—————

For a long time, Liv felt pressured. Living publicly under the name of Sohye, interpreted as the role model idol among most 4th generation idols; she had a perfect image and decided to keep it that way.

An outspoken, geniuine, and charming persona that captivated fans all around the world.

She was like that, in a way, but of course, she had her own secrets.

Liv was part of a girl group called Genie, formed under JinHit Entertainment. Main vocal and leader, powerful is how you would describe her presence.

To put it this way, when you walked past her, you could feel the aura of a queen.

Even so, Liv couldn't help but feel trapped in this identity.

But little did she know, someone would help her with that.

—

Genie had just finished dance practice. Needless to say it exhausted the living hell out of the girls. After guzzling down a bottle of water, Sohye threw herself onto the floor, heaving heavy breaths.

"Want another one, Liv unnie?"

Sohye peeked an eye open to see the group's maknae and main rapper, Chaesong, A.K.A Jai, standing above her. She smiled at the raven haired girl, taking the water bottle offered.

"Thanks Jai-ssi."

Chaesong lay next to her, looking up at the ceiling with her leader. The mirrors had fogged up with sweat, the stench of hardcore training hung in the air, their breaths slowly pacing.

"You're so cool Unnie," Chaesong blurted, making Sohye give out a hearty laugh.

"Pfft, like I haven't heard that before."

"I'm being serious!" Jai whined. "I want to be just like you!"

Sohye sat up, propping her elbows to support. She smiled softly and flicked the maknae's forehead, causing the younger one to groan once more.

"Hey what was that for!?"

"For being a brat."

The leader smirked before getting up, throwing a towel over her shoulder.

Jai frowned as she followed Liv out the door. They both head into the washroom, bickering about this and that.

After a while, nearing the washroom, Chaesong suddenly stopped. Sohye turned towards the girl who's eyes were fixed to the ground.

"You think..." she started. "You think Lexie-ssi is gonna be okay?"

Sohye's smirk fell, her brows furrow upon hearing that name.

"I mean, today she had to leave practice early. Our comeback is next week and don't think she'll-"

"What the hell are you talking about."

Liv gritted her teeth, looking Chaesong in the eye.

"You're her girlfriend right? Have a little faith in her. She's going to get through this injury."

"I know I am her girlfriend. I'm just, unsure about if she'll be able to do her best.." Jai backed up slowly as Liv walked foward, an unerving glare on her face.

"She will."

When it came to June, or, Lexie, Sohye would get how would you describe it,

Bothered.

"Okay, okay!" Chaesong chuckled nervously and slipped away. "I'll go talk to her! Let's just go wash up now, hm?"

Sohye raised a brow at the flustered girl beneath her, then sighed. It had been a few weeks since those two began dating, and it caused an upset in her stomach. She trusted them, heck, she was the reason those two even became friends in the first place.

Everyone knew Sohye was in love, or infatuated with June. Despite knowing this, nobody mentioned a word. The rest of the members knew their leader would grow vulnerable.

Liv leaned away, then her and Jai walked side by side to the washroom, filled with awkward silence.

—

"AHHH! THEY KISSED! THEY KISSED!"

"Quiet Unnies! Jai-ssi is taking a nap again!"

The team's main dancer shushed everyone in the living room. Sato (A.K.A. Thique) lowered the volume of the k-drama they were watching together.

"Wah, does it matter anyway?" June (A.K.A. Lexie) quirked a brow, finishing the last piece of popcorn. "She wakes up this late anyway, no point in quieting down!"

"I second that!" Hana (A.K.A. Ara ) punches the air.

Sato pinches the bridge of her nose. "What am I going to do with you gremlins..."

Thique sighs exasperated, though her gaze softens at the sight of the bright, young maknae running out of their shared room.

"Did I miss movie night!?"

"You didn't babe!" Lexie laughed, gesturing for her to come cuddle.

Jai smiled back at her, eyes bright as she threw herself into an embrace. Thique turned her gaze back to the TV in front of them. Her grip tightened on the remote. For over the past few weeks she's questioned why she felt so much distain towards June. Lexie wasn't a bad person at all, in fact she was one of Sato's best friends.

She thought these feelings would pass on, but SIKE.

They are still there, constantly playing on loop.

The show they were watching had finished, leaving the group satisfied. Ara had the remote now and was flipping through the catalog.

"So guys, what should we watch next?"

"Maybe..." Thique started.

"Where's Liv Unnie? We showered together tonight but then I never saw her since," Chaesong interjected.

"Wow Jai, what kind of things did you do in the shower~?" Ara wiggled her brows.

"Oh shut it Unnie."

"She's probably outside again, one of these nights I think," Sato eyed Jai.

Chaesong caught her gaze and nodded sheepishly.

They all turned to June who was already up and putting her jacket on.

"Lexie! Where are you going?"

The dancer shrugged at her girlfriend, fitting on her shoes.

"I'm going to go check on her."

"Good luck!" Thique calls out over her shoulder. "Remember don't run because of your injury!"

"Watch out for sasaengs!" Ara reminds her, wagging the remote in the air.

"Bring me some hot cheetos on your way back bubu!"

Chaesong beamed and gave her girlfriend a salute before seeing her close the door.

After June leaves, Ara turns back to the TV.

"Wanna watch Taehyung licking his lips compilations?"

"Hell yeah."

"You read my mind!"

—

Lexie rode her bike through the empty streets of Seoul, head down, hood blocking the pouring rain. Why would any sane person think it was okay to go out on a day like this?

If it was one of those nights, June was sure of the location her best friend would be. She turned a corner, then another, then one more.

Sure enough, Lexie stopped in front of a secluded garden. Both her and Liv discovered this place as trainees, and decided to never tell anyone else about it. It was tucked away in the mostly empty side of town, hidden by a series of alleyways.

It was their shared secret. Weirdly, June didn't dare to tell Jai about this place, considering it was a grade-a date spot.

But it was sacred only to them.

June parked her bike at the entrance, locking it to a pole. She opened the gate and her theory was correct.

Indeed, Sohye, or Liv, was sitting under the gazebo at the center of the garden, hidden from the rain. AirPods in ears, she lay on the wooden planks, eyes closed, chest slowly rising and falling.

Lexie felt her ears prick with warmth, even at the sight of her, she looked like a goddess. Of course, she wouldn't say that out loud, knowing how prone she was to teasing. So, she just quietly went up the steps and lied down next to her, pulling out a bud.

"Hey, can I listen with you?"

"Mm."

Sohye replied with a small nod, eyes still shut.

Lexie got comfortable, shifting a little to find a nice position. When she finally did, she let out a relieved sigh.

On these type of outings, June knew Liv didn't need any type of comfort, nor any reassuring comments, she just knew she needed someone by her side.

Lexie wished and hope she'll always be that someone.

She put the other bud in her ear, and realized Sohye was listening to their songs. Surprised, she turned a head to Liv, who now had a small smile on her face.

"Just checking on what we can work better on, nothing special," She whispered.

"Anything special about me?"

Sohye opened her eyes, her tiny smile growing to an full-out grin.

"How many times do I have to tell you? You're always special. To me at least."

Lexie felt her cheeks warm up, getting flustered once again by the one and only goddess of idols.

"That's not what I meant..." she muttered.

She could hear Liv laugh at her reaction. In return she nudged her elbow into her side.

"I have a girlfriend y'know!"

"Doesn't explain the blush on your stupid face."

Sohye pointed at her cheeks. They were facing each other now, their noses barely touching. Lexie hitched a breath as she noticed Liv inch closer and closer. She attempted to sit up, or at least back away, but the intense gaze in Liv's eyes held her in place.

She was captivated in them.

At this point June could feel Liv's hot breath against her lips, she shuddered in response.

This was it.

It's happening—

"Pfft, you really thought I was gonna kiss you?"

June's eyes shot open to find Liv laying on her side, propped up on a elbow. She was smirking down at her, mischief danced across her face.

"UGH, YOU'RE SO... YOU!" Lexie groaned, burying her head in her hands. "You have to be one of the most frustrating people I've ever met."

"Damn right I am~"

June rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile back at Liv. Not matter how ridiculous her antics were, it was hard to hate her.

"Anyways, how long you gonna stay here?" Liv asked, sitting up.

"Until you go home with me."

Sohye froze, her cheeks turning warm.

"Alright then."

She lay back down after switching the playlist to some nice, light-hearted songs.

For the next hour, the two basked in the moonlight, the rain eventually stopped pouring, and the garden was now well fed.

It was all nice, peaceful, calm.

Together they disconnected from the world.

Well, that was until,

CLICK

Shit.