Krystal was grinning from ear to ear when Amber found her sitting in a secluded area at the school yard. The queenka had been waiting for her cousin who had to serve an hour-long detention after class at the registrar’s office.

“Some good things happened?” The older girl snuck behind, surprising the other. Then, she sat on the stone bench beside Krystal. “You seem happy,” she stated.

The younger girl smiled. “Maybe I am,” she said with confidence.

Amber’s eyes rounded in surprise. It hasn’t been a week since the issue of Sukji High was brought back to life, yet her cousin just claimed that she’s happy. And she’s not just saying that. It was obvious that she’s telling the truth.

Suddenly, hope sparked within Amber. Maybe, her cousin’s finally moving away from the shadows of the past. She wonders what – or maybe who – guided her out. There’s an inkling, but she’d rather not be so certain.

“What happened with the depressed cousin that I have?” The older girl bluntly asked.

Instead of taking offense, Krystal breathed out a very lovely smile. “Still here,” she tapped her chest with her palm. “But I guess a better queenka is overpowering her already,” she replied with a wink as she stood up to leave.

Amber immediately followed. “You’re dropping hints, aren’t you?” Her voice was thrilled as she felt her instinct getting close to 100% true.

The queenka stopped and turned to her cousin. “And you’re too smart to not figure it out, right?”

A stifled gasp came out from Amber’s mouth as she caught up with Krystal’s steps. She was surprised, elated – but most of all, she’s grateful that someone managed to thwart the ice princess’ defenses.

With all sorts of excitement, the older girl stood in front of the younger one. “SINCE WHEN DID YOU START LIKING KRIS!?”

***

Achoo!

“You’re okay?” Luhan pouted as he straightened up his back in alert. “Are you getting sick or something?”
 

Kris brushed it off as he wiped his nose with his hanky. “It’s nothing,” he said. “I think it’s just the dirt around that got to me.”

“Or maybe someone’s thinking of you,” Luhan suggested.

The kingka’s eyebrow shot up. “Where’s the connection?”

Luha