HERSHE - SEULRENE

SR - Past

"Hi there, bear. Long time no see."

Seulgi stood there in silence, surprised and confused. Joy, who noticed Seulgi's uneasiness, glimpsed the other person in the room.

"Oh. I didn't know you have a visitor."

Seulgi glanced at Irene then turned back to Joy, still not sure what to say.

"Oh, bear, what's wrong with you today?" Joy walked towards Seulgi and tapped her shoulder. "Speak up and introduce us."

Seulgi, who realized she should have done that earlier, straightened up and turned to Irene slowly. "Um..."

"Ugh! What's wrong with you?" Impatient Joy walked towards Irene and offered her hand. "Hi, I'm Joy, Seulgi's friend," she said, wearing the same smile she had in the picture. "Please forgive her for being such an asshole today."

Irene can't believe how beautiful Joy is in the flesh. She rose to shake Joy's hand. "Irene. Seulgi's friend too."

Seulgi felt her neck itching when she noticed Joy scanning Irene's blouse. She remembered it was the shirt Joy bought for her birthday last year.

"Okay..." Joy pressed her lips together. "I guess I better go now, bear."

"But, chick--"

"Let's just do this some other time." Joy walked towards the door.

"But when will I see you again?"

Joy brushed a hand through her hair and sighed. "Some other time, when we're both not busy."

Seulgi breathed out her disappointment. She knows some other time could take longer.

"Don't worry. I won't go anywhere this time. I promise we'll talk sooner. We need to talk." Joy winked at her. "Be hospitable to your guest first, okay?"

Seulgi looked at Irene, who gave her a lame smile.

"It's nice to meet you, Irene. And Seulgi, I'll see you soon. Bye." Joy waved goodbye and shut the door close.

A long deafening silence then followed the latch of the door. Seulgi clenched her hands into fists, unsure of how to solve her dilemma of either following Joy or staying with Irene.

"Seulgi..."

Seulgi turned to Irene. "Y-yes?"

"I... uh... I think you should--"

Seulgi nodded. "I... I should follow her... yeah..." She walked to the door and halted before opening it. "Just promise me you won't leave, okay?"

"I won't."

After the assurance, Seulgi ran out of the room.

---

Seulgi found Joy standing in front of the elevator. "Chick!"

Joy smiled. "Oh. Couldn't say I wasn't expecting you to follow me. What's with the frown?"

Seulgi stepped closer. "I... I don't know. Maybe I'm just afraid I might not see you again..."

"Oh,  bear..."

Seulgi held Joy's hands in hers. "I've waited for you, chick, for over a year."

Joy looked down at their hands. "I'm sorry. I know my appearance was past late than what I've promised. But I didn't ask you to wait for me."

"I know. I just..." Seulgi let go of Joy's hands, her eyes darting around. She sighed. "I've been waiting for this day. There is so much to tell you..."