Chapter Text
“I say, it’s the ‘It’s the friends we made along the way!’” Jaeyi stated stubbornly and sluggish as the movie credits started to roll, already tipsy from the bottle of wine she got from her parents’ stash, while snuggling closer to her sleeping girlfriend Seulgi, who just let her girl be, pulling her in for a protecting hug on their side of the couch.
“Sure, babe” Yeri muttered sarcastically. Getting up, she looked at the pair and rolled her eyes. Her friends were so disgustingly in love, they didn’t even notice anything outside their rose fogged circle. Dusting off her skirt, crumbs falling off from their earlier snacking, she grabbed a blanket. “Okay guys. Thanks for letting me third wheel..” she whispered as she draped the comfy blanket over them. “Good night, ya’ lovebirds..”
Yeri grabbed her phone turning it on, blinding herself in the dark room, showing 22:40 PM in bold white font, her and her friends being goofy as her wallpaper. She sighed; she didn’t expect to stay this long at Jaeyi’s. Grabbing her other belongings; her purse, windbreaker jacket and shopping bags, she made her way carefully to the front door, pulling on her sneakers, stepping out of the massive mansion Jaeyi lived in, to make her way to the bus station.
She checked her notifications as she walked along the dimly lit sidewalk, and nothing. Nothing with actual substance. No one she actually cared about. Pocketing her phone, looked ahead, confidently strode to the nearest station, which was perfectly three minutes away; two if she hurried. But her thoughts didn’t let her hurry, they zigzagged unconsciously, seemingly leading to nowhere in particular: the art room, the harp in her living room, the classroom where she felt so at ease. Even her thoughts were pleasant this time, but she couldn’t shake this creeping feeling of chaos that came with every moment of lightness and security.
As she got closer to the station, her phone in her pocket buzzed.
She stopped in her tracks, smiling widely. She knew her phone was on DND all the time, the only people who could’ve reached her in this situation were only the ones close to her. Knowing that both Jaeyi and Seulgi were asleep, her mom was in a different time zone, it only could’ve been the most precious person to her: her Kyungie.
Hurriedly sitting down on one of the bus station’s chairs, she retrieved her phone from her pocket, opening the message.
CookieMonster: Are still you awake? 22:45 PM
She stared at the text, biting her lip softly. She hit respond, typing her response.
Me: Yep :) I am wide awake. Just left the lovebirds’ nest. Waiting for the next bus home. 22:47 PM
She smiled as the bubble immediately jumped up.
CookieMonster: You’re sleeping at my place. It’s closer, I’m picking you up rn. 22:48 PM
She rolled her eyes, of course she didn’t just offer it. And still they were just friends. And it wasn’t Yeri’s fault this time: Kyung is just as blind as an actual blind person. The flirty lines Yeri throws at her impenetrable walls every day as her seatmate, the “innocent” and completely “accidental” touches on Kyung’s arm, she was totally immune to all of it, yet managed to be the savior in the shining armor every time Yeri happened to run into something inconvenient.
Me: Waiting for you, my knight. 22:49 PM
She smirked as she wrote it down. And the answer immediately came:
CookieMonster: Stop being dramatic, I just want you safe. I’m out the door. ETA 3 Minutes. 22:49 PM
Yeri leaned back in the plastic seat as she put her phone in her purse. The traffic was light tonight. The cars that flew by added the even sounds, that weirdly calmed her, letting that creeping feeling sink in the back of her mind, and making her thoughts circle around Kyung.
*
They knew each other since freshman orientation day, though only by glance, as they weren’t in the same class, until last year. She still remembered the unnecessary frown that Kyung sported on the stage beside the proudly smiling Jaeyi, as they were presented as the new student body co-presidents, during the highly respectable spectacle that their school put on, as they were elitist and rich-rich.
Kyung looked intimidating, because she distanced herself, studied hard, topped every examining, built up walls that were impenetrable, and only communicated in short and concise sentences with her peers.
Yoo Jaeyi and Choi Kyung were the school’s pride and honor. Some even shipped them! They ruled the school, not with steel hands, but rather with understanding and empathy. They were messy girls forced to be flawless women. But their official actions were always direct and open – they even opened a nationwide anonym hotline for students struggling with drugs and study related performance enhancing, a culture that destroyed young minds in a system that let teens become addicts.
However last year, the student council went through a rough patch – a leaked video, a bad moment from the student council members on a drunk night, that clearly shown Kyung in the background sitting on a sofa, pupils dilated, eyes gazing openly at her naked, dancing council colleague, in the middle of it all. It was all a façade, a play, that cost big things to smooth over.
The undressed girl in the video was immediately pulled from the school under mysterious claims. She was left behind, as if she didn’t even worth a penny. The school administration used the most drastic measures over everyone involved – the whole student council. But the worst of it all, they made Jaeyi and Kyung leave, as they weren’t allowed to make a mistake, even though they were the victims in the situation. With that they weren’t the flawless women that the school appreciated, but rather the messy high school girls that had their words against a corrupted school council.
And that’s how they ended up in Yeri’s class: They were banished from the grade’s top class, Class A, back to C.
*
Yeri heard a familiar voice, as she came back from her thoughts.
“Yeri-ah! Aren’t you cold? Why didn’t you borrow at least sweatpants from Jae?” Kyung came into the view, worriedly wrapping Yeri in her jacket.
“Kyungie! My hero!” Yeri jumped up to hug the worried girl, distracting her away from her own chic but really light attire, as the windbreaker wasn’t enough during this cold late January night.
“Yeah, yeah.” Kyung rubbed the back of her head, slightly blushing, but it might’ve been from the chilly evening air. “What did you do with the “golden pair”?” Kyung asked as she picked up the shopping bags beside Yeri, trying to look into it, but Yeri snatched back one the moment Kyung could’ve looked.
“Aren’t you nosy, miss hero?” Yeri teased as she hugged the bag close and started walking away, making Kyung jog after her.
“Shopping trip?” Kyung guessed. “Yep.” Yeri answered all giddily.
“Thank you for not dragging me along.” Kyung said sincerely, making Yeri roll her eyes.
“You’re welcome, but this was the last time I’m shopping without you with those two idiots. I swear they only see each other and each other only!” Yeri complained, waving her hand frantically.
“Whoa, what a shock.” Kyung smiled ironically. “Y’know people in love tend to be annoying, especially if you’re single..” she added with a smile.
“Ugh! I hate this single life..” Yeri groaned as she looked at Kyung’s rounded cheekbone, mesmerized at how dumb she can be.
“Then get a partner, cuz’ they’re going strong. Seul is already planning promise rings behind Jaeyi’s back” Kyung laughed, and Yeri just looked at her disbelievingly. Like this dense, hot nerd, who was smaller than her, was talking about promise rings. Did she really not see how she was looking at her 24/7?!
“Good for them.” Yeri still smiled, but slightly rolled her eyes at her dense “friend”. “Not gonna lie, they recovered nicely, especially after last yea-“ Yeri stopped, as she knew it was a bad topic for Kyung.
Glancing at Kyung who stayed silent, walking beside Yeri with her hands in her pocket, looking down at the pavement. she decided to shut up, walking forward awkwardly. They turned at the familiar corner, that had Kyung’s home just 200 meters away. The way there became dead silent, and not the comfortable, friendly one, but the one that is about to burst and ruin or solve everything. They didn’t know which one it would be this time, but it’d be big.
They stopped in front of the house. Kyung went forward, putting the key in the keyhole, as Yeri started backing away discreetly.
“Thank you Kyung, but I think I’ll call a car and go home. I’d rather not bother you anymore this evening..” Yeri spun around hastily, and would’ve taken a step away, but Kyung didn’t let her.
“Please. Don’t go.” Kyung caught her wrist firmly, pulling Yeri through the house’s threshold.
“Kyun-“ Yeri tried to protest, but Kyung closed the door with her foot, hugging the girl close. Kyung stayed silent, as she buried her face in Yeri’s shoulder.
“Hey, I’m sorry that I brought up...” Yeri said, stroking the girl’s hair waiting for an answer, reaction, anything. Kyung still didn’t utter a word. “I know.. it can be har-“
“Yeri.” Kyung said it firmly. “Stop.”
“Stop wha-“ Yeri was about to ask, but Kyung abruptly pulled away.
“Okay, we’re talking about this, like adults. Sit down on the couch, and wait for me.” Kyung ordered, though not intimidating, but with a tone that suggested giving up everything. And even the fleeting thought of their friendship ending meant the end of the world for Yeri.
So, Yeri ended up sitting really tense on the couch, playing with her fingers nervously, as she heard the commotion in the kitchen from opening cupboards and putting things in a metal pot.
After 5 minutes of silence, Kyung returned with two mugs in her hand, both hot and steaming. Putting one in front of Yeri, then hers beside it. She sat down beside, melting comfortably into the couch’s back cushions. This made Yeri relax, looking at this girl, relaxed and leaned back against the cushions, made her heart flip, but oh well, this had been going on since the moment she laid eyes on this certified eye candy.
“Yeri-ah please relax. I don’t want to fight; I just want to be open and clear about the incident.” Kyung looked her in the eyes, and Yeri saw it all: the trauma it left, the price, that Kyung had to pay for being in a wrong place in the convenient time for someone to take advantage of her, but still trying to handle it with thoughtfulness and a mature approach.
“Kyung, you don-“ Yeri started again, but a tear rolled down on her cheek, worried that it’d trigger something far worse for Kyung. She could wait. “I- I can wait. Do-don’t rush into th-his ple-ease. I-It’s still sensitive an-“ Yeri hid her face sobbing in her palms, but Kyung brought them to her mouth, kissing both of her hands. Smiling tiredly. She sighed, and leaned in to wipe her Yeri’s tears away.
“There, there. You don't have to be so upset. I'm okay.” patting Yeri’s head “You do know that I’ve been going to therapy for this?” Kyung asked amusedly.
“Why are you so.. relaxed about this?” Yeri looked at her again, just to see a smirk. “What is it?” she asked unamusingly as she sniffled, rolling her eyes at Kyung’s antics.
“You’re just so dramatic, Yeri-ah. Jumping to conclusion, when it’s really not that bad now.” Kyung smirked “Ijustwishyouwouldjumponmeforsomethingelse” she muttered incomprehensibly.
“What was that?” Yeri looked up instantly, not understanding the last portion. “What did you just say?”
“That you’re a drama queen, you pabo*.” (In Korean, pabo translates to "fool," "idiot," or "silly”) Kyung teased her, making Yeri grimace dramatically
“HEY! I’m concerned about you and your mental health and this is what I get for it. Nah, actually I’m leav-“ Yeri was about to stand up, but Kyung caught her and pulled her in.
“No. You won’t” Kyung hugged her close.
“Kyungieeeee” Yeri whined. “Let me go” Trying to escape Kyung's grip.
Kyung just tightened her arms around Yeri’s waist, smiling at her dramatic tantrum she's making right now.
“I wanna sleeeeeep.” She continued whining. “Can we talk about it, when we’re not tired? Please, my hero.” Yeri asked, making a point convincing enough to change Kyung’s mind which had been fried from studying all night.
“Okay." Kyung sighed. "You’re right. Let’s go sleep. But we’re talking about this in the morning.” Kyung said it responsibly, and released Yeri, standing up and walking towards her bedroom with Yeri trailing close behind her her.
“Can I cuddle you?” Yeri asked, definitely with the ulterior motive of feeling up Kyung, but of course Kyung didn’t even react.
“Sure thing. But I’m the big spoon.” Kyung laid down opening her arms for Yeri to settle in.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” She said as she nuzzled into Kyung’s infinite warmth, already asleep.
“Goodnight, Yeri-ah.” Kyung whispered, letting the dreams take over as if their warmth fixed everything.
The morning came peacefully. The girls sleeping, totally sprawled out on the bed, not touching, but it was still an intimate picture. However, the peace abruptly ended as the alarm on Kyung’s nightstand started ringing at 6AM, waking the owner right up. Kyung groaned and reached for her nightstand, only to grab a fistful of Yeri’s sprawled hair, as she was still out cold, on Kyung’s usual side of bed.
Kyung panicked, she thought last night was a dream. The girl in her arms, her warmth, the tense moment between the two, she thought it was a fever dream, but turns out, it was real. Getting up, she went to her nightstand to stop the loud alarm, and she put on her glasses, gazing at Yeri, taking up space fearlessly.
She liked Yeri, way more than she wanted to admit it, but Yeri was like this with everyone. Cuddles with Jaeyi, not with Seul because Jaeyi’s territorial tendencies, but still flirting with everyone alive and moving. She didn’t want to read more into it than it actually meant.
Yeri was stunning, and she was just Kyung. But she’d be lying if Yeri didn’t make her heart skip every time she was close.
Kyung looked away, going searching in her closet for something the taller girl could change into after she took a shower. Her clothes being oversized, it wasn’t that hard to find a t-shirt and a longer pair of sweatpants for the girl sleeping in her bed, still in her uniform shirt and skirt. Luckily it was weekend, so she could let Yeri sleep in. She left the clothes on the nightstand beside her putting a post-it on it, just in case, then she went to take her own shower.
Yeri woke up 2 hours later, finding the place beside herself empty and cold. She was used to it, she knew she slept more than average, and she was proud of it. She needed that extra hour or two to look like this. Sitting up she stretched herself, founding a pile of folded clothes beside her on the nightstand with a sticky note: Go shower, I’m in the living room. - k
Yeri smiled at Kyung’s thoughtfulness, of course she would leave her clothes, and go study. Yeri got up, and practically bounced to Kyung’s bathroom, shedding her own clothes messily but putting the folded pile extra carefully on the dry sink.
A while after, Yeri got out, found the fresh towel laid out for her on the drying rack, and wrapped herself in it. She got the fresh shirt on, pulled on the sweatpants, not even bothering with underwear, because they were close. Then gathering her clothes, drying her hair with the towel, walked out barefooted to the living room, where Kyung was sitting, going over some math problems.
Kyung was in full focus mode: her glasses sat on her nose, slightly leaning forward, her hair pulled back in an effortless bun, just to keep it out of her face. Sitting there comfortable in a similar oversized t-shirt and striped shorts, she didn’t even sense Yeri coming and launching towards her like a ball full of energy, only noticing it as Yeri tackled her in a hug on the couch.
“Oww! Why was that necessary?” Kyung groaned under Yeri who laid sprawled on her, hugging her close.
“Kyungie!” Yeri exclaimed, she was so happy to see her crush again, that she couldn't help but tackle her like a dog.
“I’m here. I’m here. Can you get off of me, you’re like 10 cm taller than me.” Kyung said with a straight face, as her heart came down from rapidly beating being this close to her friend.
“Sure, sorry.” Yeri retreated, making herself comfy on the couch beside Kyung. “Soo.. you wanted to talk.” looking at Kyung, as she wrote down the final answer in her notebook, slightly trembling from the tackling earlier.
“Yeah. Let’s talk, but I made breakfast. It’s on the kitchen counter. Serve yourself first?” Kyung re-aligned her glasses, shutting her books, putting them away just to give a thing to do for her trembling fingers.
“So domestic.” Yeri remarked as she went to get her breakfast to the kitchen. “OMG, you made my favorite fried rice!” excitedly screamed from the kitchen, Kyung smiling at her reaction.
“Where are your parents tho? I need to praise you to Auntie Jiyeon!!” she looked around, approaching the coffee table putting her chopsticks and plate there as settled down in front of it on the floor.
“On a work trip. We’re alone.” Kyung said easily, too easily. “Wanna watch TV while you eat?” she offered, taking the TV remote in her hand.
“I’d rather watch you.” Yeri winked at her, and Kyung’s heart made a sudden flip. “Ha-ha. I’m putting SpongeBob on, you toddler.” Kyung rolled her eyes, dismissing the flirting as she turned the TV on. Yeri just smiled, eating her breakfast made by her crush.
Kyung relaxed back in the couch’s cushions, trying to pay attention to the cartoon characters but Yeri stole her attention every time: her damp hair wet the back of her shirt, her chuckle at Plankton’s desperate ways to get the Krab Burger’s recipe, her careless self while she was with Kyung. This was a reassurance for her: I’m still normal then. Yeri never had to know the lonely Kyung, because right about when she was about to turn back, Yeri pulled her out of it..
*
6 months ago
It was a sunny day, the semester in late August just rolled around. They didn’t know that things will take such a sudden turn. The class was lively, as expected from chatty girls returning from summer break, they just needed to get it out from their system before the first period started.
Joo Yeri sat in the middle of the class, as the Queen Bee of the school, everyone wanted to talk to her, gossiping about the guys in the all-boys school, peers who lost their virginity this summer, drama from other classes, and of course the scandal involving Yoo Jaeyi and Choi Kyung and the whole student council.
Listening intently to her classmates, she also took in the scene, everyone wanted her attention, trying to win the “seatmate” battle that was a reoccurring thing with her: she never had someone to sit with, and preferred being alone during classes, focusing on herself, and boosting her career as a successful IG model, with a big following. And most of the girls respected it, but others knew if they were the ones sitting with her, working with her for a group project, it meant a boost in their reputation and . And they wanted a piece of that cake.
They thought Yeri was this dumb person, who would help them from the goodness of her heart, but Yeri was aware of these fake, desperate intentions, she chose to be alone just because of this. And not that it was a problem for teachers, her wealthy actress mom always made sure that her daughter had no problems at school. A quick donation, and nobody bat an eye at the gossip queen anymore.
The bell rang, girls gave up and went to their designated seats with their seatmate, losing again “Yeri’s seatmate battle”. However, nobody prepared them for the following events: their homeroom teacher entering with 3 new students.
First, Yoo Jaeyi, graceful as ever made her way in elegantly. Secondly, a new student, in a different uniform, which screamed poor and countryside. Lastly, Choi Kyung in flesh.
Yeri’s eyes widened, “Hm, this time it wouldn’t be as boring then” she remarked smirking, openly taking in the three girls, as her other classmates sat in shock. The scandalous duo of the school, and country munchkin, they were already conspiring and whispering between themselves, making Yeri roll her eyes. "Fucking clout chasers" she muttered.
“Class.” Their conceited homeroom teacher quieted the class down. “I believe you know Ms. Yoo and Choi, but Ms. Woo just joined our school, so make her feel welcome. They will be joining you all for your final high school year.” her tone was stern, not even an ounce of welcome in it. She looked at the girls, then back at to class.
“Please find a seat. The only thing that the director warned me about, is that Yoo and Choi cannot sit beside each other, so I recommend adjusting to it accordingly.” She said it dismissively, sitting down at the desk up front. The three girls stood alone now, but before it turned awkward Yoo Jaeyi smirked, winking at Kyung, who rolled her eyes.
“Guess it can’t be helped. I’m your new seatmate Woo Seulgi.” She turned to the new girl, grabbing her hand and dragging her to the back of the class to the only open desks.
That left the only one empty seat, Yeri's.
Yeri smirked at Kyung, who still stood before the class stoic as ever, as her classmates likely whispered about her.
“You can sit next to me, Kyung” Yeri raised her hand, offering the most precious seat in the whole class – well, now that can be debated, since Yoo Jaeyi was also a hot topic, but it just boosted Yeri’s ego so she let herself believe it – to Choi Kyung, the most scandalous person in school.
Kyung nodded emotionless and went to sit right beside Yeri, keeping her stoic face tight and unwavering. She stayed silent, looking forward, not even flinching when the their teacher went on, with the same elitist voice.
Yeri looked at the girl, trying to find a crack on that controlled face Kyung have seemingly put on every morning before coming to school or she was really just this uptight.
“I’m Yeri, by the way. Nice to meet you.” Yeri put her hand out for Kyung to shake it.
“We’ve talked before, Yeri.” She stated, putting an emphasis on her name, while shooting a side eye filled with rage, just before she built the impenetrable walls up, going back to the emotionless face she sported so .
“Oh. Did we?” Yeri pushing for a sentence, however she got nothing, Kyung didn’t even glance at her ever again that day or for the next weeks.
But Yeri wasn’t someone who gave up when she saw something interesting.
So naturally, Yeri pushed, and pushed every day. She swiftly became friends with Jaeyi , then Seulgi, whom assisted Yeri’s quest of getting to know Kyung better. With all the help, Kyung eventually warmed up to Yeri, putting away her stereotypical thinking, as Yeri proved she wasn’t what she was known for, leading them to become close friends by October.
*
“Do you even watch it, Kyungie?” Yeri leaned back, laying her head on the edge of the couch, as she finished eating, looking up to the stoic, deep-in-thought Kyung.
“No. I just remembered how we started out.” Kyung looked in Yeri’s eyes, as the girl sat beside her instead.
“Ohhh, I remember. You were a bitch.” Yeri started, bumping her shoulder against hers, chuckling softly.
“I wasn’t! I had every reason to suspect that you were behind it all!” Kyung got all worked up. “But now I know.. that you wouldn’t do that.” She sighed.
“Of course not! I’m the Queen Bee, but that was way below the belt." Yeri stated seriously. "And I felt really sorry for you guys when I heard it. I didn’t even post about it.”
“Really?” that was new information for Kyung.
“Really. Actually, just before you guys came in that first day to class, everyone was worked up about it, but I just sat there silent and flabbergasted, because it was a crime and nobody wanted to recognize it as such.” Yeri put her hand on Kyung’s. “Looking back, I get why I was so sus for you... I was the hottest gossip girl in school.” Yeri reflected, smirking at Kyung, still flirting shamelessly.
Kyung ignored the last portion, continuing the talk from the night before. “Okay. Well then let's get into it because it is heavy.." She sighed deeply.
"I’ve been going to therapy for quite some time now, and my father had been investigating this case, along with several private investigators.” Kyung said, looking at Yeri. “Look, Yeri, this is highly confidential." Kyung told her. "But I want to share it with you, because you can be in immediate danger, as you may have an even close relationship with the suspect..” Kyung sighed worriedly, taking Yeri’s hand, who nodded seriously, bracing herself for the worst.
“The people behind it... they were from the school’s council. The same council that had your mother as a founding member in it" Kyung stopped, looking at Yeri, checking her reaction. "Who consistently wired a lot of money to our school, prior and after the events of our kidnapping, drugging and sexual abuse.. And she was found having meetings with people linked to our school..” Kyung said, her voice subtly wavering. “Do you think.. that your mother could be behind all of it?" Kyung asked finally, but immediately backtracked. "Sorry, um.. I know this is a grave accusation, but she was the only one with that kind of money and authority in the logs.” Kyung said gently, rubbing circles in Yeri’s hand, as she sat there shocked, trying to process.
Yeri couldn’t believe it, but as pieces of pictures began to flow back from the day it happened, it became more and more suspicious.
“I-“ Yeri was speechless. Looking at Kyung, seeing the girl’s pain in her eyes that had been haunting her for a year, now it can finally come to an end, if Yeri gave the nod, that could ruin her mother’s life.
“I’m terribly sorry. I should’ve-“ Kyung started apologizing, but Yeri interrupted her.
“Kyung.” she took a deep breath “I think, she could’ve done it.” She answered, looking into her eyes, witnessing Kyung’s stoicism break, and the underlying relief wash over.
“How?” Kyung asked, hoping for an actual response, not just a vague thing that her father has told her.
“We were on Jeju Island." Yeri started. "She was really frantic and sudden with the trip." She said faintly remembering things. "By the time we arrived, she’d grown really stressed, yelling at someone through the phone-" her voice slightly trembled. "On the second day, she came to me, and distracted me for the whole weekend, while it happened. I didn’t even look at my phone.” Yeri said remembering how weird it was, emotions overtaking. “She doesn’t do motherly attention, that’s why I- I was so surprised, and believed her-“ Yeri buried her face in her palms. “I- I-“ She struggled as the tears came streaming down, but Kyung hugged her, trying to soothe her.
“Yeri-ah, it’s not your fault.” Kyung caressed the back of her head, still damp from the shower. “It's all fine. I'm fine now. I just want you safe. You did nothing wrong.” She said in a gentle tone.
“I should be comforting you! Pabo!” Yeri surged towards Kyung, tackling her and hugging her closer.
“We can comfort each other. I don’t mind it.” Kyung pulled her closer, burying her face in Yeri’s shoulder, her mind running at 100km/h, trying to figure out how to go about this further. Yeri was shaking, her emotions overtook her usually laid-back persona, as the guilt and sadness overflew. Kyung let Yeri cry, not saying anything, as she slowly went over the stages of realization. When she got somewhat calmer, Yeri didn't waste more time and asked:
“What are we gonna do? Am I an accomplice??” Yeri looked at Kyung with fear in her eyes.
“Did you know about it?” Kyung asked gently. “No. I did not.” Yeri said immediately. “Then you’re not." Kyung patted her head. "However, with you being an adult now, her being involved in a crime, could make your pretty head hurt." Kyung thought out loud. "Do you have anyone to stay with?” Kyung worried, Yeri shook her head. “A family member that you can trust?” Yeri groaned, shaking her head.
“Okay, then you're staying with me.” Kyung reassured, tracing shapes soothingly on Yeri’s back.
“Yeah, I’m sure your parents would love me here after my mom put you through all these insanely traumatic experiences…” Yeri said snuggling in her friend’s arm.
“They don’t blame you. They like you.” Kyung told her.
Yeri looked at her, Kyung looking back, as she was about to respond with something sarcastic, Kyung added: “And I like you too.”
Yeri sat there speechless, Kyung just said she likes her, all while comforting her after finding out her mother was likely a part of her deepest trauma yet. The girl’s glasses swooped down her perfectly sculptured nose, looking relieved, finally figuring out a piece of the puzzle that haunted her day and night, yet still found place in her heart to love her friend.
“Kyung, you don’t have to- say that.” Yeri said, at first not even trying to read anything behind the very obvious lines. Kyung looked at her, rolling her eyes, putting her palm on Yeri’s cheek.
“Yeri. I do feel for you. In every sense. You’re my best friend, my soulmate and I would drop everything for you, the second you ask.” Kyung stated seriously. “I need my best friend standing beside me while we put these insane people in a cold prison cell.” Kyung sighed, looking at Yeri’s shocked expression. “And it’s literally the only way I can know you’re safe. Stay with me please.” This surge of emotions overruled Kyung’s stoic nature, letting the worry wash these thoughts out of her, shocking herself and Yeri at the same time.
“Okay.” Yeri nodded softly, smiling at Kyung’s confession, which could’ve been romantic, if it wasn’t about her mother being a criminal and ruining her best friend’s life. “Then.. What do you need from me, bestie?” Yeri teased, choosing to focus on the problem at hand instead the clumsy, still debatable confession.
“Um, me and my father talked about it last night, before they went to Busan. Here.” Kyung getting her phone out, she opened her notes, remembering the steps her father laid out for her, and there was the first heading in bold letters:
LAST KNOWN CONTACT WITH THE SUSPECT
“First, when was the last time your mother contacted you directly?” Kyung asked her, getting ready to write it down.
“Let me check..” Yeri grabbed her phone from the coffee table, unlocking it. “She’s been all over Europe. Actually, the last time I saw her in flesh, you were with me. When you met her.” She said, as she opened her texts absentmindedly.
“That was..” Kyung contemplated, counting fingers. “Three weeks ago.” Yeri helped out, showing their exchanged messages.
“Is that normal?” Kyung asked, her tone suggesting some guilt for not recognizing how alone Yeri must’ve felt all her life if her mother was able to go contactless with her for weeks.
“You tell me.” Yeri laughed sarcastically. “She’s been like this since I was a kid.” She shrugged, like it’s not a big deal, but Kyung knew that this situation, however distant her mom was with her, will make Yeri suffer, in one way or another.
“You’ve never told me this. You’ve been all alone these past couple of years then?” Kyung looked at her, but Yeri being Yeri, she just shrugged, dismissing it completely. “You’re so strong. I couldn’t have done it.” Kyung said in disbelief.
“But I’m not alone.” Yeri looked back, grabbing Kyung’s hand. “I have you. I have Jaeyi and Seulgi and no matter how annoying you guys are, you’re all here with me. I’m not alone. At least not anymore. So, let’s not turn this into my sob-story when you were actually raped and drugged, allegedly because of my absent mother.” She said it firmly, refocusing on the problem, drawing circles on the top of Kyung’s hand.
“Okay, but I can’t promise to not bring it up again. It may be a crucial part of the case, and the next heading is literally THE SUSPECT’S RELATIONSHIPS, but I understand. We’ll talk about it later. Sound better?” Kyung offered a compromise, sensing the emotions tied to her mother.
“Fine.” Yeri sighed. “Let’s fill out the first heading then. What’s next then?”
“POTENTIAL RISKS, like anger issues.. But I think filling the first out will be plenty for today.” Kyung felt that this topic is sensitive, and could be triggering for Yeri.
“Are you sure? She could return any day now, and she can lock me up or do something..” Yeri started making up scenarios in her head, the worry and guilt overspilling from the way she spoke.
“Yeri. Stop. It’s fine.” Kyung tried to reassure her. “You can stay with me if you’d like. You don’t have to go back to that empty apartment and here, you’ll be safe. You’re legally an adult, just keep it low for the next couple of weeks, we need to take action shortly after the entrance exams, so 3 weeks from today.” She informed the girl, who seemed to relax a bit, but as she was about to start again, Kyung interrupted her, being one step ahead. “No, you won’t be a burden, you’re not weighing nothing down, you’re helping our case, and you being safe is a crucial piece of the puzzle.”
Yeri still had her reservations, but eventually she nodded, resigned and agreed that this is the best for everyone, including her.
“Now that this is settled.. remaining any questions? If not, we could study, the entrance exam is two weeks away..” She reminded Yeri, as the looming exam, the most important one in their life yet is really close, and the books from the table were staring back at her, reminding her that time is life, life is time.
Yeri looked around shyly before sighing and asking something she deemed really unimportant in this situation but she had to do it..
“I know that this is.. childish.” Yeri started embarrassed, scratching the back of her head, hesitating whether she should say it, but Kyung interrupted, again: “Nothing that makes you more comfortable is childish. Spill it.” She said it demanding.
“We absolutely don’t have to.. but I have my emotional support plushie still laying in my bed, along with my official papers and notes, that should be with me, if I have to stay here.” Yeri said, slightly blushing, feeling bad for the ask as Kyung just said they should study. Kyung on the other hand, looked at Yeri with a smile, knowing exactly the lack of comfort that she must be experiencing right now.
“Okay, I'll ask Jaeyi to drive us to the apartment complex right now.” Kyung got her phone out, already dialing Jaeyi’s number, but for Yeri it immediately clicked: Jaeyi waking up with Seulgi. On a weekend. With everyone out of the house, which meant only one thing.. and not PG.
“KYUNG, NO.” Yeri launched at the phone, snatching it from Kyung’s hand, disconnecting the call. Kyung looked at Yeri in bewilderment. “I’ll just.” She gave Kyung her phone back, opening hers and shooting a message to Seulgi, who was less freakier and more reasonable.
Me: Hey Seul. Could you guys give us a lift to my apartment today plz? I slept at Kyung’s place and need a vehicle. We also need to talk to both of you. 9:30AM
“Huh” Yeri exhaled, avoiding yet again an awkward encounter with the golden couple, while Kyung just looked at her with wide eyes, the absurdity got her.
“Do I..?” Kyung asked uncertainly, but Yeri shook her head instantly.
“I burned myself doing this once.. and I wanted to stab myself in the ear after.” Yeri shuddered as she explained, not even wanting to elaborate, Kyung chuckled, definitely not thinking the same thing as Yeri.
“Until Seul answers, should we study a bit?” Yeri offered, seeing Kyung looking at the math book with duty.
“Can we?” Kyung’s eyes shined as she wasted no time to drag the math book back to the center of the table, opening it.
Yeri sighed muttering in disbelief: “You were right Jaeyi, life is really about the friends we made along the way.. Cuz studying sure as hell isn’t that good.” Looking at Kyung, all focused on the problem, she smiled.