Ji Won’s POV

“Ji Won-shi?” I heard a deep solid voice called my name as I slowly opened my eyes and the white ceiling greeted me. “Ji Won-shi, you’re awake.” It was the same voice which sounded so familiar but I wasn’t sure who the owner was. I looked towards its direction and there I found a handsome tall guy with wide dark eyes, the same guy who despised me when I broke Amber’s heart two years ago.

“Minho-shi.” I tried to get up to pay him some respect. He was one of the sunbaes I looked up to, including his bestfriend Amber of course. But my body was too weak to pull myself up that I ended up lying flat on my bed again. And what was this pain I felt on the skin on my chest?

“Don’t stress yourself. Your stitches might be cut open,” he told me as he fixed the blanket around my body. I looked around the place and I realized where I was. How did I end up here in the hospital? I tried to collect my thoughts and the last memory that I could remember was...

“Where’s Amber, Minho-shi?” I searched for her around the room but she wasn’t there.

“Amber brought you here last night. She’s coming here soon, don’t worry,” he assured me as he sat back on his seat and continued reading a book with that familiar shiny blue cover, Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder. It somehow brought back some memories I had several years back.

“What is this, Jiwonnie?” Amber excitedly peeled of the gift wrap of my Christmas present for her and I saw how her eyes widened when she finally saw what’s inside. “Woah! Sophie’s world! Jiwonnie, how did you get this?” I knew Amber was dying to read that book but it was out of stock here in Korea that I ordered it straight from the US instead.

My heart was overwhelmed by the sight of Amber’s happy face but it skipped a beat when she wrapped her arms around me and thanked me nonstop for such a beautiful gift. And that moment, everything was set all clear that I was already deeply in love with my saviour, my cousin-in-law, my special friend Amber Liu.

The memory of my undying love for Amber struck me hard to remind me of what happened. I confessed my feelings to her after I broke her heart two years ago and this time I got rejected instead because she’s happily in love with someone else.

Where are you, Amber? I need you now.

I tried to get up to search for my phone to call Amber but I felt pain on my chest once again and I fell back on my bed for the second time. My action seemed to alarm Minho-shi that he pushed the book away and attended me immediately.

“Yah, Kim Ji Won! Don’t stress yourself out!” It was the first time that Choi Minho raised his voice on me; his eyes were telling me that he was somehow...mad? I didn’t dare making a move after that.

“I-I’m sorry, Minho-shi.”

He let out a deep sigh before going back to the couch and buried his face on his hands. In just one look, anyone could tell that something wrong was going on and the first person that came into my mind was no other than Amber. I couldn’t help but worry about her.

“You must get well soon, Kim Ji Won-shi. Amber found out that you were sick and that you needed surgery immediately. You have no idea what my bestfriend did to keep you alive.”

Surgery? So that’s why I have this stitch on my chest? Amber made it possible? But how? My cardiologist told me that the surgery would cost a large amount of money. Did Amber just—

“I think Amber’s going back to China soon. She made a deal with her father. You probably have an idea why, Ji Won-shi.”

Of course I knew why but what I couldn’t understand was why she had to do it just because of me. Amber ran away from home to live the way she wanted to and now she’s going back to the life she was fated but hated and it was all because of me.

“She should have just let me die,” I mumbled. How can I live care freely knowing that the person I love would be living like a dead person in return?

“Stop being ridiculous, Kim Ji Won. We both know Amber wouldn’t let you die,” he sneered at me.

“But what about—

*knock knock*

Both Minho and I turned our attention to the door and it revealed the person we were just talking about, my first love who was looking as handsome and dorky as ever.

“Oh, you’re awake!” Amber, who was just peeking at the door, looked surprised and happy when our eyes met. “Krys, she’s awake. You can finally meet her.” Amber’s excited tone made my eyebrows wrinkle. Krys? Could it be that...?

“Amber, we met in Busan already,” that cold familiar voice told Amber.

“Uh, yes, but I’m going to introduce you formally.” The dork flashed that precious smile of hers and slowly motioned someone inside the room with her.

It was a pretty girl with long black hair and ice cold aura, the same girl that Amber introduced me as her friend in Busan, the girl who made me jealous because she was by Amber’s side. Krystal, yes, that’s her name. She didn’t look friendly with her intimidating looks but she smiled shyly and greeted me with a bow. I just responded with a slight nod.

Amber walked towards me and held my hand. I felt like crying when I felt her hand on mine but I didn’t feel the same warmth anymore. “Kim Ji Won, are you alright? Do you feel better now?” I just smiled at her to assure that I was okay and turned my gaze to the girl who was clasping her other hand tightly. And that moment I knew who that girl was in Amber’s life.

“Minho-yah, we brought you something to eat. Your favourite ramyun especially prepared by Vic unnie herself,” the girl who seemed had no plans on letting go of Amber’s hand, gave Minho a paper bag with Sung Jin Ramyun Shop logo.

“Thanks, Krys. I really need to eat right now,” he replied and started digging on what’s inside. Their informal way of talking was evidence that they knew each other for quite some time already.

“Jiwonnie, meet Krystal Jung. You met her back in Busan as my friend but I want you to meet her now as my girlfriend,” Amber told me as she pulled Krystal’s waist closer to her and the couple flashed their warm smiles at me that left my heart broken into pieces.

“It’s nice to meet you again, Ji Won-shi. I heard everything from Amber and I hope you get well soon,” Krystal said with that cold but sincere smile.

“Nice to see you again, Krystal-shi,” I replied. “You guys look so perfect with each other,” I told them half-heartedly. Seeing the happiness in Amber’s eyes right now made me realize how much she loves Krystal and I could see the same feelings in Krystal’s eyes too. They looked so happily in love with each other. And for that reason, I felt my heart just died in that instant.

Amber’s POV

“Mmm. Noona’s jjampong is the best!” Minho blurted out suddenly before shoving a mouthful of noodles inside his mouth.  Aigoo, he could still eat without poise in front of his ex-crush?

“Yah, Choi Minho. You eat like you haven’t eaten for a few days. Eat slowly or you’ll choke,” I warned my bestfriend who just emptied the bowl of ramyun in two minutes.

“Why do I have to eat slowly when they’ll all just end up in my stomach instead? *burp* Uh, excuse me,” he replied then laughed. Seriously, my bestfriend was handsome but girls would probably run away from him the moment they see how a big eater he is.

“Dude, you seriously need to avoid eating like a pig. It’s a big turn off, right girls?” I turned towards Krystal and Ji Won who both just laughed, agreeing to my statement and left my bestfriend pouting like a kid on his seat.

“Amber, Chois are born to be shikshins. Like that noona of yours, Minho-shi,” Ji Won uttered while laughing. Yes, the Chois are known to be big eaters, Minho and his cousin Sooyoung noona were the living proofs.

“Babe, will you still love me if I eat like that?” I asked Krystal who seemed to be feeling out of place.

“I will still love you no matter what, stupid,” she replied and pinched my nose.

“Yah, don’t press it too hard, I can’t—

“Krystal-shi, stop!” Both Krystal and I were surprised when Ji Won snapped suddenly. I felt Krystal’s hand released my nose and put it down slowly. “Amber has a broken bone in her nose just so you know,” she uttered in ‘as-a-matter-of-fact’ tone that made my girlfriend step away from me.

“It’s okay, Ji Won-shi. It won’t bleed just like that.” I turned to my girlfriend whose head was lying low and squeezed her hand to console her. “It’s okay, baby. I’m not hurt,” I said.

“Oh yeah, Amber. I thought your nose needed to be operated when you turned 21 and put a metal to replace the broken bone in there?” my bestfriend said that made Krystal even stiffer on where she was. Thank you, Choi Minho for adding fuel to the fire. Tss.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” Krystal uttered in a barely heard voice. She really looked upset by what she just found out. “Stay here, I’ll get us something to drink,” she said then turned to Ji Won and Minho. “Excuse me.” And she walked out as I facepalmed myself.

Aish. What do you guys think you’re doing?! You’re causing a ruckus between Krystal and me!

“Jiwonnie, you didn’t have to remind her about it,” I told her in the calmest way I could. She’s sick after all, I didn’t want to stress her out. But if she’s not, I probably raised my voice on her already.

“But your girlfriend doesn’t seem to know,” she defended while looking at me intently.

“Guys, I think I should leave the two of you alone. I need to go to the restroom.” *faaaaarts* “Uh, really, I have to go.” And Choi Minho ran out, leaving Ji Won, me and that disgusting foul smell inside the hospital room.

Minho’s act should have earned a loud laugh from me but his absence turned the atmosphere between Ji Won and me into a serious one. I really wanted to scold her right now but her heart was too weak for a fight at the moment. And so I tried to go easy on her.

“You shouldn’t have said that to Krystal,” I told her as I sat beside the bed.

“Is it my fault that she’s stupid enough not to know such an important thing?” she scowled. Ji Won might be sick but her y side was showing off.

Krystal didn’t deserve Ji Won’s criticisms since it was my fault for not telling my girlfriend about it. “Jiwonnie, please don’t be harsh. I want you to get along with her,” I pleaded. I wanted Krystal to get along with every people related to me and don’t give her a hard time. I wanted everything to be alright now that I’m leaving for China soon.

“Tell me you’re not leaving, Amber.” Ji Won’s words startled me and left me frozen on my seat. That’s when it struck me that Ji Won had an idea of the deal I made with my father. Her hand reached for mine and held it tightly. Her face was overflowing with pain and loneliness. Her tears were about to fall from her eyes.

“J-Ji Won-shi.”

“You told me that you would always be my saviour who would always take care and look after me. Thank you for keeping your words, Amber. You have no idea how thankful I am,” she told me in a cracking voice and tears streamed down from her eyes in no time.

I caressed her face and wiped away her tears gently. “Don’t cry, Ji Won-shi. I’m glad you made it through the surgery. I’m so happy, I really am. And it will always be my pleasure being your saviour.”

“Amber, please don’t leave me. No, you can leave me but please don’t turn your back on your life here in Korea.” She held my hand that was cupping her cheek. “Don’t leave, Amber. What about your dream of being a scientist? What about your plan of building a research laboratory of your own? What about...Krystal?” Her last words made me feel like crying too.

Krystal. I never thought of her when I made that deal. I never thought of how I would keep our love alive when I fulfil my part in that deal. Amber Liu, you were too unfair on your own girlfriend.

“Dad asked me to go to China after this semester.”

“Amber, the semester’s ending in less than a month! Did you tell Krystal already?”

“I’m just finding the right timing to talk it out with her.” Of course I couldn’t just ask Krystal out of the blue, perfect timing must be considered for a favourable response.

“Take Krystal along with you. I’ll be happy for you two no matter how painful it is, just take her with you. I want you to be happy, Amber,” Ji Won told me with the evident sincerity in her eyes.

I just smiled in return, knowing that Ji Won finally set aside her feelings for me and wished me happiness with someone else, with the person I really love.

But I don’t think I can bring Krystal along with me.

Krystal’s POV

Stupid, stupid, stupid Krystal Jung! How can you not know that? First, it’s her birthday, now it’s her sensitive broken nose. Are you really Amber Liu’s girlfriend? How can you not know such things?

I couldn’t help but feel upset when Kim Ji Won shoved it in my face. She knew Amber more than I do; they spent more times together more than I do. How can I not feel jealous about it? I excused myself before that b*tch made me lose my face in front of Amber and her bestfriend.

Bubble milk tea. Yes, it’s perfect to calm my nerves down. So I bought three cups, a large one for Amber and me to share and two medium size each for Minho and that b*tch. I should have bought just one large cup and one straw for them to share for their indirect kiss but with Choi Minho’s appetite, I doubt that he would share it with anyone.

“Hey, Krystal! Need help?” I was surprised to be greeted by Choi Minho, the ramyun monster, whom I left with Amber and Ji Won in the room. If this guy’s here, then...

“YAH, WHY DID YOU LEAVE THEM ALONE?!”

How can he leave Amber alone with Kim Ji Won? That b*tch might do something to my llama. She might use that IV drip attached to her to tie Amber down. Oh no, I have to get there as soon as possible!

“Krystal, are you okay? You look pale,” Minho told me.

“Hold this!” I gave him the bubble milk tea cups and ran towards the elevator. Kim Ji Won, I swear I’ll strangle you to death if you ever lay your hands on Amber!

I quickly marched towards the half-opened room, revealing Amber and Ji Won, holding each other’s hands. The scene made me really furious but before I could say anything else, Ji Won spoke first and her mention of my name made me even curious.

“Take Krystal along with you. I’ll be happy for you two no matter how painful it is, just take her with you. I want you to be happy, Amber.”

Take me where? What is this b*tch saying?

“I don’t know if I could take her with me, Jiwonnie. I really don’t know.”

Where are you going, Amber? How come you’re not telling me about it?

“Guys, Krystal bought bubble milk tea for everyone!” It was Choi Minho who came and ruined the moment. Amber’s eyes widened and looked so nervous when she saw me just standing by the door.

“K-Krys? H-How long have you been there?” Why do you seem so anxious, Amber Liu?

“I came just now,” I lied and I saw Amber let out a sigh of relief.

“Huh? Krystal was here for like—Aw!” I hit Minho’s ribs before he could say anything. I wanted Amber to talk with me about it on her own will and not just because I accidentally found it out.

“What did Krystal buy again?” Kim Ji Won asked as we walked back inside the room.

“Bubble milk tea!” Minho replied excitedly. “Uh, Krystal? Why are there only three cups? Did you forget to count me in? One large cup and two medium cups. I assume the large one is mine?”

I didn’t know if I was just hallucinating or Kim Ji Won really did smile at me. “Your girlfriend bought your favourite, Amber.” She said before turning to Minho. “Minho-shi, give up the large cup, I’ll give you my share instead.”

Did the witch just turned into a fairy godmother? Why is she being so nice?

“It looks like you finally got it right, babe,” the llama said and winked at me before sticking a straw on the milk tea cup. “How did you know that I love bubble milk tea?”

I didn’t know that you love milk tea too, Amber. *sigh*

But without a blink, Amber already emptied the cup that we were supposed to share as a couple!

“Yah, why did you drink all that?!” Damn it, how can I show off in front of Kim Ji Won?!

“It looks like your girlfriend was thinking of such thing like an indirect kiss, Amber,” Ji Won the b*tch teased like she had read what was inside my mind. I felt all my blood rushed up my face.

“Really? How about a direct kiss then?” And the dork planted a quick kiss on my lips, making my face even redder. Aigoo. Why does she have to do it in front of them?

“Oh my. The mighty Krystal Jung just blushed,” Minho followed up.

“Well, that’s what you call Amber Liu’s Effect,” the llama boasted.

Everything seemed to be perfect when even our used-to-be rivals were having fun teasing us. But I still couldn’t get off my mind the conversation I overheard a while ago. Minho left first and we bid our goodbyes too when Ji Won’s parents came. When I finally had the time alone with Amber, I didn’t hesitate anymore to ask her about it.

“Are you leaving, Amber?” But I was surprised when she replied differently this time.

“What? No, I’m not leaving.”

Why do I have this feeling that she’s keeping something from me?

Two weeks later.

Amber leaving? No, I don’t think she is. Whether she had plans going somewhere, I knew she wouldn’t leave me. Nothing had changed between us since the day I asked her about it. She treated me just the same, no signs of leaving me behind. And for that reason, I completely forgot about it.

“Kryssie, let’s go to Jeju this vacation,” Jiyoung told me as we were walking along the campus social garden. The theatre girls were planning a sem-ender party together with the guys from the music conservatory. I knew they’re just planning to hook up with those guys and I had no plans joining them since I already have Amber.

“Sorry, girls. I have other plans for the semestral break,” I politely declined their invitation since I already had something in my mind for Amber and me. I was planning to get a summer job with her, earn money together for the next semestral break and go on an Asian cruise. Wouldn’t it be romantic? *blush*

“Do you know that dyke, Krys? Why is she waving at our direction?” Hara asked me and there I found Amber sitting on a bench, waving her hand on us, flashing her dorky smile at me. I felt all my friends’ judging eyes on Amber as she walked closer and closer towards us.

“Krys! Let’s go home!” Amber told me excitedly. “Hi. Mind if I take her with me?” she asked my friends that made them look at me closely.

“Do you know this dyke, Krys?” Jiyoung asked me the same question she asked me two months ago. And this time I still didn’t know how to respond.

“Yah, are you a stalker or something? Krystal doesn’t seem to know you!” Hara pushed Amber away and I saw how the smile on Amber’s face faded.

“I-I know her,” I said with my head down low, afraid of what my friends would say.

“What? How did you know this dyke, Krys?!” Jiyoung scolded me.

“Y-Yes. Sh-she’s my...friend.”

“Are you insane?! How can you be friends with people like her?!” Hara told me.

“I’ll drive her away for you, Krys. Yah, don’t you ever—huh? Where did that dyke go?”

And my llama just disappeared like a bubble in front of us.

I didn’t know how many times I dialled Amber’s number after that only to hear the same voice of the operator from the other line. She was hurt; she had every right to be hurt. It was my entire fault, I love her but I couldn’t stand up for her.

Amber, please pick up the phone. Please hear me out. Please.

I went to her place only to find it empty. Empty room, empty wardrobe, only a note on the table was left behind.

Meet me at Sung Jin on our 100^th day if you still love me by that time. Goodbye for now, Krystal. I love you so much.

–Your FRIEND, Amber Liu