Chapter 13

It was morning again, and Yuri had woken up with Jessica in her arms a second time. She felt a huge blood rush upon recalling the events from last night. It was definitely different being with Jessica. It was just… perfect.

She couldn’t help but think how lucky she was to have met her again.

Slowly, she tried to remove her arm from under Jessica’s shoulders, causing the girl to stir a little. Yuri then sat up on the bed and rubbed her eyes. She paused. Lying on the bed was her semi-naked girlfriend. Yuri’s face immediately turned crimson red at the sight.

Mental Note 3 was back. (Keep your eyes away from Sica’s awesome body.)

“Yuri-ah Yuri, stop staring, Kwon Yuri.” she mumbled repeatedly.

Stop.

Staring.

Kwon.

Yul.

But she’s my girlfriend now, what’s wrong with looking just a bit?

“Arghh.” Yuri rubbed her temples.

But she couldn’t help it, it was too distracting. After a final struggle with ‘the mysterious force’ that was controlling her eyeballs, she hurriedly pulled the covers over the girl.

Yuri exhaled, and desperately tried to calm her rapid heartbeat. “Seriously, if I’m gonna wake up every morning feeling this way… I’ll die young.”

Lightly patting her chest, she hurriedly got off the bed and got dressed. The room was filled with Jessica’s scent. It was another great thing to wake up to. She inhaled deeply, taking pleasure in the comforting sweet scent of her girlfriend.

That’s right, Jessica Jung is my girlfriend now. She grinned like a dork at the thought of it.

“Girlfriend, girlfriend, girlfriend.” Yuri chuckled to herself.

She kissed Jessica’s forehead lightly before she left the room. “Good morning, girlfriend.” Yuri said with a bright smile to the girl who was still deep in slumber.

Crap. Class in an hour.

Yuri had already missed an entire day of school the day before, and as much as she wanted to stay behind with Jessica, she knew it meant being late for school or worse, missing class because Jessica sleeps as if her life depended on it. Being the excellent student she was, she couldn’t allow it to happen. She quickly washed up and prepped breakfast for her girlfriend.

“Sica, I’m going to school. There’s breakfast in the kitchen.”

However, the girl was unresponsive, which came as no surprise. She was ‘sleeping like Jessica Jung’.

“Jeez…” she mumbled as she left a note by the bedside. She kissed her again before she left the house.

-----

After a long tiring lecture, Yuri strode down the school’s hallway, fiddling with her bracelet, totally love struck. She couldn’t stop running her fingers on the heart and touching the engraving. The girl was exploding with happiness, not giving a care to her surroundings, and totally oblivious to something more alarming.

“Yuri!!”

Yuri turned towards the sound of the voice and saw a skinny giant running towards her. Crap! Run!

“Yuri!” However, before Yuri could even start running, she was halted by another girl behind her.

That’s it, I’m cornered. Might as well apologize now.

“I’m sorry I forgot about you guys I know I should have called or left a message or something but things were going so well with Sica and I had to forsake the plan--” she said in one breath.

“Shush. Have you read the news?” Sooyoung questioned, with a look that made Yuri uncomfortable.

Yuri looked at the two girls, puzzled. “Why?”

The two girls immediately dragged her to a corner. “Didn’t you notice that you’ve been getting stares the whole day?”

“Ahhh.” Yuri smiled. “I know I’m irresistible. I get checked out all the time.” Yuri stated as she flipped her hair back.

“Yuri we’re not joking here. So you haven’t read the news?” Yoona said with a serious expression.

Yuri hadn’t noticed, but they were right. Throughout the whole hallway, people were looking over. Anyone who walked past would turn their attention to the three girls. “I haven’t… read them. What’s wrong?”

Sooyoung reached into her bag and took out the newspaper. She handed it to Yuri.

Splashed across the headlines were the words ‘T-ara member Hyomin hospitalized, kisses girlfriend in public’ and below the words was an old picture of Yuri.

“Why didn’t you tell us about this?” Yoona questioned.

Yuri kept silent and continued reading the article.

‘…drama outside her ward…’

‘…seen locking lips with another female…’

‘…identified as Kwon Yuri, college student as shown in the photograph…’

‘…her hospitalization has something to do with the girl…’

‘…singer Hyomin is gay?…’

‘…company has declined to comment…’

‘…Will this spell the end of her career?’

And it seemed as if everyone already knew. Yuri stood silent, her expression somber. Gripping the newspaper tightly, she looked all around her. People were looking at her. In frustration, she crumpled the papers and threw them on the ground.

Yoona noticed the girl’s discomfort, and patted her lightly on the back. “Hey, are you done with your classes for the day?”

Yuri nodded, a head full of thoughts.

“Let’s go home?” Yoona suggested.

The trio made their way home thereafter. The journey was solemn. Yuri didn’t say anything to her two concerned friends throughout. The hospital incident rang over and over in her head. She dug out the memory from the back of her head, recalling every specific scene.

It shouldn’t have been obvious. It shouldn’t be. Of all times, why now???

Beside her, Sooyoung and Yoona watched her silently, letting the girl sort out her thoughts. Yuri had mixed feelings, she didn’t know which was more.

Anger: At the paparazzi for dramatizing the story and adding false details, like the kiss.

Relief: That she already told Jessica about it.

Worry: About Hyomin’s career. Would she be fired? How would her friends and family react to this?

“Okay Yuri. It’s just us three now. Talk to us alright?” Sooyoung said as she handed Yuri a glass of water.

Yuri took a few sips before telling them everything. The duo listened intently.

“Those freaking liars! From reading the article alone, everyone’s gonna get the misperception that you two are together. And what is it with the kissing part?!” Sooyoung stated. “Were you two standing too close?”

Yuri shook her head. “It was close for a while, but it wasn’t THAT close for them to misunderstand.”

“Then obviously, this reporter just wanted to spice up the story.” Yoona sighed.

Yuri kept silent for a while, pursuing that worrying thought in her head.

Sensing this, Yoona told Yuri, “Well not to worry, Jessica already knows everything right?”

The girl hesitated a while, before admitting, “I’m wondering if Hyomin will be fired.”

Sooyoung looked at Yuri with disapproval. Yuri was being concerned for the wrong person. “You’re forgetting who your girlfriend is. Right now the best thing to do is to stay as far away from Hyomin as possible. You don’t want to risk a real paparazzi shot of you two together do you?” she scolded.

“I’m just worrying, as a FRIEND. You have no idea how much her career means to her.” Yuri rebutted.

“Yuri, Sooyoung’s right. You just got together with Sica! Don’t you think you should go to her now? Especially after this article of lies?” Yoona held up the newspaper. “As a friend of Hyomin, the best thing you can do for her now is to keep your distance, if you really care about her career.”

“I ALWAYS come first.” Jessica’s words suddenly rang through Yuri’s head.

Her friends were right. Despite how much Jessica trusted her, it was only right to go to the girl now and reassure her. Yuri knew she had to stop worrying about Hyomin now, the relationship was over and she should leave the girl to deal with the aftermath alone.

“I guess you’re right.” Yuri said as she glanced down at her wrist.

-----

Yuri stood anxiously by Jessica’s door as she waited for the girl to open it. Her journey here had been rather unpleasant.

“Look! I think that’s the girl in this picture”

“Doesn’t she look like the girl here?”

Yuri made a mental note to carry her wayfarers with her from now on. She abhorred the attention she was getting. Sighing, she leaned against the wall and waited. Jessica wasn’t home.

The girl almost lost track of time whilst indulging in her thoughts, as she hadn’t noticed that the blonde had suddenly appeared down the hallway. “Yuri?” Jessica called out. From Jessica’s expression, Yuri could tell that she had already read the news.

“Hey Sica. You weren’t home?” Yuri slightly smiled.

“I just came from school.” The girl reached into her bag for the keys. “Did you wait long?”

Yuri shook her head. They both kept silent as Jessica unlocked the door. “Come in.”

Jessica closed the door after Yuri entered. The taller girl watched as Jessica walked past her and plopped her bag down on the floor a distance away from Yuri, her actions speaking volumes about her feelings. The typically touchy Jessica Jung wasn’t present. Hesitating a while, Yuri finally asked, “So I guess you know?”

Jessica bent down and fiddled with her bag to hide her visibly upset face. “Everyone at school was talking about it today.” she said whilst not looking at Yuri.

It hurt Yuri to see Jessica that uncomfortable and distant; she desperately wanted the needy Jessica back. Walking forward, she immediately hugged the girl. “I’m sorry.” She buried her face in the shorter girl’s hair, seeking comfort in her girlfriend’s scent. “I don’t want this either, you have to trust me Sica. Please.” Yuri hugged her tighter, as the girl wasn’t responding verbally or physically. “I’m sorry it’s been such a rocky start…”

“You… kissed?”

The question was inevitable. Jessica’s discomfort didn’t only lie in the possibility of the physical kiss, but also in the possibility that Yuri hadn’t been fully honest with her the day before.

As much as Yuri wanted and hoped for Jessica to trust her fully, she knew it wasn’t easy for the blonde, especially with all the messiness surrounding her previous relationship. She broke off the hug and held onto Jessica’s arms. “No, the article was a complete lie.” Yuri replied, looking straight into the girl’s eyes. “I told you everything yesterday.”

Jessica’s solemnity affected Yuri tremendously. Not taking her gaze away from Jessica’s eyes, she stated, “I swear it. I’m in love with you, Sica. Only you. Remember that.” She ran her fingers on Jessica’s necklace.

At that point, Jessica slightly hated the fact that Yuri’s gaze still had that effect on her. It broke her defensive walls and it made her want to trust Yuri fully; something that her head desperately rationalized against.

Eventually, the gaze won. Once again, Jessica reminded herself that she had no choice but to trust Yuri. She wanted to uphold her promise of being a good girlfriend.

“I trust you.” Jessica finally said.

The 3 words held so much value to the taller girl. She sighed in relief and continued hugging her girlfriend tightly. Jessica‘s trust was what mattered to Yuri most now. “Thank you, Sica.”

Afterwards, the couple remained locked in an embrace for a minute or so. No one said anything. Sighing, Jessica spoke up. “Kwon Seobang. If you hug me too much you might get tired of it sooner.”

“I will never get tired of anything about you, Sica baby.”

“Mushy.” Jessica lightly slapped Yuri’s back. Pausing for a while, she asked, “So… is Hyomin gonna be okay?”

“I don’t know, but I think that it’s best to keep my distance from now on.” Yuri replied.

That, gave Jessica an immense amount of comfort. She smiled a little.

“You’re nice, Sica. For asking about her when you’re obviously affected about this.”

“I’m not. I’m selfish and I only want you for myself.” Jessica replied.

Yuri smiled at her girlfriend’s honesty. She couldn’t deny that she liked what Jessica said. “Looks like I made the right choice.”

“I am ALWAYS the right choice for you, Kwon Yul.” Jessica glared at the taller girl.

“Definitely. I’m never letting go of you now.” she hugged her girlfriend tightly.

Yuri’s comment brought a bigger smile to the blonde. Jessica didn’t know how Yuri did it, but that girl had the power to make Jessica believe in seemingly unrealistic things. Despite having just gotten together, it felt like nothing in the world could break them apart. Not Hyomin. Not anyone else.

Anyone else… A part of Jessica suddenly cringed in fear. She wondered when she should tell Yuri about it. Indulging in the positively sweet situation, Jessica decided to push it off. “I’m hungry.” Jessica stated.

“Me too. Let’s go to that cafeteria for dinner.”

Jessica nodded, and was going to break off the hug, but Yuri kept a firm grip on her. “Kwon Yul. Let go.”

Like a child, Yuri grabbed the girl tightly and whined. “No.”

“I’m hungry!!” Jessica whined as she lightly slapped Yuri on her arm.

“Fine!” With one swift action, Yuri lifted her in a bear hug, causing Jessica to let out a little shriek. She clung tightly onto Yuri’s shoulders as Yuri carried her out of the apartment. “Sooyoung was right. I do have heavier things to carry now.” Yuri stated as she bumped her head repeatedly against Jessica’s tummy.

Jessica giggled. “Stop it! It tickles!”

As the happy couple made their way down the hallway, another happy couple was making their way up.

“Taenghfoo, Fanhy!” Yuri yelled with her face buried in Jessica’s stomach, managing a slight wave with a hand which was busy holding up her girlfriend.

“Ya Kwon Yuri, put me down!” Jessica said, deeply embarrassed. Tiffany and Taeyeon were just the people whom Jessica was afraid of bumping into in that situation. She had always been the one scoffing at their insane amorousness, so to be seen by the couple now in this position…

“Kwon Yuri!! N.O.W, now!!”

Sergeant Sica’s orders. Yuri immediately looked up at her girlfriend and smiled. “Yes Ma’am.”

The couple exchanged glances with each other as they looked at Yuri and Jessica.

“Does Jessica know?” Taeyeon whispered.

“You confront Yuri, I’ll take care of Jessi.”

Putting on a stern front, Taeyeon stepped forward and cleared her throat. “Yur--”

“We’re fine. I’ll explain to you guys later.” Jessica interrupted.

“Oh! Uhh… Okay?” Taeyeon said as she looked at Tiffany, who was just as puzzled.

Smiling at her defensive girlfriend, Yuri asked, “We’re going for dinner. Join us?”

“Nah, we just had ours. Another time, maybe?” Tiffany said as she dragged Taeyeon along with her.

Before the two couples parted ways, Tiffany leaned over and whispered in Yuri’s ear. “If you ever hurt Jessi, be prepared to face the wrath of TaeNy.”

Yuri gulped.

“See ya!” Tiffany smiled sweetly and waved goodbye to the couple. It was a 180 degree change from the whisper moment.

Seriously... Was that Tiffany Hwang?

“What did she say to you?” Jessica questioned.

“Ohh…” Yuri paused. “She said she heard us last night.”

Jessica instantly blushed to her ears. She looked away nervously.

Cute.

“Maybe we can be a little louder tonight.” Yuri cheekily said.

“In your dreams!” Jessica pushed the girl as the latter ran down the hallway.

-----

Once again, Yuri was bombarded with stares as the couple settled at one of the booths in the cafeteria. Only this time, the stares weren’t directed to just the tanned girl. Even Jessica was a victim of it. Yuri was beginning to worry that she was implicating Jessica in this mess.

The waitress approached their table and put down a glass. “Miss, this is from the man over there.” She said to Jessica. Almost immediately, the two girls looked towards the man, who raised a hand and waved a little.

“Do you know him?” Yuri immediately asked.

“No.”

So this is why Sica’s getting stares. She mentally slapped herself for worrying too much, and then suddenly realized that the man was totally checking out her girlfriend. Yuri immediately frowned.

Seeing Yuri jealous was a win for Jessica. She couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of the sour grape in front of her. Turning to the waitress, she politely said, “Could you return this to the man, please? I already have a drink; sour grape juice.”

The waitress was puzzled, but after noticing the tanned girl, she smiled. “Sure. I’ll be sure to let him know.” she picked up the glass and walked off.

“Did we order that?” Yuri questioned, picking up the menu. “I didn’t see it on the menu…” she muttered as she flipped through it.

Jessica giggled and got off her seat. Settling beside Yuri, she cupped the girl’s face and immediately pulled the girl in for a kiss, causing the stunned girl to drop the menu.

“There, sour grape juice.”

Yuri immediately understood. Recovering from the shock, she turned towards the window and sulked. “I… I’m not jealous.”

“I didn’t say you were.”

Yuri faced the girl and was about to rebut, but she noticed the man approaching their table. She frowned again and she watched him coming closer.

One step. Back.

Two steps. Off.

Three. Jessica.

Four. Is.

Five. Mine.

“Hi there, Miss. Could I buy you dessert instead?” the man asked as he leaned closer to Jessica.

Jessica immediately glared at the man, and was about to shoot her mouth off but someone else beat her to it. “Back, off.” Yuri put an arm over the blonde and declared, “She already has dessert.”

Round 1: Yuri vs Man.

Since that night, the word ‘dessert’ had now been officially stained with an entirely different meaning to Jessica. Jessica didn’t know if Yuri intended the ‘dessert’ pun, but hearing her say it with a sour-angry face, caused Jessica to break out in laughter.

Incredulous but hatefully insistent, the man laughed along, and then said, “Okay, so she already has drinks and dessert. But how about my number?” The man flashed his best greasy smile.

Round 1: Man wins.

Jessica’s laughter stopped almost immediately at his fail of a pickup line. “You don’t get it do you? She’s with me.” Yuri said, sounding more furious this time and keeping her arm over the blonde.

Round 2: Yuri vs Man.

Inside, Jessica was silently filling with happiness at Yuri’s little outburst.

The man took a few seconds before it finally dawned on him what Yuri meant. “OHHH.” Normally, anyone would have backed off, but the man was still painfully insistent. “Well, mind if I join? You’re pretty hot yourself.” he said as he winked at Yuri. “And you know, I think I recognize you. Aren’t you Hyomin’s girlfriend?” Glancing over at Jessica, “I see you have a type, eh?” he asked Yuri.

Round 2: Man wins.

By now, Yuri was boiling inside. His words were totally provocative. The more she looked at him, the more she saw how his oily face was the perfect candidate for a hot pan. “You son of a--”

“GET LOST.”

Round 3: Jessica vs Man.

Turning to the girl beside her, she noticed that the blonde had already morphed into full-force Ice Princess Mode. It was almost like watching those disaster movies; even Hell had been frozen over in a single second. Yuri gulped.

“Now. RIGHT NOW.”

The man’s expression darkened almost immediately. Slowly, he flashed an apologetic smile as he backed away to his table, probably scarred for life.

Round 3: Jessica wins, Man KO-ed.

Huffing, Jessica leaned back against her seat, arms crossed and looking tired. It was almost as if she had gone through a full-fledged battle.

Timidly, Yuri asked, “Uhh… Are you okay Sica?”

“He disgusts me, the way he checked you out.” Jessica huffed. Yuri immediately patted her girlfriend’s back in an effort to comfort her. Deep down inside, she knew Jessica probably cracked at the part where he addressed Yuri as ‘Hyomin’s girlfriend’.

“Yea, no one checks out 'Jessica’s girlfriend' like that. That’s just totally unacceptable.” Yuri commented, emphasizing on the two words she wanted Jessica to hear. A little smile formed on Jessica’s face. “And also, that man deserves a punch for checking out Kwon Seobang’s wife.” Yuri stated.

It earned Yuri a slap on her thigh. “Who’s your wife.”

“Hmmm…” Yuri pouted and looked at her girlfriend with puppy eyes. Jessica bit on her lips to hide a smile and looked away from the hopeful puppy.

Just then, the waitress served their food. “Ooh! It’s here!” Jessica exclaimed happily as her eyes lit up, surprising Yuri a little. “Tuck in, Seobang!”

Jeez. Trust you to ask who my wife is when the word Seobang comes out of your mouth so easily. Yuri thought as she started eating.