Ambi-

A Step Ahead

''I swear if you don't accept the ticket for the Linkin Park show, I'll eat a whole unsliced pineapple.''

''I already made plans, sis.'' Yunhee gazed at Youngsoon with such a compassionate face that Youngsoon didn't think hurting her mouth and teeth from the pineapple was a bad idea.

''Who are you hanging out with nowadays that you don't have time for me?''

The older girl just smiled, too innocent for Youngsoon to tolerate. The younger sister knew she wasn't going to receive anything soon; bribing Yunhee could not be considered an option since this act was petty.

''I'll figure out who that person is, just wait.'' She stomped off to the exit of the apartment, plotting how she would find out the mysterious person her sister hadn't disclose to her but after that, she remembered she needed to deal with the ticket issue first. She seriously supposed there would be someone whom she could guide to the show but her plans were demolished like a destroyed car from a junkyard. ''Who should I call then?''

She settled on unlocking her phone and fishing for people who could attend the rock band concert; she can never swallow the fact that they would perform in Korea and she was one heck of a devotee of theirs. But everyone she knew well didn't share her passion or were occupied with their own stuff. Recently, nobody was available to spend time with the poor girl and that frustrated her. She just had to resort to searching for other people to experience the show, which she presumed it would be one of the best moments in her whole life, with her.

''What?! Really? Linkin Park! Aw, man, I missed my only chance to go to their concert!'' Chihoon groaned on the phone regretfully. ''If I wasn't busy doing other stuff, I'd never refuse to go with you but...''

''It's okay. Just hope there'll be next time.'' Youngsoon tried to cheer him up but it dawned on her that there was almost no one else left to ask. Chen was dedicated to staying in KBS's laboratory to hunt for the antidote for her oddity; Wheein was assisting him, for no one's surprise; Zinni and Jiyeon would rather babysit the cat that Youngsoon's sister' brought in the house (Yunhee didn't have the guts to dismiss her client's command to watch the animal over but was able to strongly agree the cat was annoying to all residents of the complex) than become deaf by the end of the concert. They weren't big admirers of Chester's screaming which Youngsoon deemed fantastic.

Please, say yes... She pleaded her phone in her mind; the person's number stared back at her with its black gleam contrast to the white background.

''Dude, thanks for the offer but I'm not into them that much.'' The girl could tell that it wasn't easy for Eunjung to deliver her news. They have met a couple of times before and Youngsoon's smile always reached the ears every time Eunjung graced her presence with her fashion sense and beauteous appearance. She just seemed very cute when she consumed ice cream in one take or when they watched a movie together (Eunjun's way to repay for her decline a month ago) or even when she chased after a dog which picked up her purse and dashed like the wind. But Linkin Park was a special occasion for Youngsoon and for Eunjung to skip it was a letdown.

Well, I'm not going to shun myself from going. Youngsoon convinced herself and kept on marching.

Her arrival at the dance studio wasn't one to be greeted lightly. Her teammates, without Chihoon, were at different corners of the room and, when they averted their looks on her, were planning to pick on Dohyeong like any other day. They weren't satisfied with his response on the day Youngsoon said her provocative words and every day onwards they tried to make her life living hell. But she continued to stand up for herself; she wasn't willing to quit if she hadn't tried first. Yes, it was difficult, especially when those guys were physically much stronger and scarier than her. However, she just had to use her brain tactfully in order for them to be left speechless.