Chorong sat at the dining table, famished yet exhausted by the day's hectic schedule. Thankfully, all Apink members were present and finally she was allowed to eat after waiting for Hayoung to finish her shower to which she emerged out of with damp hair and a towel draped around her shoulder. Chorong smiled at her, taking in how mature the youngest looked.

Before she drifted into her dispiriting thoughts about her position as a leader, Chorong's stomach growled, making her all too aware of her hunger.

Bomi was seated across from her attempting to shove a spicy vegetable that the struggling Naeun absolutely detests, into the latter's mouth with a mischievious grin on her face. Chorong rolled her eyes, too tired to stop Bomi from carrying out her playful antics again. Chorong lifted a piece of meat on a fork and nibbled on it slowly, watching the situation in front of her. It made her forget how hungry she was at the moment.

Beside her, Namjoo and Hayoung were quietly stuffing their mouths with food paying no attention to Naeun who was whining and furiously shoving Bomi away from her in vain. She cast Chorong a helpless, pleading look but all Chorong did was sigh. "Chorong unnie!"

Eunji with the usual beam on her face, placed a hand on Bomi's slim shoulder. "Leave her alone Bomi ah. I think she's had enough." Naeun whined, grateful, "Thank you Eunji unnie, I think I might puke." Chorong sighed observing Bomi's defeated frown. She shifted her eyes over to Eunji. For a brief second, she could see a flash of hurt shimmering in Eunji's eyes but she replied Naeun with a small welcoming laugh. 

For the same reason of exhaustion, the members ate in silence. 

That Tuesday night was Chorong's turn to do the dishes unfortunately. Forcing her eyes open, she stood by the sink scrubbing the various sized plates absentmindedly. The shining stars dotted the night sky sporadically and the moon hung low. Chorong let her mind wander to the current life she was leading.

She was perfectly content being an idol, but somehow, she found herself repeatedly being dragged into depression. Chorong felt invisible and overlooked, always just another idol in the massive kpop industry. She wondered what occupation she would take on if not an idol. And that scared her. 

She missed being free to roam the streets, free to speak with her childhood friends in public. She was almost certain that the members felt the same way, judging from the hidden sadness in their hearts. Chorong didn't mention anything, but she could sense how they are feeling, how sad they were about their lives. But sometimes, they were genuinely happy and enjoyed being together. Chorong felt obliged to make that happiness last. 

Later that night, Bomi had convinced Chorong as always, to accompany her on the couch. Bomi had a craving for comedic movies and because Chorong was powerless to disagreement and Bomi's charms, she agreed despite her escalaing fatigue. Just as she expected, Chorong instantly fell asleep on the long leather couch admist the soft voices emanating from the television. The darkness of the living room and its drafty cold air making it even more peaceful. Even though she provided little to no conversation with Bomi, the younger was appreciative of Chorong just being there. 

While Chorong was asleep, Bomi relished in the silence of being alone. She had to entertain people most of the time and that proved to be especially daunting. They demanded more than Bomi could supply. They expected her to be carefree and hilarious most of the time, but no one knows truly how sensitive she is except her members. And when she changed her disposition, being unusually quiet on a show or interview, fans may have the unavoidable thinking that something is not right with her. 

Bomi shivered underneath her oversized woolen sweater. It was as if the cold from the outside had seeped indiscernibly into the dorm. Bomi searched for the television remote, intending to change the channel to something a little less boring. She glanced at Chorong, watching the steady rising and falling of her chest, her closed eyes that speaked volumes when opened. She's so beautiful.

Chorong was the only one that Bomi trusted and the older one had a way of handling Bomi that infused sterness with slight wittiness. She spotted the remote control sitting beside Chorong, which meant a dangerous path for Bomi to traverse without moving her legs. She was too lazy for anything but was willing to stretch a little to switch channels.

Reaching across Chorong's lap Bomi gripped the remote controller in her hand at the same time letting her gaze rest on Chorong's flawless features, her lips in particular.  Bomi may have lost her sanity completely because before she realised, her lips were already on the side of Chorong's. It was nothing but a soft touch but enough for Chorong to stir in her sleep. Bomi pulled back, immediately, a colossal wave of guilt washed over her. 

But Bomi couldn't deny the warmth that she felt radiating from Chorong that surged throught her entire being. She had always wanted secretly, to do that. Looking at Chorong underneath lowered eyelids, she admired everything about her. The dim light from the television illuminated Chorong's perfect jawline.

Bomi was running on solely instincts not trusting her brain anymore since what she thought and what she did contrasted sharply. Breathing heavily, Bomi leaned forward, enticed, kissing Chorong again but this time full on her lips.

The flick of a light switch and a mumbled voice, saying "Bomi ah if you are not coming into the room anytime soon, I'll switch off the lights first", snapped Bomi out of her state of abstraction. She sprung to her feet, her heart beating frantically against her ribs in anxiety and guilt. She looked at Eunji with widened eyes to which Eunji reciprocated. "Sorry if I interrupted something. I'll just go now," Eunji smiled, her sadness or maybe jealousy barely concealed.  

"Eunji wait, it's not... what you think," Bomi stammered, trying to conjur up a passable explanation. Eunji beamed and strode away, closing the door to their room behind her, leaving Bomi, face buried in her cold hands in the living room.