J in their name..and then it hit her...Jennie Kim..the girl in her sociology class that hated the idea of soulmates.

 

Fast Forward to 6 months ago, Dr. Hwang gave the class a project and Jennie and Chaeyoung got paired up. This led to the two girls getting closer, and for Lisa to find out her soulmate is Jennie’s best friend Jisoo. Of course both Lisa and Jisoo were awkward about it at first, but Chaeyoung saw it..how the two just kind of got closer with each day until finally the older girl asked Lisa to make it official. Jennie was supportive because it’s her best friend and she trusted Lisa with her; however, Jennie still had no idea about Chaeyoung being her soulmate and Chaeyoung is terrified to ask the girl. Of course Lisa and Jisoo know, they saw the mark on her wrist when Chaeyoung forgot to wear her watch one day and of course Lisa interrogated the blonde until she finally confessed it all.

 

So now, here we are the 4 girls hanging out at the cafe before their afternoon classes. Lisa and Jisoo being sweet like usual, Jennie now on her phone texting God knows who, and Chaeyoung softly watching the dumpling cheeked girl with so much love. Now, when Chaeyoung found out about Jennie being her soulmate she didn’t just fall in love with the girl at the same time..no no. It was a slow incline, like when you're on a rollercoaster heading towards the big drop. And when Chaeyoung reached the top of that incline, she fell….fast and hard.

 

“Okay guys I have to go..I uhm have a date.” Jennie smiled, before grabbing her bag and running off.

 

“Who is it this time.” Chaeyoung rolled her eyes after the brunette left.

 

“All I know is that she’s older than us..a transferee.” Jisoo replied, looking at the young girl with sad eyes.

 

“Wait wait you said she. Like her, like a female?” Chaeyoung was surprised at this information, because as far as she has seen Jennie only dates males. Yet another reason why Chaeyoung doesn’t bring up the mark.

 

“Yeah she plays for both teams Chaeng..and I asked her by the way.”

 

“What?”

 

“I asked her if she’s gotten her mark and…” Jisoo paused, “You know what, you need to tell her Chae..because I will tell you right now that Jennie will never know unless you do.”

 

After finding out that Chaeyoung is Jennie’s soulmate, Jisoo has been trying to figure out why Jennie never told her anything about it. She knew how her best friend felt about the whole soulmate thing, but the reason why she became like that was still a secret that Jennie had never told her. At first, Jisoo thought it was because Jennie was against soulmates that’s why she hid it, but it’s been a year since the mark appeared and yet it was like the mark was never there. Like Jennie didn’t even know, which is why one day after class Jisoo cornered her best friend and basically asked her straight up if she had gotten her mark..and the cat-eyed girl’s response was definitely not what Jisoo expected.

 

“I..uhm I’ll think about it Chu.” Chaeyoung smiled.

 

~ ~ ~

 

“Rosie...will you ever tell her?” Alice asked, the two were eating dinner at the Italian restaurant near the older Park’s firm.

 

“Tell who what?” Chaeyoung played innocent.

 

“Oh please Chaeyoung, it’s been like 5 years. 5 years of you pining over your own soulmate when you could just tell her like everyone else.” Alice knowingly replied, “Honestly, I don’t understand how she can be so friendly with you, knowing that you are her soulmate..like does that even make sense? It’s like Jennie has no idea.”

 

Yep, that’s right. 5 years..through their universities days to now as career women, Chaeyoung had been silently watching and loving her soulmate who has been dating that transfer student, Im Yoona. The tall, smart, charismatic, doe-eyed goddess who transferred to their university.

 

“I can’t unnie.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“Because Yoona unnie makes her happy.”

 

“Does she really?”

 

“Unnie please, can we just drop this.” Chaeyoung sighed, she was exhausted and she didn’t want to talk about her failing love life right now.

 

“Okay alright fine.” Alice dropped the topic.

 

When Chaeyoung got home from dinner with her sister she was pleasantly surprised to see Jennie at her doorstep.

 

“May I help you CEO Kim?” Chaeyoung teased.

 

“Here we go again with that.” Jennie rolled her eyes, while Chaeyoung opened the door for them.

 

“So what’s going on in that cute little head of yours tonight?” Chaeyoung asked. Jennie would often visit at night when she can’t go to Jisoo and Lisa’s place. She would go to her girlfriend’s place, but Yoona tends to work late being an actress and whatnot.

 

“My soulmate.” The girl whispered so quietly, Chaeyoung barely caught the words.

 

“What?”

 

“I just wonder...if I’ve met them yet.”

 

Chaeyoung looked at the girl, feeling the tug on her pinky, intensifying whenever she’s near Jennie, “What do you mean Jen?” This was definitely new to Chaeyoung, because all this time she thought that Jennie already knew it was her, and had just been avoiding the topic so that they wouldn't lose their friendship.

 

“When I was 8..I was kidnapped. They kept me at some abandoned warehouse trying to get some money from my parents, which of course they didn’t get because the cops found me first...but not fast enough. The kidnappers cut my wrist..I was lucky because they didn’t cut a vein, but they cut the spot where the mark should appear.” Jennie admitted, showing Chaeyoung her left scarred wrist.

 

“Wait, what you’re saying is that you don’t know if your mark showed up?” Chaeyoung asked, suddenly explaining the big why question that she’s been itching to ask Jennie.

 

“Yeah..”

 

“Is that why, you..you don’t believe in the soulmate thing?”

 

“Kind of..it’s just not fair you know. I get a scar over my wrist and suddenly I can’t know if I found my soulmate or not?”

 

“Is that why you dated everyone and anyone without a mark?”

 

“If you say it like that, you make me sound like a player.” Jennie chuckled.

 

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Chaeyoung pouted.

 

“I know Chaeng...just teasing.” Jennie avoided the girl’s eyes, a sad smile on her lips

 

“The mark may not be shown, but don’t you feel it?” Chaeyoung asked.

 

“Feel what?”

 

 

“The pull on your pinky. It’s like…wait here.” Chaeyoung got up, went to her bedroom and came out with a red thread...how fitting right? Chaeyoung tied the end on Jennie’s pinky and gently tugged at the end.

 

“That? It’s hard to explain, but ever since I was young I had always felt that gentle tug on my pinky and it usually intensifies when I’m in the same place as her.” Chaeyoung admitted, trying to rile something up in Jennie.

 

“Oh uhm I don’t.”

 

“That’s okay, I read somewhere that not everyone will experience the pull. Apparently it only happens to those who hold a strong affection/love towards their soulmate.” Chaeyoung tried to mask her sadness.

 

“She’s lucky then, your soulmate I mean.” Jennie spoke, untying the string from her pinky and handing it back to the blonde, “Her soulmate loves her so much.”

 

“Yeah..I do.” Chaeyoung admitted a sincere smile on her face.

 

“Are you ever going to introduce her to us? It’s been so long.” Jennie asked.

 

Here she goes again. Everytime the soulmate topic is brought up. Jennie always asks when they can meet this mystery soulmate. And Chaeyoung tells her the same thing, “In time. You will.”

 

“C’mon..tell me her name at least.” Jennie whined.

 

“You’ll know when you meet her...just know that she makes me happy and that I’m trying my best to make her the happiest person on Earth..Now what’s really going on? You and I both know you don’t talk about soulmates.”

 

“Yoong asked me to marry her...she showed me her mark..she got it the same day we met. It’s a J and a Y..and it’s so beautiful Chae.. the J kind of wraps around the Y like a serpent.”

 

If Chaeyoung thought her heart couldn’t break anymore...she was proven wrong just now.

 

“What did you say?”

 

“I said yes.” Jennie smiled so happily and all Chaeyoung wanted to do was tell the girl that she can’t marry Yoona because she’s not her soulmate..Of all the letters why would Yoona’s soulmate also have J as the first letter of their name?!

 

“Wow..that’s great Jennie! Why didn’t you tell us right away! Do Jisoo and Lisa know? Seulgi? Irene?? Wow we’ll need to call the girls and celebrate.” Chaeyoung tried to mask her pain, with too much perk.

 

“Woah there calm down Chae..I know it’s pretty crazy.” Jennie’s somber tone, brought Chaeyoung back from her fake high.

 

“But??”

 

“But I don’t know…I mean I’m happy..I am. I don’t know..maybe I’m like this because I’m now engaged, to my soulmate no less. The universe does end up putting you together even if you try to fight it.” Jennie found her smile again, and Chaeyoung had to swallow the knot in and reassured her own soulmate, “Remember what I told you when we first met?” Jennie nodded her head with a soft smile, Chaeyoung took Jennie’s hand and reiterated those words to her, “Your soulmate, whoever they are, they will protect you, make you happy, and most of all love you with all their heart. I told you to mark my words and now here we are. You found your soulmate and are going to spend the rest of your life with her. You’ve come full circle. You don’t have to have the mark if you know the truth in your heart.” Chaeyoung spoke so tenderly, afraid that her true feelings might show.

 

“I..Thank you Chaeng.” Jennie wrapped her arms around the taller girl, and Chaeyoung gladly returned the hug.

 

“What are friends for?” Chaeyoung replied, the words leaving a bitter taste in .

 

Jennie left soon after, leaving Chaeyoung in her own home...finally allowing herself to break the mask she’s had on cracking, the girl finally let all her heartache out.

 

“Jennie...” Chaeyoung sobbed, hugging her knees closer to her body, trying to find some way to comfort herself. Some way to mend the heartbreak.

 

The following morning, Chaeyoung woke up with Lisa and Jisoo standing by her bed with solemn faces.

 

“Hey...we’re guessing you already know..but Jen she..”

 

“I know.”

 

“And you still didn’t tell her Chaeng?” Lisa asked, her hands balled in a tight fist. She’s been so frustrated with her best friend and has wanted to break the news herself, but Jisoo told her not to. That the universe will find a way for the two to be together.

 

“How could I tell her when she had the biggest smile on her face when she told me that she said Yes? How could I?” Chaeyoung replied, defeated.

 

“Chaeyoung she’s your soulmate...the universe may have predetermined you to be together, but you also need to fight for her too. The universe can only do so much.” Lisa countered.

 

“I know, but what kind of soulmate would I be if I destroyed her happiness?”

 

“God dammit Chaeyoung can you think of yourself for once? Can you stop putting her happiness as your main priority?” Lisa’s voice was rising and Jisoo was trying to calm her wife down, “I just want you to be happy too Chae...it’s been years you know..since I’ve seen you smile, like truly smile.” Lisa started to cry, done with how Chaeyoung always takes the backseat with Jennie.

 

“Lisa...I will be happy, not for her but for myself.” Chaeyoung assured both herself and Lisa.

 

A few weeks later, Chaeyoung found herself at the office of her old sociology professor Dr. Tiffany Hwang.

 

“Park Chaeyoung, what do I owe the honor of being in the presence of such a famous musician?” Dr. Hwang smiled, gesturing for the blonde to take a seat.

 

“Hi Dr. Hwang...I uhm I have a question and you’re the only person I know that might help me find some clarity.”

 

“Okay what is it?”

 

“Is it possible to break away from your soulmate? Is it possible for the red thread that binds two people to break? And if they do..can you love another?”

 

Tiffany frowned at Chaeyoung’s question.

 

“Where is this coming from Chaeyoung? I remember you to be one of my students that defended soulmates as much as possible.”

 

“I..I’m just curious.”

 

“Alright I won’t push it..but to answer your questions.. It is possible to break away from your soulmate. It hasn’t been done in hundreds of years though...and to love someone else after breaking the string...that I’m not sure about.”

 

“How can a person break their string?”

 

“Chaeyoung...are you wanting to break your string?” Dr. Hwang asked and the silence coming from her former student told her the answer, “I won’t tell you that.”

 

“Dr. Hwang please..I..I want to be free.”

 

“Chaeyoung I can tell you how, but I don’t even know if it’ll work. And I don’t know what will happen to you AND your soulmate if you do.”

 

“Please.” Chaeyoung begged.

 

With a heavy sigh Dr. Hwang relented, “Like I said it hasn’t been done in hundreds of years, so all the information known about this is basically from old text….but all a person has to do is let their soulmate go in their heart. Like fully let go of him or her. No emotions towards that person at all...nothing..like that person is a meaningless existence to them. Once they do that..the string will break…”

 

“That’s it? Just letting go?” Chaeyoung was surprised at how easy it is.

 

“It’s not that easy to fully let go. You have to erase them from your heart and mind completely. You have to get rid of any feelings for them no matter how tiny. You have to basically be emotionless. The will to do that, to get rid of all that towards your soulmate is not easy..letting go isn’t easy Chaeyoung.”

 

“Yeah...but holding on is just as hard. Thank you Dr. Hwang.” Chaeyoung got up and smiled before leaving.

 

After visiting Dr. Hwang, Chaeyong began to avoid Jennie, which of course the shorter girl noticed.

 

“Are you avoiding me Park Chaeyoung?” Jennie barged into Chaeyoung’s studio one day after weeks of avoiding the girl.

 

“Jen..I’m busy, can we talk later.” Chaeyoung avoided the girl’s stare, keeping her focus on the sheet music in front of her.

 

“No. You’ve been avoiding me for weeks now and I want to know why.” Jennie demanded, forcing Chaeyoung to look at her.

 

“I haven’t Jen...I’ve just been swamped at work.”

 

“That’s bull Chaeng and you know it.” Jennie was mad, like mad mad.

 

“It’s the truth…”

 

“Park Chaeyoung.”

 

“Jennie it really is.”

 

“Fine..I believe you...for now. But don’t you dare try to skip out on the wedding rehearsal tomorrow.” Jennie gave in.

 

“I know... I won’t. Promise.” Chaeyoung smiled.

 

The next day, Chaeyoung, Lisa, and Jisoo were in front of the venue for the rehearsal.

 

“I can’t believe you let it drag on Chae..I thought you were going to tell her.”

 

“Don’t worry Lisa..Jennie and I..we’ll both get our happiness.” Chaeyoung smiled, and it did nothing to stop Lisa from worrying.

 

The rehearsal went great, they went through the musical cues and the walks and everything. This is a high profile wedding and Jennie is a perfectionist.

 

“Well did you bring it?” Irene asked Chaeyoung, while the group sat down at the bridal party table waiting for dinner to be served.

 

“Bring what?” Seulgi, Irene’s wife/soulmate asked, while she draped an arm over Irene.

 

“The song.”

 

“What song?” Lisa and Jisoo frowned.

 

“They don’t know?” Irene looked at Chaeyoung.

 

“I wrote a song for the wedding.” Chaeyoung admitted.

 

“You did?” Lisa and Jisoo frowned.

 

“Yeah..I did.” Chaeyoung smiled, “But it’s a surprise...I’ll play it at the wedding.”

 

Lisa and Jisoo looked at each other...both understanding that there is something more going on. That there is something Chaeyoung isn’t telling them.

 

“Chaeyoung.” Lisa spoke up about to ask the girl for a private talk when Chaeyoung interrupted her, “It’s my gift, that’s all.” and Lisa knew she wouldn't get any answers from her best friend.

 

~ ~

 

A week later, the night before the dreaded wedding, Chaeyoung found herself late in the studio. Just playing with her guitar, humming a tune, while nursing her 3rd or was it her 4th glass of wine. The girl knows this is a bad decision, but she needs to numb her thoughts.

 

“I knew you’d be here.” Lisa walked in, not bothering to knock.

 

“Ah hey, Lisa what’s up.” Chaeyoung wiped her tears away and forced a smile on her face, while Lisa took a seat next to the girl, grabbing the wine glass from the table, drinking the rest.

 

“Hey that was mine.” Chuaeyoung huffed clearly drunk.

 

“Too bad, now tell me what you’re really planning to do tomorrow.” Lisa demanded, a drunk Chaeyoung becomes an open book, she will tell you anything.

 

“I planned on breaking our string.”

 

“WHAT?!” Lisa yelled out, the tidbit of information coming way out of left field, “Is that even possible?”

 

“Yeah...it hasn’t been done in like centuries but...it’s possible. I looked into it some more and I tried to do it….but Dr. Hwang was right, fully letting go is the most difficult thing to do.” Chaeyoung chuckled lightly.

 

“That’s why you were avoiding her?”

 

“Yeah..”

 

“Chaeyoung...that..if you do that what happens to you and her?” Lisa asked.

 

“I don’t know..it doesn’t matter anyways...I can’t seem to do it.”

 

“That’s good. I know it hurts Chae..but didn’t we try to tell you to tell her? But you just kept brushing it off.”

 

“I know...it’s my fault..I had lots of chances to tell her but I just let them all slip.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because I felt that she deserved more than just some kid from Australia.”

 

“Are you kidding me? You are not just some kid Park Chaeyoung? You are an amazing, funny, smart, caring, ball of sunshine that is way more than enough for Jennie.”

 

“Yeah well...she found Yoona unnie...and she’s able to give Jennie something I can’t”

 

“What can unnie possibly give to Jennie that you can’t?”

 

“Love.”

 

“What about unnie’s soulmate? You told me that she has her mark...why doesn’t he or she do something?”

“I don’t even know who her soulmate is? I guess the 3 of them all met the same day...and whoever they are they share the same first initial as Jennie.”

 

“So now what? You’re just going to watch her get married to someone that isn’t meant for her?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Then?”

 

“Then nothing. I just keep living my life...staying right by her side as a friend. I’ll protect her until the very end. I was born for her.” Chaeyoung showed Lisa the most heartbreaking smile the girl has ever seen in her life.

 

With a shake of her head, Lisa took the rest of the wine bottle and chugged it down.

 

The next morning, Chaeyoung woke up with a massive hangover. Groaning the girl crawled out of bed, silently thanking Lisa for leaving the painkiller and water on her bedside table.

 

It took Chaeyoung a bit to recompose herself, but she pulled it together and went to the salon to prepare for the worst day of her life.

 

When Chaeyoung and Alice arrived, some of the guests were starting to arrive.

 

“Rosie, I’ll just take my seat. Go find her.” Alice gave her younger sister a comforting smile, trying to stop herself from barging into the bridal room and slapping Jennie with the truth.

 

“Yeah..I’ll see you later okay.”

 

“Okay..be safe.”

 

Chaeyoung made her way to the bridal room. With a soft knock, she popped her head inside.

 

“Come on in Chaeyoung.” Jennie’s mom gestured for her to come inside and when her eyes landed on Jennie in her wedding dress, Chaeyoung wanted to cry. The girl was so beautiful. She was glowing. Chaeyoung didn’t even notice Jennie’s mom leave them alone. Her eyes were only on the bride.

 

“Wow...you look amazing Jennie.” Chaeyoung finally found her voice.

 

“Thanks Chaeng. You look good in your bridesmaid dress as well.” But Jennie’s words fell on deaf ears, because Chaeyoung was still entranced by the girl.

 

“Chaeyoung?” Jennie looked at the girl, the way Chaeyoung was staring at her was different. It made Jennie feel weird, but in a good way.

 

“Chae?” Jennie softly asked, waving her hand, this managed to bring the blonde back on Earth.

 

“I uhm...I’ll see you later okay.” Chaeyoung smiled, paused for a second, but decided to lean down and kiss the girl on her cheek..it was the first and possibly the last time she will ever get to do that.

 

After leaving Jennie, Chaeyoung paid a visit to the other bride.

 

“Yoona unnie..” Chaeyoung knocked, before entering.

 

“You look great unnie, like always.” Chaeyoung smiled.

 

“Thank you Chaeng you look beautiful as well.”

 

“Thank you..uhm unnie..I just want to say thank you.”

 

“For?” Yoona asked with furrowed brows.

 

“For making Jennie happy. She deserves the best the world can offer and I’m glad that she found you..I’m glad that you’re her soulmate.”

 

“I...uhm..I don’t know what to say Chaeyoung.”

 

“You don’t have to say anything unnie..I just wanted to say that I’m really happy for the both of you...I’ll see you later.”

 

Once Chaeyoung left Yoona’s bridal room, she ran into Jisoo who grabbed the girl and dragged her to the side away from the crowd.

 

“Chaeyoung...whatever it is you're planning on doing don’t.” Jisoo pulled the girl away from the crowded church.

 

“I’m not planning anything.”

 

“You are. I can tell Chae..my gut is telling me that you’re going to do something so please don’t. I know Lisa went to talk to you last night..she was acting weird, mumbling things to herself..things she refuses to tell me, but I know that they are connected to you somehow.”

 

“I promise you Chu...I won’t do anything.”

 

“Fine, but I’m keeping an eye on you.”

 

“Alright..let’s go, the ceremony is going to start soon.” Chaeyoung gestured.

 

The wedding party made their way down the long aisle, Yoona walked down and it was now Jennie’s turn, but before they opened the double doors again...a nod from Jennie’s dad signaled Chaeyoung. She got up from her seat and made her way to the grand piano.

 

“Hello everyone, my name is Park Chaeyoung. I’m one of Jennie’s closest friends. Originally another close friend of ours, Wendy, was going to sing her wedding march song..but I wanted to surprise her and Yoona unnie with a gift...I hope you enjoy it.” With that Chaeyoung slowly began to play.

 

Too many billion people running around the planet

What is the chance in heaven that you'd find your way to me

Tell me what is this sweet sensation

It's a miracle that happened

Though I search for an explanation

Only one thing it could be

 

The double doors opened and there she was..Chaeyoung almost missed the next chord but she kept singing,

 

That I was born for you

It was written in the stars

Yes I was born for you

And the choice was never ours

It's as if the powers of the universe

Conspired to make you mine

And till the day I die

I bless the day that I was born for you

 

Chaeyoung sang, her eyes on Jennie watching as the girl made her way slowly.

 

Too many foolish people

Trying to come between us

None of them seem to matter

When I looked into your eyes

Now I know why I belong here

In your arms I found the answer

Somehow nothing would seem so wrong here

If they'd only realize

 

As Jennie walked passed her, finally reaching the altar the song reached it’s end.

 

That I was born for you

And that you were born for me

And in this random world

This was clearly meant to be

What we have the world could never understand

Or ever take away

And till the day I die

I bless the day that I was born for you

 

What we have the world could never understand

Or ever take away

And as the years go by

Until the day I die

I bless the day that I was born for you

 

With one last note..Chaeyoung ended the song, smiled at Jennie and Yoona and returned to her seat.

 

“You freaking masochist..you wrote that for Jennie didn’t you.” Lisa whispered, tears already falling, Chaeyoung just smiled in return. Focusing her attention at the ceremony.

 

Park Chaeyoung had always wondered what it would be like when she found her soulmate and she never in her life thought that it would lead to the most painful heartbreak in the world. She had this vision that her soulmate would love her as much as she does, that the universe taking the guesswork out of love would make playing the game that much easier, but her finding Jennie proved her majorly wrong. Ever since she started to fall for the cat-eyed, dumpling cheeked girl Chaeyoung had only experienced bitter happiness, but she stayed because she loved the girl so much. Because she wanted to be with her even just as a friend, to protect her smile in any way that she can..even if hurt. Now, as she watched her get married, Chaeyoung couldn’t hold back the pain anymore and her tears began to fall. She felt the tugging on her pinky intensify since earlier, and for once in her life she resented that feeling.

 

‘Letting go is hard, but holding on is even harder...I know that I can’t ever fully let you go Jennie..and that you were never fully mine in the first place..but still I’ll let my love for you go...I’ll let it all go..but I’ll still stay..until the end. I’ll be here as your friend.’ Chaeyoung closed her eyes, accepting her fate..and then it happened..Chaeyoung felt something break, the little tug on her pinky vanished, it soon felt like she had a piece of string dangling freely on her pinky. Chaeyoung smiled… ‘I won’t be holding you back now.’

 

 

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A/n: the soulmate AU that no one asked for lol. Let me know what you guys think :)