The ice cream parlour

Ten.

"Ryu, are you ready?" Chaeryeong asked while tying her hair.

"Almost!" Ryujin replied.

Chaeryeong grabbed the lunchbox on the counter and was about to step out of the house when Ryujin rushed to her. "That isn't for you," she pointed out.

"It isn't?"

Ryujin grinned shyly. "I made it for Yeji," She replied.

"Who knew tough looking Shin Ryujin is actually such a sweetheart?" Chaeryeong teased half heartedly and returned the lunchbox to Ryujin.

"One more time," Ryujin threatened, turning red in embarrassment and probably anger as well.

"Are you sending me to school today?" Chaeryeong asked, putting on her shoes.

"Yeah. But we have to be quick. I want to see Yeji before going off to class," Ryujin replied, carefully placing the lunchbox into her bag and turning off the lights.

The younger girl nodded and quickly stepped out. Soon, the duo were Ryujin's motorbike, heading to Chaeryeong's school.

"I won't be fetching you today!" Ryujin yelled before roaring off.

Chaeryeong dragged her feet to her classroom and plopped down onto her chair.

"Chaeryeong! Good morning!" Yuri exclaimed, patting her on the back gently.

"Morning," she replied gloomily, taking out her folder.

"Why are you so sad? Didn't your girlfriend send you to school today?" Yuri questioned.

"For the last time, she isn't my girlfriend. Plus, she's dating someone already," Chaeryeong sighed.

"Whatever. Anyway, Yena's outside. Bye!" Yuri yelled and hurried out.

For the entire day, Chaeryeong found herself unable to focus on anything. Thankfully, Yuri simply thought that she was just tired and told her that she would let her borrow her notes the next day.

"I guess you slept late last night. I really don't care if you slack off in class but if you mess up during dance practise, I won't hesitate to punish you," Yena said firmly when she entered the classroom to have lunch with Yuri.

"Don't be mean, Yena!" Yuri hissed and slapped her arm. The couple started arguing again until Yena shut Yuri up with a kiss. Chaeryeong gagged and left the classroom, deciding to head to the dance studio for an early practise.

"Stop, baby don't stop,"

As the music trailed off, Chaeryeong was still dancing to the last move of 'Baby don't stop' by nct u. She repeatedly told herself that she had to focus and there was nothing that could distract her but deep down, she knew that she was deeply affected by the news of Yeji and Ryujin dating.

After an hour, Chaeryeong heard the door open.

"You spent lunch here?"

Chaeryeong sighed. "I wasn't hungry. Plus, I thought that I could work on our duo performance for the competition," She replied as Yena put her bag down.

"Since you said that you practised our duo dance, let's try that once," Yena said, preparing the speaker.

"Aye aye, Captain!" Chaeryeong teased as Yena rolled her eyes. Quickly, the duo got into position as the song started.

When they reached the first chorus, Yena realised that their movements did not match. It looked awkward and she frowned.

"Chaeryeong... you said you practised... why are you so off beat?" Yena demanded, her arms akimbo.