Chapter LXXXV - Hidden Feelings

The sound of waves crashing against the shore echoed across the sandy beach as Ari’s feet which were knee-deep in the water got tingly from the cold. At the same time, Sophie and Yeona sat on a towel underneath a tree, hiding from the searing sun. It was the first time the three of them managed to be alone since coming to the beach house, so they wanted the whole day to themselves.

“So, what do you think they’ll get Max for his birthday?” Yeona asked, glancing over at Sophie as she slowly undressed into her swimsuit.

“We’re pretty much leaving it up to Iseul to decide,” Sophie answered as she threw her shirt to the side. “Would you mind putting sunscreen on my back?”

“Turn around.” Yeona reached for her backpack.

“Is it really okay that we left it to them to do the shopping?” Ari asked, walking up to them.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Sophie looked confused.

“I mean, we haven’t really done anything to help out,” Ari explained, lending Yeona a hand to get up.

“We could help clean up the house once we got back,” Yeona suggested. “Or we could cook something for a change.”

“That sounds like a great idea!” Sophie said, turning her back to Yeona. “The cooking, not the cleaning. I’m tired of doing that all the time back home.”

“Art doesn’t help you?” Ari asked.

“He does, but he’s often with the others or over at Irene’s place, so I do it whenever I have free time. Grandpa can’t really do it since he’s always working.”

“How’s your grandpa?” Yeona asked.

“He said he’s fine when we last talked over the phone, but you know how it is. . . He’s getting older and I just want to help him out as soon as I can.”

“Still working that online job?” Ari asked.

“Yeah. It allows me not to ask for an allowance, and I can pay off my phone bill.”

“I’m sure he appreciates it,” Yeona mentioned.

“Anyway, what should we make?” Ari asked.

“How about dinner for everyone?” Yeona asked, rubbing Sophie’s shoulders. “We have plenty of things in the fridge.”

“Sounds good to me. Maybe we can get the guys out of the house while we do that and make it a surprise once we get back.” Sophie pushed her hair forward.

“I could message Don to see if he can get them away in secret,” Ari looked to Yeona, who looked a bit down.

“Totally!” Sophie got excited, turning to Yeona. “Thanks.”

“Do mine?” Yeona asked, turning around while handing Sophie the sunscreen.

While Sophie took it without hesitation and started applying it, Ari focused more on Yeona’s saddened expression.

“Hey, Yeona,” she spoke up, sitting next to them.

“Hm?”

“You okay?”

“Yeah, why?”

“You seem a bit out of it, so I was wondering if you wanted to talk about it.”

“I’m really fine,” she averted her gaze.

“Hey, don’t do that,” Sophie said quietly, looking over her shoulder. “If something’s troubling you, talk to us.”

“It’s,” She sighed, averting her gaze. “Nothing. . .”

“We can’t force you to talk, but if you need to, we’re here,” Ari said, glancing up at her with her knees bent up to her chest and arms wrapped around them.

“I just can’t,” she mumbled with a brittle voice, tears forming in her eyes slowly.

“It’s about Art, isn’t it?” Sophie asked soft-spoken.

The mention of the name finally got to Yeona as her tears escaped her. She tried wiping them with the back of her palm but quietly kept sobbing. Sophie got closer and hugged her, trying to soothe her the best she could.

“No. . .” She tried lying, but it was too obvious.

“Hey, it’s okay. . .” Sophie whispered.

“It’s not,” she said, dropping her head on Sophie’s shoulder.

‘Yeona. . .“ Ari said, lowering her voice.

“Talk to us,” Sophie whispered, holding her tight. “We’re friends.”

“I said I wouldn’t make a scene, and you already forgave me for lying and-”

“That doesn’t mean you can’t tell us,” Sophie interrupted her rant. “Besides, nobody expected you to just hold everything back.”

“But-”

“No buts. . .”

Hearing Sophie protest the idea of Yeona keeping everything in finally got to her. Emotions flooded out uncontrollably, showing just how much she pushed back. As for the two, they tried calming her down the best they could, but it still took a while for her to let it all out. Once she stopped sobbing, the three sat down to talk.

“I didn’t want to seem like I don’t support the two being together. I really do. . .” Yeona explained, taking the tissue Ari offered before wiping the last bit of tears away. “But it hurts when I see them together, regardless of how much I deny it.”

“That’s normal,” Sophie mentioned.

“You still have feelings for him, right?” Ari asked.

“Yeah, but I’m trying to move on.”

“That’s all you can do,” Sophie told her, putting her hand on Yeona’s thigh. “Just focus on yourself, and things’ll get better.”

“They will?” Yeona asked, sounding doubtful.

“Trust me,” Sophie reassured her.

“And we’ll do what we can to help you,” Ari said. “Us first years have to stick together after all.”

“Thanks. . .” Yeona said as her mood improved significantly.

“Now let’s have fun, and later we can sneak into the house and surprise everyone,” Sophie got up, offering her hand to both.

Little did they know that their day would turn out exhausting with all the crazy ideas that came to mind, but after Don confirmed that he could get the boys out of the house, it was too late to back out of their plan.

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“Alright,” Sophie whispered, opening the deck door. “We got two hours at best, so we have to make it count.”

“I’ll wash the dishes,” Ari mentioned.

“Yeona, can you help me with prepping food?”

“Why are we whispering?” Yeona questioned them, resulting in the three snickering before they got down to work.

----------------------------------------

“You think he’ll like it?” Irene asked, holding a warped-up box as the girls sat down at a cafe back in town after shopping for about an hour or so.

“Don’t worry, he’ll love it. I’m still surprised we found them here of all places,” Iseul said, taking a sip of her juice since she wasn’t big on coffee like the others.

“Well, you know best.” She chuckled, looking at the others. “So. . . How’s it going between Hyun and you?”

“Us?” Nabi looked surprised as she wasn’t expecting the conversation to suddenly shift to her relationship.

“Who else?” Iseul asked, leaning down on her left hand.

“I, umm. . .”

“Uh-oh,” Irene mumbled, looking a bit worried. “Something happened?”

“No, no. . . It’s not like that,” Nabi defended herself.

“Then what is it?” Irene asked.

“Leave her alone,” Amelia interrupted her mild interrogation, putting down her cup of coffee.

“It’s fine,” Nabi said, thankful that Amelia was ready to handle Irene’s curious personality. Irene was after all the most assertive in the group. “It’s just that I feel like I’m leaving him a bit disappointed.”

“Disappointed?” Iseul asked, raising her brow.

“Yeah. It’s like he expected more out of the trip.”

“I mean, he sort of has to join us if he wants to have more fun,” Iseul commented, unafraid of speaking the truth. “He’s been keeping to himself a lot.”

“Maybe spending time with the boys today will help him out.” Irene wondered. ”But, I’ll say this. It’s not your job to keep him entertained.”

“That’s true. However, I think it has to do more with us than it has to do with the actual trip. He’s been trying to be more intimate with me, and I’ve been sort of. . .”

“Not in the mood for it?” Iseul asked.

“I’m not sure,” Nabi looked down to the table, lowering her voice. “It’s weird, isn’t it? He’s my first boyfriend, and I’m not exactly sure what I want out of it.”

“Then just tell him that,” Irene suggested. “I’ve always found being honest about things to be the best approach for both.”

“I can’t just bring it up like that,” Nabi glanced up, looking confused as to what she should do.

“Sure you can, if that’s what you want.” Irene stretched her arms up, getting a bit tired of sitting around for so long. “I mean, if you’re not going to communicate with your partner, then who’re you going to actually talk to?”

“She’s right you know,” Iseul said before glancing back at Irene. “However, I think it’s time we finally talked about you though.”

Iseul wanted to change the subject, noticing that Nabi was getting a bit uncomfortable with the idea of confronting her boyfriend. After all, it was something she had to decide for herself. Amelia on the other hand, remained a neutral party as she wasn’t that close with Nabi.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Irene smirked, pushing her hair behind her ear. “I’m not sure there’s much to talk about.”

“Yeah, right. . .” Iseul chuckled. “Yeona and you having a competition over your now boyfriend sounds like a pretty intriguing story to tell.”

“But you already know all that,” Irene pointed out.

“We still haven’t talked about it,” Iseul mentioned. “Just because I know some of the details, doesn’t mean I understand the whole story. So?”

“Fine, fine, but only if they want to hear it too.” Irene glanced toward Nabi and Amelia who already leaned in to listen intently. Irene awkwardly smiled in response before letting out a sigh. “You guys. . .”

“Not nice being on the receiving end of someone’s relentless curiosity?” Nabi asked jokingly, making the others snicker.

“No, no. . . I got this,” Irene said smugly. “If you’re dying to know the details then I’m all for telling. Besides, I just get to brag, don’t I?”

“Sure you do,” Iseul teased.

“Whatever,” Irene chuckled, letting out a sigh as she leaned back. “Let’s see. . . Sure, I was shocked when I found out about their history together, but that wasn’t going to affect our relationship. Besides, it’s in the past, and I don’t let it bother me.”

“So you good with Yeona?” Nabi asked, a bit curious as well about how that worked out.

“I mean, there’s no reason not to be. It’s not like I don’t understand why she did what she did. And, if it was the other way around, I’m not sure when I’d stop perusing him.”

“At least she admits it,” Iseul kept teasing.

“I’ve always been real about these things,” she pointed out, taking a sip of water.

“And Art and you?” Nabi asked. “How are things between the two?”

“Couldn’t be better if you asked me. I mean, we always got along well, and now I finally get to enjoy his embrace whenever I want to. He’s caring, attentive, and most of all fun to be around,” Irene smiled contently. ‘Can’t ask for more.“

“Gonna be the main topic again at school,” Nabi mentioned.

“Who the fuck cares?” Irene asked, annoyed by the other classmates they had.

“It always amazed me how little you cared what was being said,” Amelia spoke for a change, looking proudly at her younger sister.

“It’s not up to me to decide what others talk about, but I can sure as hell not give them the reaction they wanted.”

“So. . .” Nabi mumbled. “How far have you two gone?”

Honestly, nobody at the table expected such a question, but it was obvious that Nabi was feeling down because something felt off between Hyun and her.

“You mean other than kissing and hugging? Nothing really,” Irene said confidently. “I don’t believe we’re in a rush to do anything either. We’re still trying to get to know each other.”

“Don’t you already know a lot about him?” Nabi asked.

“No way. There’s still so much I don’t know about him and he about me,” she chuckled, leaning in closer. “That’s part of the fun, getting to know each other. Look, I know him well enough to put my trust in Arthur even with my life, and I also trust him that he’s patient enough for us to both feel comfortable with taking the next step. Any guy who cares about you should understand how important that is, so no need for me to feel pressured. It’s one thing to initiate and be daring, and a whole other if he disrespects my boundaries.”

“I agree,” Nabi said, but it lacked the confidence that Irene wanted to hear.

“Anyway, Art and I are doing great, and if he did want to do something more, I don’t believe I’d mind it. However, he earned that trust as we got to know each other better, so I feel safest when I’m around him.”

“That’s nice. . .”

“Now, Iseul-”

“You’re not switching the topic to me,” she cut Irene off before she could ask any questions. “You know I’m single, and I’ll stay like that for a while.”

“How come?” Amelia asked. “I’m sure you have loads of boys fawning over you.”

“Let’s just say my last relationship didn’t end so well, and I’m looking to get a bit of a break from boys.”

“Understandable,” Irene chuckled, knowing the story a bit better.

“So yeah, not much to talk about here. How about you Unnie?” Iseul glanced toward Amelia. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

“I don’t,” she awkwardly smiled.

“What about Sam?” Irene asked. “I thought you two were hitting it off at college the last time you told me.”

“Yeah, about that. It didn’t work out. . .” Amelia avoided the subject.

“I see,” Irene said, glancing at her intrigued and doubtful.

“I’ll be right back. Gotta use the bathroom.” Iseul stood up.

“Mind if I come with you?” Nabi asked, getting up after Iseul nodded.

Whatever the reason was that the two left, Irene had to have a bit of a chat with her sister. Letting out a sigh, she leaned in closer and lowered her voice.

“You’re not being a pushover again, are you?” Irene switched to English.

“What? No. . . Things just didn’t work out.”

“You can hide it from the others, but not from me. Is everything alright?”

“Hey, you’re forgetting I’m the older one,” she protested.

“And you’re also forgetting that I know you better than anyone.”

Amelia broke eye contact, having a hard time denying Irene’s words.

“You know I don’t do well around people I don’t know,” she lowered her voice.

Growing up, Amelia used to be quite the carefree kid, but as she enrolled in a school, her confidence got blown to bits by those that bullied her. She wasn’t as strong-willed as Irene, unable to fend off for herself which in the end cost her a lot. When high school came around, she tried her best to be at the top, hoping it would defend her against what happened before. And while it did work, she found herself isolated as many found her intimidating to approach. Her introverted nature prevented her from approaching others, making her social life outside school non-existent apart from the other council members.

Those that figured out who Amelia truly was as a person ended up using her for their benefit. She was always willing to help even if it meant having to sacrifice herself by overworking. Group assignments were often left for her to do alone, and even the student council slacked off cuz of it; something that drastically changed when Iseul took over as president. At some point, Amelia became too afraid to refuse to help others, worried over the idea that she’d get bullied or scorned for being selfish. Irene regularly tried helping her, and things looked up when she went to college.

Even when she met Arthur and the rest, she still struggled to appear as confident as she did, thus she kept talking only to a select few that made her comfortable.

“I know you find my prying annoying, so I’ll spare you, but please tell me he didn’t do anything to you?”

“He didn’t, don’t worry. And it’s not that I find it annoying, it’s just that it hurts to admit the truth sometimes,” she said, grabbing Irene’s hand. “But thanks for being there for me. Hope you know that you can lean on me as well if need be.”

“Of course I do. . .” Irene held her hand tightly, showing her a soft smile. “I love you.”

“Love you too,” Amelia glanced toward Irene who couldn’t resist moving closer and hugging her.

“Hope we’re not interrupting anything,” Iseul said, as she sat back down with Nabi behind her.

“That was fast,” Amelia commented.

“Want me to camp in there next time?” she chuckled.

“Oh! We should totally go camping one day,” Irene interrupted.

“You and your ideas. . .” Nabi dreaded the idea.

“What? It’ll be fun!”

“Let’s discuss it some other time,” Iseul shook her head.

“What about you?” Irene looked at her sister. “You’d join me, right?”

“Nah, someone told me not to be a pushover.”

“Using my words against me. . . Unbelievable.”

The girls laughed, preparing to slowly head back home.

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.