This took way too long to finish.

Their first meeting was in elementary school, though neither of them would remember. It would be Sooyoung who would recall the moment later on in a casual, offhand comment.

Jessica and Taeyeon were in separate classes but had the same recess time. They only knew each other as ‘one of the girls from the other class’ and were otherwise content to never know more.

“Sooyeon! Pass it to me!” Hyoyeon yelled, running up from the other side of the boy defending her.

While never exceptionally athletic, Jessica would hold her own during a recess basketball game.

“Nice shot Hyo!” Their other teammate, Jia high fived her.

As Jessica turned to high five Hyoyeon as well, a red cherry ball bounced into their vicinity, slowly bouncing and eventually rolling to a stop at Jessica’s feet.
Looking up, she spotted a small girl running up to them.

“Hey, can we get our ball back?”

Jessica recognized her as a girl from the other fourth grade class that Ms. Park taught.

“Yeah no problem.” Jessica tossed the ball back gently and watched as the other girl turned and waved at her friends at the handball court.

Jessica would forget the meeting in the next few moments as their basketball game started up once more.

It was the third day of eighth grade and Jessica already couldn’t wait for the year to be over. High school seemed much more glamorous.

“Did you hear? Yuri came out to her parents yesterday. Turns out she’s been seeing on some girl a year below.”

Jessica wasn’t entirely sure why she found the fact that Yuri came out was so fascinating and that her eyes seem to gravitate to her whenever she spotted her with her girlfriend after school.

Middle schoolers didn’t do much other than hold hands when they date anyway.

“How long do you think Yuri will be with her girlfriend?”

“This is middle school, probably 2 weeks.”

“I don’t know. I heard she’s liked her since fourth grade.”

“What?”

“Sandbox love never dies.”

“I still think 2 weeks.”

Jessica shook her head at her friends as she leaned her head on her boyfriend’s shoulder. He had ask her out on the last week of summer break and she found no reason to say no.

“Who cares?” She said, even as her eyes drifted over towards Yuri and her group of friends a few tables down.

“Hey, I care. I have a bet with Taeyeon. She already won the ‘Yuri is gay’ bet.” Hyoyeon muttered the last part as she glared at Yuri’s table.

“Taeyeon?” Her boyfriend asked.

“Yeah, she’s that girl between Im Yoona and Sunny over there.” Sooyoung gestured at Yuri’s table.

Jessica glanced over and thought the girl looked vaguely familiar.

“She went to elementary with me, Hyo, and Jessica.”

Oh, no wonder.

Eighth grade came and went in a flash. Jessica broke up with her boyfriend after the first semester.

(“He wanted to do it for his birthday but I said no,” Jessica said disinterestedly as Sooyoung and Hyoyeon picked her up from the cafe where they broke up. “What a ,” “Got no respect for women,” the two said simultaneously. Jessica knew she was in good company.)

Yuri was still with her girlfriend.

“Looks like they’re in it for the long haul,” a 7th year boy said to his friends as they stood in line for the bus for the last time before summer started.

Jessica looked over and followed their gaze to settle on Yuri and her girlfriend walking hand in hand as they followed their group of friends home in the other direction.

“Would you look at that,” Hyoyeon said, “I just lost 20 bucks. That Seo Joohyun must have a magic tongue or something.”

“Ew Hyo don’t say stuff like that.” Sooyoung said, elbowing her in the side. “Joohyun is a nice girl. Her mom runs that puppy cafe a few blocks away.”

“Omigosh really? Can we go? I love dogs,” Jessica raised an eyebrow at Hyoyeon’s excitement. “Come on Jessica, it’ll be fun.”

Jessica wasn’t too sure. Puppies are cute but they drool on her clothes.

“Soojung can come along. Her school’s on the way there.” Sooyoung poked Jessica on the side.

“Stop it,” Jessica pushed the taller girl away. “Fine, I’ll come. You guys are paying for Soojung though. I’m broke.”

Not having a boyfriend made eating out and buying things more expensive.

The summer went by quickly as well, having not done much other than play at the beach and going to her weekly math tutoring sessions with Sunny and Sooyoung.

“Yes! I got called back for the dance team.” Hyoyeon fist pumped as she checked her phone.

Sooyoung leaned across the table to high five Hyoyeon, “Good thing there aren’t tryouts for cross country. You still thinking of joining cheer Jessica?”

Jessica shrugged. “I don’t know. I liked me but I don’t think I want to spend that much time on it. Maybe I’ll just do yearbook or journalism and take PE instead.”

“Boo, you would have been our popular group hookup if you joined cheer.” Hyoyeon said as she scooped a spoonful of ice cream from the bowl.

“Miyoung and Sunny are joining cheer,” Jessica pointed out.

“Whatever,” Hyoyeon swallowed her ice cream and waved her hand. “I think I am going to dye my hair blonde.”

“That’d be cool,” Sooyoung nodded, scrolling through her phone. “Looks like Yunho won tickets to the Rihanna concert next week.”

“What?!” Hyoyeon jumped out of her chair, drawing the attention of the customers around them. “For real? He should take me!”

Jessica shook her head and huffed at Hyoyeon’s antics, “he’s probably taking his girlfriend.”

There was a chorus of “He has a girlfriend?”

“Yeah, he’s dating Kwon Yuri’s sister. I saw them holding hands last week after tutoring.”

“Damn.” Hyoyeon snapped her fingers. “Oh well.”

Jessica never understood how Hyoyeon was so good at rolling with the punches. She got over boys and bad news like water off a seal’s back or something like that.

“Not gonna fight for him?” Sooyoung teased.

“Not even gonna try Soo, Kwon Yuri’s sister is Kwon BoA, captain of the dance team. Can’t compete with that. That girl be fineeeee.” She dragged out the ‘e’ as she waved a finger in Sooyoung’s face.

Sooyoung cocked an eyebrow and stared at Hyoyeon who continued to wave her finger around before the two of them broke down in hysterics.

Jessica sighed and chewed on the straw of her drink absentmindedly as she looked out the cafe window.

Speak of the devil, Kwon Yuri was walking down the street with Joohyun, Yoona, and Taeyeon. Yoona was dribbling and passing a basketball back and forth with Taeyeon as Yuri and Joohyun walked behind them, speaking quietly with each other.

“Dang, I still owe Taeyeon 20.” Hyoyeon’s voice interrupted Jessica’s staring. “Be back real quick.”

Jessica and Sooyoung watched as Hyoyeon ran up to Taeyeon and handed her some money.

The pair had to stifle a giggle when Yuri obviously asked what it was for and apparently Hyoyeon had told the truth and Yuri was now chasing Taeyeon down the street.

Jessica looked back at Joohyun who was laughing and shaking her head as Yoona actually fell over laughing.

She wondered if Yuri and Joohyun would stay together through high school too.

Jessica enjoyed teen high school flicks as much as the next teenage girl but she never thought her high school would fit the cliche so well.

Indeed Miyoung and Sunny have automatically ascended the ranks of popularity by getting on to the cheerleading team - neither on the bottom of the pyramid was a feat in itself.

Yoona’s vibrant personality fit in with the quirky but well-loved theatre kids.

Sooyoung fit right in with the laid back in general but competitive cross country athletes, though no so much with the cocky jocks of the basketball and hockey teams.

Hyoyeon, Kwon Yuri, and herself have been deemed ‘cool kids’ due to their association with dance and yearbook respectively.

What surprised Jessica the most was that Kim Taeyeon somehow started a band with a few band and choir friends and is now cooler than cool. They were the hipster rock stars of school, getting along swimmingly with the theatre kids but not so well with the jocks who always found a reason to tease.

“Ugh there is so much more homework in high school why?” Hyoyeon whined with a drawn out ‘y.’ She slumped over on the lunch table while dropping her gym bag on the floor with a thud.

“‘Cos you don’t keep up with it,” Sooyoung said simply as she sat down with her tray of food. “Though I agree that Algebra can one. Who gives 2 chapters of homework on the second week of the year?”

“Wait until we start taking calculus.” Jessica said, stealing a carrot from Sooyoung’s tray.

“Don’t even bring up calculus. That’s in the future I just want to go to dance practice and then sleep for the rest of the week.”

“Hey guys, mind if we sit?” Kwon Yuri, Yoona, and Taeyeon were hovering at one of the table, holding their lunch trays.

“Yeah.” Sooyoung scooted herself over to make room.

“What’s up Yuri,” Hyoyeon leaned over to fist bump the other girl.

“Can we join you guys?” They all looked up to see Miyoung and Sunny with their gym bags on their shoulders.

“You can’t sit with us.” Sooyoung said, looking at them with narrowed eyes. “You’re wearing sweatpants and it’s Monday.”

“It’s Wednesday, Soo.” Hyoyeon said.

“It’s a joke, Hyoyeon, get with the times.” Yoona said, nudging her with her shoulder.

“Oh.”

The group laughed as Jessica moved over to accommodate the two.

“So Taeyeon, I hear you’re in a band?” Miyoung asked as she pulled out a sandwich from her bag.

“Yeah, we just got together a week ago. First official practice today.”

“Oooh, Can I come watch?” Yoona asked.

“Yeah why not?”

“Can I come too?” Jessica asked. She was curious as to what the band did.

“Yeah, of course. Just come with me after school. Younha is driving. We’re going to Jiyoung’s place.”

Taeyeon seemed excited and was grinning widely as she spoke.

Jessica thought she had a cute smile.

Yoona clapped loudly as Younha played the last note. “Damn Taeyeon, I had no idea you and your friends are so good!”

The band laughed and looked abashed at her praise. Taeyeon scratched her head as she put her guitar down.

“Thanks Yoona, we’re not that great yet though.” Jinyoung said.

“No, you guys are great for people who just started playing together,” Jessica said.

The band consisted of Jiyoung, an orchestra boy from a year above, Younha, also a year above in choir, Taeyeon, and Jinyoung, an eighth grader attending Jessica and Taeyeon’s old middle school.

“This is so cool,” Yoona said excitedly to Jessica as the band convened to discuss things. “If they make it big we can totally meet famous people!”

“So you just want to meet famous people?” Jessica teased, “Not for Taeyeon and her friends to do well.”

“Ridiculous, of course not!” Yoona tried to reach over the old television set between them but Jessica managed to dodge her attack.

As the band began preparing to rehearse the song again, Jessica sat back on the old but comfortable couch and couldn’t help but think of anything cooler and a ‘high school’ than sitting on an old couch in a junk filled garage watching a band practice.

Other than maybe getting a boyfriend.

Dating the student body Vice President wasn’t too bad. He was popular, fairly handsome, studious, and paid for meals and gifts. Plus he was a junior and could drive.

He had asked her out halfway into the first semester. They had met through a meeting the yearbook committee had with the student council. Jessica thought he was a rather sloppy kisser and was a bit of a pushover, but he always agreed to drive her and her friends to Taeyeon’s shows at the venues downtown. It would have taken half an hour to get there but now it’s only fifteen minutes.

“Thanks for driving man. Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” Sooyoung said as the other girls climbed out of his meticulously cared for white SUV.

“No, I have to go back to school to help decorate the gym for the rally tomorrow.” He leaned over to give Jessica a short kiss on the lips, “Have fun Sica, call me if you guys need a ride home.”

The group watched as he pulled away from the curb and u-turned down back towards the highway.

“Let’s go.” Jessica said, “where is this place again?”

“I think it’s that way,” Sunny replied as she looked at her phone for directions.

They walked into the cafe and spotted Yuri and Joohyun sitting in a booth talking quietly together other while Miyoung and her date were in line to buy food.

“Hey, you’re here!” Miyoung said cheerfully, giving Sunny a hug before giving Jessica and the others one. “Taeyeon went backstage to prepare.”

“I owe you one Jess, from last week.” Hyoyeon asked as she pulled out her wallet. “What do you want?”

Jessica pondered the menu above the cashier. “Uh, I don’t know. Just get me whatever you’re getting.”

“Hope you like pastrami sandwiches then.”

Jessica shrugged as she left the line to head towards Yuri and Joohyun’s table.
“Hey Jessica!” Joohyun said brightly. “How are you?”

“Good, how are you?” Jessica replied as she slid into the booth opposite the couple.

“Busy with classes but it’s not bad.”

“Yeah right, Joohyun here just helped the science team get to state.”

“It’s just middle school science though.”

“Pft. You’re awesome.” Yuri scoffed and threw an arm around the younger girl, leaning in to give her a peck on the cheek.

Jessica couldn’t help but admire how comfortable Yuri and Joohyun are with themselves.



Spring break was upon them and Jessica had just turned 15. It was a somewhat novel feeling that she was halfway to 20.

Jessica also broke up with her boyfriend the day after her birthday. She didn’t mean to do it but at least she got a birthday present out of it.

“Wow Jess, what a gold digger.” Hyoyeon said as she lounged on the pool chair, staring at the lifeguard over her sunglasses. “The lifeguard is cute.”

He was a junior on the school swim team and Jessica recalled seeing him among Sooyoung’s athlete friends.

“On to the next one Hyo?” Jessica said as she adjusted the towel she was sitting on. “Weren’t you seeing that guy on the hockey team?”

“Ugh, those hockey boys are a mess. Don’t even talk to me about them right now. Anyway no, it was just dinner and it obviously did not go well.”

Jessica shrugged.

The two lounged lazily next to the pool for a good while before loud barking caught their attention.

Sitting up, Jessica saw in the distance a small white dog running through the grassy field at the other side of the park.

“Isn’t that Joohyun?” Hyoyeon said as three girls ran after the dog.

“Oh yeah.” Jessica recognized Yuri and Taeyeon trailing behind Joohyun. That girl runs surprisingly fast.

“Hey, its coming this way.” Hyoyeon stood up as they realized the dog was coming towards them.

“Hyoyeon! Help!” Yuri called out as the dog got closer to the pool.

Hyoyeon pull her towel out and held it out in front of her, hoping to catch the dog with it.

As the dog ran straight into Hyoyeon, Taeyeon seemingly came out of nowhere from the right and barreled into Hyoyeon’s unoccupied chair, tripping and falling into the pool.

“Taeyeon!” Yuri called out as she and Joohyun reached them.

Taeyeon popped out of the water, sputtering as she shook the water from her eyes.

Joohyun helped her out of the pool while Hyoyeon passed a towel to her, the dog now safely in Yuri’s arms.

“Why’d you run off like that man?” Yuri said to the dog who wagged its tail with no remorse. “Look what happened to Taeyeon, fell in the pool because of you.”

“Are you okay?” The lifeguard asked, jogging over with a first aid kit.

“Yeah I’m fine, just a bruise on my shin from the chair.” Taeyeon toweled off her hair.

“Sorry, Taeyeon, I didn’t think dogsitting would be such a handful,” Joohyun said, taking the dog from Yuri.

“It’s cool.” Taeyeon smiled and turned towards Hyoyeon and Jessica, “any of you got some spare clothes?”

“Yeah I have some extra shorts here somewhere.” Hyoyeon said, handing her bag over. She gave the lifeguard a quick smile as he walked past them.

“Cool. Don’t mind me guys.” She said while pulling the towel around herself and walked behind one of the pool sheds.

Jessica flushed as she realized she had been staring.


The school year had ended and in celebration, Taeyeon invited everyone over to her house for a barbeque.

“You would get a crappy beat up car,” Jiyoung said as the group walked up to Taeyeon’s ‘new’ car.

“It’s nice!” Jinyoung said.

Always positive, that one. Jessica thought Taeyeon’s car was kind of crappy herself but could see that it was once a beautiful muscle car.
...Maybe a few decades ago.

“How much mileage does it get? 5?” Sooyoung asked as she peered into the car window. “You know that your seats have holes in them right?

“Hey, I’m gonna fix it up!” Taeyeon said. “My brother said he’ll help me too.”

“Did you get this to impress that senior from the art school? Yuri nudged Taeyeon in the shoulder.

“Ohhh, what senior?” Miyoung always got excited when it came to gossip.

“Some girl in the music program at the private school next to the library.”

“Shhhh.” Taeyeon hushed as she unlocked the car to let Jiyoung sit in it. “Of course not.”

Yuri’s eyes gleamed mischievously, “Hey-”

“Let’s get some food now shall we?” Sunny interrupted, “I’m hungry.”

Taeyeon went back inside to get more food as the others gathered in the backyard. Jessica was perched on a lawn chair when Taeyeon came back out with a plate of meat for Yuri to grill as she chopped and peeled vegetables.

Jessica had just noticed Taeyeon was wearing a loose shirt with boy shorts on. She caught herself staring at Taeyeon’s legs and with a flush no one else noticed, pulled her eyes away to focus on what Taeyeon and Yuri were doing.

She watched as the older girl easily peeled a pear with a pocket knife while chuckling at something Yuri had said.

Yuri started teasing Joohyun with pokes before it turned into a tickle war. The other girls cheered while Taeyeon shook her head and turned to tend to the meat, making sure nothing was burning.

Jessica laughed when the tickle war suddenly ended with Yuri kissing Seohyun and everyone groaning.

“Gross!” Hyoyeon cried, throwing a towel down on the floor before walking away.

“Stop!” Joohyun giggled, pushing the older girl off her.
Sooyoung just looked up at Jessica and sighed, shaking her head with a grimace as Jessica continued to laugh.

“These two… Ahh.” Sooyoung said. “You lovebirds need to keep it down, all of us are under age!”

Yuri just laughed and stuck her tongue out at Sooyoung. “Ya’ll haters just wish they had someone to have tickle make-out wars with. Jealous.”

Jessica thought it would be nice to have someone to have a tickle make-out war with too.



Jessica sat down in her usual seat in the corner and pulled out her calculus notebook. The class was a chore but wasn’t as bad as the thought it would be.

As the other students settled down and the late bell rang, the teacher began explaining the day’s assignment that they had to complete in pairs.

She turned to wave Hyoyeon over as usual when she noticed a girl sitting behind Hyoyeon looking at her. They made brief eye contact before the other students cut off her line of sight as they moved around to sit with their partners. Shrugging to herself, Jessica turned back to flip through her textbook to the assigned page.

She was sure that she felt eyes on her back but couldn’t be bothered to turn around as Hyoyeon approached and began chattering away about yesterday’s dance practice.

“I think that girl in calculus likes you. She stares at you a lot.” Hyoyeon said as walked towards the cafeteria.

“What?” Jessica’s brow furrowed in confusion.

“I said-”

“I know what you said. I’ve noticed that she’s been staring at me but liking me? No way.”

The two walked into the cafeteria and got in line for food. Hyoyeon spotted Yoona waving from a table with the others and waved back.

“Hey guys!” Hyoyeon called out with a grin.

“Hurry up!” Taeyeon called back, “Yoona’s almost done eating!”

“Hey!”

Hyoyeon turned back to Jessica and put a hand on her shoulder. “She’s been looking at you like Sooyoung looks the captain of the soccer team. Trust. She likes you.”

“I guess that’s nice?” Jessica was unsure what to say. It felt nice and complimented that someone liked her enough to stare at her in class.

“I’m flattered that she likes me but I’m not gay or anything.”

“Mhm,” Hyoyeon sounded nodded slowly as she contemplated the food selection, not looking up or giving any other indication she was paying attention to what Jessica was saying.

Jessica once more found her eyes drifting towards her friends at the table but more specifically towards a certain guitarist.


Jessica had a tendency to space out and stare at random things. She cursed herself for this habit when she later found herself staring out the window of the dance studio and spotting Yuri and Joohyun making out against Yuri’s car in the fairly empty parking lot.

She started when someone thumped her on the back. “Thanks for waiting Jess, let’s go.” Hyoyeon said, swinging her duffle bag over her shoulder. “Yuri said she can give us a ride home.”

Pushing the door open, Hyoyeon noticed the couple and yelled. “Hey, get a room you guys. This is indecent exposure!”

The pair broke apart quickly. Joohyun looked abashed while Yuri laughed. “You’re just jealous that no one will make out with you Hyo.”

Hyoyeon sighed dramatically, “I know right? But at least I don’t have it as bad as Joohyun who has to see your face every day. Joohyun are you sure you aren’t being forced into a relationship with ugly here?”

Joohyun laughed as shook her head. “I don’t think so no.” The younger girl turned and smiled at Jessica. “Hi, Jessica, how is your day?”

Jessica shrugged, “It was alright. Same old, same old.”

“Hey, Taeyeon wants a ride too. She’s heading over from the choir rooms.” Yuri said as she checked her phone.

“She didn’t drive?” Jessica asked.

“Uh, I think something about the engine so its in the shop.” Yuri replied, “Some car mumbo jumbo that I don’t understand.”

“Oh look, there she is.” Hyoyeon said as she opened the trunk to put her bag in.

“Hey!” Taeyeon waved as she jogged across the parking lot. “Sorry for making you wait. My brother got called into work.”

“No big,” Yuri said as she moved the junk scattered in her back seat to the trunk.

“Hey Joohyun, Jessica.” Taeyeon nodded at each other them. “How did your quiz go?” She looked at Joohyun.

“Not so bad. Basically reworded homework problems.”

“Too smart, man.” Taeyeon shook her head before turning to Jessica.

“Hey, I saw you guys unpacking the Yearbooks from those boxes. They look really nice. Heard you help do the cover, looks sweet.”

“Uh, yeah.” Jessica said with a smile. “I didn’t know you knew about yearbook.” Not even Sooyoung and Hyoyeon ever remembered what she does in the Yearbook committee. Though to be fair Jessica didn’t know half of the things happening with cross country and the dance team.

“Oh, well you talk about it sometimes at lunch.” Taeyeon said with a grin.

“Oh-oh yeah.” It was nice knowing that Taeyeon paid attention.

While Jessica wasn’t on any of the athletic teams, she made an effort to go for a run every now and then to keep in shape.

Especially after that one time Sooyoung and Hyoyeon insisted on going to the beach and pranced around in their bikinis.

Today was a rather warm day, Jessica complained to herself about why she chose to run so far from her house in the middle of the afternoon as the sun unrelentingly blazed without a cloud in sight.

Making her way down the block towards home, Jessica was brought of her reverie by what sounded like a metal tool hitting the ground.

Looking across the street, she spotted Taeyeon’s car parked on the driveway of a house across the street with its hood up. It looked a lot better now that Taeyeon and her brother had been working on it.

Just as she was going to cross the street to see if anyone was there, Taeyeon popped out from behind the raised hood, face smeared with grease.

“Ah, it’s really hot today.” Taeyeon said, wiping the sweat off her face with the back of her arm as she bent to pick up another tool from the tool box.

Jessica stopped in her tracks as Taeyeon bent back over the engine bay of the car, fixing whatever needed to be fixed. She tip-toed to reach and her shorts rode up just the tiniest bit.

“Oh hey, Jessica.” She whipped her head around to see Taeyeon’s brother come out of the garage. “Why are you just standing here? Do you need some water?”

“Oh, hey.” Taeyeon turned from her car. “Didn’t see you there.” She pulled up her tattered, grease-stained tank top to wipe her face of sweat.

“Just happened to run by.” Jessica said, trying not to stare as Taeyeon’s pale stomach peeked out from under her tanktop as she continued to wipe her face. Jessica had no idea Taeyeon was so fit. She looked different since sophomore year started. It seemed like she started to either work out or she just naturally grew into that swagger musicians seem to have.

Taeyeon smiled. “It’s good to see you! Do you want to stay, I can change-” Taeyeon gestured to her dirty tank top, still holding it up. Jessica could see a peek of the sports bra she had on underneath.

“NO!” Jessica said a bit too loudly. “Uh- no. I should go! Well- I’ll just see you later I guess. Have fun!”

What the heck was that?

Jessica crossed back across the street and began jogging as quickly as she could without looking like she was running away. She half expected to trip as she made her way back home.

Jessica would later excuse her flushed face as the result of running in the hot summer sun.


“Yuri, what are you wearing?!” Sooyoung said as the other girl got out of her car. “You look like the quintessential internet lesbian with that hat on. You’re even wearing flannel.”

Hyoyeon glanced over Sooyoung’s shoulder and laughed. “You really do!”

“Ugh, shut up. I lost a bet to Yoona and now I have to dress like this for a week.” Yuri grumbled. “Joohyun, Yoona is so mean!” She whined as she grabbed her girlfriend’s arm.

“It isn’t my fault you challenged her to flirt her way into free movie tickets. She’s in theatre.” Joohyun said with a smile. “You’re just silly.”

Yuri grumbled more as the others laughed.

Joohyun giggled and gave Yuri a peck on the cheek. “Well, I think you look cute with the hat. The flannel is a little too much for me though.”
Yuri brightened up.

Jessica could already tell senior year would be very interesting.


“Alright class, we’re gonna pair up to do your semester project. I’ll put the list on the door before class ends.”

“Argh, I hope I don’t end up with someone who doesn’t do their work.” Hyoyeon sighed.

Group E: Jung Sooyeon and Kim Taeyeon
Group F: Kim Hyoyeon and Park Gyuri

Hyoyeon breathed a sigh of relief, “At least I know Gyuri does her work. You got lucky with Taeyeon. She loves history.”

“Uh, yeah.” Jessica’s mind drifted back to her awkward encounter with Taeyeon over the weekend.

She was startled by Taeyeon’s voice coming from behind her. “Hey! Looks like we’re partners! Let’s meet up soon! Text me.”

“Of course, yeah. Sure.” Jessica nodded quickly before rushing out the door, leaving a confused Hyoyeon behind talking to Gyuri.

“What the heck Jess!” Hyoyeon said, shaking her head.


“Hey, did you hear? Taeyeon ended it with that art student.” Yoona said to Yuri. “She’s a little bummed today so be nice.”

“Ah, is that why she’s been such a jerk this weekend?” Yuri asked in between chewing her apple.

“Yuri, don’t talk with your mouth full. It’s gross.” Joohyun sighed.

“Sorry.” Yuri grinned sheepishly.

“Taeyeon was seeing someone?” Sooyoung furrowed her brows. “Why am I always the last to know about these things?”

“I didn’t know either.” Hyoyeon added, shrugging.

“Did you, Jess?”

Jessica shook her head.

“Well, she’s just a low key person.” Yoona added thoughtfully. “It wasn’t too serious and it was only a few months anyway. Don’t feel bad! I didn’t know until I asked who kept texting her all the time while we were out. Anyway, yeah they’re done. Taeyeon said she’s too clingy or something.”

“Wait, so Taeyeon is gay?” Sunny asked.

Jessica choked on her water before hiding it with a cough. The others all turned to look at her.
“Sorry, went down wrong.” Jessica wiped and capped her bottle.

Turning back, Yuri, Yoona, and Joohyun all shrugged. “She says she doesn’t like to label it.”

“She would say something like that.” Hyoyeon laughed. “Always so cool and cryptic.”

“Well, she is in a rock band.”

“You alright?” Sooyoung raised an eyebrow as Jessica as the others laughed.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”



The band hadn’t performed in a while so it’s been a few months since Jessica had seen Taeyeon play with them.

Somehow they have gotten even better and were now the talk of the school as the talent show ended.

“Dude, Jiyoung is so cool. I had no idea he was so into music.” A passing student said to her to friend.

“I know, I think that Taeyeon girl is cute. Girls in leather jackets are so hot. The guitarist too.”

The girl elbowed him in the ribs, “What a !” She said, laughing. “You mean Younha?”

“Yeah, her. Didn’t she graduate last year?”

Now that Jessica thought about it, she thought Taeyeon cute with her leather jacket on as well.

Jessica flushed a bit as she finished that thought.


It was already the start of the second semester which meant Taeyeon’s birthday approaching.

Time’s moving way more quickly this year than the last few. Jessica thought to herself as she and the others piled into Hyoyeon’s car.

“Are you sure you know how to drive Hyo?” Sooyoung buckled her seatbelt. “How on earth did you pass your driving test?”

“Hey. I don’t see you with a license.” Hyoyeon pulled out of Sooyoung’s driveway rather haphazardly.

Jessica clutched the grab handles.

Jessica’ never been to Joohyun’s house.

It was bigger than she imagined. Much bigger.

The house had a modern, clean design. Wood and glass with a balcony on the side that Jessica could see from where she was standing. From the shadows of moving water against lit up trees in the back yard, Jessica figured there was a pool as well.

“Damn, girl is loaded.” Hyoyeon said as they got out of the car. “Should have washed my car before coming here.”

“Yeah, they’re gonna tow your car for being so low class.” Sooyoung teased.

“You just wish you had my car.” Hyoyeon locked her door and they trekked up the curved driveway.

“Hey guys!” Yuri opened the door. “Glad you found your way here!”

“Yuri, why didn’t you ever tell us that Joohyun is your sugar mama?” Hyoyeon gave Yuri a tight hug. “Does she have a sister? I can give up men for that.”

Yuri punched her lightly on the arm. “She is not my sugar mama. And no, she doesn’t have a sister. Even if she did I wouldn’t let you near her.”

“Sugar mama?” Joohyun appeared from behind the door. “Hi guys, glad you could make it!”

Jessica hummed to herself as she found herself standing in the kitchen staring at Taeyeon messing around with the others while dressed in bikini.

She had gone inside to use the restroom and walked out to be greeted by the colorful snake tattoo adorning Taeyeon’s back. A large, coiled beast resting on Taeyeon’s slender shoulders down to the middle of her back.
She had heard about the girl getting a tattoo on her back a few weeks ago but seeing it in person was another story.

Jessica’s mind went blank for a few moments as she appreciated the colorful ink. It looked good on Taeyeon. Unexpected but very fitting. Especially the way the snake seemed to wrap itself around her back.

Okay, maybe she was just a little bit gay. At least gay for Taeyeon.

“What’s wrong with you lately?” Sooyoung said as they walked through the mall, Hyoyeon walking ahead with her boyfriend.

“What? Nothing.” Jessica shrugged, unsure of what Sooyoung meant.

Sooyoung scoffed. “You know what I mean. You’ve been staring at Taeyeon a lot lately.”

Jessica stopped in her tracks, looking everywhere but at Sooyoung who turned to face her.

“You like her or something?”

“No…” Jessica mumbled, pursing her lips as Sooyoung leaned in even more, eyeing her suspiciously for a moment before letting out a laugh.

“You do don’t you?” Sooyoung waggled her eyebrows. Ever since her birthday party at Joohyun’s I’ve noticed you look at her all the time.

Jessica blushed and sighed, still not looking the other girl in the eye.

“Wait are you serious? I was half kidding…” Sooyoung leaned in closer as Jessica leaned away and randomly flailed a bit.

“I knew it!” Sooyoung squealed, even fist pumping in victory.

“It’s nothing!” Jessica pulled on Sooyoung’s sleeves, looking around to make sure no one else had heard.

“Sure, sure.” Sooyoung rolled her eyes.

“Really, Sooyoung, its nothing. Just a tiny crush. Please don’t tell anyone.” Jessica pleaded, pouting as she tugged on her sleeve more.

“Ahh.” Sooyoung pulled away. “Okay, okay. Your secret is safe with me, the great Choi Sooyoung.” Sooyoung bowed magnanimously. “But you owe me food!” She held a finger up.

Jessica exhaled in relief. “Yeah no problem.”
“Hey, what are you guys doing?” Hyoyeon turned back to look at them.

“Just tying my shoe!” Sooyoung called back.

Jessica turned off the water and stepped out of the shower with a satisfied sigh. It had been a long day sitting in the library working on the history project with Taeyeon. She had to stop herself multiple times from staring at the other girl.

They had gone out for lunch afterwards and Jessica knew she could probably never look at straws the same way again considering she had stared enough at Taeyeon drinking her soda that the other girl had noticed.

She pulled on her fluffy bathrobe and walked back into her room, calling out to her sister that she was done.

She tumbled onto her bed with a towel still wrapped around her hair. Pulling out her phone she grinned to herself as Sooyoung messaged her about eating a late lunch.

Jessica: -sorry, I already went out to eat with Taeyeon-
Sooyoung:-TFTI lovergirl-
Jessica: -omg it wasn’t anything-
Sooyoung: -Yeah right. It was a date-
Jessica: -no it wasn’t-
Sooyoung: -Yup, can’t even question it-
Jessica: -no soo. we just worked on the project and then went to eat lunch-
Sooyoung: -Uh-huh sure. ‘Work’ on your project and have lunch-
Jessica: -i just can’t with you soo, i can’t.-
Sooyoung: -What does that even mean?-

Jessica sighed and tossed her phone back on the bed, rolling over on to her back. She laid there staring at the ceiling for quite a while until she heard the shower turn off and footsteps coming down the hall.

“Soojung! How many times do I have to tell you to not drip water through the hall!” She heard her mom scold her sister.

“Sorry mom! I’ll clean it up!” Soojung replied before Jessica heard a door close.

Jessica was about to close her eyes when her phone chirped.

Sooyoung: -Are you gonna ask her out?-

Jessica stared at the screen and pondered the question until she heard her mom calling them out for dinner half an hour later.

Jessica: -i don’t know.-

Jessica was accepted of a prestigious journalism program at a well-respected university.

Sooyoung had gotten a cross country scholarship at a famous sports school an hour away from home while Hyoyeon and Yuri both enrolled at the university in a few cities over. Miyoung decided to study abroad while Sunny followed her older sisters into business school.

It was her first time away from all her friends. Especially with her school so far, she could only visit on the longer holidays.

“Jessica!” Her roommate yelled over the loud bass booming through the house. “Do you want a drink?!”

“Sure.” Jessica called back, squeezing through the crowded living room towards the kitchen.

The school football team had just won an important game and so the whole area was full of house parties. This one in particular was hosted by friends who were notorious for wild and loud events.
She had made it to her third year with excellent grades and internships under her belt. Having just finished midterms, Jessica was ready to drop down in exhaustion when her friends dragged her to the game and was now cheering with her friends some of the guys started arm wrestling for shots.

Exhaustion momentarily forgotten, Jessica found herself rather tipsy and in an odd staring contest with a girl standing on the other side of the kitchen.


It was a cold winter, snow falling and settling in fluffy sheets along the city streets.

Exhaling, Jessica wrapped her red scarf closer to herself before she pushed the library door open to brave the white court yard.

Festive lights dangled from trees and lined the store fronts as she made a beeline for the corner cafe. The sun had already set and the amber glow spilling from the cafe windows looked warm and inviting as Jessica pulled up her coat’s collar to shield from the frosty breeze that seemed to always favor this street in particular.

Settling in a small booth, Jessica waved for a waiter and pulled out her books and computer. She had just been called back for a final-round interview for her dream internship at an up and coming fashion focused media company. She would need to prepare a portfolio of photos and writing samples in hopes of catching the editor’s eye so she could help with the online editorials.

It was warm in the cafe so she pulled off her scarf, sighing contently as her order arrived.

Before she could take a sip of her coffee, her phone interrupted as it vibrated with a message alert.

Ugh, it was her (almost ex) boyfriend. They had gotten into an argument four days ago and she had been ignoring him. She thought about ending it but she didn’t want to see him and thought it was rude to break up over the phone. But he had been texting her constantly over the past two days and went from apologetic to now hostile and vindictive.

They had gotten to this point because he never paid attention to her and rarely listened to her. He almost forgot her birthday if it wasn’t for Sooyoung’s mailed gift arriving a day early. A few weeks ago she had asked him to pick up the dry cleaning since she was busy and had an interview the next day and he had forgotten it in favor of going out with his friends. Thank goodness for cool stylish roommates who wear the same size.

Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to break up with a text message.

“Hey!” A familiar voice caught Jessica’s attention.

“Jessica! It’s be years!” It was Taeyeon, bundled up in a thick hoodie, scarf, and leather jacket. She was holding a to-go cup of coffee.

“Taeyeon! Hey! What are you doing here?” This was far from the university Taeyeon enrolled in. A 9 hour drive.

“We’re playing at State tomorrow. Last minute replacement for an opening act.”

State was the rival university across the city and Jessica didn’t pay much attention to what was going on there.

“Really? That’s awesome. Where are the others?” Jessica wondered about Taeyeon’s bandmates.

“They’re at the market next door buying things to cook for dinner. We’re actually staying at a friend’s apartment.” Taeyeon sat down and sipped on her drink. “You’re doing journalism right? Aiming for that one magazine still?”

“Actually, I’m interviewing for an internship there.”

“What? Wow. That’s awesome. Congrats!” Jessica forgot how much Taeyeon lit up when she smiled. “You had been talking about that place a lot back in high school. I looked it up a while ago and seems really cool. They have great album reviews.”

“Yeah.” Jessica closed the lid of her laptop and scooted over to face Taeyeon properly. “So how have you been?”

It was nice to have someone who paid attention and listened.

It had been a long time since Jessica had heard the band play. She’s actually heard their songs on the radio sometimes but not in person since high school. She was surprised at how packed the small venue was as she entered the bar.

Squeezing through the people mulling around as the first opening band played, Jessica found the backstage door with a large, faded EMPLOYEES ONLY sign nailed on. A gruff security guard raised an eyebrow at her as she stared at him.

“I’m a friend of Kim Taeyeon’s.”

The guard looked skeptical as he crossed his large, muscled arms. “That’s what they all say.”

Jessica scoffed and rolled her eyes, pulling her phone out to text Taeyeon.

-the brick wall in front of the door won’t let me in.-

Jessica and the guard stood silently as she waiting for a reply. The two looking around the bar idly.

-Oh, be right there. Sry about that.-

Jessica smiled smugly as the door opened with Taeyeon looking up at the guard. “It’s cool she’s with me.” Taeyeon turned to Jessica with a radiant smile. “So glad you could make it.”

The guard grunted and stepped aside, allowing Jessica to slip through the door.

“You excited to play?” Jessica asked as they walked down the hallway, the constant hum of yellow fluorescent lights barely audible over the loud music playing on stage.

“Yeah!” Taeyeon said eagerly. “We heard there is a scout out there tonight. Hopefully they’ll like us!”

“Wow!”

“I know! If we can get them to sign us we’re good!” Taeyeon exclaimed as she pushed the dressing room door open.

“Hey!” Three voices exclaimed as they walked in. Jiyong, Jinyoung, and Younha were all sitting around the room.

“Hey, long time no see!” Jessica greeted the familiar faces, sitting down on the couch.

As the group updated her about the going ons of the members, Jessica found her eyes constantly drifting over to Taeyeon, admiring the spark in her eyes and voracious laughter as they talked about their adventures as a band.

The band had scored big. The agent had offered them a great contract with a well respected label. The company had an office in town and wanted to work with them immediately and so Jessica helped the members find apartments.

Younha moved in together with her boyfriend while Jiyong and Jinyoung decided to live with local friends.

This left Taeyeon decided she wanted a place of her own, away from the third-wheeling with Younha and craziness that was Jiyong and Jinyoung together in one place.

“So, I hear you been staying at Taeyeon’s place a lot lately.” Soojung looked down at her nails. She had come to visit Jessica and some other friends in the area.

“Yeah. So?” Jessica arched an eyebrow. She couldn’t believe her little sister was already in high school. Time really does fly.

“You got something going on with her?” The corner of Soojung’s eyes crinkled as she smirked.

“Why do you want to know?” Jessica put down her pen and leaned back in her chair to properly look at the younger girl sitting on the counter.

“Well if you’re not gonna tap that I will.”

Jessica spluttered. “W-What?”

“Well she’s hot and the bassist of the coolest band ever.” Soojung slid off the counter and walked over to look in Jessica’s fridge.

“You’re too young for her Soojung. You’re in high school. You should focus on studying.” Jessica stood up shook her head. “And when were you gay? Why didn’t you tell me? Did you come out to mom and dad?”

“I didn’t say that.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t like to put labels on things.”

Jessica couldn’t help but shake her head again at the familiar term.

“Anyway, so you do have a thing for her.”

“Huh?”

“You got all jealous and everything”

“No I’m not.”

“Mhm.” Soojung mused as she found some leftovers and took them out. “Like how you’re all standing with your arms crossed looking so aggressively at me that a dictator would have cowered in your presence.”

“What? That makes no sense.”

Soojung opened the microwave and tossed the tupperware inside. “Just saying, sis. You better get your girl before someone else snatches her up.”

Jessica groaned as she flopped onto the couch.


Jessica clapped as the ribbon was cut. The large office building gleamed under the bright sunlight, standing proud amongst the other skyscrapers around it.

Seo Joohyun stood next to her mother as the CEO of Seo Enterprises was congratulated on the new company headquarters building.

Next to Jessica, Yuri cheered the loudest and waved as Joohyun spotted them in the crowd.

Somehow, Joohyun managed to help grow her parent’s small but successful business into a multinational corporation in less than a decade.

“You gonna finally propose to her?” Sooyoung asked Yuri.

Yuri smirked. “Yep!” She pulled the ring box out of her purse to show them. “After dinner tonight.”

“You’re just hoping to get lucky aren’t ya.” Hyoyeon elbowed Yuri in the rib.

Wincing, Yuri grinned, making the other girls groan in disgust.

“At least try to lie.” Hyoyeon grumbled.

“What about you Jess?” Miyoung turned around. “You ready for your date?”

“Ooooh with who with who?” Yoona asked. She had been away for a few months doing a theatre workshop.

Jessica flushed as she and Taeyeon looked at each other.



“Hey!” Jessica was startled, dropping a pile of papers on the ground. A few heads around her turned, some peering out of their cubicles.

“Oh wow, I’m sorry!” Jessica turned around to see Taeyeon running up from behind her.

“Taeyeon! What are you doing here?”

“An interview.” Taeyeon replied as she crouched down to help Jessica pick up the mess. “Sorry about that, didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Oh, I forgot about that. That’s today?” The company got the right to publish and exclusive about the band’s new album and wanted to do an editorial and cover with them.

“Uh, yeah. They moved the interview to today at least.” Looking concerned at Jessica’s growing anxiousness.

Jessica sighed in relief. “Good, good. I’m supposed to help the stylists with the photoshoot and I thought they moved it from next Monday to today.”

“Oh no, no. I didn’t mean to confuse you…” Taeyeon handed the stack of papers back to Jessica.

The two stood rather awkwardly in silence, unsure of what else to say as the rest of the office watched on.

“Uh, yeah I got to get going. It was nice seeing you. I guess I’ll see you next week?” Taeyeon scratched the back of her head, grinning awkwardly.

“Yeah, yeah.” Jessica nodded, smiling as Taeyeon waved and walked back towards the conference room.

Jessica shook her head, as she inhaled deeply. Hoping her coworkers would go back to work quietly but of course in an office like this, it was never the case.

“Was that Kim Taeyeon? She’s in that band right?”

“Yeah, she’s a lot prettier in real life. I like her outfit, wonder where she got it.”

“I went to their show last year, they’re really good.”

“Does Jessica know her or something?”

“Maybe I can catch her on the way out and ask her to lunch.”

“She’s out of your league!”

“Come on, I can try!”

“Haha Wooyoung has no chance!”

Jessica sighed even more as she slumped over the copy machine.

“You better get your girl before someone else snatches her up.”

Jessica leaned against the wall opposite the conference room door, glaring silently at Wooyoung from accounting as he walked over and hesitated by the door before seeing Jessica and sheepishly walking away.

Jessica was just patting herself on the back with a proud smile to herself when the door opened.

“-forward to having you back next week for the photoshoot.” The editor said as she led the band out of the room.

“No problem!” Jiyong said, shaking her hand.

“Oh, hey Jess.” Younha said as she spotted Jessica.

Jessica waved at them as the editor continued to chat with Jiyoung about their schedule.

“Taeyeon, can I talk to you?” Jessica said, afraid that her courage would run out.

“Yeah, whats up.” She nodded at her band members who shrugged and followed the editor down the hall.

Leading them up a flight of stairs to the rooftop, Jessica hesitated as she stood stiffly in the middle of the rooftop courtyard.

“Uh…” Jessica had opened but no words came out.

Taeyeon raised her eyebrows in confusion. “Are you okay?”

Jessica bit her lip, her eyes drifting down to Taeyeon’s lips.

“Jessica?”

Jessica really, really liked the way Taeyeon voice sounds as when she says her name.

“Hey, are you with me?”

And Taeyeon had really nice teeth, why had she never noticed Taeyeon’s nice teeth?

“Jessic-”

Jessica stepped forward and pressed her lips to Taeyeon’s. Their nose awkwardly clashed for a moment before Jessica turned her head a little more. There was nothing quite as soft or sweet as Taeyeon’s lips.

Jessica’s grip on Taeyeon’s neck tightened as she felt Taeyeon slow bring her hands up thread through her hair.

As much as she wanted this to go on for forever, Jessica’s lungs protested and she broke away, gasping.

Wide eyed and breathing heavily, Taeyeon grinned. “What was that?”

Jessica unconsciously her lips, noticing Taeyeon’s eyes following. “It was a kiss.”

“Well, yeah, but what for?”

Jessica flushed. “Do I have to spell it out for you?”

“That would be very nice.” Taeyeon’s grin grew wider.

Jessica sighed, knowing Taeyeon knew exactly why.

She looked down at her shoes, suddenly unable to look Taeyeon in the eye. In a small voice, she said “I like you, that’s why.”

Taeyeon chuckled, wrapping Jessica in a firm hug.

“Took you long enough.” Jessica looked up in surprise. “I was sort of waiting for that.”

“What?”

“Well, your sister got my number from Hyoyeon and she’s been texting me saying that I should ask you out before someone else snatched yo-”

Jessica pulled the older girl in for another kiss. She brushed her tongue over Taeyeon’s lips before biting down gently on her lower lip.

“I- uh- wow.” Taeyeon said as they broke apart.

“My sister is an idiot.” Jessica made a mental note to go give her a visit later.

Taeyeon laughed. “Well, I think we both are idiots too…”

“Yeah…” Jessica admitted reluctantly.

“So…”

“So.”

The two hovered near each other, practically touching but not touching.

“Dinner?” Jessica finally said.

Taeyeon actually blushed. Jessica made another mental note about how much she looked with the red growing on her cheeks.

“Dinner would be nice.” Taeyeon grinned. “But we gotta finish the interview.”

“I know.” Jessica nodded, looking back down at her shoes. “Next week?”

“Next week is good. After the thing for Joohyun’s parents?”

“Yeah.” Jessica nodded again, a shy smile gracing her face as she looked back up at Taeyeon. “It’s a date.”

Taeyeon flushed again. “Y-yeah. A date!”

Jessica laughed, grabbing Taeyeon’s hand and quickly turning around to hide her own growing blush and pulling them back inside the building.


Yoona laughed and clapped her hands. “I can’t believe it. It’s happening.”

“What?” Jessica asked, curious as to why she found their story so funny.

“Took you two long enough. Poor Taeyeon here had been making eyes at you since elementary school!”

Taeyeon flushed and looked like she was willing herself spontaneously to sink into the ground.

“Really?”

“Serious?”

“Wow.”

The others said, as Jessica turned to face Taeyeon with an arched eyebrow.

“Is this true Kim Taeyeon?”

“Yoona, I hate you.” Taeyeon said weakly.