What are we?

31

Dahyun nibbled on her fries, her mind a whirlwind of questions. She was staring out Chaeyoung's window, lost in a daydream that was more convoluted than a Shakespearean tragedy.

"Hmm," she muttered, her voice barely audible. "Jeongyeon-unnie and Mina-unnie... something's off."

Chaeyoung, ever the observant friend, snatched a fry and raised an eyebrow. "What's up with you? You seem to be deep in thought."

Dahyun's eyes widened. "Oh, nothing much. Just... you know how Jeongyeon-unnie and Mina-unnie are sisters?"

Chaeyoung nodded, her expression blank. "Yeah, why?"

Dahyun leaned forward, her voice conspiratorial. "Well, last night at the prom... they were... very close."

Chaeyoung's eyes narrowed. "Very close? Like, sisterly close? I mean, isn't that normal for sisters?"

Dahyun shook her head, her voice dropping to a whisper. "No, like... lovers close."

Chaeyoung's jaw dropped. "What? No way!"

Dahyun nodded solemnly. "I swear. And get this: their last names are different! Jeongyeon's is Yoo, but Mina's is Myoui."

Chaeyoung's eyes widened. "Myoui? That doesn't even sound Korean. I thought her last name's Yoo."

Dahyun nodded, her voice growing more animated. "Exactly! So, are they half-sisters? Or maybe... maybe they're not sisters at all!"

"They are sisters! That's what Mrs. Yoo said." Chaeyoung reasoned.

Dahyun shook her head, her expression determined. "No, no, I think there's more to it."

"What you don't believe their mother? Maybe... maybe you're just interpreting their closeness in a wrong way, you know. Maybe you're just too... nosy." Chaeyoung chuckled and proceeded to drink her soda.

Dahyun scoffed, "I am so not. Anyway, I'm going to get to the bottom of this." She finished then began devouring her burger.

-

Mina stirred from the muffled voices drifting in from the kitchen, her heart still fluttering from the dreams that had held her captive. She reached for her phone, her eyes widening at the time. Three o'clock in the afternoon? How could she have slept through the day?

Panic surged through her as she realized she had almost missed school. But then, a wave of relief washed over her. Today was a school holiday. And yesterday had been the prom.

Mina's heart skipped a beat as she replayed the events of the previous evening. Jeongyeon hadn't confessed, as she had half-expected. Disappointment flickered in her heart, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of contentment. She had simply enjoyed the night with Jeongyeon, her heart filled with a warmth that had lingered even into her dreams.

A smile crept across her lips, but then it was shattered by the familiar sound of laughter from the kitchen. Nayeon's laughter.

Mina's heart clenched painfully. She stood up, her hand trembling as she reached for the doorknob. She hesitated, taking a deep breath before cautiously opening the door.

The squeak of the hinges drew all eyes to her. "Minari!" Nayeon greeted with a bright smile, her laughter still lingering in the air.

Mina forced a smile, her gaze darting to Nayeon's outfit. The med student looked effortlessly stylish in a casual ensemble that accentuated her natural beauty. Mina felt a pang of insecurity. Here she was, disheveled and wearing her childish pajamas, feeling worlds away from Nayeon's sophistication.

She could never be Jeongyeon's girl.

"Would you like to join us?" Jeongyeon asked, her voice filled with awkwardness.