Escaping the crowd she’s met with a sorry excuse of a barricade that’s supposed to prevent anyone from going further. Jinsoul struggles over the furniture and starts to walk down the long hall. She wants to be alone, Sooyoung has her way too hot right now in more ways than one.

The thing is, Jinsoul’s been secretly struggling since Jiwoo’s told her all about Sooyoung. The part about Sooyoung playing with girl’s hearts isn’t the problem, nor does it scare her that she especially likes to do it to straight girls (as if Jinsoul would ever be dumb enough to let Sooyoung to toy with her). Jinsoul was confident that Sooyoung didn’t have those intentions with her. Sure, Sooyoung flirted with her and as if she had a crush on Jinsoul. But the blonde knew that could be her just being friendly, it was Sooyoung’s personality. 

Jinsoul hopes that it isn’t Sooyoung’s intentions, to seduce her and eventually break her heart. Because then why was she even friends with the older girl? It would hurt, knowing their friendship, this connection they have was all a hoax. Something for Sooyoung to fake only to get into her pants, to use her. 

So Jinsoul convinces herself that Sooyoung actually likes her...for who she is. Not just because she wants underneath all her clothes. Not because she’s a challenge. Because Jinsoul knows she’s hard to break, and there’s a small, silent fear inside her that tells her that’s exactly why Sooyoung’s stuck around this long. Is that she’s finally found someone that wasn’t easy…

But there’s things that push that fear deep inside, like the fact Sooyoung gets shy around her when Jinsoul decides to be nice for once. If the girl wanted her like that, like Jiwoo warns about, then she’d feed into that right? Instead of pulling away from Jinsoul and telling her to stop it… Sooyoung’s way more comfortable when Jinsoul is being stubborn. 

And then there’s the fact that Sooyoung hasn’t even mentioned liking girls. If anything, she reminds Jinsoul daily that she ‘likes’ men, as if she’s afraid of the blonde knowing the truth. Hypothetically speaking, if Jinsoul was gay, she’d make it know as soon as possible to a girl she was trying to pursue. Because one, she’d want it in their mind that she may be interested in them, two, she’d want to know if the girl she likes is down for that or if she’s homophobic. 

So that just proves that Sooyoung’s not actively pursuing her. Still, that doesn’t mean that Jinsoul hasn’t tested Sooyoung in some cases. Jinsoul feels a tad bit guilty for how flirty and touchy she’s gotten with Sooyoung, she knows it’s unfair to the older girl. Because even if she doesn’t see Jinsoul that way or never ever wants her like that, Jinsoul’s painfully aware that Sooyoung’s somewhat attracted to her.

She can see it in the older girl’s eyes sometimes, hear it in the tone of her voice when it drops a couple octaves and becomes raspy. Jinsoul would be lying if she said she didn’t enjoy it. That Sooyoung thinks she’s pretty, because the older girl seems like she could have anyone she wanted. Models, rich girls, singers or actresses. So for Jinsoul, which really the blonde thought of herself as a celebrity, it was an ego boost for Sooyoung to be wrapped up in her at times.

None of that means Sooyoung wants her more than a friend though. Jinsoul understands that. Her relationship with Jiwoo’s the same, Jinsoul likes teasing the girl until she’s a mess, just because of the fact she can, unlike other girls.

Jinsoul gets caught up though. She forgets that she’s not supposed to know Sooyoung’s secret. She forgets she’s trying to not fall into Sooyoung’s game. Jinsoul forgets that she doesn’t want Sooyoung to like her.

Because deep down, it wouldn’t be that bad. If Sooyoung did have a crush on her. 

It would make things messy though, because Jinsoul doesn’t like girls and she didn’t want to hurt Sooyoung. So she knows when too much is too much, like just then when she was dancing with Sooyoung and demanded attention, her jealousy pouring out of her.

Sooyoung’s special to her is all, and she wishes the girl was honest with her. That Sooyoung would trust her and stop pretending. Then she could be special to Sooyoung as well. Jinsoul’s not sure Sooyoung has had many friends like her. Jinsoul will push all these contrasting thoughts out of her head and focus on one thing, making Sooyoung feel safe around her. 

And the thought of someone else being close to Sooyoung like that eats her alive.

Jinsoul shuffles down the empty hallway with a grumble. Stop being so impatient. Sooyoung will trust her in time, they understand each other and she knows Sooyoung’s never met someone like her. Jinsoul will not let Sooyoung’s secret affect the way she acts towards her, not until the older girl tells her herself.

That’s why she needed to be away from Sooyoung for a bit, because her mask was slipping and it was embarrassing. Jinsoul’s pretty sure she has it bad for Sooyoung, she has since the beginning, it’s just now she isn’t trying so hard to hide it.

Trying every door in the hall she gets frustrated when most of them are locked shut. Her heels click on the tile flooring, soon another step echos Jinsoul’s own. 

Stopping she feels fear rush through her when the other step is a little too late to be her own. Turning around she shivers when there’s no one in the narrow hall other than her. It’s getting creepy and Jinsoul continues down the never ending path, only to whine when it starts to get darker.

There’s house plants on either side of the hall and a colorful pattern down the wall to double French doors. If they are locked Jinsoul’s doomed with a dead end and the still stalking footsteps behind her.

She speeds up to the door, eventually jogging the best she can in the heels she’s wearing. Finally she makes it and grabs the handles. Jinsoul gasps when hands clasp over her own. But she knows those hands, she knows how they feel, the way they fit perfectly against her own . Jinsoul rolls them off and shivers at the chills running down her spine, not at the fact she was scared, but by the way hot breath presses against the back of her head, “ugh you’re such a creep!” 

Spinning around in the arms trapping her against the door she glares at Sooyoung who already had a smirk growing on her lips. “I wasn’t done dancing.” Jinsoul pushes on the older girl’s elbows, trying to escape from the proximity, but Sooyoung’s grip on the door is tight and there’s no way Jinsoul can get away from her.  

Jinsoul turns her head away from Sooyoung’s stare, “Okay? And? What does that gotta do with me?” Sooyoung was trying to read her, but Jinsoul wouldn’t allow it. No matter how easy it would be to just look into Sooyoung’s eyes and get lost in them. She keeps her gaze down to the floor and wants to scream when she feels the heat rush to her cheeks. Jinsoul is 100% that the smirk on Sooyoung’s face has grown to a full smile by now. 

She doesn’t know whether she’d rather punch it off...or something the total opposite of that. Either way Jinsoul wanted that smile off Sooyoung’s face because it was making her blush deeper. 

Jinsoul never gets flustered but that seems to be Sooyoung’s talent, pushing at her buttons until they pop under pressure. 

“I was dancing with you.” Sooyoung says lowly, enough where Jinsoul barely hears it under the noisy thump of her heart. Jinsoul was aware of how close Sooyoung was getting and how much warmer the space between them was getting. Her hands in the creases of Sooyoung’s elbows grasp tighter as the older girl leans closer to her. Jinsoul backs up into the door trying to become one with it. 

Nervously laughing she thinks, No you were dancing with that girl, but Jinsoul swallows the jealous impulse. Grasping onto the last shred of confidence she has, she looks up into Sooyoung’s eyes and realizes not even if she had a chest full of it she wouldn’t be able to handle how intense the stare has become. 

She’s so close Jinsoul can count the eyelashes and see the light reflect off those eyes. Fumbling her hands around, she starts to search for the air that’s not there. Her lungs feel like they’re collapsing when she finally finds the hands that were trapping her, “maybe I was done dancing.” Jinsoul mumbles and wants to cringe at how hoarse her voice is.

But she doesn’t have time to dwell on it when she pushes the hands down and the double french doors open. Jinsoul stumbles inside to a much more humid space but quickly recovers by spinning on her heel and walking away from Sooyoung who still stands at the entrance. 

The older girl seemed disappointed at the loss of warmth by the way her shoulders slumped, but not a second later was following Jinsoul into the area.

Jinsoul pressed a hand against her chest, her heart was screaming at her. She stares down at it like it would listen, slow the down please, somehow her heartrate does stop beating fast after that. But maybe it’s because she holds her breath when she hears the footsteps behind her again. 

Sooyoung is right behind her, hands in her back pockets, giggling like she knew Jinsoul’s dilemma. That she knew her charm was breaking Jinsoul. “I think you’re lying.” Sooyoung says with full confidence and Jinsoul can’t deny it. Yeah, she wanted to dance all night long with Sooyoung. But she could have likely ended up ripping someone’s head off from jealousy. 

“Whatever, stop following me.” Jinsoul wipes at her neck, it was sticky here and she realized why. It was an indoor pool, a very large one at that. “Woah…” Jinsoul forgets about Sooyoung finally for just a second. There was even a fountain in the biggest area but the pool branched out into tinier spots, it served as a lazy river as well.

Jinsoul walks across one of the wooden bridges that stretched across the bubbling water. It must have cost millions to build this house. Looking up she gasps, there was a huge window in place of the roof and Jinsoul could see the night sky.

But she’s reminded of who’s seeing this sight with her, “I’m not following you.” Jinsoul rolls her eyes and faces Sooyoung who’s walking right up to her now. The older girl’s strut was alluring and Jinsoul couldn’t help but let her eyes fall to her hips, entranced by the way they sway in those jeans. Jinsoul wouldn’t mind...actually wishes she could see the way the rest of Sooyoung’s body moves underneath that oversized jean jacket.

“Oh yeah? Then what are you doing?” Jinsoul sighs longingly before taking her eyes off the girl’s shape, as pleasing as it was to watch her. 

Sooyoung hums, “I’m simply going in the same direction as you.” Jinsoul’s mouth opens with an argument but all she can do is watch as Sooyoung wisps past her, like she was floating instead of walking. As Jinsoul stands there, Sooyoung turns to walk backwards, her eyebrow raising in amusement, “see not following you.” 

Jinsoul rolls her eyes as she’s the one that begins to follow Sooyoung. The older girl smiles and Jinsoul’s blessed with the short-lived perfection of it before Sooyoung turns her back to her again. The blonde keeps a close eye on Sooyoung, noticing how she’s starting to sweat from the humidity. 

A drop of perspiration travels down the side of the older girl’s face and Jinsoul her lips at the sight. is dry despite the air being sticky around them. Not even swallowing helps to get the lump down. Sooyoung glances at her sideways and Jinsoul doesn’t mind getting caught staring. 

“It’s hot in here.” Sooyoung clears making the blonde hum in response. Jinsoul was sure it wasn’t only the room that was making Sooyoung feel warmer than usual. They keep a steady pace around the pool, looking at all the marble sculptures surrounding it. Jinsoul brushes her fingers across one of them, feeling the marble underneath her palms. 

It’s smooth to the touch and she looks up at the sculpture's face. It’s features are pretty, but not as beautiful as the ones that Sooyoung has. Jinsoul in a deep breath when cool knuckles drag across her cheek, brushing her hair back behind her ear. She glances to her side and up at Sooyoung who was in a trance. The older girl blushes when she blinks back into reality, “sorry, your hair was in your face and I um...” Jinsoul can’t help but let a smile grow when Sooyoung mutters out meekly before audibly gulping. 

Before Jinsoul can tease Sooyoung about ogling her, the girl quickly turns to leave her standing there. The blonde is sure she was swooning over the way Sooyoung had gently touched her, but she shakes the thought and continues to follow the girl. It must have been the high temperature and smell of chlorine getting to her...had Sooyoung always been this dreamy? Jinsoul felt like she was getting drunk by just staring at this girl. 

The walk, the smile. Everything had Jinsoul almost tripping with how memorized she was. Tilting her head a small smile forms as she watches the girl in front of her point at various things around the pool, mumbling about how expensive they must have been. Sooyoung’s stupidly cute, and Jinsoul wants to do something about it.

Like the impulse to push the girl into the pool but then the same urge to drag her out and perform CPR just so she can feel Sooyoung’s plump and probably soft lips against her own…

“Wait what?” Jinsoul asks herself but Sooyoung’s silky voice answers instead, the same voice that sometimes creeps in her mind even during class when she tries to pay close attention, but these days it and her heart are always revolving around Sooyoung. 

“I said imagine living here. It’d be lonely wouldn’t it.” Sooyoung repeats, even though Jinsoul didn’t hear it. She was too busy daydreaming about how pretty Sooyoung’s lips are. Jinsoul shakes herself, why was she even dreaming about that. Sooyoung was a girl...a very attractive girl Jinsoul’s tiny head voice replies. But even then it was just Sooyoung, who she used to not be able to stand. Who she used to hate. 

Now she couldn’t imagine how her days would play out without her. There was a pull to her that she just couldn’t ignore. Sooyoung was in no way perfect…

But with her it felt right.

Jinsoul doesn’t realize she’s staring until Sooyoung waves a hand in front of her face, “hellooo earth to blondie! Is there just static up there?” Jinsoul blinks and the girl in front of her smiles softly, “welcome back.”

The blonde grumbles, “oh shut up.” Sooyoung hums and studies her for another second or two before slinging an arm around her shoulders. Jinsoul accepts the embrace this time and wraps her arms around Sooyoung’s waist, leaning her side into the older girl and resting the back of her head against her shoulder.

They make the half-hug work while walking around the pool, which was decorated with soft pastel lightings and fan palms. Jinsoul could fall asleep right now, wrapped up in Sooyoung was relaxing along with the warm air around them. Sooyoung’s hold was comforting and Jinsoul has never felt like this with someone.

But she’s reminded of why she should be scared of that feeling when Sooyoung whispers in her hair. 

“Let’s go someplace quiet.” Jinsoul doesn’t even answer, only letting Sooyoung lead them elsewhere, Jinsoul would follow Sooyoung anywhere without even realizing it. Like she had no choice but to be pulled with this girl like they were a pair of magnets. Whoever said opposites attract deserved the nobel prize. 

Ignoring the group that had also found the pool, all passing a joint around, Jinsoul stumbles with Sooyoung and back to the hallway. 

Maybe she was afraid of being alone with Sooyoung.

But she couldn’t help but think it had been the only thing she'd wanted all night long.

~~~~

Xiaojun rushes through the crowd, finally finding Yoojung and Doyeon chilling by some of the stairs. “Have you seen Soul?” He was sweating, he had been preoccupied the last hour or so but had come out of the bathroom to make eye contact with someone that wasn’t supposed to be here. As soon as he saw the evil he had panicked and frantically looked for his best friend. 

The two on the stairs shake their head, “no why? She’s been with Sooyoung I think.” Yoojung answers.

Running a hand through his hair he groans, “…”

Kai appears out of nowhere and places his hand on the small of his back, “what’s wrong?” Xiaojun can only glare at him before shoving him away.

“Why the is Jinhyeong here?” Kai’s eyes widen at first but then he starts to look around for him. Xiaojun was boiling, if there was one person that wasn’t supposed to be here it was him. “Seriously Kai? Why would you invite him?”

“I didn’t invite him, okay I don’t know why he’s here.” Kai argues out before sighing, “come on let’s go find him so I can kick his out.”

Yoojung stands up along with Doyeon, “wait who’s Jinhyeong?”

Xiaojun glares at Kai before answering, “some you don’t need to worry about.” Not wanting to waste any time he leaves Yoojung with more burning questions. Xiaojun needed him out of here before he found Jinsoul. The boy had made his best friend's life a nightmare for about a year. When Jinsoul was still vulnerable from a heartbreak...from a certain someone, she had met Jinhyeong only for him to be the spawn of satan.

Jinsoul had taken the mistreatment at first not knowing any better and needing some sort of attention even if it was bad. But as Xiaojun had built her back up to realize what a scumbag her boyfriend was, the blonde had kicked him to the curb. It wasn’t easy getting rid of him, but after a while, with Jinsoul’s not so kind words the boy had left her alone.  

He was manipulative, conniving and Xiaojun believes it’s the reason Jinsoul doesn’t allow herself to be who she really is. When it comes to love that is. His best friend hasn’t changed a bit since they met when they were little. But Jinsoul’s a lot more cautious when it comes to dating now...because she’s only interested in boys. When she used to not care to say she had a crush on a girl or anyone for that matter.

Nobody knows except him and Kai only knows how bad of a guy Jinhyeong is. But Xiaojun was the only one aware of Jinsoul’s buried secret. And if Jinsoul was with Sooyoung...and she saw Jinhyeong or if the boy found her. Xiaojun doesn’t want that to happen. 

Jinsoul has been really happy these days, happier than usual and Xiaojun can only assume it’s because of Sooyoung. Xiaojun wanted to protect their relationship whatever it may be. 

Whatever it may become.

~

Jinhyeong finishes taking a leak and is washing up when he hears two hushed voices behind the shower curtain, “did you see the girl Jinsoul was with? Soooo hot. She must be from the city.” 

“I know right? I wanna be friends with someone that cool...of course she’s Jinsoul’s friend, I mean she’s super nice! One time she bought me a meal and I didn’t even ask!” Jinhyeong listens closely to the conversation. 

“Ugh Jinsoul is perfect, I wish I could be her.”

Pulling back the shower curtain, the two girls sharing a cigarette screech. Jinhyeong dodges the bottle thrown at him and smirks at the scared girls when the glass shatters behind him, “Jung Jinsoul is here?” They look at each other and then back to him.

“Yeah what about it?” He leaves at that, not before snatching the cigarette outta the girl’s hand though. They scream in protest as he takes a long drag. His doc martens scuff the tile floor as he scoots out.

Finishing the cigarette in a couple drags, he tosses it carelessly. “So you’re here too Jinsoulie.” He smirks, “I wonder who this friend of yours is.” 

~~~~

Jinsoul doesn’t realize how clingy she’s being until Sooyoung warns her about it, “why can’t you keep your hands to yourself?” The blonde bites her lip and slowly drags her hands where they were crawling down Sooyoung’s waist and onto her thighs, Jinsoul was just addicted to the way Sooyoung shivered underneath her touch. 

“What? You don’t like it?” Jinsoul says in an innocent voice only receiving a weak glare in return. Pouting up at Sooyoung, the blonde giggles with her victory when the older girl sighs and blushes, it works every time. Jinsoul takes her prize, by placing her hands right back on Sooyoung’s hips as they walk through the endless halls of the mansion.

Sooyoung stops in front of a painting suddenly and Jinsoul’s forced to break her stare where it was lingering on the taller girl’s profile. The blonde bumps into Sooyoung’s back and she wraps her arms fully around the tiny body in front of her, resting her chin on Sooyoung’s shoulder as they study the art in front of them. It's of a woman and she looks like royalty.  Jinsoul’s not for sure who she is but mindlessly sighs out, “wow she’s beautiful.” Jinsoul’s too entranced by the portrait to realize that Sooyoung hasn’t even looked at it yet. 

The older girl was staring directly at her, the gaze she was holding was soft, “yeah she is.” Sooyoung says more to herself and averts her eyes when Jinsoul glances back at her. But the blonde catches it, the fact that Sooyoung wasn’t referring to the portrait. Jinsoul doesn’t verbally thank her for the compliment, but she does rub her cheek into Sooyoung's shoulder out of appreciation. 

Sooyoung stiffens at the affection, clearly not used to having Jinsoul this close to her. The blonde pouts up when Sooyoung stumbles off leaving her arms empty. Jinsoul chases after her and pushes on her shoulder before walking past her, “you’re such a loser.” 

“Me what’d I do?” Jinsoul bites her lip before turning around, Sooyoung is fighting a smile as she matches Jinsoul’s pace. The blonde slowly walks backwards, her palm sliding across the walls as she keeps her eyes on Sooyoung who sways side to side not trying so hard to keep up with her.

Tilting her head Jinsoul can’t help but let out a bubbly laugh, “it’s cute don’t worry.” 

Sooyoung grumbles and rolls her eyes to the side, “Didn’t know losers could be cute.” 

“They can, you’re like the cutest dork I know.” Jinsoul covers when Sooyoung flips her off. The older girl was trying to act like she was mad, but if the glint in her eyes were honest, then Jinsoul was safe to assume that she was loving it.

“Do you know a lot of cute dorks?”

Jinsoul plants her heels into the hallway’s carpet. Sooyoung doesn’t stop her stride until their faces are inches apart. “No, only one. I guess you’re the exception.” 

Sooyoung's gaze flickers between her own before she quietly mumbles out, “oh yeah? I thought I was the worst...not a cute dork.”

The blonde smirks and takes the last step in between them, eyeing Sooyoung up and down. She can even see the older girl’s throat tighten when she swallows and Jinsoul has to take a deep breath to calm her rapid heartbeat, “you’re still the worst...but in a good way.”

Jinsoul smirks and flips around again, making sure her hair smacks Sooyoung in the face. The older girl isn’t amused whatsoever. Jinsoul squeaks when the back of her jacket collar is pulled and the next thing she knows is that she’s pushed against the hallway wall. Sooyoung presses her into it harder with a hand clenched to the collar of her jacket and Jinsoul feels a wave of heat roll through her, “how am I the worst in a good way?”

“I dunno, it’s a secret.” Jinsoul shrugs as Sooyoung tightens her grip and pulls their faces closer. Jinsoul doesn’t let Sooyoung overpower her, she may be taller and her eyes are cold as ice, but Jinsoul’s will was like concrete. She knows exactly what Sooyoung’s looking for, it’s those little slips of confessions that Jinsoul makes, when she lets herself be vulnerable around the older girl and she doesn’t try to hide the way that Sooyoung makes her feel. Jinsoul knows it’s a total ego boost for her. Because for the longest time Jinsoul pretended that she couldn’t stand Sooyoung. 

Sooyoung gives her a skeptical look, “I think you meant to say I’m the best.” 

Smiling, Jinsoul tilts her head while shaking it, “nuh uh.” The blonde could tell Sooyoung was getting frustrated with her. Jinsoul let’s her tongue poke out of the side of and it’s enough of a distraction for Sooyoung that she’s able to escape from where she was being pinned to the wall. 

Skipping down the hallways she ignores Sooyoung’s whines of protest and starts trying various doors again. Most of them are locked, but finally she finds one that the handle pops loose. Before Sooyoung can reach her, Jinsoul slips inside and closes the door on her. The blonde can’t help but let out an evil laugh when Sooyoung bangs on the door.

Jinsoul waits for the begging to start but it never does. It’s silent and the blonde presses her ear against the door, waiting for some kind of response. Soon enough Jinsoul starts to get impatient, swinging the door open. She's not entirely amused to see Sooyoung still standing there waiting for her to give in.

Sooyoung pushes inside before pinching her cheek, “awe I knew you’d start missing me.” Jinsoul smacks the hand away, hating how much she liked what Sooyoung was doing. “Some room you walked into huh.” Jinsoul is too focused on rubbing the tingling feeling out of her cheek to notice what was around her. 

Turning around Jinsoul gawks at the surrounding area, “ew it’s like someone had a wet dream about king arthur.” The room looked straight outta a o, there was animal print and dark hues of red coating the room along with various furniture...not really for sitting and as soon as Sooyoung hit a light switch the lights dimmed and out came a shiny disco ball from the ceiling. Jinsoul snorts as the older girl nervously laughs as she struggles to turn it off. 

The other part of the room was pretty much medieval nerdgasm. Jinsoul doesn’t understand what kinda freak wanted full suited armored knights and various iron weapons mounted on the wall when they were trying to get it on. “This is like something you’d see in a playboy magazine.” Sooyoung mumbles while brushing her hand across one of the red satin couches. 

“How would you know?” Jinsoul snorts while peeking over the minibar. 

Sooyoung is quick to reply but she stutters it out, clearly embarrassed, “just-uh ya know a guess.”

Jinsoul turns to her and smiles as Sooyoung grips at one of the fur pelts thrown over a bench. “Sure, sure...your secret is safe with me ert.” 

“There’s no secret Jinsoul.” Sooyoung groans out, the blush deepening on her cheeks.

But the blonde doesn’t let her off the hook that easily, “it’s okay you know, that you like looking at that stuff. I’d be curious too.” Jinsoul covers her smile with her palm but she knows it reaches her eyes with how they squint by the lift of her cheeks, daring to look over at Sooyoung her lips stretch wider underneath her palm. The girl was trying to kill her with that glare. “Okay! You’re not a complete I get it.” 

Sooyoung rolls her eyes and rummages around cabinets that were filled with expensive materials. Pulling out a purple silk sheet she calls out to Jinsoul. “How many times do you think the dude who owns this place cheated on his wife here?”

Jinsoul scoffs, checking out the heart shaped hot-tub in the off section of the room. “Please, I don’t even wanna know...or what kinda woman who would want to come into here willingly.” 

Sooyoung’s staring closely at one of the many figures when she replies, “what? You don’t think getting boned with a bunch of knights in shining armor around wouldn’t be excitement?” Jinsoul groans as the older girl breaks out into a teasing laugh and Jinsoul whips around to strut over to her.  The blonde creeps up behind Sooyoung as the girl pulls down a long sword from the wall, “this is wicked.”

Jinsoul stares as Sooyoung waves the sword around with ease, she has to admit it’s kinda hot even though it’s the lamest thing she’s ever seen Sooyoung do. The older girl was definitely enjoying herself, “I’d rather be gagged with a spoon than to be in here with some old man.” 

Sooyoung rests the sword on her shoulder, “really? I thought it’d be up to your standards. You seem like a girl that likes class.” Jinsoul crosses her arms unamused as Sooyoung winks at her, her smile barely showing her teeth. Jinsoul likes seeing the smile that Sooyoung uses all her teeth, it’s rare...but it brings her warmth like nothing else can.

“My punani has more dignity than that Sooyoung.” Jinsoul says it like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. Sooyoung simply raises a brow and Jinsoul reaches forward to take the sword out of her grip. “And this isn't class, this is straight up weird. Red flag after red flag.” 

Sooyoung pulls away, not letting Jinsoul take the sword from her. The blonde lets her jaw drop as Sooyoung sways the sword around her head, pressing it to each of her shoulder blades, there’s a satisfied smirk on the older girl’s plump lips until she meets Jinsoul’s unamused stare, “what?”

“Did you just knight me?” Jinsoul asks, trying not to laugh as Sooyoung blushes at being caught acting like the biggest nerd the blonde’s seen.

Sooyoung rolls her eyes and shoves the sword towards her, “no…” Jinsoul raises a brow, “maybe.” Now holding the heavy sword, Jinsoul tilts her head, “...yes.” The blonde smiles with victory as Sooyoung warns her to not say anything about it. Since the older girl did it without thinking. Jinsoul would let her off the hook this once. “Hopefully you don’t count that as a red flag for me.”

Jinsoul giggles, “I’ll let it slide.” Because it was cute.

Sooyoung drags her finger up the blade as Jinsoul follows it, she blinks when she realizes she’s zoning in at the blade when Sooyoung has gone to sit on one of the chairs. The older girl sinks into it, her legs spread and her arms thrown over the sides. Jinsoul tries to not be obvious as she stares, has she always been this hot? “Then what are your standards, for a guy to be worthy enough for you?”

Jinsoul snorts, “you make it sound like I’m some catch.” 

“I wouldn’t disagree with that.” Sooyoung mumbles slowly and Jinsoul tries to hide her blush. 

Flipping the sword around her grip she starts to list out the things she looks for in the boys she dates, “rich, mildly attractive. Doesn’t speak a lot. Easy to please.” The blonde stops Sooyoung’s mouth from opening by pointing the sword at her chest, “and before you say I’m shallow...I am but don’t expect me to feel ashamed about it.”

Sooyoung swallows at the sharp point near her chest and drags her eyes up Jinsoul’s body. Dropping the sword Jinsoul opens up to the girl, “I don’t date because I wanna fall in love. Boys are gross and all they want is . If I play nice enough they’ll do anything I say. But that’s only until I get bored.” her lips, Jinsoul reaches up to dock the sword again, “men are pigs but they’re a nice accessory.” 

“I get that...it’s why I only date-” Sooyoung cuts herself off and Jinsoul wouldn't know why if she wasn’t told already, Sooyoung almost slipped up. Looking behind her shoulder she sees Sooyoung twiddling with her fingers. Turning around she catches Sooyoung’s attention again, causing the girl to finish with a lie, “it’s why I date rarely.” 

“Why do you? I bet guys are fighting over you all the time aren't they.” Jinsoul doesn’t know what came over her to ask that but she quickly backtracks and digs herself in a bigger hole, “I mean if I looked like you I wouldn’t know what to do with myself. ” Jinsoul just gives up then, hating the smirk that starts to play on Sooyoung’s plump lips.

The blonde huffs and goes to flop on the bed as Sooyoung teases her, “what are you saying barbie...?” Flipping Sooyoung off she squeaks when she sinks into the bed. “You really think I’m that y?” 

“Stop putting words in my mouth, you know I didn’t say that.” Jinsoul warns as Sooyoung lifts herself from the chair, stalking over towards her. 

The closer Sooyoung gets, the more Jinsoul scoots back onto the bed, clinging to the silk there. “But you totally did.” Jinsoul’s blood is starting to boil, she hates when Sooyoung mocks her like this. Because the older girl is right, Jinsoul did think she was attractive and she couldn’t do anything but deny it. Even though it was the truth. 

“I hate you.” Jinsoul mumbles under her breath. Sooyoung’s smile only grows brighter. The older girl was leaning over on the bed now, hovering near Jinsoul. The blonde doesn’t like this at all. Because seeing the brown in Sooyoung’s eyes shouldn’t make her chest feel this light. Seeing Sooyoung’s tongue poke out to wet her lips shouldn’t make Jinsoul mirror the action herself. Seeing Sooyooung’s brows knit in concentration shouldn’t make her want to reach up and massage the tension out of them.

Her words don’t support what she feels at all. But she really does hate Sooyoung, because the girl makes her weak. And for the first time, Jinsoul thinks that weakness has never felt so good. 

Sooyoung gaze may be soft, but Jinsoul knows there’s nothing but arrogance swirling around in her head. She knows so when Sooyoung replies in that smooth voice, one more silky than the sheets bundled beneath her fists. “I know princess. I know.” The older girl finally backs away, leaving Jinsoul room to breath before she says something else that gets on the blonde’s nerves, “I’ll keep your dirty little secret, trust me.”

Jinsoul lets her eyes roll dramatically, Sooyoung was talking nonsense, “and what secret would that be? That I think you’re hot...so what.”

Sooyoung turns to her before leaning against the minibar, “nope, that you gotta crush on me.” The expression that Jinsoul makes must have been telling enough. Because Sooyoung bursts out laughing as Jinsoul’s ears turn bright red along with the rest of her features. Jinsoul curses herself, how she could just let Sooyoung get under her skin like that. So much for being smart enough to not fall underneath Sooyoung’s spell.

The older girl wipes a tear from her eye and Jinsoul’s too embarrassed to enjoy the melody of Sooyoung’s laugh, “ah it makes so much sense now! The pure hatred you had for me but still following me around like some lost puppy.” Sooyoung is still giggling while rubbing her chin like some scholar making a discovery. She discovered just how bad Jinsoul had it for her. “And the poor baby gets so mad when I ignore her.”

Jinsoul turns even redder when Sooyoung calls her baby, because she’s not trying to be sweet, it’s mean. “Will you shut up already?” The blonde is on the verge of shaking. She doesn’t like being called out like this. She doesn’t like not being in control. But Sooyoung was the master of this game and it would be a miracle to get ahead of her, so Jinsoul would protect herself. By faking it until she makes it, “I don’t have a crush on you idiot.”

Sooyoung ignores it though and struts back over towards her, Jinsoul’s current view of the floor isn’t the best, but when a hand cups her chin to tilt it up, she manages to find the worst view in the room. Sooyoung’s ego must be the size of a planet right now, with the way her eyes are narrowed. Her bottom lip being chewed on by porcelain teeth. Jinsoul wants to knock them all out, “you know, when you like someone barbie, you’re supposed to be nice to them not try and make them your mortal enemy and annoy the outta them...you’re lucky I stuck around.” Sooyoung was making fun of her.

Pushing the hand away from her chin she stares up at Sooyoung with watery eyes. As soon as the older girl noticed the glossiness reflecting from Jinsoul her smirk dropped with concern. Jinsoul sniffles, “Okay fine, I do have a crush on you Sooyoung.” It’s Sooyoung’s turn to blush now, because she never knew Jinsoul would just admit that...only to find out that the blonde meant she had another kinda crush on her. “I really really wanted to be friends with you, because I’ve never met anyone who gets me like you do.” 

Wiping her nose she hiccups, a bad habit she has when she cries. “But you were such a jerk to me, like you’re being right now. You weren't interested in me and it hurt my feelings. I had to give you a reason to keep coming back, and fighting with you was better than just sitting around for you to never show up again.” Jinsoul pouts up for real, she’s an angry crier so she tries to think of cute things to make her stop. Kittens, care bears, Sooyoung’s smile. No she was mad at Sooyoung right now so that just made her face scrunch up more. “I am lucky that you’re still here, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t change your mind and forget about me anyways..” 

Sooyoung may get bored of her eventually, and the dark part of Jinsoul’s mind reminds her of the fact that the only reason the older girl’s still around these days is because she thinks she has some sort of chance with her. And if Sooyoung doesn’t get what she wants, she’ll just end up leaving Jinsoul behind. 

Biting back the tears she glances up at Sooyoung, who was on the verge of laughing. Jinsoul let’s out a pitiful noise as Sooyoung does laugh for a moment, but the girl puts her hand on her head to pat it gently, “you are so dramatic Jung Jinsoul.” The way her name is said is gentle enough to make her stop pouting, but Sooyoung was still laughing.

“Oh bite me Sooyoung I’m being serious!” 

Sooyoung rolls her eyes but not in a mocking way as she keeps patting on the blonde’s head, despite Jinsoul pushing it away every five seconds. “Me too! You really are such an airhead sometimes.” The blonde blows steam out of her ears before Sooyoung gives an explanation, “you for real didn’t think I liked you?” 

Jinsoul lets her eyes shift from side to side, “well if you did it wasn’t really obvious.” 

The mattress sinks beside her and Jinsoul forces herself to look in the opposite direction, “I did it’s just...well barbie you gave a lot of mixed signals. Still do.” Sooyoung admits shyly, “I thought you wanted to be left alone and I don’t do well with making friends anyways. So, I did what I do best, I tried to avoid you.” 

Jinsoul finally meets Sooyoung’s gaze, and suddenly it wasn’t like they were at some lame party sitting inside some weird room. It was just them, like it was always just them. When Jinsoul’s with Sooyoung sometimes it feels like nobody else exists. It has since the beginning. When she first looked into Sooyoung’s eyes and they shared something the blonde wasn’t sure how to explain to anyone but herself or maybe Sooyoung. Because they were the only ones that could understand it.

The chemistry they had.

“I’m glad you kept chasing after me barbie, because I think I’ve been waiting for someone like you my whole life.” Sooyoung says without breaking the staring contest they were having.

Jinsoul swallows for a moment, something pulls her closer to Sooyoung. “Someone like me?”

The blonde watches as Sooyoung slowly nods before tilting her head, “I don’t know, it’s taken me years to trust some people, but for some reason. I feel like I could tell you anything and the only thing you’d do is call me a weirdo.” Jinsoul blinks then and then she starts to laugh out of nowhere. Sooyoung smiles as Jinsoul holds her stomach that’s in pain, but the blonde slowly comes back to reality wiping the happier tears along with the previous frustrated ones.

“Out of all the lame you’ve ever said, all that, “Jinsoul waves her hand exaggerating it, “might have been the worst that’s come out of your mouth.” 

Sooyoung doesn’t take offense to it however, “It made you smile though. What’s so lame about that?”

Everything. 

I’m the loser for letting you make me feel this good.

Jinsoul wants to give into Sooyoung, just like everyone else does. Falling under her spell is easy, but Jinsoul knows how hard it would be to break free from it. The reason why it’s so easy...the underlying sweetness Sooyoung has. That makes it seem so honest. At first glance, this girl should be cold and heartless. And she was, but she was also stupid and annoying and freakisly adorable. Jinsoul was beginning to be attached, no matter how many times she’d tried to convince herself that she wasn’t. 

The blonde doesn’t understand how Sooyoung’s presence used to irritate her, but now she found it endearing. Moments like these, are what got her so strung up on Sooyoung. When Sooyoung saw right through her without any effort. It killed Jinsoul, because she thought this feeling would go away when she became friends with Sooyoung. That the only reason she felt like this is because she wasn’t getting what she wanted.

Sooyoung tried to understand her, had the patience for her like nobody else has. Her friends never saw the side that Sooyoung did, not until a long time after they met. But Jinsoul’s attitude...was initially Sooyoung’s first impression. And yet the girl was here, still being cautious since Jinsoul was so sensitive. It was thoughtful, that Sooyoung cared enough to try and not hurt her feelings, when Jinsoul had been awful to her.

She didn’t understand it. None of it.

Jinsoul didn’t understand why she liked Sooyoung so much. And she can’t wrap her head around the fact that Sooyoung might like her just as much.

All she knew is that she was going to cling onto this. As long as Sooyoung allowed her to. Because for some reason, Jinsoul didn’t think this would last forever. Eventually, Sooyoung’s patience will run thin and Jinsoul won’t have the energy to fight for attention anymore. 

But for now, she would just sink into the quicksand of Sooyoung’s charm and manage to enjoy it for what it’s worth.

“A lot of things about you are lame.” Jinsoul finally answered the question. Sooyoung rolls her eyes and pushes her away before Jinsoul pushes her right back, “how’d you get so good?” 

“At what?” 

Jinsoul her lips and leans forward into Sooyoung’s space, “you always know what to say.” 

The older girl’s lips quirk, taking a deep breath she answers, “practice makes perfect, I’ve told you that before barbie.” Jinsoul narrows her eyes skeptically. And just how many girls have you practiced on Sooyoung. 

Jinsoul doesn’t let that thought eat at her, they’re just girls after all. And she wasn’t a girl for Sooyoung to practice on. Instead, she thinks they could have a little fun. “Wanna get drunk?” Jinsoul was getting a little scared, she wanted to just do mindless things with Sooyoung. They were heading in a direction Jinsoul promised she wouldn’t go towards.

Sooyoung meets her smile.

And Jinsoul realizes it’s the same smile from the beginning.

Only sweeter.

~~~~

Yoojung is watching some guy named Mark hang upside down while chugging on a beer keg. She has no idea what kinda party this is...but it was strange. The guy wiggles his little legs and the taller goofy guy flips him back over, there’s beer and some sort of other stain on Mark’s shirt and Yoojung doesn’t wanna know what it is. The taller guy, who’s name was Lucas, dabs Mark up, “dude that was righteous!”

“You already know homiefry.”

Yoojung turns to her girlfriend who was eating a sandwich, “why do they talk like that?” Doyeon shrugs, taking another bite of the sandwich, “where did you even get that?” Doyeon shrugs again and Yoojung shakes her head, maybe it was time to go home.

But she really needed to find Jinsoul and Xiaojun to see if they were okay before she did. Jinsoul disappeared with Sooyoung a long time ago, doing god knows what. Xiaojun has been in and out, the last thirty minutes he’s been frantically searching for the blonde.

Speaking of the devil, Jinsoul pops up right in front of her, way drunker than she remembered. “BABE I MISSED YOU.” The air is knocked outta her lungs as Jinsoul collides into her. Yoojung holds her best-friend up as she acknowledges Sooyoung awkwardly shimmying behind them. Doyeon gives Sooyoung a warning glare and the girl shakes her head fearfully. 

Yoojung eyes them curiously, she’d have to ask Doyeon about that little exchange later. Pulling back she grabs Jinsoul’s face, it was warm and Yoojung couldn’t help but squish her cheeks up. “How many did you have?”

Jinsoul blinks, her eyes glossed over. “I forgot how to count.”

Yoojung glares at Sooyoung, who only looked a bit tipsy compared to how knocked Jinsoul was, “hey I tried to stop her but...it’s kinda hard to say no.” Yoojung understands Sooyoung, Jinsoul is very stubborn. And also really cute when she says please. She’s sure Sooyoung probably got the puppy eyes when she told Jinsoul she’s had enough. Yoojung glances at Jinsoul who was giggling happily.

Who could resist a face like this?

Peaking at Sooyoung and seeing the softness in her eyes, Yoojung realizes that her friend had an effect on the coldest of people. Jinsoul pulls away from her and then clings onto Sooyoung and Yoojung has to fight back the laugh as the older girl blushes deeply as Jinsoul whines for attention. Sooyoung looked like she was about to pass out, but the smile growing on her face was telling enough.

Sooyoung absolutely loved every second of it. 

Jinsoul’s a force to be reckoned with when drunk and after the blonde is done with Sooyoung she heads straight for the drinks. Yoojung barely has time to contain her before she’s shoving some poor soul who was pouring themselves a drink, “MOVE YOU LARDASS!”

Yoojung takes the bottle outta Jinsoul’s hand as the blonde brings it up to . If there was one side of Jinsoul she didn’t like it was this one. Staring into her friends eyes she tries to telepathically tell her to stop acting up, she’s causing a scene. But apparently that’s what Jinsoul wants, “I feel like making somebody mad tonight.” 

“No Jinsoul, you should feel like drinking some water.” Yoojung scurries around for a glass and fills it up with a tap. She likes Jinsoul drunk, the blonde is really fun most of the time. Only wanting to dance and laugh. But there’s times that Jinsoul gets like this, self-destructive. It’s usually when she’s thinking too hard about something or upset. 

Like the party when Jinsoul almost outed her and Doyeon. Jinsoul tries to cause drama to distract herself. It’s a bad habit, but Yoojung was determined to break it. If Jinsoul picked out someone from this party...the night wouldn’t end prettily.

“Where’s Minho?” Jinsoul asks quietly and Yoojung sides eyes her.

Shaking her head she hands the glass of water to her friend, “you’re better than that Jinsoul, whatevers bothering you, ing Minho won’t fix it. You don’t even like him.” Yoojung explains, this is what she means by self-destructive. If Jinsoul was sober, the thought of being with a guy would make her gag. This was unfortunately how most of Jinsoul’s relationships started. 

“I know...but he likes me and that’s enough.” Yoojung catches the sadness in Jinsoul’s voice.

Thinking for a few seconds, she tries to bring up something that makes Jinsoul happy, “but you’re hanging out with Sooyoung right? That’s nice right? Plus she likes you, well not like Minho does.”

Jinsoul sits the glass of water down and turns to Yoojung, she knows how gone Jinsoul is. But still what comes out of shocks her more than anything she’s ever heard, “yeah…it’s really nice but Sooyoung won’t me. She doesn’t like me like that.” Yoojung stares into glossy black eyes, trying to make sense about what Jinsoul just said. 

Wait...does she want Sooyoung to?

Before Yoojung can open Jinsoul’s back to the alcohol, chugging it down. It seems like the blonde was pretty aware of what she just said. And she was trying to drink enough to the point where she won’t remember it. But it isn’t her hand that stops the bottle. It’s a scarred hand, with brassy rings littering it.

The blonde is about to yell at the guy but clamps shut and she shuffles almost behind Yoojung. She’s never seen her friend this scared in her life, Jinsoul never curls up like this. Jinsoul was always strong. The guy with a rugged haircut smirks, “I think that’s enough Jinsoulie.” 

Jinsoul, seemingly sober now mumbles out with a straight face, “go away Jinhyeong.” Oh it’s the guy Xiaojun was talking about earlier. Their friend appears seconds later, like he was trying to prevent this from happening.

Xiaojun tries to grab him but the guy shoves him off, three more guys appear in the same kinda style as him. “ off fairy boy I’m tryna speak to my girl.”

Jinsoul latches onto Yoojung’s arm and starts backing away, the party-goers in the kitchen either stay to watch the drama or filter out to keep having fun. “I’m not your girl and don't speak to him like that.”

Jinhyeong smiles and it runs a chill down Yoojung’s spine, she can’t imagine how Jinsoul feels. “Of course you are, you’ll always be.” He reaches for Jinsoul but so does someone else. Yoojung doesn’t lose her grip on Jinsoul, she strengthens it and looks to her side. Where Sooyoung was standing in front of Jinsoul. Yoojung swallows, she doesn’t know whose stare is more bone chilling. Sooyoung’s or Jinhyeong’s.  

While the scumbag’s is borderline creepy, Sooyoung’s is unwavering, steeled. “She doesn’t wanna talk to you...obviously.” Sooyoung says almost boredly, probably in an effort to kill the tension down.

Jinhyeong’s eyes narrow, “who are you? One of Jinsoulie’s friends?” Sooyoung does say anything back and pushes him away when he reaches for Jinsoul again. “Hey Jinsoul if are these girls bothering you all you gotta do is tell me.” He says mockingly as he keeps trying to reach for her.

Xiaojun had recovered by then, but as he lunged to protect the three girls cornered the two other guys with Jinhyeong reached out to grab him. Jinsoul moves in Yoojung’s grip, but she tightens it and so does Sooyoung. 

“You’ve always liked your friends a little different haven’t you baby?” Jinhyeong asks while eyeing the two beside her, “a little different like this,” Jinhyeong smiles and then spreads two of his fingers and sticks his tongue between them. Both Yoojung and Sooyoung look at Jinsoul and back at each before Jinhyeong starts to speak again, “you’d anybody if they bought you a pair of shoes.” 

Jinhyeong then leans in real close, and Jinsoul’s beginning to be a lot harder to restrain. “Wouldn’t you ?” Jinsoul pushes forward but her wrist is caught where she was planning on slapping Jinhyeong, the boy then grabs her by the jaw forcefully and that’s when everyone unfreezes.

Sooyoung’s fist comes flying towards his face, but another one makes contact first. Somehow Xiaojun had squirmed his way out the other guys hold Minho was waiting for the opportunity as well to throw in a punch without missing. In moments the whole party was a brawl. 

There were bottles being thrown everywhere, screaming. Yoojung ducks as a fist flies towards her and starts to hunker over. As she’s nearing the dining table a guy is thrown on top of it and he breaks through the middle. 

She’s not sure where Sooyoung and Jinsoul went but she quickly finds her girlfriend cheering on someone elbow dropping a person on the ground. Smacking the back of Doyeon’s head she screams, “what the hell are you doing? Let’s get out of here!” 

Doyeon rubs at the wounded spot and she has to be dragged outta the party since she still wants to watch. Yoojung pulls them outside of the house and she turns to watch in awe as people are thrown out windows and everything. Kai was gonna be in a lot of trouble. 

“That was fun…” Doyeon mumbles out sadly and Yoojung rolls her eyes. The last thing she needed was her girlfriend to get hurt. Searching for blonde hair she’s not entirely successful. 

Really Jinsoul’s still inside, watching all the madness go down. She was trying to find the satisfaction of Jinhyeong getting beat up but there was none. Not even if she was the one doing it, seeing him swell up with injuries wouldn’t make her feel better. Not after the way Yoojung looked at her. It was sympathetic and in good intention, but Jinsoul didn’t need anyone to feel sorry for her. 

Xiaojun had also given her an apologetic smile, but she couldn't stand it. She knows exactly why he feels bad. Jinsoul is strong, she doesn’t need people thinking she’s weak. Jinhyeong doesn’t bother her, he’s just annoyingly evil. There’s no point to this brawl, it wouldn’t have started if everyone didn’t swoop out to protect her.

And that’s why she feels embarrassed over it all. She had to grit her teeth when Sooyoung’s stare was full of concern, how her arm had draped in front of her protectively. Sure Jinsoul appreciated it, but it wasn’t needed. She could take care of herself.

When Jinhyeong grabbed her jaw, that left her an opportunity to break his wrist. But of course, everyone wanted to be a knight in shining armor for her. She saw three fists fly out at once, her bestfriends, Minho’s...and Sooyoung’s. Xiaojun’s protection was comforting, Minho’s was annoying and somehow, Sooyoung’s made her a bit ashamed.

Jinsoul dodges someone being thrown towards her without the effort. She was casually leaning back onto the counter, taking small sips of someone’s drink that had been left behind. Through the bustle of bodies, almost two pop out simultaneously. Jinsoul’s met with two charming smiles and has to scoff when the two of them glare at each other. 

It’s Minho and Sooyoung. She has to admit, she never really liked Minho. He’s too needy and boring. That’s why she broke up with him about a month into dating him. But Sooyoung’s appearance is annoying her as well. Like the two were competing over her. Jinsoul’s not some prize for chivalry.  

But here they are, waiting patiently for her to choose one of them. As if she really wanted to be with anyone after Jinhyeong said all that to her. Minho looks confident, his shoulders laid back military style. Sooyoung was shyer, almost begging Jinsoul to say something. She was also holding her side, like she was in pain.

The blonde doesn’t choose, she pushes in between them after rolling her eyes. The both of them deflate. As Jinsoul pushes through the brawl and shoving a body that comes flying towards her, she manages to escape. She’s human, and she knows the two’s intentions are good.

All Jinsoul feels like is some sort of game.

And she doesn’t want to play.

~~~~~~

Sorry for this horrible chapter, I promise to make the next one better! I hope everyone enjoys it! 

Lots of love!