𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 - 𝘚. 𝘑𝘢𝘦𝘺𝘶𝘯

Party

The hum of excitement filled Yeri's bedroom as she sat cross legged on the floor, watching Ningning rifle through her makeup bag. The small desk lamp cast a warm glow over the room, illuminating the half finished cups of bubble tea they had ordered earlier.

"You're really wearing the dress he bought you?" Ningning grinned, glancing at Yeri through the mirror. "I'm so proud. Our little Yeri is finally taking risks."

Yeri flushed, fiddling with the hem of the dress as it lay across her lap. "It's not like that," she mumbled.

"Oh, please," Ningning scoffed, spinning her chair around dramatically. "A boy buys you a dress, insists on carrying your bags, gives you his hoodie, and you still think it's 'not like that'?"

Yeri bit her lip, unable to meet her friend's teasing gaze. "Jake's just... nice."

"He's not that nice to just anyone."

Yeri's heart did a little flip at that. Was that true?

Before she could dwell on it, Ningning clapped her hands. "Okay, enough overthinking. Let's get you party ready."

Yeri hesitated. "Are you sure about this?" She gestured vaguely toward the makeup brushes Ningning held.

"Trust me." Ningning smirked. "By the time I'm done, Jake won't be able to take his eyes off you."

Jay's parties were the kind that everyone either dreamed of attending or swore they would never step foot in—only to show up anyway.

The moment Yeri stepped inside, the atmosphere hit her all at once: the heavy bass of the music vibrating through the walls, the warm glow of fairy lights tangled along the ceiling, and the unmistakable scent of expensive cologne mixed with something stronger. Not to mention, his house was huge. Great, now another list of worries were added in her head: not getting lost.

People were everywhere—some dancing, others lounging on the leather couches, engaged in drunken conversations. Jay, the self proclaimed life of the party, was already perched on the kitchen counter, laughing loudly with a drink in hand. Thr mix of noises overwhelming the poor girl.

Yeri swallowed hard, feeling like an outsider despite being invited.

But then—

"Yeri?" She heard his voice and her heart fluttered.

Her heart skipped a beat as she turned to see Jake standing a few feet away, dressed casually in a hoodie and jeans. His hair was slightly tousled, and he looked effortlessly cool—like he belonged here.

Yeri suddenly felt too dressed up, too exposed.

Jake's eyes widened as he took her in. He had seen her in the dress before, yet somehow, seeing her like this—her hair styled, her lips tinted a soft shade of pink, the confidence Ningning had coaxed out of her shining even if just for a moment—made his throat go dry.

"You..." He cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck. "You look—uh—really nice."

Yeri blinked up at him, her fingers twitching at her sides. "Oh. Thank you."

Jake shifted awkwardly, feeling uncharacteristically nervous. "I mean, you always look nice. But, like—"

Yeri tilted her head, waiting.

Jake groaned, running a hand down his face. "I suck at this."

Yeri giggled softly, a soft pink hue creeping up her neck. "Thank you."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, everything else—the loud music, the crowded room, the party itself—blurred into the background.

Somehow, they ended up on the balcony.

The night air was crisp against Yeri's skin as she leaned against the railing, her fingers tracing the cool metal. Below them, the party continued, but up here, it felt quieter—just the two of them, away from the chaos.

Jake stood beside her, his hands stuffed into his pockets. "Do you do this often?" he asked.

"What?"

"Go to parties."

Yeri shook her head, if she were being honest this was her first party. "Not really. It's... not really my scene."

Jake smiled. "Same."

She turned to him, surprised. "Really? You seem like you'd be used to this."

Jake shrugged. "I come because my friends do. But honestly? I'd rather be somewhere else."

Yeri hummed in understanding. "Me too."

Silence settled between them—not awkward, just comfortable.

Jake glanced at her, then at the dress. He admired her features that that seemed to be kissed by the stares above them. "I'm glad you wore it."

Yeri looked down, touching the fabric lightly. "Me too."

For some reason, those words made Jake's heart stutter.

He wanted to say more. Wanted to tell her that she looked beautiful, that she had looked beautiful even before this, that he didn't care about parties or popularity or any of the things that seemed to make Soojin look at her the way she did.

But before he could, the moment shattered.

"Yeri."

A chill ran down her spine at the sound of that voice.

Soojin stood in the doorway, her arms crossed, her painted red lips curling into something that wasn't quite a smile.

Jake stiffened beside Yeri, his carefree demeanor fading instantly.

"Can I talk to you?" Soojin's gaze flickered to Jake, her expression unreadable. "Alone?"

Yeri hesitated. She wasn't sure if she wanted to be alone with Soojin, but refusing would only make things worse. It had barely been a week since the girl had arrived to school and yeri was already deathly afraid, she didnt even know why.

Jake shot her a look, silently asking if she was okay. She gave him a small nod before stepping past him.

Soojin led her inside, stopping near the dimly lit hallway. Yeri swallowed, her stomach twisting with unease.

Soojin tilted her head, looking Yeri up and down, her expression unreadable. "You've changed."

Yeri frowned. "What do you mean?"

"You used to be quieter." Soojin leaned in, lowering her voice. "More... reserved."

Yeri shifted uncomfortably. "I still am."

"Really?" Soojin's lips curled. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're trying to fit into a world that doesn't suit you."

Yeri stiffened.

Soojin stepped closer, her voice soft but sharp. "Jake isn't like you, Yeri. He's different. He belongs here. You don't."

Yeri's throat tightened.

"You might think this is cute—playing dress up, tagging along—but sooner or later, you'll realize that you don't fit into his life. And when that happens, it's going to hurt." Soojin tilted her head. "So do yourself a favor and don't get too comfortable."

Yeri felt like the air had been knocked out of her.

She couldn't even find the words to respond. Because deep down, wasn't this exactly what she had feared?

That she would never be enough?

That she would always be the quiet girl in the background, the one who didn't belong in this world?

Soojin's gaze lingered on her for a moment before she smirked. "Enjoy the party, Yeri."

With that, she walked away, leaving Yeri standing there—small, invisible, hopeless.

She hugged her arms around herself, suddenly feeling too exposed, too out of place.

Maybe Soojin was right.

Maybe this was all just pretend.

And maybe—just maybe—Jake Sim was someone she would never be good enough for.