𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐗 || [𝑴𝒊𝒏𝑺𝒖𝒏𝒈]

Chapter 43- Everyone's Lying

Yuqi had not been doing well.
She'd expected herself to be better. No, stronger. Stronger and braver. Her tears drying on her cheeks, her eyes were red and puffy, and she was curled in a fetal position. But there was Miyeon, her girlfriend, always so soft and kind, at her vanity calmly braiding her hair.

"Do you think this hairpin suits my undertone?"

She didn't know that she could be wearing a torn up, patched up, dirty grey rag and she'd still be the most beautiful girl in the world. But what about herself? She was always the stronger one. She could handle more pain. She vowed to protect Miyeon forever, even if she didn't have the courage to say it out loud, fearing it'd sound too tacky.

"I think I need new leg warmers. Pink ones. Also, baby blue."

Jisung had killed himself. How could that have happened? No, lets be real, of course he would. He'd always been going through shit. But she'd thought things were going better for Minho and him. She thought they'd fixed it all. After everything that had happened...

Worst of all, she thought she'd be the one consoling Miyeon. It was the opposite now. Her girlfriend was weighing out which lip gloss to wear. She'd put on her concealer, her foundation, her blush, her mascara. She was the one that was protecting Yuqi now. She was way stronger. Yuqi had never noticed.

They lived far away from their town now. Miyeon had flown them here for her skincare shoot. It had started out as a small business, but Miyeon had come in contact with several rich donors just waiting to spend their extra money on something. They were poorer then. One was a student , one was just starting her business. But Miyeon had her way of tailoring dresses to fit her so well. She'd learnt it from Soojin, who'd taken in more girls once they were done with college. Naturally, they had to move out. A small apartment cost almost all of their savings. But they couldn't live on the streets. The donors noticed her in parties she'd attend with her rich friends from college. They'd married into richer relations. Miyeon couldn't keep up. But she was smart, and she had a plan. Everybody took a liking to her, and now her face was on billboards everywhere.

"Should I wear a choker?"

"Miyeon.."

"Yes, babe?"

"I hope I die before you do."

Miyeon put her glosses down. She didn't look behind. She kept her head averted from Yuqi. When she spoke, her voice was controlled and clear.

"Why?"

"Because..if I die, you'll still be strong. But if you die, I won't be able to live with myself."

She got up off her vanity and walked slowly towards the bed. Yuqi sat up.
There was no eye contact, Yuqi knew she couldn't meet her eyes.

Miyeon held her chin and tilted her head towards her. Their eyes met. Their heads tilted to accomodate each other's. Their lips parted. They kissed.

Her tears wouldn't stop flowing. By the time they pulled away, her girlfriend's makeup must be ruined. She ruins everything. Everything.

But she couldn't think anymore, because the most beautiful girl in the world had her tongue in her mouth. Their tongues danced in the ballroom of her mouth. She wanted to hold her waist, but she felt powerless. Miyeon held hers instead.

They pulled away. The smile still on Miyeon's lips. The makeup was untouched.

"I know you were worried about my makeup. But I only buy waterproof." Miyeon laughed. Her perfume hung over Yuqi's mind like a thick fog, one she'd lose herself in anyday anytime.

"Don't think about death, babe," Miyeon said. " Its bound to happen. Its just like my makeup, unshakable. And I never worry about my makeup."

" C-can you b-believe he's dead?"

" Not just dead, Yuqi, he's beyond pain. He'll never be hurt again. He'll never cry again. Pity not him, but us, who are left behind to mourn. And yet, we can always console ourselves knowing he'd not want us to cry. He was in pain, babe, now the pain is over."

Saying this, she got up.

" I know you're hurting. And you must cry it out. Let yourself be weak. Let your heart feel how it needs to feel without letting your head get in the way. I'd love you even if you're wailing into my pretty Swan Lake pillowcase. And I protect that with my life."

Its as if she had read her mind.

" Did I just read your mind?" Yuqi's face must have given it away. She sat like that one little animal with the big eyes, which she couldn't really remember.

" Ugh, I love you when you look like a slow loris. Literally have to take a picture right now."

Its as if her girlfriend was out of a dream.

Miyeon turned her face around, and am expression of relief flooded into it. Yuqi hasn't noticed....yet. She knew she would soon enough. But for now, she was doing well.

🌺

Author's note: Would love to know who's been your fave in this series :3

Thanks for reading!