“Jessi please answer me. It isn’t that hard.” Tiffany said while dangling the spoon against the glass of water, intentionally making bell-like noises to get Jessica’s attention.

The woman, however, kept unfazed. She continued to concentrate on the thick book she was reading since yesterday. They were currently inside Jessica’s bedroom since Tiffany said that studies at home were supposed to be done inside the room and Jessica had no urge to argue back since the guy had no plans to stop talking. Jessica badly wanted to have a silent time and study. Their final examination would take place tomorrow and she had to pass or else, Eastmount wouldn’t grant her a diploma. Though the said university was known to produce people with exceptional skills to sports, students were still obliged to have a passing academic performance. And that was what Jessica was aiming to, but it seemed like it wouldn’t go easy for her since Tiffany was around, disturbing her every possible minute.

Jessica transferred on the bed and began reading the book page nine to avoid Tiffany. The book consisted of 100 pages and the great Jung was just reading the first chapter since yesterday. I swear if Tiffany is not annoying me, I’d be on page 40+ already. On the other hand, Tiffany who was left on the floor with snacks, snickered, not really minding the fact that Jessica was busy on that book. He knew there was this finals coming but he didn’t spare a mind since the coverage would be all about basic things which he already knew since grade school, when he was still Tiffany. But the thing he wasn’t aware was Jessica was not like him, all she knew was how to kick the ball to its target, may it be on the head or even on the guy’s balls. She was an ace to it, but not to basic knowledge. Just no. It wasn’t like she would gain anything from it even if she mastered how photosynthesis worked.

Tiffany bent towards the bed, his arms resting on it. In front of him was Jessica’s book.

“So Jessi- how many boyfriends have you had?” Tiffany, not letting the opportunity passed not to talk to his girlfriend.

Jessica showed no response.

“You know I won’t stop till you answer-”

“I don’t count.” Jessica nonchalantly answered, not really minding. Where is Krystal when I needed her? Jessica thought, thinking it would be easy for her if Krystal was around so she could hang out with Tiffany. She sighed in relief as she flipped onto the next page, page 10. Finally, she was moving forward.

“Well, at least tell me how many.” Tiffany carried on. His index finger pulling the book downwards so he could see the girl behind.

“Tiffany look- I don’t see you point of asking but then, can we just talk about that later? Just- not now.” Jessica sternly said, her icy tone clearly showing defiance.

“But I am your boyfriend, don’t you think I should know?”

“You’re not Kris.”

She didn’t hear anything from Tiffany after that. Jessica was taking her time reading that she didn’t notice Tiffany and she was even able to reach page 72. Jessica must have also reached her reading limitation when she felt her eyes, especially her brain couldn’t take in any information anymore. She hastily put the book down and took a proper seat. She crossed seated on the bed and massaged her temples, eyes closed.

Maybe these 71 pages will give me enough grade to pass. Jessica thought as she opened her eyes, feeling a lot better. She looked around, just remembering Tiffany who was supposed to be beside her asking questions, but there was already no Tiffany.

“Where is he?” Jessica took a minute before she went to Kris’ room, which was now Tiffany’s room.

“Tiffany, are you there?” she knocked twice. A loud grunt was heard from inside so Jessica hurriedly twisted the door’s knob only to find it locked. “Tiffany, the door is locked.”

Another grunt was heard and it made Jessica more worried.

“Yah! Tiff! Open the door!” Jessica was furiously twisting the knob to open but it wouldn’t budge. She kept on knocking at the same time but no Tiffany was showing up.

Until a loud crash made contact to Jessica’s ears.

“Dammit!” Jessica took a step backward and strongly kicked the door open.

There she found Tiffany curved in a ball and the mini book shelf destroyed on the floor. Its book were all scattered everywhere. She hurriedly came to Tiffany, “Are you okay? What the hell are you doing?!” Tiffany was all pale, thinking he would have kissed the floor dead if that shelf got him.

“I-I was trying to g-get these” Tiffany showed Jessica the books he was holding. They were about four pieces. “b-but the shelf gave in. I’m s-sorry.” Tiffany was already in the verge of his tears and that made Jessica’s anger subside. “Do not lock the door ever again.” Jessica only said as she hugged Tiffany. What if those woods caught him? Jessica could only shudder from the thought. It was no surprise that the shelf gave in since Kris wasn’t using it all those times he was in his room. Books were not really a thing for them.

“So are you okay? Anything hurts?” Jessica managed to get back on herself and asked Tiffany. The latter only shook his head and stood up, curtly removing Jessica’s arms on him.

“Tiffany?”

“I’m okay Jessica, don’t worry anymore.”

Jessica? What happened to Jessi?

“I’m really sorry. I… I will fix the shelf back. I’m sorry for disturbing you.” Tiffany said, placing the books on his side table which he took earlier from the shelf.

Jessica turned her attention onto the books and prevented her eyes to roll when she found out they were the magazines covered in books which Kris had years ago.

“You can’t read these.” Jessica took away the books and hid it under the bed.

“Why?”

“You just can’t.”

Tiffany only nodded and went near the window, intentionally ignoring Jessica’s presence.

“Tiffany…”

Tiffany hummed in response, busy taking a look at how birds flew from branch to branch. On how cars would wait till the street light turns to green. On how people would just merely walk along the streets. On how-

“Taecyeon, Donghae, Tyler” Jessica said out of nowhere. Nonetheless, she got Tiffany’s attention. Tiffany looked at Jessica, confused. So the girl continued, “and Kris.”

An O was formed on Tiffany’s mouth. Finally sinking to his mind what Jessica was trying to say.

“I… I see.” Tiffany muttered.

Uncomfortable minutes of silence had passed and the two were still awkwardly standing on their spots. Tiffany who didn’t know what was there to do- yes, Jessica already answered his question but he didn’t have the urge to ask further anymore. I am not Kris. Tiffany frowned. While Jessica, she was aware of what she had said towards Tiffany earlier, but God knew, she didn’t mean it.

Jessica took steps near the guy and Tiffany was just staring. “I am not sorry Tiff… for what I said earlier.” Tiffany avoided her eyes. “You’re not Kris.” Tiffany stared again, his eyes showed hurt.

But Jessica continued.

“And you’re definitely not my boyfriend either.”

I know. Tiffany dejectedly nodded.

“I know, I’m sorry. I overstepped boundaries.” Tiffany said, thinking twice before he let out every of his word. “I just thought you might miss him and all I could do is to be like him, like Kris… your boyfriend. But I guess I am wrong.” Who am I kidding? Tiffany stopped the urge to roll his eyes and instead, had his face sorry. But surprisingly, Jessica was smiling tho Tiffany wasn’t aware of it.

Tiffany saw how Jessica comfortably sat on his bed, grabbing a pillow and placed it on her lap.

“How about you? How many boyfriends have you had?”

Did she just ask me? I thought— Tiffany furrowed his eye brows.

“Huh?”

“C’mon Tiff answer me. It isn’t that hard.” Mockery was visible on the Jung’s tone and Tiffany couldn’t help but to shake his head and smile.

“”

Jessica rolled her eyes, “Yeah right. So?” Jessica tapped the other side of the bed. Tiffany got the message and had himself seated beside her, sitting on the same position.

“I only had one.” Tiffany answered while showing Jessica a number one thru his index finger. Jessica only nodded, “How about girlfriends?” Tiffany thought for a while. “Hmmm I have four, well, I had four.”

“You had four? Really?” Jessica asked, more of shocked than plainly asking.

“Yeah~ Tae, Yul, Hyo and Yoona.” The guy grinned and Jessica couldn’t help but to smack her pillow onto Tiffany’s face. “Not them, I mean real girlfriends.” Tiffany caressed his nose. You, Jessica Jung is my first girlfriend. And answered, “I’m straight you freak.”

Straight huh? Jessica thought smirking.

“If you say so.” Jessica shrugged and let out another question, “so tell me Tiff, how does a Tiffany Han look like?”

“It’s Tiffany HWANG.” Tiffany emphasizing his last name.

“Okay okay Wang. So how do you look like? I’m curious.” Jessica hurriedly grabbed a pencil and an empty paper. “Describe and I’ll draw.” Jessica stated. Tiffany looked at her.

How do I describe myself…

“I’m beautiful.” Tiffany nonchalantly said, earning a glare from the Jung.

“I’m serious Tiffany.”

“Me too!”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.” Tiffany firmly nodded.

“Ugh, forget it.” Jessica threw the pencil and the paper on the other side. “I’ll continue reading on my room. See you Tiff.” Jessica was about to exit the room when Tiffany’s manly voice stopped her.

“Jessica Jung”

Jessica turned around. “Yeah?”

“I am Tiffany Hwang and for my entire life, I have lived in peace. Everything was going pretty well.” Jessica furrowed her eye brows but Tiffany continued. “Until I became like this.” Tiffany was staring straight to Jessica’s confused eyes as he went along. “Your boyfriend Kris is cool and I am not. He does basketball and I do not. He’s a guy and obviously, I’m not. Kris is your boyfriend… and I am not. I am not everything your Kris is. I am definitely not.” Tiffany heaved a sigh. He stood up and walked towards the door, where Jessica was just standing looking at him.

“I am just Tiffany Hwang. People say I am beautiful,” Tiffany grinned. He was just a step away from Jessica. “but I found that a lie because apparently, someone else deserves the title. Her name is Jessi.” Tiffany saw how Jessica’s bewilderment turned into smirk.

“Are you hitting on me?” Jessica asked, smirking.

Tiffany scoffed. “Please- I am straight.” And he smiled. Tiffany took Jessica’s left hand, intertwining it with his own right one. “Well I was- since a girl named Jessi kicked my straight line and had it curved upside down.” Tiffany smiled again, staring at their attached hands. He caressed Jessica’s hand with his thumb, not aware that it was too, sending shivers into Jessica’s whole being. “Jessi… I know I’ve only been here for almost six weeks but within those times, I… I really like you. I really, really do. I don’t exactly know what I feel towards you but what I only know is just- everything feels right when I’m with you.” Tiffany bit his lower lip which Jessica found really cute- and y.

“And I like it when you’re not sorry.” Tiffany took a deep breath for the second time. “Because you’re right. I am not Kris. I am not your boyfriend.”

Tiffany closed the step away and engulfed the girl into his embrace.

“I am Tiffany. I am your girlfriend.” The last statements were only whispered by Tiffany and Jessica swore her heart skipped more than a beat.

The hug lasted for good seconds before a red-faced Tiffany was visible to a fellow red-faced Jessica.

“Was that too cheesy? I swear if I had a boyfriend, that was just the best ever.” Tiffany tried to laugh off his embarrassment while his face was still flushed red.

On the other hand, Jessica managed to hide her nerve-wrecking feeling and instead, put a straight face. “Jessi… a-are you mad at me?”

“Are you still using it?” Jessica, having a straight face asked.

“W-what do you mean?” Tiffany stammered. Jessica’s face wasn’t helping him a bit.

Am I going to be rejected? Just like that? God no- I just confessed and-- to a girl!

“The one Krsytal gave you.”

Gave me? Krystal?
If this is about the shopping yesterday—I…

“Jessi… about the money I spent-”

“The lip gloss Tiff.”

“Ohh yeah!” Tiffany beamed. “I love using-”

Tiffany wasn’t even done with his sentence when Jessica tiptoed and wrapped her arms onto Tiffany’s neck. “I have a confession to make as well.” Jessica hummed and smiled. “If this was a dream Tiffany, I wouldn’t want to wake up.” That was what it all took before Jessica pulled Tiffany’s head onto her, closing that oh-so-little gap between them.

“Do you like strawberry Jessi?”

“I don’t.”

“But why do you like it when I do this.”

Tiffany stole a quick peck from Jessica’s thin lips.

“You taste like strawberry.”

“Exactly.”

“Let’s just say strawberry reminds me of you.”

“So do you like strawberry?” Tiffany teased.

“Tiff I am reading. Get the hell back to your room.”

“Oh c’mon Jessi!” Tiffany whined while bouncing his onto Jessica’s bed. On the other hand, Jessica just flipped her text book onto page 89.

“Humans’ normal pulse is 70 heartbeats per minute while Elephants have slower pulse of 27 per minute.” Jessica read out loud. “Elephants… really?” Jessica scoffed. “Does it look like I care?”

“Oh and Canaries have a thousand per minute!” Tiffany enthusiastically added. Jessica only gave her a glare, “You’re not actually helping Tiff.”

“Nooo, I want to help my girlfriend.” Tiffany nodded. “Sculplin taught me well, I’d like to share it with you.” Jessica was amused. “Tell me Tiff, what do you do when you were still in Sculpin?”

“Well… aside from hacking some Eastmount students’ files-”

“We knew it! You nerds do that!” Jessica yelled throwing a pillow square onto Tiffany’s face.

“Yah! It isn’t like you guys don’t throw tennis balls during lunch time! I was hit twice!” Jessica only laughed at the pouting Tiffany. Let’s talk about a child whose candy was just taken away, yes that was Tiffany. Jessica continued to read on her text book.

“The human body is 75% water.” Jessica read the next line and looked at Tiffany after. “Do I look like water to you?” Jessica scoffed for the second time.

“Ani, you look hot to me.” And Tiffany grinned, thoughts about tennis balls were gone.

“Are you sure you’re straight?” Jessica asked, merely laughing at Tiffany’s antics. “Cause if you’re not, I swear you’d never have the chance to take it back.”

“I’m afraid I’m not.” Tiffany muttered. It only took 2 seconds before the night was sealed with another kiss.

The book was long forgotten.

“Ughhhh”

Jessica was stir awake by the light whimpers. She had not even properly opened her eyes when another grunt was heard beside her.

“Angghhhmmpphng”

The first thing she saw was Kris’ back. Jessica let out a yawn.

“Tiffany?”

Tiffany tried to turn his head towards Jessica but he couldn’t so instead, he just greeted her, “Uggh m-morning Jessi.” Jessica, noticing how weird Tiffany was, sat up. Her hand moved on her own onto to Tiffany’s forearm. “Tiff, you’re sweating. Are you okay?” Jessica was not a morning person but her sleepiness was already gone when she saw how Tiffany seemed to be having a difficult time.

“Tiffany talk to me. Was it about the shelf? Were you hurt?”

“N-no Jessi… I… can you- can you get out of the room?” Tiffany asked, still having a hard time. He was curved into a ball while Jessica was behind him.

“Tiff tell me. Were you hurt? Just tell me!”

“No Jessi please. Get out for the mean time.”

“Tiff- this is my room.”

Ugh. Way to go Tiffany Hwang. Tiffany mentally smacked himself. How could he not remember that he fell asleep with Jessica? What did I get myself into?

“R-right.” Tiffany slowly sat up, Jessica’s blanket was all covered in his body. Jessica looked at her, weirdly. “If I do not know you Tiff, I could say you’re high.” Jessica snickered.

Jessica started picking up the pillows and piled them in one corner. She then continued to pull the blanket away from Tiffany but the thing was, Tiffany wouldn’t budge.

“Tiff, the blanket.” Tiffany hesitantly let Jessica pull the blanket away… “C-can I borrow a pillow?” Tiffany awkwardly asked. Jessica gave her a pillow and Tiffany quickly took it, leaving the blanket unwanted.

“I-i am going to my room now.” Tiffany said avoiding Jessica’s pair of eyes.

“Shouldn’t I at least get a morning kiss?” Jessica teased. She saw how Tiffany hesitated but nonetheless, gave her a quick peck on her cheek. That movement added frustration to Tiffany’s predicament so after that, Tiffany left the room leaving no words.

He just ran.

Jessica laughed right after Tiffany left the room. If Tiffany thought she didn’t know what just happened, he was hella wrong.

“Hahahahahahaha”

“Yah! Jessi!” Tiffany yelled from the other room.

Tiffany Hwang just had an .

“What the .” The two said at the same time; Jessica Jung laughing to death and Tiffany Hwang who was running to the comfort room to take a cold morning bath.

TBC...