If I Could Dance With You Again

IICDWYA: 71

Chapter 71

They arrived home late, but the quietness of the night did nothing to calm the storm inside Aaliyah. Ruby noticed it instantly — the strange glow on Aaliyah's face, brightness mixed with something like fear.

"Did you have fun?" Ruby asked gently, studying her.

"I had fun," Aaliyah said, smiling — but it was a smile stretched thin, trembling. "The kids were adorable. Their father raised them well."

"Not that," Ruby said, sharper this time. "I meant... you and Soonyoung."

Aaliyah froze mid-step. The light in her eyes flickered out. Without a word, she walked farther inside. Ruby followed, her chest tightening.

They settled in the living area. The silence felt thick, suffocating.

"Wanna talk about it over hot choco?" Ruby asked. Her concern sounded like a whisper trying not to break. She couldn't bear watching her friend crumble in front of her.

"I want food too," Aaliyah murmured. "I... didn't eat well earlier."

Ruby nodded immediately, even though worry gnawed at her. "I'm calling Wren. She can pick up takeout."

It was already 11 in the evening. But even when it was late, it was fine.

She stepped out, leaving Aaliyah alone on the sofa. Aaliyah fell back against the cushions, staring at nothing. Her breathing was uneven, like she had been holding everything in for too long. The dim lights made her look almost ghostly.

A few minutes later, the door swung open.

"I'm here! Let's eat — again," Wren announced, arms full of paper bags, completely unaware of the emotional wreck in the living room.

She placed fried chicken, tteokbokki, and eomuk on the table. "Ru, you'll need your carpet cleaned if we spill."

"Fine," Ruby muttered as she returned with iced chocolate. Her eyes, however, were locked on Aaliyah. Watching. Assessing. Worried.

"Eat up," Wren said, opening containers.

Aaliyah picked up a buffalo wing with trembling fingers. She took a bite... then she breathed out shakily.

"He apologized."

Ruby and Wren turned sharply. Their eyes locked with each other — panic, curiosity, dread.

"And?" they asked together.

"I couldn't tell him," Aaliyah whispered. "I couldn't tell him that I'm sick."

Her voice cracked just enough to punch both of them in the chest.

"I told him I can't be fully honest yet... and he said he'll wait." She swallowed hard, blinking fast — almost angrily — as if refusing herself the right to cry.

Ruby straightened, every muscle tense. "Alright. Since honesty is obviously an issue here, we're doing something tonight."

"We're too old for this," Wren muttered, but her eyes stayed on Aaliyah — softening with worry.

"And we're too old to keep lying to each other," Ruby said sharply. "It's time we stop hiding."
She took a deep breath, hands fidgeting — something she never did, unless the truth she was about to spill was heavy.

"I'll start."

Wren and Aaliyah exchanged uneasy glances.

"Do you two actually know why I started Club Red? Or why the Red Room exists?" Ruby asked, voice tight.