STARRY NIGHT

3

"Unnie, you guys must come to Nagyung´s birthday party this weekend," Chaeyoung told me when I came across her on my way to the bus stop.

"Right, unnie. I expect you, Jiwon-unnie and Seoyeon to be there. Dont worry, it´ll just be few people," Nagyung herself invited.

We´re currently waiting for the bus to arrive. Its Friday and I think I dont have plans for the weekends. Jiwon and Seoyeon went to buy ice cream since the bus hasn't arrived yet.

"I think theres no need to tell those two since they´ll obviously invite themselves up. But sure. I guess I dont have plans this weekend," I confirmed. The two bestfriends cheered with my response.

"Hey! Where is my ice cream??" Chaeyoung asked when Seoyeon and Jiwon finally came  back. Nagyung also demanded to have some.

"You two buy your own. Youve got money," Seoyeon replied to her 00z friends, resulting the two baby birds to pout.

"Tsk. So stingy. Come on, Nakko. Lets go buy ice cream," Chaeyoung offered. The other girl´s face brighten up and instantly switched to her aegyo mode.

"Your treat, Chaengie~?" The tall girl blushed and giggled. She nodded, "Of course." Nagyung once again cheered. While me, Jiwon and Seoyeon just watched the cringe scene unfold in front of us.

"Yey!!! Youre really the best ever, Chaeng. We´ll see the three of you this weekend, okay? Bye guuuuys!" Then the both of them ran towards the ice cream shop not far from the bus stop.

"Can you believe I am the same age as the two of them? It just proves that I´m the only normal member of 00z line," Seoyeon muttered and continued eating her ice cream. I just hummed lazily and walked towards the bus that just arrived.

Weekend came and it was Nagyung´s birthday. I see familiar faces and the good thing is that we´re acquainted. The theme was pajama party so everyone wore pajamas even though they wont be staying the night.

"Hello, Jisun!" Sakura greeted me as we entered. I smiled and wave at her. She was talking with her lover, Chaeyeon.

Seoyeon and Jiwon went to talk to Yuri, Yena and Hyewon. Chaeyoung, who was talking to Chaewon, noticed me and waved. "Jisun-unnie!" Then she came to my direction.

"I thought you wont attend. Nagyung would be sad if you missed her birthday,"

"Yah, I keep my words. And besides, its not bad to hang out here with y´all," I replied. She just snickered. "Anyway, where is that birthday girl?"

"She´s just talking to Yeji and Lia over there. She´ll entertain you in a while."

"Oh, no need. I´ll just go over the food area and maybe get my stomach something to digest," I said and earned a heartful laugh from the baby bird.

"Unnie, youre being hilarious again. I´ll see you later then." She went over to the other people inside. I made my way to where the foods are and spotted Jiheon, working on her assignment as usual. This kid, really.

"Jiheon-ah! Whats up?" I approached her. She looked up from her notebook and flashed me her infamous gummy smile. I smiled back.

"Hey, unnie. Just getting my homework done. I was getting kind of bored because Yujin and Wonyoung are busy eating desserts over there," she pointed at the two giant maknaes across the room trying to finish a huge slice of chocolate cake and other stuff. I shook my head. I looked back at Jiheon and saw her with a plastic bag full of oranges.

"Where did you get those?" I asked out of curiosity. She then pointed at the plastic bag and I nodded.

"I got this from Gyuri-unnie. She told me to eat fruits while studying because its good for the brain," she explained. I heard the name again. It rang in my ears repeatedly.

"Who is she?" I asked again and sat beside her. My curiosity is growing.

"A friend of mine. I met her at the library because she hangs out a lot in there. She recommended a lot of good books," she said and ate some pieces of oranges she just peeled awhile ago.

"Is she here?" She shook her head.

"Nope. I think she´s practicing on her piano or probably because Hayoung-unnie or Saerom-unnie isnt here. She doesnt hang out that much if her bestfriends are not around." I nodded unconsciously.

A sudden thought crossed my mind. Yes! Now I know where I heard her name from. Saerom-unnie! Yeah! I´ve heard her talk about her that one time when we were at the dance studio. But, I still havent seen her face even once.

"Why did you ask, unnie? Do you know her too?" Jiheon´s voice knocked me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, um, no. I was just curious about her. Thats all," then I awkwardly laughed. Jiheon nodded in response. Then all of a sudden, she offered me some oranges. "Have some of these, unnie. Its sweet."

"Thanks, Jiheon-ah," I said and accepted the fruits. Somehow, the fruit got me feeling some kind of connection with it, for an unknown reason.

I wasnt able to fall asleep that night. I didnt even know the reason. Is it possible for someone you just met for the first time to be the cause of your sleepless night?
In the end, I fell asleep when my mind was already fed up with my whatif´s and whatnot´s.