Chapter 114: Chapter 112 - Girl Talk

"Don't you think this is over the top? Is it really necessary to wear a gown to this thing?" I asked unsure as I looked at myself in the full length in Saehi's room.

"In the great words of Oscar Wilde - You can never be overdressed or over educated" she smiled overly sweetly at me as she put on her lipstick on her vanity.

This was the first time I was at her house.

This was no mansion as the Choi house but her family's duplex penthouse apartment could fit at least 5 of our entire building if not more.

And I was pretty sure her walk in closet was bigger than my family's apartment.

But I didn't allow myself to the self pity party of one that I always felt when I was around richer folks like her or the Heirs.

What kind of made me dumb founded was that she didn't even realize how big her room or apartment was. It wasn't something that even crossed her mind I am sure.

But then again if this was the reality you knew and grew up with, I don't think you would put your energy or effort into imagining what a life could be without it.

It was girls like me who were awestruck by this.

I stared at myself again in the mirror and the sparkly floor length dress I adorned.

It was beautiful. I couldn't deny it.

The maroon silk glided over my body like a second skin with Mandarin collar and gold silk lining the edges. Small cap sleeves with intricate embroidery connecting the design to my neck and back.

The cheongsam dress hugged my body till my waist and flowing out slightly to give it a modest look even with a slight slit at the back.

It was simple but the material itself has a sparkle to it, making it catch the lights in the room.

This dress was made for catching the eyes of people who looked at it.

It was the perfect blend of traditional and modern.

It looked straight out of a contemporary fairytale.

And I felt like an imposter in it.

"I don't know Saehi. I feel old in this. I don't think any 16 year old would wear something like this, party at Choi house or not" I shook my head even though I could not take my eyes off myself.

"Oh please, everyone will be wearing over the top outfits. As soon as you enter their premises, you'll see. And you'll probably feel underdressed" she pointed a makeup brush in my direction.

"Plus, you're like Cinderella. Imagine this is your ball and forget about reality till midnight" she joked.

Though if it fit the part, she would be the princess with her current outfit.

Saehi wore a lavender colored satin dress that ended mid calf, the accordian pleats of her skirt making the light fabric flow like liquid.

Her hair was left in loose waves with intricate metal silver flowers and beads tying half of it and she had done her make up to match her dress in skarly eyes, pink blush and light pink lips.

She held up two set of heels and asked for my opion and I pointed to the white dainty heels with pearls and lace.

She nodded in approval.

"I don't want to go" I lamented again.

"Normally I wouldn't force you to such events but I only agreed to go with Beomgyu because you are going with Soobin" she countered.

Yeah, that.

Somehow the conversation that day spiralled after Soobin asked me to be his date to the event.

Beomgyu convinced Saehi to accompany him and they even invited San.

So we were all going.

"You didn't seem to mind his invitation that much though" I suggested and she narrowed her eyes.

I wanted to know more about this hot and cold thing going on between her and Beomgyu.

"Would you like it if I told Beomgyu to fuck off and told him I changed my mind so you have to go alone?" She countered with a raised eyebrow at me and I shook my head instantly.

I was glad that at least I'd have Saehi and San there but it did little to apease me right now.

Things were still rocky with Yeonjun and I stopped trying to message him because he clearly was still in a pissy mood and wasn't open to a conversation.

"But really... I am curious about you and Beomgyu. Surely I am not the only one who notices the chemistry between the two of you" I said, diverting my mind from the dark haired devil and to other topics.

"If we're really on the topic of chemistry, wanna let me on onto whatever is going on between Yeonjun, You, and Soobin?" She smirked in a challenge.

So much for diverting from Yeonjun.

"You're changing the topic" I accused.

"And you're reflecting my question" she shrugged.

I bit my lips and wandered how I could tell her all of this and even if I did decide to tell her, Yeonjun had asked to keep it it a secret now.

How did I get myself so deep into this secret that I couldn't find a way to even tell my friends?

What was the point even?

It was my own insecurity that was keeping myself from saying the truth. And I was starting to wonder if it will all crash on me if I didn't let it out soon.

I could tell her about Soobin but then that wouldn't explain why Yeonjun was mad at me.

And I didn't want to highlight Soobin that way either.

A small part of me belived that he was misinterpreting his emotions for me.

I was sure he wasn't actually attracted to me but rather the emotional support we shared in few moments of time.

Why was this so complicated?

Ughhh.

I let out a groan and plop down unceremoniously and she takes a seat next to me on her bed.

"Have you ever been in a relationship before Saehi?" I asked, curious.

"Does this random topic have anything to do with a raven haired fox or a blonde haired bunny?" She asked suggestively.

I just chewed on lips, sure that I was taking off the lipstick she so meticulously matched my outfit to.

"What is going on? San seems to think something is going on with you and initially I took your side but now it kinda feels like I shouldn't have" she runs a hand through my hair.

"Not because you're obviously keeping a secret from us but because I see it eating at you from the inside. Only keep the secrets when it doesn't affect you Yuri. If it is weighing on you, then you have to let others know who are close to you. Don't suffer alone" she spoke, sincerity coating her words.

I just leaped to hug her and she returned it back without hesitation.

I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like her.

"Why were you jn my life from the start?" I missed and she chuckled.

"I am here now. So, wanna tell me what's going on?" She asked but did not press me.

She was letting me choose if I wanted to tell her about it.

I bit my lips in contemplation.

Yeonjun had asked me to keep it a secret till the party so technically I did listen to what he had asked of me.

And I was tired of being a slave to my insecurities.

Maybe her thoughts would give me some clarity on how to navigate this situation.

So, with my decision made, I told her everything, starting from our talk on the last of the trip, to the kiss, the secret, the reason behind it, Soobin's confession, Yeonjun and my fight, and him agreeing to keep us a secret, Soobin finding me crying, giving me a ride home, Yeonjun going away and the cold shoulder he was giving me since then, including the lunch table incident which finally led me to be Soobin's date for this event.

Everything.

I felt so much lighter after finally letting someone know about everything that I almost sagged with relief.

Saehi had not said anything the entire time I told her the story, only nodding to let me know she was listening to it all.

Now I sat opposite to her, waiting for her response.

Saehi sighed, tilting her head to look at me with furrowed brows.

“Honestly, I don’t know what to say, Yuri. I have so many questions, but first, wow. You and Yeonjun huh? Also, are you okay? Like really okay?”

Her concern made my throat tighten, and I nodded slowly.

“I think so. I mean, it’s a mess, but talking about it… it helps.” I admitted.

I don't know why I wanted to keep it a secret for so long.

“Well, I’m glad you told me because keeping all this bottled up? That’s not healthy, Yuri. You’re way too good at suffering in silence, and frankly, it sucks to watch.”

“It’s not like I planned for any of this to happen" I let out a weak laugh.

“No one plans for life to turn into a K-drama, but here you are,” she said, her tone dry but playful.

“So, what’s your heart telling you right now?”  she asked after a best of silence.

“That I don’t know what I’m doing,” I admitted, twisting the hem of my dress in my hands.

“Yeonjun is… everything I thought I wanted. But he’s also been distant and secretive. I know he is going through stuff but I would appreciate it if he let me in. And Soobin… he’s been there when I needed someone the most recently”

She leaned back, her expression contemplative.

“It sounds like you’re stuck between what you thought love would be and what it’s actually turning out to be. It’s messy, Yuri, and that’s okay. But you need to figure out what makes you happy.”  she gave my hand a squeeze.

“I don’t want to hurt anyone,” I said softly.

“You can’t avoid that entirely, not in this situation,” Saehi said gently.

“But you also can’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm. It’s not fair to anyone, especially not to you" her eyes bore into me.

I looked at her, the weight of her words sinking in.

“So… what do I do?” I asked, helplessness marring my voice.

“Follow your heart,” she said simply.

“Cheesy as it sounds, it’s the only way. And stop letting your insecurities decide for you. Yeonjun’s secrecy and Soobin’s feelings aren’t things you can control, but how you handle them? That’s all you.”

I blinked at her, surprised by the depth of her advice.

“You sound like some kind of life coach”  I let out a laugh.

“Don’t get used to it. I charge by the hour” she grinned.

We both laughed, the tension easing slightly.

“Thanks, Saehi,” I said earnestly.

“I really needed to hear that”  I smiled at her.

She was always on my corner, always in my support. How did I not think of telling her before?

She reached out and squeezed my hand.

“That’s what friends are for. Now, let’s stop talking about boys and get back to the real issue—how fabulous you look in that dress.”

I groaned.

“You’re impossible” I joked.

“And you’re gorgeous. Deal with it”  she winked and slapped my ass when I stood up.

Before I could respond, her phone buzzed on the vanity. She picked it up, her lips twitching into a smirk as she read the message.

“It’s Beomgyu. He’s downstairs to pick us up,” she announced, standing and grabbing her clutch.

I groaned again, this time louder.

“There’s still time for me to fake a stomach ache, right?”

“Nice try, Cinderella,” she said, pulling me up by the arm.

“Your pumpkin carriage awaits, and I’m not dealing with Beomgyu whining if you bail.”

I followed her reluctantly, my heart pounding as we made our way out of her room and toward the night ahead.

My heart felt much lighter and I realised I really needed this girl talk.

A/N: long long chapter. Hello! How are you lovely people? Did you miss me?

Also this chapter does not include the two dashing boys but I wanted a little girl time for Yuri. She has too much drama in her life.

What do you think of this chapter?