001

Fingers strum against her knee; her body fidgets at every little sound. The anxiety was getting to her. She turns and looks at the clock on at the nearby shelf. "Eleven fifteen," she whispers to herself, "Krystal where are you?" She leans back on the couch; her head hangs back and eyes stare at the white ceiling. "You said you'd be back by ten thirty. Where are you?" She sits up straight and grabs her cell phone dialing her younger sister number for the umpteenth time.

It rings a few times before heading straight to voice mail. With a heavy sigh, Jessica hangs up and tosses the phone upon the table. No point in attempting a text Krystal, since the younger girl wouldn't even answer a call. "God Krystal if something bad happens mom will roast me alive," Jessica pushes herself to her feet and heads for the front window. Shifting the blinds slightly she looks out the window checking for any sign of her sister, "Come on Krystal. You said you were going to hang with some friends."

She retreats from the window heading back to her seat on the couch. She picks up her phone again dialing her sister's number once again. "Krystal...where in the world are you? It's going on twelve meaning mom's night time sweep of the house while getting something to drink. You better be on your way home. I can't afford getting grounded while covering for you...give me a call soon please." Ending the message with that, she hangs up and heads back to the window again.

"Jessica you are the worse older sister to ever exist," whispers Jessica to herself, "how in the world could you let your baby sister leave? You should have made her stay." She leans her forehead against the window pane; the cold feeling it gave off calmed her slightly. "Krystal I don't know what I would do if something bad happened to you." Eyes close; silence consumes the room.

-----

"Hey guys I have to head home, Jessica might be freaking out by now." The small group of teenagers that she was hanging out with all gives Krystal a smile and waves her off. Krystal turns and heads towards the other side of the park pulling her phone out. Her eyes widen at the amount of missed calls that she received. They widen even more so at the time. "Jessica is going to kill me," she whispers to herself as she begins jogging through the park. "I'll have to find a way to make it up to her."

Laughter fills her ears and she stops in her tracks. Her eyes scan the dark park looking for any sign of where the noise was coming from. It wasn't as if she wanted to see who was making the noise. In fact she wished to avoid it for many reasons. A reason and a huge one at that is the fact that the park is usually overrun by mere tugs and gang members at night.

Alcohol and smoke collides with her sense of smell signaling that whoever it was is close. She exhales as quietly as she can and turns around to head back to her group of friends. Maybe staying the night at one of their houses would be a better decision right now. She pulls her phone out dialing the police station but never pressing the call button. "I hope this precaution works Jessica," she whispers to herself.

The sound of laughter dies down but is quickly replaced by loud footsteps. Krystal was unsure of what to do. Do she look back? Maybe it was just some drunken stupor that was on their way home. Or it was the local gang members ready to harass her.

Fear settles in. Her blooding was pumping through her body making her jittery. Her feet begin moving at a pace that increased with every step going from a simple pace to full out run. The sound of the footsteps behind her increases also. Taking the chance Krystal looks over her shoulder; her eyes take in the group of shady characters that were running in the same direction as she was.

With her eyes not on the road, Krystal's feet get caught in a tree root sending her toppling over onto the grass. The fall brought on pain along the front side of her body. She closes her eyes tightly releasing a hiss. There were definitely going to be scars later on. She attempts to push herself back up to her feet when a damaging blow to her back sends her back to the grass. "Look what we've got."

-----

Jessica sighs and looks at her phone. Time was ticking away. Ten more minutes until her mother awakens. Ten more minutes until she gets spotted. And lastly ten more minutes to add to Krystal begin gone. She looks out the window again. Her brown eyes catching a car pull up out front.

She watches curiously as the passenger door opens and a person steps out. Being that it was too dark to tell she couldn't exactly make out the gender of the person.

She takes a step back from the window and looks at the door hoping and praying that the person was Krystal. All hopes and prayers leave as a knock echoes throughout the living room. A shaky breath leaves her lips. A sudden sense of fear, guilt and even pain envelops her body. A person never knocks on a door at night unless it meant grief.

Jessica's eyes close shut to fight back the tears that were slowly building. Her body shakes slightly; her hands grasp on tightly to her hair. The rise and fall of her chest become frequent and unsteady. "No, no, no," she whispers to herself. "Please let Krystal be ok. Please say she got picked up for vandalism, or something stupid. Please."

Another round of knocks echo followed closely by an, "I'm coming." Jessica's eyes snap open and she turns to look down the hall to where her parents sleep. Feet scuffling did no help in releasing Jessica from her momentary paralysis. "Jessica...what are you doing up?" Jessica could only blink as she watches her mother pass by her to the front door. Jessica turns and looks at the door as her mother opens it.

"Hello," A male voice enters the house not Krystal's.

"Hello, how can I help you?" asks her mother.

"I'm a detective with the local police department. I'm actually here on business concerning a young girl who I'm assuming is your daughter."

002

A small almost dainty like hand presses itself against the cold window pane slipping it open. A foot lifts itself out of the mud and presses hard against the white wall. The other foot keeps itself pressed against the wet ground. As she prepares to jump the four legged creature in the yard approaches her. It begins nudging her with its head. "Move...go away," she hisses quietly.

It barks in response. "Oh shut up," she whispers, "go away." She lowers her foot that was planted against the wall and begins kicking at the dog, "yah...go to bed. Go lay in your house." A whine leaves the dog's mouth as it lowers its body to the ground. "What do you want? Want to get me in more trouble than I already am?" It whines even more. "Be quiet!"

The dog backs away; a growl now filling the yard. It barks loudly at her. "What good is a pet if it won't even listen to its owner?" she asks herself. Digging in her pocket she pulls out a cookie that she was eating earlier. "Here eat this and be quiet. I believe that there is no chocolate in it."

She tosses the sugary desert onto the desert. A happy bark slices through the night. "Finally." She turns back to the window and places her foot back in the same position. Bending their knees slightly, she pushes herself up and into the window. Both hands and feet lose their grip sending her tumbling into the room. A loud thud echoes throughout the room and more than likely throughout the house.

Eyes close tightly; she bites her bottom lip trying to suppress the loud groan that wanted to leave as pain racks throughout her body. She pushes herself into a sitting position opening up one eye. "Never again will you, Taeyeon, enter the window that way," she whispers to herself.

Struggling to get up to her feet, the groan finally escapes. "I have to stop sneaking off at night." She limps to her bed taking a seat. She digs in her pocket looking for her phone. "Where is that stupid thing?" she growls. Standing up again she heads back to the window. Sticking her head out into the cold air she looks around in the dark for her phone. "Hey phone are you out there?" she asks only to receive a bark from the dog. "I wasn't talking to you."

Not finding the white device she returns to her bed. "I'll look for it in the morning." She turns and looks at her alarm clock. "Two thirty. That means three hours of sleep. I can do that." She slips her covers back and slides underneath not even bothering to change into her pajamas.

-----

"Kim Taeyeon!"

"I'm coming!" she shouts back while looking at herself in the mirror. She leans in closer checking her eyes before grabbing her tooth brush and toothpaste. "I don't see what the rush is? It's not like she's cooked any breakfast," Taeyeon mumbles to herself while applying the toothpaste to the toothbrush.

"She wants to yell at you for sneaking around late at night again." Taeyeon raises her head and looks in the mirror to see her younger cousin leaning against the doorway.

"I don't know what you're talking about," responds Taeyeon while shoving the toothbrush into her mouth.

"Oh really?" She nods her head keeping an eye on her cousin, "mind explaining why your window was open all night when it was suppose to be close?"

"Got hot," responds Taeyeon with a mouth full of foam.

"The footprint-"

"Who knows? Maybe a thief came in last night," she states interrupting her cousin's sentence.

"Like you?" She spits in the sink and turns to send a glare her cousin's way. "Did I touch a soft spot?"

"Don't you have better things to be doing rather than harassing me while I prepare for school?" asks Taeyeon as she returns to brushing her teeth.

"I'm surprise you even know what a school is, even more so at the fact that you're going." Her hand stops moving and she closes her eyes to calm herself down. Exhaling loudly through her nose she opens her eyes and looks in the mirror finding her cousin gone.

Finishing up in the bathroom she heads out into the living room. "Is there something you needed, Auntie?" she asks while heading for the kitchen.

"Where were you last night?" asks her aunt while following her into the kitchen.

"In the back playing with the dog," answers Taeyeon while grabbing a box of cereal and setting it on the counter. Reaching up she opens a cabinet and grabs a bowl.

"You're not supposed to leave the house after dark. I've already told you that countless of times."

"It got hot and I was bored. It won't happen again," she responds while pouring cereal into the bowl. She takes the bowl to the table taking a seat in the chair with the clear view of the television. "Pass the milk." Her cousin pushes the milk in her direction.

"A different story, an attack happened last night around midnight at the local park," Taeyeon stops pouring milk and turns to look at the television. "No new information has been released but the local police believe it to be a doing of the local gang that surrounds that particular area. In other news politician..."

"Did you do it?" asks her cousin. Taeyeon blinks and turns back to the girl sitting opposite of her. "You were out last night."

"Stealing doesn't make me gang member," responds Taeyeon as she resumes pouring the milk.

"No? Are you sure?" Taeyeon sends her cousin another glare. "I'm just making sure I'm not going to wake up one night and see you standing over me." Capping off the milk, Taeyeon stands and grabs her bowl heading out of the kitchen and back towards her room. There was no point in staying in the kitchen. She didn't care for the small talk from her cousin or the lecture from her aunt. Upon entering her room she sets her bowl down in her dresser and begins looking for her phone.

"Where is that stupid thing?"

003

She didn't want to stay at home. In fact she wouldn't, at least not until the tension amongst them subsides. Slipping her arms into her jacket she exits out of the room making her way towards the living room. Her stomach lurches at the sight at her mother sitting on the couch. She closes her eyes taking a deep breath preparing herself for confrontation.

Exhaling through her nose as quietly as she can, Jessica begins her journey to the front door without making her mother aware of her presence. "Leaving?" Jessica stops right before the door turning to look at her mother. The guilt that she was feeling all night begins to set in again making her sick to her stomach.

"I have school," whispers Jessica as she lowers her head. She didn't - no she couldn't look her mother in the eyes.

"Your sister is in the hospital."

"I know," states Jessica, "but-"

"If you know why are you leaving?"Jessica fidgets. Should she lie and or should she just tell her mother that she didn't want to be around the family. In the end Jessica just shrugs her shoulders. "What do you mean you don't know? How can you not know?"

"I have to meet up with Sooyoung," she whispers.

"Jessica-"

"I have to go," Jessica quickly opens the door behind her slipping out into the sunlight closing the door just as quickly as she opened it. Releasing a sigh she exits out of the yard and begins making her way to her best friend's house. Head held down as to not look her at her neighbors. Even without looking at them she can feel the disgusted looks that they were giving her.

She knows it's her fault. And she knows that she wouldn't be able to fix things this time. She wraps her jacket tighter around her body. Jessica wants to be out of their sight. Looking up, she smiles at the sight of Sooyoung's house coming into view. Her hand wraps around the gate door forcing it open. Instead of walking she jogs to the front door. Her finger repeatedly presses against the doorbell. "Hold on! I'm coming!"

"Move a little faster," mutters Jessica while looking around. The stares were beginning to drive her crazy. The door opens revealing Jessica's tall friend.

"Isn't kind of early?" asks Sooyoung while turning and looking at a nearby clock. "In fact isn't suppose to be the other way around?"

"Just let me in," Jessica enters the house looking around. It wasn't the first time that she's been in the Choi House but it was the first that she's been there early in the morning. "W-where's your brothers and sister?" asks Jessica.

"They supposedly already left after seeing that news report on the attack at the park," answers Sooyoung, " Did you see the news?"

"N-no I didn't. What did they say?" asks Jessica.

"Nothing much, just that the police think it's the work of the local gang and what not." Jessica nods her head and follows Sooyoung to the room that she shared with her sister. She takes a seat on Sooyoung's bed watching as the younger girl searches through the closet for some clothes. "So what are you doing up?" asks Sooyoung.

"N-no reason," answers Jessica while looking around the room. Her eyes fall on Sooyoung's form. "You should start eating Sooyoung. I can see your ribs."

"I do eat," responds Sooyoung.

"Are you sure? It hasn't been looking like it for a while," remarks Jessica.

"What's wrong?" questions Sooyoung catching the older girl off guard and changing the subject. Jessica blinks a few times trying to think of an answer that was technically an answer but still a lie. "I asked what's wrong. You usually don't bug me about things unless you have some problems of your own."

Jessica looks around the room again. She didn't want to talk about the current situation her family is in. It's bad enough that the guilt was eating her to the point where she wasn't able to sleep a wink. But to say it out loud - saying it out loud mean that it did happen. It means that her sister was attacked and is now lying in a hospital bed.

Sooyoung notices how silent Jessica had gotten even more so the fact that Jessica had gotten even paler than she already was. Jessica looks up; her eyes state that she was no longer in the real world. "Don't answer," responds Sooyoung. Jessica tilts her head a little; she heard Sooyoung but the words seemed foreign. "How about you go to the garage and get my jacket that's in the dryer."

"I'm always going to the garage," states Jessica finally returning to reality. "Care to explain why?"

"I-I just don't like the garage," answers Sooyoug while turning back to her closet.

"If you say so," Jessica stands and exits out of the younger girl's room heading for the Choi's garage. She just couldn't figure out why Sooyoung was so afraid of the garage. It's just some stinky cold room that houses a car and a washing machine and dryer. What's so scary about that? Come to think of it Jessica can't even remember the last time that she had even seen Sooyoung enter that particular room of the house beside back in middle school.

Grabbing hold of the door knob, Jessica opens the door coming to a complete halt. Her eyes widen and mind goes blank trying to register the sight of before her. "Oh...hello Jessica in need of something?" asks Sooyoung's older brother as he slides on a shirt freshly removed from the dryer.

"I uh..." mutters Jessica, "I uh...need Sooyoung's jacket."

He nods his head and grabs the jacket that was inside. Walking over to Jessica her hands her the article of clothing, "we should deliver that to her." Jessica nods her head and follows the older boy out of the garage.

Upon entering the living room area they both run into Sooyoung who was exiting the hallway. "You got my...," Sooyoung freezes at the sight of her brother.

"Jacket," he finishes while smiling. Sooyoung looks at the floor and nods her head slowly. She didn't want to look the boy in the face. It didn't feel right. It will never feel right. "Well are you and Jessica leaving now or are you staying for breakfast?" he asks.

"We're leaving," responds Sooyoung; her voice flat bearing very little happiness. She looks up at Jessica eyes glazed over as if her mind was elsewhere. It was exactly the same look that Jessica had delivered earlier.

"Well if you say so," he walks over to Sooyoung placing a hand on her shoulder causing for her mind to shut down completely, "I'll see you around campus later then." He walks off towards the room that he shares with the other Choi brother. The door closes loudly scaring Sooyoung.

"Jumpy much?" asks Jessica.

"L-let's just go."

004

Taeyeon groans as she attempts to force a window open, "who the heck sealed tight this window?" She releases another groan before finally getting the window to open. Performing the same movements as she did earlier in the day, Taeyeon climbs through the window. Her eyes scan the room memorizing every little detail, memorizing where all the trinkets and treasures lie.

A soft click breaks Taeyeon's concentration. She looks over her shoulder watching as her best friend since she's moved to the area enters the room. "Stealing from friends now?"

"No, was just examining the room," answers Taeyeon.

"What are you doing here then?"

"Have you seen my phone?" asks Taeyeon as she turns back to looking around the room.

"You-"

"Stephanie!"

"Your dad is awake Fany," states Taeyeon. Tiffany nods her head even though she knew Taeyeon wouldn't be able to see.

"You should leave now," whispers Tiffany as she rushes to her bed. Slipping her hand under the pillow Tiffany pulls out Taeyeon's phone, "you dropped it when I shoved you out the window." Taeyeon smiles as she walks over to Tiffany retrieving her phone.

"Stephanie!"

"I'm coming! Just give me a second!" Tiffany shouts back in response. She turns and looks at Taeyeon with sad eyes. "You have to leave before he finds you," she whispers. Taeyeon nods her head digging in her jacket pocket. She pulls out a wad of cash handing it to Tiffany.

"Don't ask where I got it but it should be enough to pay the bills and get some food for you and your brother. I'll get you some more later on this evening," states Taeyeon.

"I can't accept it unless you tell me where you got it-"

"I stole some stuff and sold it off," interrupts Taeyeon. Tiffany nods her head. "And there should be enough to buy him his alcohol for the time being."

"Thank you," whispers Tiffany. "I'll be outside in a few minutes." Taeyeon nods her head and climbs out of Tiffany's window. As much as she wanted to stay with her friend she knew she couldn't. Landing out on the patch of dead grass, Taeyeon makes her way out of the yard and into the front. She heads for the street taking a seat on the curb. The silence was peaceful and being outside was even better for Taeyeon. It was home unlike that place that she was boarding in.

Nope that place wasn't home to the short girl. It was more of a prison with the constant watch. It was as if her Aunt was the warden and her cousin was the guard who likes to harass the prisoner. And she, well Taeyeon was the prisoner.

Taeyeon sighs aloud and leans back on her elbows. Tilting her head back, she closes her eyes and soaks up the rays of sunlight. That was until the sound of yelling empties out of the Hwang House. The shouting gets louder as the front door opens and out steps Tiffany and her brother.

The Hwang son waves at Taeyeon before running down the street probably to look for his friends. Tiffany approaches Taeyeon with her hood on and face held low. "Let's go to school," whispers Tiffany.

"I feel like ditching," responds Taeyeon as she stands up and looks at the younger girl.

"Your aunt wouldn't be very happy," states Tiffany.

"She already lectured me about being out last nigh - You're bleeding." Taeyeon looks down at Tiffany's arm. The younger girl's sleeve becomes stained with blood.

"I-I just cut myself on accident. I was attempting to make my brother breakfast when he started yelling and I accidently cut my arm. I'm grateful my brother changed his mind though or I would have been in there longer." Taeyeon eyes the sleeve before looking up at Tiffany.

"Why not go live with your mom?" asks Taeyeon.

"I can ask you the same," responds Tiffany while straining a smile.

"Mine's is useless unlike yours. Why do you think I'm stuck in that prison slash home?"

"Because it was either that or a juvenile detention center," answers Tiffany. They begin walking down the street quietly. During the time Tiffany looks over at Taeyeon who seems fine with being out and under the public eye. A sad smile forms on Tiffany's face. Maybe ditching school would be nice. It would give her some time to spend with her best friend. And maybe then she'll be able to give Taeyeon her most prized possession before attempting to leave this place again. "Let's ditch."

Taeyeon stops and looks at Tiffany. "Did you just-"

"Let's ditch."

*****

"I wish they would stops starring at me with those disgusted looks," mutters Jessica.

"Who?" asks Sooyoung while looking around.

"Everyone."

"But no one is starring at you Sica," states Sooyoung. She was confused. How could Jessica think that everyone was starring at her? No one was starring at her. At least no one was starring at the older girl with disgusted looks. Why would anyone look at Jessica that way? The girl was loved by everyone in their neighborhood. "Mind explaining why you think everyone is looking at you?"

"There is no explanation," answers Jessica with a frustrated sigh. She combs her fingers through her hair.

"Then what are you guilty of?" questions Sooyoung.

"What are we all guilty of?"

005

She turns and looks out the window with a sad gaze. Even with sunny skies and chirping birds couldn't raise her spirits. Exhale. She closes her eyes trying to seek refuge from the thoughts that plagued her mind, from the unwanted memories. She wants to erase the picture of her face covered in blue and black bruises. She wants to erase the pain she feels in her chest and legs, to erase and escape from everything.

The soft click of the door opening pulls her back from her refuge and she opens an eye. "A nurse," she mumbles to herself closing her eye again.

"How are you feeling?" asks the nurse. Krystal shrugs her shoulders and attempts to turn onto her side only to fail as the pain residing in her leg was too unbearable.

"Has my sister come yet?" asks Krystal.

"Nope...you've had no visitors besides your parents who came in late last night," answers the nurse as they check the machines. Krystal opens her eyes and turns to look out the window. Why wouldn't Jessica come and visit her? Why won't she visit her baby sister? Isn't now supposed to be the time when family sticks together? She releases a heavy sigh.

"Why won't you visit me?" whispers Krystal aloud.

*****

Tiffany releases a content sigh as she stares up at the clouds floating in the air. A small smile graces her face and Taeyeon spots it causing for her to smile herself. It made her feel good to see Tiffany smiling, to see an innocent person smiling for once and not frowning upon her. A smile graces Taeyeon's face. "You're smiling?" asks Tiffany in disbelief while pointing at Taeyeon. "Does that mean you're becoming a softy?"

"I'm a criminal," responds Taeyeon as her smile disappears.

"You think you're a criminal," counters Tiffany. "You're a delinquent without guidance."

"Shut up," states Taeyeon as a scowl appears. Tiffany breaks out into a small laughing fit. "Hey I said be quiet."

"For a criminal you sure are sensitive," laughs Tiffany.

"I am not sensitive nor am I a softy," argues Taeyeon while standing up. "I am a criminal. I know the streets. I know the many people who dwell at night. I steal for personal gain, fight for fun and vandalize." She glares at Tiffany who was laughing even harder than before. "Laugh all you want. We'll see how much you're laughing when I don't supply you with anything for the bills. I could be using that money for other things."

Tiffany stops laughing automatically. She couldn't let Taeyeon threaten her like that. She needed the money to provide for her brother where her father couldn't. If anything, Tiffany wanted to see her brother be able to smile and get an education. So she can't let Taeyeon take away her only source of income even though the smaller girl was bluffing. "I'm sorry," whispers Tiffany.

Taeyeon retakes her seat on the grass beside Tiffany. "So how's things with that Choi boy?" asks Taeyeon trying to change the topic and to ease the tension between her and Tiffany.

"They are good," answers Tiffany as she places a lock of hair behind ear, "our relationship is good." Taeyeon nods her head. "We're supposed to go out later this evening but considering the yelling that went on this morning I don't think it'll happen. Besides that there was an attack at the park. You had nothing to do with it, do you?" asks Tiffany. "That's not where you got your money -"

"No," answers Taeyeon, "after I left from your house I went somewhere else not the park. I don't like that territory."

"Big bad Taeyeon doesn't like the park?" asks Tiffany in a mocking matter before falling over in a fit of giggles. Taeyeon rolls her eyes before tackling the slightly taller girl, "Ah!"

"Stop teasing me," barks Taeyeon, "I do what I must to survive."

"Or you can let your aunt raise you like how she planned," responds Tiffany while starring up at the shorter girl who was straddling her. Taeyeon calms down slightly and slides off of Tiffany. "You know she doesn't mean harm. She's just trying to keep you out of the legal system."

"She thinks she's better than my mother when it comes to raising me," states Taeyeon; her eyes drift towards the grass.

"Maybe she is."

"She isn't!" snaps Taeyeon.

"I...uh..."

"Shut up," Taeyeon stands and walks away from the Tiffany. Tiffany sits there mentally counting in her head. Taeyeon may seem to be mad at her but it was just another bluff. Tiffany knew that of all things that Taeyeon could and would carelessly toss to the side for personal gain; well she knew she wasn't one of them. She knew that Taeyeon would return because Taeyeon always does and always will.

And just like she thought the delinquent returned. "Back already?"

"You know it's because you're my friend that you get away with this stuff," states Taeyeon as she returns back to her seat beside.

"That and because you love me," remarks Tiffany with a cheeky grin. Taeyeon scoffs aloud, "speaking of love when are you going to get yourself a girlfriend?"

*****

"A hospital?" asks Sooyoung in confusion as she stares up at the large white building. "I thought we were heading towards the school?" She turns her head and looks over at the shorter girl who was also starring at the building. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

"I...No," answers Jessica while shaking her head, "let's just go to school." She turns away from the building and begins walking away. Sooyoung sighs; if Jessica didn't want to tell her then Jessica doesn't have to tell her. But Sooyoung would like to know what's wrong with her friend. She turns and jogs a little to catch up to the older girl.

"Jessica, slow down a little," calls out Sooyoung as she forces her way through the crowd of people. Jessica stops for a moment before continuing again causing for Sooyoung to groan. Sooyoung continues pushing people out of the way muttering an 'I'm sorry' in the process. "Jessica!" Finally reaching the older girl Sooyoung reaches out and grabs hold of Jessica's shoulder forcing her to stop. "Talk to me."

"There isn't anything to talk about right now," responds Jessica as she turns and looks at Sooyoung giving the taller girl a smile, "but when I come across something that I want to discuss it will be with you." Sooyoung gives Jessica questioning look. What was wrong with this girl? One moment she quiet and seems off and the next she's smiling.

Sooyoung sighs again, "Jessica...I'm not a complete and total idiot okay. I can tell that something is wrong...but I won't press the matter anymore. But please speak to someone about it before you hurt yourself."

"Ah...you care for me," remarks Jessica.

"Jessica..."

"I'm just joking," remarks Jessica turning serious again, "but thanks for caring." Sooyoung nods her head as she checks her phone for the time, "Worried we're going to be late?"

"I just don't want to get in trouble with my brother," answers Sooyoung as they begin walking again.

"You'd figure with that girlfriend of his he'd mind his own business. But I guess since he's so fond of you that he can't help be freak out when things go awry," comments Jessica.

"Like you and Krystal?" Jessica flinches for a moment as her sister name leaves Sooyoung's mouth. "Jessica..." Sooyoung watches the older girl curiously.

"I'm fine. I just remembered something that's all," states Jessica as she forces a smile. Sooyoung eyes her one last time before continuing to follow her towards the direction of the school. "But yeah just like how I freak when Krystal does something she's not suppose to. It just means trouble for us oldest siblings if anything."

"So you don't care for Krystal?" asks Sooyoung in a joking matter. Little did she know though that she had struck a chord.

"I do care for my sister," responds Jessica a little angrily, "Just because she gets hurt under my watch doesn't mean I don't care okay? If I could have saved her from harm I would have."

"Whoa Sica, calm down...I was joking. I know you wouldn't let harm come to little Jung."

"You know nothing," whispers Jessica. Jessica releases a sigh and stalks away ending all conversations with that. Sooyoung herself sighs for another time that morning shaking her head at the same time before following after her best friend.

*****

"Hot?" asks Taeyeon as she watches the girl who was fidgeting beside her. Tiffany nods her head while attempting to shift her jacket enough to reduce the heat her body was under. "It would make more sense to take it off," comments Taeyeon as she turns her attention back to her food.

"I can't," whispers Tiffany while looking down at the plate with a frown.

"Bruises? I didn't see any earlier when I snuck into your room," states Taeyeon.

"That's because you were too busy occupied with your phone. Some thief you are. Aren't you suppose to be aware of your surroundings?"

"Don't try and change the subject. So who was it from this time?" asks Taeyeon turning her attention towards the younger girl again.

"N-no one important," answers Tiffany, "let's just forget about it. We're supposed to be having a fun ditch day." She flashes Taeyeon an empty smile prior to returning to her meal. Taeyeon continues to watch Tiffany carefully.

"I'll work harder," states Taeyeon.

"I don't want you to. In fact I want you to give up being a 'criminal' and be a regular person again. But I know nothing I say or do will make you do that. Hopefully when you get a girlfriend-"

"Once again what is with the idea of me having a girlfriend?" asks Taeyeon slightly annoyed but also slightly curious.

"Well you don't seem interested in any boys...or I could be wrong," mutters Tiffany, "and you could probably more than likely like boys but is to awkward to approach them. Or maybe you 'street' aura lures them away from you. I mean what boy would want to date a girl who could beat them to a pulp?"

"Obviously not yours," mutters Taeyeon sarcastically.

Tiffany clucks her tongue and crosses her arms, "low blow Kim Taeyeon, and for your information he hasn't hit me. These bruises are from my mere clumsiness."

"Right because he curled a fist and you happened to trip and fall into it, right?"

"See this is why you need a relationship...a girlfriend...so you can stay out of mine," huffs Tiffany.

"I'm just looking out for my friend."

"Well I don't want you to."

"If you say so," responds Taeyeon as she stands and shoves her hands into her pocket. "Well I have some work to do." She turns to walk away from the table when she stops and looks over her shoulder, "I heard that fast food place is hiring a janitor-"

"Okay fine! You win," caves Tiffany.

A victorious grin appears on Taeyeon's face. "I'm glad you see it my way. But I'm really off. I have an itching for some trouble."

"Wait before you go I want to give you something," Tiffany digs in her pocket pulling out a silver chain that contained a locket at the end of it. "Here."

"I'm not taking it," responds Taeyeon, "last time you tried to give me something valuable you were in the hospital the next morning." Tiffany eyes cast downward. "Keep it. Whatever the problem is you'll get through it. I'm getting by just fine."

"You have a criminal record that's longer than the practically the longest essay or story or something."

"Great comparison," mutters Taeyeon.

"One of these days you're going to get tired of teasing me."

"And one of these days you're going to get tired of trying to give me prized possessions," counters Taeyeon, "now slide that back around your neck or into your pocket. There are pick-pocketers on the loose."

"Like you?" Taeyeon rolls her eyes. "But I want you to have it. I'm going to my mom's."

"Nice try. When I said that earlier I didn't mean it literally. We both know that your mother is just like mine in a way."

"Mine is a middle class woman with a stable job," states Tiffany.

"You know what I mean. They both don't want us. And we both don't need them. As long as we got each other right?" Tiffany nods her head and begins following Taeyeon out of the small diner.

"What happens when you get a love life?"

"Nothing..."

006

Jessica sighs inwardly as she turns and stares out of the window. Class was not entertaining to say the least. She couldn't comprehend the thought of why they needed to learn half the stuff this teacher was spewing from their mouth. When was any of this information going to be needed in the real world? It's not like she's going to calculate how much gas she'll need to drive so many miles at some many miles per second. Reality is, is Jessica was going to pull up to a pump and fill a car with as much gasoline that the money in her pockets can buy. She sighs again and turns back to the teacher with a blank stare before lowering her gaze to the phone that was sitting on her desk. One missed call and two unanswered texts both from Mrs. Jung.

Maybe she should speak to her mother. If her mother was willing to use her phone to contact her then maybe Jessica should be more willing to speak with the elderly woman. A third sigh. Her fingers wrap around the pencil that was sitting on her desk picking it up; she taps it against the desk to a certain beat as she stares back up at the teacher. She blinks a few times trying to keep herself awake. And as if on time a commotion out in the hallway snaps her out of her nearly sleeping state.

"Im Yoona!" rings an adult voice throughout the hallways. Jessica looks at the open door catching a glimpse of the culprit running pass. "Im Yoona...you little ungrateful delinquent!" Laughter fills the air, more than likely the ungrateful delinquent's. Jessica turns her attention back to her notebook when she stops and tilts her head to the side slightly. She turns and looks back at the door catching another glimpse of the 'bad girl' as they ran past the room again laughing louder than before.

"Alright...work from your book for now until the matter outside is solved," states the teacher heading out of the room in into the hall.

"She won't be able to do anything," mutters Jessica under her breath as she turns back to her desk. "A delinquent is a delinquent and forever will be one. They can't be caught and can't be helped. But what they can do is cause destruction for others."

"Is that what you really believe?"

Jessica exhales loudly from her nose looking up at the girl sitting at her table. "Yes it is what I believe. They do nothing but cause trouble for fun and hurt others for personal gain," answers Jessica. She turns her attention back to the window, "what's your point of view, Kwon?"

"You are right in a sense but some of them just need a sense of guidance," answers the girl.

"But at this age...at our age there is no reason for guidance. If they haven't learned by now how to behave like normal civilians then there is no hope for them. They're better off in jail don't you think?"

"I think that if it's not an adult type guidance that they can receive then maybe it's a love type guidance," answers the girl, "most of them are the way they are because they lack a type of love and nurture that others didn't receive." Jessica turns and blinks at the younger girl that was sitting beside her. "I also believe that without them our society would be dull...in fact none of us would learn the meaning of defense or protection. We might not even know the meaning of love."

"So you believe that we need them then Yuri?" The girl nods her head.

"I know Yoona. She's just a little lost on guidance that's all. I offer her as much as I can at the youth center but she refuses. She, just like you, believes that it's pointless to offer guidance to her at this stage. Maybe she's right...maybe I can't help in a way. But maybe it's just that I can't help her. Maybe she needs guidance from someone else," answers Yuri with a sigh.

"You hang out at a youth center?" asks Jessica while raising a brow.

"Community service...it looks good on college applications," answers Yuri, "I take time tutoring some of the younger kids there."

"I have another question," states Jessica. Yuri takes the turn to raise her brow, "you see the good in them...but how is a person suppose to see the good in them if they hurt a close family member?"

"Personal experience?"

"N-no," responds Jessica as quickly as she can, shaking her head. "I was just curious."

"I can't really answer that, Jessica." Jessica nods her head and turns back to the window watching the outside world curiously. The bell rings signaling the end of their class; she stands and grabs her pencil and book prior to exiting the room. She checks her phone seeing another missed call, this time from her father.

She stops by her locker and rests her head against the cool piece of metal. The sounds of her peers bring a sense of calmness throughout her. Her mind wanders back to her conversation with Yuri. Delinquents deserve a sense of understanding and guidance. So if they deserve the second chance? Does she deserve a 'second' chance? Does that mean that visiting Krystal would redeem herself?

Jessica backs away from the locker and opens it tossing her book inside. She slams the door shut only to jump out of fear at the sight of Sooyoung leaning against the neighboring locker. "Feeling better?" asks Sooyoung as she takes her eyes off the students and places them on Jessica.

"Yes I am," answers Jessica. "Make sure to take notes for our next class. I have to go home..."

"What for?" asks Sooyoung while following the shorter girl through the halls.

"Some family things."

*****

Taeyeon walks around the busy streets eyeing people and her surroundings. Her face scrunches lightly as she begins thinking about Tiffany told her. Does she really need a love life? A groan escapes from between her lips. What is she thinking? Of course she doesn't need one. Having a love life would only mean more trouble for her and she does not need any trouble. In fact if she wanted trouble she'd want it in a form that she can ditch not in the form of something that she would cherish and hold onto.

"Cherish? Hold on to?" questions Taeyeon aloud to herself. "Ugh...Fany is turning me into a small softie."

"Talking to yourself?" Taeyeon shifts her head slightly and turns to look to the side catching a glimpse of one of the people that she runs the dark streets with. "Not a healthy habit you know?"

"What do you want?" asks Taeyeon slightly annoyed.

"Look what I've got," Taeyeon stops walking taking the chance to see what they've got.

"A phone? I already have one of those and it's not stolen." She reaches out and grabs the phone; she brings it closer to her face examining it. "Thank you," she slips the phone into her pocket and begins walking away.

"You're just going to take it?!" Taeyeon nods her head and continues walking, "Well if I were you I'd lose it. I heard it's that girl who was attacked the other night." Taeyeon stops walking and turns around with a serious expression.

"You stole from an innocent girl?" asks Taeyeon as she approaches the friend.

"You do it all the time," remarks the friend.

"I don't steal after they've been attacked by a gang," responds Taeyeon while crossing her arms. Taeyeon turns and begins walking away again.

"What are you going to do with it?"

"I'm going to return it." She slides her hand into her pockets as she forces her way through the afternoon crowd. She pulls her hand out of her pocket and takes a look at the phone. She scoffs and rolls her eyes. She can't believe that she's doing a Good Samaritan deed. She shouldn't be turning this phone over to the rightful owner. She should be selling it off for some cash in her pocket, for some food for her best friend. She shoves the phone into her pocket and returns to examining and observing the people especially those with good paying jobs. She the better the job the more the cash they carried or the more expensive their jewelry is. And that equals more money and less work on her behalf.

"Taeyeon!" She looks over her shoulder to see her partner in crime approaching.

"Yoona," responds Taeyeon while nodding her head.

"Where are you off too?" asks the delinquent that interrupt the school.

"The hospital," answers Taeyeon as she looks up at the taller girl. "To return the phone of the girl that was attacked last night."

"Why?" asks Yoona as she follows the shorter girl. "This is why hanging out with Tiffany is bad for your mentality. She's making you a softy and sensitive person. Next thing I know you're going to be working a legal job and you're going to forget all about me." Taeyeon opens her mouth but Yoona continues talking again. "You already spend more time with her than with me. You know I spend my time hanging out at the youth center."

"To see the mute girl?" asks Taeyeon. Yoona groans and slams the palm of her hand to her face.

"You're not getting the point," remarks Yoona, "You're setting me aside...I hate to see it when you get a girlfriend."

"Girlfriend? What is up with the idea of me having a girlfriend?" asks Taeyeon.

"You just have a gay vibe. And of all the years that I have known you-"

"You can count that high?" asks Taeyeon in a joking matter.

"Unlike you I pay attention in my classes," remarks Yoona, "but as I was saying for as long as I've known you, you just seem uninterested in the male species. Ooh...hold on." Taeyeon stops walking and watches as Yoona enters the store that they were standing in. She pulls her own phone out and checks the time prior to sighing.

******

Jessica enters the hospital looking around. Not seeing anyone that she would recognize she heads for the front desk. "H-hello...I'm looking for Krystal Jung's room," states Jessica nervously; she was fidgeting. Her eyes never connect with the receptionist.

"Relationship?" asks the male behind the desk.

"Older sister," he nods his head and marks on the visitor tag.

"She's in the room marked on the visitor tag."

Jessica nods her head and takes the tag; with a sullen face she heads to the elevator pressing the up button. Stepping inside the open elevator she takes a deep breath preparing herself for seeing her sister. "You can do this Jessica. It's easy...just enter the room and let her know you do care." She closes her eyes taking another deep breath. The doors open and she steps out heading down the hall looking for Krystal's room.

Finding it she stops at the doorway taking a look at the sleeping girl. A small smile graces her lips at the sight of the younger girl looking peaceful. But the smile disappears when Jessica's eyes take in the bruises that were allocated all over Krystal's face. "I'm sorry," whispers Jessica to herself and to Krystal, "I should have been a better sister...I should-"

"You must be the sister?" Jessica turns and looks at the nurse who was standing behind her.

"Y-yeah," answers Jessica. "How is she doing?"

"Fine. Though the-"

"That's all I needed to know. I don't want to learn what happened to her last night. I just wanted to know if my sister was in a good condition or not." The nurse nods her head demonstrating that she understood what Jessica meant. Who would want to learn of the horrible things that a family member went through even more so when it's a sister, a little sister?

Jessica resumes at watching her sister from a distance when she feels a tap on her shoulder. Looking over it she comes face to face with the delinquent that was causing trouble earlier in the school. "Is there something you need?" asks Jessica.

"I...um...my friend over there," Yoona turns and points at Taeyeon who was starring at the vending machine, "she found that girl's, in there, phone. And I'm delivering it. I think a reward is..."

"You found a phone why should I reward you?" asks Jessica a little bitterly as she takes the phone from Yoona's hand, "Isn't it enough that...or are you planning on using this time as an opportunity for personal gain?"

"N-no." Yoona turns around and walks away to join Taeyeon; Jessica watches both girl's curiously. Her eyes catch Taeyeon's for a quick second; she turns her head to the side breaking the gaze. Embarrassment encompasses her. She couldn't believe that she got caught looking. Even more so that it was with a trouble maker. And what she didn't need right now was getting in some trouble with a 'criminal'. She takes one last look before entering the room and closing the door behind her.

*****

Taeyeon watches Jessica enter the room before stalking off with Yoona following. "She wouldn't offer up a reward and when she asked about my no-good habits I couldn't answer. You're making me soft!" accuses Yoona as she points a finger at Taeyeon.

"Blame it on Tiffany Hwang for attempting to make me soft," answers Taeyeon as she takes a look over her shoulder at the closed door.

007

A loud hiss sweeps through the room bringing Jessica out of her trance. She turns and looks at the bed to see Krystal's body shift as the younger girl wakens. A small smile forms on Jessica's face; her eyes meet those of Krystal. "Y-you're here?!" asks Krystal as her eyes register what was sitting before her. Jessica nods her head. "I-I thought you weren't coming to see me ever. I thought you didn't want to see me, that you were angry." Krystal begins playing with her hands, "I thought that you...that I had gotten you in trouble and that's why you didn't want to see me."

"You did," whispers Jessica, "in a way at least. Dad's avoiding me and mom...well she's just being mom." She taps her fingers against the arm rest of the chair before standing, "Um...some delinquents decided to deliver your phone..." She walks over to the bed as Krystal sits up; she hands the younger girl her phone and takes a seat beside her on the bed.

"Did you give them a reward for turning it in?" ask Krystal as she checks her phone for any damage.

"No."

"How could you not? They returned my phone. They could have sold it off or kept it," Krystal takes a deep breath, "but they didn't."

"Isn't it enough for them just to do a good deed?" counters Jessica with a bitter tone.

"Did you at least thank them?" asks Krystal.

"I...can't remember. And why should I thank them?" Krystal groans a little while rolling her eyes.

"If you can't thank them on your own then thank them for me," states Krystal, "and I don't want to see you or speak to you until you do so." Jessica raises a brow preparing to argue back only to give in. She could see that Krystal was being very serious and wasn't going to give up.

"Fine...fine...but where in the world do I find two delinquents?" asks Jessica aloud as she stands and heads to the door, "if I end up here beside you..." She turns and looks at Krystal who was ignoring her. A sigh escapes her lips as she exits out of the room, "if I end up here beside you...I just hope the guilt won't eat you like it's doing to me."

*****

Sooyoung stretches her neck trying to locate and see if Jessica had returned to get her notes. Finding no signs of the shorter older girl, Sooyoung hunches her shoulders in defeat. "You didn't just abandon me did you?" whispers Sooyoung to herself, "you promised not to leave until it was night time and you got tired." Adjusting the backpack that was on her back Sooyoung begins making her way home. "I wonder what kind of family stuff she had to do."

She stops at a light waiting to cross the street when a chill runs through her spine. The breath that she last took was stuck on its way to her lungs as an arm drapes over her shoulder.

"Where's Jessica?" Sooyoung turns and looks at her brother who was grinning as he watches the cars drive by.

"She left early due to family stuff," whispers Sooyoung as she lowers her head.

"So walking home alone?" he asks while pulling her body closer.

"Y-yeah," was all she could muster for an answer. He turns and looks at her nodding his head. Picking up the courage from who knows where she asks, "d-don't you n-need to see your g-girlfriend?"

"Who? Stephanie?" Sooyoung nods her head. Was that her name? "She ditched with that no good friend of hers. So no...I'm free for the day until this evening I think. That means I can accompany you home." Sooyoung's eyes widen slightly; her stomach lurches. A nauseating feeling begins to build up.

"I-I think I'm going to h-head for the l-library."

"I really don't think you should head to the library," he states sounding very serious. He drops his smile. "I think you should head home with me." He turns his head slightly and looks at his younger sister before leading her across the street. She closes her eyes for a quick second; she gives in. She was going to head home with her brother.

For the entire walk Sooyoung kept quiet only nodding her head every so often. "Sooyoung?" Hearing her name being called she stops and looks over her shoulder watching as Jessica exit the hospital.

"Hello Jessica," Jessica looks at the eldest Choi nodding her head.

"What were you doing at the hospital?"asks Sooyoung.

"Um...looking to see if they offer community service," lies Jessica. "Where are you off to?"

"We were just headed home," answers Sooyoung's brother.

"Oh...I'll let you two leave then..." Jessica watches as they prepare to leave; she catches a glimpse of Sooyoung's eyes noticing that something was off, "Want to come with me to the Youth Center? You could probably use the hours as much as I do." Sooyoung nods her head; she slowly turns and looks at her brother.

"I guess. But you better be home for dinner."

"O-okay," responds Sooyoung as she takes a stand beside Jessica. Both girls watch the male walk away before turning to leave on their own. "Community service?"

"Yeah...Yuri thought I would look good on college applications," answers Jessica.

"You talk to Kwon Yuri?" asks Sooyoung slightly surprised.

"We have the same math class."

*****

"I can't believe we returned the phone," mutters Yoona as she follows after Taeyeon. "It's all your fault!" shouts Yoona while pointing a finger at Taeyeon again. "That could have been a few extra dollars in our pockets!"

"I know that," responds Taeyeon; she was getting tired of being accused, "but I just couldn't let someone sell it. It is bad enough that she was attacked, who knows what else happened to her? Well maybe except for you since you like hanging out in the park."

"I do not hang out in the park," mumbles Yoona.

"Right you stalk...I didn't know stalking was part of your expertise."

"And I didn't know you knew such big words," counters Yoona. Taeyeon exhales loudly through her nose and Yoona catches it as she lets out a laugh.

"Laugh all you want," mumbles Taeyeon.

"I will just as soon as you tell me why in the world you returned the phone? Did you see what kind it was? All that money we're missing out on," states Yoona. Taeyeon stops walking and tilts her head.

"I figured out a way to shut you up," states Taeyeon. Yoona gives her a questioning look. Extending her arm, Taeyeon points at a nearby pedestrian. Yoona's eyes light up as she looks at the person.

"Let's go!" shouts Yoona as she takes off running. Taeyeon shakes her head before following after the taller girl who was preparing a purse snatch.

Yoona's fingers wrap tightly around the purse snatching it off of the woman's arm. Another loud laugh escapes her lips as she runs away. Taeyeon slows down a little as her eyes zoom in on the man beside the woman. She spots the wallet in his back pocket. Making her way carefully attempts to pry it out only to have the man turn around and look at her with a surprised look.

"Thank you," she states with a grin as she picks his pocket and takes off running after Yoona. "Wait up!" Yoona stops to wait. She turns around; her eyes widen slightly. She points behind Taeyeon causing for the older girl to look behind her shoulder to see a couple of foot police chasing her. She groans and pumps her legs as hard as she can. "Keep running."

Both girls force their way through the crowd evading the police and pick-pocketing at the same time. The rush and the thrill causes for both girls to break into laughter. "I know some place we can hide," calls out Yoona through the laughter. Taeyeon nods her head allowing for Yoona to take the lead.

They round a corner when a door to one of the many markets open and Tiffany steps out. "Taeyeon? Yoona?" she asks as the girls were charging towards her.

"Run!" shouts Taeyeon as she grabs Tiffany wrist while running past her dragging the younger girl along.

*****

Yuri hunches over one of the elementary school kids shoulders as she prepares for her first tutoring session. "Let me see what you've already finished," she states taking a look at the homework assignment that the boy was working on. "This is correct...so is that one...and that one," she states while pointing at his answers. "You're on the right track. How about you finish the rest and we go over it together when you're done?" The boy turns his head and gives Yuri a nod prior to returning to his work.

She straightens up and begins making her way across the room heading to the desk area where she usually did her own homework. The door opens with and she looks up. A small smile graces her face as she watches Jessica enter with Sooyoung behind her.

"Jessica came to give the 'delinquents' a chance?" asks Yuri. Jessica scoffs as she leans against the desk.

"Delinquents?" asks Sooyoung confused.

"Jessica told me earlier that she believed that delinquents should be locked up after the ruckus that one of them caused earlier today during our math class," answers Yuri. Jessica motions to speak when the doors to the center burst open and Yoona, Taeyeon and Tiffany rush inside. Taeyeon closes the door as Yoona hops over the desk and looks out the window. "Yoona what did you do this time?" asks Yuri. Yoona looks at Yuri flashing her a grin.

"Just the usual." She disappears towards the back of the center with Taeyeon and Tiffany following just as the officers that were chasing them enter the building. Jessica rolls her eyes and looks at Yuri. Yuri gives her a sheepish grin.

"What can I do for you officers?" asks Yuri.

"Have you seen three girls enter here?" asks one of the officers.

"No I can't say," lies Yuri, "in fact the last people to enter are these two in front of me."

The officer eyes Yuri; he turns to Jessica and Sooyoung and eyes them also. "If you say so..." They exit out of the building.

"Why'd you let them go free?" asks Jessica.

"They just need guidance."

008

"If guidance is what those three need then why not just split them up and get them guidance from separate people?" asks Sooyoung joining the conversation, "people do what they must to survive amongst their peers. So they're going to continue being delinquents in order to impress the other people."

"I've tried that," responds Yuri, "I've tried getting Yoona to stop hanging with the shorter girl. I thought that maybe if Yoona's friend sees how well Yoona is doing then maybe they'd want to straighten themselves out also. But that's not the case. Yoona is very loyal to her shorter friend. And it seems the shorter friend is just as loyal so says the fading bruise on my side."

"She hit you?" asks Jessica.

"Unintentionally...yes. I didn't mean to provoke the shorter girl the way I did. In fact I thought that like normal criminals the smaller girl would just toss Yoona aside as if she was replaceable. But that wasn't the case it seems. So I gave up on trying to separate them. Instead I now attempt to get Yoona to bring her friend here. Doesn't work though...Yoona just laughed in my face and claimed that I was crazy."

"She's telling the truth," remarks Jessica. "Anyone who would give their time of day to try and guide these lowlifes are crazy."

"You really believe it can't happen?" asks Yuri.

"I know it can't," retorts Jessica while crossing her arms.

"Then I'd like for you to at least try. Give it a month if you see no progress then you win and the next time Yoona or her friends do any wrong I will not protect them. But this is only if you can't lead them to the correct path." Jessica turns to Sooyoung who shrugs her shoulders in response. "So do you agree?"

"What's there to lose?" Yuri stands and motions for the two girls to follow her to the back where Yoona, Taeyeon and Tiffany were more than likely hiding. "So I'm just suppose to lead Yoona-"

"Nope not Yoona. That's my case," corrects Yuri, "you'll be getting her friend." They enter in a back room finding the three girls sitting around. "Yoona...I want you to meet some people."

"Hello," states Yoona while not looking up from the table. Yuri takes pulls a three chairs away from another table and set them up for her, Jessica and Sooyoung to sit on. They all take a seat causing for Yoona to finally look up, "You!" she shouts while pointing a finger at Jessica.

"Yes?" responds Jessica.

"Y-you! Do you know how much running I had to do today because of you?!" questions Yoona. Jessica stares at her blankly, "all because you wouldn't cough up a few dollars for me returning a phone which by the way I could have sold."

"And used the money for what?" asks Jessica.

"Me and Tae would have used that for Fany," answers Yoona.

"You'd use it for a-"

"No you idiot. I would have used it for Fany," repeats Yoona while pointing at Tiffany who was watching Taeyeon count the money that was in the wallet.

"Why does she need money? Why can't she get her own?" continues Jessica with her interrogation.

"Because she needs to be home to watch her brother," answers Taeyeon this time while looking up. "Her reasons for having financial issues are private and shouldn't be shared so easily with the public. You understand correct? I mean you do not wish for your family problems to be out in the open do you?"

"No," answers Sooyoung a little too quickly causing for Jessica to turn and look at her.

"You have family problems?" asks Jessica directing the question to the tallest girl sitting at the table.

"No I was just answering," answers Sooyoung.

"Hey I was trying to say something!" interrupts Yoona. Everyone turns and looks at her. "So are you going to pay up for the phone or not?"

"No," Jessica turns and looks at Taeyeon; their eyes catching each others'. "My sister says thank you for being considerate and returning it. Though I don't believe you deserve it since you turned around and robbed what seem to be two people blind."

"If we would have done that we would have their jewelry in our hands," comments Yoona.

"You did a good deed and then turned around and committed theft?" asks Yuri directing her question towards Yoona.

"It was Tae's idea," responds Yoona as she leans back and looks at the door watching someone enter the back room. A smile makes its way across Yoona face as she sits correctly before standing up, "I'll be making my leave."

"Yoona..." She looks at Taeyeon, "stay out of trouble for the evening." Yoona nods her head and heads out of the room following the person who had entered out.

"Um...Taeyeon," states Yuri unsure on how to approach the shorter girl without provoking her.

"Yes."

"How are things going with Yoona? I only see her every so often now. I hope she isn't doing anything more than petty thefts. No more break-ins and fighting right?" asks Yuri.

"Yoona does what Yoona do," responds Taeyeon as she turns and looks at Jessica eyeing the girl. Her motions don't go unnoticed by Tiffany who breaks out into a small smile. She leans over and whispers something in Taeyeon's ear. Taeyeon blinks her eyes rapidly; she turns and looks at Tiffany who was nodding her head while grinning widely now. "That's ridiculous," whispers Taeyeon.

"Is not," responds Tiffany. "Hello...I'm Tiffany."

"Yuri," responds Yuri, "and this is Jessica and I believe that is Sooyoung, right?" Sooyoung nods her head.

"Hello," states Tiffany, "this serious midget is Taeyeon. But don't mind her she's just playing tough...she's really just a big sensitive softy...I mean a short sensitive softy." Taeyeon snarls and Tiffany giggles.

"You steal also?" asks Jessica. Tiffany shakes her head no, "then why do you hang out with these delinquents?"

"Because they're my friends. They aren't bad...really they're not. I hope you don't turn them in."

"She won't turn me in," remarks Taeyeon while turning back to Jessica.

"No Jessica won't," states Yuri, "in fact Jessica has signed up to do some community service here at the Center. And well Taeyeon...she was assigned to be your guidance for the month...if that's okay with you?"

"Yes," answers Tiffany quickly. Taeyeon turns back to her best friend with a confused look, "I think this is going to be good for you. I know this is going to be good for you. It gives you a chance to kind of change. It also allows for you to stay out of my relationship with my boyfriend. I think you should do it."

"Tiffany-"

"No...Taeyeon, please."

"I can't get you your rent money if I-"

"We'll think of something. Think about Yoona...she shouldn't be doing things like this. And you can't spend your life running from the police."

"Why not? I'm a criminal have been since middle school."

"Do you guys have a little something for each other?" asks Sooyoung curiously.

"No."

"Then what's the relationship?" asks Sooyoung.

"If we were to tell you, you wouldn't believe it," states Tiffany.

"Well I'm curious and would like to know," comments Jessica leaning in.

"We're half-sisters," answers Tiffany as Taeyeon leans back in her chair and looks up at the ceiling, "in fact Taeyeon and Yoona are also half-sisters. Me and Taeyeon are related by our father though we do not share the same last name. Yoona and Taeyeon are related by their mother. And same thing for them, they don't share last names either."

"Yeah right," responds Jessica in disbelief. "There is now way you three are related in any way, shape or form. That must be the lie you tell everyone else."

"Told you, you wouldn't believe it. But its true...tell them Taeyeon."

"That's absurd...you don't even look alike," comments Sooyoung.

"Not all families look alike," argues Tiffany. "And we're only half siblings. Related by only one family member. And I'm not even related to Yoona. Just Taeyeon. Really we are related...we really are..." Tiffany looks down at her hands then at Taeyeon who had closed her eyes.

"That explains it," the four girls turn and look at Yuri, "I've always wondered why Yoona was so loyal to you when a criminal is supposed to be loyal to no one but themselves. And yet Yoona would never abandon you or anything. And this...this explains everything. It's because you're her older sister."

"As an oldest child isn't it your duty to teach your younger siblings right from wrong? Not include and indulge them in illegal behaviors?" asks Jessica curiously.

"It is my duty to do such things," answers Taeyeon; her eyes flicker to meet with Jessica's for a quick second then flicker back to Yuri's, "because Tiffany wishes me to do so I will do it."

"Alright then I'll let you two be. Sooyoung want to help me in tutoring the younger kids here or do you have something to do?" asks Yuri.

"I'll come," Sooyoung stands and follows Yuri out of the room leaving behind Tiffany, Taeyeon and Jessica.

"I have to go...I need to make sure that the rent is paid and stuff," she stands and looks at Jessica, "it was nice meeting you. I hope to see more of you in the future. Don't let Taeyeon scare you off with her bark since that's all she is. She's just bark with no real bite. Well occasionally she will bite figuratively and literally...but she'd truly okay to hang out with." Tiffany waves at Jessica and pats Taeyeon on the head before disappearing out of the room.

"If it is your duty why aren't you doing it? Why aren't you showing your siblings the right path?" asks Jessica trying to make small talk.

"Is it not our duty to also make sure we attempt to keep them safe from harm with all our power?" asks Taeyeon in return.

Jessica opens her mouth to answer only to close it seconds later. With a huff she quickly stands and exits out of the backroom leaving behind a bewildered Taeyeon. Taeyeon blinks trying to register this girl's sudden change in behavior. Did she say something that offended the girl?

Taeyeon, herself, pushes her chair back and stands slowly following after the slightly taller girl. Why? She doesn't know. In fact she should be happy that her 'guidance counselor' decided to leave her alone, right?

She looks outside of the room watching Jessica as she pushes past the rest of the teens and kids in the center heading for the door and exiting out with Sooyoung following behind. "Wow, you got rid of her faster than I can get rid of Yuri," Taeyeon turns her head in the other direction to see Yoona leaning against the wall. "But on the bright side I got her wallet which she dropped." Yoona breaks out into a grin displaying the wallet to Taeyeon.

"I will be taking that," states Yuri while taking the wallet out of Yoona's hands. "I'm returning this to her tomorrow during class. And you should apologize for taking it."

"I didn't take anything," responds Yoona, "it was on the floor and I picked it up. Finders keepers..."

"And you know who it belongs to, so you should return it. How are you supposed to get into college with this type of behavior?"

"Uh...lie and cheat my way in, right Taeyeon?" retorts Yoona while turning to look at the shorter girl. Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders stuffing her hands into her pockets. A door slams and all three girls look back towards the front of the Center to see Jessica enter it.

"My wallet," she states; hand out as she approaches them. "Hand over my wallet before I call the cops and inform them of your whereabouts."

"What makes you think we have it?" asks Taeyeon curiously.

"You just stole a wallet earlier," answers Jessica.

"Exactly," responds Yoona, "we stole a wallet earlier why would we want yours? Besides you were too cheap to cough up a reward when we gave you your sister's phone. And that must mean you're broke so why would we want your empty wallet?"

"Why should I reward the people who put my sister in the hospital," responds Jessica. "Because of people like you my sister is in the hospital. If it weren't for people like you existing I wouldn't have allowed my sister to sneak out at night...she would have been able to leave as she please and return home in one piece."

"You're blaming the fact that you were an irresponsible sister on us?" argues Yoona. "How does you letting your sister sneak out become our fault?"

"As I said if people like you didn't exist she wouldn't have to sneak out. No one would have to sneak out because there would be no danger, there would be no curfew."

"There will always be curfew with overbearing, overprotective, suffocating parents. And we are not to blame for that. There is a difference between us and the people who did what they did to your sister."

"There is no difference you are all alike. And you are all at fault."

"But it was your choice in letting her go. You could have locked her up in her room, or you could have told your parents of her plans. Even more so this is her fault also. Who in their right mind walks through the park at night anyways? Not even we walk through the park at night. So the blame doesn't go on us. Suck it up and take the fact that you fail as an older sister. That you couldn't perform your duty to protect your sibling from harm. That is actually your fault."

"Yoona," states Taeyeon pulling the taller girl back since she had taken a step towards Jessica. "Go and see the mute girl...and calm yourself down." Yoona looks at the hand that was on her shoulder; she then looks Taeyeon in the eyes nodding her head. She turns and walks across the center. Taeyeon looks at Jessica; she moves to talk when her phone goes off. Instead of answering the ringing phone she, Taeyeon, heads towards the door leading outside. Both Jessica and Yuri watch the shorter girl.

"Prepare to be terrorized by Yoona," whispers Yuri as she leans forward, "the girl can hold a grudge. And you've upset her...I'm actually quite surprise Taeyeon didn't step in. But I guess since you didn't take a blow to her pride she let it slip. Or maybe it was the fact that you actually acknowledged that she is nothing but a criminal."

"She wants people to think she's a criminal?" asks Jessica in a blank tone while still starring at the door.

"She thinks she's a criminal."

-----

Taeyeon pulls her phone out and looks at the number that was calling her: her aunt. What did she do this time? It's not dark. It is not pass her 'curfew'. She cleaned her room. She fed her dog. So what could possibly be the reason for her aunt to be calling her? It's not like the police knew who she was, because Taeyeon definitely didn't recognize the cops that were following her. With a sigh, she stuffs the phone back into her pocket and begins looking around her surroundings.

Out the corner of her eye she spots Sooyoung standing in front of the Center on her phone. Tilting her head she gets a better picture of Sooyoung's face, witnessing what seems like fear spread across it. Taeyeon shakes her head; it is better if she didn't get involved in other people's problems. She has enough of her own to take care of. She begins turning when she spots tears slipping down Sooyoung's cheeks. "Stupid Tiffany...you're making me soft," mumbles Taeyeon as she approaches Sooyoung, "Hey..." Sooyoung looks up at Taeyeon as she quickly wipes away the tears. "What wrong with you?"

"Nothing," answers Sooyoung as she quickly hangs up and slips her phone into her pocket. The door to the center opens and Jessica steps out. "Hey...I-I have to head home...I'll see you later."

"Walking alone?" questions Jessica. Sooyoung shakes her head no and nods her head in a direction of an approaching car. "Oh...so you're making me walk home alone?"

"It's not like I want to," responds Sooyoung seriously, though Jessica took it as a joke. "Well...um I'll see you tomorrow." Jessica nods her head; both she and Taeyeon watch as Sooyoung climbs into the Choi family car.

"You're an idiot," mutters Taeyeon.

"Excuse me, did you just call me an idiot?" asks Jessica. Taeyeon nods her head then leans it back allowing for her face to take in the sun's rays again. Her eyes slowly drift close. "And why am I an idiot?"

"She's hurting and you're doing nothing about it," states Taeyeon, "aren't you suppose to take care of your girlfriend?"

"Girlfriend?!" spouts Jessica. "You're mistaken. Sooyoung is my friend. And she's not hurting. I would know. We're best friends and we tell each other everything. And she's has never told me once that she was hurting or anything."

"Then I'm mistaken...you're not an idiot...you're just plain stupid," Taeyeon opens an eye and takes a peek at Jessica. "Well I'm off...I have an itching for some more trouble."

"Stealing wallets and purses aren't enough?" mocks Jessica.

"Nope. I'm thinking about moving on to bigger and better things, like a shiny new car or maybe a bank," responds Taeyeon as she begins walking away. Jessica mouth drops open, "and don't think about calling the police or anything."

"Are you threatening me?" asks Jessica.

"No not at all." Jessica glares at Taeyeon's back watching as the short girl ran through traffic to get to the other side of the street before disappearing into an alleyway. Jessica groans. What in the world did she just get herself involved in? Just yesterday she was an average girl, an average student with an average family. And now she's a girl with a sister in a hospital and a guidance counselor to a midget who believes she's a criminal.

-----

Tiffany slips in the front door of her home closing the door as quietly as she could. She peeks around the corners of her house checking, making sure that her father wasn't home yet. Seeing that the coast was clear she heads straight for her room. Moving as quickly as he can she heads straight for the bookshelf. Sliding one of her textbooks out of the way she pulls out the envelope in which she stores the money that Taeyeon gives her.

She pulls out the cash counting making sure that all was accounted for. If there was anything missing Taeyeon would be upset. No upset is an understatement... Taeyeon would be pissed beyond belief. A sense of relief washes over her as everything adds up. She slides everything back into place and heads to the kitchen finding her younger brother sitting at the table with a few of his friends.

"I'm going out," she states as she approaches him, "here's some money for some food and food only and here's some extra change on the side," she sets few bills on the table. "I'll be back later and stay out of trouble. I can't keep bailing you out of jail for your stupid antics." He flashes Tiffany a smile and she pats him on the head. She heads for the door exiting just in time to see her boyfriend park right out front. "You're early," she calls out as she approaches the car.

She blinks a few times as her eyes try to register the person sitting in the passenger seat. "Sooyoung?"

009

"What are you thinking about now?" Jessica turns her head and looks at Yuri who was busily working on the assignment that was given to them. "I'm just curious," states Yuri as she sits up straight and looks at Jessica, "you're awfully quiet...not that you were never quiet...ah..." Yuri delivers a sheepish grin as she attempts to refigure out what is was that she wanted to say. "What I mean to ask is what is on your mind. You seem more out of then what you were yesterday, and I hope that this has nothing to do with Yoona or Taeyeon."

"Nothing," responds Jessica as she turns and looks out the window catching a glimpse of Yoona and Taeyeon lolling around on the grass outside. "Don't they care about their education?"

"From what I've discussed with Yoona and stuff she's a decent student...mostly C's and a D here or there," answers Yuri, "I can't really speak about Taeyeon...well because I don't know anything about the shorter girl."

"For a person who's supposed to be a role model for her younger siblings..." Jessica shakes her head and turns her attention back to her assignment. Her fingers wrap around her mechanical pencil; it begins methodically tapping the tip of it against the wooden desktop.

"Taeyeon probably has her reasons. You should attempt to figure it out when you have your first official meeting with her later this evening." A sigh escapes her lip; her fingers release the pencil. How could she forget that she is now the shorter girl's guidance counselor?

"So like how long am I supposed to meet with her every day after school?" asks Jessica as she cocks her head to the side.

"A few hours or so. Or until Taeyeon decides to leave on her own." The bell rings and Yuri collects her stuff leaving out of the room. Jessica turns her attention back to the window. She tilts her head and bites her bottom lip while thinking. She quickly stands and grabs her items leaving the room and heading towards the lawn.

She forces her way through the mass of teens; a grunt escapes her lips. She needed to hurry and get to the yard. Who knows how long they were going to be there? It's lunch time and that means those two might just ditch. As she turns a corner her eyes catch a glimpse of Sooyoung slipping down another hallway. She waits a while and watches as Sooyoung's brother slips that way also. Taeyeon's words somehow find their way into her mind making her curious.

Jessica begins taking steps in the direction that Sooyoung disappeared to. "Sooyoung!" she calls out giving the two Chois a warning of her appearance.

-----

Her eyes meet his and so she takes a turn down another hallway in hopes of avoiding him. She closes her eyes trying to think of a lie as to why she was going this way instead. A hand grabs hold of her shoulder pushing her into the nearby lockers. "Where are you off to?" The voice makes the color drain from her skin. She opens her eyes slowly and they connect with his for a second time.

"I-I was going to check up on something from one of my teachers," she mumbles as her gaze drops to her feet.

"Which teacher and what is it about?" he asks releasing her shoulder.

"I...uh..."

"So there is no teacher and you're lying?" he asks. She begins chewing on her bottom lip; her hands tighten their grip on the books that they were holding. "Sooyoung...I'm talking to you."

"I..I have to go, or I'll be late."

"For lunch?" he asks.

"For meeting up with Jessica." She attempts to leave only to be forced back against the lockers. She releases a sigh and looks up at her brother.

"Sooyoung!" Jessica's voice echoes throughout the hallway and both Chois turn to look at the entrance of it. "Sooyoung!" Jessica comes into view, "come one let's go. I have to catch up with those delinquents before they decide to ditch or something." She marches over to Sooyoung grabbing hold of the taller girl's hand and drags her away from her brother.

Once out of view Jessica looks over her shoulder for one quick look before turning to Sooyoung, "Did you do something?" she asks.

"Huh?"

"I asked if you did something. He seemed kind of angered or something." Sooyoung shakes her head. "O-Oh okay if you say so." They continue walking through the crowd; Jessica's eyes flicker in Sooyoung's direction every so often. The words that Taeyeon had told her earlier come into mind. "Um...is there something you want to talk about? I mean...is there anything that's on your mind or something?" asks Jessica.

"No."

"Are you sure? I mean...never mind. I won't force it. But remember...we're like best friends Sooyoung. So if you need someone to talk to-"

"I know," responds Sooyoung as she shifts the books to her other hand. Jessica stops walking and turns to Sooyoung. "I know Jessica...there is nothing going on except for some sibling fighting. I'm sure you and Krystal do it a lot." Jessica nods her head. "Alright then...I'm going to go and find Tiffany. I want to talk to her about some things. I'll see you next class...or are you planning on leaving again?"

"It was a onetime thing. I'm not going to do it again like those lowlifes," responds Jessica as she crosses her arms.

"I bet you won't be thinking that when you get to know them."

"Whatever." Jessica waves her off and turns leaving Sooyoung to stand alone in the hallway. A small smile creeps onto Sooyoung's face at the thought of being able to share her problems with Jessica. It has been a while since she has been able to feel as if she could talk to Jessica about things. Even though they're best friends the feeling left a while ago when they began getting 'real' lives in high school.

"Thank you," whispers Sooyoung as she heads off to find Tiffany.

-----

Eyes watch as Taeyeon and Yoona lay around on the grass. A small chuckle leaves her lips as she watches Yoona sit up quickly before running off as Jessica came into view. Fingers release the pen that she was holding as she turns her chair and continue to watch the scene from the second floor of the school. The sight was one to see; she leans back in the chair getting comfortable. "Tiffany," she looks up for a second to see Sooyoung taking the chair on the opposite side of the table. She flashes the taller girl a smile and turns back to watch her sister.

"She's not going to hit Jessica is she?" asks Sooyoung while watching the two girls out on the grass.

"No...or at least I don't think she will," answers Tiffany while blinking her eyes. "She's hasn't hit Yoona before or maybe it was Yoona that she's hit before... and she only tackles me..." She crosses her arms while trying to think of any time that Taeyeon has gotten violent. "Well...maybe if she provokes her I guess. But seeing as that she believes that Taeyeon's a criminal, Taeyeon just might not attack her." Sooyoung nods her head as she turns to look at Tiffany. Feeling eyes on her Tiffany turns and flashes Sooyoung a smile, a real smile. "Is there something you wanted to talk about? I'm sure you didn't come to find me just to hang out...since we've only just met yesterday."

"I...um," Sooyoung pauses thinking of a way to say what she wanted to say without sounding offending, "you should break up with my brother." Tiffany's eyes widen slightly, "I...this has nothing to do with you or your relatives or anything, seriously it doesn't. I just think you should break up with him."

"If this has nothing to do with me then why should I break up with him?" asks Tiffany sounding a little upset. "We've been dating for like a year now."

"I...I can't say why," responds Sooyoung; her head drops and she begins playing with her hands. "It's hard to say and-"

"Not good enough." Tiffany closes up her book and grabs her items standing, "look if you have a problem with me and my family just say so and quit beating around the bush about it. I know we're not exactly perfect like you and your family but that doesn't mean that you can just tell me to break up with your brother without a perfectly good explanation. And here I thought we made some friends yesterday." Sooyoung raises her head in time to see Tiffany storm off out of the library. A frustrated sigh escapes between her lips; her head drops down upon the table.

"Good going," she whispers to herself. She lifts her head releasing another sigh, a frustrated one. This wasn't exactly what she was expecting when she thought about this all last night after being dropped off at home so the two could go on their date. What she had expected was Tiffany to just go ahead with it. Maybe she was just being naïve with the whole thing. "Should I approach this differently? Should I go to her sister instead?" whispers Sooyoung as she looks down at the grass where Taeyeon and Jessica were.

-----

"You're friend is coming," states Yoona as she stands up and walks away leaving Taeyeon alone on the grass. The sun disappears and a shadow looms over her causing for Taeyeon to open one of her eyes. She looks at Jessica then recloses her eyes.

"Hello," she states while shifting to comfortable.

"You were ditching," states Jessica.

"I know, thank you for stating the obvious," remarks Taeyeon. Jessica rolls her eyes at Taeyeon's childish remark.

"You're supposed to be a role model for Yoona and Tiffany and yet you ditch." Taeyeon reopens her eyes and forces herself up into a sitting position.

"See there?" she asks while pointing at a window on the second floor. Jessica looks over her shoulder to see Tiffany looking out the window. "She studies and she studies hard. She's getting mostly B's and C's. She could probably get a few A's if she had more time to study and less stress. And Yoona is getting C's. So my ditching is not affecting their grades."

Jessica turns back to Taeyeon, "I-"

"My behavior does not get in the way of my sisterly duties. I make sure that the do what they have to do. You do the same thing right? You're an older sister, right?" Jessica huffs and crosses her arms for a second time.

"Why not just show up to class? Get a legal job? You know that type of stuff?" asks Jessica while attempting to guide Taeyeon onto the right track.

"Because it's just something I do not want to do. Yoona understands what she has to do even though she has sticky fingers. And well this is what Tiffany wants."

"What Tiffany wants?" questions Jessica.

"Tiffany studies to provide to the smaller Hwang at home. She wants to be able to-" She abruptly stops and looks up at the window watching as Tiffany stormed away from her spot. She quickly pushes herself up to her feet. "I h-have to go." She takes off running into the building leaving Jessica speechless.

"What did you do?" Jessica turns to see Yoona approaching her.

"Nothing...She just took off running," answers Jessica.

Yoona takes a stance next to Jessica, "So you're attempting to do the same to Taeyeon as what Yuri is trying to do to me."

"And that is?" remarks Jessica.

"Make us good."

"So you like being a lowlife?" asks Jessica.

"You think that's what we are?" Jessica nods her head, "as I told you earlier we do what we can to provide for Tiffany. She doesn't have what we have. Taeyeon has our aunt and is living in a nice home. I've got my adoptive family that is a little higher class then most people. Tiffany...Tiffany only has her brother, her and Taeyeon's brother." Jessica raises a brow, "they have the same father and Taeyeon knows that he is her brother but he doesn't know she's his sister. Anyways Tiffany has nothing."

"Wouldn't providing for her legally be the better option?" questions Jessica.

"I'm not going to discuss that."

Jessica sighs and begins looking around her surroundings. "So you're adopted?"

"Yup...and just like Yuri you won't find out why. Thanks for the extra couple of dollars." Jessica eyes widen and she turns to see Yoona running off while waving. She sticks her hand in her jacket pockets searching for her lunch money feeling nothing.

"I did not just get robbed..."

010

She kept her eyes straight forward though every now and then she would steal a glance at the person beside her making sure that they were still around. A small sigh and she has no clue as to what to do or say. She inhales sharply and slides her hands into her pockets only to release a grumble remembering how easily she was robbed. "I miss that." She quickly turns and looks at her friend. "I miss the days when we were able to smile freely and have fun."

"We can still do that," she responds while inhaling. They can still do that right? "We can take a day or a weekend off...just you and me and do whatever we please."

"It won't work," mumbles Sooyoung while adjusting her backpack straps, "my brother wouldn't allow it and your schedule is now packed with being a counselor and having Krystal in the hospital...speaking of which why didn't you tell me?"

"Trying to change the subject?" questions Jessica while turning and looking at the scenery around her. "I couldn't tell you because I didn't want you to be disgusted in me like everyone else." Sooyoung motions to respond but Jessica continues, "Okay...maybe people weren't disgusted but I was. And back to the original topic...why is it we can't do it? Doesn't your brother have other things then telling you to stay home?"

"H-he does," answers Sooyoung, "but you know how it is being an the oldest child."

"Second oldest with a sibling off in college," responds Jessica.

"Yeah that...he's just a little over protective," counters Sooyoung not even believing her own words. But what more could be said on the matter? She just wasn't ready to speak upon it. Jessica takes that as a sign to resume walking in silence and she does. "S-so...who's all going to be at the Center?" asks Sooyoung as they come to a halt waiting for the light to change.

"I don't...Yuri more than likely and probably that no good Yoona and Taeyeon," answers Jessica while shrugging her shoulders. How was she supposed to know who was going to be at the center? It's not like she's a psychic or anything. "Why do you ask?"

"I-I was just curious if Tiffany was going to be there. That's all." A sly grin forms on Jessica face and she turns looking up at the taller girl.

"Do you like Tiffany?" asks Jessica. Sooyoung's face scrunches up and she quickly shakes her head. "Oh...if you say so then." Jessica turns back and takes a step off the curb allowing for Sooyoung to follow. "Then are you avoiding her for a reason?"

"She's dating my brother," answers Sooyoung.

"Oh...I see. Not allowed to mingle with his girl friend," comments Jessica.

"More like she doesn't want to talk to me..." mumbles Sooyoung. Jessica opens her mouth but quickly recloses it. She didn't want to delve in something that sounded like Sooyoung didn't want to talk about anymore. Silence looms over them once again as they continue their walk to the Center. "Maybe we should have left with them."

"And be seen with them?" questions Jessica.

"Well you were seen with them at Lunch and-" Sooyoung immediately stops talking as both her and Jessica watch Tiffany, Taeyeon and Yoona exit the Center.

"Told you she would chicken out," states Yoona loudly oblivious to the fact that Sooyoung and Jessica were just a couple of feet away. "Even though she's really dense she's at least smart enough to know that there is no point in trying to guide us."

"Not true Yoona," remarks Tiffany. "You guys do need this guidance...it's the only way to ensure that we're still together and...and not having one of you sitting in a cell somewhere or even worse..." She struggles to finish her statement. She didn't want to say it aloud for she didn't want to jinx the two girls. She needs them. They're her only family besides her brother and she wasn't going to lose it even if it meant upsetting them by putting them through this nuisance.

"You're upsetting Tiffany, Yoona," states Taeyeon as she stretches. Her eyes briefly meet with Jessica, "It seems my meeting will happen." Yoona and Tiffany turn looking in both directions before finally seeing Jessica and Sooyoung. A slight look of disapproval appears on Tiffany's face while Yoona's face brightens up. "I'll see you tomorrow Yoona. Go straight home tonight. No wandering the streets."

"You always have to ruin things," whispers Yoona directly towards Tiffany as her smile drops.

"And I'll see you later tonight," states Taeyeon directly at Tiffany.

"You Aunt will be upset if you continue hanging out after curfew."

"Why do you always visit her and not me?!" asks Yoona sounding upset. Taeyeon shrugs her shoulder and walks off towards Jessica.

"You're late."

"Technically I still have three minutes to be here. You're leaving early," counters Jessica.

"Whatever...let's go," responds Taeyeon while shoving her hands into her pockets.

"I'm not going to leave Sooyoung alone," states Jessica.

"She can hang out with Yoona and Tiffany for the time being as long as she doesn't say anything stupid," remarks Taeyeon while eyeing the taller girl. Sooyoung looks to Jessica for a quick second before turning and looking at Tiffany and Yoona who was watching them curiously. "Does your friend not speak the same language as us? Do I have to speak something else? I really don't want to and i don't know anything else...is that's why she didn't answer me earlier..." Taeyeon's face scrunches up as she begins thinking. "Tiffany be nice!" she shouts all of a sudden realizing that it was Tiffany. She then pushes Sooyoung in her sisters direction.

Sooyoung stumbles forward and stops looking over her shoulder at Jessica and Taeyeon. "I'll be back in an hour," states Jessica, "I won't leave you alone for too long." Sooyoung nods her head and continues walking towards Yoona and Tiffany.

Upon approaching the two girls Tiffany raises her head and releases a huff before stalking off. "Ignore her," whispers Yoona, "So have you ever tried a five finger discount?" she questions while pulling Sooyoung along after Tiffany.

"If your sisters get her in trouble," starts Jessica only to stop as Taeyeon had begun walking away, "you're supposed to wait for me!" She jogs a little to catch up to the small girl. "So...uh...how should we do this?"

"Introductions would seem to the right way," states Taeyeon as she steps off the side walk and begins walking in the street.

"A thief asking for introductions?" questions Jessica in disbelief.

"Why would I take someone's advice and allow them to lead me any where if I do not know them?" questions Taeyeon in return as she surveys her surroundings. Jessica bites the inside of her mouth. She had no response, no answer. It's true. Why would anyone follow after someone they did not know?

"My name is Jessica Jung," she states.

"American," responds Taeyeon.

"Have a problem with that?" snarls Jessica.

"Tiffany is too." Jessica stops walking for a second and watches Taeyeon as she stares at the passing traffic. "Well...I go by Taeyeon," she responds nonchalantly.

"Is your last name Im?" asks Jessica.

"No...only Yoona's because she's adopted," answers Taeyeon. "Did you not pay attention to Tiffany when she explained that none of us share a common name?" Jessica shrugs her shoulders even though it was pretty obvious that Taeyeon wasn't looking her way. "You have a sister. How many more siblings do you have?"

"Other than Krystal another one that's off in college already," answers Jessica truthfully. "And you?"

"I believe it's only me, Yoona, Tiffany and a brother who Tiffany takes care of," answers Taeyeon, "though I doubt that."

"Why?" The question just slips out of Jessica's mouth catching both her and Taeyeon by surprise.

"My mother isn't exactly responsible and neither is my father. We don't all have perfect families like you." She stops watching the car and looks at Jessica; they hold eye contact for a while and Taeyeon continues walking down the street. Jessica steps quickly to keep up with her. "So why are you doing this? You surely are disgusted with us."

"To prove to Yuri that people like you can't change," answers Jessica.

-----

"Do you like Tiffany or something?" asks Yoona while looking through some CDs. Sooyoung shakes her head no and returns to browsing through another section on the shelf. "Are you sure? You keep starring at her and whatnot."

"I don't like her," responds Sooyoung. She takes a deep breath, "I...I kind of told her to break up with my brother."

"Oh...so you're related to him," Yoona sets a CD down and turns looking at Sooyoung. Sooyoung nods her head and turns her head slightly; their eyes connect. "So is Tiffany not good enough for him or something?"

"N-no...I just think that she shouldn't be dating my brother that's all."

"Riight." Yoona exhales loudly. "As much as I don't get along with Tiffany, let her stay happy."

"She's happy with him?" questions Sooyoung as she looks across the store at Tifffany. Yoona nods her head while looking around the store. The bell rings throughout the store signaling new customers. Yoona's get bigger for a fraction of a second; she quickly ducks pulling Sooyoung down. "What-"

"Taeyeon's cousin who she lives with," whispers Yoona as she begins crawling towards Tiffany. Sooyoung follows her on hands and knees, "She's really annoying at times. Tiffany calls it tough love I call it needing a butt-kicking."

"You have one big family," whispers Sooyoung. Yoona stops and flashes Sooyoung a smile before continuing with the mission of getting across the store. Reaching Tiffany, Yoona reaches up and pulls on Tiffany's jacket.

"What did you do this time?" asks Tiffany while starring at the two tall girls.

"Nothing," responds Yoona, "but let's leave." Tiffany slides the CDs that she was holding back onto the shelf; Sooyoung and Yoona push themselves back onto their feet and all three head for the exit.

Once out in the open Yoona stretches while grinning. "I know that grin...what did you take this time?" asks Tiffany as they walk down the street.

"Nothing but a couple of CDs," she pulls out the cases showing them to Sooyoung and Tiffany. "Let's go get something to eat." She walks off a little further ahead of Sooyoung and Tiffany.

Sooyoung fidgets being in a close proximity to Tiffany. She looks at Tiffany slightly and adjusts the straps on her backpack, "I...I uh didn't mean to you know...well I did mean to...but I have good reasons. And trust me it's not because of you or your family, really." Tiffany clicks her tongue and pulls out her phone checking the time. "I'm being honest...I just...my brother isn't..." She trails off not knowing how to explain without revealing too much about her life. Tiffany looks at Sooyoung seeing the struggle in the taller girl's face.

"You want me to break up with your brother for reasons unknown to anyone but yourself," states Tiffany. "So what are those reasons?" asks Tiffany.

"Just forget it," mumbles Sooyoung.

"This isn't something that I can easily forget."

-----

Jessica watches Taeyeon carefully as they sit on the steps outside of the public library. They've been sitting there quietly for over half an hour. Not that either one of them mind. It was just that there was some sort of awkwardness between the two of them. Jessica sighs and looks at her shoes and pulls out her phone. This was boring. Is this what Yuri does all day?

"You suck at this," states Taeyeon. Jessica scoffs in response, "should we continue introductions?" Jessica shrugs her shoulders. "You have little respect for me." Jessica rolls her eyes. "That's why I won't change. I won't change for you, for the teachers or for anyone else," states Taeyeon. Jessica looks over at Taeyeon. "It's why Yoona won't change. It's why a lot of people don't change." She inhales and leans back on the steps, "why change for people who don't respect us? Would you change for someone who doesn't respect you? Would you listen to them?"

Jessica bites down on the bottom lip trying to think of an answer. Would she listen to a person who doesn't respect her? "Why should I respect you?" asks Jessica, "if you don't even respect yourself?"

"I do respect myself," answers Taeyeon, "I acknowledge that this is all I'll ever be. I've been doing this since I can remember."

"Yeah right," remarks Jessica full of disbelief. "Respecting yourself would mean trying to get out of this type of lifestyle. Acknowledging that you could be better and do better."

"For some people," responds Taeyeon, "but this is my life. I'm nothing more than a mere petty criminal."

"You have that right. You're nothing but that. In fact that's not even something so you're just plain nothing."

"Once again you show how little respect you have for me and yet you barely even know me. You just lump me in with the rest of the bad crowd. Some of us aren't bad. Some of us do this to live and survive." Taeyeon stretches and stands.

"I do know you. You're nothing. A lowlife who believes that stealing is the only means of surviving. When you should instead be trying to find yourself a job that pays legally."

"If that's all you think I am then no...you don't know anything. As I stately earlier you're just completely stupid," argues Taeyeon. "You think that I do this for fun and because I have no choice, but this is all I know. Growing up...my mother wasn't around so to fill the void I began hanging out with the local delinquents. Stealing and vandalizing because they recognized me. They were where I got that sense of family from. I got in trouble a lot. Was in front of a judge a lot. But I didn't stop because I didn't want to lose that family that I had...that I found." She turns and looks at Jessica who had a stunned expression.

"Then there was this time where I got caught. I was given a choice: a detention center or in a foster home. My Aunt who I never even met before stepped up and took me in, putting me under constant surveillance. She tried to get me help to stop. And then I ran into my old man...and that's when I met Tiffany. When I found what type of environment that he has her living in...I couldn't stop after that. I wouldn't stop. I couldn't let my family suffer even though we've never grew up together. So I continued and I still continue to keep them from suffering." She turns back and looks up at the sky. "So there, you can basically say you now know me. You can tell people that you know me, that you know that I come from a non exsisting home and became a delinquent to fill a lousy void."

"Oh..." was all that Jessica could say. What do you say to something like that? Maybe she was wrong about them. She shakes her head ridding herself of those thoughts. "And that's supposed to justify things? You were given second chances and you didn't use them...instead of working hard, you're taking the easy way out and causing trouble for everyone else around the world. Okay well not around the world but in the neighborhood. Your little sister is a thief. What are you going to do if something happens to her?" Taeyeon balls her fist trying to calm herself.

"I've tried talking Yoona out of this...when we first met all she wanted to do was follow me around...I..."

She takes a seat and sighs in defeat. There was no use in arguing with this girl beside her. She was stubborn and her mind was already set. "You really think that I'm that horrible of a person, of an older sister?"

"Yes," answers Jessica while nodding her head.

"So are you then," Jessica quickly turns and looks at Taeyeon, "If I'm bad because I don't set a good example and allow for Yoona to steal then you're just as bad for enabling your sister to sneak out. You're just as bad for putting your sister in dangerous predicaments as well."

"It's not the same thing."

"Is so."

"Is not!" shouts Jessica while standing and pointing a finger at Taeyeon, "I'm nothing like you." A smirk crosses Taeyeon's face as she leans back and closes her eyes. "What are you-"

"You wouldn't be so defense if it wasn't true. But it's okay really," explains Taeyeon calmly, "Now that I think about it being the way I am the type of sister I am it's okay."

"How so?"

Taeyeon opens an eye, "everyone learns from their mistake. I've learned a lot from mistakes. And you can learn from this one. Next time little Krystal wants to sneak out tell her no and lock her up. And little Krystal should learn from this also. How else, are our siblings supposed to grow and mature? I'm quite sure the moment that Yoona gets arrested she'll stop...I guess that means I should stop taking the cover."

"You don't attend classes, you steal-"

"And?"

"And yet you seem to know a lot."

"Spend some time on the streets and you'll learn a lot also. It makes you grow up faster than you think," Jessica returns to her seat and silence takes over. She fidgets a little sneaking peeks at Taeyeon.

"I'm a middle child with strict parents," she states aloud. To who? Herself? Taeyeon? She really couldn't answer. In fact she has no clue why she's saying this. "My father works twenty four seven and is rarely home. He favors Krystal the most. My mother she works half the day away and she tries her hardest to raise me and my sister. She's actually the strict one. She has this fear of outside people who are nothing but lowlifes. Which the reason for the curfew...that night...I didn't want to let Krystal go honestly. But seeing as she's old enough to take care of herself I thought she would have known better than to walk home alone..." Taeyeon opens both her eyes and watches as Jessica nearly strangles her cell phone, "when the police showed up...the amount of guilt I have to live with..." She stops talking; it was too much of a struggle for her to explain things. It was even more so of a struggle for her to say it aloud since that means it's all real.

"Like Yoona said you're to blame but it's not totally your fault. You're sister is to blame as well." Their eyes meet briefly and Jessica looks away.

-----

Yuri looks up from helping someone with their homework to see Yoona entering through the door with Tiffany and Sooyoung following. A small smile makes its way across her face. If Sooyoung was hanging out with them then that must mean that Jessica did show up and she's with Taeyeon. She lowers her gaze back towards the worksheet that they were both working on. "Must you always smile when you look at me?" She flinches at how close the person who spoke those words was to her. Turning her head to the left slowly her eyes meet with Yoona's mischievous ones. "It gives off a vibe of you liking me or something."

"That's all in your head Yoona," responds Yuri as she stands up and back away from the child that she was helping, "where's Taeyeon."

"Always asking about her...maybe you like her?" asks Yoona as she walks around the room searching through the many kids and teens.

"No. I was wondering on whether or not Jessica decided to show," explains Yuri watching Yoona carefully.

"She's with Jessica right now," states Tiffany. Yuri gives her a smile in response and begins cleaning up some of the mess on the tables. Tiffany takes a seat at one of the tables and Sooyoung follows. She begins playing with her hands while looking around the room. Tiffany watches the taller girl curiously. What could cause for her to be so fidgety?

"Calm down...I'm not going to bite you are anything." Sooyoung head whips in her direction; a confused look printed on her face. "You act as if I'm going to beat or stab you just because you're trying to make me break up with your brother. And yeah that pisses me off...but I'm not like Yoona or Taeyeon. I won't rip your head off or anything." Sooyoung nods her head. She pulls her phone out and checks the time.

"So um...what's your brother like at home?"

Sooyoung freezes. Her eye begins moving sporadically looking at everything but Tiffany. It was evident that she didn't want to answer and that only made Tiffany even more curious. But the fear that crosses Sooyoung's face as she begins thinking of an answer is what caused Tiffany to not press on. "Never mind...I guess I'll figure it out after this year right?"

"This year?" questions Sooyoung.

"Full of questions," teases Tiffany as she begins looking around the room herself, "last night...your brother asked me to marry him. I didn't exactly answer because this is something that would affect my family but I'm giving it consideration."

"You're a high school student. What is there to consider? You're only what a junior?" Tiffany smiles and nods her head, "you have another year left."

"We wouldn't exactly get married so soon. We'd wait until school is over for the both of us." Sooyoung groans causing for Tiffany to arch a brow. "You're going to have a hard time with having me as a sister-in-law aren't you?"

"N-no," Sooyoung shakes her head to and fro, "I...you're...I've been watching you tend to Yoona and you'd make a nice sister-in-law...I just wish it wasn't my brother who you're thinking about marrying..."

"This again."

"I...you're too good for him," states Sooyoung. She couldn't say the wrong words but all the words that came out of her mouth just sound like the wrong ones. "I mean...oh what's the point." She lowers her head down upon the desk; a frustrated groan makes its way to Tiffany's ears.

"Maybe Taeyeon and Yoona are right," whispers Tiffany though Sooyoung was able to hear her, "Maybe I do need to toughen up and tell people no...but I'll take this into consideration. Doesn't mean I'll break up just that I'll slow things down between us. That is until you tell me what's wrong. If I don't get an answer from you within two months time then I do what I want." Sooyoung sits up and stares at Tiffany, mouth a gape. "Alright?" She nods her head rapidly. Tiffany flashes her a smile and begins looking for Yoona. "Seems as if the Mute is here today."

"Mute?"

"Slow one aren't you?" teases Tiffany; she points to the back of the room. Sooyoung's eyes zoom in on Yoona sitting beside a girl with long dark tresses. She seemed to be scribbling things down in a notebook and showing it to Yoona. "That's the Mute girl. No one really knows her name. Not even Yoona but that doesn't stop her from spending time with the girl. I think that Yoona has taken an interest in her."

"Why is she a mute?" asks Sooyoung directing the question to whoever would answer.

"She won't say," answers Yuri while taking a seat at the table. "The only person who she really holds conversations with is Yoona and Yoona is a willing participant." Yuri looks at the two for a second; her eyes meets Yoona's again and the girl flashes Yuri a wide grin. "Has Yoona stolen anything today? I seen her in school all day so I'm curious as to what happened when you guys left. That is if you don't mind me asking."

Tiffany shrugs her shoulders. Who was she to stop Yoona's 'counselor' from finding out about her bad habits. "Her sticky fingers kind of got stuck to some CDs that are still in her pocket." Chairs scrap across the floor and all three girls look to see Yoona taking a seat along with the Mute girl. Yuri's expression turns blank as Tiffany warmly greets the girl who shies away.

"They won't bite...well maybe Sooyoung if you'd seen how much food she can eat," states Yoona. The Mute girl's eyes flick back and forth examining everyone's face. She grabs her notebook and scribbles something down. Finishing she flips the notebook over and holds it up so that everyone can see.

'Hello. I'm Seohyun.'

"Y-you got her to introduce herself?" asks Yuri surprised.

A triumphant grin forms on Yoona's face while she nods her head.

-----

"Mind if I ask you something?

011

"Mind if I ask you something?" questions Jessica. She doesn't know why, well she does know why she's asking this question. Who in their right mind wouldn't want to know why this family is living in three separate homes. Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders; Jessica took it as a signal to ask. "Why do you not live with either of your sisters?"

"Tiffany was born shortly after I was by a few months. She was born in America so she lived with her mother and our father. He preferred her mother over mine or at least that's how I see it. Yoona was born a year after me. And her father took her. She won't tell me what happened but the next thing she knew she was in foster care until the Im Family decided to adopt her," explains Taeyeon as they round the corner coming onto the same street as the Youth Center. "Yoona's family treats her well from the times I've visited. I don't want to take that away from her. Tiffany is another story. Our father brought both her and our brother back yet he's never home. He's only there when he needs to get drunk and beat up on somebody. I tried getting her to move with me. She doesn't want to, not if it'll affect our brother who knows nothing about me. And so that's why we all live in separate homes."

"You're being awfully honest and open," comments Jessica.

A small chuckle and Taeyeon responds, "People hide or lie when they're not okay with things, when they are not accepting of things. I understand my life. I'm okay with it. I accept what it is and I have nothing to hide."

"Really? Ever stabbed a person?"

"Nope."

"Beaten a person to a pulp?"

"Once."

"Car jacked a person?"

"Halfway since there was no one in the car. I, uh the police sort of showed up just as I shocked myself with the wires." Jessica causally looks in Taeyeon's directions; their eyes meet for the umpteenth time. Jessica looks away first. "Why do you always do that?" Jessica turns back again with a questioning look upon her face, "You turn from eye contact. What is it that you wish to hide?" She scoffs again for the umpteenth time, "I thought we were being honest and open."

"You're being honest and open. If I don't want to reveal anything I shouldn't have to. And what does me not wanting to look at you have to do with hiding things?" counters Jessica.

"People's eyes say everything that they want to say but can't. Or in your case won't. And you won't look at me longer then a measly few seconds meaning you're hiding something and you don't want me to find out what it is. And since you won't say it aloud that means that you are having a hard time accepting whatever it is."

"And that is proof that we are nothing alike," comments Jessica, "you can accept things easily and can easily be honest about things. I won't say open because you always avoid spilling too much information. You only answer what is needed."

"My turn to ask a question."

"I guess you'll have to wait until next time," Taeyeon looks in Jessica's direction, "We're back at the Center." Jessica points to the building that was a couple of feet away from them. They watch as their friends exit the building. Jessica takes the initiative to move first joining the small group that was standing outside. Taeyeon slowly follows after.

"There you two are," states Yuri, "I was getting worried. I thought that one of you had finally killed the other." Jessica rolls her eyes and Taeyeon stays quiet at the comment. "Anyways...my shifts over, how about we hang out?"

"How about, no," responds Jessica, "I had enough hanging out for the week. Sooyoung, ready to go?" Sooyoung looks at Tiffany and nods her head. "Alright then."

"So wait that's it?" asks Yuri really confused. "I thought we we're going to hang out at least. We've been making so much progress."

"Yuri, I think you are mistaken," states Yoona while draping an arm around Yuri's shoulder. "See we only hang out when they," she points at both Jessica and Taeyeon, "need to talk. Now there is no more talking so there is no need for anymore mingling. We're not friends. We're barely even acquaintances."

"Oh...I just thought...Never mind. I'll see you in class."

"You thought we'd actually hang out with each other?" questions Taeyeon this time. Yuri nods her head, "Jessica says she's ready to go home and so is Sooyoung. We can allow them to leave and you can join us."

"Taeyeon," whines Yoona, "she's going to be a party pooper, a buzz kill. We can't have fun with her and Tiffany. Let her just go home."

"Fine how about we all just go home?" suggests Taeyeon, "let's go Tiffany." A small laugh could be heard. Taeyeon looks at Jessica then at Yoona. "You want to have fun without the constant nitpicking of Tiffany and the questions of Yuri. Then go have your fun." Yoona opens her mouth to argue but quickly closes it; she knows that there was no point in arguing with Taeyeon.

"Fine...I'll just go home," mutter Yoona.

"I-I'll walk with you," suggests Yuri. Yoona looks at her questioningly, "We live near each other. And it would seem better to walk together then alone."

"Walk with her," orders Taeyeon.

"What? Why?" questions Yoona obviously upset. Taeyeon grabs hold of Tiffany's hand and walks away, not even bothering to answer Yoona's question. "Hey! I'm talking to you!" she shouts watching as her sister begins disappearing within the evening crowd. "Taeyeon!" Finally giving up when the shorter girl completely disappears, Yoona turns to both Seohyun who had a confused look upon her face and then to Yuri. "Fine...we can walk...just let's get Seohyun home first."

Yuri nods her head; she turns and waves goodbye to Jessica and Sooyoung following after Yoona and Seohyun. "So how was your day? Did they harm you?" asks Jessica.

"No. We hung out, ate and went to some music store. Yoona swiped a few CDs. We then went back to the center where Tiffany has informed me that she's my future sister-in-law. Oh, and Yoona got that mute girl to talk to us," answers Sooyoung as they begin heading home.

"She's going to be your brother's wife? But we're like in the same grade."

"That's what I said. She says she's only thinking about it and is planning on slowing things down."

"Are you okay with her being your future sister-in-law?"

"I don't...know."

-----

The bus ride home was a quiet one with Tiffany listening to Taeyeon's mp3 player. Taeyeon on the other hand was examining the people aboard the bus. "What's wrong?" whispers Tiffany. Taeyeon turns and looks at her younger sister; she shakes her head. "What happened when you left with Jessica?"

"Nothing much," mutters Taeyeon as she shifts in her seat attempting to get comfortable. "I found out that she's American, and that she blames herself for what happened to her sister."

"And what did you tell her?" questions Tiffany while smiling a little. It pleases her to learn that Taeyeon was making an effort in this since Yoona already gave up.

"I told her my name. I explained some things." Tiffany smiles a little wider as she grabs hold of Taeyeon's hand and plays with the fingers upon them. "What are you so happy about?"

"You're making an effort," whispers Tiffany as she stares at Taeyeon's fingers. "You're aunt couldn't get you to make an effort and what not. The courts couldn't do anything. I couldn't even get you to think, to open up, or consider anything really. And yet now you're making an effort." She turns and looks at Taeyeon seriously, "Is it because of Jessica."

She makes a disgusted face. "Eew...that's really disgusting. Why would I be making an effort because of her? You asked me to do this, so I'm doing it Tiffany. Don't read too much into this." Tiffany breaks out into a laughing fit causing for half of the bus to look in their direction. Taeyeon groans and slips the ear buds back into Tiffany's ears, signaling the end of their conversation. She turns her attention to the world outside watching the passing scenery.

"Tiffany must be out of her mind," she mutters, "why would I do anything for Jessica? I barely even know the spoiled brat."

"Maybe because you think she's pretty." Taeyeon's face turns blank; she turns to see Tiffany staring at her. "You're gay."

"You know too much."

"Yup," Tiffany leans in closer, "I'm like your personal diary. I know all of your secrets."

"I think I should hang out with Yoona more." Tiffany's face becomes expressionless. "Yeah...I think I'll hang with her more."

"Meanie." The bus comes to their stop and they exit together. "You don't have to walk me all the way home, Taeyeon. I can take care of myself." Taeyeon ignores Tiffany and continues walking towards the Hwang house. Tiffany sighs and chases after Taeyeon. She grabs hold of Taeyeon's hand again pulling her up the yard and to the front door. She releases Taeyeon's hand and begins searching for her keys. "Where are they?" she whispers pulling her back pack off and searching through the pockets.

Taeyeon digs in her pockets pulling out the spare keys. She quickly unlocks the door pushing it open. "What would you do without your older sister?" asks Taeyeon jokingly.

"Jumped off a bridge like how I wanted," answers Tiffany seriously as she enters the house. Her finger flicks the switch but nothing happens. The house remained dark. She flicks the switch three times in a row only to release a frustrated groan. "I could have sworn that I paid the bills!" she shouts to the ceiling. Taeyeon enters the house heading for Tiffany's room. "Where are you going?"

"To pack you some clothes. You'll stay at my house for the night," answers Taeyeon.

"I-I just can't leave him here in the dark," remarks Tiffany as she struggles through the hallway. Hand out to make sure she doesn't run into anything.

"Tell him to stay the night at a friend's. Or he can spend the night in a cell, whichever it is that he prefers," calls out Taeyeon's voice through the dark. Tiffany enters her room; she squints her eyes rushing them to adjust to the dark. She makes out Taeyeon's small silhouette watching as her sister digs through her drawers.

"Hey those are private!" Taeyeon rolls her eyes and opens her empty back pack sliding the clothes inside. "I can't leave him alone."

"I know. He can come also," states Taeyeon.

"I can go where?" Both girls turn and look at the door spotting their brother who was lighting up the room with a lighter.

"Um...it seems that they cut off the electricity," states Tiffany, "and...well," she begins playing with her hands, "I'm staying the night at Taeyeon's. She says that you're more than welcomed to join, right?"

"That's what I said," comments Taeyeon as she slams the drawers close and zips up the back pack. Slinging the bag over her shoulder she turns back to her two younger siblings.

"Naw, that's okay," he states flicking the lighter off. "No older sister means party."

"No. I will not have you having a party in the dark! You're barely even in high school," rants Tiffany going into her 'mother' mode.

"I was joking. Sure I'll stay. They have food right? And cable television?" Tiffany smiles and hugs her brother.

"Yes...Taeyeon has that, but no sneaking in and out. Her aunt is kind of mean."

-----

The walk between the two of them was quiet. One was eyeing people while the other watched her. They had just finished sending of Seohyun and were now on their way to their own homes. Yuri wants to say something, to say anything but what could she say? Yoona was obviously not caring right now. Not with the way that she looks at everyone. Seeing the younger girl getting giddy was making Yuri a little - no she was completely anxious and worried. She didn't want to see the younger girl get in trouble.

Her fingers wrap tightly around Yoona's wrist pulling her hand back as Yoona was reaching for someone's pocket. Yoona turns and looks Yuri in the eyes. "What do you need?" asks Yuri. Using her free hand she reaches into her pocket pulling out what ever cash that she had left for the week.

"W-what are you doing?" asks Yoona. She was confused. Why is Yuri giving her money?

"You can use this to get a date with Seohyun," states Yuri. "And hopefully you'd stop stealing for the day."

"Date?" Yoona breaks out into a grin, "you're weird you know that?" This time a confused expression shows on Yuri's face. "We're just friends. I barely even know Seohyun like that to even think about dating her. Besides I think it would be odd dating a Mute. I'm not trying to be mean or anything but I like Seohyun as friend. And I'm not ready to date."

"Oh," whispers Yuri as she releases Yoona's wrist. "I...just thought - "

"Well stop thinking," interrupts Yoona. Yuri nods her head; her fingers rake through her dark locks. "But thanks for the money anyways." Yuri looks at Yoona giving her a small smile while nodding her head again. "Ew, stop smiling like that. You're freaking me out."

"What? Why?" questions Yuri. Her smile drops and is replaced by confusion.

"It makes it seem as if you like me. And that's gross," states Yoona as she walks away. Yuri jogs a little to catch up with the younger girl.

"How can it be gross...I mean if I did like you?" Yoona stops walking and stares at Yuri as if the older girl had grown another head. "N-not that I like you or anything. I mean I do, b-but as a friend."

"Oh, gross Yuri! How could you like me," states Yoona; a disgusted look appears on her face again. She quickly turns on her heels and leaves the older girl standing in the middle of the street. She blinks her eyes a few times, trying to register what had just happened. Finally realizing what happened, she breaks into a run, trying to find Yoona who had disappeared within the crowd.

Again, her fingers slip around Yoona's wrist pulling the girl back. "You can't just run off like that," nags Yuri, "and we're not finished with our conversation." Yoona stops and stares at Yuri. "Now what do you mean by: 'Oh, gross Yuri! How could you like me'? I never said I liked you. Now you're reading too much into stuff."

"So you don't like me?" questions Yoona in return with a skeptical look.

"I said I do but as a friend," answers Yuri. "And what wrong with me liking you, even if I did? It's the same as you liking Seohyun, or tiffany liking her boyfriend."

"No it's not. You liking me is gross. It's not the same as anything else." Yuri's grip loosens slowly until she completely lets go of Yoona's wrist. Her gaze drops to the sidewalk below them. "You're not supposed to like me. That's just weird and gross." Yuri swallows the saliva that collected in her mouth; she nods her head and looks at Yoona.

"Alright...well I guess I'll see you tomorrow for tomorrow's session," with that Yuri adjusts her strap and walks away disappearing in the crowd. Yoona watches as Yuri disappeared clueless. Did she say something wrong? Yuri did say that she didn't like her, so why is Yuri upset? A groan and a kick at a pebble was all that Yoona could do before stalking off to the Im Residence.

"It's just not the same."

-----

The door slowly creaks open allowing a sliver of light to enter. Sooyoung peeks inside. Her eyes search the living room for a certain someone. "What are you doing?" Nearly jumping out of her skin Sooyoung enters the house to see her sister sitting on the couch and giving her a weird look.

"I uh...nothing," answers Sooyoung while entering the house fully. She closes the door with a soft click and makes her way to the couch throwing her backpack on the floor. Falling backwards onto the couch, Sooyoung closes her eyes. She was safe for now.

"Where have you been?" comes the voice of her brother. Her eye shoot open and both girl's look over the back of the couch. Seeing that it wasn't her eldest brother allowed for a sense of relief to wash over her.

"Minho...don't do that," she state while throwing a couch pillow at him. "You scared the crap out of me." Minho just grins and walks around to the front snatching the remote from the youngest child.

"I was watching that," states the sister. Minho ignores her and continues changing the channel. "Minho...Sooyoung."

"Give the remote back to Jinri," orders Sooyoung as she leans back and recloses her eyes seeking salvation. A groan enters her ears and followed closely by a squeal of delight. And that means that Minho had returned to phone to Jinri.

"Why couldn't I be older?" questions Minho causing for Sooyoung to reopen her eyes and look at her twin. "That way I can boss both of you around." A smile forms on Sooyoung's face. "I don't see why you're smiling. You still have to answer to Siwon." Sooyoung's smile drops at the thought of her older brother. "Oh yeah...speaking of which, he was looking for you."

"What did he want?" asks Sooyoung carefully; she couldn't let her siblings sense her fear or anxiety.

"I don't know. He's in the garage." She freezes. Her mind freezes. Her heart skips a beat. Her head slowly turns in the direction of the garage looking at the white door that separates the two rooms. "He's got a few friends in there also." Her head snaps back towards Minho who had now stretched out over the recliner.

"Friends?" she questions, confusion clearly written all over her face. Since when did he start bringing friends home?

"I don't know...why don't you go and see?" responds Minho.

"I'll just wait," states Sooyoung while pushing herself up off the couch. "I'll be in my room studying."

"Keep it clean...I'm tired of cleaning your half!" shouts Jinri as Sooyoung heads down the hall. She stops in front of the white door starring at it. Just looking at it was making her feel sick to her stomach. Turning on her heels, she heads for the room that she shares, slamming the door close upon entering it.

-----

Jessica tosses her backpack upon her bed and closes her bedroom door to avoid her mother's gaze. She moves to her desk taking a seat in the swiveling chair. She spins in the chair; it was her way of distracting her mind. She still can't believe that Taeyeon said that they were alike. She's nothing like them. She's not a thief. She doesn't put herself before others. She's not one for personal gain if it negatively affects people. So how in the world could she and Taeyeon be alike? With a sigh of frustration, Jessica grabs one of her nearby books cracking it open.

She shakes her head in hopes of ridding herself of these unimportant thoughts. She shouldn't be worried about such things. It's not true. Fingers pick up a nearby pen and she begins working on her homework. Her phone rings, slicing through the silence of her room. "Hello?" she calls out setting the phone on speaker.

"You didn't visit me today," rings Krystal's voice through the speakers.

"I was working," answers Jessica. She places her feet against the desk. Bending her knees, she kicks off sending the chair across the room to her bed.

"Working? Since when?" questions Krystal.

"Are you even allowed to be on the phone?" questions Jessica in return.

"Yes now answer my question."

Jessica smiles a little while digging through her backpack for her notes, "I'm not getting paid. More like community service."

"Doing what?" questions Krystal.

"Remember how I said that a pair of delinquents returned your phone?"

"Yeah."

"Well," She kicks off the bed sliding back towards the desk, "I'm a counselor for one of the girls." Krystal's laughter fills the room. "If you're just going to laugh I'm going to hang up. I was working on homework." Krystal's laughter gets louder. Jessica growls and quickly presses the button on her phone hanging up on Krystal. She turns her attention to her book before standing. Maybe she should visit her sister?

Her eyes flicker towards her phone for the time: 6pm. That gives her about 30 minutes to get there, an hour of visiting and a 30 minute walk. She can do that right? Grabbing her jacket, Jessica exits the room. Just as the door closes, her phone which was sitting on the desk, rings. The noise echoes throughout the room.

012

A foot collides with a pebble sending it down the street. A sigh leaves through her chapped lips; she pulls her jacket tighter around her body. "I should have grabbed a bigger jacket," she whispers to herself as she comes to a stop at a corner. Her eyes flicker up and down the street, making sure nothing was following her. The light changes and she crosses the street. Her eyes spot a figure up a head. Blinking a few times, Jessica makes out that it was Yoona.

She picks up her pace. What was Yoona doing out this late at night? Didn't Taeyeon tell her that she needed to go home? Yoona spots Jessica and stops walking; a grin spreads across her face. "What are you doing out late?" questions Yoona as Jessica stops right in front of her.

"I should be asking you the same thing. What are you doing out here?" questions Jessica. "Up to no good, right? You're probably stealing again, huh?" Yoona scoffs and begins walking away. "So I'm right?"

Yoona shakes her head no. "What are you doing out so late?" asks Yoona as she turns and looks at Jessica. A mischievous glint sparks in her eyes.

"I was visiting my sister, and now I'm on my way home. So what are you doing?" asks Jessica, carefully. She didn't want any problems. It's night. No one is on the street with the exception of a few people. It was just her and a delinquent really. And she definitely didn't want any problems with Yoona.

"Staying out until my 'parents' and 'sister' are asleep," answers Yoona honestly. Jessica's face scrunches up slightly. What is up with these girls and being so honest and open? Don't they want to be private? Don't they want their business private?

"Well I'm going home," Jessica turns and begins walking home. A hand reaches out and grabs her wrist. Looking over her shoulder, she finds Yoona smiling at her. "What?" she asks in an annoyed tone.

"Let's get something to eat," states Yoona, not really willing to wait for an answer. She begins dragging Jessica down the street.

"What is the meaning of this?" asks Jessica, "earlier you didn't want to hang out with anyone but your sisters- "

"Sister and Tiffany," correct Yoona. "I'm not related to that nagging, nitpicking, short- "

"Sister and Tiffany," finishes Jessica cutting Yoona's rant short. "So why are you dragging me some where now?"

"Because you have money and you can pay," answers Yoona. She flashes Jessica another smile. "And if Taeyeon was able to hang out with you for an hour or two, then maybe you're not so bad." She continues dragging the older girl down the street. Jessica stumbles over her own feet; noticing the scratch marks in her shoes she releases a growl. "I'll pay for that," states Yoona while leading Jessica into some fast food restaurant.

She inhales deeply through her nose; the smell of the food makes her mouth water. Jessica eyes Yoona carefully. The girl looked hungry as if she hasn't eaten all day. "Are you hungry or something?" asks Jessica as she watches the taller girl stare at the menu before them. Yoona nods her head, "well, didn't you eat dinner with your family?" Yoona shakes her head no. "Well why not?"

"Because they're not my family," responds Yoona. She turns and looks at Jessica for a second before turning back to the menu. She doesn't know why, but Yoona's statement made her feel slightly sympathetic. Her eyes widen. She quickly shakes her head. No. She cannot start feeling sympathetic for any lowlife. That's a scheme. That's how they con a person out of money.

"What do you want?" asks Jessica knowing very well that Yoona wasn't going to let her leave.

"Some food and maybe some company," answers Yoona as she shrugs her shoulders. That's not a lot to ask for, right?

"Company?" questions Jessica. Yoona nods her head and pushes the older girl.

"Give me some money to pay for my meal and then go find us a table," orders Yoona. Jessica scoffs and digs in her pocket pulling whatever change she had left from buying hospital food and riding the bus, handing it over to Yoona. Looking around the small restaurant, she spots an empty table. She heads for it taking a seat in the uncomfortable chair.

Her fingers tap against the table top; she rests her head in the palm of her hand. Company? She blinks a few times and takes a look at Yoona who was ordering her food. How could she want company? Doesn't she have friends? She turns and looks at the window starring at her reflection.

She becomes lost in her thoughts not even noticing that Yoona had already taken a seat across from her. Yoona waves her hand in front of Jessica's face snapping her out of her thoughts. "Whatcha thinkin' about?" asks Yoona as she unwraps one of the three burgers that Jessica bought.

"Company?" questions Jessica again.

Yoona nods her head as she takes a bite. "And before you go down the Yuri path," she states mouth full of food, "I'm not answering any of your questions that deal with my life."

"I wasn't going to ask. I'm not your counselor. And if you don't want to dwell we won't," counters Jessica as she watches the younger girl eat. "But you have to answer this since I'm providing you food." Yoona stops chewing and stares at Jessica with a serious expression. "Why didn't you eat with the Im's?"

She swallows and her expression turns sour. "Because I'm not welcomed there," answers Yoona. She turns and looks at her fries.

Upon Yoona answering, more and more questions begin to form in Jessica's mind. But she bites back the questions. What is she even thinking about getting involved in other people's life? More importantly what is she doing still sitting here? She slides her hand into her pockets searching for her phone. Not finding it, a groan emits from her mouth. "What time is it?" she asks.

"About nine," states Yoona while looking at her phone. All expressions vanished from Jessica's face. There is no way she's going to be able to walk home alone. Not at this time of night; not when there are people out to there, who are nothing. "What's wrong?" asks Yoona.

"I'm supposed to be home by now... I have a curfew," responds Jessica. Yoona could easily spot the sense disappointment in Jessica's voice. Jessica stands abruptly almost knocking over Yoona's drink. If it wasn't for Yoona's quick reflexes it would have been all over her lap. "I'm going home," she states.

"Really?" questions Yoona sending food all over the table. "B-But..." She quickly stands and begins sliding her burgers in her jacket pockets, "you were supposed to be keeping me company." She follows the older girl out into the cold air, leaving behind her fries. "Screw your curfew."

"Last time I did that, Krystal was injured," states Jessica turning around and glaring at the taller girl.

Yoona opens her mouth wide to argue but stops as she spots a crowd moving their way. She closes her mouth, grabs hold of Jessica wrist and pulls the older girl in the opposite direction. "Come on," she whispers while pulling her hood on. She didn't want to be spotted.

"Who are you hiding from?" asks Jessica.

"Let's just go," she whispers in return, looking over her shoulder.

"Are you in some type of trouble?" asks Jessica becoming worried and scared. This is exactly the situation that she wanted to avoid.

"A little...but as long as we continue moving this way we'll be okay," answers Yoona tugging on Jessica's wrist a little harder. They round a corner running straight into five guys that were leaning against a wall.

"Yoona!" one of them states loudly as he pushes himself off the wall, "what did I say? If you followed them they'd come straight towards me." He takes a step closer, "and who's this? You're girlfriend?" Jessica's eyes flick back and forth between Yoona and the mysterious guy.

"She's Tae's girlfriend," answers Yoona; her fingers tighten even more around Jessica's wrist. A low hiss escapes Jessica's mouth. There was definitely going to be a bruise in the morning.

"Taeyeon..." he states while starring at Jessica. He takes another step closer to the two girls, causing for Yoona to shove Jessica behind her. A laugh erupts from all the males that were surrounding them. They slowly take steps closer to Yoona and Jessica, and Yoona's grip tighten even more.

-----

A groan escapes her lips at the sound of her dog's continuous barks. She grabs one of her spare pillows and pulls it over her head in an attempt to drown out the dog's noise. But that plan failed as the dog begins barking louder. "Taeyeon," whispers her younger sister while pushing on her. "Shut your dog up."

"You do it," mumbles Taeyeon in response as she pushes her head further into the pillow.

"Taeyeon," calls their brother from the floor, "your dog." Taeyeon groans. She reaches over the side of her bed grabbing a shoe. She tosses it out of the window at her dog.

"Shut up!" she shouts. The barking silences for a second before picking up again. With a third groan Taeyeon slides out of the bed when her eyes catch some movement from the backyard. She squints trying to focus on the shadows outside her window. Moving slowly she approaches the window and looks outside, "who's out here?" she calls out. The two figures stop moving allowing for the dog to jump around them, barking loudly.

Taeyeon forces herself up and out of the window. Landing on the other side, she stumbles a bit before taking a step towards the two shadows. "Well now what?" whispers one of them. Taeyeon watches them curiously. One of the shadows straightens themselves out and approaches Taeyeon.

"Y-Yoona?" questions Taeyeon as she takes in the scratches and cuts displayed across the taller girls face. "What happened?"

"What do you think happened?" Taeyeon quickly turns and looks at the second figure.

"J-Jessica?" A scoff signaling that Taeyeon's guess was right."What happened?"

"Nothing I couldn't handle," answers Yoona with a giant grin. "We just had a little trouble."

Taeyeon's eyes flick back and forth between Yoona and Jessica; her facial expression turning from surprised to serious. "Get in the room," she orders; her eyes never waver from Jessica's figure. Yoona opens her mouth to argue but quickly decides to chuck the idea seeing how serious Taeyeon was. With a heavy sigh Yoona uses heads to the window climbing through the room.

Once Yoona was out of eyes view, Taeyeon spoke up. "What happened to her?" Her tone is dead serious.

"Like she said: had some trouble but she handled it," answers Jessica while looking around the yard. Taeyeon releases a sigh. Her fingers rake through her hair. She guesses that's it. She shouldn't really panic or anything, right? Yoona's fine except for the few scratches and whatnot. And she can't really blame anyone but Yoona.

"I guess that's it," states Taeyeon as she turns back to her window.

"So what? I'm supposed to walk home in the dead of the night... alone?" questions Jessica. Taeyeon stops midway; half of her body hangs from the window. She climbs back down and turns looking at Jessica.

"I'll walk you home." She turns back to the window sticking her head in. Jessica watches as the shorter girl exchanges words with someone. Finishing up, Taeyeon walks to her dog placing a leash on the collar. "Let's go," she states standing straight. Jessica nods her head and follows Taeyeon out of the yard.

They walk in silence with Taeyeon's dog leading the way. Jessica keeps her eyes on the four legged animal that was leading the way. Taeyeon on the other hand kept looking at Jessica every few minutes. She doesn't know why but she was. And this was infuriating her. The girl, her: Jessica Jung, can't even respect her and yet Taeyeon's eyes keep darting in Jessica direction.

"Stupid Tiffany... and her make believe scenarios," she mumbles under her breath. Jessica's looks in Taeyeon's directions. Their eyes met for a second as Jessica turns back to the dog. "What are you hiding?"

"Huh?" responds Jessica confusion evident upon her face.

"What are you hiding?" asks Taeyeon.

"If you want to strike up conversations with people... you don't ask what they are hiding. It's just plain rude," responds Jessica crossing her arms. Taeyeon rolls her eyes. "It is. But not like you'd care. A lowlife with manners isn't exactly something you'd see every day."

"If this is how my counselor is going to treat me on an everyday basis-"

"You'll what?" questions Jessica. "Back down? Forfeit? Give in. Show Yoona that she doesn't really need guidance in life. Show her that what happened today is all she can do?" Taeyeon balls her fist tightening her grip on the leash.

"Fine then," states Taeyeon, "this is over. After I walk you home, things go back to normal. I hang out with my family and friends and you hang out with yours. It'll be just like how things were before you became a pathetic excuse for a sister and allow your baby sister to be admitted to a hospital." Hearing the grunt leave Jessica lips made Taeyeon smile.

If Jessica wanted to strike a blow to her pride of being a sister then Taeyeon was going to do the same thing. "My house is only a few blocks that way. I can walk it on my own."

"Fine whatever. If you end up in the hospital don't blame me. It was your choice." Tugging on her dog's leash, Taeyeon turns and begins walking away, "you're fired, remember that." It was now Jessica's turn to roll her eyes. She watches as the small figure disappear. When Taeyeon's silhouette vanishes, Jessica turns and continues on her way home.

It only took her a few minutes to reach home since she was walking at a fast pace. Slipping in through the front door, Jessica quietly shuts and locks it before nearly sprinting towards her room. Jessica quietly closes her door and heads straight for her bed. There was no way she was changing tonight. She was too tired and sore. Her eyes drift close as soon as her head hits the pillow. Only to open when her phone lights up the room, "well, I'll check it in the morning."

013

Shifting the backpack that was hanging from one shoulder, she turns the corner coming onto her street. Once again today was uneventful and boring. She pulls her phone out of her pocket and begins dialing a number. It rings a few times before going straight to voicemail. "Hey you tall idiot. I've been trying to contact you for a week now ever since your slow twin said you were sick. I have your assignments and what not. I'm going to drop them off later tonight whether you want me there or not." She takes a pause, "But give me a call and let me know how you're doing. I'm worried alright." She pulls the cellular device away from the side of her face and hangs up. She releases a sigh while scrolling through her contacts.

It was a Friday meaning the weekend and more time for her to be out. Maybe she can call up some of her other friends from school and see if they want to hang out or something. She turns into her yard heading for her front door when something catches her eye. Looking up from her phone, she comes face to face with Yoona, who was sitting on the doorstep. "Y-Yoona?" she questions unsure whether or not she wanted to believe the sight before her. A grin spreads across Yoona's face. Yup, this was real. "What are you doing here?"

"Company," was all Yoona could say while dropping her grin.

"Company?" Yoona nods her head. "What about your sisters?"

"Sister," corrects Yoona, "And Taeyeon's busy with Tiffany. Always busy with Tiffany."

"The mute girl?" she questions.

"You're not very smart are you, Jessica?" asks Yoona, "Seohyun... as much as I like her, it is sort of hard to hang out with her and all. She's always busy with studying and stuff. And her mother doesn't exactly approve of me."

"I wouldn't approve of you either," mumbles Jessica as she walks around the taller girl towards her door. "Well don't you have Yuri?"

"No," answers Yoona very quickly, "Yuri is just a counselor. I don't hang out with her."

Jessica's face scrunches up as she begins thinking hard. Was there anybody else? She couldn't think of anything. With a frustrated groan, she turns and looks over her shoulder at Yoona, "Fine. But I want to see your hands at all times. And keep it down my sister is probably sleeping." Yoona nods her head vigorously. Jessica rolls her eyes and opens the door to her house only to find the living room filled with her sister's friends. "Or not."

"Took you long enough to get home from school," states Krystal from the couch. Jessica looks at everyone in the house as Yoona enters and stands beside her. "Mom and Dad left. Something about heading to the university to see what our wonderful brother did. And you're babysitting until they return." Krystal's eyes fall upon Yoona, "who's that?"

"This is Yoona. The delinquent who returned your phone," states Jessica, "just keep it down out here." Krystal nods her head and returns her attention back to her friends. Yoona watches as Jessica heads down the hall; her eyes fall upon one of Krystal's friends. He looked so familiar. The boy looks at her and Yoona's expression drops a little. She turns her head and follows after the older girl.

"You look down upon us but your sister hangs with delinquents," states Yoona as she enters Jessica's room. Jessica drops her back pack and turns to look at the taller girl. "You didn't know that did you?" Jessica continues to stare at the taller girl, "well I'm not sure about all of them out there but one- he's Taeyeon's brother."

"Really?" asks Jessica a little skeptical. Yoona nods her head. Jessica storms out of the room and back into the living room, "time limit. They only have another hour here and then they all have to leave. And before anyone literally leaves this house, I'm doing a backpack and pocket check, understood?" Krystal turns and looks at her sister preparing to object. Who wouldn't? "Don't argue with me. My word is the law right now." With that Jessica turns on her heels and heads back to her room. "You," she states while pointing at Yoona, "I want answers and I want them now. Either you tell me why you want company and why I had to sit with you last week or you go find company elsewhere. Your choice."

She shuts her door and watches as Yoona takes a seat at the foot of her bed. "I just want to hang out with someone," answers Yoona, "No one is ever home. My adopted sister is always out with her friends. My real sister is always out with Tiffany and is never hanging out with me. Seohyun's always busy and Yuri... Yuri is just gross. So that leaves, you. As for why you had to sit with me the same reason really. I was hungry and I don't like to eat alone."

"You have a good family," states Jessica remembering what Taeyeon told her. "You should have eaten dinner with them."

"It's not as simple as it used to be. They don't like Taeyeon. They don't like me hanging out with her. So they're angry with me because that's what I want. I want to spend time with my sister. If you had family out there wouldn't you want to spend some time with them? Get to know them?" Jessica bites her bottom lip. She was unsure whether Yoona's question was rhetorical or not. "They always shoot me glares and threaten to lock me in my room, to have me home-schooled. It's like a prison there now. You try eating dinner with my family."

"So you're just lonely," states Jessica as she makes her way across the room to her desk.

"Yeah in not so cool terms: I'm just lonely," answers Yoona. Jessica takes a seat in her desk chair. She leans back and closes her eyes. Yoona was lonely and there was no one around for her with the exception of Yuri, but Yuri is gross. A smile crosses her face. Jessica knows this isn't something to smile about, but for Yoona to be lonely proves that Taeyeon was in fact a horrible sister. "Can I ask you something?" Jessica nods her head, "have you ever... dated before?"

The chair she was in spins so fast that she almost topples over in it, "what?!"

"I'm just curious. I just wanted to know if any boys had the guts to go out on a date with a girl like you."

"A girl like me? What's that suppose to mean?" Her expressions turn sour. What in the world was that supposed to mean?

"It just seems like you have a stick shoved too far up your ass and stuff," answers Yoona. "And that you will literally bite their heads off and what not."

"Get out," hisses Jessica as she turns her back to the taller girl. She hears the bed creak from Yoona standing followed by a shuffle of the feet and even more so the opening of her door. Through her peripheral vision she can see the sudden look of sadness on Yoona's face. Rolling her eyes and knowing that she was going to regret this, Jessica turns fully, "come back here." Yoona faces Jessica, "but no more of your smart remarks. I'm not Taeyeon, Tiffany or Yuri." Yoona nods her head and rushes back inside the room. "You're odd..." A grin appears upon Yoona's face, "very odd and very bad."

"So did you ever date?" asks Yoona curiously, "and you have to answer since I answered your question."

"Yes... in fact I date up until last year when we broke up," answers Jessica while swiveling in the chair.

"Who?" Jessica shakes her head as she looks at her phone dialing a number.

"Don't you ever answer you phone?" she asks while recording a voice mail, "it's been a week. Can I at least know if you're still alive? I doubt asking your slow twin, or even slower sister would help in the matter. Call me back later." She hangs up and tosses her phone onto the desk.

"Sooyoung?" asks Yoona curiously.

"How about I don't dwell upon your life and you don't dwell upon mine?" suggests Jessica while stretching.

"Fine with me. But if she doesn't answer why not pay her a visit? I'll accompany you. And maybe afterwards we can get something to eat. Starving, haven't eaten all day." Yoona stands walking over to Jessica. She grabs hold of her hand pulling her up to her feet. "Let's go."

"I'm babysitting."

"Krystal will be fine. Taeyeon's brother won't do nothing because he'll think I'll rat him out to Tiffany and Taeyeon." Jessica still wouldn't go for it. She just didn't want to leave Krystal behind and alone. It was the fear of Krystal being injured again.

"I'm not leaving, not until my parents get back." She returns to her seat on the chair, "If you're hungry there is some food in the kitchen." Yoona's face scrunches up. What kind of company is this? She's not paying her attention, doesn't want to go anywhere. She scoffs; she was much better off staying home with no one there. "I thought you were hungry."

"I am. But you don't want to leave. It doesn't matter anyway if I lasted this long without food I can last a little while longer. You're parents will be back soon right?" Jessica shrugs her shoulders, not like she was a psychic. "Talking to a stick is more entertaining than talking to you," huffs Yoona.

A smirk grows on Jessica's face. "You talk to sticks?"

"Very mature and aren't we not supposed to dwell on each other's life?" Jessica shrugs her shoulders again. "Do you know anything?"

"Probably more than you," retorts Jessica. Yoona releases a fake laugh, obviously displeased with Jessica's remark. Jessica's smirk turns into a wide grin. Maybe having this delinquent for company won't be so bad.

-----

She stares at her reflection in the mirror. Eyes fall upon the fading bruise and fingers ghost over it, tracing it. Her finger trails down her face, her jaw landing upon her neck. Her index finger begins poking and prodding the barely visible marks on her neck. A sigh leaves her lips and her eyes fall to her feet. Knees bend and legs scoot closer to her chest. Her arms slowly wrap around her legs bringing her a sense of comfort.

Her eyes drift close and she begins humming to herself. Anything to seek refuge right?

"Sooyoung!" Her eyes shoot open as the door against her back begins to shake. "Hey! Open up! I don't care if you're sick or not." Sooyoung looks over her shoulder at the door that was vibrating behind her. "Sooyoung! Fine don't open the door but at least talk to me."

"W-what do y-you want, Jessica?" asks Sooyoung.

"You're sick. You've been out for a week. What do you think I want?" shouts Jessica through the door, "are you fine? Do you want something to eat or something?"

"I'm fine," answers Sooyoung with a sigh.

"Are you sure? When I spoke to Minho last week he said you were constantly throwing up. That you couldn't keep all the food you've been eating down." Sooyoung hears a sigh, "Is that what was wrong with you last week? Were you feeling ill or anything?"

"Y-yeah," lies Sooyoung as she leans her head back against the door, "I'm sorry I didn't say anything."

"What are you apologizing for?" questions Jessica, "I'm the one who should apologize. I was too caught up in Krystal's stuff... I'm sorry."

"It's alright." She heard shuffling behind the door. It was probably Jessica taking a seat, "so how's school? No... school's boring. How's your community service slash bet going?" asks Sooyoung.

"Horrible. I was fired the exact same day," answers Jessica.

"What?"

"That day that I had my first meeting, you know the day you left the messages... yeah that night, I went to visit Krystal. On the way home I ran into Yoona. She made me sit with her while she ate. Afterwards on my way home, Yoona was attacked. The girl's a pretty good fighter though she's as big as a twig." Sooyoung nods her head even though Jessica couldn't see her, "well she told me to take her to Taeyeon. And let's just say on my way home we, meaning Taeyeon and me, got into an argument and she fired me."

"So what have you been doing for the past week?" questions Sooyoung.

"Nothing really, I've just been spending time with Krystal since she's back home."

"So... you spent time with Yoona?" questions Sooyoung. She was curious. Jessica didn't want to spend time with those girls at all. She knows her best friend would rather suffer something worse.

"She still is," Sooyoung straightens up at the new voice.

"Yoona?" she questions aloud.

"Yup. You know you got a nice house with lots of fancy things."

"I want to see you hands at all times," states Jessica.

"I'm not doing anything. You're worst than Tiffany. I'm going outside." She listens to Yoona's footsteps until they disappear.

"Yoona?" she questions again.

"She was feeling lonely. The girl has no friends... and I pitied her. Plus she's fun to make fun of." She hears Jessica take a deep breath, "Soo... I'm going to go... Yoona's hungry and doesn't want to eat with my family. So she's forcing me to take her out, but give me a call please. I want to make sure my best friend isn't in here dying or anything." She listens intently to Jessica waiting until she couldn't hear her anymore. Forcing herself up to her feet, Sooyoung opens her door slightly and peeks out. She looks across the hall at her brothers' door and exhales loudly while closing the door back.

She stands there, her head resting against the door. Hand still on the doorknob. Inhale. Exhale.

Her grip tightens and she opens the door running out into the living room. Her eyes catch Jessica leaving out the front door, "Sica!" Jessica stops, reopens the door and enters back inside. "W-why don't we hang out, later tonight when you're not busy being a 'Big Sister'?"

"You're sick," states Jessica. Sooyoung shakes her head, "alright..." Sooyoung nods her head and joins Jessica at the door. Fingers ghost lightly over her face, "What happened?"

"I tripped on my way to puke and hit my head. It's no big deal."

-----

Yuri lifts her head at the sound of the door opening and closing. Her eyes meet with Yoona's momentarily as the younger girl decides to look elsewhere. Yuri's eyes follow Yoona to the back of the center before dropping back down to the paper that she was writing. "At least I know she's still alive and not in jail," whispers Yuri to herself. It has been a week since she last saw the girl, since Yoona said that she was gross.

With her free hands, Yuri comb her dark locks back and leans back in her chair. She was having a hard time concentrating on her paper and now it had just gotten harder with the appearance of Yoona. She looks over her shoulder trying to locate Yoona. It wasn't as if she really wanted to see the girl. It's just that Yuri has been worried about her. Yoona's never missed more than a day of school at a time. And even when she does miss the girl at least shows up at the center. Well Yoona hasn't done either.

In fact Yuri doesn't recall seeing Taeyeon or Tiffany either. "Whatcha thinking about?" Yuri flinches nearly falling backwards in her chair. Tilting her head back a little more, she comes face to face with Yoona's grin. Was she that far in her thoughts that she didn't know the girl had snuck up on her?

"I...uh," rambles Yuri. She wasn't so sure she wanted to tell Yoona the truth and have the girl get upset again. A little lie wouldn't hurt would it? Yoona leans in closer causing for Yuri's face to heat up. "Um...I was wondering where Taeyeon and Jessica been. Those two are falling behind on their meetings."

"That's because she doesn't want me to be her counselor," states Jessica as she enters the building. "And you!" She points at Yoona, "I said I wanted to see you hands at all times."

"You did. You saw my hand enter that person's purse and pull out a wallet," responds Yoona, "unless you're blind or something." Jessica grunts in response as she leans up against the wall. "Besides how else are you supposed to learn the ways of the streets?"

"I'm not a delinquent," argues Jessica.

"Not yet," states Yoona with a grin, "but you'll become one. Your sister is already on her way to being one."

"Sister?" questions Yuri confused. How was it that Yoona knows something about Jessica? She turns and looks at Jessica then at Yoona, "a-are you guys like dating?" asks Yuri.

"Aw, Yuri... what is with you and being gross?" questions Yoona in return; a disgusted look crosses her face. "As if I'd go out with her. She's got a stick shoved up her ass." Jessica grunts again before pushing herself off the wall.

"I'll let you bicker with your girlfriend," mumbles Jessica causing for a pink tinge to spread across both girls' face. "I'm going outside." She exits out of the door leaving Yuri and Yoona alone. Yuri looks at Yoona; she then begins picking up her papers. She scoots her chair closer to the table putting all her efforts into her assignment.

But it wasn't working. Her mind wouldn't think about the assignment that was due the upcoming Monday. And her eyes, her eyes weren't exactly helping the situation either. It was if they had a mind of their own, drifting towards Yoona who had taken a seat upon the table. "So I was thinking," states Yoona, "I like Jessica better as a counselor."

"She can be it," states Yuri while trying to keep her eyes off of Yoona. Yoona nods her head, "Um...since Jessica is your counselor... is it okay if we hang out?" Yoona raises a brow before leaning forward.

"You do like me, don't you?"

014

Her eyes watch the dog that runs around the yard as she takes a seat on top of the dog house. She takes one last puff of the cigarette in her hand then tosses the butt down onto the dirt and grass. Her eyes shift up towards the sky, towards the clouds. It was calming to her. She in hales deeply closing her eyes, allowing for the sun to warm her face. "Smoking?" her face scrunches up at the familiar voice. Opening one eye, Taeyeon looks through her bedroom window to see her cousin starring back at her.

"Leave me alone," murmurs Taeyeon as she recloses her eye. "And get out of my room."

"Technically this is my house so this is my room. And I can go in any room I want and right now I prefer being this room. You have a lot of fascinating stuff. Most of it is probably stolen though."

"Don't you have someone else to bug, Hyo?" questions Taeyeon as nicely as she could. "Like your boyfriend or something?"

Hyoyeon bites her bottom lip and blinks her eyes, thinking. The end result was a head shake, "nope. Only you." Taeyeon groans. "I can hear you."

"That was the point," states Taeyeon as she opens both her eyes. "Can you just leave?" Hyoyeon shakes her head no, "why not?"

"Call this payback for making my mother's life living hell," answers Hyoyeon as she leans against the window sill. Taeyeon groans again.

"Here we go again," whispers Taeyeon to the dog at her feet.

Hyoyeon grunts, "Yes here we go again. Did you really think I was going to stand by and watch you make things worse? My mother traveled to hell and back just to make sure you don't get into some crappy foster home, where the people could probably abuse you or sell you. She fought and pleaded with most of the judges; in fact she's the one who continuously bailed you out."

"So she wasted money on a lost cause?" questions Taeyeon, "well she should have stopped after the third time..."

"You don't get it do you? She's not going to stop because she wants to see you on the right path, not the same path that your mom went down. My mom, your aunt, is trying her hardest to help you. The counseling, the stupid annoying dog... she does that because she thinks it would help. She wouldn't even get me a stupid dog and I've got straight A's." Taeyeon releases a sigh while starring at her cousin. "Ugh... what am I doing?" questions Hyoyeon to herself, "this is all pointless; there is no helping you."

Hyoyeon turns to walk away when Taeyeon calls out, "What do you mean 'there is no helping me'?"

Hyoyeon stops and looks over her shoulder at Taeyeon, "No one can help you. My mother can't help you. Your counselor, who you fired, couldn't help you." Taeyeon opens her mouth but Hyoyeon continues talking, "Don't ask. I've heard from others. Continuing on, those two people couldn't help you. The courts can't do anything with you and neither could the detention center. So what does it come down to?" Taeyeon looks off the side. How was she to answer? Was there even an answer? Did she want an answer? Her face scrunches to a look of a mixture between confusion and disgust. Yes, disgust but with what? With who? "So it's pointless now. The only person who can help you is yourself... but you're too busy worrying over every little thing about Tiffany. You're too busy trying to help her. And if you want my opinion, you can't help Tiffany until you help yourself."

"You're wrong," mutters Taeyeon. Her cousin had struck a chord; her fist curl. "I can help Tiffany. I am helping her."

"Right, because making your sister stress over the fact that you can end up in a hospital or a jail is helping her. I'm tired of explaining things. You obviously don't learn from others, Tae." Hyoyeon exits out of the room leaving Taeyeon to contemplate about Hyoyeon had just said.

She closes her eyes in hopes of erasing the thoughts that were floating around in her head. With a heavy sigh, Taeyeon makes her way around the side of the house heading towards who knows where. "Stupid Hyoyeon and her mindless babble," she mutters to herself; she steps onto the side walk heading for Tiffany's house. "What does she know? She doesn't have five billion siblings. She's got two who are already taken care of." Her foot connects with an empty can sending it skidding down the sidewalk.

She shoves her hands into her pockets. "Maybe I can talk to Tiffany about it."

-----

His lips were hot against her skin. Just the feeling of them was driving her mind crazy. "So I was thinking," he states while continuously placing kisses along her jaw and neck, "maybe we should..." Lips move back up her neck, her jaw landing upon her lips, "go further again." Her head moves on its own nodding profusely. A smile appears upon his face, "good."

Hands begin roaming her sides, slipping underneath her shirt. A hiss quickly escapes her lips; she bites down upon her bottom lip. He chuckles as he takes a look at her blushing face. "W-what's funny?" she asks confused.

"You are, Tiffany," he whispers in return. One of his hands removes itself from underneath her shirt and begins playing with Tiffany's hair. "You called earlier saying you wanted to talk. And yet all it takes is a kiss and you forget." Talk? She wanted to talk? Her face scrunches up; her mind begins working again. What did she want to talk about? It was something, something important. Or at least she thinks it's important. "Just forget about. It must not be all that important," he whispers into her ear. Tiffany nods her head; her arms wrap themselves around his neck. Siwon's lips resume their job again causing for the girl to turn into a pile of mush.

"Siwon," she mumbles finally realizing what she wanted to talk about. "Maybe w-we..." She takes a deep breath, "M-maybe we s-should...talk!" The last word becomes a squeal.

"Later," he responds pushing her back on the bed.

"N-Now," Tiffany counters; her hands slide down landing on Siwon's shoulders. She gives him a push trying to create space in between them. "Ch-Choi Siwon," she groans, "Talk now!" She gives him a final push. Siwon sits up and looks at the girl beneath him with a glare. "D-don't give m-me that l-look," stutters Tiffany while closing an eye. Fear was setting in as Siwon's facial expression becomes dark.

Siwon exhales loudly through his nose making his nostrils flare. He balls his fist tightly and closes his eyes. "If... you weren't...what do you want to talk about?" he asks. Tiffany opens both eyes and stares up at her boyfriend.

"I-I s-spoke with your s-sister," she sputters carefully, "a-and she thinks that m-maybe w-we should take things s-slow."

"Which sister?" he questions while trying to keep his anger under control.

"I-I d-don't know which," lies Tiffany compulsively. She didn't know why but she didn't want to rat Sooyoung out. She didn't want to cause Sooyoung any trouble.

"It's too late for that don't you think," his hand lands on Tiffany's abdomen rubbing circles in it. Tiffany's nods her head; her eyes gaze at the hand on her stomach. "Good conversation over." He leans in only to have Tiffany push him away yet again. "What now?" Siwon questions irritation evident.

"I-It's not too late," she whispers lightly, "w-we c-can hold out on g-getting m-married." Siwon groans loudly and sits up. "I-I..."

"Shut up," he states while looking around the room. He couldn't look at Tiffany because she was angering him. All he wanted was to come over here and get lucky with his girlfriend. Not sit here and debate about their relationship. They're fine. And there is nothing to talk about. He pinches the bridge of his nose. "This is my relationship," he states calmly causing for Tiffany to flinch. "My relationship, do you hear me?" Tiffany nods her head. "Good. So I do what I want... understand me." Tiffany nods her head again. "And I want to continue what I started."

Tiffany swallows the spit that had collected in her mouth and nods her head for a third time. Siwon leans in when a tapping noise echoes throughout the room. Tiffany's window shifts, sliding open. Siwon growls and sits up as Taeyeon appears through the window. "What are you doing here?" asks Taeyeon while eyeing the tall male.

"Visiting my girlfriend," answers Siwon.

"Leave," states Taeyeon, "I need to speak with my sister now." Siwon looks at Tiffany who quickly sits up herself.

"Tete... maybe you can talk to Yoona about this? I-I mean we were kind of in the m-middle of something," state Tiffany while starring at her hands.

"Get out," states Taeyeon ignoring her sister's statement. She walks over to her sister pulling Tiffany off the bed. "Walk and talk now." She continues dragging the younger girl farther away from Siwon. "He's not allowed in the house that I pay rent for," states Taeyeon, "He can stand outside. But he can't come inside." They enter the living room and Taeyeon looks around.

"What's wrong?" asks Tiffany.

"Nothing," responds Taeyeon while shaking her head. She takes a seat on the couch with a huff. Footsteps echo throughout the house and Siwon emerges from the room. "Goodbye," states Taeyeon without turning to look at him. Tiffany gives him a small smile as he heads for the front door. The door opens and closes with a slam.

"Tete... You know you can't keep doing this?" Taeyeon raises a brow. "I need to find you a girlfriend."

"I am not gay," mutters Taeyeon under her breath.

"Not a public one, but you are closeted." Taeyeon scrunches her nose; Tiffany sighs in defeat. There was no arguing with the girl seated before her. "How about we go and find Yoona... and maybe get you some more cigarettes or something." She grabs Taeyeon's hands and pulls her up off the couch. "Who knows maybe Yoona's got some funny story for us or something."

-----

Jessica sits across from Yoona watching in curiosity as the taller girl was devouring her meal. "Yuri likes me," states Yoona randomly between chewing her fries and reaching for her soda. "What am I supposed to do about it?"

"I don't think you should be having this talk with me," Jessica replies. Yoona looks up and gives Jessica a confused look. "This is something you should talk to your sisters about."

"Sister and Tiffany," states Yoona again, "and why can't I have this talk with you? You're my counselor now."

"You think I am. I'm no one's counselor," answers Jessica while reaching for a fry. "And I have no clue what the history is between you and Yuri. Also... I'm not one to offer you advice about same sex relationships, for I'm not gay." Yoona chokes on her food and looks at Jessica with wide eyes. "What?"

"You're kidding right? You've got to be gay," states Yoona loudly. "You, just like Taeyeon, scream gay." Jessica reaches for a couple of more fries, flinging them in Yoona's face. "What was that for?" Jessica cross her arms, ignoring Yoona's question. "Oh come on... you young lady is obviously a closeted gay." A snarl slices throughout the room.

"I am not gay. And i'm older than you."

"If you say so." Yoona turns her attention back to her food. "So what am I supposed to do?"

Jessica sighs. What is she suppose to say in response? And saving her at the right moment her phone rings. Both hands dig through her pockets trying to find the cellular device. Finding it, she answers and places it to her ear, "Hello?... Yeah I'll be right there." Jessica stands and looks at Yoona, "That's Sooyoung. I guess your company time is over." Yoona shakes her head no, "and why not?"

"I'm coming with you." Jessica groans loudly and exits out of the restaurant with Yoona following behind. The walk to the Choi house was dead quiet and uneventful. That was a plus for Jessica. She didn't want to have to chase after the tall sticky fingered bandit. She looks over to the side at Yoona.

"I... um," states Jessica, "What do you think about Yuri?" Yoona's face quickly scrunches up.

"S-she's pretty," states Yoona while looking at her feet.

"Do you see yourself in a relationship with her?" asks Jessica.

"That's gross."

"So no?"

"I never said no. I said it was gross. Do you need your ears checked?" teases Yoona. Jessica shoves Yoona to the side as a response. A laugh escapes Yoona's lips; she turns and looks at Jessica. "I like you." Jessica stops walking and looks at Yoona with a confused expression.

"W-what?!" questions Jessica with a confused expression.

Before Yoona could have a chance to respond she was tackled by both Taeyeon and Tiffany. "Don't you ever answer your phone?" asks Taeyeon while straightening herself out. "We've both been calling you nonstop."

"Don't have it," answers Yoona while looking over at Jessica. Jessica shrugs her shoulders and begins walking away, "why don't you guys join us? We're going to hang out with one of Jessica's friends. You know: Sooyoung."

"What are you doing hanging out with Jessica?" questions Taeyeon as her gaze turns to Jessica's shrinking back.

"She's my new counselor," answers Yoona. "And she hangs out with me. Come on." Yoona turns around and chases after Jessica.

-----

The five girls sit, well four girls sit with one squirming, around the on the semi wet lawn. None speaking but all look at each other, waiting for someone to first speak. Jessica sighs while bringing her knees to her chest. "To quote the Tall Sticky fingered Bandit: 'Talking to sticks is more entertaining than this'," states Jessica loudly. All eyes fall on her. "What? I have someone following me around all day, two people who I barely even know and a best friend... all of which are sitting here not doing anything."

"So are you," counters Taeyeon. A frown appears on Jessica's face as she turns around no longer facing the group. Taeyeon turns her attention elsewhere also causing for silence to fall over the group again.

Tiffany's gaze falls upon Sooyoung's face. Her eyes taking in the fading bluish black spot; one hand falls upon her stomach; the other hand grabs hold of Sooyoung's. "Let's go talk about my boyfriend. I want to know what he's like," states Tiffany loudly. All eyes fall upon Tiffany this time, "What? I'm dating Sooyoung's brother and I want to know about him." She stands and pulls the tall girl up, "let's go." They begin walking away from the Jung House, all eyes still on them.

"Ah..." Jessica and Taeyeon turns and looks at Yoona, "Can I use the restroom, please?" Jessica shakes her head no, "I won't touch anything. I won't go in any room but the living room and the bathroom. Please," pleads Yoona. Jessica shakes her head no, "why not?"

"Go use the restroom Yoona, don't touch anything," states Taeyeon. Yoona hops up from her seat and takes off into Jessica's house. Taeyeon watches as the door closes before looking down the street at Tiffany and Sooyoung.

"You should pay a little more attention to Yoona," states Jessica; she turns back around and look at Taeyeon.

"I do pay attention," retorts Taeyeon.

"Then I guess you know that Yoona is always hungry and doesn't go home." Taeyeon freezes a little. "I take it you know also that Yoona is lonely; she has no one to hang out with, and on top of that her adoptive parents are threatening to home-school her." Taeyeon turns and looks Jessica in the eye trying to find any sign that what the girl was spewing was a lie, is a lie. It needs to be a lie or that would make her a horrible sister.

But she finds no signal. Her facial expression drops; her gaze drops to the grass. Her fingers begin playing with the grass. "I... uh... " Taeyeon was lost for words. She has no explanation. "W-why wouldn't she tell me?"

"Because you're too busy taking care of Tiffany," answers Jessica. Her eyes fall upon Taeyeon's guilt stricken face. "Look that doesn't make you horrible, just blind. I can see that Tiffany needs taking care of but that doesn't mean you have to forget about Yoona in a way. She's also your sister. Just spend some time with her, please. It'll get her to leave me alone." Taeyeon looks up at Jessica. "What? Do you want me to take my words back or something?" Taeyeon shakes her head no.

"So... Yoona told me that you're her new counselor."

"I'm going to choke that giant for spewing lies," grits Jessica as she stands and heads for the house. "I am not your counselor!" She shouts entering the house. Taeyeon pushes herself up to her feet chasing after Jessica. She didn't anything to happen to Yoona, not after learning the truth.

-----

"He did that didn't he?" whisper Tiffany as she raises her hand; her fingers lightly touch the bruise on Sooyoung's face. "Is this why you want me to break it off with him?" Sooyoung reaches up and grabs hold of Tiffany's hand. "I already know about his anger issues. But things aren't so simple... I need a reason to break up with him."

"S-so the bruises aren't enough for you?" questions Sooyoung. "W-why must I reveal more for you to end it? Do you want to be in the same positions as I am?"

"I've been in your position plenty of times. But I love your brother; I love Siwon even with his anger issues."

"It's not anger issues," mumbles Sooyoung. A frown forms on Tiffany's face. If it wasn't anger issues then what was it? She opens her mouth but Sooyoung beats her to the punch. "Why must you need a stronger reason to leave my brother?" Tiffany shifts her hand in Sooyoung's bringing the taller girl's hand to her stomach.

"This is why."

015

There was silence amongst the two girls as they walk through the white halls of the doctor's office. The shorter of the two kept looking down at her stomach in disbelief. She knew it was true but hearing a confirmation from licensed doctor, it was just very overwhelming. Her hand automatically touches her abdomen. "I'm pregnant," she whispers to herself but the other girl was able to hear. "Taeyeon is going to kill me. Better yet she's going to kill Siwon." She bites her bottom lip, "Siwon is over six feet but Taeyeon can still pack a punch if she angry enough. And considering the fact that Tete already despises Siwon- this is going to send her over the edge. My sister is going to go to jail for murder. My sister is going to become her mother... oh my god, what am I going to do?"

The taller girl watches her curiously as she talks to herself. "My gas and electric is off. I can barely pay rent and feed my brother. I'm still in high school," rants Tiffany in a panic mode. Reality was hitting her in the face. At first the idea of having this child was a kind of happy thing, but now- now it's a real life nightmare. She couldn't have this baby not when she can barely take care of herself and her brother. She stops in her tracks; eyes slowly drift close as tears begin to build up. "I-I can't do this," she states aloud. "I-I have to call Siwon." She begins digging in her pocket for her phone.

Tiffany's hand shakes as she looks through her contact list for her boyfriend's number. Finding it, she slides the phone against her ear, listening and waiting for Siwon to answer. "What?" comes Siwon's voice through the phone.

"W-we need to t-talk," stutters Tiffany into the phone.

"We always need to talk. You know what Tiffany, I think we talk more than we do anything else," responds Siwon sounding highly agitated. Tiffany bites her lip again. She had made Siwon angry again. She inhales deeply waiting for him to continue, "What are we talking about this time?"

"O-our child," she whispers.

"What about it?"

"W-what are we g-going to do?" she asks; Tiffany finally looks up at Siwon's sister who was leaning against the wall.

"Correction, what are you going to do about it? I'm not the one that's pregnant. So it's your problem," answers Siwon. "We're not getting married anymore so you figure this out." The next thing that Tiffany heard was the dial tone. He hung up on her. He's leaving her to make the decision.

Tiffany just wants to cry. She releases the phone that was in her hand; it falls to the ground, clattering against the white tiled floor. Feet move her body backwards until her back collides with the wall; her body slowly slides against the wall until Tiffany was fully sitting on the floor. Tears slowly begin to fall surprising Sooyoung who was watching the whole ordeal. Shoulders shake causing for the tall girl to approach the distressed one.

"T-Tiffany," she stutters. Sooyoung takes a seat next to Tiffany. "What did he say?"

"He's not going to do anything about it," answer Tiffany in a wavering voice. Her gaze drops to the tiles.

"Is this reason enough to leave him?" questions Sooyoung. She shakes her head no, "how can you stay with him when he's not going to do anything."

"He's not doing anything because of you," whispers Tiffany. His words echo in her mind: 'not getting married', 'you figure this out'. "Not getting married," she mutters while wiping away the tears. She turns her head and gives Sooyoung a stern look. 'Not getting married'. That's right they weren't because she was following this stupid girl, next to her, words. "He's not doing anything because of you," whispers Tiffany again, "all because I decided to listen to you without some sort of liable reason. I'm about to be a teenaged mom... How could I have listened to you?"

"I was only trying to... I was only trying to help you," responds Sooyoung; her voice was full of guilt. She didn't want for things to turn out like this. She just didn't want Tiffany to be in an abusive relationship. She didn't want the older girl to go through what she goes through. Sure Tiffany feels the blows of her brother's anger every once in a while but it was nothing compared to what she goes through. What she has been going through since middle school. "I-I didn't mean... I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't know..." Sooyoung bites her bottom lip and begins playing with her fingers.

"Save it. I'm going to fix my relationship and stay out of it." Tiffany forces herself up off the floor and grabs her phone, marching way from the tall girl. Sooyoung watches as Tiffany disappears through one of the brown doors and a sigh escapes her lips.

-----

She rolls over upon the semi large bed onto her back; arms and legs spread out as if she was making a snow angel, wrinkling the bedspread. A huff and she closes her eyes listening to her best friend work on their assignment. Cracking one eye open, she states, "So how were your dates?"

"What date?" her best friend questions in return.

"Your dates with Yoona," answers Sooyoung with a heavy sigh.

"We're not dating." Jessica looks up from their assignment and over her shoulder at the girl that was messing up her bed.

"The two of you meet every day after school for food. She walks you home. She even offers to carry you backpack for you. That sounds like a date to me. And you did tell me that she said she liked you, Sica," states Sooyoung.

"Yeah, but liking me could mean anything. Maybe she likes my company or maybe she likes me like an older sister," counters Jessica.

"So what does like mean?" questions Sooyoung curiously.

"I haven't asked."

"So it's a date," states Sooyoung while grinning.

A scoff can be heard from the other side of the room. "Shut up Sooyoung," states Jessica as she turns her attention back to her work. "Besides Yoona is more like a little sister, a little annoying sister that just follows you around and copying everything you do. Except for the copying part, since I don't steal."

"You did steal, back when we were in middle school," states Sooyoung.

"Okay once, but I haven't done it again," responds Jessica. "But as I was saying Yoona's nothing but an annoying sister to me."

"Annoying sisters... speaking of which how is Baby Jung taking it? You know since now that you and Yoona have been 'bonding'," questions Sooyoung while making quotations upon the word 'bonding'.

"Horribly," the older girl answers while hunching her shoulders. Her fingers comb her hair back, "those two are constantly competing with one another for my attention." She takes a moment before asking Sooyoung, "Where were you this morning?"

Sooyoung's face scrunches up as she contemplates on whether or not she should explain to Jessica her current family situation. She should tell her right? They're best friends. But Jessica speaks with Yoona and if word gets to Taeyeon then, well apocalypse is bound to happen. But Jessica isn't a gossiper so maybe telling her would relieve some stress and guilt that she's carrying. Sooyoung rolls over onto her stomach and looks at the older girl's back, "I'm going to be an aunt."

The desk chair spins quickly, "What?! Please do not tell me that your slow twin got my sister- "

"Sica, no," interrupts Sooyoung, "besides I believe they broke up sometime around three months ago." Jessica takes a deep breath, calming herself down. "Siwon got Tiffany pregnant."

"What?!" exclaims Jessica again.

"That's how I felt. I didn't want to believe it. She told me last week when it was the five of us. And that explains why they were planning on getting married," explains Sooyoung.

"Is she really pregnant? Is it really Siwon's? Are you sure it's not like some huge tumor that's growing?" questions Jessica as she scoots closer to the bed.

"Yes, she's really pregnant. I went with her this morning to see a doctor. She told me she hasn't seen one at all since she took the test. I just wanted to make sure that's what it was." Sooyoung sighs and closes her eyes, "I think she should really break up with my brother. Siwon's not right for her."

"Aren't you supposed to defend your brother and not a complete stranger?"

"He told her that she has to deal with it since she called the wedding off. But that wasn't enough for her. Why can't she just end it?" questions Sooyoung to no one in particular.

"Why do you want them to end?" asks Jessica curiously. Sooyoung rolls back onto her; her eyes reopen and stare up at the ceiling.

"Sica... if I tell you something... you wouldn't judge me right?" questions Sooyoung.

"We're best friends. You can tell me anything," answers Jessica. Her fingers begin playing with Sooyoung short dark locks. "Why would you think I would judge you? We grew up together since like forever. You're like my big 'baby' sister. Even my mom thinks of you as a surrogate daughter." Sooyoung nods her head slowly.

As she moves to explain something, the thing that's been her lifelong secret a knock erupts from the closed door. "Jessica you have a visitor." Mrs. Jung voice slides into the room.

"It's Yoona, you don't have to announce it," responds Jessica.

"Actually it's not Yoona. It's a little- I mean a very small... it's not Yoona." Jessica stands up and heads to her bedroom door. It unlocks with a click and she slides it open coming face to face with her mother and Taeyeon. She motions for Taeyeon to enter the room in which the smaller girl does. "You know she's pretty cute. Is that your girlfriend?" whispers Mrs. Jung. Jessica glares at her mother.

"No it's not."

"Well you should get together. You two would make a really good couple. And for once I wouldn't have to be ashamed of my daughter's girlfriends," states Mrs. Jung; her eyes will still on Taeyeon's figure.

"Well to bad, right now its boy season for me," Jessica closes the door and looks at Taeyeon, "what do you want?"

"I've been thinking about what you said, about what my cousin told me... and I want to hire you on as my counselor again. I'll even be willing to pay," states Taeyeon as she looks around the room, at everything but Sooyoung and Jessica. "You've been doing such a good job on Yoona. From the time we've spent this week, she's cut down on ditching. She's even working hard on studying and she's only stole something like twenty times this week."

"Twenty? I wonder how much she steals before you came into the picture," comments Sooyoung. Jessica grunts in response.

"I just want to be able to take care of my sisters. Tiffany is doing good now," Sooyoung chokes on her spit causing for her to fall into a coughing fit. Taeyeon stops and stares at the taller girl, "are you okay?" Sooyoung quickly nods her head, "okay then... as I was saying, Tiffany is doing good and now so is Yoona. The only people left are me and my brother."

"I thought that this is all that you're going to be?" retorts Jessica while crossing her arms. "Nothing more but maybe something less."

"Low blow, Sica," comments Sooyoung. She grunts again.

"I'm not saying it's going to work. I just want to try," answers Taeyeon. Jessica looks at Sooyoung, who was nodding her head.

"Fine. I'll just have to alternate between you and Yoona," Taeyeon nods her head. "Well let's go and see how we can make you a better person."

-----

The door to the center opens causing for her to look up. She watches as Yuri enters the center while holding a boy's hand. A frown appears on her face. Who is this boy and why is he walking with Yuri? Even more so why is he holding her hand?

Yoona stares at Yuri and the boy intently. She was supposed to be waiting on Seohyun to return from the art storage room to get some paper and paint. And instead she was sitting here on the uncomfortable chair watching those two people interact. Feeling a tap on her shoulder, Yoona turns her head slightly to see that Seohyun had returned.

Seohyun looks at Yoona curiously. Her eyes take in the frown that now turned into a scowl; her head turns to see what Yoona was starring at: Yuri being intimate with a guy. She takes a seat and grabs her notebooks scribbling something down.

'Are you okay?' Yoona takes a look at the perfect handwriting and nods her head.

"I'm fine," she mutters. "Come on let's paint and draw." She helps Seohyun spread the paper across the table before opening up the paint. "What do you want to paint?" she asks turning her attention fully to Seohyun. Why should she even be worried about Yuri? It's not like she likes the older girl. It's not like Yuri is hers. They were just mere acquaintances before Yuri became her counselor. And Yuri was the one who liked her not the other way around.

'How about we split the paper and show each other our art when we're done.' Yoona nods her head and reaches for paint brush. She dips it gently in the black paint before swiping it across the paper.

"Seohyun... mind if we talk? I really don't like silence." With her free hand Seohyun reaches for her notebook scribbling down an okay, "alright then... what's your family like? I think I've only met your mother."

'I only live with my mother. My father was murdered.' Yoona read the words. Her expression becomes sympathetic.

"I'm sorry," she murmurs.

'It's okay.'

"Can I ask you if that's a reason why you're... you know... mute?" asks Yoona cautiously. A green streak spreads across Seohyun's side of the large piece of paper; her eyes widen and fear sets in as the young girl remembers her father's death. Blinking a few times, Seohyun quickly stands and grabs her backpack before dashing out of the center. "Seohyun!" calls Yoona as she watches the younger girl leave.

-----

"Where's Minho?" asks Krystal as she looks in the windows of some of the local shops.

"Something about making sure his new girlfriend gets to her job on time," answers one of her friends. "He should be here any minute now, right Sulli?" Jinri nods her head while fixing that hat that was on her head.

"Girl friend when did he get a girl friend? Taemin, know anything about it?" continues Krystal with the questions. She turns and looks at the boy that was holding a skateboard.

"He just got one within the last week or so. She's a little older than him and stuff," answers Taemin while starring at his shoes. "He asked her out one day during our passing period. According to him, she was reluctant saying that he wasn't her type. And I guess he finally wooed her." The group stops in front of a building looking up at the sign.

"Are you sure about this, Key? I mean if Jessica finds out... not even Jessica if my mom finds out about this," states Krystal while turning her head to look at another boy.

"Are you scared, Jung?" asks Key mockingly. Krystal nods her head. She wasn't scared of what she was about to do. Nope definitely not, but what she was scared of was the consequences. "Alright then, let's go." Key opens the door and the group walks into the building with the sign that read: Tattoos and Piercings.

016

"You've been spending a lot of time with Jessica," states Taeyeon as her and Yoona walk amongst Yoona's neighborhood. Yoona shrugs her shoulders. She didn't really care if Taeyeon was feeling jealous are anything. She's finally given up any type of hope of spending time with her sister and now relied on Jessica. "I'm sorry, Yoong. I should have paid more attention to you. I really should have. I just thought that you were fine... I can't make it up to you because it's time lost but now I'll make more of an attempt."

"It takes for me to find another bigger sister for you to actually want and make an attempt?"questions Yoona. Her voice is full of disgust causing for Taeyeon to stop in her tracks. "It shouldn't have to be that way. You're my sister..."

"I..." Taeyeon's gaze drops to the floor. Yoona is right it shouldn't have been that way. She should have paid more attention to Yoona. "I'm sorry Yoong, I'm really sorry." She looks up at her little sister, "you cannot really blame me can you? I thought you were fine, you seemed fine; Yuri even tells me that you're doing alright. I didn't know you were lonely or anything." Taeyeon takes a deep breath, "I'm going to work harder now for you, for me, for Tiffany and for him. I promise."

Yoona's face slowly breaks out into a small smile. As much as she wanted to hold a grudge against her sister, she just couldn't. Not after hearing that tiny little speech. She nods her head, "you should hire back Jessica. And if it doesn't work out as her being your counselor you could always date her. I wouldn't mind having her as a sister. I kind of like her as one."

"Date her?" asks Taeyeon. "But that's gross."

"And we like gross things."

-----

'You should hire back Jessica'

'You could always date her.'

'We like gross things'

She turns her head to stare at her counselor's reflection in the window. They have been sitting in the same spot in the back of the library for the last thirty minutes with neither of them saying anything. She inhales deeply and props her feet up on the wooden table top. "Thank you," she whispers aloud. The girl across from her sits up straight; a curious look comes across her face. "For taking care of my sister. Yoona is the youngest of us and I am grateful that you started taking care of her when she needed it. And thank you for telling me... I don't really like feeling out of the loop about things."

Jessica chokes on her spit remembering what Sooyoung had told her earlier. Should she tell Taeyeon about her becoming an aunt? Or should she just let Tiffany reveal the information? "Is there something wrong?" asks Taeyeon as she turns her attention to the real thing and not just a reflection.

"No," answers Jessica while shaking her head. She'll leave it to Tiffany to reveal the information. "Um... I guess I should make you do the same things that I make Yoona do."

"And that is?" questions Taeyeon.

"I'm going to request you study more, also that you pick better friends to hang out with. I'm not saying completely dump the friends you have now. But find some that aren't as bad. That's what Yoona's been doing. She's been studying and hanging out with Seohyun. She finally told me yesterday that she's finally able to enter Seohyun's house."

"Maybe you are right. Maybe you are the better sister out of both of us," whispers Taeyeon.

"Got that right," remarks Jessica with a victorious grin. Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders. No point in arguing, she knows when to admit defeat. And right now is when she must do so. She sticks her hands into her jacket pocket pulling out her pack of cigarettes, "you smoke?" She nods her head while trying to find her lighter. "Why?"

"I used it as a stress reliever but then I just got addicted," answers Taeyeon. She quickly stands, "mind if we take this session outside?" It was then Jessica's turn to shrug her shoulders as a response. Standing she follows Taeyeon towards the front of the library, "You know this is easier then what Yoona mentioned."

"Huh?" They stop a few feet away from the steps and Taeyeon lights her cigarette.

"Yoona says that you have a stick shoved up your ass. I thought that meant that you were going to bite my head off and what not... like the first few times that we've met. I don't know... it seems like you're becoming much softer towards Yoona and me."

Jessica opens her mouth then closes, repeating the gesture over a few times. She has no response, no explanation. Was she becoming soft towards those two lowlifes? To those two delinquents? Her head lowers to the gravel beneath them; her foot begins kicking around the dirt. Her face scrunches up a little.

Taeyeon watches her curiously. "Something wrong?" she asks. Jessica looks up at Taeyeon. She didn't know whether or not to laugh at the sight of a 'child' with a cigarette hanging from the corner of her mouth.

"N-No," answers Jessica. Her body drops down and she takes a seat on the grass next to the gravel. "I think you should quit."

"Because it can kill me?" questions Taeyeon.

"No... it can... but there are people around you that it can affect. It might not be now but one day," responds Jessica without giving away much information on Tiffany's predicament. She takes a deep breath, "You know Yoona does most of the talking."

"Yoona and Tiffany keep complaining that I should get a girlfriend. And yet as of right now I can't even keep up with them. I can barely keep my eye on them making sure they're fine and okay. And not to mention my little brother who likes to drink and smoke... not cigarettes," Taeyeon looks up; she releases a puff of smoke.

"You're gay?" questions Jessica. Taeyeon turns her attention to the girl sitting on the grass.

"I... uh..." Her face heats up a little. She wasn't sure how to answer that question. It was her secret that only her sisters knew. Her free hand reaches behind her head scratching an itch that appeared out of nowhere, "you're not disgusted are you?"

"I've dated girls before," answers Jessica surprising even herself. Did she just open up and answer? Teeth clamp down on the bottom lip; eyes blink rapidly. "I... I dated that girl... Hara." Taeyeon raises a brow. Hara? Goo Hara? The doll faced girl with the small waist? That's that type of girls Jessica prefers. "But before you starting thinking about things I've also dated boys. I've dated Donghae for a while as well as um... that one guy whose name I can't remember right now."

"Ah," was all that Taeyeon could say. She flicks the butt of the cigarette onto the ground before stepping on it. Digging in her pocket again Taeyeon pulls out a pack of gum. "Want one?" she asks. Jessica shakes her head no. "So which do you prefer?" questions Taeyeon.

"I'm not gay but I'm not straight."

"That's not what I asked."

"I should be the one asking questions."

"Does it matter? I'm paying you."

"And the money will more than likely go towards feeding that sister of yours."

"Oh right because you're dating Yoona." Jessica's face falls flat. She crosses her arms and glares at the girl standing in front of her. "Don't worry I don't think Yoona recognizes it's a date. In fact I think she likes Yuri... or is it Seohyun?"

"It's both," states Jessica, "She likes Seohyun but Seohyun being mute is tiring for her as she states. And she finds Yuri very pretty but Yuri is gross."

"We like gross things," whispers Taeyeon aloud.

"Huh?"

"Nothing," states Taeyeon as she takes a seat on the grass beside Jessica, "so you like pretty faces?"

"I do not like pretty faces."

"Yoona, Donghae, Hara... all have pretty faces. All look young. You're not a pedophile are you?" Jessica releases a growl and gives Taeyeon a shove, sending the smaller girl over onto her side. "I was joking. I was joking." Taeyeon pushes herself up back into a sitting position, "I feel sorry for your exes and your future boyfriend. So violent."

"I'm not violent."

"Are you going to disagree with everything I say?"

"Yes."

Silence fell over the two again. "So if you don't like pretty faces then what do you like?"

"I'm the one who is supposed to be asking questions."

"Not this again. Does it really matter if you're getting paid?" Taeyeon sighs, "Besides I'm only doing what you asked me to do." Jessica turns and looks at the older girl, "you said make new friends... I don't know any that's not exactly like me but you." Silence consumes them for the third time. "So... Pretty faces? And you know you didn't deny dating my sister."

"I'm not dating Yoona- "

"It doesn't count now." Jessica groans.

"You and you're sister are alike: Really, really annoying," states Jessica while standing up.

"You can't leave. You're supposed to sit here and listen to me ramble nonsense and teach me the ways of being good," states Taeyeon. "I'm paying you!"

-----

Eyes scan over the many different sketches and drawing upon the wall. Some looked grotesque; others were more of her type. The eyes fall upon the slip of paper that she tricked her father into signing. 'Anything for my little girl' is what he said while signing it. She turns and looks over at her friends who were also looking through the displays. "Are you getting a piercing or are you getting inked?" ask Key as he takes seat in the chair.

"I don't know yet," responds Krystal watching as the worker of the parlor prepares to pierce Keys ear. "I'm trying to figure out which one would be easier to hide from my sister's gaze."

"Why hide it? You have permission." Krystal shrugs her shoulders and turns her attention back to the displays. True she does have permission, but she was still a little wary. Jessica and her mom would go ballistic. She's about to deform her body.

The buzzing noise from the needle catches her attention. Shifting her body slightly, Krystal looks around the wall to see one of the tattoo artists working. Her eyes fall upon the face of the person that was getting the tattoo. "I-I don't think this is a good idea," states Krystal while turning around. The pain that was written on the girl's face was scarring her just a little.

"Oh come on," states Key as the door to the shop ring. They both turn to see Minho entering the shop, "Minho tell your ex to stop being such scared and get the damn piercing or tattoo." Minho looks at Krystal who turns her back to the male. "I think she's jealous of your new girlfriend. She was asking a whole lot of questions."

Minho slowly approaches Krystal; his arms slither their way around her waist. "Let go," she states.

"I think you should get a belly pierced. That would look sexy," whispers Minho; one of his hands slip under her shirt a begin playing with her belly button.

"And I think you should return to your girlfriend," hisses Krystal as she removes his hands from her body. "We are not together anymore. You can no longer touch me. And you... have can no longer offer advice on what you think is sexy or not." Minho gives her a blank stare. "So go away you're not needed anymore."

Laughter erupts from Key, Jinri and Taemin who were watching the whole ordeal. Minho hands curl into tight fists. In a quick motion Minho's fist slams into the wall nearly missing Krystal's head. Turning her head slightly, Krystal looks Minho in the face noticing the anger etched in it. How could she forget that Minho never liked being humiliated? "Calm down," she states, "it's not that serious. Key, Taemin, and Sulli are all probably high."

Minho takes a deep breath, turns and storms out of the parlor. The door slamming shut behind him. "Baby Jung... that was hilarious," states Key.

Krystal turns her attention back to the tattoo designs. "Maybe I'll get my belly pierced."

-----

"Can I ask you about your mother?" questions Jessica as they walk amongst the streets, "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it. I mean you and Yoona share the same mother right? And Yoona never really touches on the subject. She always avoids it. She'll talk about her father and her adoptive family."

"My mother is in prison," states Taeyeon, "for murder. I don't know much about it. I was already on my own then."

"Do you visit her?" questions Jessica.

"What's the point? She doesn't write me or Yoona. Doesn't call neither of us," states Taeyeon. "I don't even think she knows that we're alive." Jessica nods her head, "but she wasn't always bad. There were times where she did take care of me, but I guess... I guess when she thought I was old enough..." Taeyeon's voice trails off.

"We can stop talking if you want." Taeyeon nods her head. She didn't want to dwell on her mother anymore. "Alright... want to talk about something else?"

"I think this is enough for today." Taeyeon sticks her hands into her pocket, "I can only give you a little since I have to pay rent for Tiffany." She pulls out a wad of cash.

"Tomorrow we're going to look for you an apartment," states Jessica. Taeyeon looks up from counting, "You want to take care of your sisters and brother. The only way is by keeping them close by. At least with an apartment you'll all be living under the same house."

Taeyeon nods her head, "thank you." She grabs Jessica's hand and hands her some cash, "thank you."

She turns to leave when Jessica calls after her, "I don't want your dirty money." Taeyeon stops. "You got this off of innocent people. If you're going to pay me you could at least get a normal job that comes with taxes and use legal tender. Not that crap you lowlifes pick off of others." Jessica appears in front of Taeyeon waving the bills in her face. "Now I've got my finger prints all on it. You could have robbed a bank."

"I actually got that off of selling my phone," answers Taeyeon, "I knew you wouldn't take anything else. So I sold my phone and got cash for it."

"Oh."

"And I thought we were making progress."

"I'm only nice during sessions, other wise it's back to you being a delinquent in my eyes." Taeyeon nods her head. "Well I guess that's it." Jessica turns and walks away leaving Taeyeon standing in the same spot.

"I don't like gross things," mutters Taeyeon to herself, "I'm not supposed to like gross things."

-----

Voices echo throughout the house. One is a males; the other is a females who was stuttering, who was trying to plead her case. The accidental listener releases a sigh; she shuts her bedroom door quietly. She didn't want to be heard. She couldn't be heard. Her brother was on a rampage. Locking the door with a click, she heads back towards her bed. It creaks as she takes a seat at the foot of it.

Her eyes lock onto the door; she listens to Siwon and Tiffany argue across the hall.

"Please," whispers Sooyoung aloud to herself, "please do not let anything happen to her and my unborn niece or nephew. I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't want for this to happen. I just wanted to Tiffany to get out while she still can."

A loud knock reverberates throughout her room. "Sooyoung!" Siwon's voice slices through the air. Sooyoung freezes. "Sooyoung!" She knows that hiding from him would only anger him. Slowly she stands and slowly she makes her way across the room to the bedroom door. Her fingers come into contact with the lock and slowly turn it. Her door burst open flinging her backwards to the floor. "What did you tell Tiffany?!" questions Siwon as he stands above her.

"N-Nothing," responds Sooyoung. Siwon looks over his shoulder at Tiffany, who was standing in the hall; her mouth was agape. "I didn't tell her anything. I don't even speak to her. She hangs out with those lowlifes... why would I speak to her? Her kind were the ones that attacked Baby Jung." His gaze goes back to Sooyoung. "I swear. I haven't told anyone."

Siwon inhales deeply before turning around and entering his room slamming the door shut. His lock echoes throughout the house. Sooyoung pushes herself up and looks at Tiffany. She wasn't sure if she wanted to shut her door in the girl's face or to invite her inside. Before she even had the chance to make up her mind, Tiffany was already in her room, closing and locking the door behind her.

"I want to know the secret between you two," states Tiffany as she turns to see Sooyoung heading towards the bed.

"You have guts telling me to stay out of your relationship and then asking to hear something private when my brother is just across the hall." Sooyoung lies down upon her bed burying her face in her pillows.

"Is it okay if I sit on this bed?" asks Tiffany while pointing at Jinri's bed.

"It's not mine."

Tiffany takes a seat on the bed, "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have said what I said earlier. I get it that you're trying to help me. But you... it's not helping if I'm left out of the loop. The marriage was supposed to be away to make sure that it's taken care of. That it will have a home and be supported. It's why I can't give it up." Sooyoung scoffs and rolls her eyes. "I'm being serious here Sooyoung."

Sooyoung sits up straight and stares Tiffany in the eyes, "walk and talk."

-----

She walks around town; hands in her pockets and ear buds in her ears. The music was loud but it was also calming. She smiles to herself at the thought of finding a place for herself, her sisters and her brother. Maybe she can make things work. Maybe with Jessica's help she can become something. Her grin widens as she kicks an empty can. Looking up she watches as the door to the local tattoo shop opens and a group of teens.

Spotting her brother within the group, she releases a sigh. "What is he up to now?" she questions. Her feet move faster to get closer to the group.

"Baby Jung got a piercing." Taeyeon stops walking for a second. Baby Jung? As in Jessica little sister? She watches the group rounds the corner. Should she just let it be and let Jessica deal with it? "What if it's not Jessica's little sister. Jung is a familiar surname. Besides this will just prove that we're exactly the same." Taeyeon turns on her heels and walks in the opposite direction leaving the situation alone.

-----

Tiffany walks quietly beside Sooyoung waiting for the girl to speak. "It started in middle school." Tiffany turns and looks at Sooyoung. She wasn't too sure if she heard Sooyoung, "In the family garage." So she did hear Sooyoung. "I... He claims... " She stops unsure of to say what she wants to say. More importantly did she want to say it aloud? Did she want to tell it to a stranger?

Sooyoung shakes her head. What is she thinking about? She has to reveal it. She has to explain what happened to her, what's been happening to her. This was to ensure that her future family member would be safe. "Back in middle school... Siwon had called me into the garage. I... uh... " She releases a growl. This was too hard for her.

"It's okay... take your time," states Tiffany.

"Just leave him," states Sooyoung.

"Tell me why first. What happened in the garage?" questions Tiffany.

"I've developed an eating disorder because of what happened. I think it's bulimia... I don't really know; I looked it up on the internet. After each time I enter the garage I fall ill for a week; I binge eat and then throw it back up again," explains Sooyoung, "at first it was just a simple come in the garage and he would initiate small skin-ship. And then it started to increase... until one day he finally..." Sooyoung inhales deeply then exhales, "he threatens me making sure I don't spill the secret."

"Do you know why?" questions Tiffany.

"He's homophobic and claims it will cure me."

017

A hand wraps around the door knob giving it a jingle but it wouldn't budge. The free hand slides into his pocket pulling out a set of house keys. Eyes search through them finding the one that was his. He tries to fit the key into the key hold but it wouldn't fit. A groan; who changed the locks? His eyes momentarily spot a piece of paper hanging taped to the door. "A eviction notice," he reads aloud. His head connects with the door. "We've got evicted... where are we supposed to stay?"

He turns and takes a seat on the steps. There was nothing he could for now but to wait for his sister to show, hopefully soon. A sigh, maybe he shouldn't have stolen some of Tiffany's stash. Maybe Tiffany's right. Maybe it's time for him to grow up and start becoming the man of the house. Their father definitely isn't.

Eyes drop to the board that was in his hands. Maybe he could sell this off. That what Taeyeon does to get money. A frown appears on his face. But selling this would mean hurting his sister. Tiffany had gotten this for him even when she had no money, even when she couldn't even really feed him. This was his very first and only birthday gift ever since they moved here.

Hearing footsteps, he looks up to see his sister's best friend approaching. "Hi Taeyeon."

"Where is Tiffany?" asks Taeyeon as she heads past him for the door.

"It's locked," he states, "the locks were changed and we're evicted." Taeyeon stops and takes a look at the white paper. "Does this mean we're homeless?" She looks down at her brother.

"You'll stay at my place again," answers Taeyeon. She wasn't sure what to do next. They've been apartment searching but none of the apartments were in her price range. In order to pay rent for any of those it would mean returning to the crime life that she was trying so hard to leave. She takes a seat next to her brother and stares at her shoes. Be good and watch her family be toss on the street or turn back to being a delinquent and have a place to stay for all of them? What to choose?

She shakes her head; why is she even thinking this stuff out? She needed to take care of her family. And she needed to do it now. She'll worry about things later, worry about the consequences later. Tight now it was survival of the fittest and she needed to win. "I thought Tiffany paid the rent," states her brother.

"She does," answers Taeyeon, "Tiffany is supposed to foot up half of it. Your father is to pay the rest."

"Are you saying that my dad didn't pay?" Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders. It's a possibility. Anything could really be the reason. Their father could have failed to pay. Tiffany could have failed to pay. The manager and owner could be a complete and total jackass who wants to see two teens out on the streets. It's anything really. "Tiffany's going to have a heart attack. All out stuff is in there. They can't keep our stuff can they?"

Taeyeon sighs and shrugs her shoulders again. She turns and looks at her brother, "I'm going to get an apartment soon. You and Tiffany can come and stay with me there, and until then you two can stay at my aunt's house." He nods his head, "Can I ask you a question?" He nods his head a second time, "what exactly were you doing in the tattoo parlor last week?" His face becomes blank; she could tell that he was trying to concoct a lie. "Don't lie to me. It might work on Tiffany."

"I was hanging out with some friends." Short and simple. It was the truth in a way. He didn't lie about anything. He just didn't reveal a lot.

"I know that much," states Taeyeon, "but what were you doing?"

"They were getting some piercing and looking at tattoos. I didn't get anything... I didn't have a parent or guardian permission. Are you going to tell Tiffany?" Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders before shaking her head no. There was no point in getting her younger sister all riled up over something so, so simple.

"The girl who you were with... Baby Jung is her name I believe," states Taeyeon remembering that the past week she's been wanting to talk to him about her."

"Krystal... yeah what about her?"

"She got a piercing. Does her family know about it?" questions Taeyeon.

"Her dad signed the permission slip. According to Sulli and Minho, Mr. Jung would do anything for Krystal since he favors her over Krystal's older sister... Jessica I believe the name is. So I guess her family knows. Why?"

"Just curious. I have a meeting that I need to get to. Stay out of trouble for your sister's sake and my house by nine."

-----

She was a little paranoid. Okay a little is an understatement. She was full on paranoid. She felt as if that at any moment the government, the FBI, CIA, whatever you wish to call them was going to pop out from the ceiling ducts tackle her. She's been cutting it close the last week. She's got a piercing, made out with some random guy at some random party that Key took her to, got drunk, stole some stuff and even smoked weed. And now, now she was on an errand of finding a short girl by the name of Sunny.

What for? Well what else would Key want from a girl who's father is a doctor with a prescription tablet. She sighs and continues her way through the empty halls of the high school. School's been out for the last 45 minutes but Key said that Sunny would still be around waiting on her boyfriend. She turns a corner and her eyes fall upon a short girl leaning against the lockers.

She approaches the girl slowly, "A-are you Sunny?" The girl looks up from starring at her nails. "I'm Krystal and I'm here for Key."

"Oh right," answers Sunny as she turns towards the locker behind her. Whispering to herself, she begins running through her combination. The lock clicks and she pulls the locker open, "Did Key want Oxycontin this time?"

"Um... I think so. He just said you would know and to add um... medical marijuana to the list," responds Krystal as she begins looking over her shoulder. The paranoia was getting stronger by the second.

"Calm down," whispers Sunny. "You're bugging out and that's making yourself suspicious." Krystal takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "Alright... I only have the medical marijuana. As for the pills here," Sunny turns around and hands Krystal a sack and a piece of paper. "It's a prescription and it's legit."

Krystal nods her head and stares at the two items in her hand. "Thanks," she says. She slides both items into her pockets.

"More than welcomed." Krystal nods her head once more and walks away. Her hands tighten around the items in her pocket. She was halfway towards being cleared. All she had to do now was make it out of school and to Key's house. She turns the corner heading towards the exit.

"Krystal?" A familiar voice enters her ears. She tops and slowly turns on the balls of her feet. A grim smile spreads across her face.

"Hello Sooyoung," she states trying to be as calm as ever. Her grip tightens even more. Key was going to be highly upset if she comes back with a smeared prescription or his weed is destroyed. Sooyoung gives her a smile, "how are you?"

"Alright. Oh this is Tiffany," says Sooyoung while pointing at the girl beside her.

"Ditched my sister for a new best friend?" jokes Krystal, "I don't blame you. She spends so much time with Yoona or that short girl Taeyeon. It's ridiculous. We barely even have time to hang out."

"Yeah she is quite busy. But she's got a good reason. She's giving Tiffany's sisters a second chance at life," states Sooyoung. "So what are you up to?"

"I was actually looking for my sister," lies Krystal, fidgeting slighty. "But I couldn't find her so I'm leaving to hang out with Sulli."

"Alright tell her to be home no later than six tonight. Our grandparents are coming over for dinner." Krystal nods her head, waves goodbye and takes off running as fast as she could away from the two older girls.

"She's hiding something," states Tiffany as she looks up at Sooyoung. "She's was fidgeting like my little brother when he is hiding something from me." Sooyoung shrugs her shoulders. What could she really do? She has her own issues at the moment that she needed to deal with. Her gaze turns to Tiffany. "Anyways let's go see Sunny about getting me some prenatal meds."

"A-are you sure it's a good idea?" questions Sooyoung. Dealing with things illegally were just plain wrong, especially when it came to medication. What if this wasn't the right stuff for Tiffany? What if she takes too much or too little? Her mind begins racing at the thoughts of something bad happening to Tiffany, to the unborn child or children. "T-Tiffany!"

"It's fine. I need this. Sunny i pretty confidential as long as you stay on her good side. The pay is cheap and what not," explains Tiffany, "I need this done, like this. I can't ask you to do anything else. You already took me to a doctor and he wanted me to pay more than what Sunny is." Sooyoung closes her mouth and follows the girl quietly towards the pharmaceutical locker.

"Sunny," states Tiffany.

"Need something for Taeyeon?" asks Sunny curiously. Tiffany shakes her head no.

"Can I get a prescription for some p-prenatal- "

"Ah so what my boyfriend says is true," states Sunny as she reopens her locker, "Siwon's a complete ass if you ask me." Sooyoung coughs and Tiffany rolls her eyes, "Perfect gentleman my ass. He got his girl friend pregnant."

"Shh!" states Tiffany while looking around, "Tete doesn't know anything about this right now. And I'm hoping she's not going to find out until it really starts to show. That way she won't be able to tackle me and stuff." Sunny nods her head and grabs her father's pad. She forges the signature and writes up a prescription handing it the taller girl. "How much?"

"Free for now," responds Sunny. "You better invite me to the baby shower." Tiffany nods her head. "Alright then. I'll see you tomorrow in history." Tiffany waves goodbye and grabs Sooyoung's hand leading her away.

"That was easier than I thought."

-----

They had been walking in silence like every meeting that they've had in the past week. Neither of them minded really.

She breathes in deeply. She needs to explain that she can no longer go through with this. That she needs to return to her original life of being nothing. It was urgent or her family was going to permanently homeless. Her aunt wouldn't really do much about her brother and sister for they weren't really her aunt's niece and nephew. They shared no common blood. And since her father left her mother for Tiffany's mother, her aunt has built some sort of resentment towards the two. So that will only leave them a one night stay at her place.

She begins playing with her hands. The feeling of needing to steal something is starting to becoming overwhelming for her. Her eyes scan their surroundings. "Something expensive," she keeps whispering to herself.

"Are you okay?" whispers Jessica. Taeyeon nods her head and continues looking while repeating the two words over and over again. "Do you need a cigarette break?" Taeyeon shakes her head. "O-Okay." They both stop walking, giving Taeyeon a better chance to observe her surroundings. She's never really been on this side of town before. It was different then what she was use to. "Do you want to go back?" Taeyeon shakes her head again. "Alright then."

Taeyeon turns slightly and her eyes connect with Jessica's. "I need to steal something." Jessica groans.

"Can't that at least wait until I'm not around?" questions Jessica. Taeyeon shakes her head no. "Oh and why not? I don't want to get caught up in anything that you're doing."

Taeyeon begins walking off causing for Jessica to follow after, "Tiffany has no place to stay. They're evicted. We've already tried looking for apartments and they're out of my price range. I just need something that will get us by for the next few weeks to months," explains Taeyeon as she enters a crowd. Her fingers begin making quick work of pilfering wallets, jewelry, phones and mp3 players off nearby pedestrians. "Why am I explaining myself to you? You wouldn't understand."

"You're explaining because that's what you've been doing for the last week," grunts Jessica in return as she attempts to continue following Taeyeon through the crowd. "And what's with the sudden change in attitude?"

"You changed yours first. I'm only responding to the situation," Taeyeon stops and looks at Jessica.

"I... it's because you wish to steal. I'm supposed to be helping you become a better person. It's pointless of me to continue if you're just going to toss my efforts aside for every little situation."

"This isn't exactly a little situation," argues Taeyeon, "if it was just you and your sister... and you had no place left to stay, what would you do?"

"Get a job and get a place."

Taeyeon rolls her eyes. "That would be the obvious thing to do. But when you can't pick up a job at the drop of a hat and your sister is hungry and tired, not to mention that she will need a change of clothes, what would you do?" Jessica prepares to responds but no answer or response comes to mind. What would she do? Would she turn to desperate measures like Taeyeon and become a petty thief. "You think I'm turning back into a delinquent. I'm not... or I'm not trying. But I need this for my family."

"I'll turn a blind eye this once." A small grateful smile forms on Taeyeon's face.

"Thank you." She grabs Jessica's hand and continues looking for crowds to pickpocket.

"My hand?" questions Jessica with a raised brow. She stumbles a little to keep up with the shorter girl.

"Oh," Taeyeon releases it. "You were struggling to keep up with me so I grabbed it. I'm sorry." She continues walking not even noticing that Jessica had stopped and was looking at her hand curiously. "Hey, um... since you've informed me about Yoona, I guess it would only be right for me to do the same, right? Right?" She looks to her side finding Jessica missing. Turning around fully, she watches as the slightly taller girl stares at her hand. "I don't have a disease," she calls out.

"Are you sure about that?" questions Jessica as she wipes her hands off on her jeans. She begins walking towards Taeyeon.

"I'm not the gross one like you." Taeyeon turns.

"Gross? You know Yoona likes gross things," states Jessica suggestively, "And you two are a like except for the obvious height difference." Taeyeon freezes for a quick second, "but then that would mean you like me," Jessica walks in front of Taeyeon causing for the slightly smaller girl to stop.

"You're thinking too much into things. Yoona likes gross things. I on the other hands don't. I like nice fancy, expensive things. I'm the type that wants something of great value. Yoona doesn't really care for value she just likes the little things." Taeyeon steps around Jessica and continues walking.

"Things with great value?" mumbles Jessica as she watches Taeyeon's back.

-----

She stands down the street, starring curiously up the hill. Her mind was debating. Should she walk up the hill and visit the house, the white house with the kept lawn? Or should she just turn around like how she's been doing and head back home? Teeth tug on her bottom lip. She was nervous and she's never exactly been nervous in her whole life. Okay, maybe once when she was meeting her adoptive family for the second time after making them, well her 'mother' upset. And this is exactly the same. She made a girl who she considered a friend upset and she wanted to correct it.

"Stupid Taeyeon," she mutters while kicking a rock, "she let Tiffany make her soft and now it's affecting me. I shouldn't be worried. I should be marching up the hill and demanding to see Seohyun. I've faced worse things like thugs and criminals, speeding cars, drunken stupor idiots, and even police officers." She shoves her hands into her pockets like how Taeyeon does it and marches up the hill. "Just knock on the door and ask to see Seohyun," she tells herself.

Making it halfway up the hill, her eyes connect with Seohyun who was walking her small dog. A small smile graces her face as she waves. She waits for a response. It seemed like forever until Seohyun finally raised her own hand and waved back. Her smile grows; she runs up the rest of the way to Seohyun. "Hi," she states aloud while looking around. Seohyun nods her head in response. "Oh... right... I um... " Yoona begins digging in her pocket pulling out her phone. "You can text me," she suggests.

Seohyun slowly pulls her phone out of her pocket and her fingers make quick work. She looks up at Yoona just as Yoona's phone vibrates in her hand. Yoona looks down at her phone, "Oh... well you see, I was coming to see you. I think I made you upset last time." Seohyun's fingers move quickly again and Yoona checks her phone. "If you say so."

Seohyun nods her head again and continues walking with her dog, "D-do you mind if I walk with you?" Seohyun shakes her head no and Yoona jogs to catch up with her. They walk in silence around the block. Yoona wanted to speak but she didn't really want to upset Seohyun. A groan, "I don't like being soft," she whispers to herself.

Her phone vibrates: 'What's wrong with being soft?'

She turns and looks at Seohyun who was starring at her curiously. "Nothing is wrong with people being soft. I just don't like being soft. It means that people can step all over me. I don't like that," answers Yoona.

Eyes travel to her phone: 'My father told me that being soft doesn't mean that people can step all over you. It just means that you're not void of emotions and can sympathize with others.'

"Y-your father?" questions Yoona. Seohyun nods her head. Seohyun quickly types something on her phone and turns it to Yoona's eyes.

'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to run last time. Do you want to hear about my father?' Yoona's eye rises slowly and meets with Seohyun; she slowly nods her head.

018

She stares at the older girl who was sitting in front of her. Questions have been forming in her mind since two weeks ago when she had spent some time with Seohyun. The mute girl had told her a story, a story that she thought was familiar. It sounded like the story her father told her when she was younger before she went into foster care, before she was adopted. With a heavy sigh, she reaches over to the seat in front of her tapping the older girl's shoulder.

The older girl turns and looks at her with curiosity written across her face. "Um... I know you don't like talking about it, Tae, but can you kind of explain what happened to mom?" she questions; her eyes wouldn't meet Taeyeon's. It wasn't that she was scared; it was that she didn't want to see Taeyeon upset. Sure Yoona didn't like being soft and neither did Taeyeon. But the topic, the word mother, was something that made them vulnerable, even for Tiffany. "You know what... forget I asked."

"I won't," responds Taeyeon as she turns fully in her seat, ignoring the rules of the bus. "What made you bring her up?"

"I was talking to Seohyun the other day. She sort of told me this story," answers Yoona, "and it made me think about her." Taeyeon closes her eyes; she nods her head. "The story was something similar to what my father had told me when I was little." One eye opens and stares back at Yoona, who had finally decided to look at her sister. "She said her father and her were walking home one night. They had gone out for dessert. While passing by an alley they had came across some addicts and what not."

"Let me guess, the addicts decided to rob them. The man gave everything he had but it wasn't enough. They wanted more. So they beat him. And when he wouldn't cough anything up, they stabbed him. The little girl that was with him screamed out of fear. And for them out of fear slit her throat?" guesses Taeyeon.

Yoona nods her head, "yeah that's what Seohyun told me. And my father said that the reason why mother would never come to visit was because she brutally murdered someone and nearly killed a girl. And both stories have been floating around up here," she points up to top of her head. "And I just want to know. You know right? You were the one living with her at the time."

Taeyeon sighs and turns towards the window, looking out at the passing scenery. "If I tell you that I don't know much, would you leave the subject as it is?" she questions.

"No."

"Figures," she sighs for a second time and turns back to Yoona, "I was asleep. It was one of the many times that I had returned home and ate dinner with her and her boyfriend. But I do remember the police kicking in the front door. I remember them tossing her to the floor and arresting her. I remember her boyfriend at the time doing nothing about it." She pauses and combs her fingers through her hair. "I was told that she was arrested for murder. After that I didn't really care anymore."

"What do you mean you didn't care?" questions Yoona.

"Yoona. She gave me a sister and let her disappear from my life. She was functioning properly one moment and then the next it was as if I didn't exist. Being prosecuted for murder was and is the last straw for me. To me that says that I was never important to her, never. So why should she be important to me? Why should I care anymore?" questions Taeyeon in return. She looks out of the window again. Her hand reaches to signal for their stop as she recognizes the area.

Yoona wants to ask some more questions. She wants to know more about things, more about her mother. She wants to know if her family is at fault for Seohyun's condition. She opens her mouth to peak but Taeyeon beats her to the punch. "Just leave the subject alone. No use in digging up old skeletons from our family closet."

The bus comes to a halt and Taeyeon stands up, heading for the exit. Yoona quickly stands and follows after her sister.

They step out into the neighborhood of their counselor. "So... um, are we going to Sica's place?" questions Yoona.

"Sica?" questions Taeyeon in return. Neck bends back; her gaze meets Yoona and a brow rises up. "Who's Sica?"

"You're girlfriend," remarks Yoona easing the tension that had enveloped them on the bus. Taeyeon crosses her arms and it was evident to Yoona that her older sister had no clue about what she was talking about. "Jessica... you're dating her right?" Taeyeon's mouth drops open. "Don't look so surprised. I know about you two holding hands and stuff." Taeyeon begins babbling and sputtering incoherent phrases. "So you guys are dating?" A sly grin spreads across Yoona's face.

"No!" The outburst from the little girl startles Yoona. "She was getting lost in the crowd so I held her hand."

"On more than one occasion?" Taeyeon nods her head and begins walking away.

"You know it's easier to pick up items in larger crowds. So we hold hands so that we don't get separated," states Taeyeon. Yoona jogs a little to keep up with the fast paced girl. "Nothing more than that."

"Right and that's why you were sputtering and looking like a deer caught in headlights," remarks Yoona.

"I'm not the one that looks like a deer," counters Taeyeon as she stops and looks at her little sister, "and as the oldest I demand that you be quiet and follow."

"But I'm an Im not a Kim," states Yoona mockingly. Taeyeon growls a little; her fist curls. And Yoona could see the signs. She begins backing away before taking off in a sprint. No need to stay nearby when her sister was ready to pounce on her.

"Im Yoona! Get your ass back here now!" shouts Taeyeon.

Yoona stops and shakes her head to and fro. "Not unless you agree to stay calm." Taeyeon exhales through her nose and uncurls her hands. Seeing the signs, Yoona walks back towards Taeyeon with a grin. "So are we going to see your girlfriend?"

"For the last time she's not my girlfriend," states Taeyeon, "and no. I haven't heard from Tiffany in a while so I thought we'd visit our sister at Sooyoung's house since that's where she's been staying."

"Correction your sister."

"Tiffany is just as much your sister as she is mine," states Taeyeon. They begin walking again.

"Tiffany is just all your sister and not mine. We don't have any common ground to have a sibling relationship, not by law or by blood," comments Yoona. Taeyeon rolls her eyes and scoffs. "It's true. There is no way you can say it's not."

"Tiffany thinks of you as her sister. Why can't you do the same?" questions Taeyeon.

"Because she keeps my sister away from me," answers Yoona honestly. Taeyeon stops walking for a second time and looks at Yoona. "Yeah I said it. I don't like Tiffany because you spend more time with her than me. And the only time I have with you is with us stealing some old geezer's wallet." She shrugs her shoulders, "but whatever. Let's go find big sister Tiffany."

-----

Catching movement outside her bedroom door, she sits up and pulls her ear phones off. She watches curiously as her younger sister continues peeking down the hall. She groans as her parents argument becomes louder. Is this what her sister was worried about? The arguing that their parents were doing? Eyes still on her sister; she watches as the younger girl attempts to sneak past her door.

"Where are you going?" Her sister stops and turns. "Where are you attempting to sneak off to? No don't answer that, answer this. Why are you attempting to sneak off when you can walk right through the front door?" A brow arches and she crosses her arms. "Hm, Krystal?"

"I wasn't sneaking out. I was checking to see if they were alright," answers Krystal. "They're arguing; they've been arguing."

"That's what people going through a divorce do," answers Jessica. "Some argue. Some fight. Some are quiet and well the others just do the homicide suicide thing. Are parents are arguing. Nothing big."

"N-nothing big? Our parents are arguing, Jessica. How can you of all things say it's nothing bad?" questions Krystal in return. She didn't, she couldn't believe the words that her sister was saying. Is Jessica serious? Their family is falling apart and Jessica doesn't even care? Krystal shakes her head; her sister, the one who held a strong opinion about broken homes doesn't care. "Sica how could you say that?"

Jessica lies back down on her bed as Krystal enters the room. "You don't know but they've been talking about getting a divorce for the longest. And they never got one. Dad would usually go on his 'out of town' job assignment. But he always comes back, always came back. This is normal. It's just to this extent because you're old enough and there is no reason to hide it anymore. They're both not happy and going through their mid-life crisis."

Her bed sinks with the added weight of Krystal. "So... even though they've been at it for the last few months and what not, they're going to stick together?"

"They love each other. We witness that almost every day. It's just their stupid mid-life crisis. Everything is fine." A groan and Krystal drops backwards on the bed lying across Jessica's abdomen. "What's the groan for?" Krystal pries Jessica's arm from underneath her body. Her hand slides and grabs her sister's, shrugging her shoulders.

"What are you doing today?" questions Krystal curiously.

"Nothing... I don't think."

"Is Yoona or Taeyeon coming over?"

Jessica shake her head no, "They're um... doing some sisterly bonding. All three of them, so I might hang with Sooyoung later." Krystal nods her head, demonstrating that she was listening. "Or I'll use this time to study for my test. Or I might go and hang with my other friends at the mall or something. Don't know really."

"Can we spend some time together?" Jessica shrugs her shoulders. Krystal knows what it meant. It meant: sure why not? "Just me, you, Sooyoung, and Sulli like we use to?" Another shoulder shrug comes from Jessica. "Are you just pacifying me?"

"No. We can hang out," responds Jessica, "but for now," she pushes her sister off of her, "get out and leave me alone." Krystal groans and looks at her sister. Not receiving a response from the older girl, she stands and makes her way out of the room.

Jessica closes her eyes and slips her headphones back on to drown out the now quieting argument. The phone that's lying beside her head vibrates; she cracks one eye open, turns her head and stares at the contraption. She reaches for it and stares at the name written across the screen: Donghae. She groans; what in the world could her ex boyfriend want? A thumb presses down on a button; the phone slides up against her pillow, returning to its original position.

She sits up and slides off her bed. "Krystal," she calls out while approaching her door. Krystal sticks her head in. "Let's go."

"Where?" questions Krystal confused.

"To hang out with Sooyoung and Jinri," answers Jessica. She grabs her sister's hand; their fingers interlace. A small smile appears on Krystal's face as she looks down at their hands. It's been a while since they've hung out. It's been even longer since Jessica would randomly hold her hand as they went for a walk.

"I miss this," whispers Krystal as they enter the living room. Jessica pauses for a moment and looks at her sister. Krystal gives her a grin before taking the lead of dragging her older sister out of the house.

-----

A groan relinquishes from her mouth and she rolls over only to feel something or someone behind her. Stopping, she looks over her shoulder finding her guest sleeping. She turns her body slowly making sure she doesn't wake her guest. "Did you sleep here all night?" she questions in a whisper. Raising her head a little she looks across the room at her sister's bed, finding her sister awake, headphones and playing video games on their laptop. Head drops back down to the pillow; eyes stares at the sleeping beauty before her. Did Tiffany sleep in her bed instead of Siwon's? Does Siwon know? She groans lightly. She didn't want her brother to know that a girl was a sleep in her bed. Let alone the girl who was sleeping in his bed is her girlfriend slash fiancée.

Stretching slowly, Sooyoung sits up, releasing a yawn. She slides to the foot of the bed and attempts to get off of the bed. But fail as her foot gets caught in her sheets, sending her crashing down to the ground. The noise that was emitted due to her collision with the ground woke the sleeping beauty.

With her eyes still close, Tiffany scoots to the edge of the bed, "are you alright?" A groan was her response. "Alright then." Tiffany returns to her original position allowing for her head to fall upon the pillow only to have her phone ring. She groans and reaches down. Fingers encompass the cellular device and bring it to her ear. "Hello?"

"Taeng wants to know if you're awake. We're outside Sooyoung's house."

"Yoong?" questions Tiffany. She pushes her body up into a sitting position; eyes slowly open and look at their surroundings. Her friends hand slides across both her eyes, ridding them of sleep. "Outside?" She releases a yawn before watching as Sooyoung finally stands. "I'll ask Sooyoung and see if you guys can come in." She holds the phone close to her chest muffling the noise. "Tete and Yoong are out front. I forgot today is supposed to be the day we spend time together. Is it okay if they come in and wait while I get ready?"

"Visitors?" questions Sulli as she removes the head phones that were upon her head. Sooyoung shrugs. What could she do but that? Saying no would upset Tiffany which would then more than likely anger Siwon. And angering Siwon meant that she had to pay a visit to the garage. A shudder at the thought, she's been free from it for two weeks since Tiffany's been staying over. But that was only because Siwon was preoccupied by Tiffany.

"Thank you," whispers Tiffany as she slides out of the bed heading for the door. "I'll repay you... I don't know when but I will." Using her free hand, Tiffany pulls Sooyoung into a hug. Sooyoung's body freezes; all she could do was blink. Tiffany let's go of the taller girl and flashes her a smile before disappearing out the room.

Sooyoung lets go a frustrated sigh. Her fingers slide through her short locks. "Someone's got a crush." She turns and looks at her sister.

"I don't have a crush," mumbles Sooyoung. "Tiffany is just a friend." She turns and begins making her bed. Sulli shrugs her shoulders and returns to playing games on their joint laptop. Hands grab hold of the ends of the blanket; wrist flick spreading the piece of cloth across her twin size bed. She bends over and slides her hand across, trying to erase the wrinkles.

"Hi Sooyoung." She looks over her shoulder to see Taeyeon and Yoona standing in the door way. Turning her head the other way, she spots Tiffany in the corner of the room digging through a duffle bag. She turns back to Taeyeon and Yoona, giving the two girls a wave.

"You guys can sit on the bed," states Sooyoung as she straightens out.

"You just made it. We can stand," responds Taeyeon while holding back Yoona. Sooyoung nods her head and takes a seat on her bed. She wasn't too sure what she should do. She never really had guests over except for maybe Jessica and a few other friends. But that was only for a short moment and they were always out the door after wards.

"Choi Sooyoung!" Jessica's voice echoes throughout the house. All five turn and look at the door, watching as Jessica and Krystal appear. Krystal slips past them and heads for the bed that Sulli was sitting on. "What are you doing today?" asks Jessica towards Sooyoung but her eyes were meeting the smaller girl beside her. Taeyeon nods her head; Jessica turns hers towards Sooyoung.

"Nothing, why?" Jessica enters the room and takes a seat upon Sooyoung's bed.

"Krystal wants to hang out." Sooyoung turns her gaze to Krystal.

"Sure, Baby Jung, we can hang out."

Taeyeon's ears perk at the name Baby Jung. Her eyes dart of to the side; her gears of her mind begin turning. Taeyeon looks at Krystal and then at Jessica with a questioning look. A hand curls and hits Yoona. Yoona turns and looks at her sister. "Phone," she whispers. Yoona hands her, her phone and Taeyeon's fingers make quick work of the buttons.

A ringtone slices through the air and everyone's head turns to Jessica, who was digging in her pockets for her phone. "If this is Donghae again..." she whispers. Eyes read the print across the screen; they dart up and connect with Taeyeon's. "Krystal I'll be right back. I need to speak with Taeyeon about something." She stands and heads to Taeyeon.

"You said that you won't- " starts Krystal.

"I'll be right back. We're just going to talk. No more than ten minutes. Besides Tiffany needs to get dress and she should be done by then. They'll be leaving and the four of us can hang out." She grabs hold of Taeyeon's hand heading for the front door.

Exiting through the door, Jessica releases her hand and turns to Taeyeon. "Whatever you want to talk about you need to make it quick," states Jessica. "I'm supposed to be spending time with my sister and you the same."

Taeyeon nods her head, "You told me about Yoona and I guess it's only right that I do the same right? And I kind of value this unorthodox relationship we share. You're sort of like the only person outside of my usual group that can tolerate me." The itch from earlier reappears and she scratches at it while looking Jessica in the eye. She groans a little. "You should spend more time with Krystal."

"I was going to do that but then you said you had something important to tell me." She turns around, preparing to reenter the Choi House.

"Jessica," states Taeyeon, "I really do have something important to tell you." Jessica stops, "It's about your sister. Or at least I think it's your sister." She turns back to Taeyeon with a questioning look. "We both fail at being older sisters. In fact if there was an award ceremony for who the worst older sisters in the world are, we'd definitely tie for first." Jessica wasn't too sure if she should respond or not. "About a few weeks ago I saw a group of teens exit a local tattoo parlor. All I heard was the name Baby Jung. I later asked Tiffany's brother about it. He explained to me that Baby Jung got a piercing and her father allowed for it. He also told me that her sister name is Jessica."

"So you think it's my sister?" questions Jessica slowly. Taeyeon nods her head. "You've known for a few weeks and finally decided to tell me?"

"I wasn't so sure. And it's not like I can pass up a great time to rub in your face that you fail just as much as I do." Jessica scoffs. "You do fail as much as I do at being a sister." She rolls her eyes. "And you can't exactly be mad. I did say something about it rather than keeping it a secret and not get involved." Arms cross. "Why am I even trying to plead a case? Your sister got a piercing. You should just know." The door opens and Yoona and Tiffany steps out. "That's all. Let's go you three." Taeyeon turns and begins walking away leaving behind a quiet and irritated Jessica.

She waits until the three girls disappear from her sight before storming back into the house. "Soojung!"

019

The three of them sit around the table waiting for the food that they ordered. Everything was going good for her. Her two younger sisters were getting along very well. And that's what's bugging her. Yoona and Tiffany never got a long. And Yoona had admitted earlier that she didn't like Tiffany. With squinting eyes, she examines the two girls. Something was definitely up. The middle child turns and looks at her, flashing a smile.

"Something wrong, Tete?"

"You tell me," responds Taeyeon. She leans back in her chair and crosses her arms.

The smile drops from Tiffany's face as she turns and looks at Yoona. She turns back to Taeyeon and begins fiddling with her hands. "I... I've got some news," states Tiffany. She takes a deep breath, "but you have to promise me you won't get mad."

Both Taeyeon and Yoona turn and look at each other. "I promise I won't punch something," mutters Taeyeon. Tiffany nods her head. No point in arguing. At least she wasn't going to destroy something. Tiffany takes another deep breath.

"Um... I'm going to be moving," states Tiffany. Taeyeon's face drops a little. Did she just hear her sister right? Taeyeon slides her hands into her lap; they curl tightly. What in the world is her sister thinking? "Me and Siwon thinks it will better if we leave the city a little. I mean we're planning on getting married and- "

"You've said enough," states Taeyeon. "You're not leaving and that's final, especially not with him. I don't give a damn if he proposed to you or not. I don't care if you two have been dating since forever- "

"Tete... I think this is a good idea," interrupts Tiffany. "And this is my life." Yoona groans and slouches in her chair. The chair squeaks a little causing for Tiffany to look her way. "Yoong tell her that she needs to back out." Yoona shrugs her shoulders. Tiffany groans and looks back at Taeyeon, "I need this."

"How do you need this?" argues Taeyeon.

"Calm down, Taeng," whispers Yoona as eyes begin looking their way. "We don't need you making a scene."

Taeyeon ignores her younger sister, "How do you need this?"

Tiffany looks at her hands. She didn't want for it to get this far. In fact she just wanted to spend the last few days with her sister before her and Siwon leave. She sighs a little. When Siwon explained to her the other night, she was a bit skeptical. She never really thought that she would up and leave behind her siblings. In fact this wasn't something she wanted. But When Siwon told her that it was the best thing for her to do, for herself and for their child.

"The stress... the stress that you three constantly put me under isn't healthy," states Tiffany. "And I don't want to have to deal with it anymore. More importantly I want to be free Taeyeon. I want to be able to live my own life without you constantly leading it. I don't want this life anymore."

Taeyeon wants to respond but she knows she can't. She didn't want to cause a scene. And she knows that Tiffany is just as stubborn as she is. So there was no point in fighting. Taking a deep breath, she pushes her chair back and stands up. "Fine, go... have your life with him... we're just holding you back anyways."

"Tete... that's not what I meant," states Tiffany as she watches her older sister walk off. She pushes her chair out and chases after her sister. Yoona could only shake her head before following after the two older girls. Eyes search the crowd outside looking for any sign of her sisters. She sees them turning a corner causing for her to run. Taeyeon was upset, and when the older girl is upset she tends to get a little violent. And even though she didn't really like Tiffany, she wasn't going to let anything happen to her. "Tete, listen to me!"

"Tiffany... just let her go," states Yoona. Her fingers wrap tightly around Tiffany's wrist. "Let Taeng blow off some steam." Tiffany turns and looks at Yoona with watery eyes.

"I... I didn't mean for it come out that way," whispers Tiffany. "I just... " Yoona shrugs her shoulders. She should be jumping for joy over the fact that Tiffany isn't Taeyeon's favorite anymore. But instead she was at a loss for words. She never really thought that Tiffany would do something like this. Tiffany was always the level headed one out of them.

"Let's go for a walk and maybe clear your mind."

-----

She fidgets a little; she was more than curious as to why her older sister had shouted her name earlier today. And she didn't just shout her name; she shouted her Korean one which meant that she in some way, shape or form is in trouble. But when her sister showed up at the room, she didn't say anything. So why did she call her name? Teeth clamp down on her bottom lip tugging at it. Maybe she should ask? But what if Jessica forgot? Then asking her would remind her, right? And it's best to let things like this go.

"Mind telling me how in your right sense of mind did you get your belly pierced?" Her sister voice was calm. It wasn't hostile when she spoke and it didn't seem like she was in any trouble really. "More importantly how in the world did you get it? I heard that dad allowed it. Is that true, did dad say you can get it?" questions Jessica. She turns and looks at her sister with a stern full gaze.

"Why do you care?" scoffs Krystal, remembering what Key had told her. If anyone was to question her just ask why they cared. "You weren't caring what I was doing before."

"Drop that tough street girl act," states Jessica. "You fail at it. If you really want to be tough, hang with Yoona or Taeyeon. Now answer my question." Krystal's cast her gaze down at the pavement beneath them. "Soojung."

"Why? Why should I tell you, huh?" questions Krystal in return, "and this isn't any street girl act. I want to know why I should tell you. You didn't seem to care what I was doing before."

Jessica sighs, "I did care, alright. But after the incident at the park you told me you wouldn't be doing stupid stuff anymore. So I trusted you and released the reins. Do you know how tiring it is to keep tabs on you at all times?"

"Seems quite easy when you opted to have Yoona as your new sister," remarks Krystal. Jessica stops walking and looks at her sister.

"Yoona isn't my sister. I'm helping her. I'm trying to make sure she doesn't do anything stupid alright. Her older sister is a thief and her other older sister is walking around with a baby in her stomach. Yoona is bright and she doesn't need to go down that path. And the only reason I'm not hunting you down is cause I thought you were smart enough also. But I guess I'm wrong." Krystal turns and looks at Jessica. She was unsure how to respond to her sister.

Jessica's hand reaches out; fingers wrap tightly around Krystal's wrist, pulling the younger girl in closer. Her free hand dips underneath Krystal's shirt searching for the piercing; "did you forge his signature?" questions Jessica coming in contact with the cold piece of metal.

"I told him it was a field trip," answers Krystal honestly. Sure she give Jessica an attitude every once in a awhile, but Krystal knew better than to lie to her sister. Lying meant that she would have to face the wrath of her angry sister followed by their mother. "He didn't even read the paper. Just signed it."

"Why did you get it? If anything you should have gotten your ears pierced."

"I wasn't too sure if I wanted a piercing. And then Minho said it would look sexy- "

Hands withdraw from Krystal's body, "I've heard enough." Jessica turns on her heels and begins walking away.

Krystal bites her lip again. Jessica's expression was clear in her mind as she watches her sister's back. She had disappointed one of the most important people in the world to her. She disappointed her idol. Her face drops a little; disgust begins to build. "Come on, Krystal... let's just get home before night falls."

Her feet begin moving, taking her closer towards her sister. Falling in place beside the older girl, Krystal couldn't help but feel like a complete and utter fool. "I'm sorry, Sooyeon... I'm really sorry."

"Save it."

-----

Fingers curl around the chain linked fence, pushing it open. Her free hand digs inside her jacket pocket for her phone. She needs light and now. Or else she would probably be walking into a large pile of dog crap. Pressing a button on her phone, it lights up the side of the house. Using it as a guide she begins making her way to the back of the house. She groans while stumbling over some dog toys. Oh how she wish she can turn around and beat the crap out of the girl who sent her here.

The smell of beer and cigarettes fill her nose as she rounds the corner and into the backyard. Eyes lock on to her target. She releases a sigh at the sight of the smaller girl sitting beside the dog house; cigarette butts and empty cans of beer scatter amongst her legs. "You're a mess," she whispers. Feet move slowly as to not startle the drunken girl.

"What do you want?"calls out the smaller girl while taking a puff at the cigarette in her hand.

"I want nothing," she responds, "but your sisters called. Both of your sisters called and said that you took off without a word. And since you still don't have a phone they called me. They're really worried, you know, Taeyeon. Tiffany was hysteric over the phone and Yoona... Yoona travels at night all the way to my house. She's sleeping in my bed right now. She won't let me sleep until you talk to them."

"I don't want to talk," responds Taeyeon as she throws the can that was in her hand to the side. "There is nothing to talk about." Jessica scoffs and takes a seat next to her. "Just go home."

"And sleep where? Did you not hear the words that came out of my mouth? Yoona won't budge from my bed unless you show up and talk to them." Jessica leans forward trying to get a better glimpse of Taeyeon. But the small amount of light that her phone was giving off wasn't really doing much. "What happened?"

"Do you think I'm going to tell you so you can rub it in my face and tell me that we're no longer even and that I'm the worse sister?" questions Taeyeon, slurring her words slightly. She shakes her head while closing her eyes before turning and looking Jessica in the face. "Some personal business is meant to be personal and private."

"You're drunk and that's not what you think," counters Jessica.

"A drunken man doesn't tell lies," responds Taeyeon while tilting her head back. "Want one?" Jessica looks down at the unopened can in Taeyeon's hand. She scoffs again. "More for me." The can opens with a hiss; Jessica groans in irritation.

"Stop drinking and talk," states Jessica sounding impatient. "What happened today to make you turn into this pathetic person in front of me?" She watches closely as the girl beside her gulps down the can. "Taeyeon. Talk, now."

She hears a sigh, "Tiffany is leaving. She is going to run off with her boyfriend... " Taeyeon turns and looks Jessica in the eyes. "She says it's better for her. That she won't have to live under the constant stress that me, Yoong, and Min gives her. She says she'll be free." Taeyeon's eyes dart elsewhere, "She's being stupid. She has a bright future here. I give her everything she needs. I make sure she's at school, that she's fed, has clothes and a place to stay. I've neglected my other sister for her all because Tiffany was going to make it. Tiffany was going to be the one to become a doctor or a lawyer. Tiffany was going to do something with her life... and now, now she wants to just up and disappear? Who's going to make sure she's fed, has a place to stay and whatnot? He's only a senior; we have a few months left of school. He can't- he won't be able to take care of my sister," Taeyeon scoffs and shakes her head. "I've been so foolish... "

"Yes and no," states Jessica carefully, "You're being a sister and the provider for your family. Yes some things make you bad, some things are foolish... " Jessica sighs herself, "Taeyeon... you told me that Krystal needed to learn from her mistakes. Well now it's Tiffany's turn. Let her learn like how Yoona is. You've been sheltering her... and she has to learn sooner or later." She pauses trying to think of the correct words to say in this moment, "Letting Tiffany go won't make you a bad sister. Letting Tiffany go and not keeping contact with her or making sure she's fine will though." She leans a little closer to Taeyeon, "take it from me. I let Krystal do what she wants. I loosened the reins on her and now look. The stupid girl's got a piercing. Just keep an eye on her and everything will be alright."

"How can you be so sure huh? I mean you have nothing to worry about. You're family is perfect- "

"My family is far from perfect," interrupts Jessica. Taeyeon turns and looks back at the slightly taller girl. "Krystal is a delinquent in the making. My parents are arguing even more now that Krystal is old enough. They want a divorce. Parents arguing over who gets what and who get who. They're more than likely going to split us up if they go through with it. Dad will take Krystal and I'll be stuck with mom." Jessica closes her eyes.

"At least you'll know your sister will be safe. I don't know what to do with Min. He grew up with Tiffany as a sister and mother figure. I was just the best friend that stepped in to help. He doesn't know about me... " Feeling something nudging her leg, Taeyeon squints making out the form of her dog, "go away. Go sleep in your house or something."

"I would hate to see how you'd treat your own child one day," whispers Jessica as the dog walks her way.

"What's that supposed to mean?" questions Taeyeon.

"Nothing." Jessica's hand combs through the dogs fur, "what's his name?"

"Her name and she doesn't have a name. I just call her: Hey you, or dog," answers Taeyeon. Jessica rolls her eyes and pulls the dog closer to cuddle it. "You'll spoil her... stop it." Jessica smiles and continues cuddling the dog and petting it. "Fine whatever you keep her. I didn't want the stupid dog anyways."

"Yeah you're going to be a horrible mom. But back to the topic of your younger brother, that just means that you'll have to explain the situation to him. I'm sure he's not completely incapable of hearing about it. It will make things easier for you and him when Tiffany leaves. We're still looking for apartments for you. It'll be the two of you now with Yoona. Plus it will less money for you to foot out."

Silence consumes them; Taeyeon watches Jessica cuddle with her dog. Should she let Tiffany leave? But doing so would make everything she's done for the past few years all go to waste? And the idea of telling her brother is ridiculous. For her to just come out and say: 'Hey I'm sorry for not telling you sooner but I'm yours and Tiffany's older sister', she just can't do it. A frustrated groan, her fingers begin digging through her pockets for her lighter. She needed another cigarette before she stresses herself out even further.

Jessica watches Taeyeon. She was unsure what to say, since it seems that everything she said wasn't working. She sighs. Maybe there was just nothing she could do. She's not exactly friends with Taeyeon; she's just the girl's guidance counselor. Jessica's head falls back and she looks up at the night sky. Weight drops down onto her shoulder and she turns her head slightly to see the crown of Taeyeon's head and all she could do is stare at it. Maybe silence is the best option for now.

020

A tongue swipes across her cheek, leaving behind a slobbery trail; a grunt came out of the person's mouth as a response. The tongue continues its assault. Hand raises high before pushing away the assailant. Eye cracks open, coming face to face with a dog. "Go away," she mumbles into her pillow. Eye begins to close when she feels something snuggle into her back.

Both eyes open this time around; head turns to look over her shoulder. "Jessica?" she whispers completely confused. What in the world is her counselor doing in her room? More importantly, what in the world is Jessica doing in her bed? She rolls a little getting a grunt from Jessica.

With a sigh, Taeyeon returns to her original position. A click echoes throughout the room, signaling that her door had opened. "Taeyeon," calls out her aunt.

"What?"mutters Taeyeon into her pillow.

"I'm just checking in. I woke up to the backyard being a complete and total mess and your dog scratching at the door. On top of that the Ims called. They said Yoona left last night and never returned home. Do you know where you sister is?"

Taeyeon's face scrunches up. That's right, she got drunk last night; she had her own pity party. And then Jessica had shown up because of Yoona. She shift slightly and leans up to look at her aunt, "Yoong's at a friend's house," her aunt nods her head, "and I'll clean up the mess later."

"I already did it. I was planning on grounding you, but I'll let it slide this once," Taeyeon nods her head and drops back down on her pillow. "Just make sure you take her out for a walk." Her aunt turns to leave the room stopping, "oh and next time you decide to bring a 'friend' over, please use the door. I don't need neighbors watching you two sneak in through bedroom windows and whatnot." She exits closing the door. Taeyeon releases a groan; the door opens again. "Oh and last thing... clean this room. It's a complete and total mess."

The door closes with a click and Taeyeon groans again. Her arms wrap around her pillow pulling it in closer. Shifting her body, Taeyeon closes her eyes only to be assaulted by her dog again. "Go away," she groans, pushing at the dog's face. Her dog bares it teeth, releasing a growl. "Shut up." Barking ensues. "Hey... people are trying to sleep. Do you want to go back out in the yard?"

"Why are you so mean to her?" questions Jessica in a groggy voice. She pushes herself up and looks over Taeyeon's body. "She probably wants to play or something."

"What are you doing in my bed?" questions Taeyeon in return.

"Did you think I was going to walk home alone last night? You were too plastered to even think about walking me home in the dead of the night. So I grew tired and decided that I might as well crash in your bed." Taeyeon rolls over onto her stomach, burying her face in her pillow. "You should have seen yourself attempt to climb in through the window." She begins blindly swinging at Jessica. "And then your dog followed right after using the crates out back."

"Well its morning time... go home and leave me alone to lie in my own self pity," whispers Taeyeon.

"And let you do something stupid again? You're so lucky you didn't hit your head last night attempting to climb in the window. And you were tripping over your feet." Jessica shifts slightly in the bed. "And then there is Yoona who wants to see you. She's worried. You don't exactly have to see Tiffany right now, if you don't want to. But at least see Yoona."

"I'll see her later." Jessica groans. She wants to push the girl off the bed. Eyes stay on Taeyeon's figure as the smaller girl turns her head and looks at her. "Did you really mean it last night?"

"Mean what?" questions Jessica, "I said a lot of things last night."

"That maybe it's better if I let Tiffany do whatever it is she pleases," whispers Taeyeon. Jessica's face softens slightly, "But what if it's a mistake? What if he doesn't take care of her? What she can't take care of herself?"

"I can see that Siwon isn't exactly at the top of your favorite people list... but come on Taeyeon, this will be great for the three of them," states Jessica.

"Three?" questions Taeyeon. "What three? It's Tiffany and her boyfriend."

Jessica's face goes blank. Taeyeon doesn't know about the pregnancy yet. But wouldn't it have been smart of Tiffany to reveal that as one of the reasons for the leave? "I... I meant the two of them." Taeyeon sits up and looks at Jessica skeptically. "I'm still tired... and my brain isn't exactly functioning correctly." Taeyeon eyes her and falls back upon her pillow. "But yes... I did mean it. Let Tiffany learn. And this will also be a great time for you to get things together. Build your relationship with Yoona, find you a place to stay, a job and what not. That way if Tiffany ever wants to come... she'll have a stable place to comeback to."

"Are you going to stop counseling me?" questions Taeyeon.

"Why would I do that? I'm getting paid."

"This was all because Tiffany wanted it. I'm sure now; you're happily doing a dance inside at how pathetic I am. And that you won't have to be counseling a delinquent anymore."

"An ex delinquent, who's bringing their grade up and has cut back on stealing, but I don't know if I'll exactly stop. Do you want me to stop?" Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders. "I guess we can stop. But then what will exactly happen after that? Will you let all my hard work- all our hard work go down the drain? You almost did last night."

"I still have Yoona and Min to take care of. I failed Tiffany," she pauses taking a deep breath, "I don't want to fail with Yoona or him. I... I think I'm still going to need your help just for a while longer, if you don't mind." Jessica nods her head, "but I won't be able to pay. I want to make the move as soon as possible."

"Then I won't be your counselor," states Jessica. Taeyeon looks at her. She's confused. She just said that she needs Jessica's help and Jessica is saying that she doesn't, she won't be her counselor. But that doesn't make sense. "We've been hanging out and speaking to each other for about a month... I can call you an acquaintance, but that would be a little mean, don't you think?" Jessica takes a moment to gather her thoughts. "Instead... we're friends... yeah, just friends. You've helped me with Krystal and what not."

"So what does that mean?"

"I'll help you out because you're a friend," states Jessica. She drops backwards on the bed; both girls stare up at the ceiling.

"Friends? But I thought you despised me, that you despised people like me," comments Taeyeon. She hears a sigh and turns her head slightly to look at Jessica.

"I guess you made me change my views about you during this month. Though I haven't solidly stopped thinking about you that way, but you definitely slightly altered my opinions," explains Jessica. She releases a small chuckle, "I guess Yuri's right. With some guidance, you and Yoona aren't so bad."

"That means Yuri wins, right?" Jessica nods her head. "So we're friends?"

"Yeah... we're friends."

-----

A questioning look appears on her face as she looks at the boxes that had collected in the living room. She looks around her house for anybody. It didn't matter if it was her sister, her twin, even her older brother. She just wants to know what was going on. Was it spring cleaning or something? Feet move slowly and she examines the words scribbled on the boxes. Are they moving? And since when? Why wasn't she informed about it?

"What are you doing?" She jumps at the sound of the voice. She turns and takes a look at her older brother; her gaze then drops to the ground. "I asked you: what are you doing? I believe that requires an answer."

"She was obviously looking at the boxes." Her head rises slowly seeing her brother's fiancée enter the room. "Calm down. And finish making sure everything is in the boxes please, Siwon." Siwon eyes Sooyoung for a moment and then turns to Tiffany.

"You check and make sure everything is in the boxes. I'm talking to my sister," Tiffany sighs and walks off leaving the two eldest Choi children alone. Her walks closer to Sooyoung and cages her between the boxes and his body. "I'm moving out. Tiffany and I are moving out. We're going to go live with our grandparents in the next town over." Sooyoung nods her head rapidly, "that doesn't mean that you can go ahead and tell people, do you understand?" She nods her head again; eyes close tight. "I asked you if you understood me, Sooyoung. I want to hear vocalization. I can't hear you shake your head."

"Y-yes," whispers Sooyoung meekly. Siwon nods his head and backs away.

"Tiffany told me that you also took her to see a doctor and paid for. She even said that you're helping her with getting some prenatal pills. Whatever that is..." Finger comb through his dark locks, "I... um, thank you for taking care of her... I guess. But if this is because you developed some sort of feelings- "

"N-no," interrupts Sooyoung while shaking her head. "S-she n-needed help. That's all it was f-for. I s-swear." Siwon nods his head again and walks away, leaving Sooyoung standing there shaking slightly. She wants to release the breath that she's holding, but the thought of it setting her brother off scares her. She moves slowly towards the floor taking a seat. Her mind begins racing over the details that were just explained to her.

They're moving. Siwon and Tiffany are moving to live with their grandparents. But what about Taeyeon, Yoona and her brother? It's been a week since Tiffany returned here, crying over the fact that Taeyeon stormed off. And now she's leaving. She shakes her head. Tiffany's crazy. She doesn't know what she's getting herself into.

"Hey," she looks up to see Tiffany standing over her. Tiffany leans slightly to look around the boxes, checking for Siwon. Not seeing any signs of her fiancé, Tiffany takes a seat on the floor in front of her. "Did he hurt you?" she whispers; her hand reaches out touching Sooyoung's face. Eyes look for any signs of abuse. Sooyoung shakes her head no and swats Tiffany's hand away. Tiffany looks at her hand.

"Why are you leaving with him? What about your brother and sisters?" questions Sooyoung.

"Not you also," whispers Tiffany in return. She looks up at Sooyoung, "I need this. I want to be free. And he promised to be there for the baby. Siwon thinks that maybe a change of scenery would help him calm down some. He also thinks that living a stress free life would be good for the baby." She leans again, checking again. "I know you told me he touches you... and maybe if I drag him away... you can go back to living a normal life."

"My life won't be normal."

Tiffany gives her a sympathetic smile. "That's not what I meant... and you know it. I just mean... you can now live without the constant fear of him coming after you."

"Yeah, now I have to live with that thought of whether or not my brother has struck you. And even more so I have to worry about whether or not my niece or nephew is okay." Tiffany sighs and scoots closer taking a seat beside Sooyoung.

"Don't worry about me. I've been dating him for a year... I can handle this. But I'll make sure to call every week... okay?" Sooyoung nods her head; Tiffany leans over and places her head on Sooyoung's shoulder. "Who would have thought that I would have become friends with the girl who wanted me to break up with her brother?" Sooyoung shrugs her shoulders, "but... thank you, Sooyoung. You've been here for me when I needed someone the most." Sooyoung shrugs her shoulders again.

"What are you two doing?" Tiffany looks up at Siwon, flashing him a small smile.

"I was thanking her for taking care of me and allowing me to stay here. She didn't have to do those things you know. But since she was doing something someone else wouldn't-"

"Shut it, Tiffany," states Siwon as he carefully eyes his sister. "Everything's packed. Are you ready?" Tiffany nods her head and pushes herself up. She turns and looks at Sooyoung.

"You'll tell Taeyeon, I said bye, right?" questions Tiffany as Siwon begins taking boxes out to the truck that was rented.

"You'll be at school with us right?" questions Sooyoung in return. Tiffany smiles a little and shakes her head.

"I've switched schools to one closer to where we're staying. Siwon on the other hand is going to finish up here, until he graduates." She looks around the room, "please make sure Taeyeon, Yoona and my brother is safe. You probably don't know who my brother is... but I'm certain he hangs out with Minho and Sulli. You'll know the moment you see him." She looks at Sooyoung one last time, "and really... thank you."

"Be safe."

021

It's been three moths really; three months since Tiffany left and a total of about five since all of this happened. She couldn't help but smile as she stares out the window; eyes look down at the spot in the yard by the tree. No one was there and it made her smile even more. No one being in the spot means that they were actually attending classes somewhere on campus and was learning. "You're very happy." She turns and looks at her seat mate. "Mind sharing why?"

"Yoona and Taeyeon aren't ditching," she responds. "They've been off and on about attending classes. But lately the two of them have been going to class."

"Or they could be ditching off campus somewhere. I think they learned that they can't sit under this window anymore," counters Yuri with a playful grin.

"You're just jealous that you couldn't get either of them to do this," responds Jessica as she looks up at the board. Fingers curl around her pencil; hand moves scribbling down the notes that her eyes were taking in. She turns and flashes Yuri a quick smile and turns back to her work.

"Technically, it's the missing sister that made them do this," states Yuri, "Do you really believe they'd try this hard if Tiffany didn't up and leave?" Jessica pauses for a moment. Would Taeyeon have tried this hard if Tiffany was still around? The smaller girl did put in some effort before but it really wasn't much. And now she's placed all of her time and energy into her Yoona, Taemin and herself. Jessica turns back to Yuri again and shrugs her shoulders. "Speaking of Tiffany has anyone heard from her?"

"Sooyoung speaks to her on a weekly basis. She does call Yoona and checks in, also with Taemin. She does try with Taeyeon but the girl is too stubborn to answer her phone. I don't know; it seems like Taeyeon's got some sort of issues with abandonment, or people leaving." Yuri raises a brow. "What I mean is... she despises her mother for leaving her, but mind you if you ever talk bad about the woman Taeyeon will attack, same thing with Tiffany. She doesn't care if Tiffany exists are not, right now. But call Tiffany any name or talk bad about the girl and Taeyeon will get really upset and defensive."

Yuri shakes her head with a small smile, "at least that lets you know that even though she's got a problem with Tiffany, Tiffany is someone that Taeyeon holds on to dearly." Jessica sighs and nods her head. No point in arguing with that statement.

"How's your relationship with Minho going?"

"Boring. I don't know why I agreed to date him," she turns and looks at Jessica, "do you think I should break up with him? It's quite obvious that I really don't like him and I have no clue why I'm still in a relationship with him. I just don't want it to get to serious and stuff."

"If that's what you feel you should do... then yeah. I'm not going to tell you no, just because he's my best friend's twin brother." The two girls quiet down, listening to the professor's lecture. But that attempt failed as the bell sounded throughout the room, dismissing them. Yuri stands and slides her books into her shoulder bag.

"Can you accompany me? I don't want to be persuaded to stay in the relationship. And you're really stubborn." states Yuri as she watches Jessica clear her half of the table.

"What does that mean?" questions Jessica as she stops and looks at the taller girl.

"It means you won't be easily swayed like I will. The only reason why we were together is because I caved," answers Yuri. "So will you join me, please?" Jessica nods her head. "Thank you." They exit out of the room and begin their search for Sooyoung's twin.

----

Eyes watch the two older girls curiously. "Where are you two off two?" Hand presses against the locker door slamming it shut. She slides her backpack over one shoulder and begins her pursuit of following the two girls through the crowd. "Why would Jessica hang out with Yuri?" she questions a loud. Her hand press against someone's back, shoving them out of her way.

Jessica and Yuri disappear behind a corner causing for her to increase her pace. Rounding the corner, her eyes lose sight of them. "Damn," she whispers. Feet move slowly allowing for her to peek into every room. Spotting Yuri's dark locks, she stops outside of the room and listens in on the conversation.

"Minho... can we talk?" rings Yuri's voice. The way her voice was wavering alerted Yoona that Yuri was nervous about something. "I was thinking... maybe we should you know, break up." Yoona raises both brows; she walks closer to the wall, pressing her back against it. "I mean it's been three months and I'm not really feeling this relationship. I like someone else."

"Then why'd you agree?" Yoona scowls. Was he questioning her? Is he really that dumb?

"You kept asking. And I didn't want to hurt your feelings. I thought that maybe one date wouldn't be bad. I'll admit I had fun. But I didn't really think that you'd keep coming back. I'm sorry, but I don't want this anymore," explains Yuri.

"Please break up," whispers Yoona, half praying half hoping.

"I guess... then." There was a pause.

"You guess?" Jessica voice echoes throughout the room. "What do you mean you guess? Either you do or you don't."

"Let's go, Jessica." Footsteps get louder, signaling that the two girls were getting closer. Yoona looks around before taking off towards one of the empty classroom.

-----

Books come into her peripheral vision. She looks up, coming face to face with a grin that she's grown accustomed to over the three months time span. Her gaze drops back to her books. What does she want? Her grin signifies something. The person across from her doesn't budge. She looks up again; their eyes meet. "Yes, Yoona?"

"I need your help," responds Yoona. "Jessica will you help me please?" Jessica shakes her head no and returns back to her work. She wasn't about to get herself caught up in some scheme of Yoona's. "Jessica, please."

"Isn't that Taeyeon's job?" questions Jessica as she flips through her literature book.

"Well you see... Taeng's never really had a... a date." The pen that was in her hand slips, clattering upon the wooden table top. Her head rises slowly and eyes connect with Yoona's once again. "Um... you know the junior prom and stuff is coming up."

"You're not a junior though," states Jessica, "so what junior are you trying to ask out?" The chair beside her squeaks, "Hi, Sooyoung," she states without breaking eye contact with Yoona. "So who's the lucky junior?" Yoona looks around the library. "Yoona... "

"What's wrong Yoona?" questions Sooyoung. She looks up at the younger girl.

"I want some help on asking a junior out to the junior prom, but not as a date you know. Just as friends," states Yoona while making a face as she attempts to say the word 'friends'. She sighs and drops her head onto the table. She feels pathetic. She lifts her head and looks at Jessica, "please just help me. You're the only person I know who's dated before. Taeng was too preoccupied with Tiffany. Seohyun's not really interested in this type of stuff, yet. My adoptive sister won't even speak to me."

"What about Yuri? She's dated before... in fact she was in a relationship up until our break... " A questioning look appears upon Jessica's face. She tilts her head slightly, "Is that who you want to ask out?" Yoona freezes slightly, but remains calm. "Yuri's a junior. Yuri is no longer in relationship with Sooyoung's brother. And you think Yuri is pretty." A grin appears on her face, "Yoona are you trying to ask Yuri out?"

Yoona's face scrunches up, "Yuri is gross." Jessica shakes her head and picks her pen back up. "But... I don't want her dating anyone else." Sooyoung smiles at Yoona. "I know very selfish, but... but you'd probably do the same if you were in my position."

"Nope," states Jessica. "I'm not that selfish. Sooyoung?" Sooyoung shakes her head. "But if you want help... I'll talk to Yuri about it and see if she's planning on going, okay?" Yoona shakes her head. "Then what do you want me to do?"

"Tell me what to do. I want to do it on my own... or at least I think I do."

"Just talk to her, okay? And none of that 'Yuri is gross' or 'stop being gross', crap. You obviously like her and she obviously likes you. Alright then, go run along and find Taeyeon. I'm sure she's quite worried as to where her sister disappeared to."

"She knows already. I told her that I needed to ask you for help. At first she was a little grumpy but when I told her it was about dating, she nearly pushed me into a wall, to send me off." She gives Jessica a smile, "so are you going to ask her to the dance?"

"Why would I do something like that?" questions Jessica.

"You two have been spending a lot of time together," comments Sooyoung. "And you do take care of her and stuff. It's only a matter of time before the two of you... you know get together." Jessica groans an turns her attention back to her work.

"You two are complete and total idiots," states Jessica; her fingers comb through her locks. "We're just friends. You two act like we're going out or something. And if... and this is a really big if. If I did like her what makes you think that I would ask her out?" She slams her pen down on the table; her eyes dart back and forth between the two tall girls. Yoona and Sooyoung's eyes meet; they both shrug their shoulders. "So there... and no I'm not asking Taeyeon to the dance. It would be pointless when I already have a date for that night."

"Who?" asks both of the younger girls in unison. Jessica flashes them a smile and closes her books.

"Someone asked me out." She slides her books into her bag. Footsteps sound throughout the smaller corner that they were sitting in, signaling the arrival of someone. All three girls turn and look, "Hello, Donghae."

"Hey Jessica... um can I talk to you?" questions the male while looking around.

"What do you need?" she asks.

"I was wondering if you were going to the prom?"

"I have a date for that night..." She zips up her back pack and stands flashing the boy a smile. "Sorry." She turns and looks at Sooyoung and Yoona. "I'll see you guys after school. No, wait I have to help Taeyeon with something later. I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow. Call me later Soo." She flashes Donghae another smile and walks off, leaving Sooyoung and Yoona curious. And Donghae confused.

-----

She fiddles with the paper work that's in her hands. Eyes were supposed to be checking out the apartment and instead they were scanning over the girl walking around. She wanted to ask her a few questions about what her younger sister told her. Was it true that she's dating again? Does that mean that her time with the girl will be cut even shorter? She already has to share it with her own sister, the girl's best friend, the girl's siblings (yes, siblings. The girl's brother is back for summer break or something).

She shakes her head. What is she doing thinking about these things? "Jessica is no longer your counselor. Hasn't been for three weeks," she whispers to herself. "She's a friend..." A groan is released out of pure frustration.

"Something wrong? Don't like this one?" She turns and looks at Jessica.

"No... I mean this one is nice," answers Taeyeon. "But isn't two rooms a little too much? I only work part time now... and rent will probably be expensive. Not to mention the gas and electric. And what if I want to watch TV or something?" Jessica sighs and shakes her head. "What? I'm being practical."

"No you're not. You've been turning down everything for the past three months. It's as if you don't want an apartment anymore." Jessica walks over to Taeyeon, "just because Tiffany isn't here anymore... it doesn't mean you have to stop trying to improve yourself. You're grades are dropping again. You haven't been showing up for your job that took us forever to find."

Taeyeon lowers herself to the carpet. She exhales loudly through her nose. "What... what if I don't want this anymore huh? You told me that I should continue so I can give Tiffany a place to return to when she wants to. But what if I don't want Tiffany to return?" Jessica wasn't so sure how she should respond, so instead all she did was take a seat next to the girl on the floor. "I don't want Tiffany to come back. She didn't say goodbye and she didn't care about who she was leaving. I don't want her back. She can stay gone with all the secrets and memories that I confided in her."

"You don't mean that. You're just still upset," retorts Jessica.

"No. I do mean it. With Tiffany around I didn't have time for myself. I wasn't able to make any friends because I was making sure she was content. Yoona got ignored. And so did Taemin. And now... now I'm able to do things. I'm able to spend time with Yoona, with Taemin. I've made friends, like you and Sooyoung. I'm doing stuff. And if she comes back... I don't want to go down that path again." She looks at Jessica, "so I don't want to give her a place to return to. I'm content with my room that I'm sharing. If I want some privacy, all I have to do is hop through the window."

"But still... what are you going to do when Tiffany shows up out of the blue one day? Huh? Are you going to push her away?" Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders. She wasn't too sure what she was going to do if Tiffany ever returned. All she did know was that she didn't want her sister back. Fingers begin playing with the carpet. "I didn't mean to upset you. I'm just being very practical."

Taeyeon shakes her head and waves Jessica off. "No need to apologize. You're right... I have no clue what I'd do if Tiffany came back. It's just that I don't want to go back. I'm finally proving myself to other people. I don't want them to think that it was all for nothing." She exhales and allows silence to envelop them. Eyes dart around the room before connecting with Jessica's. "I heard from Yoona that you're dating again." Jessica smiles a little. "Can I know who? I mean if you want to tell me... you don't have to tell me... "

"It's no one really," answers Jessica. "And it's not really dating. Someone asked me out... it's just one date and it's the night of junior prom. But what about you? Are you going?" Taeyeon shakes her head with a look of disgust. "Then what are you doing?"

"Probably going to chill in my backyard with dog and have a couple of beers," answers Taeyeon. "Well, it'll probably be me and Taemin in the back bonding. Yoona could have joined but she's too busy trying to make sure Yuri doesn't get into another relationship, even with her. You're more than welcomed to join once your date is over. I'm quite sure I'm going to drink to my heart's content again."

"I'll make sure to drop by and check up on you that night," states Jessica. Both girls quiet down again.

"Does this person have a name?" questions Taeyeon curiously.

"Yes they have a name." Before she can say anything a knock echoes through the room. Both girls look over their shoulders to see Taeyeon's brother stumbling into the room.

"Yoona told me that you were looking for me," he states while looking around the empty apartment. Both, Taeyeon and Jessica, push themselves up into standing positions. "I came as fast as I can," he says while approaching Taeyeon. His eyes drift towards Jessica and a surprised look appears on his face. "I-I know you. You're Soojung's sister."

"Hello, Taemin?" questions Jessica. He nods his head, "ah... yeah I'm the stupid girl's sister, Jessica."

"So what did you want?" asks Taemin, turning his attention back to Taeyeon.

"What do you think about this apartment?" questions Taeyeon as she walks around.

"For who?"

"Me, you and maybe Yoona can stay on the weekends and stuff."

His eyes travel around the room. "It's okay I guess... but where's Tiffany going to stay?" Taeyeon stops walking. She didn't want to tell her brother that Tiffany wasn't going to stay with them if she ever comes back, even for a visit. They were just getting over the awkward stage. And she wasn't ready to lose another sibling. Who knows what Taemin might do if she says that. Would the boy run off somewhere or something?

"Tiffany will more than likely stay at the Choi's," answers Jessica, "since her and Siwon are getting very serious about their relationship. But come on... I'll show you the room that you get to keep all to yourself." She reaches out and grabs Taemin, dragging him away from Taeyeon.

Taeyeon sighs and stares at the blank wall in front of her. "So even without you here... I'm still not going to be able to do anything. You said that I was holding you back... but you're doing the same thing, Miyoung." She shakes her head. The phone in her pocket vibrates. "Jessica! Please make sure to close up and get the rest of the paperwork. I have to leave for work. And Taemin... go straight home afterwards and work on your homework."

Jessica head appears from around the corner. "Alright... but remember to call if you need something, okay?" Taeyeon nods her head and turns to leave.

-----

She stares at the basket full of clothes in her hand. A frustrated sigh is released. Hand reaches out turning on the washer machine, allowing the machine to fill with water. Reaching up, she opens the cabinet and looks for his special soap. "Seriously, who in the world cares what kind of laundry soap is used," she mutters under her breath. "Clean clothes are clean clothes. It shouldn't really matter what type of soap is used." Spotting it on one of the high shelves she groans. Feet push off the ground forcing her onto her toes, forcing her now showing belly into the machine. She groans again and backs away from the shelf. Arms cross and she glares at the machine.

"Why in the world did he put that on the top shelf? Just because he's a giant doesn't mean anything."

"Need help Tiffany?" She looks over her shoulder to see Sooyoung enter the garage. A smile crosses Tiffany's face and she enthusiastically nods her head. Sooyoung sets her backpack down by the door and heads towards the shelf, grabbing the soap. "Here you go." She hands it to Tiffany before taking a seat on the table beside the basket.

"What are you doing here?" questions Tiffany. She dumps the clothes into the machine and pours the soap upon them with out measuring since she doesn't care if they get ruined or not. They weren't hers.

"Jessica's helping Taeyeon with finding an apartment still and Yoona's off trying to make sure Yuri doesn't enter a relationship, even with one with herself," answers Sooyoung, "so I thought I'd visit my grandparents... and check up on you."

"Well I'm doing fine," Tiffany slams the machine close and flashes Sooyoung a smile. "I'm feeling damn near fantastic." Sooyoung raises a brow, "where's your brother?" questions Tiffany ignoring the questioning look on Sooyoung's face.

Sooyoung sighs and looks around the room, "He's off with his friends. He says he'll be home later tonight and for you to not wait up. Something about it'll be bad for his child." Tiffany closes her eyes; she exhales loudly. "Is something wrong?"

"No... nothing's wrong. So Taeyeon is getting an apartment. What about my brother? What's he been up to?" She questions while taking a seat on the table beside Sooyoung.

"He's doing well, I think. Taeyeon has him on a tight leash. Well not really tight, but she doesn't want him making stupid mistakes." Sooyoung frowns slightly, "He's kind of stopped hanging out the bad crowd and is now attending a dance studio. Or so he says."

"So everyone is doing better without me?" whispers Tiffany; her gaze drops to the floor. She thought that by leaving she'd be free. In fact it seems that it's the other way around. Her leaving had somehow freed everyone else. And here she is playing some stupid house wife with a boy friend- no a fiancé who doesn't even come to check on her after school. She could go into labor early or something and he doesn't even care. She exhales again, trying to calm herself down.

Sooyoung watches her curiously. "Want to go for a walk or something? I'm sure you're tired of being cooped up in this house, and is probably going stir crazy." Tiffany looks up at Sooyoung and flashes her a smile for the third time.

"Sure I'd like that."

-----

The mop plops down upon the tiled floor; water spreads everywhere. She sighs and leans up against the mop. Her eyes watch the trail that the water was making. A hand slides into her jumpsuit pulling out her ear buds. "Might as well listen to music while I get to clean up this dump," she states to herself. She slips one of the buds into her ears and begins her duty of mopping the floor. The longer she stalls the later she'll have to stay behind. And right now, she wants nothing more than to go home and sleep. Maybe even smoke a cigarette or two.

The mop begins sliding back and forth across the tiles and she hums to herself the tune of the song. She stops and frowns looking at the water. Being a janitor wasn't her liking, "I should have stuck with pick pocketing and what not."

"Taeyeon!" Head turns and looks over her shoulder to see her cousin and the short drug dealer of the campus walking her way. "How's the job I got you?" questions Sunny. She flashes Taeyeon a smile while placing her hand on the janitor's shoulder.

"I was surprised when I heard that you've got a job. But to see it first hand is something quite- "

"Shut it, Hyoyeon," mumbles Taeyeon as she resumes her job of making the floors spotless. "Don't you two have boyfriends to be fawning over or something?" Her grip on the mop tightens and she carelessly pushes the water around. "You know that was a hint for you guys to leave," states Taeyeon while giving them a side wards glance.

"We are... we're just getting some prenatal pills for Sooyoung," responds Sunny. Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders and continues her task at hand. Wait did she just say Sooyoung? Taeyeon stop and blinks her eyes. Prenatal pills for Sooyoung? But that would mean that Sooyoung is pregnant. But Sooyoung never said anything about being pregnant. So who could it be?

"Sooyoung's pregnant?" questions Taeyeon aloud.

"No... some friend of hers is. Sunny won't reveal any name though," answers Hyoyeon as Sunny disappears behind one of the many doors. Friends? Which one of Sooyoung's friends is pregnant?

"Jessica?" she whispers to herself, "but... but Jessica says she's not dating anyone. Then again she does have a date coming up in the next two weeks. Maybe she is dating. That Donghae boy has been calling a lot." She supports herself up with the mop; a frown appears on her face. "Is she dating her ex boyfriend again?"

Hyoyeon watches her cousin curiously. This is a new side of Taeyeon that she's never really scene. Growing up, Taeyeon was the bad girl who only cared about herself. And yet this girl had taken a break in her job to figure out something so feeble. "If she is pregnant then does the mean she'll stop helping me? But what if she can't raise a child on her own." She shakes her head and looks at the mess on the floor.

Hyoyeon raises a brow. This girl was seriously starting to weird her out. "Why do you care who's pregnant or not?" questions Hyoyeon. Taeyeon turns and looks at her cousin. She shakes her head and plugs both ear buds into her ear. Releasing a sigh, she dunks the mop into the dirty water. Using the crank, she squeezes the water out of the mop and continues with cleaning the tiles. "Yeah... well mom says that you need to use the front door tonight and not your window." Taeyeon flashes her cousin a smile. "You can't hear me can you?" Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders.

"Got them," states Sunny while exiting out of the many rooms. She shakes the bottle allowing for the pills to rattle. "I'll see you later, Taeyeon." Taeyeon removes the device that was distorting her hearing. "I said I'll see you at school or tomorrow night since I'm working the front desk after school." Taeyeon gives the short girl a small smile and waves the two girls off.

Hearing the door close with a click she looks up at the clock across the room. A groan emits from her lips. She hasn't even cleaned the waiting room and she's been at work for about an hour. "Tonight's going to be a long night," she whispers to herself as she returns to mopping.

022

She sets the last of the dried dishes into the cabinet just as a knock resonates throughout the house. Feet shift slightly causing for her to get a better view of the clock, "Ten?" she whispers. A confused look crosses her face. Another round of knocks echoes. Moving slowly, she enters the living room in time to see her parents answering the door. Eyes connect with her siblings, who were both giving her questioning looks.

"Hello?" calls out her mother as the door slowly opens.

"H-Hi," The voice was familiar. "Um... Mrs. Jung is Jessica home?" Her parents turn and look at her. Jessica's lips move slowly in an attempt to create a innocent smile. She was innocent. She didn't know that Taeyeon was going to visit her at ten at night. "I-I know this is a bad time... "

"Sooyeon, the door," calls out Mrs. Jung. Jessica gives her parents a sheepish grin and bows slightly, "I'll let this slide since its Taeyeon... and I adore her." Jessica freezes and looks at her mother, "Taeyeon is such a hardworking child. You can learn something from her." She rolls her eyes and continues her way towards the door. Stepping outside she closes the door.

"It's kind of late don't you think?" questions Jessica as she takes a seat on her porch. Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders and takes a seat beside her. "So what are you doing here?"

"I've come to get the papers," state Taeyeon while keeping a straight face.

One of Jessica's brows arch. "I could have given that to you, tomorrow. Why are you here, Taeyeon?" she questions once again.

"Home is too far away and I need a place to crash for the night. Buses have stopped running," states Taeyeon, "I've let you crash at my place when you didn't walk home at night. You're not going to make me do the same thing are you?"

"You were too drunk to comprehend anything that night, and you shouldn't be afraid to walk home miss delinquent," retorts Jessica. Taeyeon's expression becomes blank, "besides where are you going to sleep? My brother's home and I had to give up my room to him."

"We can share a bed," states Taeyeon. The questioning look on Jessica's face transforms into one of pure confusion. "What? You act like we've never done it before." Her expressions keep changing with every sentence that Taeyeon speaks. "Get your mind out of the gutter," mutters Taeyeon as she examines Jessica's expression. "I was talking about sleeping together," she rolls her eyes, "On the same bed, you idiot. Beside each other."

"I knew that but you need to watch how you word things. Some people might mistake it for other things."

"Like who?"

"Like the nosy little sister who's peeking her head out of the cracked front door. Or maybe the nosy older brother who's standing behind her? I don't know; why don't you guys tell me?" She turns and looks at the door. It slowly opens revealing Krystal and her older brother. "Care to explain why you're tuning into our conversation?"

"I was trying to get Soojung to stop," states her brother as he flashes Taeyeon a smile, he also gives her a small wave. Krystal rolls her eyes and crosses her arms. "Come on Soojung... let's leave the two love birds alone." Jessica releases a snarl while looking for something to throw.

"We're not in love," calls out Jessica as the door closes. She groans and turns back to Taeyeon. "As I was saying, where in the world do you plan on sleeping? I'm sharing rooms with Krystal, again."

"And I said we can share the same bed. You're not really going to send me out at night are you? Do you know how dangerous it is for me? I'm no longer hanging out with the same crowd anymore. I can get attacked and what not walking alone, since the buses aren't running anymore."

"Get attacked?" questions Jessica.

"The people I hung out with were a tight knit crowd; they were the type that made it impossible for you to really leave. Sure I hung with Yoona and her. But these were the people I hung out with while everyone was sleeping. And for me to um... have a legal job an stuff... that's like have a huge target on my back." She points at Jessica, "and you're making it easier for them to get me." She pauses, "can I stay, please?"

"I guess... my mom's going to allow it anyways, since she adores you and you're so hardworking," mocks Jessica while rolling her eyes, "if that wasn't a piece of crap. Hardworking my ass, I'm the one who spoke to Sunny about the job. I'm the one helping you find a place to live."

"Thank you." She stops and looks down at her feet. Did Taeyeon just thank her while she's sitting here mocking her? "Thank you for helping me. If you want I can explain the situation to your mother." She turns back to the smaller girl who was sitting beside her. "I like taking things that aren't mine, but I don't like taking the credit for something I didn't do."

"Alright then... come on," states Jessica while standing up and caving in. "But what are we going to do about your backpack and school work?" She asks while opening the door.

"I'll wake up earlier and get it before school starts... I guess," she answers while following after Jessica. She stops in the living room unsure of what to do next. It's her first time visiting after dark really, and when she usually visited the Jung house, only Jessica and Mrs. Jung would be home. "Hello."

"Is Taeyeon staying the night?" questions Mrs. Jung while giving Taeyeon a smile.

"Yeah. She kind of got off work late. Buses aren't running. And no point in wasting gas to take her home. She'll sleep in the room with me and Krystal, which we are headed to right now. Goodnight." She grabs hold of Taeyeon's hand and drags her past her parents and towards Krystal's room.

She pushes the door open and pulls Taeyeon inside, disappearing from her family's sight. She sighs and looks at Taeyeon. "We'll be sleeping on that bed," she points to the bed that was across the room. "And um... that's it I guess. I'll get you some clothes after I finish my homework." She releases Taeyeon's hand and heads to the only desk in the room.

Taeyeon takes a look around the room; her eyes finally fall on Jessica's back. There were so many questions that she wants to ask. She was curious as to what Jessica was going to do with since she's pregnant. Is the father going to step up and help? Does she need help? She opens her mouth to speak but quickly closes it with a sigh. Maybe she shouldn't delve too much. Jessica's a very private person and it should stay that way, right? She slowly makes her way to the bed taking a seat on it. Jessica would tell her when the time is right, right? She takes another look at Jessica one last time and releases an empty sigh.

-----

Her hand wraps around the girl's wrist in front of her; she pulls the girl back. "Can I talk to you?" she asks quietly while looking around at her surroundings. "Unless you really need to you know... get to the center." Her gaze drops to her feet. She doesn't know why but being under the girl's gaze was making her nervous, and she's never been nervous. In fact she teases the girl on a daily basis. But now, now all her confidence has fled.

"What do you need, Yoona?" Yuri questions, while adjusting her shoulder strap. "I mean I've been asking you for the past four days what you wanted. Jessica told me that you wanted to ask me something. And yet you keep saying you never wanted anything." She looks off to the side, "so do you need something?" Yoona shakes her head no, "Don't lie."

"I'm not lying," states Yoona as she quickly releases Yuri's wrist.

"Jessica says that you want to ask me to junior prom." Yoona's face goes blank. A grin makes its way across Yuri's face. "You do want to take me. And that must mean that you like me?" Yoona rolls her eyes.

"Yeah, I was going to ask you to junior prom, but only because I'm not a junior and you are. And it'll only be as f-friends," states Yoona while making a face. "I just want to go. I don't want to wait a year." Yuri's grin drops. "And you're no longer dating that slow Minho boy. So yeah do you want to go with me... as friends though?"

"No," Yuri turns on her heels and walks away. All Yoona could do was blink and watch Yuri's figure get smaller. She shakes her head. Did she just get rejected? And by Gross Yuri? Her eyes flicker back and forth looking at everything; her mind was trying to register what happened. Exhaling loudly, she turns on her heels and heads in the opposite direction. She bites her lip before frowning. Why would Yuri say no? Yuri likes her. Everyone knows that Yuri is attracted to her, so why would the girl go ahead and reject her?

"Yoona?" She lifts her head to see Taeyeon, Sooyoung, Jessica, Krystal, Sulli and Taemin approaching. "Something wrong?" asks Taeyeon a little worriedly.

"Yuri said no," was all Yoona said while looking down at her feet.

"What do you mean she says no?" questions Jessica. "Don't answer that. You're pathetic, both you and Taeyeon are pathetic. Both of you find the idea of liking someone gross, that it's made you handicap when it comes to asking a person out."

"Low blow Jessica," states Taeyeon.

"What it's true. You guys can't even approach a girl. What about you Taemin? Have you ever asked anyone out?" She turns and looks at the only boy in their group. His eyes flicker, scanning everyone's faces before dropping towards his shoes. "Seriously?! Out of four of you the only one who knows how to date is... Tiffany?! As dense as she is!" Sooyoung shakes her head and cover Jessica's mouth.

"Yoona did she tell you why?" questions Sooyoung, taking over. Yoona shakes her head no. "Well... how'd you ask her out?"

"As friends." Jessica groans loudly into Sooyoung's hand and rolls her eyes. "What? I... I... Yuri is gross. Why would I date her for real?" Jessica attempts to pulls Sooyoung's hand away from her mouth, but Sooyoung fights back, causing for the two girls to begin wrestling. Both Krystal and Sulli sigh and shake their head at the sight of their older sisters.

"Stop embarrassing us," hisses Krystal while trying to step in. Jessica stops and shoots Krystal a nasty glare; Krystal rolls her eyes and steps back allowing for the two girls to continue with their rough housing.

"You do it because you like her," states Taeyeon, causing for Sooyoung and Jessica to stop wrestling, again. "It's as simple as that, I guess. I mean... you do like her, Yoong. We like gross things. And... if you want Yuri to not be in a relationship with someone else... you're going to need her to be in one with you," she turns and looks at Jessica and Sooyoung, "right?" They both nod their head, speechless. She turns her head and looks at Yoong. "Yuri's nice... and stuff. And she really did care a lot about you when she was your counselor. I like her... which is a plus I guess."

"You hit her," states Yoona while staring at her sister in disbelief.

"That was a long time ago and she hurt my ego," counters Taeyeon. "But I like her more than Tiffany's boyfriend so that's a definite plus."

"I can't believe you, Taeng," remarks Yoona. "You are telling me to... date that gross thing." Her face scrunches up in pure confusion.

"You tell me all the time," argues Taeyeon, "We like gross things," she mocks. "You should just go ahead and ask her out." She takes a pause, "so follow you own advice and ask Yuri out."

"Fine. But only if you ask Jessica out on a date," Taeyeon's face goes blank as so does Jessica. Sooyoung looks back and forth between the two older girls, watching them.

"I-I do not like Jessica," states Taeyeon as her mind begins functioning properly again.

"We like gross things don't we?" questions Yoona while crossing her arms and starring at her sister. "And you think Jessica is gross. So that must mean that you like her. So ask her out. You're a junior and your junior prom is coming up... ask her to be you date." Jessica blinks. She wasn't sure if she should jump into this conversation or not. She turns to her best friend and gives her a confused look. Tilting her head, she turns back to the two sisters that were arguing.

"Jessica is no longer gross. So that means that I don't like her," argues Taeyeon, "and... and if I did why would I ask her out, when she already has a date that night? Huh? I'm not selfish like you. I'm not going to make someone stay single just because I'm too much of a coward to actually date them." Taeyeon huffs and crosses her arms, "Besides why would I date a pregnant girl?"

"P-Pregnant?!" questions Jessica finally butting into the conversation, "Who's pregnant?"

"You are," states Taeyeon while keeping eye contact with Yoona.

"Since when?"

"I don't know. I'm not the one pregnant."

"Neither am I!" shouts Jessica. She turns and looks at Krystal pointing a finger, "I am not pregnant. Do you hear me? Report this to mom and I'll tell her you smoke weed and have that ridiculous piercing all because Minho found it sexy. Hear me." Krystal nods her head while rolling her eyes. "And this doesn't mean that you can go around and start having- "

"Eww... there are people around. Are you really going to have that stupid talk with me in front of Taemin?" Jessica looks at the only boy; she shakes her head no. "I can't believe I have a dense sister."

"Shut up," she turns back to Taeyeon, "who told you I was pregnant?"

"My cousin told me that Sooyoung's been picking up prenatal pills for a friend. You're the only friend of Sooyoung's that I know is dating again," explains Taeyeon as she turns and looks at Jessica, "so I assumed you were the one that's... you know... " Jessica releases a frustrated sigh.

"Sooyoung has plenty of friends who are dating. Most of them probably... already done it. I for one is not pregnant. I haven't dated in a while since I broke up with Donghae... or was it Hara? That's not the point... the point is," she turns and looks at Yoona, "you should ask her out on a real date. Maybe not junior prom... but maybe to see a movie or something. Yuri more than likely turned you down, because you said as friends." She turns back to Taeyeon, "And you... you like me?" Taeyeon makes a disgusted face and shakes her head no.

"That's ridiculous. Why would I like someone like you? You barely appreciate all the hard work I do. Always take low blows to my ego," states Taeyeon. "Why would I like a person like that? That just makes it seem like I think my life is worthless."

"But you do," states Taemin. All eyes land on the boy, "You would tell Miyoung that all the time, especially the few times that she's attempted suicide. You would tell her that she's not the worthless one. You would say that she's the one that's going to make it; that she was smart enough to become a doctor or something. You would always say that you were the worthless one in the family. That Yoona has an elite family, that Miyoung could make it big, and that I can do anything with my life. But you're just... " his face scrunches as he thinks for the correct words to say. "I guess... worthless."

Jessica turns back to Taeyeon with a questioning look. "I don't like you," she states again shifting her backpack. "I'm going to be late for work." She pushes past the group, walking off with her hands in her pockets.

"Someone upset her," whispers Yoona, "She's going to hold a really big grudge."

"Shut up," states Jessica; she sighs heavily. Her eyes dart to the ground. Should she chase after Taeyeon and apologize? Or just leave things the way they are. With another sigh of frustration, she turns and looks at Yoona, "go ask Yuri on a date now. Tell her it's to the movies." She turns and looks at Krystal, "go home and do your homework." And lastly she turns to Taemin, "You're free to go, just don't do anything stupid." Taemin nods his head, "I'll see you later, Soo. Better yet, call me tonight." Sooyoung nods her head and watches as the older girl takes off running down the street.

"So does Taeyeon really like my sister?" asks Krystal, once Jessica was out of ear shot. Yoona gives them all a grin before turning around and walking away.

-----

The feeling of someone following her irritated her; the sound of light footsteps enters her ears. "Leave me alone," she states without turning around and looking behind her.

"Taeyeon... " She ignores the call and continues walking towards the bus stop. "Taeyeon... I'm sorry. I shouldn't delve. But you're the one who told me that you have nothing to hide. So when Yoona stated it, I kind of got curious. You haven't been hiding anything from me since we started your sessions." Jessica falls in place beside Taeyeon. "Talk to me, please."

"There is nothing to talk about. I need to get to work," states Taeyeon. Jessica groans in frustration; hand reaches out grabbing Taeyeon's forearm and forcing the smaller girl to look at her. "What?"

"You're being really stubborn right now. And it makes it seem as if you do like me." Taeyeon closes her eyes in an attempt to calm herself down. Inhale. Eyes open; they lock with Jessica's. Exhale.

"I need to get to work, Jessica," she states as calmly as she can.

She releases Taeyeon's arm; her feet move her body a couple of paces back. Eyes cast downward. Maybe she should have just left things the way they were. She hears a sigh and looks up at Taeyeon, who was now mumbling to herself. She strains her ears to catch what the smaller girl is going on about. Taeyeon's eyes connect with hers. "Want to go catch a movie later?" questions Taeyeon.

"Um..." Jessica bites her bottom lip. She breaks the eye contact and looks off to the side. Does this mean that Taeyeon likes her?

"Never mind," states Taeyeon as she catches the bus, coming down the street. "The bus is coming. I know you'll probably be busy, but can you make sure Taemin does his homework and return to my aunt's house?" She doesn't wait for an answer. Instead she turns and prepares to jog the rest of the way to the stop. Jessica reaches out and grabs Taeyeon's wrist this time. Taeyeon stops and looks at Jessica. "What?"

Jessica rolls her eyes and pulls Taeyeon towards the bus stop. "We're not done talking. I swear... with all the studying you've been you, I'd figure you had a brain that can fully function right now." The bus stops in front of them and Jessica pulls her on. "She's paying." Taeyeon sighs and digs in her pocket for both of their fare, before being dragged to an empty seat.

They sit and Taeyeon turns to look at everyone on the bus. "Are we going as..."

"Friends," states Taeyeon. She turns back and looks at Jessica. "You brought this up three months ago. You thought that I liked you, because I said me and Yoong like gross things. But I also said that Yoong likes the simple things, which would be the things that Yuri's done for her. I on the other hand like things that hold great value, that I believe holds great value... at least to me."

"So I'm not a person you value?" questions Jessica.

"Does it matter? You're dating." Jessica nods her head, "I don't know, okay? I've never done this dating stuff. I've found girls interesting, but I've never really dated one. Well, I don't know if I really dated before. There was this one girl that I hung out with."

023

She sighs as she climbs onto the bus. It wasn't supposed to be like this. She wasn't supposed to be going to see her doctor alone. This isn't what she signed up for. Siwon should be climbing on this bus with her. He should be taking the seat beside her. This is also his child that she's carrying. Another frustrated sigh and she turns to look out the window. The bus was still at the stop. Why hasn't it left yet? Tiffany looks up towards the door to see Siwon boarding the bus.

His hand presses flat against the one of the poles used for standing passengers. Body bent; shoulders rise and fall; him breathing heavily. Did he run all the way here? "Thank you," he flashes the bus driver a smile, pays his fare and takes a seat next to Tiffany. "Why didn't you wait?" he questions, turning to look at Tiffany.

"I didn't actually think you were coming," answers Tiffany honestly.

"Why would you think that?" he questions even further.

Tiffany rolls her eyes and looks out the window, "you're never home. I'm always home alone cleaning your clothes, your dishes and your room or I'm doing my homework so I can get a degree. I have to call friends to get me prenatal pills. I have to call friends to help me do the shopping, making sure we have a crib and stuff for our child." She turns and looks at Siwon, "You're just never there when I need you. You told me that this move was going to help me; that it was going to help the baby. That with us living under the same roof everything will be fine. And yet you're never around."

"Tiffany, I've been busy with school. It's my senior year and I need to graduate. What do you want me to do? Fail and not be able to provide for us?" he asks while leaning in closer. Tiffany scoffs and rolls her eyes yet again. She motions to turn her head, but stops the moment she feels lips upon her cheek. "I love you... just give me a little time alright. I need to make sure everything is set. Once it is, I'll start helping out more. Okay?"

"No... not okay," states Tiffany. Hand slides up the jacket sleeve, using the material to wipe the spot that she had just kissed. "You're supposed to be my future husband, and yet you don't act like it." She crosses her arms and shifts in her seat, "Do you know that your sister has spent more on our child than you have?"

He closes his eyes and lazily asks, "Which sister?"

"It doesn't matter if it's Sooyoung or Jinri, what matters are they're doing more help than you are. They've taken me to doctor visits. They make sure I'm eating right and staying healthy, that my stress is down. And you... you're not doing anything, but adding to the stress, Siwon." He shifts and his sit, turning his body towards the aisle.

"We'll finish discussing this later, in the privacy of our home."

"What home? We live with your grandparents!" He turns quickly and grabs her wrist. Teeth entrap her bottom lip in an attempt to direct her mind away from the pain in her wrist. There was definitely going to be a bruise on there.

"Shut up," he hisses in return."We're on a bus, in public. I don't need people knowing about our situation." She wants to speak in return. Instead she closes her eyes; exhales loudly through her nose. He eases his grip; she slips her wrist free. "As I said we'll talk about it when we get home."

She groans in frustration, but that's all she could do. This was Siwon's behavior. He was a gentleman when he could be. He liked having his personal life very private and away from peeping eyes. Her hand reaches for his grabbing it. He looks at her with a raised brow, watching as she placed his hand on her stomach.

"I'm sorry... it's just so frustrating doing all of this on my own. Do you know how many pregnant woman I see at the doctor's office? Do you want to know how many of them have their boyfriends, fiancés, and husbands accompany them? And I always either go alone or someone accompanies... someone that's not you." She looks him in the eyes, "Do you know that Taemin yelled at me when he found out I left him? He called me all sorts of names. Said I was no better than our father, than our mother. He said I was being stupid. He said I wasn't going to be able to make it. That you weren't going to be here for me. That you were going to leave me because I'll start to gain weight and look ugly."

She pauses and looks at the hand that was moving in circular motions on her baby bump. "It angers me to think that he's right in a way. That you're never going to be here for me, for our child." She stops his hand, "You are starting to seem very disinterested in this."

"You brother is an idiot," he states, "You honestly can't believe a boy who's been in jail more times than anyone can count. He's record is so long that the only person he can't compete with would be your short friend."

"My sister?"

"Yeah... her. Taemin is nothing but a pot head. I know that, you know that, half of the school he attends knows that. He smokes to much that his brain cells have to be fried. And you cannot honestly believe he's in his right state of mind. He compared you to your mother. You're nothing like the woman." With his free hand he brushes the bangs away from her face. "I'm going to take care of you... I swear." He places a light, affectionate kiss on Tiffany's lip; it was quick for they were on the bus. "I love you, Tiffany. And our engagement and our child is proof of that. So don't ever doubt that I would stop taking care of you, okay?"

He gives her one of his charming smiles, trying to win Tiffany over. And it worked. He won. "Okay," whispers Tiffany in return; she gives him a small smile.

-----

She was curious as to who the girl that Taeyeon has hung out with. The girl was obviously more than a friend or at least the block head sitting next to her thought so. She sighs and looks over at Taeyeon who was staring out the window. "This girl... what happened between the two of you?" questions Jessica curiously.

Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders. "I don't know if you'd call it dating or not. We stuck together lot. She made me walk her home at times, and take her places. We even shared a few kisses, but she never really said I was her girlfriend. One day she's dragging me all over the place, never letting go of my hand and stuff. And then the next she's dating a boy. It's confusing... she made things confusing." She turns and looks at Jessica, "would you call that dating?"

"In a way yes... but in a way no, not really. It seems like she was just using you," states Jessica.

"I thought so," states Taeyeon.

"Is she the only one?" she questions. She doesn't know why but she's actually a little curious about Taeyeon's love life. She's heard Tiffany and Yoona jokingly say that Taeyeon has none. But that can't be completely true, right? Taeyeon's a person of the dark, of the streets and of crime. Surely this girl has been able to con her way into people's hearts or something of the sort, right? She can't be completely hopeless, right?

"Yeah... in a way. I'm mean I've had boys and girls always asked me out. They found the bad girl alluring; there would be times when I'd agree but it didn't last longer than a day, but for dating, real dating with official statuses... that would be the closes experience that I'd have," answers Taeyeon. "I know what you're thinking. I'm pathetic. I'm not. Seeing the type of relationships that my mother had... I guess you can say that I more careful. At least now I am."

"Careful?" questions Jessica. She wants to laugh. How in the world is Taeyeon careful with dating?

"I'm not really in a rush to have a relationship," explains Taeyeon, "I'm waiting... for something of great value."

"Which isn't me?" Taeyeon groans. Does it really matter how much value Jessica has to Taeyeon? Great value means expensive. It means something sentimental. It's the thing that shouldn't be kept because it can either break or be taken away. She sighs this time around. Sure she likes valuable things, but Taeyeon's not dumb. She knows that those aren't things she can keep. They're not meant for her, for her life. It's why she hasn't named her dog. Naming it, would mean that she's grown attach to it. It would only cause her pain in the end.

So she can't exactly put a value to her relationship with Jessica. As much as she wants to, she just can't. She needs Jessica right now; so she's not going to place this so called friendship in trouble of breaking or being taken away. "You're my friend," states Taeyeon carefully, "a very helpful friend." She nods her head as the last words left.

"That's all?"

"What's with all the questions?" asks Taeyeon.

"I just want to know if I'm of great value. Obviously Taemin, Yoona and Tiffany are. But am I?"

"They are family so their value is automatically high, Jessica."

"Why are you hiding things? It's like our roles have switched," states Jessica. "I'm just... I'm still working with Yoona. And Yoona isn't going to face her fear of dating Yuri because she models after you. Did you know that?" Taeyeon freezes slightly, "yeah... four days of failing to ask Yuri out. And you want to know why? She says that she doesn't have to date Gross Yuri because Taeyeon won't date what she finds gross. The same reason why she steals, why she ditches and many other things. In her mind: if Taeyeon doesn't have to do it, why should I?" Hopefully bringing Yoona could bring out what Taeyeon's hiding. She grips her legs tightly waiting for Taeyeon to give her a response.

Taeyeon reaches to signal for her stop. Right now she just wants off the bus. Jessica spots her and stops the hand. "Taeyeon... skip work for the day. I'll let Sunny know and we can work out some sort of compromise. You asked me to see a movie. Let's go see one, yeah?" Taeyeon turn and looks at Jessica, "as friends... since that's all I am." Her eyes cast downwards at their hands.

"Do you want to be more? Is that why you keep asking me for your value level?" questions Taeyeon. She slouches a little in her seat trying to catch a glimpse of Jessica's eyes. Is it possible that, that is what Jessica wants? A questioning look appears on her face as they play 'catch me if you can' with their eyes. Could Jessica have developed some sort of feelings in the five months of them 'hanging out'? Eyes finally connect with Jessica's for a brief second before the latter turns her head elsewhere, "now you are the one hiding things."

Jessica turns and looks at Taeyeon, but not in the eyes, "why would I want to be more than friends? I've... You're not exactly one of the healthiest things to be around. Your life is like one big ass spontaneous combustion waiting to happen. One moment you're moving up hill and the next you're tumbling down with missing limbs and broken body parts. Why would I want to enter something like that? There's the possibility of me ending up hurt and in pain."

Taeyeon closes her eyes. "Exactly the reason why valuable things are allowed to be touched but not kept," whispers Taeyeon to herself. Feeling a tugging sensation on her hand, eyes flutter open to see Jessica standing. Jessica shouldn't be standing; the bus is in motion. She looks around, finding that bus had come to stop.

"Come on," she states, "it's our stop." They clamor out of the bus. Taeyeon looks around again.

"We're going to my place?" questions Taeyeon. Why are they heading towards her apartment?

"The theater will be packed. And you haven't exactly invited me over since you moved in," answers Jessica. She slips her hand into Taeyeon, interlocking their fingers. Flashing the slightly smaller girl a smile, she pulls begins dragging Taeyeon in the direction of the apartment complex. "And we can work on you being more expressive about your feelings. Well you're actually quite expressive. You're very loud and violent when angered, calm and serious when upset, and many more things. But you're really reserve and dodgy when it comes to feelings about other people."

Taeyeon stops walking; Jessica loses her footing and stumbles a bit. "This is a bad idea. I have an apartment now, a place where Taemin doesn't have to sleep on the floor. I can't lose it, Jessica. I need to get to work."

"Are you trying to avoid hanging out with me?" questions Jessica. "Okay... I get it. Taeyeon doesn't like talking about getting herself a girlfriend. I just thought that maybe this was something you would like to share. You share practically everything else without any sense of regret. In fact you're so open about things, that this shouldn't even be a problem. It really shouldn't unless what Yoona and Taemin where trying to say is true." She turns and looks at Taeyeon, "Am I still gross? Do I hold a greater value than you wish to believe? Do you, Kim Taeyeon, like me and is too afraid to admit it?"

"You're a counselor who became my friend. You're a person who I count on when I need help. You're a person I go to... you're the girl that my brother and sister call when I'm in a rut." Taeyeon eyes dart downwards. Mind looks for the correct words for her mouth to speak. "You're like my new personal diary. You're nothing more than a replacement of my older one, a replacement of Tiffany." She looks up and looks Jessica in the eyes. "If I liked you it would be wrong for all the reasons that you've said. My life isn't exactly a predictable one. It will never be a predictable one." She pauses for a moment, swallowing the saliva that was collecting. Her fingers and hand lets go of Jessica's. "I will admit that you do have value... but where you are at is where you need to stay... I have to go." She walks off leaving Jessica speechless.

"I didn't really mean what I said, you know. Well maybe I did mean it but only a little. I've been in your life for what, five months now? I've seen you steal. I've enabled you to steal. I watched as your sister, the thing that you value the most, walk out of your life. I was there when you sat down with Taemin to explain things. I was the one who helped you bail him out of jail 24 hours later. I'm the one who's helping your sister get her life back on track." Taeyeon stops walking.

"So do you want some type of award or something? I think I've thanked you enough."

"What I'm trying to say is... I'll admit at first I didn't like you. In fact I despised you and everything that was related to you, literally and figuratively. I only spoke to you because of some stupid bet with stupid Yuri. But over these five months I um, you know got to know you. I've stopped doing what I was doing for you. And you know what... when I think about it I wouldn't change it. I've seen the real you: The defenseless girl under that thick and tough exterior, the one who puts effort into her family, the girl who would do anything for family."

Taeyeon turns and faces Jessica; one hand tightly grips her backpack strap. The other slides into the jean pockets. Eyes dart elsewhere; her body shakes slightly. Just what is Jessica getting at?

She motions to respond but is quickly cut off as a tone slices through the air. A questioning look appears on her face; the tone was familiar. In fact the tone means that it was her aunt. But why would she be calling. It isn't exactly night time, so the woman shouldn't be calling her.

Jessica recognizes the ringtone also. She too is curious as to why Taeyeon's aunt would call in the middle of the day. The elderly woman should know that this is about the time that Taeyeon would clock into work. Feet move the body forward slowly. "Auntie?" questions Taeyeon as she answers the phone.

"You need to come here quick." The response was short; it sounds urgent.

"What for?" she questions sensing the panic in her aunt's voice. "I haven't done anything. Yoona should be at the youth center and Taemin should be attending the evening dance class at the studio along with Hyoyeon."

"Taemin isn't."

"What do you mean Taemin isn't?" Jessica bites her lip to keep quite. Her hand reaches out, landing on Taeyeon's shoulder.

"Your father is here. He's trying to take Taemin."

-----

She hesitantly approaches the desk that Yuri was sitting at. Teeth capture her bottom lip. She slides her hand into her pocket since they were shaking badly. A scowl crosses her face. She was fidgeting? How in world can she fidget? This is freaking Gross Yuri; she should be able to do this with ease. Taking a deep breath she bends walks around the back of the table and leans over Yuri shoulder, "whatcha doin?" she asks. Yuri pens stops moving and she turns to look at Yoona.

"I said no," states Yuri.

Yoona sighs and backs away a little. Yuri kicks spinning her chair so that she was facing Yoona. "I know. But I want to talk about something else," state Yoona. Yuri crosses her arms and stares at the younger girl. "You're gross." She rolls her eyes. If this is what Yoona wants to talk about, well then she can talk about it some other time. She spins back towards the desk; she needs to finish checking over the paper work. A hand grabs the pen and slides it smoothly across the paper. "But I like gross." Hand slips, creating a long line across the page.

"Y-You like gross?" questions Yuri. She kept her back towards Yoona. She couldn't let the younger girl see the blush that was creeping across her face. Yoona nods her head, totally forgetting that Yuri can't see her. "So does that mean that you like me."

"No." She closes her eyes; her hand curl in her pockets. "I mean yes. I mean... I don't know. I don't like it," mutters Yoona with a disgusted look on her face. A small smile joins the blush on Yuri's face.

"You don't like that you like me." Yoona nods her head again.

"You're Yuri," spats Yoona. "The goody two shoes of the campus. You're the girl who helps teachers. You study for tests and do you actual homework assignment. You've never missed a day, and always get to school earlier than the rest." She looks around the room. "You even spend your free time tutoring when you should be partying." Yuri turns her chair slightly. She takes a peek at Yoona.

"Is that a problem?" questions Yuri.

"It's THE problem," states Yoona. "I don't want to date a nerd. I don't want to spend time in a library somewhere or something. I do that just by hanging out with Seohyun. I want... I want to be able to... never mind. Forget it."

"You think I'm going to forget that Yoona admitted to liking me," Yuri turns fully. Yoona groans. She wants to beat herself up- no wait scratch that. She wants to beat Jessica and Taeyeon to a pulp, before beating herself up and jumping under a speeding bus. She's doing nothing right now but making a complete and utter fool of herself. And Yuri likes it, which is making matter worse. Her face scrunches up slightly. "This is my lucky day... Yoona first asks me to junior prom even though she's not a junior and now she's admits that she fancies me."

"Shut up," mumbles Yoona.

"You like me," states Yuri as a grin spreads across her face. Yoona rolls her eyes.

"You're wrong. I don't like nerds."

"I know... I said you like me, Yuri, not nerds." She has no response. All she can do is look at the older girl sitting in front of her. "It's okay to like me Yoona. You're not going to suddenly burst into flames. So you hate the nerdy side of me... I hate certain sides of you also." She pushes herself out of the chair and approaches Yoona.

"Hey Yuri," Yuri stops and looks over her shoulder to see a boy standing by her desk.

"What can I do for you, Nichkhun?" she questions with a soft smile.

"Well... you see Taec's kind of playing shy, but he wants to know if you'll go to prom with him?" questions Nichkhun. A snarl leaves Yoona's lips. There is no way that Yuri's going to prom with anyone. Yuri's either staying at home alone or she's taking her.

"Tell big ears that Yuri's taken," states Yoona as she approaches the older girl. "And that if I hear that he's asking what's mine out again... then it's going to end exactly like last time." Nichkhun nods his head; he turns and leaves through the door.

"What exactly is yours? And what happened last time?" interrogates Yuri. She turns on the balls of her heel to face Yoona.

"Not you. And he stopped me and Jessica one night. It didn't end pretty for him," answers Yoona. Yuri sighs and returns to her seat.

"You know, Im Yoona, I'm not going to sit around waiting for you to ask me out on a date." She picks up the pen and returns to work. "It gets really tiring, you know. I get my hopes all up... all to have them crashing down when you call me gross." Yoona's face softens only for a second. "Do you know how much I like you?"

"No."

"Well it doesn't matter." She stacks the papers and turns back to Yoona. "I'm too much of a nerd for you to even consider dating me."

024

'You can't take him!'

Taeyeon's words repeated in her mind over and over again. The look that was on the smaller girls face at the time was imprinted in her mind. The pain, the anger, all of it was stuck in her mind. She sighs and looks at the closed bedroom door. She wants to help, but Taeyeon has locked her out. The smaller girl was in Taemin's room; the door was locked. And who knows what she's doing in there. "Taeyeon," she calls out gently, "talk to me. You can't lock yourself in the room."

"Go to hell, Jessica," states Taeyeon through the door. A shattering noise passes through the door. Taeyeon more than likely broke the window or the lights. Another sigh and Jessica rests her forehead on the door.

"Taeyeon... please... let me in. You can't do this... you can't let all that hard work that we did go to waste," she whispers. Her hand presses flatly against the door; the other grabs hold of the brass knob.

"Why not?! Taemin's no longer here! Tiffany's no longer here! Yoona's going to leave next... and so will you," the last part comes out as a whisper, but Jessica still heard it.

"I haven't left, yet. I've stuck with you for five months. I'm the one who's helping you get a second chance. Taeyeon... please," she begs, jingling the door knob. "Look... come home with me tonight. I'll call my mom; tell her to make a nice dinner for you. You can have my bed. In fact we'll kick Yunho out of my room and we can share the larger one..."

"Go away. Just go! I want you to leave now. Just leave me alone." Jessica sighs for a third time. She was at a lost. This is the first time that Taeyeon has officially shut her out. She wasn't so sure what she should do. A faint noise enters her ears; it sounds as if Taeyeon was crying. The older girl was definitely in pain. She was failing, or at least she thinks she is. Tiffany ran away from home and Taemin was snatched away. All she has left is Yoona. And Taeyeon's right. There is only a matter of time before Yoona disappears from her life. What will she be left with then?

"I'm not leaving," states Jessica. If she was going to help Taeyeon, then she needs to stand her ground. And she needs to do so now. "You can lock me out. You can use the door as a barrier, but I'm not leaving. In fact I won't leave at all tonight. I'll just sleep right here, so when you finally open the door we can talk."

"Why are you doing this? Can't you see that I've finally slid to the bottom of the hill and I have nothing left to help me climb it again? Just let me be. Let me return to being a no good petty thief. At least then I wouldn't have to care about people... about losing things that are important. I could be on my own."

"I'm doing this because we're friends. And we both worked so hard to get you out of that life," states Jessica.

"Friend... the meaningless title to a meaningless relationship. Friends leave you behind faster than anyone else; did you know that? A friend will turn their back on you just to save their own skin."

"You don't believe that," counters Jessica. She releases the doorknob and takes a seat on the floor with her back against the door. "But you know what. You'll have to come out sooner or later. You have no beer and you'll run out of cigarettes soon." It got quiet, not that Jessica minded on anything. But it was a good enough of a signal. At least she now knows that Taeyeon has calmed down about, though she can still hear the faint sound of her crying. "You know it will be easier for me to comfort you, if you'd just open the door and let me in."

"Who says I want to be comforted?"

"I can feel it."

"If that's not the biggest load of bullshit-"

"I like you," interrupts Jessica. She knows that Taeyeon was going to disregard her last comment. "I don't know when it happened. This is what I was trying to explain to you earlier. I mean at first I despised you... but these past five months was something. I got to see the real you. And the real you caught my interest." She pauses and smiles to herself, "I like you, Kim Taeyeon."

"Sure you do. That's why you have a date to junior prom," argues Taeyeon. She didn't want to believe it. Believing means caving, caving means accepting and accepting means that Taeyeon will give Jessica a greater value. And that means that their relationship will either break or Jessica will be stolen. It'll be easier if Jessica would leave now.

"If you really want to know... my date was Tiffany," states Jessica. Her head leans back; eyes connect with the ceiling. "You haven't spoken to her in three months. I thought maybe you'd want to see her. It was her idea really. I just went along with it, because I wanted you to feel better. You were beating yourself up over the fact that she left. I just wanted to help."

"Well that was the most stupid thing to do. I don't want to see Tiffany. Are you sure you like me? Because liking me would mean that you know I want nothing to do with that stupid girl." Jessica shakes her head. This girl was on some sort of major bipolar trip. One moment she upset over the fact that Tiffany left, and the next she wants nothing to do with her.

"Taeyeon... I do like you."

"Then why would you bring Tiffany back for one night? You know she's just going to leave again. She's just going to leave me again," argues Taeyeon. Jessica sighs for the fourth time. How in the world could she have developed some sort of feelings for this block head? She closes her eyes and listens to Taeyeon making a bigger mess in the bedroom. Then it all of a sudden got really quiet. She pops one eye open and looks at her surroundings.

"Jessica? Did you mean it when you said it? Do you really like me?" comes Taeyeon's voice through the door. It was a little loud for a whisper, which have to have meant that Taeyeon was exactly on the other side of the door.

"Yes. I mean I believe I do. Why do you ask?" answers Jessica.

"And when you said you wouldn't leave, did you mean that also? Or are you just saying that to get me to open the door?" Jessica repeats her answer again this time ending with 'will' instead 'do'. A soft click echoes throughout the apartment. Her body forces itself up; hand automatically reaches for the door opening it. Eyes take in the wrecked bed, torn books and broken glass before falling on the lone figure standing in the middle of the room.

"You know... I don't think Taemin's going to appreciate you destroying his room," states Jessica jokingly. Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders and shoves her hands into her pockets. "Look... he's gone for now, but that doesn't mean anything. You can fight to get him back. But you have to stay out of trouble in order to succeed."

"What if I can't?" whispers Taeyeon as she looks at her feet. "What if he's gone forever? He could have taken him anywhere by now. What if I can't find him, huh? What then?" Her hands curl; body trembles. She wants to cry some more, but there were no tears left for her to cry.

Jessica slowly approaches her. "At least you'll know and he'll know that you tried. Standing here and doing nothing isn't going to get you anywhere." She finally reaches Taeyeon. Her movements were hesitant as she embraced the smaller girl. Taeyeon's eyes widen slightly. Was Jessica holding her? She looks up to see Jessica looking at her. Jessica eyes flicker over Taeyeon's face taking in her appearance. It was the first time she's seen her like this (red eyes, the puffiness around the eyes, tear stained cheeks). "I think it's best if we sleep all this off and work on things in the morning. We can even ditch school if you want."

"I should call and inform Yoona," states Taeyeon. "And maybe inform Tiffany also." Jessica nods her head.

"But in the morning. We don't need them rushing here in the middle of the night." She releases her embrace and reaches down grabbing Taeyeon's hand. "Come on." She turns and leads Taeyeon carefully through the mess, across the hall and into Taeyeon's room. "Let's get you changed."

"I don't want to," murmurs Taeyeon. Jessica nods her head. She wasn't going to argue with the older girl. So instead she leads Taeyeon to the bed in the middle of the room. Pulling back the blankets and sheet, she motions for Taeyeon to lay. Taeyeon looks at her.

"I'm not going to fight with you about this one. You don't- I won't make you change but seriously, you need some sleep to help clear your mind. So get in the bed." Taeyeon closes her eyes and Jessica sighs. Then she groans since she was sighing way too much for her taste. "Taeyeon," she whispers. Taeyeon opens her eyes and slides into the bed. Jessica smiles to herself, sliding in after Taeyeon and pulling the blankets over their forms.

They lie there in silence listening to each other breathe. Taeyeon shifts slightly and turns her back to Jessica, curling into the fetal position. She looks down at her fingers. Inhale. Exhale. "Can I ask you something?" she voices in a whisper. A brow rises on Jessica's face. The younger girl turns on her side; eyes take in the older girl's back. She doesn't voice an answer, because it was pointless. Taeyeon knows that she can Jessica any question. It's just a matter of getting an answer out of the slightly taller girl. "Is she okay?"

Her smile returns. "Yeah... Tiffany's fine. She's just... you know gained some weight. I guess you can say that she's a little stressed also. But she's fine."

"Miyoung got fat?"

"Yeah... but she'll drop the weight within the next... let's say about the next two to three months. She's working really hard at it. Sooyoung's actually helping her." Taeyeon nods her head and closes her eyes. Tiffany was doing fine.

Jessica watches Taeyeon's back, deep in thought. Should she reveal Tiffany's secret? Taeyeon's already in the world's foulest mood with her bipolar behavior. "Is that all? Nothing more... when she gets here, she'll just be fat." The older girl's words catch the younger one off guard. "Your breath hitched which more than likely means yes." She rolls over and looks at Jessica. "What else is there?"

Finally coming to a decision, she answers stating, "It's not my place to say. Tiffany will need to explain to you." She scoots closer to Taeyeon. "Let's just sleep, for now."

-----

A sigh escapes; the cell phone drops onto the bedside table. The noise it emits, do to the collision, echoes throughout the room. He stops pulling his shirt over his head and looks at the girl that was sitting on his bed. A scoff escapes his lips as he takes in the frown on her face. Her family must have said something to upset her and now he has to deal with it. He rolls his eyes and continues getting dress for school. He didn't want to hear what the phone call was about. In fact he could care less what it was about. What he does care about though is if Tiffany is going to go anywhere. "What was that about," he asks changing his mind.

"I need to go home," states Tiffany as she looks off to the side.

He smiles and chuckles a little. His fiancée was something else. "You are home."

"You know what I mean Siwon," counters Tiffany. She looks up at him, "I have to go home to my family. They need me right now."

"Sure they do. That's why it took a total of three months for your so called sister to call you." Tiffany bites her lip and curls her fists. Why wasn't he getting it? They need her right now. He should be considerate. She doesn't question when he wants to go home. She doesn't tell him no. She tells him to go ahead. "Besides being around them isn't healthy, they'll add on more stress- "

"You add on to my stress," states Tiffany. She flips her bangs out of her face and sends a glare his way. "You're the main reason why I'm stressed out all the time. But that's not what we're going to talk about. We're going to talk about me having to return home." Inhale. Exhale; her nose flares. "My little brother was just taken to god knows where with my dead beat of a father. I have to go and help get him back. Now you can either let me go or - scratch that I'm just going to go. I don't need your permission to do anything."

She stands and heads to the closet. His hand shoots out enveloping her wrist. He pulls her back. "You do need my permission." He grabs hold of her other wrist, backing her into the dresser. "You're living under a Choi roof and that means you need my say so in what you do."

"Oh really... so Master Siwon is it okay if I use the restroom since you're child is kicking the hell out of my bladder. Or do you wish for me to just go right here?" mocks Tiffany. Siwon snarls and presses her harder into the dresser. A hiss leaves her lips. "What? You said that I need your say so."

"I'm not playing Tiffany."

"And neither am I," remarks Tiffany as she attempts to fight back. "Siwon let go! Let go of me!" Siwon's grip only tightens. They continue fighting. Neither of them notices that their bedroom door has opened.

"Hey Tiffany," Siwon stops and his grip slips. He looks over his shoulder to see his sister standing in the door way. "Oh... I'm sorry," mumbles Sooyoung as she tries to avoid his gaze. "I thought that Tiffany was in here alone."

"What are you doing here and not at school?" questions Siwon. Tiffany uses the opportunity to slide away from the angered man.

"Jessica sent me to get Tiffany."

"Go to school Sooyoung. And afterward we're going to have a talk."

"Leave her alone, Siwon. She's almost an adult. She can make her own choices. And this one isn't so bad." Sliding on her jacket and grabbing her phone, Tiffany makes her way to Sooyoung. "We're going. I'm going whether you like it or not. In fact, I'm going to be staying there. Not like you'd care."

"Tiffany, you are making a mistake," states Siwon. "I do care. It's why I don't want you to go."

"No... you don't," remarks Tiffany as she grabs hold of Sooyoung's hand. "If you cared you'd let me fight for my brother. If you cared you'd been there for me at all of the doctor's appointments. You know what... we'll talk about this later." She turns and pulls Sooyoung out of the room. Both girls miss the dark expression that makes it way across Siwon's face.

The taller girl stumbles a bit to keep up with the older one.

"H-he's going to be mad," states Sooyoung as they exit the house.

"I don't care right now. I need to see my sisters," remarks Tiffany. Anger and irritation was evident in her voice. "He's so ****ing frustrating," she growls. Their speed slow a little and she looks at Sooyoung. "Why could he be more like you, huh?" Sooyoung shrugs her shoulders. "You're perfect. You're spending your own money on me and I hated your guts. You're taking care of me and I never even asked for it. Unlike him... can't even show up to a stupid appointment. Do you know we got all the way to the doctor's office and he left? He didn't even stick around. ****ing ass."

A small smile appears on Sooyoung's face. She's perfect. It made her feel good about herself. "I don't usually date girls... but if you weren't his baby sister, if you weren't this child's aunt... I'd so leave Siwon for you." Sooyoung stops walking for a second.

Did she hear Tiffany correctly?

-----

Her thoughts go back to yesterday about what Yuri had said. She wasn't going to wait for her any longer. She sighs and looks at the neighborhood around her; hand clenches around her backpack strap tightly. Maybe she should have listened to her adoptive parents. Maybe she should have went to the private school. Doing so would mean not having to see Yuri's gross face. It would also means that she wouldn't have developed this type of disgusting feelings for her.

She sighs again. But if she had went, then she would have never saw Taeyeon. She wouldn't have saw the girl that looks like her mother. She wouldn't have found her older sister and found her real family. Another sigh. "Why did I have to develop feelings for her?" She looks straight ahead to see Yuri walking with a group of teens. Teeth tug on her bottom lip as her mind tries to process what to do.

She looks around once again; eyes falling on a garden filled with flowers. She plucks one of the flowers and races after Yuri. A smile appears on her face. Maybe with this she can make Yuri reconsider. Maybe Yuri will continue waiting until she figures out what exactly she wants. "Yuri!" she calls out before stopping in front of the older girl.

"Yes Yoona?"

Yoona pushes the flower out handing it to Yuri. "H-here." Yuri raises a brow as she looks at the flower. A small smile crosses her face. She leans forward and the next thin Yoona felt was a pair of warm lips against her cheek. Yuri backs away slowly and flashes Yoona another smile. "W-what was that?"

"A thank you kiss," answers Yuri. She reaches out and grabs the flower.

"Oh," responds Yoona with a confused look. IT quickly disappears and is replaced with a look of disgust. "Well... don't do that." She wipes her cheek. "People will start to think things."

"I can't kiss you but you can give me a flower?" Yuri shakes her head. "Why are you being so difficult?" She takes a step forward. "I like you. You like me. We should just go a head and date."

"I have a reputation to upkeep," remarks Yoona. "Dating you would ruin that." Yuri rolls her eyes; a scoff leaves her lips. "What? I do."

"You've lost your reputation the moment you aced an exam," states Yuri. "And who cares what they'll think. I'm sure if it was Taeyeon, she wouldn't care." Yoona's face scrunches up; Yuri slips her hand into Yoona's. "Im Yoona... You like me. Everyone can tell that you like me. You even admitted to Jessica that you find me to be very pretty. So what's the deal?"

"Kwon Yuri... You're a nerd and I find nerds to be repulsing," answers Yoona. "Not only that... but you're making me confused. I'm not supposed to like nerds. I-"

"Stop thinking of me as a nerd," states Yuri. She pauses for a moment, thinking. Her fingers interlock with Yoona; her body turns and begins dragging Yoona. "I guess the only way to make you see me as just Kwon Yuri is to take you out on an official date." Yoona's eyes widen slightly; she trips over her feet a little while trying to keep up with Yuri.

"D-date?" questions Yoona.

"Yes date." She stops and looks at Yoona. "I'm not just a studious girl. I'm just trying to get into a good college that's all. Anyways we first have to go to the center. I have to report in and let them know I'm not working today." She turns and continues walking only to stumble a bit. She looks over her shoulder to see that Yoona wasn't budging. "Yoona?" Yoona releases Yuri's hand and begin furiously digging through her pockets. "Yoona?"

The younger girl pulls her phone out of her pocket, "Hello?"

"Yoong!" Yoona flinches and pulls the phone away from her ear. She turns and looks at the electronical device with a quizzical expression. "Yoong? Hello?! Yoona, are you there! Yoong! Im Yoona!"

"Tiffany?" questions Yoona while switching the phone to speaker since Tiffany was extra loud over the phone.

"Who did you think it was?" questions Tiffany loudly, "never mind that. Where's Taeyeon? I can't reach her cell... she called me earlier and gave me - informed me about what happened, but now she won't pick up."

"I don't know," responds Yoona while turning to Yuri, who was watching her. "She didn't show up for school today. Neither did Jessica or Sooyoung. Maybe they're together. Have you tried Jessica's or Sooyoung's phone? And what happened?"

"I'm with Sooyoung. And I've tried Jessica's phone but she's not picking up either. Sooyoung thinks they're at the apartment, but she doesn't know where the place is. Or I think it's that she can't remember where it is," states Tiffany into the phone. "And what do you mean what happened? Didn't they tell you?"

Yoona closes her eyes trying to think of any news that was reported to her. She shakes her head as nothing comes to mind. "Nope."

"Really, Yoong? Taeyeon told me she told you already."

"Well she did call me this morning but I was still asleep. So what happened?"

"Taemin got taken away."

025

Eyes flutter open; they zoom and lock onto the body lying beside her. Blinking a few times she shifts and lies on her side, staring at the sleeping girl. Mind begins to wander; thoughts begin to form. Did Jessica really mean what she said yesterday? Did the sleeping girl really like her? And did she really mean it when she said that she wasn't going to leave? But why? "Why?" she questions aloud in a whisper. Her hand slowly moves forward in an attempt to touch Jessica. It stops falling short of a few centimeters. She sighs and her hand retracts. "Why would you want this?"

Taeyeon rolls onto her back and stare at the ceiling. Her life is a mess. Nothing more and definitely nothing less, there is no way for her to fall anymore, right? Eye lids slowly close; she inhales deeply. Her life would only bring Jessica down. Her life will only cause stress. She's not dumb; she can tell that there are times when Jessica gets annoyed. Heck, even Tiffany got annoyed, so there is no way that Jessica, the girl who hates her guts, is not annoyed. Eyes reopen. So why would she want to like her? What's so special about her, huh? "I'm nothing more than an obvious no good lowlife. It's quite obvious that I can't become anything better," she whispers. Turning her head she looks at Jessica again. Why?

With a frustrated groan, she pushes herself up on her elbows and looks around the room. Eyes look for her pack of cigarettes. She was in a need of a little nicotine right now, along with something to drink to ease her scratchy throat. Sliding out of bed, she makes her way to her dresser, where an extra pack will more than likely be located. She slides the top drawer open with ease; eyes automatically lock on the pack. A small giddy smile makes its way across her face. "Taeyeon?" She stops and looks over her shoulder to see Jessica sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

"Go back to sleep, Jessica," whispers Taeyeon. Jessica shakes her head no. "I'm coming. Go back to sleep." Jessica drops back down onto the bed. Taeyeon turns her attention back to the pack of cigarettes. Fingers pull out one of the half smoked ones and she makes her way out of the room, through the living room and to the balcony. She lights it quickly and takes a puff. Nicotine calms the nerves that sleep couldn't fix. Eyes look down, watching the passing traffic. Her mind slowly drifts back to the sleeping girl in her bed.

"Since you've confessed... does that mean that I have to tell you your value?" whispers Taeyeon to herself as she takes another puff. "Am I really ready to take such a risk?"

"That's not important right now," Taeyeon turns and looks at Jessica who was leaning against the sliding glass door. "I mean I would like to know, but right now we have to either sleep or we have to get ready to meet your sisters and what not." Taeyeon nods her head and watches as Jessica rakes her fingers through her hair. "So I'm going to raid your closet for some clothes." She turns and begins making her way back to the bed room.

"I like you also... I think," mumbles Taeyeon in a serious tone. "I'm not quite sure, really. I mean you were sort of attractive when we first met, but you were gross. You're views about me, about my family and about people like me were horrible. And Yoona kept trying to get me to as you on dates. To quote her, 'we like gross things'." She sighs; her mind attempts to form the correct words and thoughts. "You're value increased over the last three months. You went from being my friend to say something more. I don't know how to explain it really. But I think I like you also." She turns and looks at the traffic again. Her face was heating up; ears were turning red.

This was completely embarrassing, and Taeyeon doesn't get embarrassed easily. Heck Taeyeon doesn't care what people think or say about her really. But now she was curious, curious as to what Jessica was thinking about her semi confession.

Arms encircle her waist; warmth envelopes her. "Finish your cigarette and we can go get ready. You need to shower. The cigarette is making you stink."

"You stink," mutters Taeyeon as she finishes up. Using the banister, she puts the cigarette out before throwing the butt over the edge. Turning in Jessica's embrace, she blows her smoke into the younger girls face before breaking free. The slightly taller girl falls into a coughing fit while waving her hand around.

"Are you trying to kill me?"

"Maybe." She scoffs and walks silently behind Taeyeon. Bringing her arms up, she quickly wraps them around Taeyeon's neck. "J-Jessica," struggles Taeyeon as she grips the young girls arm. "J-Jessica."Arms and legs become entangled; both try to overpower the other. One of them loses their footing, sending them toppling over onto the floor. Jessica rolls away landing on her back. Taking deep breaths, Taeyeon turns and looks at Jessica, "were you trying to kill me?"

"Kill sounds horrible. How about we say I was just trying to get rid of you," jokes Jessica while attempting to catch her breath. Silence falls over the two of them as they both stare at the ceiling.

"Why me?" whispers Taeyeon.

"I don't know. I don't think people are aware of her they start to like you know. They might be aware of whom they find attractive, but as for who they fall for... who knows, maybe this is like one of those puppy love type of things." Taeyeon turns her head and looks at Jessica. "I can definitely say that my attraction towards Hara was purely sexual. The girl is hot. As for Donghae... he charmed me, so there was that type of attraction towards his charms. But for you it's different." She turns her head and looks at Taeyeon. "You didn't ask me straight out to date you. I actually got to meet you and got to know you before anything."

"So we're puppy love?" questions Taeyeon.

"I don't know. How are we sure that after this year and comes next we'll still like each other? We're teens... we're hormonal... our minds are at their worst; we're impulsive and what not. I know right now that I like you and I like you because I got to know the real you. Not the you I thought you were. Not the you I made you out to be. I like Kim Taeyeon because even though she has a tough exterior and doesn't seem to care about anything, she's really soft, really fragile and most of all vulnerable."

"You like a weakling?"

"Yes, if that's what you are?"

"Why are you questioning? You said you got to know the real me. So you must know whether or not I'm exactly a weakling," comments Taeyeon.

"Are you really going to ruin this moment?" Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders, "you really are Yoona's sister, aren't you?" She sighs and shakes her head, "but I was quite serious. I like you. Don't ask why because I can't really explain it, okay?" Taeyeon nods her head; she turns onto her side and scoots closer to Jessica.

The younger girl's eyes widen at sensation of Taeyeon's breath on her neck and her arm slipping around her waist. "Let's go back to sleep," mumbles Taeyeon as her eyes drift close.

----

When she first arrived all eyes fell upon her stomach. Her older sister became expressionless and all she could do in response was wave. And then, she and her sister were tossed into Taemin's room by Jessica who states that they needed their alone time. It was an awkward, tension filled silence that hung over the two girls as they began cleaning the room. Neither of them had spoken but her sister's eyes remained on her baby bump the entire time. And even now as they sit on the bed across from each other, Taeyeon's eyes remains on her stomach.

She wasn't sure what to do at this exact moment. In fact Tiffany never really thought about what she would say in this situation. She just thought that she'd leave and come back with a bouncing baby and a ring on her finger. Not with an unborn child and an a****** boyfriend who's sitting out in the living room. An uneasy smile appears on her face; Taeyeon looks up and her eyes connect with Tiffany's.

"Let me guess... this," Taeyeon points at Tiffany's stomach, "is the reason why you decided to leave with him? I'm also guessing that this," she jabs the stomach, "is the reason for a stupid idea of getting married." Tiffany opens her mouth to counter, but Taeyeon lifts her hand motioning for the younger girl to stop, "Did you really think that you could hide it from me for forever?"

"I... um- "

"Screw that. Why'd you leave? Did you think I'd get mad?" Tiffany looks at Taeyeon as if the older girl was crazy before nodding her head. "Alright maybe I would have. But it would have passed... you know that my anger would have passed."

"Taeyeon," whispers Tiffany. "I- " A knock on the door interrupts the two girls' reunions. The door opens and Jessica sticks her head inside.

"I don't mean to interrupt your reunion, but your aunt and cousin are here," states Jessica as her eyes connect with the oldest girl in the room. "If you want I can tell them to wait." She pauses for a moment, "I'll handle everything. You two work things out... and fast. Siwon is starting to get really annoying." Tiffany gives Jessica an apologetic smile and nods her head. Jessica waves it off and closes the door leaving the two sisters alone.

"Are you guys dating or something?" questions Tiffany in an attempt to change the topic from her stomach. Taeyeon shakes her head no. "Why not?"

"Must you change the subject?" questions Taeyeon in return.

Exhale and shoulders slouch. Tiffany's eyes drop to the bedspread. "I'm really sorry. I know it's wrong of me to run, to leave you in this mess with dad and Taemin. But I just want to prove that I could do it on my own." Her fingers rake through her hair, "and I guess I thought wrong really. Things aren't really going as plan... but I didn't want to come running home to you."

"What's wrong?"questions Taeyeon, "is that baby okay?"

"The baby's fine," remarks Tiffany. "We went to the doctors yesterday. According to the licensed profession the baby is doing fine. No problems." She looks at Taeyeon, "all problems lie within my relationship. I... I want to come home."

"I don't know about that," mumbles Taeyeon as her eyes dart off to the side. Tiffany's face becomes blank. "I mean... you're my sister. I would gladly welcome you but I can't. No, I won't welcome you home. You're on your own now Tiffany. And I've got a life now. My job is to get my brother back, make sure Yoona stays on the right path and to live my own life. You lost your dependency on me the moment you left. You want to come back, you figure out how to do it on your own."

"Tae... you're not serious are you?" Tiffany's voice barely a whisper.

"I'm dead serious Stephanie," states Taeyeon as she looks back at her sister. "I'm no longer taking responsibility for you, for your idiotic mistakes. I'll help out a little. I'll rent Taemin's room to you. That means that you'll have to find a job and what not. But I'm no longer putting you as a priority. You are not a priority in my life right now. And don't count on becoming one anytime soon." With that Taeyeon slides off the bed and makes her way to the door, "now I have to find a way to get my brother back." Tiffany watches in disbelief as Taeyeon exits out of the room.

Was her sister serious?

Slipping off the bed she follows Taeyeon into the living room where the rest of them sat. She looks around the room before taking a seat beside Siwon. Her eyes dart to her sister then to Yoona.

"So what now?" questions Taeyeon as she looks at her aunt. "How do we get him back?"

Her aunt takes a deep breath. "Taeyeon it's not as simple as it seems okay." Tiffany's eyes shift back to Taeyeon. "Your father has custody. He is the sole guardian of Taemin. The man has a job and a place to stay. No court is going to take Taemin from that and give him to you."

"And why not?" questions Taeyeon, "I have a stable income. I have a place to stay as you can see. I even have someone to watch him while I work. I've gotten it so he stays out of jail. He attends a dance studio with Jessica's brother. So tell me how in the world I can't get my brother back."

"He has custody. And unlike you, your father doesn't have a mile long record. Taeyeon, you've proven to the courts already that you're not even capable of taking care of yourself. Now look at Miyoung... the girl is obviously pregnant and from what I remember she ran away from home. And Yoona... Yoona has a record of being truant and a delinquent within the school." Taeyeon's body tense; hands curl tighty. Her knuckles turn white.

This wasn't the news that she wanted to hear from her aunt. She wants something that would give her hope.

Fingers lightly ghost over one of her hands; they uncurl the body part and entangle themselves with Taeyeon's fingers. Taeyeon looks at the hand for a quick second before turning to look at the owner. She inhales deeply and calms herself down. "Ms. Kim are you saying that there is no hope for us getting him back?" questions Jessica. Taeyeon's aunt nods her head, "surely you can't really believe that Taeyeon won't be able to accomplish this."

"Jessica as much as I don't want to admit it," she pauses for a moment, "I, myself, believed that Taeyeon could do anything. But I'm wrong. Taeyeon is nothing but a mere copy of my sister. And that's all Taeyeon could ever be. Sure there will be times when Taeyeon will be able to accomplish things like this. But then Taeyeon's going to drop everything again." Her aunt stands, "I'm sorry Taeyeon."

"You're not sorry," hisses Taeyeon. "You're just being selfish. It's because Taemin isn't her child that you don't believe that we can get him back. Since Taemin is his child, you're just going to cast him off as a lost cause."

"Taeyeon that is not true." Taeyeon looks up at her aunt. "What I told you is true. You're only a teen, a junior in high school. No one is going to give you him." Taeyeon cast her eyes off to the side. "Taeyeon be rational. This just isn't meant to be. And I'm sure Taemin is being taken care of- "

"He stopped paying his rent and left his kids out on the street. He took the money that I've given Tiffany over the years and bought himself alcohol. They starved; they lived in the dark without any water. He doesn't give a damn about my siblings. So don't say that Taemin is being taken care of." Taeyeon abruptly stands; she looks her aunt square in the eyes, "if you're not going to help then leave. I don't need you here."

"Taeyeon- "

"Get out of my house," snarls Taeyeon. Her aunt looks around the room for someone to help her in this situation, but no one would look at the older woman. Why should they? She was telling her niece to give up and forfeit before even trying. And none of them really wanted Taemin gone. Not if it was going to cause this much distress. "Get out."

"Fine, come Hyoyeon." Hyoyeon stops and looks at her cousins. She wasn't so sure she wants to leave. Not after hearing the way her mother had just degraded Taeyeon. Sure she does it on a daily basis, but they were cousins. It's sort of normal in a way, right? "Hyoyeon."

"I'm going to stay behind and help Taeyeon out."

"Be home by 6." Hyoyeon waves her mother off. The elderly woman leaves with a huff, slamming the door behind her.

"See this is exactly why I said you shouldn't come," states Siwon.

Taeyeon turns and looks at him, "get the hell out of my place now." She turns and looks at her sister, "if you want to defend him Tiffany go ahead. But you can get the hell out also." She sighs and shakes her head, "Know what... all of you leave. Get the hell out." No one budges, "I'm not joking. Get the hell out of my house!" She looks at everyone, giving them all a dark look. "What the hell are you waiting for? Get the **** out!" Bodies rise and head for the door, except for the lone girl who was holding onto Taeyeon's hand. Taeyeon looks down at her, "why are you still here?"

"I told you that I wouldn't leave," remarks Jessica as her grip tightens on Taeyeon's hand.

"You're stupid," mumbles Taeyeon.

"You're being real mature," counters Jessica, "look just because your aunt pissed you off doesn't mean you have to take your anger out on the rest of us. We're trying to help. We all are." Jessica pushes herself up off the ground and looks Taeyeon in the eyes. "She may not believe that you can do it, but obviously everyone else does." Taeyeon rolls her eyes. "You're not your mom," whispers Jessica, "I mean I don't know the woman personally but from what you've told me... you're nothing like her."

Silence overcomes the two again as they stand there looking at each other. Neither of them knows what to do from this position. Taeyeon's eyes dart off the side; her hand releases Jessica's. Jessica sighs. Her tongue slides across her lips with uncertainty. What do they do now?

She suddenly turns and pulls her phone out of her pants pocket. Slipping her phone out, her thumb presses a small button and places the device next to her ear. "Hello?"

"Where are you?" rings Mrs. Jung's voice through the phone. Jessica could only sigh an hunch her shoulders. Right now is the wrong time for her mother to be calling and harassing her.

"I'm actually quite busy right now," responds Jessica.

"Oh right... you left for school yesterday and never came home. Care to explain where you're at and what you're doing?"

Jessica turns and looks at Taeyeon who was watching her curiously. "I've spent the night at Taeyeon's apartment... and we're working on something very important right now."

"Well I need to you to do something more important," states Mrs. Jung. "You're sister didn't come home last night."

"So... I'm not Krystal's baby sitter."

"Sooyeon- "

"Krystal is probably at Jinri's house."

"I've tried and she wasn't there."

"Well what do you want me to do about it?" Taeyeon flinches a little at Jessica's voice. The younger girl is obviously very irritated by her mother's phone call. "I mean I'm in the middle of doing something important with Taeyeon. Am I supposed to just stop doing it because you can't find Krystal?"

"I want for you to go look for your sister." Mrs. Jung's voice was getting extremely serious.

"Why can't Yunho do it? He's home and he doesn't do anything all day long," remarks Jessica with a growl. "Tell him to do it."

"Sooyeon... you search for your sister now. This is the end of this conversation." Mrs. Jung hangs up and Jessica releases a deep growl. Why does she have to play baby sitter for Krystal? Her sister no longer listens to her words, so why does she have to do this? She groans; fingers entangle themselves in her locks. She wants nothing more than to pull her hair out.

"Jessica," whispers Taeyeon.

"I... I have to go. Let your sisters back in the house," mumbles Jessica as she heads for the door. Taeyeon's bewildered look goes unnoticed. She slams the door behind her startling the group out in the hallway. "Yoona... Tiffany go keep her company." She walks through the group stopping at the end of the hall, "I'd advise that you don't let Siwon in the house. Or he'll more than likely end up with Taeyeon's fist in his face," she turns and looks at Tiffany. The younger girl's response was nothing more than a mere head nod. "Oh and her pack of cigarettes are in her top drawer. I'll be back." Jessica disappears down the stairs.

Tiffany turns to the youngest of the group, "Do you really think we should go in there?"

"I'd trust Jessica. She knows what she's doing when it comes to Taeyeon," answers Yoona. She pushes herself off the wall and heads for the front door. Long slender fingers engulf the doorknob, giving it a slow turn. With her free hand, Yoona pushes the door open and looks inside to see Taeyeon laying on the floor. "Tae?"

"I'm alive if that's what you're wondering," mutters Taeyeon. Yoona nods her head and watches as Taeyeon brings a lit cigarette to her lips. "Are you going to stand there in watch me... or are you guys- I mean girls since Siwon is not welcomed, going to come back in?" Yoona turns to Tiffany, Yuri, Sooyoung, and Hyoyeon motioning them to follow her inside.

"Stay here," orders Tiffany as she looks at Siwon. "I mean it." Siwon rolls his eyes and crosses his arms; body leans back against the wall. "Siwon... Choi Siwon... I'm- " Tiffany's eyes widen slightly. Hands grab her stomach; a hiss leaves her mouth. She hunches over slightly.

"Tiffany?" questions Siwon, causing for the girl's to stop. His voice also makes Taeyeon roll onto her stomach. "Tiffany?"

"I'm fine," grunts Tiffany. She forces herself up. "I'm fine," she grunts again. "It's just cramps. Stay out here." She turns and enters the apartment, hissing loudly. The door closes with a click and Taeyeon pushes herself up, walking over to her sister. "I'm fine." Taeyeon shakes her head no and places her hand on Tiffany's stomach.

"We need to get you to a doctor."

"It's cramps. It could be that one fake contraction thing Taeyeon," mumbles Tiffany. "I'm fine really... and look my water bag hasn't broke. I'm fine." Taeyeon shakes her head. "Tae- " Taeyeon looks Tiffany in the eye. "I'm fine... it's been like this for the last few days. The doctors say I'm fine... that the baby's fine. We need- " she stops talking and hunches over again. The pain was increasing by the second.

"Call 911," states Taeyeon as she leads Tiffany to the couch.

-----

A mixture of a groan and a hiss escapes her lips. The pain was becoming more and more unbearable. Head tilts back; eyes roll back. All she could do is wish for the pain to go away. Her head turns and she looks at her sister through her matted bangs. "Make it stop, please," she groans. Taeyeon could only stare. There was no way for her to make such a thing stop. Tiffany was going into labor and that was that. "Tae- " Another groan and she wraps her hand around Taeyeon's.

"Calm down and relax," whispers Taeyeon in return. "Tiffany... calm down okay."

"Calm down?! How the hell am I supposed to do something like that?" yells Tiffany. "Oh god when I see your brother," she turns and looks at Sooyoung, "I'm going to castrate the p****." Taeyeon grits her teeth as Tiffany's grip tightens. "What are you looking at?" she snaps while looking at Yoona who was leaning against a wall.

"I say we drug her," mumbles Yoona while glaring at Tiffany. "It'll shut her up."

"Poke me with a needle and I'll cut your hand off, you old hag," growls Tiffany. She turns and looks at the nurse giving her a glare. Taeyeon shakes her head and attempts to direct Tiffany's attention onto herself. "What?!"

"You cannot get mad at other people. This is yours and Siwon's fault." Tiffany groans and nods her head, breaking into another sweat. "Just hang in there?" Taeyeon turns her attention back to the nurse. "How much longer?"

"She's not crowning yet- " A loud guttural groan echoes throughout the room. All eyes land on Tiffany.

"Can you give her like some sort of medication?" questions Sooyoung.

"You guys are teenagers... you probably can't even pay the hospital bill as of right now," responds the nurse while walking away. Tiffany leans back, panting heavily. Taeyeon looks at Tiffany. She doesn't exactly know what to do to calm her down. Television shows usually demonstrate how very easy labor scenes. There were a few that had shown exactly what Tiffany was doing, which is terrorizing every moving, breathing thing in sight.

Tiffany's labored breaths echo throughout the room. No one moved; all eyes remained on her. "Why they hell must we carry the children?" groans Tiffany. "Why can't it be the guys like sea horses? Why must we go through all this pain?!" Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders in response and pulls her phone out of her pocket. They've been here going on four hours.

"Jessica hasn't called yet?" questions Yoona.

"Why are you worried about Jessica when I'm the one in labor?!"

Taeyeon stands and motions for Yoona to take her seat. "I'll be right back promise."

-----

The phone dances around on the table in front of her, cutting her mother's lecture short. "Sooyeon," states Mrs. Jung.

"I told you I was doing something important for Taeyeon," states Jessica while staring at her phone. Hand reaches out to grab the phone, only to have it snatched away by her mother.

"This is the fifth time that Taeyeon has called tonight. I know I told you that I adore her but that doesn't mean she can interrupt a very important family meeting." Jessica rolls her eyes and crosses her arm. She can't believe that her mother had just called this a very important family meeting. There was no family besides her and her mother, so how in the world is this, a family meeting? And more importantly why is she the one getting lectured for Krystal stupid mistake of hanging out with friends, not phoning anyone and dying her hair an ugly color? "Sooyeon," her left brow rises in response, "why am I even bothering with you. I should let your dad handle this? He'll be much harsher."

"Only because Krystal kisses his ass," mumbles Jessica, "can I have my phone, please."

"I'm talking to you. I'm trying to teach you responsibility. Why would I give you something that's going to distract you? In fact I think I should take it away as punishment for not watching your sister. And for staying out last night and not phoning in."

"Then you should make Krystal sleep in a tent in the backyard for everything she's done."

"Krystal's a child who learns from her sister."

"Krystal is a teen mom. She's not some five year old anymore. You can't keep babying her. Take it from me, I've seen what happens when you shelter someone for so long." Mrs. Jung scoffs and turns her back to her daughter, "How in the world am I teaching Krystal to dye her hair? To stay out late, huh? I did once but after that..." Jessica slouches in her chair, "I give up... there's no point in arguing. Krystal's a saint and so is Yunho. Neither of them can do any wrong... but if I forget to tie a shoe lace, I'm going to hell."

"Not true," states her mother.

"It is so true... can I have my phone so I can tell Taeyeon that I'm grounded?" Mrs. Jung rolls her eyes and hands the phone over to Jessica. "Thank y - oh my god." Jessica stands up and rushes out of the room reading the text that Taeyeon had left her.

"Sooyeon!"

Ignoring her mother's call, Jessica heads straight for Krystal room, dialing Taeyeon's number. "Taeyeon. I'm sorry," she states into the phone, "I'll be right there. Let me find some shoes. How is Tiffany?"

"She's quiet... real quiet," comes Taeyeon's voice in a whisper. "She kicked everyone out of the room but Sooyoung. She doesn't even want to see Siwon." Jessica nods her head, totally forgetting that Taeyeon couldn't see her. "I tried calling earlier."

"I know... I was looking for Krystal and totally forgot to call you back. And then you called me five times in a row... kind of made you lose points with my mother. But whatever... I'm heading for the hospital now. I'll be there soon."

026

Her foot repeatedly taps against the tile floor; head in her hands. She swallows the saliva that's collected in her mouth. She wasn't too sure what to do in this predicament. None of them knows what to do but to wait it out. Wait until Tiffany announces what happened, or at least Sooyoung in this matter. The doctors won't say anything since Tiffany ordered it. She inhales deeply, combing her finger through her short locks. "Tae- " states Yoona as she reaches out for her older sister. A hand wraps around her wrist pulling it back. Looking over her shoulder, Yoona watches as Yuri shakes her head no.

Loud footsteps echo throughout the corridor, followed by a squeak and what seem to be some nurses shouting: 'No Running in the hallways!' All four girls along with Siwon look up to see Jessica sprinting down the hallway, dragging what looks to be her sister behind her. "Jessica?" questions Taeyeon as she forces herself up off the tiled floors. Jessica skids to a stop in front of Taeyeon; she releases Krystal's hand and bends over to catch her breath. "Krystal?"

"Don't get too happy to see me," mumbles Krystal while crossing her arms, "like I'd want to be here."

"Shut up," huffs Jessica, "You're lucky I even dragged you here instead of towards the police station." Taking one last deep breath, Jessica forces herself into a standing position. "How's Tiffany?"

"No one knows," states Yoona. Jessica turns and looks at the taller girl, "Tiffany's ordered the doctors not to say anything... even to that block head over there," she points at Siwon. "The only people who know are that doctors, Tiffany and Sooyoung, who by the way are all locked in the room. She won't allow anyone in and Sooyoung's only came out twice... but that was to get the nurses." Jessica nods her head and turns back to Taeyeon.

"Are you okay at least?" she questions.

"I just need a cigarette," mumbles Taeyeon, "and maybe something to drink." Jessica nods her head again; she digs in pockets of the jacket that she's wearing pulling out a lone half smoked cigarette. Taeyeon raises a brow looking at Jessica. Since when did the younger girl begin smoking?

"Long story short... it's that idiots," states Jessica while pointing at her sister. She hands over the nicotine filled item. "Let's go outside," she grabs Taeyeon's hand, "call us if something happens." Yoona nods her head, taking Taeyeon's position by the Tiffany's door. "Are you okay?" questions Jessica again. Taeyeon nods her head.

"Why is your sister here? It's been painfully obvious that she doesn't like me or Yoona."

"I just finally found her... well I did find her earlier but she took off running and I didn't feel like chasing her. So just a few minutes ago, while running here I ran into the idiot smoking a cigarette," answers Jessica, "I give up on her." Finally exiting the hospital, Taeyeon begins walking towards a bench, taking a seat. Jessica follows and takes a seat beside her.

"I think you should spend some time with your sister," states Taeyeon while lighting the cigarette. "Don't give up on her just yet. You didn't give up on me or Yoong... and look at us. We're on the right track, sort of." Jessica sighs loudly. Spend time with Krystal? It's absurd. The little girl is just plainly out of control and she's not even in high school yet. "All Krystal needs is... " Taeyeon pauses, thinking. What did she and her sister do? "That's it," Jessica looks at Taeyeon, "Krystal needs to change the type of people that she hangs out with. That's what Yoona and I did. We started hanging out with you and Sooyoung more. And then Yoona began hanging out with Seohyun also. What Krystal needs is peers that are you know... like you."

"How in the world am I supposed to find peers that are like- " Hyoyeon approaches them, interrupting Jessica's statement.

"Tiffany finally letting us in the room," states Hyoyeon. Taeyeon puts the cigarette out and slides it into her pocket. She stands, pulls Jessica up; the three of them enters the hospital. Out of the corner of her eyes, Jessica takes a peek at Taeyeon before grabbing the older girl's hand. The touch startles her a little, but a small smile makes its way across her face. Her smile causes for Jessica to smile.

All three of them enter the room; Taeyeon's eyes land on Tiffany who was curled in the fetal position. "Tiffany... you know you're not supposed to be like that," mumbles Sooyoung while forcing Tiffany back onto her back, "the doctors say it's not good for you."

She releases Jessica's hand and approaches Tiffany's bed. "What happened? Where's the baby?" Questions spill from her mouth. Tiffany slowly turns her head and looks at Taeyeon with soulless eyes. "Tiffany... where's the- "

"He's in an incubator," answers Sooyoung. Taeyeon's gaze rips from Tiffany's form landing on Sooyoung. "I'll um... show you. But it's only one person at a time for now."

"Go," whispers Jessica. Taeyeon nods her head and follows Sooyoung out of the room.

"Is he okay?" questions Taeyeon.

Sooyoung nods her head, shoving her hands in her pockets. "He's really tiny, you know," mumbles Sooyoung. "She was only at the end of her second trimester." Taeyeon nods her head. "Tiffany is scared," states Sooyoung, "she doesn't know how she's going to pay for all of this: the hospital bill, the surgery, and keeping him in an incubator." Sooyoung stops walking. She turns and looks at Taeyeon, "she's going to tell them to let him go and take him off the incubator. I don't think she should do that... not because that's my nephew. But... I don't want to see Tiffany hurt. She's a friend after all, a really good one."

"I don't... I... I can't prioritize Tiffany again," states Taeyeon. "I mean that's my nephew also, but I also need to take care of myself and Yoona. I have the rent and bills. I... I can set it aside for now for all of this, but I don't think my paycheck is going to pay for all of this, at least not one paycheck. And if I fall behind on everything, I'm out." She sighs deeply.

"I'll help. I'm sure Jessica will help. So will Yoona and Yuri, I know they'll more than likely help," Taeyeon nods her head and shoves her own hands into her pocket.

"What about your brother?" questions Taeyeon.

"We were discussing that. I'm not sure what Tiffany is going to do about that." The conversation comes to a halt as they enter the neonatal intensive care unit. Sooyoung heads for the small desk by the door. "The doctors state that we have to fill this out, call that phone and then we get access to see him." Taeyeon nods her head and follows Sooyoung's directions. "Hello, I'd like to visit bed 08," states Sooyoung into the phone. A buzzing noise emits from the door. Taeyeon reaches for the knob opening the door.

"Sinks?" questions Taeyeon.

"I guess they want for us to wash our hands before we go in the back," suggest Sooyoung. Quickly washing their hands, both girls enter the back room. Eyes take in the computers, wires, nurses and incubators. Lights dim and room cold. Taeyeon looks at the taller girl. This is where her nephew's located? In a room filled with machines? But Tiffany said that things were fine, that the baby was fine. So what caused her to go into her early labor? Teeth tug on her bottom lip. Is she going to have to make Tiffany her priority again? Eyes cast sideways. "Here," she looks up at Sooyoung. "This gives us access."

Taeyeon takes the visitors pass and places it on her shirt. Sooyoung grabs Taeyeon's hand and pulls her towards station 08. Taeyeon takes in the incubator and the small baby inside. Eyes trail along the multiple wires that connect his tiny body to the large machines. Sooyoung wasn't lying; he was - is tiny. She sighs and walks close the glass. "Does he have a name?"

"No... not yet," answers Sooyoung while stepping around to the opposite side. Taeyeon looks up at the monitors before looking back down at him. "They say he's perfectly healthy... " She looks at Sooyoung. "He just needs to be here until Tiffany can take him home." She nods her head for the umpteenth time. Silence falls over the two girls as they watch the little boy contently, only moving or speaking when a nurse came over to check on him.

30 minutes pass and both girls decide that they had seen him long enough and that it was time to leave. "The birth certificate, is you brother down as the father?" questions Taeyeon. Surprisingly Sooyoung shakes her head no. "Then who is?" Sooyoung points at herself. "You're kidding right? You're brother is the biological father."

"Your sister said that I was the father since I was playing the role more than Siwon was." Taeyeon smiles a little and shakes her head. Tiffany must be out of her mind. Sooyoung and Siwon maybe siblings but Siwon has anger issues. They open the door, exiting out of the NICU running straight in Jessica.

"What- "

"Tiffany fell asleep. Yoona left with Yuri. Hyoyeon went home and Yunho came for Krystal. As for Siwon... I have no clue where he went," interrupts Jessica. She looks at Sooyoung, "Tiffany wants for you to be her lone visitor that stays the night with her. I've already called you mom and told her. "

"Thank you," mumbles Sooyoung as she walks away leaving the older two girls alone.

"What now?" asks Taeyeon while shoving her hands into her pockets. Jessica shrugs her shoulders. "Okay then... I'm tired, so I'm going to head on home. I'll see you- " Jessica grabs Taeyeon hand and begins walking around the hospital.

"So how's he doing?" questions Jessica. Taeyeon looks at their hands; her eyes dart up to Jessica's face.

"His nurse says he's okay. It's just that he was born really small and very underweight." Jessica doesn't respond but Taeyeon knows that the younger girl was listening. There was never a time when Jessica wouldn't listen, unless you count their first few meetings. "What are we?" asks Taeyeon.

"Humans," jokes Jessica even though she clearly knows what Taeyeon was asking. Looking over at the smaller girl, her eyes take in the un-amused look on Taeyeon's face. "We are two teens, who happened to like each other and are informally going out since neither one of us asked the other, but I'm still dragging you along to get something to eat from the nasty cafeteria food." She gives Taeyeon a small smile. In which the older girl returns.

"So does that mean that we are official?" questions Taeyeon. Jessica shrugs her shoulders. "Would you even want to date me formally and stuff?" Jessica shrugs her shoulder again. "Why would you want to do something like that?"

"If I did want to date you formally it's because I like you," answers Jessica.

"But that's... gross," mumbles Taeyeon slipping back into old habits. "Y-you're not gross... but dating in public is... " She finishes her sentence off with a gagging noise. Jessica rolls her eyes in response.

"So you don't want to date?" questions Jessica. "I thought you liked being open and what not. I thought you didn't care what people think."

"I don't," mutters Taeyeon. "I... It's not something that I'd like to do. This... holding hands and hanging out... I can do. But to date and stuff is... bleh." She makes a disgusted face. "I like where we are at now. I like that we are friends and maybe a little more." A low chuckle escapes Jessica's lips. Stopping in front of Taeyeon, her free hand reaches out. Fingers slide in Taeyeon's locks at the base of her head. She leans forward, pressing her lips lightly against the corner of Taeyeon's mouth.

"We can stay like this," she whispers, "it's actually more peaceful than my past relationships." Taeyeon nods her head.

"Then we can forget about eating at the cafeteria and go back to my apartment and eat instant noodles?" questions the older girl. The younger one nods her head again. "Good, I need to save money. I have more than rent to pay for now."

027

"Have you seen him yet?" Her question was directed towards her younger sister. Yoona shakes her head no.

"Taeng told me about the room and all the machines and wires. I'm better off waiting until he comes home," responds Yoona while leaning back in her chair.

"He's not coming home," states Tiffany. Yoona automatically sits up, so does the older girl sitting on the other side of the room. "I can't pay for all of it. So it's best if you guys say your hello and goodbyes now." Yoona opens her mouth but Tiffany puts her hand up stopping her, "It's my decision alright. I don't want to take money from anyone who can't give it right now. So it's best for me to handle it this way then."

"Adoption?" suggests Yoona ignoring the hand. She swats it to the side. Tiffany shakes her head no.

"I'm not going to make someone else deal with my problems. I've already made my decision. I'm going to let everyone say hello and goodbye... and then... " She looks down at her hands, curling and uncurling her fingers. Eyes were watering and turning warm. "Everything is taken care of. All I'll have to pay is my hospital fees and the birth certificate fee, which Sooyoung is going to split with me, since we've scribbled her name down on as the father."

"They're allowing you to put Sooyoung's name on the birth certificate as his father?" questions Taeyeon while adjusting in her seat. She turns her attention from the television screen to her sister that was lying on the hospital bed. Tiffany smiles a little; her hand wipes away the tears that were building. "I take that as a yes."

"What kind of doctors do they have working here?" questions Yoona while leaning back in hers. "Sooyoung is obviously a woman, so how in the world is she the father? It's like impossible unless some freakishly weird thing happened. Or is Sooyoung a trans- "

"No!" shouts Tiffany while throwing her extra pillow at the youngest girl in the room. "Siwon is just the donor. Or at least that's how I'm beginning to see him. Sooyoung's been taking care of me, of the baby. She's the actual father not Siwon." She looks at Taeyeon, "It's only right that I give her more than the 'auntie' title, right? If he's not going to be here then I want to give her something more meaningful."

"She could have been the god parent or something," states Yoona butting back into the conversation. "What's the world going to think - screw the world, what's he going to think when he finds out that you scribbled his aunt's name down as the father on his birth certificate?"

"I'll inform him that his father is nothing more than a mere pompous arrogant fool who thought that he can control me," remarks Tiffany.

"He did control you," comments Taeyeon as her gaze moves back to the flickering screen, "he made you sleep with him, he made you get engaged to him and he made you leave, remember?" A sour looks makes its way across Tiffany's face. Her sister didn't have to bring it up, at least not now, right? Taeyeon turns and looks at her younger sister. "I take it either the labor made you forget your memory or you just don't want to remember."

"You're still butt hurt over that aren't you?" questions Tiffany in return. Taeyeon rolls her eyes.

"Taeyeon and butt hurt don't belong in the same sentence," comments Yoona, "besides all the time she spends with Jessica should make up for it." Taeyeon looks around Tiffany at the youngest on the other side of the room. "So are you two dating or what?"

"I should ask you the same question," remarks Taeyeon, "are you and Yuri finally dating? Or did you decide to finally just go out with Seohyun instead?" Tiffany's eyes widen slightly. Yoona likes two girls? Since when?

"Dating Seohyun would be weird, especially if there is a possibility that our mother made her mute," her eyes cast downwards, "and Yuri's okay. She's still gross though."

"You're dating Yuri? Since when?" questions Tiffany.

"Since never. We only went on one date and it was after we left the hospital," mumbles Yoona, still not looking at her older siblings. "And before you ask it was okay. She took me out to eat and then we went to an arcade and stuff. Who takes people out to an arcade?" questions Yoona while lifting her head up, "but she did kick this one guy's ass at that stupid dancing game. She even set a new high score."

"I take it you had fun?" questions Tiffany.

Yoona shrugs her shoulders, "she's still a nerd to me... but I guess I can kind of live with it. If Jessica and Taeyeon can set aside their differences then why can't I?" Tiffany turns and looks back at the oldest.

"It's not like that," mumbles Taeyeon, "We're just friends."

"Who kiss," adds Yoona with a sly smirk. "You two thought that me and Yuri were gone, but we saw you the other night. Jessica kissed you." Taeyeon rolls her eyes. "I even have a picture."

"As I was saying," states Taeyeon shifting Tiffany's attention from Yoona, "You're going to make her the father? She's Siwon's younger sister... think about what you're doing here Tiffany. You're going to cause a riff between them."

"There is already a riff," mumbles Tiffany while looking down at the white blanket. "They don't get along... they never got along." She looks at Taeyeon, "and... what if the Choi I'm supposed to have fallen in love with is Sooyoung? What if I made a mistake?"

"Too late for that," mumbles Yoona. Both of her sisters roll their eyes. "It's true."

"It's not," states Tiffany in return. "I mean... I'm not sure what I think of Sooyoung. But I like the fact that she takes care of me when others don't." The left brow rises on Taeyeon's face. "Not you. I mean Siwon. He never took care of me, never took me to see a doctor, never made sure I had prenatal meds, if I was eating, if I was stressed and what not." She sighs, shaking her hair. "But Sooyoung did all that. Sooyoung made sure everything was taken care of and I never asked her to." Her head turns back and forth between her two sisters, "Sooyoung deserves this, like I already said."

"How will you explain this to people? They're going to start talking," questions Taeyeon.

"I'll tell them that Siwon raped me." Yoona breaks into a loud laugh startling the two older girls. "What?"

"Wow... you are seriously asking for a beating. First you named his SISTER as the father and now you're going to accuse him of rape." Yoona giggles a little. She leans to the side and looks at Taeyeon, "I hope you're ready to beat the living daylights out of a six foot something giant. Cause once he catches wind of all this he's going to beat her to a pulp."

"This isn't funny Yoona," states Tiffany.

"You're right, it's hilarious." Tiffany releases a groan and falls back on the bed. Maybe she should just kick them out and call Sooyoung to come visit her. At least she wouldn't have to argue with these two idiots. "But no, really? You're going to accuse him?"

"It wasn't as if I agreed to sleep with him in the first place," mutters Tiffany. She drapes arm over her eyes. "I told him no, and he did it anyways." She peeks out from under her arm at Taeyeon, "can you let Sooyoung stay with you for a while? Until I clearly explain things to the raging lunatic." Taeyeon shakes her head no. "Please... you don't understand. He'll... he'll..."

"He will, what?" questions Taeyeon.

"You can't let Sooyoung know that I told you. She hasn't even told Jessica yet and they're like best friends," states Tiffany. She takes a deep breath, "Siwon abuses her, like physically, mentally and sexually. He's homophobic and been abusing her since middle school when he found out that Sooyoung had a slight interest in girls. Well it was more like he walked in Sooyoung and Jessica making out." She takes another deep breath, "that's why I need for her to stay at your place. Siwon isn't crazy enough to storm your place. So please allow Sooyoung to stay... she'll even be willing to pay."

Exhaling loudly, Taeyeon nods her head. Not only does she have to find her brother and help pay for Tiffany's bills, but now she has to protect Jessica's best friend from a raving lunatic. Her life can't get any worse, can it? Her phone rings, causing for her to dig into her pockets. She pulls the device out and a confused expression crosses her face. She doesn't recognize the number. "Is everything all right?" questions both Tiffany and Yoona simultaneously.

She ignores her sisters and answers the phone. "Hello?"

"Hello. This is a collect call from an inmate at the women's detention center. To obtain the call please press zero," Taeyeon presses one and stares at the phone, "thank you for obtaining the call. This call is recorded. To not have you call recorded please speak with your attorney - Taeyeon?" Taeyeon freezes at the sound of her mother's voice.

"M-mom?" Yoona's eyes widen and Tiffany's mouth drops.

"Who'd you think it would be?" responds her mother. "You don't know anyone else who's in prison do you? Oh right you did run around with a bunch of thugs." Teeth tug on her bottom lip. She wasn't too sure how to handle a random phone call from a mother - her mother.

"W-what do you need?" questions Taeyeon. Her free hand grips her knee tightly.

"Well I'm being put up for probation pretty soon. Good behavior and I spoke to my sister. She says you have an apartment - "

"You want to move in... with me?" Her gaze lowers to her feet. Tiffany reaches over and grabs the phone, hanging up.

She turns to look at Yoona, "I need for you to tell Jessica that we're going to need to change Taeyeon's cell number. And to not give out to any - "

"No!" shouts Taeyeon, "it's the only number that Taemin knows. I don't have a house phone... if we change it, he won't be able to contact me." She sighs, "I'll just have to reject her calls for now." She stands, "I'm going... Yoona stay out of trouble. And Tiffany, call me if something comes up, though I think that you're going to call Sooyoung before anyone else. Oh... tell Sooyoung that she is more than welcomed and if I'm not there then I'm more than likely at work." Tiffany nods her head and waves her older sister off.

With hands in her pockets Taeyeon exits out of the room, leaving her younger siblings alone. She needs a cigarette, maybe even a can of beer and not to mention to beat the living daylights out of her aunt. How could that woman just give her number away? Sure she'll defend her but that doesn't mean that she wants to see and speak to her. With a heavy sigh, she pulls a spare cigarette out of her pocket and lights it the moment she steps out of the hospital.

-----

She crosses her arms. This was the most difficult task that she has ever had. How in the world is she supposed to find her younger sister a new clique to hang out with when the younger girl was being so stubborn? She looks at the younger girl and snarls. This would be so much easier if she could just shove Krystal under a bus. A small smile makes its way across her face as she thinks about her sister being flattened. "What are you smiling about?" questions Krystal rudely.

"You being flattened by a bus," admits Jessica. Krystal scoffs. Both of the Jung girls enter the small café and take a seat.

Krystal looks around the room when a small group pass by their table, "Hi Soojung," they greet with waves. Krystal ignores them and turns her attention to her older sister.

"They seem nice," states Jessica while trying to make small talk.

"Yeah right. Luna talks too much and won't shut up, ever. Amber is awkward. I can't understand Victoria half of the time. Jonghyun is an arrogant ******* who I find really annoying and Onew trips over his own two feet," mumbles Krystal.

The names sound so familiar. "Isn't that the group you and Jinri hung out with before?"questions Jessica. Krystal rolls her eyes again. "Roll your eyes again and I'm going to dig them out of their sockets." Krystal clicks her tongue. Jessica sighs; they weren't getting anywhere. "Why don't you hang out with them again."

"I don't want to become you," states Krystal. "That was probably what I wanted when I was younger. But I know the truth now and I don't want it anymore. I want nothing to do with you. So go find your new sister and your girlfriend and leave me alone."

"What do you mean you know the truth?"

"About why mom and dad want a divorce. You're the reason why. And I'm the reason why they haven't. I don't want to be the reason why they haven't anymore. I don't want to be part of the reason for an unhappy family," answers Krystal. Her hands grip the edge of the table. Jessica becomes confused and it's evident upon her face. "You're the reason why they want to break you. Why couldn't they just get the divorce huh? Why are they using me as the only thing to hold the family together, huh? What's the point? After another year you'll be gone off to college somewhere and me... I'm going to be stuck at home with either one parent or two upset ones."

"Krystal just what exactly are you talking about?" questions Jessica.

"You," she points at her older sister, "are what's causing the riff. Mom is harder on you because of your sexual preference. She won't deny you your rights to dating people. But because you'd rather date girls more than boys then she's going to be tougher. And dad hates that mom isn't doing anything about it." She looks off to the side, "it's why dad favors me and why mom favors Yunho. Because Yunho has a girlfriend whose he's been dating since he was in high school. And because dad wants for me to grow up and marry Minho."

Jessica scoffs and leans back in her chair, "I thought that you were going to say something along the lines of me being a love child or something."

"You could be. You look nothing like us. And I've heard dad yell that you weren't his before." Krystal abruptly stands, "can we go home. This is boring and if I wanted to be bored then I would at least like to get my homework done." Jessica could only nod her head. Both girls exit the café and make their way home.

-----

Yoona peeks her head though the door and looks around for her adoptive family. "Yoona, is there a reason why you're sneaking around?" She enters into the house to find her adoptive father sitting on the couch. She closes the door softly and takes a seat next to him on the couch. "Is there something you need? You do know you can always ask."

Yoona nods her head and plays with her hands, "Can I ask a favor of you?" questions Yoona as she turns and looks at the elderly man. He gives her a smile and a pat on the head. "My sister is in the hospital, my real sister... and she needs helps paying her bills. Me and my friends can only foot up so much because we're looking for my biological brother who was taken." Her gaze falls back on her hands, "is it okay if I ask to borrow a little bit of money to you know... pay for the bill."

"I don't know Yoona, you know how your mother and I feel about you hanging out with those girls," he states, his attention shifts back to the television. "They aren't good role models for you."

"Please... I don't want to lose my nephew," mumbles Yoona. He turns back to his adoptive daughter. Did she just say nephew? "I'll do anything you want, promise. I'll attend the all girls private school. I'll quit hanging out with Taeyeon. I'll put all my efforts into my studies. I just don't for Tiffany to do something so drastic."

"Tiffany? I thought we didn't like Tiffany," he comments.

"We don't... or at least we didn't... " She looks up at her father, "Tiffany got pregnant. Her boyfriend forced himself onto her. He promised to take care of her, but all he did was send her into an early labor. My nephew is so tiny and underweight that they have him in the neonatal intensive care unit. Tiffany's thinking of telling them to take him off the incubator and the machines. She wants to let him go instead of making us all suffer by paying her bills." She sighs, "please... we've suffered enough with Taemin being taken away. I don't think we can deal with anymore pain."

She wasn't going to let anyone of her family suffer anymore. Taeyeon's in enough pain as it is with Taemin not being around and finding out her sister was pregnant. Not to mention that their mother called today. And as much as she hates Tiffany, she wasn't going to let the girl who took care of her when Taeyeon didn't suffer anymore. And she definitely was going to let Sooyoung suffer also. She's the only one who could do something about it. And she was willing to make the sacrifices.

"Yoona- "

"Please," begs Yoona. She drops onto her knees in front of her father. "Please. I'll do anything, I promise. Please don't let him die..." Her voice begins wavering; eyes become watery. Her gaze lowers to his loafers. Hands curl into fists. "Please... I never asked of much from you. I never demanded anything. But please just this once... " Her voice cracks; her defense crumbles and tears spill.

"Yoona?" questions her adoptive mother as she and Yoona's adoptive sister enter the living room. Her adoptive father raises his hand motioning for his wife and daughter to be quiet.

"Please. We can go to the school and enroll me tomorrow morning. I'll cut off all communication with Taeyeon. You can have my phone." She digs in her pocket and tosses her cell phone onto the couch. "I'll study harder. I'll bring my grades up. I'll do anything... just please help my family." Mr. Im sighs and looks at his wife.

"I see what I can do Yoona. Go upstairs and get cleaned up. Start on your homework and we'll go see the dean of the private school tomorrow." Yoona flings herself onto her father wrapping him in a tight hug.

"Thank you," she whispers before running upstairs. A sad smile makes its way across her face. She wipes her tears. "Sometimes you need to make sacrifices," she mumbles to herself while entering her bedroom.

------

She stares at the pot on the stove waiting for it boil. A small groan escapes her lips. She was hungry and the water was taking too long to boil. With a huff, she crosses her arms and leans against the counters. "You know a watched pot never boils." Her attention shifts to the intruder.

"What are you doing here?" she asks, pushing herself away from the counters. "Are you hungry?"

"No... I ate at home. And I could as you the same thing. Don't you have work?" questions Jessica while taking a seat on the countertop. Taeyeon shakes her head no.

"Sunny's dad gave me some time off to help get Tiffany situated," answers Taeyeon, turning her gaze back to the pot. "Boil you stupid thing." A small laugh escapes Jessica's lips. Did Taeyeon not hear her? Taeyeon looks up at the laughing girl with a questioning look.

"A watched pot doesn't boil," she states over again.

"Then what do you suggest I do? I'm hungry," mumbles Taeyeon. The younger girl shrugs her shoulders. Taeyeon frowns a little and turns back to the pot. "So how did you're day with Krystal go?"

"She not only hates me for hanging out with you and Yoona, but she also hates the fact that our parents are using her as the reason why they want to stick together. And then she's got this cracked out theory that because I like girls, it's the reason why our parents want a divorce. Both of them told me no and said that that wasn't the reason," explains Jessica, "it turns out that I might not be a child of one of them." Taeyeon quickly turns and looks at Jessica. "They won't say who but I think I might not be my father's. If that's even true... who knows, my idiot of a family might be scheming and plotting something."

"I'm here for you if you need anything," states Taeyeon. Jessica smiles a little and hops off the counter. She approaches Taeyeon wrapping her arms around the older girl's waist. Taeyeon stiffens at the action; she still wasn't use to the hugs. "Can you not do that?" she questions, "I'm trying to cook."

"You're technically watching a pot and not letting it boil. You're only going to starve yourself some more," replies Jessica lazily. Taeyeon sighs and shifts in Jessica's embrace.

"My mom called today," mutters Taeyeon. Jessica tightens her grip around the older girl's waist. "She says she's getting out early for good behavior. And that she wants to move in."

"What was your response?"

"I didn't have one. Tiffany grabbed the phone and hung up."

"Good. I can barely keep you a float now. Having her back would only make things harder on you. And things are pretty hard now. I'm pretty sure you're going to allow Tiffany to move back in. And then there's the baby. I also heard that Sooyoung's going to be bunking here for a while, or at least that's what she told me. And then there is Taemin's situation. All of this isn't healthy and you don't need to add anymore onto it, you know." Taeyeon nods her head. She reaches to the side grabbing the pack of instant noodles. "Are you listening to me?"

"Yeah," responds Taeyeon. "You think it's a good idea if my mother doesn't come to stay with me." She looks at the slightly taller girl, giving her a small smile. "I'm hungry not deaf." Jessica sighs loudly. "Um... the dance is coming up... are you still going?"

"I don't think you're sister will be up for a dance. And Yuri said she and Yoona aren't going. And since Sooyoung isn't exactly a junior she can't go either." She watches as Taeyeon cooks the noodles, "how about we just stay all come over here and have a small get together?" Taeyeon shrugs her shoulders. "I'm going to take that as a yes." Jessica releases Taeyeon from her grip and looks around for Taeyeon's pet.

"Dog is more than likely in my room," states Taeyeon as she dumps the noodles into a bowl.

"You haven't named her yet?"

"Yeah, her name is Dog. It's unique and creative."

"It says that her owner is lazy and uncreative." Taeyeon waves Jessica off and scoops some up a mouthful of noodles. The younger girl watches her eat, carefully. She takes a step forward; her thumb slides across Taeyeon's lip. All the older girl could do was blink. "Noodle," states Jessica, showing said piece of food to the older girl.

-----

"You're kidding right?" Yoona shakes her head no as she takes a peek at her computer screen. "This is going to hurt Taeyeon... and you know it. Jessica told you before that this is one of Taeyeon's fears."

"I know," mumbles Yoona. She turns her attention to her textbooks. "But I want to help. I don't want to be the sister that can't do anything. I can't help with Taemin because I'm not related. I can't help Taeyeon pay bills because I have a home. This is the only thing that I can do, Yuri." The girl on the computer screen releases a frustrated groan.

"But are you sure that you're willing to give up having your older sister in your life?" questions Yuri. "Even more so... the school that you're going to be attending is a boarding school. How are we supposed to go on our dates?"

"Who said anything about dating you, you nerd?" retorts Yoona as she leans back in her seat. "We're only f-friends." She hears Yuri scoff.

"I'll ignore that... but are you sure that you want to sacrifice something like this?" Yoona nods her head. "You want to know something?" Yoona looks at the screen. "You're sacrifice is making me like you even more." Her statement startles Yoona; the younger girl topples over, slamming into the floor. Footsteps echo outside her room, causing for her to rush to the computer and close the window.

"Yoona, are you okay?" The door opens revealing her adoptive parents. Yoona nods her head and picks her chair up.

"Yeah... I was stretching and accidentally fell."

"Well dinners done, come get something to eat." She nods her head and takes a look at the screen before following her parents out of the room. Yuri words replay in her mind. A small smile forms. Yuri's falling for her even more. And that means that she might not give up so easily. It also means that Yoona still has time to figure herself out. "Yoona?" She looks up to see her family staring at her.

"I'm fine," she mumbles, taking a seat at the table.