02 (1/1)

Mina saw Mark and her again. She was used to it now, but it still hurt every time she saw her laugh at something he said. She saw how he held her hand. She always imagined herself at her place. Today, Mina saw him give such a tender and loving kiss at her forehead. She couldn't look away. It was like some force had rooted her at that place, she just couldn't avert her gaze from them. "Hey, Mina." Chaeyoung placed her hand on Mina's shoulder, breaking Mina away from that trance like state. "Oh. Hey, Chaeyoung." Her voice seemed so thick, like she was trying not to cry. She ignored the lump forming in her throat. Chaeyoung raised an eyebrow. She had seen what Mina was looking at. She saw the longing in Mina's eyes. She saw the girl's eyes full of emotions, so she couldn't help but say, "It's your free time, right?" Mina nodded, confused. "Let's go for some ice-cream." Mina thought of denying Chaeyoung's offer, but something in Chaeyoung's expectant gaze made her say the next words, "You are paying." Chaeyoung couldn't stop the beautiful smile forming. Mina didn't need to vent her anger out that day. Somehow that trip to ice-cream parlour with Chaeyoung had made her day a bit more happy.  ***  Chaeyoung had noticed that Mina had not been smoking as much as she used to. Maybe she was getting better, Chaeyoung's thought. Mina wasn't in music class today. Chaeyoung was worried. Mina never missed music class. Not even once. As soon as school ended, Chaeyoung hurried towards home. Climbing up the roof, she saw Mina sitting on the roof with a bottle of alcohol in her hand. Burnt cigarettes littered the ground. "Mina." Mina looked up. "Oh hey Chaeyoung, you sweet innocent kid." Chaeyoung could've blushed but her worried state didn't let her. "What are you doing, Mina?" "I'm drinking and smoking. Want some?" Mina held the bottle towards Chaeyoung. Taking the bottle out of her hand, Chaeyoung threw it away. The glass made a shattering sound. "That sounds just like my heart, Chaeng. And it's fucking painful." 'But not as painful as seeing you in this state'. Chaeyoung thought. Chaeyoung shook her head and sat down next to Mina. "Why would he leave me?" Mina whispered. "H