As Eunha tried to sleep her mind went back to the first ever party she went to with her friends. That night they were invited because it was Yuju’s older brother who organized it at their house.

Yuju’s parents were out of town and the boy invited his university friends for a big party. It was the first time the girls would go to such a big party without any parents and with a lot of alcohol.

Even if Yuju’s brother was an adult the girls knew this party would be out of control. But they were also quite excited about it.

Eunha remembered how shy they were at first, when the party started only a small group of Yuju’s brother’s friends arrived and it was calm and kinda casual, but as time passed more people arrived and more alcohol too.

Everyone was playing alcohol games and the girls wanted to try some.

As Umji and SinB were the youngest they only had one glass, just to try, both didn’t like the taste of that cheap beer and joined a group that was playing spin the bottle. The other girls joined other games and drank a bit more.

Eunha remembered how the first sip felt in . It was bitter, to be honest it wasn’t that good but as she drank some more, it was making her feel warm inside. After some more glasses, everything around her was feeling more nice, more loud, more intense. Sowon had not left her side all night, she was drinking too, and even though the tall girl was older it was also her first big party and her first time drinking alcohol.

Eunha saw how Sowon was different with alcohol, the tall girl was more touchy than ever and after spending some months with a distant Sowon, Eunha was kinda enjoying it. 

The short girl missed the closeness she had with Sowon so much and didn’t know how to explain it. Because Sowon was still by her side, always here, always her friend but something was different. Now Sowon wouldn't let her sit on her laps like before, she would stand up and leave the seat for Eunha, Sowon wouldn't hug her much anymore, Sowon wouldn’t invite Eunha over on weekend and would find some excuse not to sleep over at Eunha’s house when the short girl would invite her.

This distance wasn’t that much as they were still quite close, but for Eunha it wasn’t enough. She was used to a closeness that Sowon wasn’t sharing with her anymore and Eunha wasn’t sure how to tell it to Sowon without sounding weird.

It was true, how to express this need without sounding needy and desperate. Eunha knew it would be weird of her to ask about it, ask Sowon to hug her more like before, to take her hand more often, let her sit on her lap, to sleep over on the weekends… Eunha knew their friendship was different and that their closeness was on another level compared to their other friends but neither of them ever mentioned anything about it and now that it was changing Eunha really didn’t know how to ask for it again.

She felt Sowon’s hand on her hip and Eunha turned to the tall girl who was standing beside her.

“Wanna play a game?” she asked as she finished her glass and Eunha looked around. She wasn’t sure she wanted to play spin the bottle, thinking about kissing some strangers was making her sick. The truth or dare game could be nice but she was scared of the dares the college guys would make her do.

So she shook her head. “No, I'm good here.” she said and Sowon nodded. “But you can go if you want.” she said as Sowon was looking at SinB and Umji playing spin the bottle with a big group of people. 

“No no, I don’t want to.” said Sowon as she filled her glass again. “I don’t wanna waste my first kiss on some stupid frat boys.” she said as she took a long sip of beer.

Eunha smiled. “Come on they probably are not that stupid.” she joked and Sowon rolled her eyes while drinking some more.

They watched their younger friends awkwardly play, then Eunha heard her favorite song playing in the other room. “Oh let’s dance!” said Eunha excited as she took Sowon’s hand and pulled her in the room with the music.

Sowon quickly finished her drink and put the cup on a table before joining Eunha in the middle of the room. Lot of people were dancing so Eunha made sure to stay close to Sowon, she didn’t want anyone to dance with her or with Sowon on her favorite song.

It was maybe a bit selfish but Eunha wanted Sowon for herself so she pulled Sowon closer to her and circled her arms around the tall girl's neck. Sowon instinctively put her arms around Eunha’s waist and they faced each other while dancing. It wasn’t a slow dance but as they were facing each other like this it was like the rest of the world slowed down and it was only them standing there, enjoying the music.

Sowon moved closer and rested her forehead against Eunha’s. They closed their eyes and just enjoyed the moment.

When the song finished the girls moved apart a bit.

“I need another drink…” said Eunha as her cheeks were red but not because of the alcohol.

Sowon walked away and Eunha breathed out loudly, trying to forget how hot she was feeling after this nice dance with Sowon. Eunha barely had time to recompose herself that Sowon came back with two glasses of beer. They went to sit on the stairs to drink in a more calm place. From there they could see other people drinking and playing. 

“It’s nice here.” said Eunha and Sowon looked at her smiling.

“Really nice…” said Sowon as she finished her drink quickly again.

Eunha looked at her worried. She was feeling a bit drunk or at least she guessed it was how she was supposed to feel as she was drunk because it was her first time. And Sowon drank more than her tonight, quite a lot more. “Maybe we should stop with the beer, I feel really blurry, like my mind is blurry.” said Eunha giggling and Sowon smiled.

“I think I’m quite drunk too.” she said and Eunha took her hand.

“It’s nice to be here with you.” said Eunha softly as she looked down, too shy to look at Sowon’s eyes.

Sowon squeezed her hand softly. “Really nice, just like in a dream.” said the tall girl as she moved away and rested her back against the wall.

“Do you feel sleepy too?” asked Eunha and Sowon nodded.

“I feel exhausted but at the same time excited.” said Sowon and Eunha giggled again, understanding perfectly as she was feeling the same.

“Alcohol is no joke.” said Eunha laughing and Sowon just stared at her.

Eunha calmed down as she met eyes with Sowon. The tall girl was looking at her weirdly, Eunha never saw this look before. She felt like a prey under her predator gaze. Eunha swallowed hard.

“What is it?” she asked shyly and Sowon kept staring at her. 

“Nothing.” said the tall girl.

Eunha frowned. “Sowon, I know you better than you know yourself, tell me… what’s wrong?”

Sowon shook her head not answering and Eunha insisted.

“You really can tell me anything you know… I can see something is bothering you…” she said and Sowon sighed.

“I said there was nothing.” said Sowon coldly as she stood up. “You maybe don’t want more beer but I need some more.” she said as she walked away.

Eunha sighed too and walked out, she needed fresh air. She sat on the steps in front of the front door and looked at the city at night. The lights were looking so nice. With the cold air and calm night she felt her head relax, she didn’t know exactly how long she stayed there but she was starting to feel cold sitting here without moving so she decided to take a walk.

As she walked without really knowing where she was going she passed in front of a night shop. She entered and bought some snacks and a bottle of water.

She sat on a low wall separating two parking lots and started eating her snacks. She stayed there some more time, looking at cars passing by, she felt better, she could regain her sense as alcohol wasn’t making such an effect on her anymore as she was hydrating herself and eating a bit.

Suddenly her phone rang, it was Yerin.

“Where are you?” asked the girl and Eunha looked around herself, not sure as she didn't know this part of the city well. 

“I’m… euh… I’m taking a walk.” she said and heard Yerin talking to SinB. “She’s out.” she said to the other girl.

“Everything’s alright?” asked Eunha and he heard someone crying and could bet her life it was Sowon.

“Well Sowon is quite drunk and she’s crying because she can’t find you…” said Yerin and Eunha panicked.

“Really wait, I’m coming back.” she said as she hung up and ran back to Yuju’s house.

She entered the house and looked around, then she spotted Umji waving at her and making signs to her to come over there.

Eunha rushed to them and saw Sowon sitting on the floor surrounded by their friends, sobbing loudly.

“What's wrong?” she asked as she kneeled down in front of Sowon who sobbed even more as she saw her and hugged her.

“She’s been like this for 10 minutes and we couldn’t calm her.” said SinB worried.

“Why did you leave me…?” sobbed Sowon dramatically and Eunha sighed.

“I just went to get fresh air, I didn’t leave.” she said to Sowon who kept crying. “I think she drank too much…” she said to her friend and Yuju nodded pointing to the stairs.

“We have some guest rooms upstairs, we should take her to bed.” said Yuju as she led the way. Eunha and Yerin helped Sowon get up and they followed Yuju.

Umji and SinB stayed downstairs.

As they were walking up the stairs Sowon stopped and went away from Yerin to turn to Eunha.

“You won’t leave me…” she said and Eunha shook her head.

“I'm here with you, you have to go to bed and rest now.” she said softly and Sowon nodded.

“Let us help you.” said Yerin and Sowon let them guide her to the room.

Eunha looked at Yuju and Yerin waiting, not sure about how to help more.

“Thank you.” said Eunha to them. “I think I will stay a bit with her till she sleeps and join you after.” she said but Yerin hesitated.

“You sure you will be okay?” she asked and Eunha shook her shoulders.

“It’s the first time I see her in this state but it should be fine, she just drank too much and got emotional.” said Eunha and Yerin nodded.

“Well we will let you handle her then.” said Yuju, as they walked to the door Yuju turned around. “Oh and you should lock the door, we never know who could enter…” she said as most people in the house were drinking alcohol and some may try to get upstairs. Eunha nodded and walked to the door. She waited for the girls to leave then she locked the door.

Eunha walked back to the bed where Sowon was sitting, her sobbing stopped by now, she was just silent and clearly sleepy.

The short girl helped Sowon lay on the bed and went to take off her shoes. Sowon sat up and looked down at Eunha.

“Eunha…” she said and Eunha looked up meeting eyes with Sowon.

“How do you feel?” asked Eunha slowly as she finished taking off Sowon’s shoes before sitting on the bed beside her.

“I feel terrible…” said Sowon as she started to cry again and Eunha took the tall girl in her arms immediately to reconfort her.

Sowon hugged her back, a tight hug that lasted longer than any friendly hug should, neither of them wanted to let go, they both missed each other so much especially since Sowon was more distant.

After what looked like hours the girls broke apart and Eunha saw that Sowon was staring at her face. She blushed and looked down shyly, their faces were so close and this moment felt more intimate than any other moments they shared before. Everything was different, more intense, and Eunha didn’t know why but she enjoyed this, this warm feeling inside her, this buzzing feeling in her head. It was like Sowon’s closeness was making all her body on fire.

Eunha never felt this before, it was so strong but so strange. But it also was the best sensation ever. She wanted to feel this forever so she didn’t move, she looked up and Sowon was still looking at her, with this deep strong gaze that was melting her. 

Eunha swallowed hard and her eyes ended up on Sowon’s lips. The tall girl them slowly.

“You are the prettiest girl I ever seen…” whispered Sowon and Eunha’s heart started going crazy, as if their closeness wasn’t enough, Sowon had to add words like this. “You are so beautiful that it’s killing me… I just can’t get my eyes off you, I love you so much Eunha… I…” Sowon stopped herself and looked at Eunha’s lips too. “I want to… I want to kiss you so bad…” she added in a lower voice.

It was so low and shy that Eunha wasn’t sure she heard it well. “Kiss me…?” she asked and Sowon nodded. “Then do it…” answered shyly Eunha and Sowon smiled a bit but tears came to her eyes again. Eunha didn't have time to ask her why she was crying again that Sowon closed the distance between them and kissed Eunha’s lips slowly. Shyly, delicately.

Eunha kissed her back, she wasn’t sure she was doing it well, she never kissed anyone, but she remembered Sowon either and it reassured her. She felt Sowon’s lips closing on her lower lips, and it was like was melting into Sowon’s, her warm breath entering her and warming her body even more.

They broke apart and Eunha her lips, it tested like a mix between Sowon’s lip balm and beer, she smiled and touched her lips, she couldn’t believe she kissed her best friend, she couldn’t believe it was so nice, she couldn’t believe she enjoyed it so much that she wanted to do it again.

“Sowon…” breathed Eunha but Sowon didn’t let her finish that she hugged her again and pulled Eunha on the bed with her.

They both laid in each other’s arms for some minutes and Sowon hid her face into Eunha’s neck. Eunha got more comfortable and let Sowon’s rest.

“We can talk about this tomorrow…” said Eunha but as she looked down but Sowon was already sleeping. 

On the next morning, when Eunha woke up Sowon wasn’t in the bed with her, she sat up and opened her eyes, she saw Sowon sitting on the end of the bed, her back toward Eunha. The short girl rubbed her eyes and went closer to Sowon, she sat beside her and took her hand in hers.

“Morning.” she said sweetly.

Sowon looked at her. “Good morning…” she said as she hissed in pain. “My head is killing me and I feel nauseous,” said Sowon.

Eunha giggled a bit. “Well you drank a lot yesterday…” she reminded the tall girl who groaned.

“Yeah, I bet because I can’t remember anything from the night before… you took me to bed?” she asked Eunha who looked down and let go of Sowon’s hands.

“Yeah, Yerin and Yuju helped me, you got emotional because of alcohol and ended up crying like a baby.” said Eunha as she stood up, she looked around for her shoes and her sweater. She was mad, mad at herself, mad at Sowon.

The tall girl wasn’t even remembering their kiss, she probably doesn’t even remembered what she told Eunha, she probably wasn’t even meaning it… Eunha was frustrated, she sighed loudly as she was putting on her shoes.

“You’re alright?” asked Sowon worried but Eunha pushed her away when she approached.

“Yeah I’m just tired and go wash yourself you still smell alcohol, it’s disgusting.” she said as she stood up and walked to the door, she went to open it but it was locked so she unlocked it and walked out as fast as she could.

After this night, the girls participated at other parties, Sowon wouldn’t end up drunk every time, but the times she did, she would be calling after Eunha while crying, and she would tell Eunha she loved her, that she was pretty, that she wanted her but everytime on the next morning she wouldn't remember anything and Eunha had to remind herself that she needed to ignore everything Sowon would tell her when she was drunk, that everything she was doing or saying while being drunk she didn’t mean it, that it was just alcohol making her act like this…

Eunha turned in bed, Sowon was snoring lightly. Once again, after years and years, Sowon ended up drunk and said those words. It broke Eunha’s heart again because no matter how strongly she forced herself to ignore Sowon when she was in this state she couldn’t help but think about their kiss, she couldn't help but hope it would be real one day, hope that Sowon would tell her this and mean it. Because deep down she knew that if Sowon kissed her, that if she told her she loved her then deep down there was maybe a little chance Sowon was feeling something for her more than friendship. Maybe she was also having feelings for her but didn’t realize it yet.

Eunha was still hoping that Sowon would realize it, realize that what they have is special and always been but she knew it would never happen, Sowon abandoned her, Sowon ran away, it was way too late for her to open her eyes, and her heart now, after all those years.

If Sowon really loved her that way she would have fought for it… 

Eunha’s eyes got teary and she forced herself to try to sleep.

On the next morning when Sowon opened her eyes she groaned, it was already so bright and her head was killing her. She turned to her nightstand and saw a glass of water with some pills, she sat up and looked closer, there was a note too.

“Drink this and take the pills you will need it. Leaving for work, I made some soup for you and your mom. - Eunha.”

Sowon looked at her bed and let herself fall back on her pillow. She sighed loudly.

“Gosh I’m so stupid, I did it again…” she breathed out embarrassed as she massaged her temples.

Sowon sat up, she took the pill and drank all the water, she was so thirsty. She walked to the bathroom and took a quick shower, she needed to wake up and clean all the mess she felt in her head. A good shower was often helping her relax and think better. But all she could think about was Eunha, her pretty face, her sweet voice, and all the time Sowon wanted to kiss her since she came back.

When Sowon came out she got dressed in comfy clothes and went to her mother’s room, the woman looked at her, she was awake.

“Good morning.” smiled Sowon softly and her mother smiled back.

“Not sure it’s still the morning.” said the woman as it was past noon now.

Sowon nodded. “You’re right, are you hungry?” she asked, “Eunha made some soup for us.”

“Eunha is so sweet, she’s a real angel…” said the woman as she nodded and Sowon walked out to the kitchen to warm the soup and prepare two bowls that she brought to her mother’s room.

She helped her mother sit up in the bed and gave her the soup.

The woman ate half of it which was very good thought Sowon seeing how little her mother appetit was for some time now.

After that her mother was still sleepy so she rested, Sowon tried to focus on her studies to forget about Eunha and the night before.

She emailed her teacher who was a lawyer before working as a professor at her school, her husband was also a lawyer and he was specialized in fraud cases. She hoped they could give her some advice on how to deal with the factory action and help Eunha's dad.

She also planned to give a call to Eunha’s dad and to the other people that were fired for the same fake reason as the short girl’s father. Yerin told her last time that he wasn’t the only one, there were five other people so Sowon wanted to hear them all.

Once her email was sent to her professor with the case explanation and some other information, Sowon took her phone and called at Eunha’s house. She spent a long time on the phone with Eunha’s dad, she discussed with him how those kinds of procedures were usually done, and she informed him about her plan for making the factory pay what he deserved. She asked him the names and numbers of the other people like him that were fired around the same time and were in the same situation, he gave the name and the number of the one he had, she looked for the other on the internet and gave them all a call too.

Sowon was so focused on this that she didn’t think about Eunha once until the girl arrived after her work. 

"Anyone's here?” asked Eunha as she walked in, and came to Sowon’s mom's room. “Hey.” she said softly as she saw Sowon sitting at the desk.

Sowon looked up and nodded. “How are you? how was work?” she asked and Eunha rolled her eyes.

“Tiring, we received a lot of new flowers this afternoon and I’m still tired from last night as we slept quite late so it was hard to register everything.” she said as she looked really exhausted. She went to sit beside Sowon’s mother on the side of the bed and the woman smiled at her as she took her hand. “How are you?” she asked the old woman slowly.

“Good.” said the woman. “Your soup was delicious, it gave us both a lot of energy today.” she said nicely and Eunha smiled.

“I’m glad then.” she said, caressing the woman’s forehead. “You look less tired.” she said sincerely and the woman smiled.

Sowon stood up and walked closer to the bed too. “Did your dad give you the papers?” asked Sowon as Eunha’s dad agreed to give her all the tribunal and factory papers he got from the case.

Eunha nodded. “In the bag in the living room.” she said.” I saw you had other papers there.” she said and Sowon nodded. She went in the living room to make her calls all day as she didn't want to disturb her mother’s sleep.

“Thank you.” she said as she looked at Eunha in the eyes this time hoping Eunha would kow it wasn’t just about the papers but also for taking care of her and dealing with her stupid drunk the night before. Eunha looked down and Sowon looked away, she cleared and walked out to give a look at the files.

Sowon avoided being alone with Euinha on the next days and focused on her case till Christmas. 

Her professor answered her and gave her very useful advice, she said it was great for her to work on a real case but that she would need a real lawyer to help her, they also told Sowon that they would spend their christmas vacation with their family, in a small city close to where she was and would be glad to visit her and help her if she needed, her husband was interested in the fraud case of the factory and would help her with that part while her professor that was also a lawyer would help her for the tribunal part and the reopening case procedure.

Sowon was really happy it was going well, with their help she was sure they could do something to help Eunha’s dad and the other person fired unfairly with fake excuses and no compensation.