Chapter Twelve: Taeyeon And Sunny
 

“I was looking for you.” Taeyeon said to Jessica as she reached the loft area of the club. Jessica’s elbows were rested on the banister; her chin was on her palms, looking down at the dance floor. 

The older girl shifted her gaze from the people who were wildly dancing, clearly enjoying the loud music, to look back at Taeyeon. “Well, you found me now.”

Taeyeon walked closer to Jessica and the blonde simply watched Taeyeon slowly approached her; the kid’s eyes were different. It didn’t have that same glow it used to have. Well, not one can say the same about Jessica. Although Jessica’s gaze was naturally blank, today seemed different. It seemed like her soul wasn’t there.

“Why aren’t you dancing with your friends?” Taeyeon wondered.

“Just tired.” Jessica’s shoulders dropped as she exhaled, looking back at the dance floor. If she looked at Taeyeon longer, there might be an urge to talk about Taeyeon and her date, which Jessica would love to avoid as much as possible; however, she was curious enough that she had been thinking about it ever since she last saw them.

“I see…” Was the only thing Taeyeon said. The kid walked closer to Jessica, copying Jessica’s position, and following her gaze.

Jessica looked to her side, glancing at Taeyeon who seemed to be looking at nothing in particular. The kid was still not used to the club scene so she wanted to digest the unfamiliar scenery. Jessica opened , but decided to close it again. Maybe she shouldn’t talk about it. But it had been bugging her ever since saw them together, holding hands and acting overly friendly. She inhaled, garnering the courage she needed and so she spoke, “Where’s your gi---”

“I’m sorry I lied to you.” Abruptly speaking, Taeyeon didn’t let Jessica speak before her. She was afraid that the blonde was upset so she had to apologize first before anything. 

“We all lie.” Jessica exhaled, remembering her thoughts earlier. Yes, she did understand that everyone lied, but she couldn’t get over the fact that Taeyeon didn’t bother telling her that she was out on a date with Sunny. She thought at first that it was fine, but when she actually tried to picture it in her mind, there was this uneasy feeling. Like a feeling of losing her puppy. It seemed as though Sunny was taking something precious from Jessica, and the blonde didn’t like that. She hadn’t been comfortable this whole night, so she segregated herself from others, thinking whether she should even entertain the thought or not.

Taeyeon sighed, “I’m really sorry.”

Why did she have to bring these things up again?

“It’s fine.” Jessica said flatly. It wasn’t like she wanted to be rude, but she wasn’t in her best mood either to sound convincing. Seeing them together in person made the blonde feel … something. She couldn’t pinpoint it but now that they were talking about it, there was this annoyance every time the subject was brought up. Trying to make herself look normal, Jessica mentally grunted to stop the thoughts from building. “You should go there and enjoy the night.”

Taeyeon gave a half assessed smile, shaking her head in the process. “Not really a big party goer.”

“I see.”

Being on the loft gave the two some advantages as they were able to see the dance floor and all the people that were underneath them. Jessica noted that Yuri and Tiffany were dancing on the dance floor; her best friend had a cocktail in her hand. Yoona and SeoHyun were by the little casino Tiffany had set up, they seem to be having a good time with high rollers. IU was by the bar with her boyfriend named Wooyoung – he was finally introduced by IU. Narsha was there, too, with some guy that Jessica wasn’t familiar with. Well, it wasn’t just that guy that was a stranger to her. More than eighty percent of her visitors weren’t really her friends. Jessica depicted a familiar figure. She squinted her eyes just to make sure who it was… Hyomin?! She was making out with someone already!? She wanted to look away but as she noticed who the person her cousin was devouring, she could no longer take her gaze away from them. 

“Oh, they’re finally back together.” Taeyeon was following Jessica’s gaze as stated her words.

Jessica’s head cocked to the side, not knowing what the kid meant, “Huh?” escaped from her lips.

“Sunny and Hyomin. They’re finally back together.” She said as if it was something that everyone should know.

“Bu—but I thought Sunny and you…. And…”

“Huh? Sunny asked me out, yes.” Taeyeon then smiled at the couple, happy that they were finally back in each others’ arms. “She just did that because she was heartbroken since Hyomin left, and I didn’t know what love really is so she asked me out. But I don’t want to be in any commitment.”

“Huh?”

Taeyeon looked at Jessica, giving her a soft smile. “Just like any other girl, I want to experience dating… but I can’t be in a relationship so Sunny offered to do things lovers do with me like go on dates and all the likes. Well, it’s not just Sunny. There are others, too, but honestly, I find it weird to be ‘dating’ someone from the same school.”

“So you went on a date with Sunny yesterday because you want to experience dating altogether?” Jessica tried to words things out, at least to her understanding it seemed like Taeyeon and Sunny did date, but not date at the same time.

“I didn’t go on a date with her.”

Jessica’s mouth dropped a little. “What? I’m really confused.”

Taeyeon tried to talk but was abruptly disturbed by Tiffany who began singing through the microphone, “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday Jessica.” And the entire guests that were sober enough sang along her. Even Taeyeon smiled and followed as well, clapping her hands together just like everyone else. “Happy birthday to you.” The song ended and everyone cheered. 

The blonde noticed the odd colored light behind her that wasn’t part of the technicolored ones that illuminate in the entire club. “Make a wish.” Yuri said as she approached Jessica, carrying the cake in her hands. The number twenty-two was on there as a candle. 

What did she want? There was nothing to ask for especially if she didn’t prepare for any wish. The blonde waited for a couple of seconds, thinking to herself what to wish for. Closing her eyes, Jessica blew the candle as she wished to whoever granted birthday wishes. It was Jessica’s typical wish, I wish for this year to be better than last. She wasn’t really particular with any of her wishes. It wasn’t like ‘I wish I find mister right.’ Or the ‘I wish I win the lottery.’ Jessica had all the things she wanted, plus, she didn’t really believe in superficial things like a candle granting her wishes. She wished just because it was something almost everyone did.

The music started booming again and everyone went back to what they were doing before it struck twelve. “You want to eat some cake?” Yuri asked, lifting the big desert, offering it to Jessica.

“And have an upset stomach tomorrow? Liquor and cake don’t mesh well so no, thank you.”

Yuri nodded, “I’ll set this on the table downstairs then.” She then averted her gaze to Taeyeon, smiling. “Entertain Jessica for us, okay? She’s not really into things like this. Just have your usual date, chatting and getting to know each other. And then fall in love, okay?”

Taeyeon looked at Yuri blankly, confused and was unable to answer the older tanned girl.

“Yuri, you should go set that cake down stairs. Others might want to eat it.”

Yuri smirked playfully. “Oh, right. You guys need to continue your date.” Without letting Jessica or Taeyeon answer, Yuri headed downstairs. 

“I’m sorry about that. She’s just really retarded sometimes.” Jessica frowned.

Taeyeon shook her head, “I’m friends with IU and Yoona so I understand. They can be a handful sometimes especially when you’re around.”

“Oh… they’re quite funny.”

“Yeah. Yuri is too.”

They just stood there, staring at each other. Each of them didn’t really know what to say. Jessica particularly didn’t know how to start the conversation about her wanting to go on dates again, but the curiosity never left her. What did Taeyeon really mean when she said she wanted to date anyway? And how Sunny offered her to play the part as a lover, but never really be in a relationship? Was the kid into friends with benefits? Jessica highly doubted it. Maybe Taeyeon was just a curious soul, who knew very little of the world around her – especially about romance and all that.

Jessica closed her eyes for a few seconds, took a deep breath in and then said as she opened her eyes, “Where were we?” she knew it was lame, but how else could she start it? She didn’t want to be to seem like she would want to prey on Taeyeon’s business or seem like a nosy ahjumma so she took the casual route, as if it was simply for small talks.

“Talking about IU and Yoona?” Taeyeon placed her index finger on her cheek, head tilting to the side.

Jessica snorted a chuckle, finding the answer and the act very cute. Was she really an adult? It seemed like she was an elementary student by how she acted. Just then, she couldn’t help but actually picture a kid Kim Taeyeon in her mind. How would she look like with a lollipop in hand? Or maybe a stuffed animal in tow? Mentally shaking her head, she then said “Before the whole singing,” she finally suggested after all those still images she created in her mind.

Taeyeon scowled, seeming like she was thinking – trying to recall their conversation. Taeyeon bit her lips.

Jessica couldn’t help but giggle. She should seriously stop thinking of weird things right now. If she really wanted to know, she would have to talk about it with Taeyeon. “Sunny? Hyomin? Being a couple?” Jessica tried to hint something that had happened before what she wanted Taeyeon to continue in hopes that maybe the conversation would still flow the same.

“Oh! Yeah.” She hammered her right hand on her left palm, “They were together when we were in junior year, but Hyomin had to leave so Sunny was just being in that rebellious stage or maybe the coping stage… I don’t know the stages in relationship so yeah… you do get what I mean, right?” She paused and looked at Jessica in the eyes, and the blonde nodded in response. “So yeah… in that phase.”

“Have you ever been in a relationship?” The blonde’s chin lowered, brows rising when she asked this.

Taeyeon shook her head, “Nope. I want to experience dating and all the things lovers do, but I really can’t be in a relationship.” 

“Why not?”

“Complicated stuff.” Taeyeon then fished something out of her purse. Jessica witnessed as the girl took out a brown leathered box. “Happy birthday, Jessica.” She greeted once again, smiling brightly at the celebrator. The kid reached it out for Jessica to take, “I hope you like it.”

Jessica flashed an equally radiant smile, “Thank you.” She said as she took the box. “What is it?” She asked but didn’t wait for Taeyeon to answer and went ahead and removed the lid. As she opened it, it revealed a nice black ceramic watch with small studs of diamonds that represented the numbers. Jessica removed it from the container, walking towards the nearest table and set the box there.

“I catch you looking at your watch a lot so I figured I should give you a new one. I also notice you have quite a few.”

Jessica tried to hide her teeth by smiling softly at Taeyeon; however, her happiness couldn’t be hid as she flashed a grin at her. “Thank you.” Jessica reached her arms out, giving Taeyeon a hug. She was really happy that she couldn’t contain herself. Not just because of the gift, but the fact that Taeyeon had a reason for giving her the watch. 

“I hope it is to your liking.” Taeyeon said as Jessica released her.

Jessica shook her head; her smile never left her face, “I love it.”

“Great!” The kid exclaimed joyfully. “I was hoping for that response.”

Jessica laughed once more, “Really. I love it.”

Taeyeon took the watch from Jessica’s clutches, “Let me put it on you.”

The blonde reached her left hand out, letting Taeyeon put the watch on her. Would Taeyeon put this on to someone who would pretend to be her lover? Would Taeyeon make sandwiches for the person who would be there for her? Would Taeyeon still visit Jessica at the restaurant, or would she be too busy to be with someone? Questions filled Jessica’s mind as she remembered that not only Sunny offered to pretend to be Taeyeon’s lover or at least act the part; there are others, too. Was Taeyeon really that popular at school? Then again, she was the student council president so that basically meant that people did like her at some degree.

Jessica bowed a little, seeing Taeyeon’s head and how she was trying to put the watch on Jessica. Taeyeon looked up. Their faces were inches apart and there was only one question that ran in Jessica’s head. Would Taeyeon ever have close contact with anyone just like this?



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