"I know," I said in reply to Bom's dropped jaw. "It's horrible."

 

"It's not horrible," she said. "It's juicy."

 

"It is definitely horrible," I protested. "I'm in a relationship."

 

"And look how well that's going for you, Dara ."

 

I shut up then. She was right, but she had a mean way of saying it. I sighed, changing my argument "She's seventeen."

 

"That's almost eighteen," she rationalized.

 

"Are you actually supporting this?" I asked incredulously.

 

"I support any non-Taeyeon relationship of yours, Dara-ssi."

 

"It's not a relationship! It's just a stupid crush."

 

"Whatever it is," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "I say go for it."

 

"You mean cheat on my girlfriend with one of my students? Bom, forget about it."

 

"Well you're putting it so negatively. I mean, why not?"

 

"Because I know what it feels like to get cheated on," I said, quietly but firmly. "And it's not something I'd wish on anyone else."

 

She frowned, sheepishly. "Not even Taeyeon ?"

 

I rolled my eyes. "Not even Taeyeon ."

 

________

 

That night, Bom and I went out, to a bar we went to often enough. I sometimes went with Bom, sometimes with Taeyeon , sometimes with other friends. It wasn't the most exciting night life, but it was definitely the most local and the most affordable.

 

Additionally, I found that being out without Taeyeon was a liberating experience.