“Joo Hyun-ah, what was that about?” Yuri asked. “I’m sorry unnie, but I don’t want to talk about it” Seo Hyun said as she brushed past all of them out of the changing room. The girls didn’t speak about it again for the rest of the evening, and even while on the way back to their hotel. Seo Hyun just sat quietly by herself, occupied with her thoughts.

As usual, Seo Hyun shared a room with Hyo Yeon. Hyo Yeon showered first while Seo Hyun unpacked her things and Hyo Yeon unpacked her things when Seo Hyun went to shower. They were efficient that way. Hyo Yeon eyed Seo Hyun as she exited the bathroom and sank onto her bed, while drying her hair with a towel. Hyo Yeon walked over and joined Seo Hyun on the bed.

“Joo Hyun-ah, do you want to tell unnie about what happened?” Hyo Yeon asked gently. “It’s nothing unnie” Seo Hyun replied while avoiding Hyo Yeon’s eyes. “Joo Hyun-ah, you can tell unnie…” Hyo Yeon tried again. “What should I tell you, unnie? It was nothing” Seo Hyun insisted. “Seo Joo Hyun, look at me” Hyo Yeon commanded. Reluctantly, Seo Hyun turned to look at Hyo Yeon.

“Joo Hyun-ah… Talk to me” Hyo Yeon said while reaching out to hold Seo Hyun’s hand. Seo Hyun could feel herself start to tear up. She’s been bottling up her feelings and concerns and frustrations for the lasts couple of months and today was the last straw. Seo Hyun sighed “We argued… About Shin Hye unnie” she finally admitted. “Why? Are you jealous of her??” Hyo Yeon was surprised.

“It’s not that… He’s been calling and texting less. And then there’s the rumors about something going on between the two of them. I tried hard to ignore it but today, he was so…distant. First, he dropped my hand right after the song ended. It hurt my feelings. It was as if he only held my hand as an act during the song” Seo Hyun explained. “Joo Hyun-ah, you know better than to listen to rumors. And if he didn’t drop your hand immediately, the sharp eyed fans will start to say there’s something going on between the two of you” Hyo Yeon tried to explain to her.

“That’s not all unnie. After that he called me Seo Hyun-ssi. Why would he address me formally when there were no cameras around? It’s like he’s trying to keep me at a distance” Seo Hyun said bitterly. Hyo Yeon couldn’t find a reasonable excuse to make sense of this. “When I asked him about it, he said he was trying to avoid a scandal between us. I think he really doesn’t want anything to do with me” Seo Hyun added.

“Also, Yong oppa still hasn’t spoken to Lee Soo Man sajangnim” Seo Hyun said. “I’m beginning to think if maybe he’s changed his mind about us dating….” Seo Hyun trailed off, not daring to speak further. “Joo Hyun-ah, you do know his schedule is super busy right? While I know it’s normal to expect and hope, but you also need to be considerate in this case. You cannot expect everything to go the way you want. That’s life” Hyo Yeon said gently while Seo Hyun’s hand.

Seo Hyun sighed, “I know unnie… But all this is making me lose confidence in Yong oppa. Maybe he’s given up on me and decided to go for Shin Hye unnie instead?” “Yahhh… Don’t be silly Seo Joo Hyun. Come to your senses” Hyo Yeon tried to knock some sense into Seo Hyun. “Trust Jung seobang. You see, even with your on-going scandal with Kyu Hyun, he never doubted you” Hyo Yeon reasoned. Seo Hyun was too angry and disappointed that she just blurted out “Maybe I should consider Kyu Hyun oppa instead.”