Sentience

16

The smile on Belle's face at Jinwoo's party was excessive; she swore she could feel her cheekbones getting numb from smiling for too long.

The reason? The sight of her friends.

In a corner, they sat together; all presented, chatting and teasing each other. Not their action was what had made her smile when she secretly peeked over from the kitchen through the small space of the wooden partition, but the fact that they were bonding with each other; Changmin was included.

With another airy giggle, she spoke in her head, the war is over. And that, she was grateful that her plan to make Changmin relay the invitation cards to his circle was successful.

Perhaps Changmin didn't expect it, but Belle managed to encode the bitter emotion on the boy's face when they accidentally ran into each other; she intended to get a coffee and he just left the photography club. That day, Belle was so sure that Changmin really had an untold problem with Chanhee. Who else would be with him in the building if it wasn't the pretty boy?

Inviting him back home, allegedly to show him the cause of her busyness, probably was a mere excuse. Or maybe a part of it was correct, but another part of it simply because she wanted to be the bridge to connect two people who cared about each other more than anyone else but were too egoistic to mend things.

"And I'm glad, they are back," she muttered, taking the plate from the kitchen island to be put on the buffet table in the living room.

The smile hadn't faded yet from her face as she passed by and glanced at her friends; all were waving and shouting her name. And one demeanour, no doubt, was trailing behind her; some clicks were then heard, making her look in a certain direction.

"Nice as always," Changmin said as he reviewed his phone screen before he found her face again. "Should I take some with the film camera?"

Belle was thinking; a soft dragged hum escaped her lips for a good 3 seconds, then she cupped her hip and questioned, "Do you think I'm in my good appearance now?"

Changmin blinked, subconsciously scanning her outfit. A floral blouse paired with denim jeans and a high ponytail of her dark brown hair, he could've said that she looked perfect. Pretty as always.

"What's wrong with it?" He asked back, totally did not understand how a girl's brain worked, which Belle had expected.

"I haven't changed yet, Changmin," she announced, the boy unknowingly pondered in confusion. The party was about to start, and guests had started filling in the space, but how came the host wasn't ready?

"Belle, I don't think the cups are enough. Can you take it from the storage room?" Her mother instructed in a rush before the lady disappeared again like the wind passed by to greet the guests.

Understandable, Changmin thought, he seemed to have unveiled the reason behind his own question.

"I'll join you guys shortly," Belle flashed a soft smile at him as she took her leave, probably for the storage room.

And all of a sudden, Changmin thought that this was not right. Not even one thing was right. At this moment, Arabelle wasn't treated like a member of this household, she looked like she was here to work. And that wasn't supposed to happen.

So, Changmin stopped Belle by reaching for her wrist before she could leave the radius, the impact made her turn on her heels to face him.

She looked confused by the sudden summons, and the teasing cheers from their friends had left her clueless. But, she ignored the second that sounded like fly noise and focused on the boy across from her instead.

"I'll go get the cups. You can go and change," swiftly, Changmin let go of her hand and popped up his dimple as he drew a wide smile.

He didn't give Belle any space to retaliate or respond; he just left her there pondering in his way, probably thinking, what's all this about?

However, Belle knew she had to thank Changmin later for the chance. Hadn't for his kind gesture, she probably wouldn't get the chance to change. After all, she really didn't have much time before the party started.

Everything might be moved rather smoothly, neatly even, but that somehow made Belle realize one thing. That nothing in the world would be perfect.

It was proven when she was done changing into a champagne knee-length dress her mother bought last week purposely for today; she was in a rush alone in her bedroom, dolling herself. Jinwoo's voice was heard right outside her room, wanting her to come out faster so that he could start singing the birthday song.

She became anxious. What if they were only waiting for her? She could've spoiled the original tentative, so she purposely left out the earrings to be worn just to rush outside.

Changmin had come back with the cups; if Belle wasn't wrong, she thought she saw him gulp while his eyes smoothly skimmed her dress. Then, the corner of his lips twitched before he pulled them up for real to smile. He casually made Belle laugh.

Meanwhile, surrounding the long table, Jinwoo's friends started fussing about the cake; the frosting might have caught their eyes, and they couldn't wait any longer. If one more second delay, the house probably would be flipped off.

"Belle, come..." Her father beckoned to join the group, mouthing something like everyone is hungry.

The girl might have taken big steps to fasten her movement afterwards. Nonetheless, she didn't join her family behind the long table with the cake placed in the middle but purposely slid next to Amy in a corner, clinging around her arm.

Her decision had raised questions from the rest of her friends; specifically Changmin. But, the boy didn't say anything because Kevin, who stood behind her, was the one who became the voice.

"Why are you standing here?"

Belle smiled; not so genuine, softly shrugging in the process. Even Changmin was looking at her side profile, he could sense that her orbs were obviously avoiding her family members.

Perhaps she was holding back any grudge? The boy thought.

However, surprisingly, the itinerary went on probably according to the plan, the guests were now singing for the birthday boy. After a solid two minutes, it continued with Jinwoo blowing out the candles and the parents taking pictures for memories before the cake was cut and distributed to all the guests.

And that was when the plot twist hit Belle hard. She was forgotten.

She contributed so much to this party. From designing the handmade invitation cards, to giving ideas for the decoration, even the cakes and not to forget that she had helped to serve the foods and utensils as well. She almost lost track of looking presentable hadn't for Changmin who offered her some space from all the work.

But, just in a split second, none of her parents remembered her existence, she was nowhere in the family photos, not even joining her parents to feed Jinwoo the cake.

A bit, just for a bit, Belle might have expected this. As the eldest child, she knew she wasn't able to enjoy her day or her life too much because she existed to be the backup of her parents.

Nonetheless, from Changmin's point of view, watching her slowly disappear from the crowd with bitterness painted all over her face somehow made him think.

Was it the rule to make even a fragile person act strong just because they were the eldest child?