Taeyeon playfully hit Tiffany on the shoulder. “What did you think I got into the gifted program for? I don’t want them to worry too much, and I don’t want them to divert their attention to me either. It’s a good position for me, and I am happy this way.”

“I am sorry.”

“You are apologizing?”

“Yeah, I shouldn’t have ignored you and used that stupid tactic of trying to you to make up with Sunny. Only if I knew you were….”

Out of every expression one would expect in this situation, Taeyeon gave the least expected one. She gave Tiffany a big fat grin filled with full of slyness. “Since you are apologizing, does that mean you will do what I ask?”

“What…why?” asked an unsuspecting Tiffany.

“I mean, you said you are trying to apologize for ignoring me, so I will only forgive you on a condition.” Said Taeyeon with one finger raised.

“Wait, was this all a prank!?”

Taeyeon looked at her pink-loving friend. “No, everything I told you was the truth. So, you better not tell Yoona what I told you tonight. Alright?”

“Jesus Christ. No wonder why Sunny didn’t want to talk to you. You use everything to your advantage!”

“I mean. Would you rather a happy TaeTae or a sad and dejected TaeTae?” teased Taeyeon.

“A happy one.”

“There! Being sad is a waste of time. Wouldn’t you rather be happy longer?”

“Yeah, but isn’t your mother sick? Aren’t you worried? You using your situation to take advantage of me. You are so shameless.”

Taeyeon smirked.

“Oh my god, you two, are you guys still in there?” said Sunny, who came back after not seeing the two come out.

------

Jessica sat on a rock they regularly hung out at at the edge of the large playfield. Yuri sat beside her and Hyoyeon sitting at the edge of another rock close by.

“So, what are you guys’ plans after high school?”

“I want to go to med school,” Yuri answered.

“I think I am studying business, so I can help my parents. But after they said I can do whatever I want if I do well. I think I am going to open my own dance studio.” Hyoyeon followed up.

Jessica could only respond with a sigh. She knew it will be a nightmare trying to convince her parents to get what she wants.

“Jess, come on. I am sure your parents will keep their word. You just got a few months left before the semester is over; now that you have reached your dad’s, you just have to maintain it.” Yuri laid her hands on Jessica’s back, trying to give some encouragement.

She buries her face in the palm of her hands. “I know, but why do I still feel uneasy?”

“There is nothing to be worried about. Taeyoon with an 86, that has no chance of getting past you.”

Yuri knew Jessica since they were in elementary school, and it pains her to see her best friend this distraught.

Although Jessica knows her father can bend his words any way he likes at any time, her two friends do put a smile back on her face.

“And when I make my first album, I am definitely going to put you in it!” Jessica poked Yuri on her nose.

“I wonder what the lyrics are going to be?” Yuri tapped her chin.

“I will write about all that you did for me, not letting a single detail out. Hehe.”

“Why don’t you two get married, yeesh.” Hyoyeon shuddered, “but hey, I kind of miss messing with those two losers.”

“Same.” Yuri agreed. “I bet that kid thinks she is so cool now that she looks better. We need to put her back in her place! What do you say we go have a little fun with them after school?”

Before the other two could reply, a boy stood before them with a rather displeased face.

“Can we help you?” asked Hyoyeon.

The boy took a deep breath because he knew going up against Jessica may be a death wish, and there is no going back after this. But now that he sees the girl he admires being picked on, he can’t just let it go by.

“I think you should think twice before you come to conclusions like that.”

“Coming to what conclusions?” the group of girls ar