Choi Yena's POV
"Yiren," I whispered her name, feeling frustrated and fond.
"Hmmm?" she asked as she looked back at me, her innocent curiosity making it hard to stay annoyed.
"How long will we keep this up?" I couldn't help but let the disappointment seep through my words, hoping she would understand.
"What do you mean, Yena?" she pretended as if she didn't know, a playful gleam in her eyes.
"It's nothing, Yiren." I smiled, trying to shake off the feeling. It was hard to stay upset with her after all these years. I grabbed her hand, deciding to let it go for now. "Let's go get ice cream."
I led her to the ice cream truck by the park, the familiar sight bringing back many memories. "Wait here. I'll buy us some ice cream." Even if she was being evasive, I couldn't help but feel grateful for our friendship, no matter the misunderstandings.
I lined up and waited for my turn. I didn't like pretending, but I felt safe with Yiren and didn't have to worry. On the other hand, my heart longed for Yuri, but I was a coward. I didn't want to risk it, especially since she might not even be interested in girls. When the woman called me for my order, I was snapped back to reality.
"Ma'am, what would you like to have?"
"Oh, one strawberry and chocolate ice cream, please," I told the vendor.
"Here you go, ma'am," the lady smiled at me; she was pretty too.
"Thank you..." I glanced at her name tag. "Chaeyoung."
Chaeyoung smiled at me.
"You know, I also know someone named Chaeyoung."
"Hehe, I think I know her too," she said, giggling.
"Oh, we might know the same Chae—"
"Hey, stop flirting!" a random guy yelled from behind me. "You're holding up the line."
"See you next time, Chaeyoung!" I yelled as I ran back to Yiren.
"I see you've met someone else now," she said as she stood up, tapping her foot on the ground.
"Nope, she's just a friend, and I already have you," I smiled and handed her ice cream to her.
"By the way, you got a text, and I answered it for you," Yiren said shyly, her voice soft as she looked at me.
I trusted Yiren with my phone because I had nothing there but games. But now, I felt a twist in my stomach.
"Oh, who texted?" I asked, my heart racing a little.
"Toothpaste Lover?" Yiren said unsure, and I burst into laughter, the tension easing up for a moment. Tears streamed down my face from laughing so hard.
"Oh, it's Chaewon," I said, trying to catch my breath. Yiren just mouthed "Oh." "What did she say?"
"She said that the hamster had a huge fight with a small dwarf and that she needed you quick." Instantly, I felt a knot in my chest. Yuri and Nako rarely fought—this had to be serious. "I told her that you'd be there in a while."
"Thank you, Yiren," I said, my tone apologetic. "I'm so—"
"You don't have to say it because I was the one who invited you anyway," she replied, holding my hand, but I could see the glimmer of disappointment in her eyes. I hated that I had to leave her like this, right in the middle of our time together.
"I have to go. I can't believe they're fighting," I said, panic creeping into my voice. I didn't want to worry Yiren, but deep down, I was anxious. "I'm so sorry for cutting our time short."
Yiren smiled weakly. "It's okay. I understand." Still, I could see the sadness in her expression, and it tugged at my heartstrings.
I ran to my car, guilt gnawing at me but my concern for Yuri pushed me forward. I drove as fast as I could—15 minutes instead of the usual 30, running a few red lights along the way. I knocked on Joyul's door, my heart racing with worry.
I stood there, still processing the scene that had just unfolded. I saw her huge smile disappear the moment she caught sight of my worried face, and then she slammed the door in my face.
SLAM!
"Yul? Did I do something wrong?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly as I slowly placed my hand and forehead against the cold door. The warmth I usually felt with her was missing, replaced by an icy tension that I couldn't understand.
Silence.
"Yul, please talk to me..." I sighed, a deep unease settling in my stomach, "are you alright?"
Nothing. Just silence stretching between us like an unbridgeable chasm.
"I heard you fought with Nako..." I glanced at the door, hoping for some sign of her presence, but there was only that suffocating quiet. "You can always talk to me, Yul."
Still nothing. The silence felt heavier now, and a sense of dread began to creep in.
"Jo Yuri, come out." My voice took on a firmer tone, knowing that my use of her full name usually snapped her to attention—but this time it felt different. There was no response, no rushing to the door like she would normally do. Just a deafening silence that left me stunned and confused. What had gone so wrong so quickly?
BANG!
I fell hard on the floor, face first because I was still leaning on it. Perfect timing for an elegant entrance, right?
"Ugh, Yul! Warning next time!" I grumbled, now staring at the ceiling while holding the bridge of my nose like it was some sacred artifact.
"I'm not Yuri," I blinked and saw Eunbi unnie's face peering down at me, her eyebrows furrowed in concern. But what caught my attention was Hyewon unnie's body just dangling off her shoulder like a very much unconscious rag doll.
"Unnie, you scared me!" I yelped, scrambling to sit up. "What's Kwangbae doing umm dead on your shoulder?"
"She's not dead," Eunbi unnie said, rolling her eyes, "She's just knocked out from our epic pillow fight. Who knew feathers could be so deadly?"
"Ah, so it's a battle royale situation?" I asked, trying to imagine Eunbi unleashing her fluffy wrath on Kwangbae.
"Exactly! You should see the battlefield!" Eunbi said winking, before walking out and closing the door behind her. Great, now I'm left here with the worrywart.
"Unnie..."
"Hmmm?" I looked up at Yuri, who had shifted her gaze away, a blush creeping up her cheeks. She looked like she was about to implode. "What's wrong, Yul?"
"Your nose is bleeding!" she exclaimed, pointing at my nose like it was a crime scene.
"Really?" I replied, half-amused and half-concerned. "It's nothing! I've seen worse on reality TV."
"I'll help!" she insisted, her eyes wide with concern as if I were on the verge of a dramatic collapse. "Chaewon unnie said she had a first aid kit in every room."
"Wow, talk about being a Girl Scout!" I said, laughing despite the slight sting. "It's like they're expecting a nosebleed apocalypse."
Yuri rushed around the room in search of the kit, clearly worried about my 'tragic' situation. I couldn't help but smirk. If this was her level of panic over a little nosebleed, I could only imagine how she'd react if I needed a band-aid.
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