CHASING STARFISH

11

Irene couldn't understand why she felt so nervous from the moment she woke up. Was it because of the contest that afternoon? She wondered.

She got up quickly, took a shower, packed everything she needed, and headed straight to school because she was already late for class.

The lecture was boring, and she couldn't help but yawn most of the time. She had become quite used to hangovers, so it didn't really bother her anymore.

"Hey... wake up," Yeri tapped her pen on Irene's arm. She had almost fallen asleep, or maybe she already did.

"Sorry..." Irene said, trying to stay awake for the rest of the class.

It was almost lunchtime when they received a call from Joy saying she was coming. They waited for her near the gates since she wasn't a student and needed identification.

"Why did you come here so early?" Irene asked her. The contest wouldn't start until 6 p.m., and it was only noon.

"You b—, why didn't you tell me?" Joy pointed at Irene. Irene looked at Yeri, having no idea what was going on.

"O-kay? I'm a b.tch now... why? What did I do?" Irene asked.

Joy sighed as she opened her purse and took out her phone before showing them a photo.

A photo from the previous night.

"You witch, why didn't you tell me you're friends with her? Jimin wouldn't stop talking last night. He kept on saying how beautiful she was and how amazing you were, and it went on until three freaking o'clock in the morning!" Joy groaned. Irene laughed nervously, not knowing whether she should feel sorry for not calling them or be happy that Joy's brother finally got a chance.

"Just let him be. He's just so happy," Irene told her.

"But you should have given me a heads-up. I could use that connection to my advantage, you know. By the way, have you guys seen Jennie? I've been trying to call her since last night, but she's not answering," Joy said. Irene tried calling Jennie too, but she didn't pick up.

"I'll try asking Taehyung later. Didn't she say her parents would be arriving? Maybe she's just busy," Irene said before they headed back inside.

Classes in the afternoon were suspended in preparation for the event. The pageant would commence the week-long activity for Founders' Day.

"Keep trying..." Irene told Joy, who was pacing back and forth, unable to keep calm while calling Jennie. Yeri continued to curl Irene's hair while she waited for her nails to dry.

They spent the whole hour preparing, and Irene was so nervous she could feel her stomach flipping. The boys were coming to watch, and so were Wendy and maybe Seulgi. Irene made sure to tell her parents they could just watch later on since she asked Junho to take a video. She didn't think she could concentrate if she saw them watching her make a fool of herself.

"You're all set. Why don't you just relax for a bit and practice? We'll see you outside," Yeri said as they took one last look at Irene before heading out.

The other girls looked really pretty. Their long, slender legs looked perfect with their heels. Irene was the shortest and most pale among the contenders. It was pretty easy to recognize her.

"Junho, can you get Taehyung for a second, please?" Irene called out. She knew he was just right outside the dressing room, but she couldn't open it since there were still girls inside changing.

After a long pause, he finally said "okay," and moments later, there was a knock on the door. Irene went outside and gave her boyfriend a quick hug.

"You're nervous, aren't you?" Taehyung chuckled as he held her waist.