Chapter 12

“Is this enough? Hmmm…” Jessica mumbled as she scooped yet another cup of rice and emptied it into the rice cooker. “This should be enough?” she closed the lid and switched on the cooker before plopping down on the couch to read her book.

The doorbell rang and Jessica grudgingly got up to open the door, half-knowing who it was.

TaeNy.

A typically cheerful Tiffany and her worried girlfriend were behind the door. “Hey Jessi! How’s the kimchi fried rice coming along?”

“I just started cooking the rice. Thanks for lending me the rice cooker anyway.” Jessica replied as she headed back to her couch to read her book.

“Don’t mention it.” Tiffany smiled and secretly gestured to Taeyeon to check on the rice cooker. The shorter girl took her cue and immediately disappeared into the kitchen.

Shortly after, “SICA! There’s no water in the cooker!!” Taeyeon yelled.

Jessica looked up from her book, puzzled. “What water?”

“The water for cooking the rice!!” Taeyeon grumbled as she took a cup and filled it at the sink.

“Ohh… Rice and water in the cooker.” Jessica made a mental note. Tiffany shook her head, incredulous, as she observed Jessica spacing out. After several seconds, Jessica looked at her best friend and sighed. “I need help.”

Tiffany chuckled. “That’s why we’re here. Don’t worry! Tete’s a great cook.”

“Really? Thanks Taengoo!” Jessica shouted from where she stood.

“Definitely. I’m worried that you’ll destroy my rice cooker and all the other cooking equipment you borrowed.” Taeyeon yelled from the kitchen.

Jessica frowned. “Fine.” she huffed and stomped into the kitchen. Taking a deep breath to calm down, she stared at Taeyeon with her humblest expression possible. “Please. Teach. Me.” she said reluctantly.

Sheesh. Taeyeon took a quick glance at her and shuddered. “I cook. You watch.”

“No. I want to learn.” Jessica rebutted.

“Fine. You cook, I’ll supervise.” Taeyeon shook her head and sighed. Tiffany joined the two girls and began massaging her girlfriend’s shoulders. “That’s awfully sweet of you Tete. For that you’ll get a treat from me.” she whispered in Taeyeon’s ear.

Taeyeon’s eyes shot open. “A treat?” she grinned from ear to ear. “You mean, a TREAT?”

“Yeeeeesssssss a treat.” Tiffany smiled as she pinched her girlfriend’s cheeks. Behind them, a tired Jessica yawned. “Wake me up when the rice is done will you?” she said as she walked into the bedroom.

Taeyeon looked on as the bedroom door closed after Jessica. Eyes hopeful, she turned to face Tiffany. “So, is the treat only valid for tonight or…”

Tiffany smiled and pulled Taeyeon closer. “Anytime, baby.”

-----

“The doorbell!” said a girl who was straddling another.

“Oh crap!” replied the girl below her.

“Get dressed! We have to get the door before she wakes up!” the taller girl exclaimed.

To their dismay, the doorbell began to ring continuously. Thereafter, the sound of a door opening was heard.

“EEEEEEKKKKK!!!” the dolphin like shriek resonated throughout the house.

“CRAAAAAP!!” the two girls hastily picked up their clothes and scrambled towards the toilet like frightened rodents.

“Sica! Are you okay? Open the door!” came a voice behind the door.

Recovering from the shock earlier, Jessica immediately rushed to the door to let her savior in. “Yuri!!” Like a total hero, the tall, tanned girl dashed in and immediately held the blonde in her arms.

“What happened?” Yuri scanned the apartment for threats while stroking the girl’s hair to calm her down.

Soon after, two girls stepped out of the washroom totally disheveled. Clothes untidy and hair unkempt, topped up with their deeply embarrassed faces, it was pretty obvious to any onlooker what they were doing.

Yuri understood the situation immediately. “OH. I think I know what happened.” She narrowed her eyes and smirked.

“My reading couch!” Jessica cried.

“Sorry Jessi! We’ll clean it up!”

“Just take the thing away!” the girl ordered, refusing to look at them.

Yuri turned to the couple and gestured to them to leave with the couch before hell froze over under the Ice Princess. The couple nodded apologetically and left, with Taeyeon dragging the couch along. After Tiffany shut the door, Jessica continued lying comfortably in Yuri’s arms.

“They’re gone, Sica.”

“I know, but this is comfortable.” she replied as she buried her face further in Yuri’s neck. Yuri stroked the back of her head and smiled. “Well it’s about time you changed the couch.”

Jessica looked up at her quizzically. “But it’s new!”

“Ahh yes, but it’s a single seater.” Yuri stated matter-of-factly. “We’re gonna need a loveseat from now on.”

Jessica pinched the girl’s nose. “Presumptuous.”

“We shall see.” Yuri smiled.

“Cocky.” Jessica stated before breaking off the hug. “Crap. The rice.” she mumbled, upon realizing that her head chef was gone.

“What rice?”

“Oh it’s nothing. Why are you here so early?”

“Yea, about that…”

The whole thing with Hyomin had been just too much for Yuri to handle, she abhorred all that drama and messiness that came with the girl’s career. Right after the incident at the hospital, Yuri hadn’t thought of anything else but Jessica. Despite Jessica’s recent return, to Yuri she seemed like a haven to escape to and she didn’t know why. Instead of seeking the rational minds of Sooyoung and Yoona, she’d decided to come here.

Maybe it was guilt. Maybe she wanted to tuck Hyomin away in the back of her mind. Whatever it is, she just wanted to see the blonde.

And seeing Jessica now just proved it. A sense of calm came over her instantly upon arriving at the apartment. The intensity, the overwhelming emotions from earlier had disappeared.

Taking a short glance at Jessica, Yuri said, “I just sent Hyomin to the hospital. She overdosed on sleeping pills.”

Once again, that uncomfortable feeling emerged in Jessica’s chest. “You were with her?” Jessica knew that a “How is she?” should have been her first question, but her paranoid self prompted her to ask otherwise.

“I went to her apartment to grab the rest of my things. Then I found her unconscious.” Yuri replied. “She’s okay now. And…” Yuri paused, “there was a whole lot of drama just now. She was holding on to me and acting in that way in front of so many people that it might look suspicious…”

Jessica kept silent. Too much detail. She appreciated Yuri’s honesty, but the discomfort was unsettling.

“…I’m worried that we might have been caught.”

Sensing Jessica’s discomfort, Yuri stopped. “I came here right after because I wanted to see you so badly. And I wanted to be completely honest with you, Sica.” Yuri held onto her hands. “I only care for her as much as I care for Sooyoung and Yoong. Nothing more than a friend.” she reassured.

Jessica nodded slightly, trying not to picture the drama in her head. A part of her wished that they weren’t even friends now, despite knowing how selfish it was.

Yuri pulled the girl into an embrace. “I know this must be hard on you. I’m sorry... I’m very very sorry, Sica. I hate all this.”

The hug softened Jessica immensely. It then dawned on her that Yuri might be struggling with the burden of the breakup as well. Ignoring the egging discomfort in her chest, she decided to be the bigger person. “Promise she’ll be nothing more than a friend?” Jessica muttered in Yuri’s embrace.

“Promise.” Yuri said earnestly.

“Okay.” Jessica replied, slightly comforted. She knew she had no choice but to take everything in if she wanted to be with Yuri. After all, breakups were usually messy, and she had to give it some time.

Just trust Yuri.

When she was done rationalizing the situation, she lectured the girl. “You’re here too early. I’m busy.”

Yuri broke off the hug and looked at her excitedly, eager to please. “I’ll help you with whatever you’re busy with!”

Jessica pouted, resigning to the fact that her head chef was gone. “I was… busy with cooking.”

Yuri’s eyes widened.

Jessica lightly slapped her on her arm. “I’m doing this for you!” the girl frowned.

Yuri broke out into dorky smiles. “Then I’ll be your sous chef!” she said as she led Jessica into the kitchen. Looking at the ingredients spread over the kitchen counter, she realized what Jessica was cooking. “Ahhh. Kimchi fried rice.”

“That’s the only thing that sounds easy enough.” Jessica puffed her cheeks.

Yuri smiled and patted the girl on her head. “I’ll be looking forward to it.” she said as she checked the rice cooker. “Looks like the rice is ready!” she exclaimed excitedly. Opening the cooker, she was taken aback. “Wow. That’s a whole lot of rice. You cooking for 5 Yuris?”

Jessica glanced into the cooker, puzzled. “The rice didn’t seem this much just now…”

Yuri giggled. Jessica’s cluelessness in the kitchen was adorable. “I await your orders, head chef.”

She glanced at the taller girl nervously. “What should I do next?”

“I don’t know. You’re the head chef.”

Frowning, Jessica stared at the rice cooker, and then turned her attention to Yuri, who was grinning from ear to ear. She glared at the girl with her arms crossed. “Are you mocking me?”

Yuri shrugged. “I’m just waiting for orders.”

“But I don’t know what to do next.”

“So how were you gonna cook if I wasn’t here?”

“Kim Taeyeon was supposed to be helping me.” Jessica shuddered upon recalling the horrific scene earlier.

“Well then, why don’t you…” Yuri put her hands on Jessica’s shoulders, and guided her to the bedroom. “Read your book while I cook for you.”

Jessica’s eyes lit up. “Really?” she asked excitedly.

Yuri nodded, and to her surprise, Jessica kissed her on the cheek to show her appreciation. Almost immediately, Yuri blushed to her ears and she hurried to the kitchen to prevent Jessica from witnessing it. Taking deep breaths, she started scooping the rice into a big bowl.

“Calm down Yuri, calm down. Just a kiss, just a kiss, Yuri.” she started talking to herself and fanning her hot face with a hand.

As she started cooking, she ran through tonight’s plan in her head. She smirked at the thought of the necklace in her pocket.

Holding the spatula in one hand, she raised her other hand out and said softly to no one in particular. “This is Jessica Jung, Yuri’s girlfriend.” Like a total dork, Yuri started giggling to herself.

When she was done cooking and being totally love struck, Yuri chuckled at the mountain of rice and decided to give the extra portions to Jessica’s horny neighbors. Hastily, Yuri brought them over, only to find the couple still going at it. Unlike Jessica however, Yuri was completely unfazed. She merely handed them the food and apologized for her interruption. They thanked her while shooting her weird looks, surprised by her nonchalance. Yuri didn’t catch their expressions; she was too excited to make her way back to the blonde.

Back in Jessica’s apartment, Yuri skipped into the bedroom and found the blonde lying down on the bed, totally engrossed in her book. Yuri plopped down beside her, sinking into the fluffy bed a little. Jessica’s bed was amazingly comfortable.

“Sica, you shouldn’t be lying down and reading. It’s bad for your eyes.” she stated.

Almost immediately, Jessica dropped the book on the nightstand and turned to face Yuri. Catching the girl off guard, Jessica’s hand snaked around Yuri’s neck and pulled her closer. She gazed into Yuri’s eyes. Their faces were now about 3 inches apart. Yuri gulped.

Too close, too close, too close!

Jessica’s intense stare was making Yuri vulnerable. The bed, their proximity, and their positions, wasn’t exactly helping either.

Omgawd! S-Should I kiss her?

As Yuri was hesitating, Jessica suddenly spoke up. “Stop thinking and kiss me.”

She read my mind again!

Yuri felt her heart beating faster. She took a good look at the girl in front of her.

Okay Yuri, this IS Jessica Jung. Not some weird dream right?

She leaned closer to Jessica’s face, slowly covering the first inch, then the second. In a flash, Jessica’s hands cupped Yuri’s face and closed her in for a deep kiss.

It started off sweet. But as the kissing ensued, the intensity rocketed, and soon Jessica pulled Yuri on top of her. The strawberry scent of Jessica filled the room and it only made Yuri want more. It eventually became so intense, that everything came naturally to Yuri. She was lost in it, and losing herself. With a slight push, Jessica maneuvered Yuri to the other side of the bed, and then crawled on top of Yuri.

“Yuri...” she whispered into her ear as she lightly nibbled on it.

Jessica was winning. And she knew she was. She wanted Yuri eating out of the palm of her hand.

Yuri could feel her heart coming out of her chest when Jessica called her name. She positioned her hands on Jessica’s waist and slightly pulled up her t-shirt, exposing her waist.

Jessica smiled as she kissed Yuri’s ear. “Not so easy, Kwon Yul.” She placed her hand on top of Yuri’s to stop her from moving further up. “You’ll have to earn it.” she said as she winked at Yuri.

Before Yuri could respond, Jessica had already gotten off the bed. Before leaving the room, she turned around and was amused by a frustrated Yuri lying on the bed with her face all red. “Let’s see if dinner’s good enough for you to get dessert.” she smiled and ran out of the room.

Yuri inhaled and exhaled repeatedly as she sat up. Calm down, calm down, calm down, she repeatedly chanted in her head. Getting off the bed, she started pacing back and forth in the room, doing breathing exercises and little jumps.

“Calm down Kwon Yuri!” she mumbled when the mental chants didn’t work.

Taking another deep breath, she exited the room. Jessica had already settled comfortably on the floor. (There isn’t a dining table and Jessica used to eat at her couch which is now gone)

“I want my dinner now.” the girl looked up at Yuri as she walked out of the bedroom.

“And I want my dessert later.”

“We‘ll see about that.”

Soon the tanned girl emerged from the kitchen with two bowls. “I present to you, Yuri’s Way of Getting Dessert.” Like an eager child, Jessica raised her hands out and grabbed onto the bowl. She patted the floor urging Yuri to sit beside her.

As the blonde took her first bite, Yuri looked at her with anticipation.

“How’s it?”

“Hmmm…” Jessica was still chewing. She had an unreadable expression.

Man, I can’t read her. Seriously, this Ice Princess…

Worriedly, Yuri took a bite herself. Tastes fine.

“Hmmm…”

“Sicaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa” Yuri whined.

“Someone’s gonna get their just desserts.” Jessica said as she scooped another mouthful, too focused on the food to look at Yuri.

Yuri couldn’t help but burst out into laughter at Jessica’s pun. Score!

“Silly.” Jessica giggled, still focusing on the bowl in her hands. The girl was hungry.

As they finished up dinner, Yuri volunteered to wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen while Jessica disappeared into the bedroom with the door closed, and locked. She wondered what the girl was up to.

When Yuri was finally done, she knocked on the door. “Sica, what are you doing inside?”

“Just a minute!”

“Alright.” she glanced at her watch. It’s probably time for the plan. Reaching for her phone, the click of the door caught her attention. Turning around, Yuri dropped the phone in her hands as she stood in shock.

The room door opened to reveal Jessica’s little setup. The room was dim, lighted only with scented candles strategically placed around the room; there were rose petals on the bed, soft, gentle jazz playing in the background,

and there was also a very gorgeous Jessica in a stunning dress.

Yuri was flabbergasted, and her mouth hung open. The girl totally blanked out. Amused and happy with Yuri’s reaction, Jessica smiled and pulled her in. Yuri continued standing speechless after Jessica closed the door.

Exactly how much time did I spend cleaning up that tiny kitchen?

“Yuri. Do you know what all this is for?”

“Uhhh…” Yuri raised her eyebrows. “D-Dessert?” and she earned a slap on her arm.

“Well, not that.” Jessica took a deep breath. “I...” she grabbed Yuri’s hands and took another deep breath. Yuri noticed that the girl was slightly shaking. She held on tightly to her hands in an effort to calm her down, anticipating what the girl would say next.

Feeling more confident by their entwined hands, Jessica inhaled again as she stared deeply into the taller girl’s eyes.

“I love you and I want you to be my girlfriend.”

Yuri looked at the blonde incredulously. Is this for real?

Yuri smiled. She continued holding onto the girl’s hands tightly. “I…” Yuri was at a total loss for words. She could only nod repeatedly and manage the 3 words.

“I love you, Sica.”

Their entwined hands and the magic words brought a whole sense of calm and Jessica stopped shaking. All that nervousness from earlier was now gone. She knew Yuri would say yes, but the whole asking her out part was something she’s never did before, and she wanted it to be perfect for the tall, dark and handsome Kwon Seobang. She smiled brightly at Yuri’s answer; excited at the prospects of their relationship. Their long-awaited relationship.

Gawd that smile of hers… Yuri’s knees went weak again.

In a snap, Jessica got out of excited mode, and then suddenly declared, “So here are some things I want you to be clear about, Kwon Yuri.”

With that, Yuri immediately got out of her ‘Jessica-is-so-gorgeous-trance’ and paid full attention to the Sergeant with a straight face ala military style.

“I ALWAYS come first, before anyone else.”

“Definitely.” Yuri responded seriously with a nod.

“I…” Jessica pouted. “…am not good in cooking.”

“Evidently.” Yuri responded with the same serious tone.

“YA!” Jessica slapped Yuri’s arm, then cleared her throat a little. “I… sleep a lot.”

Yuri glanced at the girl and tried to hide a smirk.

Jessica shot Yuri a look, before continuing, “I am demanding…

…stubborn…

…cold…

…I space out a lot…

…I have slow reflexes…”

Yuri arched her eyebrows, wondering why Jessica was telling her all these things she already knew. But she kept her straight face on, still wanting to playact as a soldier under the Sergeant.

“…and I know I seem like I’ll make a horrible candidate for a girlfriend, but I…”

Jessica said. “I will try to be a good girlfriend to you, for you.”

Those words broke Yuri’s serious act. In fact, it melted her completely. She looked at the blonde lovingly, savoring the extremely rare moment. Smirking, she stepped behind Jessica. “Well then, I’m proud to announce that,”

“You are mine now, Jessica Jung.” she declared as she put the necklace on the surprised girl. “Looks terrific on you.” she admired her girlfriend proudly.

Girlfriend: Jessica Jung. Finally. Yuri could die of happiness.

“When did you get this?”

“Yesterday. I was gonna ask you to be my girlfriend tonight. Too.” Yuri rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.

Jessica smiled and ruffled Yuri’s hair. “Silly.” she moved to the bed and reached for something behind the pillow. It was a box. “Open it.”

Yuri looked at the box curiously, and then opened it. It was a bracelet. Jessica took it and clasped it on Yuri’s wrist. “You are mine now, Kwon Yuri.” she declared, using the exact same tone Yuri did moments earlier.

Yuri smiled as she touched the bracelet. There was a little heart-shaped pendant hanging on it and on the heart was an engraving.

“YulSic.” Yuri said as she chuckled and shook her head.

“What are you laughing at?” the blonde frowned, slightly worried that Yuri might think it’s cheesy.

Yuri didn’t say anything, but merely stared at Jessica’s necklace.

Jessica caught her gesture, looked down and touched the heart shaped pendant. Flipping the pendant around, she spotted the word ‘YulSic’. Her frown turned upside down immediately.

“See, this is why we’re meant for each other. You are mine, Sica Jung. For good.” Yuri teased.

Jessica gazed seductively at her girlfriend and threw both her arms around her neck. “Then what are you waiting for...”

“Make me yours, Kwon Yuri.”

-----

Somewhere atop a hill, under the star scattered sky, two figures were huddled in a blanket.

“Achoo!!”

“Why is Yuri taking so long!” a girl said as she reached for the food.

“Sooyoung!” Yoona slapped her hand away. “Yuri warned me about this. You’re not supposed to even touch the food! Besides, we already had dinner!” she said as she tried to grab onto Sooyoung’s hands.

Struggling out of her grip, Sooyoung exclaimed, “But this wait is making me hungry again. And the food’s within reach!”

“Stop!”

“Ohhhh tastes good. Yuri’s a great cook. Try it Yoong!”

“No! I’m not gonna die with you--” but before Yoona could finish, Sooyoung had stuffed a sandwich in her mouth.

“Ohhh that’s good.”

“Told ya.”

The two girls stayed silent as they sat on the picnic blanket surrounded by unlit candles. Yoona checked her phone again. “Still no sign from Yuri.”

Sooyoung grabbed another sandwich. “Remind me to extort a good meal from her after this. She owes us big time.”

Yoona nodded as she sneezed again.