rounded the corner. "whatever," wheein walked out of the bathroom with tear stains. hyejin stayed a bit back to see what happened, her heart sinking at the thought wheein was crying.

she doesn't think it's eavesdropping, if she accidentally walked in, right? "yah jung wheein!" yongsun stepped out of the bathroom, her eyes watering.

yongsun slid down the wall, head in arms. tears started falling down her face. "why do i always mess things up?" the girl quietly cried.

hyejin walked towards the crying girl, crouching down so they were eye-level. "unnie, are you okay?" yongsun looked up, shocked. "ye—yeah, just needed a breather," her breath was still uneven liar "i'll get going now hyejin," she quickly stumbled up and ran in the opposite direction of the puppy.

the younger nodded and walked towards wheein. "wheeinie?"

~

"i know that something happened between you and yongsun," hyejin could tell the fear and hurt masked behind wheein's sharp eyes. "it's nothing," hyejin could only frown. "if you ever—," "yeah, yeah need your help i'll contact you," wheein placed her chin onto her hands.

hyejin wanted nothing more than to pull the girl into a tight, bear hug. but, for her reputation sake she controlled herself.

"you don't have to hold onto all your burdens. that's what friends are for, to help you with them," wheein looked over at hyejin. when did she become so cheesy? wheein thought "if i told you, it would ruin your friendship," the curious gaze laid on wheein. the other girl's eyes darting anywhere but the lioness.

"how so?" hyejin stared into the girl's hazel orbs. "things happen hyejin," wheein sighed. "and sometimes we can't control them. especially when you," wheein hesitated, eyes shaking. "when you thought they were someone else,"

hyejin decided not to pry. well—not today at least.

"y'now the ramen place you brought me to?" wheein nodded. "send the chef my compliments, that was probably the best ramen i've ever had," wheein smiled. she hadn't felt so happy in such a long time.

"thanks hyejin," hyejin dumbly tilted her head. "why are you thanking me?" wheein looked at the girl and mumbled underneath her breath. "aw, wheein's shy?" hyejin poked wheein's dimple. "yah!" the girl slapped hyejin's hand.

"why do you always slap me?" "because you're cheesy," "no i'm not," hyejin pouted. "yes. yes you are," wheein grinned and brought the blanket closer to her. the cold air chilled hyejin's legs. "yah! share," the younger pulled the blanket towards herself.

hyejin never got to hear what wheein said.

~

"yongsun unnie!" hyejin waved at the two girls. "hyejin-ah!" yong walked towards the younger. "where'd you go yesterday?" byul smiled at the girl. "oh—nothing. just spent time with my friend," yongsun pouted. "i thought we were your only friends," if yongsun had said that weeks ago, hyejin would've agreed wholeheartedly "don't be jealous. it isn't cute on you,"

yongsun glared at byulyi. "and i just started to like the compliments," yongsun teased the younger. "don't start a war you can't win," byul replied. "whatever," yongsun cheekily smiled.

"guys," hyejin groaned. hyejin was going to throw up if they kept up with this. "come on jinnie," byul linked arms with the girl and left yongsun behind. "yah!" yongsun ran towards the two.

byulyi held in her laughter when she saw yongsun pouting. "yongie~" byul let go of hyejin and squished yongsun's fluffy cheeks.

"how quick you abandoned me for yongsun," byul rolled her eyes. giving her the 'i'd leave you in a heartbeat for anyone' look. "y'now we should all go for dinner." hyejin shook her head. body shivering at the thought of having too sit with the two flirting, ALL night.

"i am NOT third-wheeling you guys," she pointed at the two. "bring glasses," hyejin looked at the blonde. "uh—i don't know," byul just smiled.

"aren't you trying to get with her?" hyejin nodded. "well, invite her at least," the bell rung. yongsun visibly looked uncomfortable. "see you guys in english!" yong waved and darted towards her next class.

how strange byul thought before walking towards her class. the girl looked as her two friends seperated.

hyejin was torn. should she ask wheein or not even try to ask. i can try to ask her hyejin could already feel the dread well inside of her.

during her last class, hyejin sat next to wheein. "hey," wheein returned her with a small 'hi'. "we tutoring after school?" wheein nodded. "cool, cool," wheein looked at the girl. "whatever you're thinking, just say it," the girl mumbled while playing with her pencil.

"uh, byul asked me to ask you if it's okay to go on a double date with her and yongsun," hyejin looked at the girl. "you don't have too. you can say—," wheein cut the girl off. "i'll go," "you sure?" wheein nodded.

one of the two was listening to the teacher. hyejin was playing with her pencil. "...assignment due today," the girl who was balancing a pencil on her finger paled. "what was due today?" hyejin nudged the girl next to her.

"you should've payed more attention," wheein whispered back to the younger. "i was!" the puppy rolled her eyes. "if you did, then you'd know this is classwork," hyejin just smiled and put up a 'v'.

"wanna work together?" wheein face looked not amused (hyejin was inwardly laughing). "i'll be doing the whole thing, aren't i?" hyejin shook her head. "i paid attention at least two times,""that's not helping your case," hyejin pouted. "please," wheein looked away from the girl, ears turning a deep red.

"fine," hyejin smiled in victory.

~*+

hyejin was very happy. "i should just never go to school and just attend these tutoring sessions. i'd actually pass school," wheein rolled her eyes. "maybe if you payed more attention you'd understand it," "i have no idea what you're talking about. i pay so much attention in class!" sarcasm dripped from her voice.

hyejin read her phone. the artificial light shading all her prominent features.

"hey wanna come to my house?" wheein tilted her head in a confused way. "why?" "I dunno, help me pick out an outfit or whatever," wheein shrugged and packed her things. hyejin stared at wheein's back. "are you going to keep staring or pack up?" hyejin flushed red.

she quickly shoved papers and books in her bag. the atmosphere had suddenly shifted to something very unholy. hyejin was sure wheein could feel it too.

"u—uh let's go," hyejin grabbed at her bag, and slung it over her shoulder. wheein studied hyejin's stance. definitely arrogant wheein thought. "whatever bad thing you're thinking about me, stop it!" the girl chuckled.

oddly, the chuckle made the lion feel a lot of things. physically and emotionally.