Chapter 3
Girl Stuff

Saturday, 12th December
09:02am

Running down the yard piling up with snow, JungKook skid into the side of the wooden exterior of the farmhouse with a thud. Scrambling up the steps and in through the kitchen door, the brunette was met by the home owner and his significant other. Panting in the warm air filled with the comforting scent of a hearty breakfast, the tall boy bent double repeatedly as he hacked for a breath. “I’m sorry about yesterday. I fell asleep at school.” Sleet dripping off of his jacket and into the shoebox back foyer, the youngest waved his arms as he tried to explain and catch his breath at the same time. "I had to walk all the way back from the city until Lim Ajjushi's place."

Holding the umpteenth bag of frozen meat to his eye, the orange haired male turned around to try and looked his charge in the eye. “We don’t mind you being late, or even taking the day off; we know what you have to deal with.” Flicking the final page of the newspaper back with his other hand, TaeHyung hummed in understanding. “But if you’re studying late next time, please call; we were worried about you.”

He turned to face the redhead at the stove. “Noona, I'm really so-”

Taking a plate from the top part of the tradtional oven, the redhead placed it on the right mat facing the door. Giving him a diluted glare, the woman shrugged. “NamJoon and JiMin helped me; if you should be apologizing to anyone, it should be to them.”

The brunette paused before digging into the mountain of food that had been dropped in front of him. “Did TaeAh give birth?”

“It was a male calf - Healthy, as far as I can see.” KiSe waved off the questions as she shoved the plug in the sink and began to run the hot water.

Breathing a sigh of relief, the brunette slumped against the wall supporting the window showcasing the beautiful winterscape of the land he was practically raised on. “As if you weren’t well off enough as it was.”

“You need strong cows with good rearing backgrounds from different landowners to make any real money.” A white frame dowsed with long black hair entered the space without any indication of her presence. Opening the freezer door like Sadako, the eldest Kim sibling took the bottle of vodka which she had brought back in the early am.

“T-TaeRin Noona?” JungKook gawked at the woman in a tight-fit vest and briefs in her feeble attempt to unscrew the unsealed bottle cap.

Peering to her left, the addressed held out her arms. “Jooooon-Goooookkkkkk~” Her Hell-rasp plus the smeared black eye make up made the boy yelp. Losing his senses, the addressed bolted out of the back door. Ignoring the looks she was getting for the novelty trick, TaeRin dug into her ample cleavage and took her cell from her bra before chucked it on the dining table. “Did I get breakfast, or is that just for the guys whose you want?” The eldest snarked as she took the newspaper from the middle of the table and unfolded in front of herself. Scanning the headlines, she scooped her hair into a messy bun and tied it with the band around her wrist.

“It’s nice to see you, too.” KiSe rolled her eyes as she took a kiwi from the fruit bowl beside the fridge and put it on a plate before placing it in front of the brunette.

No one would know it from that scene, but they were best friends. They always had been; from the moment they were able to formulate hand gestures and smack each other like cavemen. They loved each other, and be it upon all of the Gods to save the poor mite who tried to get between them, or play them off against each other; It was platonic. And dangerous.

Wafting her hand over her shoulder and behind her without a sound, KiSe knew exactly what the other woman meant. Taking the metal device from the far drawer, TaeRin accepted the sharp knife all too readily. Forcing the top off of her drink, the eldest wiped her under-eyes with her index finger, and then went about peeling her fruit. “Someone tell JungKook to come inside already; his food’s getting cold.” She mumbled as she scanned the newspaper blindly with squinty eyes.

Catching the struggle to his left, TaeHyung smirked a little. "Can you even see right now?"

Pulling in a wheezy full-breath, TaeRin nudged the man's foot under the table with a grunt. "Are you referring to my general blindness, or the amount of alcohol I consumed last night?"

"You consumed it? I thought you showered in it."

Tilting her head sharply, the older woman pulled back from the bait. Taking a cigarette from the torn carton propped up in her cleavage, she held the cancer stick between her teeth. "Can you really lecture me?"

KiSe opened the back door and called the youngest inside. Carefully venturing back inside, the overly tall brunette kept his ground from the newcomer’s back. Grabbing her fruit, and her drink, TaeRin got up from the seat and moved to the far end of the room. Turning around, she put her bottle on the right counter and tossed the furry, khaki goodness in her left palm repeatedly. Blurry eyes settled on the man whom had grown so much in their time apart and TaeRin clicked her tongue playfully. “Look at the man you’ve grown into.”

Just now gathering the strength to call her out, TaeHyung cut in. "We were celebrating." Forcing himself to look her in the eye, he was met by a back. Confidence growing by that fact, he steeled himself. "What's your excuse?"

Tugging at the fabrics which barely covered what it needed to, the eldest glanced over her shoulder. Turning around with a smirk, TaeRin took a swig of vodka from the bottle and then elongated her neck. Just daring the man to challenge her, she raised the corner of her upper lip in mockery. "TaeHyung, you'll always be stuck this way. Picking fights you don't believe you can win will never help." She gave him a glance; it was a peculiar expression that both siblings would on occasion sport, but nobody but only the pair knew what it meant; it made everyone uneasy, and it stunk of ulterior motives.

Now able to look the woman in the face after she’d gotten rid of the creepy makeup remnants and wild hair, JungKook was still left at odds. “It doesn’t seem like you without the bleached hair.”

“Believe that is is quite me.” Eyes turned up into crescents as the woman chomped down into the unpeeled fruit.

“Whose are you going to kick first?” JungKook straightened up. “You know what they did to him, right?” He gave a gesture to the man whom had basically taken him in.

Avoiding eye contact, TaeRin shrugged her right shoulder. “I have to do things by the law now.”

“Then you’ve change more than you can even imagine.” Knocking past the woman, the brunette stormed upstairs.

Struck by the remark, TaeRin shook her head in disbelief. Frame shaking - from the early top-up, or the remark, she wasn’t quite sure. Turning around, she was cut off by the sound of two sets of buzzing. Turning to check her phone, TaeRin read the message before quickly bolting upstairs.

Several minutes later, after wresting with her clothes and her morning so far, the eldest took a few minutes to solidify why she was really bothered to come back 'home'. Returning to the kitchen, she was met by her friend lacing up her new boots. Glancing between the pair, TaeHyung scrambled to his feet. “What’s going on with you two?” He asked as after watching the female pair basically do the same thing.

Sparing a quick look to each other, KiSe and TaeRin practically read each other’s minds. “Girl stuff.” They both snipped before the eldest grabbed the hoodie belonging to her brother which was hung on the coat hook behind the back door, and the redhead took the leather jacket which was next to it.

“Saturdays-” Both women shared a glare upon saying the same thing at the same thing. TaeRin held her hands up and went out of the door. “There’s just gi-”

“Girl stuff.” TaeHyung grumbled. “Yeah, you said.” He gave a look that was somewhere between disbelieving and startled as he watched the slightly shorter woman leave without another word.

Halting in the foyer she couldn't even stretch her arms in, KiSe stopped herself from leaving. Turning around with brows narrowed at the unusual tone, she bit. “Why are you being pissy?”

Turning away, TaeHyung’s line of sight traveled off. “It’s just that everything has become a secret since Noona returned...”

Growing impatient, KiSe scoffed. “Do you think even she can message with no hands?”

“...I’m not mad...” He glanced backed to his girlfriend with a strange expression.

“Good, because Saturday is bookkeeping day.” She patted him on the head as she made for the door.

“I hate Saturdays.”

Fixing her hair, KiSe rushed back inside to grab the man by the sides of his beautiful face. “I know.” Kissing her other half between the brows, she inclined her own head slightly. “I love you.” She pecked him on the lips and struggled to make her B-line for the back exit.

Pouting as he pushed the woman away, TaeHyung waved her towards the door. “I love you, too.”

TaeHyung had been officially seeing KiSe since the beginning of High School, and they were happy together. He always known it would be easy to be happy together; if they we’re interrupted by that kind of dark energy his sister dragged along with her.

Make no mistake, he has never loved a person how he loves TaeRin - he knew she had always protected him without her thinking he knew. There were many dark secrets in his family. Most of them were never even half acknowledged in the dark, but those that were, were enough to cause you to brush off any kind of secrecy ever again, just in case you stumbled across something terrible.

Almost finishing up her task of cleaning the bar, HaMi felt her phone buzz against her hip. Plucking the device from her lowcut jeans, the brunette read the message she’d just received. Scanning over the words in disbelief, the brunette ripped her pinafore off her waist with a snarl. “I’m taking a break.”

Scurrying out of the back room, HoSeok caught sight of the female just before she burst out of the main doors. “You haven’t finished your shift.”

Speeding up the narrow dirt road coated with slush, the slim female took a sharp left turn at the woodland opening as she saw two other vehicles. Stopping abruptly, she undid her safety belt. Ripping the keys from the ignition, HaMi staggered out of the beat-up Hyundai. Slamming the door behind her, the young woman was met by the bitter chill of winter as she advanced in her uniform of a pencil skirt and a slim-fit white t-shirt. “Who the Hell sent that picture?”

Looking straight her way, KiSe snapped back. “I should be asking the same thing.” She growled from her position against the black Mercedes.

HaNeul stared between her workmate - stood beside a silver Hyundai - and the redhead from her spot beside her friend's car. “Was this you?” She jolted forward and shook her phone in rage.

Snapping to attention, the tallest snarled furiously. “I got one too, you stupid .” Shoving her phone back into her leather jacket pocket, KiSe jutted her thumb to the driver of the Mercedes which had brought her to this point. “So did TaeRin.” HaMi tensed up and dismissed the comment with an agitated scoff.

Pushing herself up off the hood of her truck, HaNeul tensed uncomfortably as the words shot from without her consent. “It was one of you.” The petite brunette’s temper flared.
 
Straightening up, KiSe bared her teeth. “Keep yapping, and you’ll be the next one in trouble.”

Brows slanting downwards, HaMi shook her head in disbelief. “How can you talk like that right now?”

“Very easily; My boyfriend and friends are on the line; if you don’t toughen up, you’ll lose the people you love.” Moving around the vehicle which wasn’t hers, KiSe threw her hands up in outrage. “Are you ready for that?”

Eyes wide, HaNeul squarked. “You’re talking about hurting another person because they don’t agree with you. Another human being!”

Brows knitting together, KiSe took a step back and threw her hands up in appallment. “Would you stand by as your loved ones were next on some kind of hit-list in order to save a stranger?”

“I never said I would just stand by-”

“Stop being so ing weak.” Taking the last drag from her vice, the redhead threw the end on the floor and stomped on it. Looking up to meet the line of sight of the other women, the tallest spat angrily. “Stop making excuses, and pull yourself together.”

Brows knitted and eyes down, HaMi stepped back. “Could you really kill another human being?”

Anxiety and fury which had been growing since she left TaeHyung and got in the car, pulsed throughout her frame. KiSe opened to make her fiery rebuttle. “I will d-” Being cut off by a beer bottle hitting her left arm, the redhead yelped. “What the was that for?” She spun around to face the direction from which the object had hurled from and snarled at the woman whom was supposed to be her closest friend.

Sitting on the hood of the car, the raven haired female gave a dead stare. “I was passing you a beer.” The look she gave said something more.

“Nice shot.” The redhead remarked sarcastically as she picked up the booze from the carpet of snow by her feet.

Eying the scene between the two tallest females, HaNeul scowled at the one sat on the front of her car. “For someone who uses their words to make a living, you’ve been awfully quiet.”

Chucking an empty bottle back over her head and into the shrubbery blanketed with snow, TaeRin wobbled her head slowly. “That’s because I don’t trust you.”

“W-what?” The questioner stuttered.

“I-don’t-trust-you.” The eldest repeated with a dead beat as she drew out her words.

“I heard what you said.” The intended huffed in irritation.

Holding her hands up by her shoulders, the eldest croaked as she swayed, bleary eyed. “Then don’t ask me to repeat myself because of your naivety.”

“Are you jealous?” HaNeul spat suddenly, and without any apparent reason, and both of the other two females glanced to the scene before readying themselves for another age-old disagreement.

TaeRin barely stirred as the smoke of her freshly lit vice floated from her nose. “No.” Leaning back on the heated windscreen of the new series Mercedes, the eldest started mentally digging for her happy place.

“You don’t even know what I’m referring to.”

Rolling her eyes in a buzzed stupor, the eldest hummed dismissively. “Nothing you have makes me envious: I have a successful career, my brother loves me more than yours does, I have more friends that I can trust," Raising her head a little, she bared her teeth in a grin. "and even my ex would pick me over you despite the clear no I gave him.” Flapping her hand as she popped the lid off yet another bottle, TaeRin gasped for a breath after chugging down the booze. “Honey, don’t try to play that game with me.”

Constricting her grip, the petite woman fumed. “You have no idea.”

Cracking her neck, the eldest hummed. “About?” Her tone lowered as she slid off the vehicle.

With that, the other two glanced to each other again in silence - They knew what it was about. This same argument had been brewing for years, and now they were out there alone, there wasn’t much that could stop the truth from surfacing. There were no guys trying to protect their secrets, and no old friends-turned-cops stuck in awkward positions: There was nothing to stop them from coming to blows, except self restraint - and it was a well known fact that neither woman had much of that. Yet, depite their infamous dislike for each other or rather, HaNeul's deep set degregation towards TaeRin, the pair had never actually physically displayed their feelings for each other.

Clicking her tongue off of her teeth, HaNeul faced away as an icy gust rushed over the lowlands. “You’re not even worth it.”

“Come on, HaNeul.” Placing her drink down on the polished black metal, TaeRin held her hands up in provocation. “Step up; it’s what you’ve always wanted.”

“It’s just like you. You cause so much trouble, and you don't care about anyone else.” Shaking her head, HaNeul made the mistake of turning her back on the eldest. " You only think about yourself."

Jolting across the snow, TaeRin snatched the girl by the scruff of her jacket. Yanking the article back, she the brunette’s head into the hood of her very own four-wheel drive twice in quick succession. Taking the female by the throat from behind and holding her as close as she could, TaeRin hissed down her victim’s ear. “You have no ing idea what I have done for the people I love.” Harsh rasp nearly cutting through the shorter woman's chapped skin, TaeRin tried to drag herself back from the scene she’d fought against for so long. “Killing you would be nothing more than a notch on my bedpost.” Seeing the the other two race for her, the eldest finished her words with impact. Slamming the shortest against the side of the heavy duty vehicle for the final time - and smacking the woman’s face off of the right wing mirror - TaeRin watched the slight frame bounce off of the solid plastic and onto the uneven snow. Holding her hands up in submission before either KiSe or HaMi could get a grip on her, she took a few paces back.

Turning her back on the scene, the eldest returned to the new Mercedes she’s hired for her trip. Plucking her bottle up from the hood, the eldest gave a look that couldn’t be confused with anything considered as being a joke. “Make no mistake, I’m not playing games right now.”

Buzz filling her pocket, KiSe her device from her leather pants. Bringing the device up to her eye-level, the redhead scanned the words.

Gauging the expression on her friend’s face, HaMi dared to ask. “Is it another creepy message?”

Updated: 28th May 2015 - 19:03