Note: The number at the top left-hand is the age they are at that time.  

 

It All Comes Back Around

  11   “Miyoung!” Mrs Hwang shouted. “Get back here!”   It was like any other day when the Hwang family had to have their family dinners with relatives that Tiffany didn’t even know had existed. She didn't see the need to go, since most of them went just because of the free food her grandmother was providing. So, whenever she had the opportunity, she would run off and go ‘missing’ for a few before heading back home.   “Tiffany Hwang Miyoung, I'm telling you to get back here!” Mrs Hwang poked her head out of the house to see Tiffany closing the gate that she had just opened.   The young girl grinned at her mother and waved. “Have fun, Mummy!” She then sprinted off. Behind her, she swore that she could hear her name echoing down the streets. She felt bad for her neighbours that were having their naps, but nothing could make her go back and tag along with her parents.   She slowed down once the sight of the park came to view. She wasn't so fond of running, heck, she is a person who was bad at sports, but she could do all this just to get out of the bad dinner that she has to go.   She went to the playground that she always goes that whenever a day like this comes. She liked this place because of its quietness. Maybe it was a pretty secluded place, so not many knew of this.   She went up the playhouse and lay down leisurely like it was her own house. She was glad that it's summer and that she was wearing a tee with shorts so she doesn't need to sit all so lady-like.   She sighed when the peace and quiet hit her. It was nice to be alone without her parents nagging at her once in a while. She liked it.   Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She groaned in annoyance. She knew her parents wouldn't let her go so easily, but what's new anyway?   She took out her phone and waited till the line went dead before turning off her phone. This way, she could just lie to her parents that she didn't hear her phone because it was on silent or that the battery had gone dead. She nodded to herself before placing the phone next to her. She closed her eyes.   “It's dangerous to place your phone there, you know?” She was shocked that she heard a voice. And somehow, that voice was very near her.   She opened her eyes abruptly and saw a face right in front of her. She was so surprised that she got up in haste and ended up hitting the other person’s forehead with her own.   “Owh!” Both grimaced at the pain and rubbed their forehead.   That was when Tiffany got a good look of the person. It was a young girl.   “That sure hurts,” Tiffany heard the girl comment and couldn't help but blush in embarrassment.   “Sorry...”   The girl stopped rubbing her forehead and stared at Tiffany. “There's nothing to be sorry about. It was my fault for sticking my face in front of you.” The girl grinned sheepishly and Tiffany couldn't help but to smile along until her eyes disappear. “Wow.”   “Huh?” Tiffany asked, confused by the sudden remark from the girl.   “You have a pretty smile.”   Tiffany’s face went pink again.   The girl laughed when she saw the colour change on Tiffany’s cheek. “You're cute.”   Tiffany’s eyes widened at how straightforward the girl was.   The girl chuckled at the look on her face. “I'm sorry, I tend to speak without thinking.”   “It's alright, you're just... good at complimenting people.”   “And that's a good way to put it! I should totally tell my Oppa that. He always scolds me whenever I become straightforward to someone and starts complimenting people.” The girl pouted.   Tiffany stared at the girl with amazement at how she was able to talk so freely to a stranger that she had just met.   “Why did you come here anyway?” The girl asked before flopping down onto the platform, Tiffany also did the same.   Before Tiffany could speak, the girl had interjected. “Did you run away from home?”   Tiffany’s eyes widened.   The girl chortled at the different expressions that Tiffany has. “Guess I am right.”   “How did you–”   “Know?” Tiffany nodded. “Because I could say the same to me.” The girl smiled.   “Wha–” Tiffany couldn't finish her sentence. She had just met a stranger, who told her a load of stuffs and ended up being here because she was having the same situation as herself.   The girl shrugged. “Some family stuffs that I didn't want to attend.”   Now, Tiffany was almost speechless.   The girl noticed the silence from Tiffany. “What's wrong?” She looked at her worriedly.   “N–nothing.” Tiffany waved her hand around.   “So... I think we haven't introduced ourselves yet.” The girl laughed and Tiffany just had to add that unique laughter to the list of things that she likes. The laugh was just so free that it’s able to make her smile or laugh along.   “Well then,” Tiffany extended her hand. “I'm Tiffany Hwang, nice to meet you.”   The girl smiled and shook the hand. “Nice to meet you, Tiffany. I'm Kim TaeYeon.”   ---   15   “Fany!” TaeYeon pushed the people that were blocking her way, causing them to complain in disapproval.   She mumbled an apology before squeezing through the people.   She didn't care who she had offended, because all she wants is to catch up with Tiffany who was ahead of her.   It was an unexpected event. She was supposed to have their Friday movie night together today. But she had lied to her best friend, saying that she have a project to do when she don't.   The more shocking thing for her was that when she was in the classroom where hardly anyone goes to, with a girl on her lap, with their lips attached, and Tiffany had to barge into the room.   She was more than shocked at that time. It was like she was caught red-handed cheating, but of course she wasn't. She couldn't forget the face that she had seen on Tiffany’s face. The girl was hurt, for sure.   And before she could even explain at that time, Tiffany had ran off with an apology. She was scared at that time, so scared that she would lose her best friend. She quickly pushed the girl off her lap, not caring that the girl had fallen on her backside. And up till now, she was still chasing after Tiffany.   After much pushing and running, TaeYeon was more than glad that Tiffany had run to a place where there are lesser people.   She slowed down when she saw Tiffany slowing down.   She stopped when Tiffany had stopped.   She didn't know why she was stopping when all she did was chase after the girl earlier on.   Tiffany turned around.   She heard a little crack within her when she saw that Tiffany had cried. Her eyes were all puffed up. She tried to walk towards her.   “Stop, TaeYeon.”   And she obeyed her.   Tiffany wiped her tears away, she had stopped crying by now. She looked intensely at TaeYeon that the latter couldn't help but to fidget under her stare. “Why?” She asked, a little timidly.   “H–huh?”   “It's okay to open up to me, you know, TaeYeon. I'm your best friend, I will never despise you or anything. Why couldn’t you be honest and just tell me the truth?” Tiffany’s voice had grown louder.   TaeYeon blinked her eyes. She took her bet before starting to close up the distance between them. Luckily for her, Tiffany didn't say anything. She pulled the girl’s hand and she gladly followed her to a corner.   “I'm sorry.”   “Why, TaeYeon? Why lie to me? You know I hate it when people lie to me.” She muttered under her breath but TaeYeon could still hear it.   “I didn't mean to. I don't know how you would react to this. I– I was afraid of telling.” TaeYeon sighed. “I was afraid that if I had told you, our friendship would have been strained and... and that you wouldn't talk to me because you would think that I'm a... freak.” TaeYeon whispered out the last word, feeling her eyes glistening with tears.   “Hey...” Tiffany placed a hand onto TaeYeon’s cheek. “Look at me.” She lifted up Taeyeon’s chin. “Listen, alright? You're not a freak. You're the best friend anyone could have. No one’s perfect in this world, TaeYeon. No one chooses who he or she wants to be. But you know something?” She smiled when she saw TaeYeon cutely wiping her tears away. “You're the most wonderful person God had given me.”   TaeYeon’s eyes widened at the remark.   “I won't despise you or anything, TaeYeon-ah. I'm not that kind of person. So, don't worry about me leaving you because I'm sticking by your side for the rest of your life.” She then linked her arms with Taeyeon. “So, don't complain!”   TaeYeon chuckled, feeling her chest getting lighter once she had said out the things she had kept within her. “I won't, Fany. I wouldn't dare.” She patted the hand that was on her arm.   Thank you... friend.   ---   17   “TaeYeon-ah! Did you see my other earring?” Tiffany walked out of her room and asked TaeYeon who was sitting on the couch lazily.   The two had moved in with one another when they went into the same high school. After all, the place that they are now living in is nearer to the school so it's easier for them every morning.   “It's somewhere on your dressing table.” She spoke in monotone, showing that she was bored and was not interested. “Why are you even–” She stopped talking when Tiffany stood in front of her, looking oh so gorgeous in her sleeveless baby pink dress that cuts off mid-thigh. Not to mention, the light make up that she had applied on had made her look even more beautiful. “–Looking for it?” She continued.   Tiffany grinned when she saw TaeYeon’s reaction. “Nice?” She did a little twirl.   TaeYeon gulped and nodded. She cleared when she realised she was gawking at her best friend. “Y–yeah.” She did a thumb up.   “Great then!” Tiffany replied enthusiastically before going back into her room.   TaeYeon stood up from the couch and followed behind her. She leaned against the door. “Why are you even dressing up? Family dinner? Friends? Or... dates?” TaeYeon said out the last word softly.   Tiffany stopped rummaging her dressing table when she heard the soft word. She turned and saw TaeYeon’s blank look. She then felt guilty. She had her own speculations – that TaeYeon have some feelings for her – but of course, she didn't want it to be true, because she can't even figure out her own feelings.     She admits that she does feel a little butterfly fluttering in her stomach feelings whenever TaeYeon did something for her. But she takes it that TaeYeon just cares for her too much and that the two of them are best friends.   Right. Best friends.   “It's just a friendly dinner.” She didn't know why but she had just chose to lie to TaeYeon when she had told her that she hates people who lie to her.     Truthfully, Tiffany didn't want to accept this dinner invitation, but the boy was so sincere and persistent that she couldn't help but to be soft-hearted and accept it.