never grow up.

13. B.Y.S

(BYS-Keshi)

The dinner table was huge.

There were intricate recipes that were prepared in the bowls of stew, rice and vegetables. The service people poured water into champagne flutes. They carefully placed the silverware beside the plates and small bowls.

A small orchestra played from the garden outside. Soyeon walked in, Yuqi on her arm. I was standing awkwardly in my sweatpants and slides. They looked like they just finished shopping. When Yuqi walked in and noticed me, she turned red. Her swollen eye went down a lot and there was a Doraemon bandaid .on her eyebrow.

"It smells lovely in here," Soyeon sighed. She threw her expensive purse on the couch as she made her way to the dining room. "You like it here, Shushu?"

I was at a loss of words. Yuqi blinked at Soyeon and then sat at the table. Soojin came from the bathroom with a silk red robe on. I was gawking at her in sheer surprise. How could she just come out in just that for dinner? It was as if this was her house and not her friend's place.

"Don't call her that," Soojin snapped, but it didn't sound like a mean comment. It was more of a joke. She put her hand on my shoulder. "What do you think? Should I get a place like this?"

I smiled to myself. "As long as I can decorate it." I could already envision how my own version of this mansion would look. Filled with excitement and life. It felt cold and lonely in here.

"Soyeon, can you please sit down so we can eat?" Yuqi asked, trying to sound polite. It was written all over how perturbed she was.

I felt so horrible. Soojin sat beside me. Soyeon sat down and asked for a glass of the finest champagne. "You know....Ha Sooyoung got me this from when she went to France with Jiwoo."

"Ha Sooyoung..." Soojin searched. "Ah!! Yves. We went to middle school together."

Soyeon and Soojin launched into their own conversation. Yuqi and I exchanged glances. It was a great disconnect there. I took a sip of the champagne and it tasted so dry. I winced and belched. Soojin smiled and pat my back a little.

When we finished eating, Yuqi requested dessert from the house staff. A cake was brought out and it was extravagant. Small, but nice. "Soyeon ordered this from the bakery down in Gangnam. This man named Hanse baked it."

"Do Hanse is a genius. But, I have had better. Try the cake." Soyeon smiled sweetly. "Yuqi, Shuhua. Why are you two so quiet?"

Yuqi began to pick at her slice of cake. "I have nothing much to say."

"I'm sorry, Yuqi." I folded my hands on the table.

Soojin grabbed her glass of champagne and said nothing.

I frowned. "I am very sorry. What I did earlier was out of line. You're my friend. I hope you can forgive me."

Yuqi nodded. "Okay." She then turned her attention to Soojin. "But, I still don't know about this one."

Soyeon sighed. "Let it go. Please." She pouted.

Soojin smirked and took out a cigarette. "You don't gotta know about me. I'm not the one you're fucking."

I was shocked at how Soojin was so vulgar. She was pure disrespectful, but she also demanded respect. She took a long drag from the cig. I grabbed for her hand but she snatched it away. She knew I was trying to prevent her from causing a scene.

Soyeon was oddly calm and used to the way Soojin acted. I wondered why. Maybe because she knew her place. She just continued on eating her cake.

"Soyeon , I told you keep your woman on a leash. But I keep forgetting you're the tamed in the relationship." Soojin left ref marks on the cigarette.

Soyeon looked up with her grin still planted on her face. "You're lucky I'm protecting you from him."

"If you kick me out now, I'll kill you and him...together." Soojin stood up. "Come on, Shuhua. We're not welcome in this room."

I hesitantly stood. Yuqi rolled her eyes at us as we walked off. Soojin and I went back into the bedroom. She took off her robe and my eyed widened once I saw her body covered in silky pajama lingerie. I never seen it on her before. I swallowed as I watched her saunter to the curtains and adjusted them with the remote. The moonlight poured into the room. It reflected on her skin.

I felt vulnerable in her eyes. I felt like a prey but a predator too. I wanted to taste her myself. But, I wasn't sure if I was even allowed to. She seemed too precious. Too guarded, even.

She kissed my lips. "Are you really sorry about Yuqi?"

"I didn't mean to hurt her," I said. I didn't. It didn't feel good either. I wanted to sleep it off so we could properly talk in the morning. Without Soyeon and Soojin around. Just her. But, that all depends if I even can get to my internship tomorrow morning.

"You're too good for this world, aren't you." Soojin smiled. "I should have never corrupted your mind."

I nibbled my bottom lip.

"You're so cute. It's driving me wild. Alas, I should just back off you a bit. But I'm so addicted to you. And I don't think I can stop this any time soon. I haven't felt this way before."

"You're addicted to me?"

"Isn't it so easy to see? Every moment. I need you."

I felt so unarmed. So feeble. "I'm addicted to you too."

Soojin kissed my lips in the darkness. "I know. It's not good. We should stop this."

"No." I grab her by the chin. "No. I can't live without you."

"You're gonna end up fucked up like me if you keep looking at me the way you do. I swear. You don't wanna end up like this."

"I don't care anymore....Soojin. I...love you."