[XIII] (1/1)

January went by faster than they thought and now they are nearing Seulgi's birthday. The girl, being the slow girl she usually is, just realized it when Yerim mentions it over breakfast."Huh?" Seulgi blurts, almost choking on her coffee. "I guess it is.""How are we going to celebrate it?" Yerim asks her, passing her a napkin for the mess she almost made with her coffee. "Last year's party was amazing.""I don't think I feel like doing something that big this year," Seulgi thinks out loud, which makes her friend pout."Boo! Boring" Yerim jokes, grinning to let her friend know that she doesn't mean it. Seulgi chuckles at her friend's antics. "I'm just thinking that we have to be careful now. Not many people know about... you know, the way we live" Seulgi blushes at the mention of that.Ever since Joy and Yerim started dating, everything changed. It got easier on the one hand because Joy was starting to understand the way Seulgi felt and it was nice to hang out with just the three of them. Joy felt weird at first, showing affection to Yerim in front of Seulgi, or eyeing at Yerim while Seulgi caressed her. Then she started to get used to it and it was her favorite time of the day, spending time with her two lovers in their shared apartment.It also started to get a little bit complicated for Seulgi. Of course, she was happy that Joy and Yerim were now together, but she was also starting to feel left out. Seungwan and Joohyun were getting closer, too, and even though she was happy for them, she started to wonder if she was just the weakest relationship with them.Joohyun was the first to notice.Of course, it was her. Seulgi realized that Joohyun knew what was going through her mind and pulled her aside so they could talk alone. Seungwan, who was now in her Wendy role as she made some Instagram stories for her followers, was in her room and Seulgi knew that she couldn't listen, but she kept her voice low as she confessed."I don't know if I belong here."Her voice broke as she finally got it out and Joohyun pulled her into her arms. "Right here is where you belong. With me, with them. With us."Those reassuring words replay in her mind as she looks Yerim in the eyes. Yerim nods in understanding."Yeah, I think we should make a small party instead.""I was thinking about two parties. I will meet Seungwan and Joohyun for lunch and we can have a small dinner party here with Joy. I think it's too soon for Joy to meet Joohyun and Seungwan." "Nonsense, it's your birthday. You deserve to have them in the same room, I guess" Yerim reasons."Yerim, I'm not going to change my mind. It's too soon, okay?" Seulgi is firm at that. Yerim sighs and throws her hands in the air in defeat."Okay, okay. Whatever you say" Yerim finishes her coffee and starts to put the dishes in the dishwasher. Seulgi huffs, realizing that her tone has been too harsh. She stands up and wraps her arms around Yerim's waist."I'm sorry." Yerim feels herself blushing but decides to play with Seulgi a little. "Sorry won't make me less angry."Seulgi can sense that her friend is fooling around and she grins as she pokes her side. "Yerimmie, Seulgi is really sorry~"Yerim cringes at the way Seulgi tries to look cute. "Stop that.""Please, forgive Seulgi pwease~" Seulgi starts to make silly kissing sounds, Yerim flinching at each of them. "Okay, okay. I forgive you." "Yay!" Seulgi raises her arms in the air, happy that she's forgiven now.She presses a kiss on Yerim's cheek and leaves the kitchen. Yerim is left speechless for a minute, touching her cheek where Seulgi has kissed her. Her eyes widen at the realization."You left the dishes, Seulgi!" "Pretty please?" Seulgi says from her room. "It's going to be my birthday soon!" Yerim sighs. "The things I do for you!" When Joy leaves the bubble tea shop with Sulli and Sooyoung, she feels less tense than this morning. Today they have been recording their debut song, along with some songs for their debut album. Joy doesn't really like most of the songs and she feels awkward about that. She confessed it to Sulli last night only to find out that Sulli didn't like them as well.The reason that made Joy tense is the same one for this past month: Amber. How could this girl make her so pissed off? She doesn't understand how the company can keep her. She isn't even having a good image in front of the cameras anymore. However, she's feeling better now that she knows she's supported by the other members. Tiffany has been defending her from Amber and their relationship has become better. Tiffany is treating her like a daughter, making her feel comfortable like someone else is taking care of her.Although she knows she's not alone in this, there's something that has been burning her, like an itch she can't scratch away, ever since she joined the group: is this what she wanted?Of course, she always wanted to sing in front of people, to make the most of her youth and make music her way of living, but is this enough? Is this what she wanted to do?Sooyoung offers her to exchange their bubble teas and that makes her wake up to reality. She smiles as she nods at her older friend and they exchange their bubble teas."So, what are your plans for your day off tomorrow?" Sulli asks before taking a long sip of the drink."I was thinking about visiting my family, but I don't know if that will make me too drained for our dance practice on Monday" Sooyoung reasons, humming at the taste of the one Joy had picked. "You have good taste. I'll take this one next time.""You have good taste, too" Joy grins as they exchange their bubble teas again. "I think I will just go and see Yerim and Seulgi tomorrow."All the members (including Amber) know about Joy's relationship. At first, she only told Sulli, because it was undeniable that something had happened the night she came back with lipstick stains after meeting Yerim on that rooftop. After that, she told Tiffany, as it came out naturally in a conversation. Tiffany didn't understand it at first, thinking that Joy couldn't decide between the girls she liked, but once it clicked in her mind, she totally supported her.When she told Sooyoung, the oldest confessed about her past in a polyamorous relationship with two men. It was a complicated time of her life, but she would never regret it since she learned a lot about love at that time. Out of all the members of Timeless, Sooyoung was the most understanding of her current situation and the one she would most likely go to when she needed help. Amber, however, as much as she was the one in another polyamorous relationship, grew even bitter at her. Joy could sigh at the memory of how the tomboy reacted, telling her that she knew nothing about love, that she was just an experimenting teenager. Joy almost growled at her when she told her that she wasn't a kid anymore. Sooyoung was the one to cut Amber off, telling her that she had no right to judge.Joy would be lying if she said that she was okay with everything surrounding Timeless and T5 Entertainment. The fact that she never liked the music they played and the whole fake reality they were filming for their debut made her sick. She would stay up until late at night, her eyes blankly staring at the top bunk. She wondered if she was being unfair. Maybe she had too many expectations when it came to her life as an idol. Some of those nights when she wouldn't fall asleep, she would call Yerim and ask her to take her on a ride. She made sure to take a cab until a certain point where Yerim could pick her up, just in case she was being followed. Sometimes they would drive around, just like they used to before she was a trainee. Some other nights, Yerim would park the car and they would get to the backseat, which most of the time now led to a heated make-out where Yerim would end straddling her lap, breathless. She was glad Yerim's car had tinted windows. Two times now, instead of calling Yerim, she would just simply come over using her key. The first time she texted Yerim to check if they were home (and most importantly if there were any of Seulgi's girlfriends around). Yerim told her that she was home alone since Seulgi was out on a date with Joohyun. As she took the cab to their apartment, she couldn't get the uneasy feeling out of her mind, that she would just bump into Seulgi and Joohyun, maybe kissing at the entrance of the house.Even though she was now dating Yerim as well, just imagining Seulgi with someone else was making her crazy. She had only seen them once and she couldn't help but picture them as some mature, experienced women that took Seulgi places she wouldn't be able to. She knew she was being unfair to herself, but she had her own reasons to believe so. When the influencer Wendy, which she found out later was Seulgi's girlfriend Seungwan, liked a picture of her accidentally, she couldn't help but have a look at her posts. There was no way she could deny she was charming and attractive. She could picture Seulgi wrapping her arms around her thin waist, leaning her chin on her shoulder.That night was the night she first saw Yerim's bare chest. She was taking it slower with Yerim than how she did with Seulgi. She was just enjoying every step of the way. Yerim was not only her lover. She was her best friend, and she didn't want to forget that as they took a step further into their intimacy.The second time she came over using her key, she found Yerim on the couch with her reading glasses, immersed in a book. Seulgi was resting her head on her lap, playing that rhythm game on her Nintendo Switch she had grown obsessed about, and Yerim lazily caressed her hair. She knew it was just a friendly gesture, but her heart fluttered at the possibility of her lovers falling for each other. When she closed the door behind her, Yerim looked up from her book and smiled when she saw her. She put her book down and held her hand out to her. Seulgi was oblivious to this as she was biting on her lip, trying to get as many combos as possible. She realized that Joy was home when the latter muttered:"You look cute with those glasses. I can see us having fun with them."Yerim chuckled and kissed Joy as a greeting. She was fond of that memory. Sitting between Yerim and Seulgi on the couch as the latter continued with her gaming, both of them cheering her on. How Seulgi kissed her when she finally got the perfect score and she looked back at Yerim just to see that wide grin on her face. Those memories cross her mind as she realizes that she hasn't been paying attention to what Sulli was saying. She feels a little bit ashamed and she focuses back on the conversation. Without even noticing, they have finished their bubble teas. "Hey, that girl looks like your Yerim," Sulli points out minutes later, only having seen Yerim in pictures. Joy looks in the direction Sulli's finger is directed at, narrowing her eyes since the girl she's pointing at is quite far away. However, she easily recognizes her unique way of walking. That's when she realizes that she's not alone. She feels a kick in her gut as Yerim laughs at whatever the other woman is saying. She knows she has no reason to feel that way, but there's something about seeing Yerim with her that doesn't feel right."Yeah, it's her."Nonetheless, she still smiles upon seeing her. Sulli and Sooyoung follow her as their maknae walks toward her. Yerim notices her and she's the first one to make Seungwan stop as she runs up to her. Joy anticipates the way her girlfriend is going to react and opens her arms, ready for Yerim to jump on her. The youngest laughs as she does so, wrapping her legs around Joy's hips. Seungwan chuckles silently at their interaction, finding it awkward that this is the first time they are going to see each other. As much as Yerim would love to kiss her, she reminds herself that they are still in public. She hops off Joy, ready to make introductions."Hey, sweetie" Yerim greets her, biting on her lower lip. The struggle of not kissing her is getting unbearable. Seungwan stands there, rubbing the back of her head, feeling her hands get more and more sweaty."Hey, beautiful" Joy flirtingly says. Seungwan can't help but smile upon recognizing Joy's love language just like Seulgi explained it to her. Those flirting lines and compliments, her half-smile half-smirk, her intense eye contact... It was just the way Seulgi told her. "These are my group mates: Sooyoung and Sulli.""Hey, it's nice to finally meet you. Joy has told me a lot about you. I'm Yerim," She waves her hand at them, getting a small bow from Sooyoung and a squeal from Sulli."You two are so cute! I would eat a spoonful of how cute you are right now if that makes sense" Sulli fangirls, her grin wide. Sooyoung chuckles at her group mate's antics."You're most likely just starving. Don't worry, I think the manager is getting us chicken tonight." The oldest tells her, patting Sulli softly on the head."But wouldn't you sprinkle some of their young love over your morning cereal?" Sulli questions, making the motion of surely sprinkling something in a circular motion. Joy and Yerim are pretty much blushing, but smiling at Sulli's interactions."If only we could have morning cereal..." Joy sighs, lowering her gaze. The diet restriction is making her more hectic. Every single day they are getting their weight measured. She no longer eats fried chicken with Yerim, or ice cream with Seulgi. She's being restricted from so many foods she loved. When she looks up, her gaze meets Seungwan's.Yerim notices this exchange, suddenly remembering that it must be awkward as hell that this is the first time they are meeting after that first polyamory fiasco. She doesn't know how to react, but however, Sulli is the first one to notice the internet celebrity and acknowledge her."Oh my! Aren't you Son Wendy? From YouTube?!" Sulli yelps, covering her mouth with her hands when she realizes how she has reacted. "Oh sorry, I just love your channel so much!" Seungwan chortles and bows her head. She loves meeting her fans, no matter when. "Thank you.""You make the best covers in the world, and I just love your original songs so much. I have most of your songs on my playlist" Sulli can't stop rambling. It eases the tense atmosphere that could go on between Seungwan and Joy, as Joy starts to smile at how cute her friend Sulli is when she's talking about the things she likes."Thank you, I can't even... Wow, thanks" Seungwan chuckles as Sulli eagerly holds both of her hands out for a handshake. Seungwan gladly takes them and she's shocked to find Sulli's strong grip "It's really nice to meet you, Sulli. I'm sure you girls will make it big when you debut.""Will you be looking forward to our debut?!" Sulli exclaims, overexcited by the situation. Sooyoung playfully pats her head, thinking that she should probably just let go of Seungwan's hands already. Sully notices and lets her go. "Oh, cheese. I was squeezing them so hard, wasn't I? Sorry, I guess I was a little bit starstruck there.""It's okay." Seungwan shakes her head, her smile reassuring Sulli that she didn't mess up. Her kind gestures don't go unnoticed by Joy. She can easily see why Seulgi would have crushed on her when she was a young girl. Always polite, smiling... Upon meeting her closely, the uneasy feeling she felt in her gut starts to disappear. Yerim pulls on her hand and whispers in her ear. "Are you okay?" Joy nods. Seungwan's gaze falls back on Joy, a tense silence falling over them. Sooyoung notices this right away, and even though she doesn't have all the details, she decides it's time to leave the three of them alone. She subtly holds Sulli's arm and hooks her arm around it. "We better get going, we're the next ones being interviewed. Joy, meet us there in fifteen minutes, okay?" "We are what? Oh!" Sulli begins, but then Sooyoung gives her a glance that says it all. "Right, right. See you, Joy! It's been a pleasure meeting you, Wendy! Please, support Timeless!" "Of course! Timeless, fighting!" Seungwan raises her fist in the air, smiling so charmingly at them that Yerim can't help but stare at her in awe. The way her friend changed so often into her celebrity self was still a mystery to her. "Sulli!" Joy exclaims as the two getaway, giving out an outraged sigh and watching her clueless friend wave at her probably celebrity crush. "We're not supposed to let the group's name be known yet.""It's okay. Your secret is safe with me." Seungwan lets out before she knows that what she has said may have other implications. This is the first time they are talking to each other and now Seungwan is innerly freaking out for being so stupid and careless. Joy, however, is charmed by those simple words.She suddenly understands why Yerim is fond of her as a friend and how Joohyun and her could develop a relationship so easily. She was just so easygoing that liking her was the most obvious thing to do."I know," It leaves Joy's lips before she can stop herself. Seungwan holds her breath as the gaze they share grows more intense. "Thank you.""You're welcome," Seungwan almost automatically replies, feeling herself blush. Yerim grins through their first interaction. "Hey, um, so... how's the training going? Seulgi told me you're really good at dancing and performing."Joy isn't sure if it's safe to talk about it with a stranger, but she decides that it's worth making an effort since Seungwan is clearly making an advance. "It's going fine, I guess. It gets hard sometimes, not being able to see this face all the time" she places her hand on Yerim's cheek to make a point and Yerim makes a silly face. Seungwan chuckles at her antics. "Yeah, it feels too sad when you have to get away from your loved ones just to focus on your career," Seungwan sighs, remembering Joohyun's story but her own story as well. When she took the first plane to Toronto, she couldn't stop thinking about Seulgi. Joy senses that there's so much empathy in her words. It feels a little bit odd to be paid attention this way. She can't help but open up further. "Yes and, well... Seulgi's birthday is getting closer and I can't seem to find a present for her, I don't have time to get her anything since I'm always rehearsing..."It feels embarrassing to tell this to Seulgi's other girlfriend. Yerim kisses the palm of her hand, taking her attention. "You can always count on me, you know. I can get you whatever you want." "You already do so much for me, Yerim. Besides, it should be my thing. I can't ask you to do this" Joy argues, which makes Yerim put a childish pout. "Don't do that. You know I always want to kiss your pouts away." "Well, that will make you come home sooner so you can kiss me then" Yerim teases her, the pout no longer on her face as a wide, teasing grin takes place again. "You're so enjoying yourself, aren't you?" Joy shakes her head in disbelief. Yerim takes a step forward and whispers in her ear again, for a different reason this time."I have other ways I would prefer to enjoy ourselves, honestly." "Stop that" Joy chuckles, trying to get over how those words make her feel. Seungwan watches their antics with a smile on her face. It's nice to see one of her best friends being so carefree and in love. She guesses that she can feel other kinds of compersion too. "Okay then" Seungwan notes, trying to get back at the issue she first mentioned. "Why don't you make her something by hand? That way you can use your little time to make her a little present. Knowing Seulgi, I'm sure even a letter would be a great present for her." Joy appreciates the comment, coming from one of Seulgi's best friends. She can't help but feel a little giddy on the inside. She bows her head. "I'll think about it. Thanks.""You're welcome, Joy." Seungwan smiles tenderly at her and once again, Joy can understand how anyone could fall for her."I should get going," Joy says as soon as she gets that uneasy feeling. She holds back the urge to go and kiss Yerim on the spot but decides to do something about it. "Walk me back to the bubble tea store? I think I left something in there.""Oh, do you?" Yerim teases. Joy rolls her eyes playfully."You know what, forget it." "No! No, no, please, let me walk you there." Yerim desperately says. Joy bites her lip, clearly enjoying the way Yerim is so willing to kiss her even at the restroom of a bubble tea store. As soon as Joy nods her agreement, Yerim turns back to Seungwan. "You don't mind, do you?" "No, sure, go ahead. I'll call Joohyun while you're..." Seungwan doesn't know how to end the sentence, so she leaves it hanging."Thanks, you're the best!" Yerim squeezes Seungwan's shoulder before taking Joy's hand and quickly leading the way back to the bubble tea store. Joy laughs all the way there, happy that her girlfriend is so eager to kiss her. Seulgi's birthday finally arrives. She woke up with Joohyun and Seungwan tangled around her, Joohyun already taking charge in her first present being a good morning kiss. She had breakfast with them, the three of them wearing their Kigurumis they liked to wear when it was a special occasion. After breakfast, she made a stop by a coffee shop to meet her sister and Taeyeon, along with her new girlfriend, the cute assistant from her lawyer's office called Sunny. Her sister now knew about her recent relationships, but not with as much detail as Taeyeon knew. She then went back to Joohyun's house for lunch. Joohyun surprised her with the traditional seaweed soup, while Seungwan made her favorite cake: the chocolate fudge brownie. After lunch, they spent the afternoon doing whatever Seulgi wished. She got Joohyun to play her favorite piano songs, which matched the present Joohyun got her: all of the scores from her favorite artists and some records as well. Seungwan made her a scarf, continuing the tradition of knitting a new item for her each year. After that and a long farewell from her lovers, she went back home to find Yerim getting everything ready for dinner. Yerim tackled her in a hug and sang all the happy birthday songs she knew, including a Japanese song from AKB48. Seulgi found out that Yerim had made a playlist for that night. She profusely blushed when Yerim told her that she also had one saved if she and Joy wanted to spend some time alone. A part of her wanted to think that it was weird that her best friend and also her girlfriend's other girlfriend was doing something like that, but she was growing used to this kind of dynamic. Joy arrived later than expected, but they had waited for her to have dinner together. She opened the door, catching her breath. Apparently, she had run up all the stairs because the elevator was taking so long. Both Yerim and Seulgi took note that Joy looked especially exhausted that day. However, as soon as Joy kissed Seulgi and wished her a happy birthday, all the uneasiness of waiting for her vanished. After dinner, they went to the couch, where they are still right now. Joy is sitting between them, as usual, caressing Yerim's hair as the girl rests her head on her chest and enjoying Seulgi's soft kisses on her cheek, temple and neck. She can grow used to this. She really needed this after the hectic day she had. It didn't go unnoticed for Yerim that Joy hadn't eaten much and they had shared a knowing look over the meal. Yerim didn't press anything on her, but now that she has her arm wrapped around her waist, she can't help but notice how thin her girlfriend is turning.She doesn't comment anything on it, knowing that it would do more harm than good, and today is all about Seulgi."So, you had a good birthday, Seulgi?" Yerim asks her, trying to get the thoughts away from her mind. Joy kisses the top of her head before turning her attention to Seulgi."One of the best ones in my life. I'm so glad to be alive and be here, with you two. I love you." They both feel touched by those words. Joy eagerly kisses her, muttering a quiet "I love you too" before kissing her again. Yerim stands up and waits for them to be done to pull Seulgi into a bone-breaking hug."I'm so grateful to have you in my life. You don't know how much." Yerim has to hold back her tears to not turn into a sobbing mess. Everything about almost losing Seulgi in that car accident makes her feel vulnerable. She gets a lump in her throat as Seulgi carefully kisses her forehead and then rests her chin on top of her head."I love you, Yerim."Yerim can't hold her tears now. "I love you too." Only Joy reads her lips as she silently says."So fucking much."Joy's present is delivered the following morning, barely a few hours after Joy left her bed. Seulgi is surprised because she didn't expect to get flowers from Joy. It's most likely a move Joohyun would do, or maybe Seungwan. Seulgi smiles as she reads the handwritten note and chuckles as she reads the last lines.You can share it with your lovers as well. I'm sure Joohyun would love these, just like you told me.But final one gets her feeling giddy for the rest of the day.I love you.Seungwan's birthday came later, and this girl was so having a party one way or another. She held a private celebration the night before with her lovers, where she spent most of the night being pampered by her girlfriends. But the following morning, she had everything ready for a fan event taking place at a venue near T5 Entertainment.And even though she wasn't really all in at seeing how perfect Seulgi's other girlfriend was, Joy decided that Sulli deserved to get some tickets. Sulli had shown her that she could be a trustworthy friend and also, a Wendy fangirl. She even got their managers to agree, but only if they were filmed by the reality show they were filming. That way, the company looked like they were letting the girls enjoy themselves, which hasn't been proven to be true from Joy's point of view.Every rehearsal was getting more devastating. The way they were judged in every move was making Joy sick. And she got to a huge fight with Amber and the management crew about her sneaking out, so she hasn't been able to see Yerim and Seulgi in a while. She's going crazy because of that. She craves the comfort coming from her calm Seulgi and how secure she feels when Yerim wraps herself around her. That night she watches Wendy perform songs on the guitar and the piano and she's amazed by the girl's talent. Sulli sings with all her passion, knowing all the lyrics of each and every song. Joy looks down at the stand and wonders if Seulgi is within the audience as well. She probably is, along with Joohyun and Yerim. She can't help but feel a tinge of jealousy but she gets over it as soon as she thinks that when Timeless debuts, she will get Yerim and Seulgi within the audience as well.She sends both Seulgi and Yerim a selfie with Sulli, and then a picture of Wendy on stage. The first one to answer is Yerim.Are you here? Oh my!! Why didn't you tell me? - YerimYou're so beautiful. I would kiss you so hard right now - YerimJoy sighs as she types her answer.We're being filmed. It's the only way I could get them to agree to let us come. - JoySully is a whipped Wendy fan. - JoyI see you now! - YerimJust as she reads the message, she gets a tap on the shoulder. The camera crew and the manager get excited at seeing Yerim, who often features Wendy's videos, approaching them. Before any real interaction happens, the manager pulls Yerim aside to talk to her. Yerim is weirded out when the manager tells her exactly what she needs to do. She just wanted to greet them both briefly, but she hadn't thought about the consequences.Even if the meeting is pretty much staged by the reality show, once the show is over Joy and Sulli go backstage to meet Wendy thanks to Yerim's invitation.Thanks to this being their second meeting, Joy doesn't have to fake when she sees Wendy. She catches a glimpse of Seulgi watching them from a distance and she recognizes Joohyun standing next to her. Her gaze meets Joohyun's for a few seconds, before all her attention is back to Wendy, who is encouraging them to keep working.They are moved around by the reality show crew, but she still manages to wave slightly at Seulgi before she has a look at her phone, checking Yerim's most recent text.Are you okay? - YerimI know you're smiling but your eyes tell me otherwise - YerimAs much as she wished she could explain everything to her, she sighs and types a quick text.Seeing Joohyun has been too much for me. I'm just trying to get used to it - JoySecretly, she wishes this was the whole truth, and she gets even sadder when the last thing she sees before being ushered to the company's car is Yerim's worried face, watching her from a prudent distance.After Seungwan's birthday event, Yerim notices that Joy hasn't been texting her so often. She's aware that the schedule of a training idol is a wreck, but they would usually text each other till they fell asleep. Now all she got from Joy at night was simple goodnight texts. There was something else that kept bothering her, and that is the fact that she hasn't told Joy yet that she loves her. It is something she has realizes recently. This longing she had for Joy was growing stronger and stronger with each passing day. The way she wished they would be together was making her crazy. This situation was worrying her so much that she knew she had to do something about it. When the entrance door opens, Yerim jumps from her seat at her desk and runs to the entrance. She can't hide her disappointment when she finds that it's just Seulgi, walking in with Seungwan behind her, both carrying groceries. She sighs. She knew it wouldn't be so easy to get Joy back at their apartment when she barely had a moment to text her. Besides, it's really early comparing it to her usual sneaking schedule. Deciding that there is no use in keeping the long face, she puts on a smile as she gets closer to her friends, taking one of Seungwan's paper bags. "Hey lovebirds." "Hi Yerim," Seungwan greets her, a wide grin on her lips. "We were thinking about watching that new Netflix musical, would you join us? Pretty please!" Yerim glances at Seulgi, who gets inside the kitchen without a word. She follows her and they place the bags on top of the counter. Seulgi starts to get everything sorted. "I don't know. I don't want to be your third wheel."Seungwan rolls her eyes. "How many times do I have to say this? You're not the third wheel. Heck, you're a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, anyone would be glad to ride you and-" Seulgi burst into laughter. Seungwan, as always, being fluent in both Korean and English, forgets that some expressions could have some innuendos. "What? It's true! Come on, Seulgi, you're not helping!" Now it's Yerim's turn to laugh, as she watches how Seungwan glares at Seulgi, and the other tries to stop cackling. Yerim shakes her head. "You sure?"Seungwan looks back at her friend. "Of course, I am. You have to stop doing this to yourself, you know. Every time you're with Seulgi and me, or with Joohyun and me, you keep making these comments and you don't realize that they hurt me. Yerim, I love you. You're one of my most precious friends. I want to make brownies with Joohyun and you and watch a movie with Seulgi and you. And as we are together, you're equally as important as everyone else in the room. Because you're my friend, understood?"By the end of her speech, her voice cracks. Seulgi places her hand on the small of her back and this is all it takes before Seungwan starts crying. Yerim feels guilty for having created this situation. It's true, she has been commenting here and there that she felt left aside whenever she was with Seungwan and some of her girlfriends. She didn't know that she was hurting her by doing so. She just thought she was being playful, as usual. Yerim takes a step forward and wraps her arms around Seungwan's shoulders, pulling her for a hug. It takes Seungwan a few seconds before she embraces her back, covering her face on the crook of her neck. "I'm sorry..." Yerim whispers. "I've been so out of it lately. Joy's driving me crazy, not answering my texts as much... I think seeing you with your girlfriends while I can't be with her has made me turn bitter at you. I'm sorry, Wan-ah. You don't deserve that kind of treatment."Seungwan pulls away slightly so she can place a kiss on her cheek. "You really miss her, don't you?""It's making me insane. I'm dead worried about her." Seulgi comes closer to them, placing her hand on her shoulder. "But she seemed okay to me when we texted last night. She's just busier than she used to be. Being a trainee must be exhausting." "Yeah, I guess you're right... But something feels odd, you know?" Yerim rubs her temple with the tip of her fingers. "She's not the usual Joy, I feel it. I think there's something she's hiding from me."Seungwan pulls her into another hug, caressing her hair as she does so. "I'm sure you'll figure this out."Seulgi joins the embrace and Yerim lets out a relieved sigh.Maybe this isn't so wrong after all.Later, when they are watching the movie with Seungwan in the middle, Yerim tries to control her heartbeat as Seungwan takes her hand in hers and entwines their fingers, resting it on her lap.Not her too, Yerim. Please... You just miss Joy so much.But when Seungwan glances up at her, there's a glint in her eyes that tells her otherwise.Does she want the same? Does she feel it too?Just as if she were to answer her, Seungwan leaves a peck on her cheek, so close to her lips that it was painful, before returning her attention to the movie. She watches as Seulgi cuddles closer to Seungwan, unaware of this exchange.God, this is so messed up.Three months later, Yerim is starting to grow more impatient as the situation keeps repeating itself. Joy's lack of texting has been going on for a week, and it seemed like she had blocked both Seulgi and Yerim.It's making her crazy. She needs to know what's going on. She's really frustrated with this situation. Today Seungwan, Seulgi, and her are having their usual movie night. Since that day, they have grown fond of watching musicals together. Joohyun joined them once, but she usually couldn't make it because it was the day she usually met with a childhood friend.And since then, Yerim's feelings for Seungwan were growing more confusing. The fact that her friend was so fond of touching her, leaving kisses here and there, wasn't really helping. As the credits for Mamma Mia roll on, Seungwan is clapping her hands excitedly. "Isn't it the best musical of the century?""It surely is," Yerim comments as she yawns and stretches."I'm sure Joohyun loves this one," Seulgi says as she mimics Yerim's actions, her muscles a little sore after the routine of exercise she had this morning. She was now attending a gym with Taeyeon, the two of them turning into some kind of gym-bros. "I'll ask her when I get home. Which reminds me-" Seungwan realizes, clapping her hands. "Her birthday is coming.""Really? She doesn't seem to age to me," Yerim chuckles. The other part that makes feeling weird things about Seungwan weirder is that Joohyun is being really good at trying to befriend her. They share long conversations about music and Yerim is amazed that such a classical piano player could know so much about American Pop Music. What really took her from the 'okay, Joohyun is not that bad' section to the 'this girl is amazing' team was the night Joohyun surprised her with tickets for the sold-out Ariana Grande concert, which she attended with Seulgi and Seungwan. The reason for that? In Joohyun's words:"Just because," Joohyun shrugs. "I know you're having a hard time with Joy, I just want you to have a good time out. Nothing else."A smile comes to her face as she remembers how Joohyun greeted her the next day, playfully singing some of Ariana Grande's lyrics. "So, what are you guys going to do for her birthday?" Yerim asks as she stands up from the couch, trying to occupy herself by putting the cushions of the armchair right."I don't know," Seulgi looks at Seungwan, who shrugs in answer. "I guess we could have dinner somewhere.""Why don't we make a special dinner here?" Yerim offers. "We could make her favorite foods.""That sounds amazing to me. Oh, gotta pick this up" Seulgi says when she feels her phone vibrate. "Taeyeon? What's up?"Seungwan and Yerim share a look as Seulgi leaves for the kitchen. Seungwan gets up as well and fixes the cushions from the couch. Once she's done, their eyes meet again."Thank you for proposing making the dinner here." The way Seungwan says it makes Yerim think that she has a deeper meaning behind her words.But maybe it's just her crazy, fogged mind that misses Joy so much."Joohyun has become a friend to me. It's the least I can do."The kitchen door opens again as Seulgi pokes her head out. "Hey, Taeyeon says we should check the moon today. It's huge!" "Seriously? Let's go to the roof!" Yerim excitedly exclaims, pulling on Seungwan's wrist.The three of them go upstairs and Seulgi is the first to open the window, offering a helping hand to Seungwan. As the two of them get onto the roof, Yerim passes the blankets and then she steps onto it. Seungwan grips both of them, deadly afraid of the heights, but as soon as she's safely sitting down on the blanket, she lets them go.They stare at the moon in silence, enjoying its shape of it, and the calm vibes of the night.Yerim takes her phone out and writes yet another text to Joy.I'm watching the moon from the rooftop where we had our very first kiss. I hope wherever you are, you are looking at the moon and maybe you could think of me. - YerimI miss you so much. Please, come back - YerimI love you, Joy. I wish I had told you face to face, but here it is. I love you - YerimPlease... - YerimHeartbroken, she puts the phone aside and tries to hold her sobs as Seungwan wraps her arm around her waist.Looking at the same moon from the dorm, Sulli and Joy are sitting next to each other on Joy's bed.Joy knocked on Sulli's bed and told her that the moon looked beautiful tonight. They have been watching the moon ever since. Even though they are beyond exhausted, this quiet moment, without the reality crew and all the crazy stuff that has been surrounding them, they feel like just two normal girls.Joy feels her phone vibrate under her pillow, where she safely put it so no one could find it.She has been resisting doing so, but she pulls it out and opens the message.She doesn't know what to say.As soon as she begins crying, Sulli does too. Her text arrives at 3:32 AM. Yerim hasn't been able to fall asleep and she has been watching the moon all this time.Maybe if I tell the moon that I love you too... will it reach you? - JoyI'm sorry I'm such a mess... - JoyYou have every right to hate me right now - JoyPlease, don't leave me - JoyYerim quickly answers, her eyes filled with tears. I'm never leaving you. I'll be your lighthouse for when you decide to come back - YerimJoy sighs with relief. I love you, Yerim - JoyYerim whips her tears away and puts a hand over her hurting chest.I love you too - Yerim