If You

Happy New Year

Emily hobbled out of the elevator, her new crutches already annoying her. One of BIGBANG's trainers had examined her ankle and pronounced it only badly sprained. "You should be walking unaided in a week or two," he said, smiling like it was good news.

Two weeks? Emily thought, making her way down the handicap ramp. It's only been two hours and I'm ready to scream!

Seungri and Seunghyun were the only ones in the lobby, surrounded by their staff as they prepared to depart. "You made it!" Seungri exclaimed, waving to her. "Barely," Emily grumbled, weaving around the group carefully. She sat down on a nearby bench and sighed gratefully. "Okay, can someone please explain last night to me?" she asked, glancing back and forth between them.

Seunghyun glanced at the people swarming around them before answering. "I'm honestly not sure," he said, sitting next to her. "Jiyong's been through a lot emotionally over the past few weeks. He's probably just a little over-sensitive right now. Once we're in Bangkok he'll snap out of it."

I don't know how much longer I can keep up with Jiyong's emotions, Emily thought. She caught sight of Jiyong and the others hurrying down the stairs, bags in tow. "It's about time!" Seunghyun exclaimed, standing up.

"Yeah, Emily's on crutches and she still beat you down," Seungri commented, sipping his coffee smugly.

Emily looked at Jiyong, but he avoided her gaze, going to talk to Sagowa instead. Seunghyun gave her a half-smile, shrugging slightly. I hope he's right about Bangkok, Emily thought.

"Emily! What happened?" Sagowa asked, gesturing to her bandaged foot. "I sprained my ankle on the stairs," she said ruefully. "I should be off the crutches in a week or so."

"Thank goodness you didn't break anything," Sagowa said, shaking his head. An assistant whispered in his ear and he raised his hands. "Time to go, people," he announced, sending everyone into a flurry. Seungri helped Emily off of the bench and they went to the waiting car. Emily climbed in with difficulty and sat down with a sigh, pulling her crutches in after her.

"Are you in pain?" Daesung asked, sitting next to her. "Just emotionally," she mumbled. Seungri choked on his coffee behind her and Seunghyun immediately took the hot drink from him while he coughed.

"Justice is sweet," Jiyong said, smiling from the passenger seat. Emily raised her eyebrows. "Justice?" she asked. Youngbae shook his head at her as the car pulled away from the hotel.

******

They arrived in Bangkok several hours later, the afternoon sun already beginning to set. Their hotel was rather similar to the one in Hong Kong, with the notable exception of a giant fountain in the lobby. Daesung and Youngbae wanted to take pictures near it and tried to get Emily to join in, but she declined. "I'm going to lay down," she said, getting her room key from Sagowa. She got into the elevator, but someone blocked the doors before they could close. "Oh, uh, thanks," Jiyong said, stepping in awkwardly. Emily pushed the button for the eleventh floor and the elevator began to ascend.

She watched the numbers tick away, trying to think of a way to break the silence. "Is everything okay?" she finally asked. "You seemed upset last night."

"Yeah, everything's fine," Jiyong said abruptly. The doors opened and he stepped out of the elevator. Emily tried to keep up, but her crutches hindered her. "Jiyong, wait!" she hissed. He stopped, allowing her to catch up. "I think you misinterpreted what I said last night." she said, slightly out of breath. Jiyong shifted uncomfortably, but didn't say anything.

"I meant that us being friends is an amazing thing, especially considering what a rough start we had. I didn't want the others ruining that by teasing us."