Countdown

(Jessica’s POV)

“I’m so tired…” I sighed as I collapsed onto the hotel bed, not even bothered to take off my shoes.

“Me too…” Kryssie hopped into bed right beside me, wrapping herself around me.

“Yah! Are you trying to kill me? Why is your skinny body so strong?” I giggled as I poked her in her sides, trying to get her to release her bear hug on me.

She giggled hard and squealed. “Stop, Jessie, stop! I give up…” she let go and started to get up but I pulled her back down and wrapped my legs around her and cupped her face.

“Did I say you can leave…?” I said as I cocked my eyebrow.

“N-No… But you said-” she tried protesting but I wagged my finger at her.

“I merely asked if you were trying to kill me,” I smirked.

“B-But you… you… ugh!” she grunted. “Why do you love to tease me so…?” she pouted but she made no attempted to release herself from my hold.

“Who’s teasing you? Me? No… No I’m not… It’s just that you’re so cute like this,” I smiled cheekily.

“Like what?” she asked, a little perplexed.

“Like this… now… when you feel vulnerable… when your defences are down… That’s when you are the most adorable,” I kissed her forehead.

“That’s not fair… I feel like I’m five again when you do that,” she averted her eyes from mine.

“Awww, Kryssie, that’s not my intentions though. I just want you to let your guard down when you’re with me. You know you don’t have to have that wall up anymore,” I explained to her.

She nodded. “I know… I try but I’ve been doing that for so long it’s difficult to stop, you know?”

I nodded back in response. “I… I know exactly what you mean. I still can’t believe you’re an adult now. I mean of course I can but I still feel the need to protect you like when you were little. I mean- ugh…!” I huffed in frustration, not being able to find the right words to express how I feel.

Kryssie’s warm pair of hands reached up and caressed my cheeks. “It’s okay, Jessie. I know what you mean. Don’t worry about it. You have me and I have you, and as long as we understand each other and we feel the same way then we’re fine,” she consoled me.

I still wonder, sometimes, if she was that same little girl who used to cry and cling to me. The little girl who was afraid of a lot of things and would run to me for comfort. Because it was her, now, whom offers me comfort instead. We were both afraid. Afraid and vulnerable. Afraid that we would lose each other. And vulnerable because we only had each other to protect the other but neither of us wants to see the other one hurt. We both secretly harbored these thoughts. Well, not exactly secretly. We both knew but we just… tried not to think about the worse case scenario. Neither of us could bear it. But perhaps because being the elder one, and perhaps having being the protector since the day she was born, I was prepared to bite the bullet if need be. But for now, we had each other and I wanted to enjoy every heartbeat with her.

There was a short moment of silence as we both delved into our own thoughts before I, or rather my stomach with its apt for breaking the ice, interrupted the moment with a rumble. Kryssie and I looked at each other and then burst into hysterics.

“Gosh Jessie, there’s like a battle going on in your stomach right now,” Kryssie chuckled.

I pressed down on my belly with both hands, hoping to muffle the rumbling and maybe even stop it all together. “I slept throughout the flight and I didn’t have anything to eat…” I protested in embarrassment.

She tried containing her laughter but it only made her snort. “Shall we go get something to eat then? What time is it?” she asked.

“Uhm, it’s almost nine… Should we just grab a quick bite and then retire early?” I suggested.

Kryssie nodded vigorously. “Sounds good. I’m more tired than anything anyway.”

“Why don’t we freshen up real quick and then head out. You can go first since you’re faster.”

“Alright.”

After that day at the park, I had decided to take Kryssie on this impromptu trip to New York just for three days and return by New Years Eve before our parents returned. We needed a getaway. We needed to be some place where we could be fully open about our relationship without having to always be just a little conscious about everyone else around us. When I asked Kryssie if she would be interested in taking a quick trip, she got so excited she almost tackled me. We had both been to Los Angeles but had never been to New York. It was also our first trip together, just us without our parents. It’s not really a big deal, really. We were both adults now and Kryssie was still on her break. I told Tiff and Taengoo about our trip, of course, and I left a note at home just in case. You never know…

(The next morning…)

(Krystal’s POV)

“Jessie…! Are you still getting ready? It’s been a while now…” I called out from the bedroom.

“Okay, okay… I’m just about done… Why? Are you getting bored?” Jessie answered from the bathroom. She was fixing her hair for our day out in the city.

“Hurry up, Jessie! I want to see everything and there’s so many places to go see…” I whined in my rare aegyo voice in hopes of coaxing her out quicker.

“Alright, alright… I’m ready… Now I just have to pick out something to wear…” she replied as she walked out in her robe.

“Ohmigod… are you serious?” I looked at her incredulously.

She giggled. “I’m just pulling your leg… I’m keeping it simple,” Jessie teased. “Now… are you just going to stare at me while I change?”

Like a knee jerk reaction, my hands covered my eyes in an instant and buried my face in my knees.

I’m not exactly sure what her expression was but she was definitely laughing at my reaction.

A moment later, I felt a kiss on my head.

“Don’t you think it’s a little late to be this shy?” she asked, although it was definitely a rhetorical question.

“I-I’m not shy! I just don’t want to be a ert…” I objected.

“Well you can look now, I’m decent,” Jessie laughed.

I looked up, uncovered my eyes and cautiously opened them to find Jessie’s face right in front of mine. I wasn’t quite expecting her face to be that close to mine so I panicked a little. And when she suddenly leaned in I leaned back causing both of us to lose our balance and Jessie fell on top of me.

“Sorry, Jessie. Are you okay?!” I asked, immediately checking to see if she was okay.

She perched herself up and started giggling. “I’m fine, silly. Why did you move away?”

“I don’t even know… It was my first reaction… I just wasn’t expecting…” I began to explain but as I said it, I realized how silly my reaction must have seemed, and I started laughing mysef.

Jessie reached out and caressed my cheek with her hand, looking me in the eye. I stared straight back into her beautiful pair of eyes and immediately felt my face flush.

I bit my lip to contain my nervousness.

She started leaning in but then paused. There was a moment of hesitation.

“We should get going if we want see everything you mentioned,” she said as she started to get off of me.

For a second I was a little confused as to why she changed her mind. I actually really wanted her to kiss me.

Was it something I did?

Ugh, of course it was something you did, you idiot. She must have seen how nervous you were and decided not to push it.

But I actually wanted it.

Then why don’t you kiss her instead, stupid!

After the short internal conversation with myself, I decided to finish what she had started. I quickly held her back, leaned forward and captured her lips with mine. It took her a few seconds to register what was happening but eventually she started kissing me back. My heart rejoiced as it always did with every look, every touch, every kiss she gave me. Sometimes I wonder if it was the same for her or has it become something familiar…

I wasn’t quite sure why I was so nervous. It wasn’t like he hadn’t kissed before. By now, it was quite the opposite as a matter of fact. And yet, since we got to New York, I felt like I was back to the beginning of our relationship. Perhaps it was the unfamiliar setting, or perhaps because subconsciously I knew that we had more freedom in this foreign place than we did back home, and that I might be too tempted to push the boundaries of that freedom.

I slowly pulled back and let Jessie go. She had a gentle smile on her face as she rolled off of me.

“I thought you were too anxious… so I hesitated. I’m sorry,” she apologized.

I shook my head. “No, I was anxious… but not in a bad way. So it’s not your fault. You were just trying to be considerate.”

“Because you matter more to me than anything else, Kryssie. I put you above all else, even my own feelings,” she said as she brushed my hair away from my face and helped me up.

“I don’t want you to do that, Jessie. Stop babying me. You don’t have to be so concerned about protecting me. What do YOU want? Sometimes I just wish you would think about yourself first because your happiness is also important to me and… I don’t want you to resent me later on,” I told her.

“Never! I would never resent you… I AM happy, Kryssie. As long as I am with you,” she replied.

I threw myself at her, embracing her tightly as if I was holding on for dear life.

“Stop being so good to me, Jessie, or I won’t ever be able to let you go,” I pretended to be annoyed but I obviously loved it.

“Isn’t that the point?” she grinned at me.

“Ah I see what you’re playing at… Are you trying to brainwash me?” I raised my eyebrow at her jokingly.

“Is it working?”

“I doubt I need to answer that question…”

We both smiled cheekily at each other. This was more like us. It was like we just needed to get past the initial awkwardness and we were back in business.

“So are we ready to explore the city?” Jessie asked.

“There’s still something troubling me, Jessie…” I informed her.

“What is it?” She looked at me, completely perplexed.

“Do I want Mexican or burgers for lunch?” I chuckled.

“Aish… You’re always thinking about food,” She shook her head.

“It’s a tough decision…” I whined and pouted.

“Why don’t we just have both then,” she suggested.

I beamed. “Jessie, you know me so well.”

“Duh! I’ve known you your entire life, silly. Now let’s get going…”

I quickly reached for my stuff, put on my shoes and joined her at the door. I waited for her to lead the way but instead she stood there for a moment just looking at me.

“What is it?” I wondered out loud.

She just shook her head and smiled.

I thought perhaps she wanted me to walk ahead instead. She did that sometimes… walked behind me… Some people would think that the older one should lead but when Jessie did that, it was because she was looking out for me; you might even say she was watching my back. So I decided to walk ahead. As we rode the elevator down to the lobby, an awkward silence enveloped us. The silence quickly became deafening and I began to worry that this would be the tone of the day.

When we reached the lobby, I exited first. As I walked out, I suddenly felt her hand slip into mine. A jolt of electricity streamed through my body, but in the best possible way. I could hardly contain the smile that broke across my face instantaneously.

Was that all she wanted? I guess I’m not the only one that’s still shy…

I tightened my grip on her hand as we made our way out of the hotel, and suddenly the silence wasn’t so deafening anymore… In fact, it was more like a gentle murmur of content.

(New Years Eve…)

(Taeyeon’s POV)

“Taeyeonie! Let’s go!” Fany hollered from the living room while I was rummaging through my stuff looking for something I had stashed away for a while.

I looked up to make sure she wasn’t coming into the room. “What’s the rush?! We’ve got hours before dinner…” I shouted back.

“But I’m going in to help Mrs. Lee make dinner!” she explained.

“That’s great, babe, but since when are you so interested in cooking?!”

“Well, I’ve been learning more… and now is a great time to see if they’ve paid off… If I mess up, I have Mrs. Lee,” she chuckled.

“Does that mean you’ll be cooking for me more often?” I teased but I was actually quite delighted.

“Babe, what on earth are you up to…?” Fany suddenly crept up behind me.

I quickly stopped what I was doing and pretended to be nonchalant. “Nothing… I, uhm… was just tidying up a little…” I lied.

Fany raised her eyebrow and looked at me suspiciously. “Tidying up? Now? Why would you even…? You’re such a little weirdo…”

“Well I didn’t want to usher in the New Year with a mess… And did you JUST notice I’m a weirdo? Are you regretting falling in love with me now?” I chuckled as I joked.

“Hah! It was already evident to me the moment we met… I was just reminding you,” she smirked and flashed me one of her amazing eye smiles.

Even after these few months of us being together and all these years of us being best friends, her little expressions and her eye smiles still sent shivers up and down my spine in the best possible way. My heart would still beat faster every time I looked at her and I still felt nervous every time she leaned in closer for a kiss. I was still amazed that we were really together and that she really loved me like how I loved her.

“Yeah, yeah… Who’s weirder? A weirdo or the person who falls in love with a weirdo?” I smiled back at her smugly.

“Oh… touche, Taeyeonie, touche!” she started clapping slowly in a sarcastic manner.

Neither of us wanted to give in but neither of us could keep a straight face for more than 3 seconds either. So we both just ended up bursting into laughter.

“Babo…!” I shook my head at her.

“Dork…!” she stuck her tongue out at me. “Anyway so can we go now? Unless you are not done, so called, cleaning your room…”

“Okay, okay… Just give me a second and I’ll be right out…” I kissed her on the cheek.

“Hmmm… alright. Make it quick, okay? We’re planning a pretty elaborate dinner,” she returned a kiss to my cheek and headed back out.

I had suddenly remembered where I kept the thing I had stashed away and quickly checked to make sure it was still where I had hidden it, and it was.

Excellent! It’s still safe…

I decided to leave it where it was so that I could return for it later. I quickly joined Fany in the living room where she was shuffling about.

“What are you doing?” I asked watching her move some things about.

“You mentioned tidying and now I can’t help myself…” she shook her head and sighed.

I chuckled. “Alright, alright… Let’s go before you get too carried away…”

She shuffled around a little bit more and walked over to me. “Mmmm… okay, let’s go,” she smiled.

Things have been really mending between Fany and her father. The broken relationship naturally healed itself once everything that needed to be said was out in the open. I think that misunderstandings had festered into a vicious cycle of resentment throughout the years; the more they had refused to talk to each other, the more they had misunderstood each other. Now, the skies have cleared and the storm has calmed. The sun was shining once more and their father-daughter relationship has started to grow once more. In addition, and it might just be me, but I actually think that Fany’s father was really warming up to me. We had been visiting him almost every weekend and as it turns out, Fany’s father had quite an interest in art so we managed to bond over that. In fact, he technically invited me to go over for New Years Eve dinner. He even shakes my hand and gives me a pat on the back now when we meet, so we’ve actually made a lot of progress.

(Tiffany’s POV)

“So how is it going with you and Taeyeon?” Mrs. Lee asked as we delved into dinner preparations.

I felt myself blush a little. I never really hid anything from Mrs. Lee but I’ve never had anything as serious as what Taeyeonie and I have now. To be really honest, since I realized that I was in love with Taeyeonie, I had been thinking about our future together. Even before while we were just best friends, there was never a scenario of the future where Taeyeonie wasn’t by my side. Just that now, the nature of our relationship is more intimate and I’m more certain than ever that I want her by my side for the rest of my life. Some people might think that it is perhaps too soon. But, really, I’ve know Taeyeonie for so many years now, and when you know, you just know. I have no hesitations.

“It’s… going really good. Taeyeonie’s really good to me and I really love her,” I answered truthfully, finding no reason why I should hide how I feel.

“That’s great,” she smiled as she continued to fold the mandus intricately. “You two seem to be really happy and surprisingly your father seems to get along well with her.”

I chuckled at that statement. “I know. Dad seemed to be really warming up to Taeyeonie despite his initial disapprovement. To be honest, I really didn’t think he would have ever warmed up to the fact that his baby girl likes girls. Mrs. Lee, you’ve always been so supportive of me… You don’t think it’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? That I’m supportive of you? That’s a silly question…” she replied.

“I mean Taeyeonie and me… You know…” I tried to clarify.

“No… Why? Do you have hesitations?” she asked.

“No, of course not. I’ve never been so certain of anything. I was just curious because I’ve never really asked you what you thought,” I answered.

“Young miss… How long have I known you?” Mrs. Lee threw me a random question.

“Huh? What- Why- …?”

“Just answer the question.”

“Uhm… Since I could remember… Why?”

“And you’re still that same girl… You’re just grown up now and you fell in love… It just so happens that that person is a girl. I don’t see how that affects anything except that it makes you really happy which is a great thing. So no, I don’t think it’s wrong,” Mrs. Lee answered as-a-matter-of-factly.

Sometimes I wonder what my mother would think if she were still here. If she would be supportive like Mrs. Lee was. If she would be my secret keeper. But Mrs. Lee was like my surrogate mother and she practically raised me, so I was really happy that she hasn’t changed her opinion of me.

She was still busy as ever folding the mandus, she didn’t even bother to look up. Sometimes Mrs. Lee seemed so serious when she was concentrating on a task that it was suprising how warm her smile was. She was truly the gentlest person I’ve ever known. Although I do remember on a few rare occasions when she would unleash her fury; usually when my brother got into mischief.

I crept over and gave her a hug, wrapping my arms around her shoulder. “I love you, Mrs. Lee. You’re like a mother to me.”

“Well yes, you silly girl. I’m the one who raised you,” she said with a smile. She still didn’t look up but I could see the corner of turn upwards. “Come on, young miss, the food won’t make themselves. We have a bunch of mouths to feed. Oh, on that subject matter, are your friends joining us for dinner?”

“Oh right! They arrived home this morning if I’m not wrong. I should double check.” I pulled out my phone and called Jess.

“Hello? This is Jessica speaking,” Jess answered formally.

“Hey, it’s Tiff… What’s with the formal tone?” I answered feeling a little perplexed.

She chuckled slightly. “Oh, sorry… uhm… jetlag? What’s up?”

“Are you guys still up for dinner or are you guys too tired?” I asked.

“We’re still coming. Kryssie misses your girlfriend too much… In fact, we’re leaving right now,” she replied. Even though I knew she was joking, I could actually picture Jess rolling her eyes when she said that.

“Alright then… We’ll see you two soon. You know the way, right?” I laughed.

“Uhm, I have the address. I’ll give you a call if we get lost.”

“Sounds good. See you then. Bye.”

“See you.”

We hung up.

“Yup, they will be joining us,” I told Mrs. Lee.

“Excellent. The more the merrier. I don’t think this house has seen such merriment in a long time,” Mrs. Lee commented. “That said, it’s time to turn up the heat in this kitchen.”

(Taeyeon’s POV)

“Unnie…!” Krystal greeted me with a bear hug the moment the Jungs arrived. “I missed you so much!”

“My little one! I haven’t seen you in so long! How was your trip?” I asked as I hugged her back, although I was careful not to be overly touchy because I knew Sica hated that.

As expected, Sica cleared , signaling her displeasure at my skinship with Krystal.

“Sorry Sica. I missed you too. Seriously though, how was the trip, you two?” I followed up with a hug.

She actually chuckled as she hugged me back so I knew she wasn’t really upset.

“Ohmigod, unnie! The trip was amazing! It’s such a shame it was such a short trip but I had always wanted to see New York and at least now I have!” Krystal answered excitedly.

“So what did you guys do there?” I was still curious. I had only been around Europe when I was studying abroad. I had never been to the United States.

“Uhm…” the two girls looked at each other and I could swear I saw them blush a little. “We ate a lot and we went shopping and just walked around the city. Seoul is a big city but New York feels bigger. There’s something about it that’s… alive? But it’s a little dirty… There’s so much to see and do though,” Krystal replied as she happily linked her arm around Sica’s.

“Yeah, well, this one was a little shy at first but when she quickly turned a 180, and she wanted to go everywhere and see everything…” Sica added. “Man, I was exhausted.”

“Oh, stop complaining you,” Krystal slapped Sica on the arm playfully. “You enjoyed it too despite wanting to just sleep all day in the hotel.”

“Sleep, all day, ei?” I grinned cheekily at the both of them.

“Unnie, please! Ohmigod!” Krystal gave me a little playful shove on the shoulder.

“What…?! I know how you two like to lay in bed… Geez, what were you thinking, little one?” I chuckled.

“Jessie…! Say something!” Krystal protested cutely, hugging onto Sica’s arm.

“We had a great time…” Sica simply said with a smile.

“That’s great… I really missed you guys though,” I wrapped my arms around the both of them and pulled them into a group hug.

“God, Taengooo… You’re so clingy…” Sica teased but I felt her arm wrap around my back so I knew she missed me too.

“Where’s Tiffany unnie?” Krystal asked as we broke the hug.

“Oh, she’s helping with the dinner so she’s in the kitchen,” I told them.

My statement was greeted with incredulous looks.

“Ohmigod… Tiff… is… cooking…?” Sica gasped.

I simply nodded and laughed.

“And you’re letting her?!” Sica’s voice went up two octaves.

“Actually… she’s been taking some classes and I swear, it’s not bad. Besides Mrs. Lee is supervising so I’m not worried… I hope,” I promised them.

They both gave me skeptical looks but did not question it anymore.

Just then Fany came out with her typical greeting in her unmistakable booming voice.

“Jess! Krys! Ohmigosh, it’s so good to see you guys! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Fany hollered emphatically, running towards them and giving the girls each individual bear hugs.

“So you’re cooking, huh?” Sica asked with a cheek grin.

“I’m helping… HELPING… I’m still a rookie, okay! You can’t expect me to fly solo on such an important day,” Fany answered. “More importantly, did you guys have fun? Seriously, Jess, don’t you think it’s too short of a trip? I mean, you should have just waited and plan a longer trip.”

“I already told you why, Tiff…” Sica replied with minimal words but it was enough for Fany to understand that it was a sensitive matter that should be dropped immeditately before tears started flowing.

“Alright… But it was a fun trip nonetheless wasn’t it?” Fany quickly lightened the mood again.

“It was, unnie! It was so much fun! The food was excellent!” Krystal chirped. “Oh man, I’m really craving a cheeseburger right now.”

I noticed that Krystal was still firmly holding onto Sica’s hand. It seemed as if the two of them have gotten much more comfortable with skinship again. For a while, they were both a little more reserved perhaps because they were worried about what others might think. But really, from what I remember of my first meeting with them, they had always been really intimate anyway. So I was actually rather happy to see them like this now; it was so sweet.

“Yah! I know I’m not the best cook but I promise it’ll be a good meal, okay!” Fany insisted proudly. “My skills have improved… slightly… I think…”

“Really?! Oh, unnie, now I’m really anticipating this dinner… Also because I’m starving,” Krystal laughed.

“Yeah, when we got home, we were kind of jetlagged so we actually just crashed and woke up a little bored you called,” Sica told Fany. “So we haven’t had anything to eat since we got home.”

“Ah, yes, that makes sense now,” Fany nodded. “Dinner will be ready soon… But first… It’s only polite that I give you a tour of the place and introduce you to my family. I feel terrible that I’ve never actually introduced you two to my family despite having been friends for quite a few years now.”

“Well… it took you longer to introduce me so…” I stated but I was merely teasing her.

“And I’m even sorrier about that,” Fany embraced me guiltily.

“I was just joking…” I laughed.

“I know… But I still am actually sorry,” Fany admitted.

“It’s okay… Circumstances prevented it. But everything is fine now,” I took her hand into mine to reassure her.

She leaned slightly into me as a form of quiet aegyo and I instantly melted. Sometimes I hated the fact that she had me completely wrapped around her finger. But the fact is, I didn’t actually hate it at all. Not one bit.

(Jessica’s POV)

After all this time, I finally got to see what Tiff’s family was like and where she grew up. It was curious, really. I knew she was a rich kid but because I’ve always known her to be rather independent, it was a little mindboggling to see how rich she was exactly. And to be honest, I’m even more at awe of her now that I know. I would assume that anyone with her background would be more tempted to live the comfortable life rather than to build a career for herself for ground up.

Tiff then introduced us to her family, something I had been incredibly curious about for years. Her father reminded me a lot of my own father in that he was the quiet type that makes him seem imposing. But he wasn’t unfriendly at all. For the most part, he was very polite and inviting but a little reserved. He kept to making small talk with Kryssie and me but he actually seemed to get along well with Taengoo which was actually rather heartwarming. Then there was Tiff’s siblings. Tiff was actually quite different from her siblings; indeed she was accurate in saying that she was the black sheep of the family although not in a bad way.

Overall the dinner was really pleasant and it was nice to see Tiff together with her family as well as with Taengoo. If I didn’t know any better, I wouldn’t have known that they had been estranged for years and had only recently reunited. I was so happy for them. Although, I have to admit that I was a little envious that Tiffany managed to reconcile things with her father and her father had been so accepting since they cleared up their misunderstanding.

Will it be the same for Kryssie and me?

I could only hope so…

“Did you guys enjoy dinner?” Tiff asked, interrupting my thoughts.

“I’m impressed Tiff… Are you sure you helped? Or is your definition of helping just mixing some stuff together and passing it on?” I .

“Yah! I made that… and that… and I helped with the rest, okay!” She pointed out the dishes she made proudly.

“Okay, okay… It was excellent, right Kryssie?” I admitted.

Kryssie nodded and leaned her head on Tiff’s shoulder. “It was excellent, unnie. Better than a cheeseburger,” Kryssie giggled.

“Wow, Tiff... That’s really high praise coming from Kryssie. You should be honored and proud,” I laughed.

Tiff beamed. “I know! That’s why I’m ecstatic right now. I’m glad you guys enjoyed it. Can’t lie, I was quite nervous.”

“Well, it was really good… I’m so coming over every week for dinner,” I told her with a grin.

“I actually wouldn’t mind but then again Fany will be doing the cooking… Right, babe?” Taengoo laughed.

“Uhm, maybe once every few weeks...?” Tiff replied with a worried expression.

We all laughed knowing that we had successfully messed with her.

“I was just kidding of course but I would gladly come over for dinner anytime,” I admitted truthfully.

“I second that,” Kryssie added.

“And I fully support that idea,”Taengoo agreed enthusiastically. “It’ll be fun having these two around for dinner sometimes.”

“What?! Are you trying to say you’re bored with me?” Tiff gasped.

“Yes, that’s right… I’m so bored… I’m so bored that I want to spend all my time with you,” Taengoo rolled her eyes.

“Awww… Taeyeonie… You’re such a dork,” Tiff smiled widely and hugged Taengoo tightly.

As a joke, Kryssie started making gagging noises. “Please keep it G-rated, unnies.”

“Shield your eyes, little one…” Taengoo laughed one of her outrageous laughs.

“Do you guys behave like this when your family is around?” I wondered out loud.

“Mmmm, no, not really… I think it’s still new to them so I don’t want to freak them out,” Tiff replied.

“Yeah, I’m still a little self-conscious when I’m around them so we keep the skinship and fluff to a minimal,” Taengoo added.

“I see… But Tiff’s father seems to be quite friendly with you,” I commented.

“I know, right?! I don’t know how it happened but they seem to have bonded,” Tiff exclaimed incredulously.

“It’s because I’m cool as a cucumber,” Taengoo smirked smugly.

“Ewww! I hate cucumbers!” I cringed in disgust. I really do hate cucumbers…

“Sica, why do you hate me?” Taengoo pretended to make weeping noises.

“I’ll make an acception for you…” I giggled, threw my arms around her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze.

Kryssie gasped dramatically. “Unnie… This is unprecedented! Jessie doesn’t just make exceptions for anyone… Especially not cucumbers!” And then she chuckled.

“It’s true.” I gave Taengoo a “you-should-be-so-thankful” look.

“Awww… Sica, are you trying to tell me something?” Taengoo replied cheekily.

“Maybe…” I said and then I leaned in to whisper in her ear. “I don’t hate you…” I pulled back and laughed. “Shhh! Don’t tell anyone. It’s our secret,” I winked.

Taengoo laughed out loud too.

“Yah, yah! What is this lovefest between you two?! I’m standing right here,” Tiff crossed her arms jokingly.

“I’m right here too…” Kryssie pouted. It made her look so adorable.

“You know you’re my favorite girl, Kryssie,” I told her.

“Pfffttt… I wasn’t talking to you,” Kryssie laughed and stuck her tongue out at me.

“You know if an outsider walked in on this converstion, they’d think we were all weirdos,” Taengoo commented.

“But we are weirdos…” Tiff corrected her.

“So true,” Taengoo responded causing all of us to burst into laughter again.

“Anyway, are you two staying to welcome the new year with us?” Tiff asked.

I looked at my watch and then at Kryssie.

10.48pm… Kryssie looks tired…

“Actually, I think we should head home. We’re exhausted,” I told them.

Tiff nodded. “I figured. Alright then, drive home safely. It was great to see you both.”

“Thanks for having us over. Dinner was wonderfuler. Dinner was wonderfu home. er again.

ady.nd?"assing it on?"ged to reconcile things with her father and her father ha, and Happy New Year you guys,” I thanked her.

We all exchanged hugs and New Years wishes as we said our farewells.

(Tiffany’s POV)

“Don’t they look so happy? I hope it stays that way...” I said to Taeyeonie.

“They do! I noticed that too. I just hope things will work out,” Taeyeonie responded.

“They will… They have to… It did for us so I know it will work out for them too,” I said hopefully but I worried internally.

Taeyenie took my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “They have each other and they have us…”

I smiled softly at her. I couldn’t hide anything from her even if I tried. She knew me too well.

We retired to the living room to spend some time with my family. It felt oddly comfortable even though I hadn’t spent New Years Eve with my family for years now…

Just before midnight, Taeyeonie dragged me out on into the garden where we sat on a little bench, waiting to greet the new year. I rested my head on her shoulder and closed my eyes, just soaking up the moment.

“Fany-ah…” Taeyeonie called after a while a silence.

“Hmmm…?” I responded, fiddling with her fingers that were intertwined with mine.

“Are you happy…?” she asked.

“Of course I’m happy. Why do you ask?” I answered, slightly confused.

“I just wanted to make sure… Not just assume…” she clarified.

“Oh… I’m very happy, you silly woman, so you don’t have to worry,” I reassured her.

We looked at each other and smiled.

She checked her watch and started counting down. “15… 14… 13… 12…”

She lifted her hands and caressed my cheeks.

My heart started racing. Why exactly? I have no idea. It wasn’t like it was our first kiss.

“4… 3… 2… 1… Happy New Year, my love…” she wished me and then leaned in and pressed her lips against mine.

There was a slight moment of surprise on my part even though I knew it was coming. I closed my eyes and kissed her back in a long, lingering kiss.

“Happy New Year, Taeyeonie,” I wished her as we pulled away from each other only for me to press my forehead against hers.

We didn’t bother with I love you’s… There was no need for it… We were beyond that now.

(Krystal’s POV)

“I feel bad for not staying but I’m actually quite tired and sleepy,” I told Jessie the moment we got home. I was already nodding off on the ride home.

“I know but I’m sure they understand so don’t worrying about it,” Jessie said in return as she my hair gently. “And let’s go straight to bed.”

“Are we not ushering in the new year?” I asked.

“It’s okay, Kryssie. I think we’re both exhausted…” she replied.

I nodded in agreement. “Night, Jessie… Sweet dreams.” I wished her and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

“Night, Kryssie,” she wished me back as she hugged me tightly.

I could hardly keep my eyes open any longer so I headed to my bedroom. I quickly brushed my teeth, washed my face and got changed before collapsing into bed. Ironically enough, I couldn’t actually fall asleep immediately. I tossed and turned for a while and then I looked at my clock.

11.56pm… Hmmm, I wonder if Jessie is…

I got out of bed and dragged myself to Jessie’s room. She was lying in bed and she looked like she was asleep. I really didn’t want to wake her up but I also didn’t want to sleep alone tonight so I quietly snuck into bed with her and crawled under her sheets.

“I was hoping you’d come…” she suddenly said but in a quiet voice.

“I’m sorry, Jessie. Did I wake you? I actually didn’t want to intrude but I couldn’t sleep without you,” I told her guiltily.

“It’s fine, silly girl. I should have just told you to sleep over because I wanted you to as well,” she admitted to me as she turned and brushed my hair away from my face.

“Jessie…” I called for her attention.

“Hmmm…?” she responded.

“You really look like mom right now,” I told her. I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that mom and dad were going to be back in a few hours.

“Me? You look like dad…” she commented back.

“That makes sense…” I replied as I snuggled closer to Jessie. “Jessie…”

“Hmmm…?”

“Happy New Year,” I wished her as my eyelids became too heavy to keep them open any longer.

“Happy New Year, Kryssie…” Jessie wished me back, gave me a kiss on my forehead and started to caress my hair.

It was such a comforting feeling; something she used to do when I was little and afraid.

I love you, Jessie…

I can’t remember exactly if I actually said it out loud because I didn’t even realize when I fell asleep…

(The next morning…)

When I finally came to the next morning, I didn’t even bother opening my eyes. I shuffled closer to Jessie and leaned my head towards her side of the bed. I felt across for her and found her arm, so I grabbed on and hugged it. I wasn’t concerned about the time because we had no plans anyway and I knew Jessie wouldn’t be awake yet so I decided to just go back to sleep.

Just as I started drifting off again, I suddenly heard a quiet but distinct laugh. My eyes bolted open, looked up and saw a familiar face that I hadn’t seen in too long.

“M-Mom!” I shot up instantly. “Y-You’re home!”