The Broken Hearts Care Club | (X1/BY9/ITZY/IZ*ONE)

four. problems with popularity

Ahn Yujin

"I think Donghyun's going to break up with me," Yujin says aloud while adjusting her top. Outside the fitting room she hears her friends scrambling around out of surprise.

"What makes you say that?" The peppy voice of her best friend Yuna questions in disbelief.

Yujin stepped out once she was satisfied with her look. Her younger best friend, Wonyoung stood in front of the large mirror twirling around in a flowy dress she had picked out, but stopped abruptly once the older came out.

Yuna was already looking at her from her seated position on the bench waiting for an answer.

"I don't know. He doesn't want to spend time with me anymore. He says that he's really busy with student council but I don't know what to think." Wonyoung stares at her through the mirror. She steps to the side when Yujin makes her way there to see herself.

"He also said I was very childish, which is ridiculous," Yujin says with a pout. Her friends just laugh.

She had the tendency to act younger than she was but most people found it cute. It was a part of her undeniable charm along with her bright facial features. Especially how her face lit up when she smiled.

"Well, the good news is that you look great in that outfit," Wonyoung says quickly trying to make her friend feel better.

"Really?" A smile came across Yujin's face. Some of that brightness coming back to her. She posed a bit before laughing in delight. "Thank you. That dress is perfect for you!"

"So are we done? I was hoping we could hit the food court," Yuna asks.

The girls agreed and left the small boutique, putting back the clothes. They almost never bought anything. They just liked playing dress up. It was their thing.

"You know, I actually think it's a good thing that you and Donghyun are breaking up," Yuna spoke up while they were walking. The two other girls look at her funny.

"Well we're not officially over."

"Still," Yuna tilts her head to the side, "I never thought you two fit together."

"What do you mean?" This was the first time Yujin heard of this. Why did her friend not say something before?

"I mean, I know he's nice and a good person but he never appreciated you for everything you are."

Wonyoung turned to Yujin. "When did she become a love expert?" The two chuckled.

"It's not like your love life is perfect," Yujin points out.

Yuna feigns offense. "Hey, I happen to like my love life they way that it is!"

"What, making out in the school parking lot?" Wonyoung adds. All three laugh and Yuna nods her head enthusiastically.

"Yuna, why not ask him out? He seems really into you," Yujin genuinely asks. She knew that the two of them have been hanging around lately, she just didn't understand why they don't make it official.

Yuna sighs. "Because then there will be expectations and commitment. Right now I can hang out and be with whoever I want. I don't need a boyfriend who's going to tell me what to do. Especially one that's older than me."

Yujin scoffs. Her friend clearly had never been in a good relationship before. Donghyun was only one of a couple boyfriends that she has had over the years. In the past there had been one boy that she had a good relationship with. Her mood dropped from the thought of him. She didn't like thinking about that time.

"See, look over there," Yuna disrupted her train of thought. Yujin peered over to where the other two were looking. Her friend was gesturing to an older guy that was almost model-like with his small face. "He's gorgeous. How can I possibly settle with just one guy when there are many others like him?"

"He looks too old for you," Wonyoung says.

"And way out of your league," Yujin continues on Wonyoung's sentiment.

"Oh really? You know who was way out of your league?"

Yujin smiled. She enjoyed the little back and forths that she and her friends got into. It was entertaining to say the least. "Donghyun?"

A really smart, nice guy who is driven. A goofy and playful Yujin barely stood a chance.

"No, that's not the one I was thinking of." There was a glint in Yuna's eye, knowing she cornered her friend. Yujin's face fell. Suddenly serious.

"That's not funny."

Wonyoung looked from one girl to the other sensing some tension. It dissipates rapidly once the two start laughing as if nothing happened.

"Oh, and look, he has a girlfriend." A girl with long black hair approached the guy, handing her bags to him. She pulled out a phone and went to take a photo of the two of them.

"Bummer," Yujin says, patting Yuna's shoulder playfully.

The group of girls sat down after getting their food. They resumed their conversation same as before.

"So what about you Wonyoung? You've been awfully quiet." Yuna inquires.

"Yeah, any boys in the picture?" Yujin asks in addition.

The young girl started to get flushed in embarrassment. She wasn't used to talking about these kind of things. "Uh, boys don't really notice me."

The two older girls turned to stare at each other. Yujin mimes a phone with her hand.

"Ring ring."

Yuna 'picks up' the phone.

"Yes?"

"Is this bullshit?"

"Why yes it is."

The two giggled before the younger joined in.

"C'mon, there has to be someone." Yuna pushes brushing her fingers through her long blonde locks of hair. Wonyoung messes with the food in front of her.

"I guess there are a couple cute boys in my classes. I don't talk to them but..."

"Yes, And?" the two girls urge her to go on, excited.

"I sit next to one of them in science class. He's my lab partner. I think he likes me." The two girls squeal obsessively.

"And do you like him?"

Wonyoung shrugs. "I told you I don't talk to them. But he seems nice."

"Well, you should talk to him more."

"I don't think I'm ready for a relationship right now." In truth, she just got out of a pretty bad relationship unbeknownst to the other two.

"Wow, the problems with popularity," Yuna shakes her head. "Between the two of you, two of the prettiest and most popular girls in school, you're both going to have so many boys confessing to you. Too many to pick from."

"You're just as pretty as us," Yujin argued.

"And I'm not really popular, not like you guys." Wonyoung states.

The three once again got into one of their back and forths that Yujin so enjoyed.

Status: edited
Written: Nov 21, 2019