iammai

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    [FIC] ALWAYS SMILE CAFE (Ongoing)

    in Fanfiction

    Posted

    9 hours ago, B.KS said:

    When will be the next update?
     

    Hi B.KS,

    I'm still working on it. Between work deadlines and house cleaning, there's not much time for writing unfortunately. But I also want a more polished chapter than the last few ones I wrote. I would like it to be worth the wait and build up for the next chapter.

    It's nearly done, so it'll be out sometime next week today or during the weekend. Please wait for it. ^_^

    • Like 1

    [FIC] ALWAYS SMILE CAFE (Ongoing)

    in Fanfiction

    Posted

    4 hours ago, haniey said:

    haven't login here for a long time...

    yay new updates!!! i miss it so much~~ thank you for updating!

    gonna read it again from the first chapter ^_^

     

    yay! nice to have you back! ^_^ I hope you enjoy the edits I've made. 

    We've reached where I stopped here so it's a fresh chapter from Chapter 12 onward.

     

    • Like 1

    [FIC] ALWAYS SMILE CAFE (Ongoing)

    in Fanfiction

    Posted

    Chapter 8 is out. Protector Ham is still the star of this chapter.

    https://www.wattpad.com/323361081-always-smile-cafe-girlxgirl-romance-chapter-8-i

     

    I didn't change much in this chapter. I have to admit, I really like the chapter the way it was with Protector Ham. I was worried the flow was abrupt, but after reading it, it wasn't so bad. Right?

    Some details have been added, the toastie recipe is changed. Please leave comments/vote :)

     

    As for the next chapter, I'm splitting Chapter 9 Part 1 and Part 2 completely. I'm going to add more and edit more from this point on. Next week, I'll send a PM to those who were reading the fic previously since now it makes sense to call your attention.

    • Like 1

    [FIC] ALWAYS SMILE CAFE (Ongoing)

    in Fanfiction

    Posted

    A newly minted Chapter 7 is out on wattpad. https://www.wattpad.com/323360360-always-smile-cafe-girlxgirl-romance-chapter-7

    It didn't go through a total overhaul, but it's different from what's on here such as fleshed out conversations instead of a flashback. The chapters after this will definitely be affected and won't be the same from what has been posted here. I am considering changing the next chapter titles as well. 

     

    So yes, lots of writing to do. Fridays will always be the day for regular updates, but I placed a views goal for an early chapter release.

    • Like 1

    [FIC] ALWAYS SMILE CAFE (Ongoing)

    in Fanfiction

    Posted

    1 hour ago, B.KS said:

    NIce! I found this fanfic not long ago and i totally love it! Can't wait for the new chapter and the updated chapters :), does wattpad give notifications?
     

    I'm glad you liked it and sorry for not updating for so long.

    If you add the story/book to your reading list, you will receive a notification every it is updated. If you follow my profile, you'll receive my "conversation" but that won't always be about Always Smile Cafe. 

    There are many nice stories on wattpad; from what I've seen, many kpop/kdrama fanfics but very few kpop girl groups. 

    • Like 1

    [FIC] ALWAYS SMILE CAFE (Ongoing)

    in Fanfiction

    Posted

    7 hours ago, B.KS said:

    Will there be a new chapter? 

    Yes. This story is far from the end. To be honest, I got stuck when Nicole and Jiyoung left KARA. The whole lack of KARA5 interaction demotivated me. But I know how it all ends and a general idea of how it reaches that end. I just stopped writing it (boo mai! bad kitty!).

    Also, I read the existing chapters and might re-write some parts. More ~Show not Tell~ or not rushing some events. So far, I've loaded 4 Chapters with minimal edits. I plan to update every Friday (with added updates when the views hit a certain number). 

    I won't be uploading the new/edited version here at Karaholic. I'm going to focus on it at wattpad. I think having non-fans would also help check whether the characters are well-written. We know these girls and we know they are different, but do other readers feel the same? I'm attempting to write it better but putting it on wattpad.

    • Like 1

    [FIC] ALWAYS SMILE CAFE (Ongoing)

    in Fanfiction

    Posted

    ALWAYS SMILE CAFE

     

    Pairing: Shoujo-Ai (GyuCole, HaYeon)

    Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Alternate Universe - No disrespect intended for the real persons used as characters in this fanfic.    

     

    Chapter 10-A. Go for it, let's go out since it's summer      

     

    Gyuri did not quite know how to show herself in front of Nicole after that night. She didn't remember all the details, which often happens when she passes out from drinking. She had tried to ask Yubin to give her as much information.    

     

    "You really should work on your stamina, Gyul," was all that Yubin said.    

     

    She nearly spit out her iced tea when she heard that. She ended up in a fit of cough, which caused Yuu to laugh even more.  

     

    "I meant your drinking stamina," Yubin said as she handed Gyuri some napkins. "What did you think I meant?"    

     

    Nicole on the other hand, maintained her friendliness. She received a message the following day full of concern and hangover remedy recommendations. It didn't take long for Gyuri to relent to her charms and visit the cafe a few days after. Nicole did not show any indication that something went wrong that night. Perhaps she had behaved herself during her drunken state, Gyuri thought and let the incident fade away like the night's darkness forced away by the sunrise of Nicole's smiles.    

     

    Recently, her visits to the cafe had become more frequent too. Jiyoung would not only tag along, but also often ask Gyuri to go to the cafe with her. Though it pleased her to have an excuse to see Nicole more often, she also could not help but notice how friendly Jiyoung and the new barista were to each other. It was easy enough to see that the two were flirting.    

     

    And so here she was at the café again, with Jiyoung who immediately left Gyuri's side to tease the boy named Sungjong. Nicole pulled Gyuri closer.

     

    "Those two will soon be dating," Nicole whispered with conspiratorial air and a huge smile. She held Gyuri's hand and pulled her to the table where Hara and Seungyeon were.    

     

    They looked up from the laptop and greeted Gyuri as the two sat across the couple.  

     

    "We're planning something for Seungyeon-eonni's birthday," Nicole told Gyuri.    

     

    "Let's go out of town," Hara suggested, “either a pension house near a lake or the beach.”    

     

    "I haven't visited the beach here in Korea," Nicole said liking the idea. She grew up in California and had gone to the beach with family and friends during some summers.    

     

    "Eurwangni Beach is near Seoul," Hara added, "but it does get crowded during summer."    

     

    "Gangneung has a very nice beach," Gyuri recommended. "My friends and I went there last year. It's not as crowded, and it's only about three hours from Seoul by bus."    

     

    The other girls started searching information on Gangneung and liked what they found out.  

     

    "We could drive," Seungyeon suggested, worried about getting carsick on the bus ride.  

     

    "I'm going to drive, eonnie. If you drive us, we'll take half a day to get there," Nicole teased Seungyeon who made a cute pout and looked to Hara for support.  

     

    "But it's true, Hammie," Hara laughed. "Besides, you often don't follow the GPS guide. We'll end up lost." She teased her little partner. They did love to tease Seungyeon's careful driving and how direction-challenged she was.  

     

    Nicole let Seungyeon slide and steered the conversation back to the trip. "But this sounds fun," she said excitedly, "though I don't want to be a third wheel, if we go on a trip out of town."  

     

    "Gyuri can come with us then," Seungyeon said. The idea itself formed innocently in her mind as a simple solution to Nicole's worry, but as she saw the two still holding hands, she smiled thinking it being quite an excellent idea.  

     

    Hara, quickly read the meaning of Seungyeon's smile and the glint in her eyes, chimed in, "yes. Gyuri eonnie can join us, right?"  

     

    Nicole looked at Gyuri expectantly.  

     

    It has been several dozen times; please stop giving up the opportunity. If you look at the time, look over there, now is the chance.  

     

    "Join you where?" Jiyoung interrupted, much to Gyuri's delight. Jiyoung tagged along as Sungjong brought Gyuri's and Nicole's drinks.  

     

    "They're planning to go to the beach," Gyuri told her young friend.  

     

    "The weather's perfect for going to the beach," Sungjong agreed, as he placed the drinks on the table.  

     

    "Ah," Gyuri answered, "Sungjong can go with you. It'll be like MT for the cafe staff!" If she were honest to herself, Gyuri would admit that she wanted to go to the beach. But the thought of spending more time with the girl that had become a permanent resident in her mind both excited and scared her. How long are you going to hover around her without telling her how you feel? Either love her without hesitations or let her go, she remembered the barista's words well. Didn't she tell herself that after the play, to slowly exit stage left?  

     

     

    With Nicole sitting beside her, Gyuri did not catch the tight lipped frown that emerged on the cafe owner's face when she pushed the invitation off to Sungjong. Nicole withdrew her hand away from Gyuri's to take hold of her drink. Though Gyuri felt disappointed with the loss of Nicole’s touch, she thought it was unrelated to her suggestion.  

     

    It has been several dozen times today too; please have confidence this time. If you lose it once, lose it twice, the opportunity doesn't come again.  

     

    "Oh, I want to go to the beach too," Jiyoung said not so much to the other girls but to Sungjong, who smiled at her but did not know whether he would be allowed to extend the invitation if this was indeed going to be an MT.  

     

    "If Jiyoungie," said Seungyeon who had gotten close to Jiyoung in the past few days, them both being constant visitors of the cafe's employees, "is going, then Gyuri should come with us too." Nicole's actions did not go unnoticed to her long-time friend.

    Time to stop tryna calculate you making me frustrate is time to just trust fate ya know there's nothing to hesitate

     

    Seungyeon and Hara watched as Jiyoung, who does not hesitate when it comes to someone she liked, applied her best aegyo to convince Gyuri to accept the invitation.    

     

    Author's Note:

    This chapter's title was taken from "Summergic". Lyrics within the story comes from "If You Wanna"  

     

    It's been too long. You may have forgotten this fanfic exists. It has always been at the back of my mind, but it saddens me to no longer have actual GyulCole that I've pushed it farther away. Though it lingered there and never quite stopped nagging at me for stopping. So here I go again, continuing it. I cut Chapter 10 into two parts; it's short I know. I do have an outline for this story, but I still don't have it all written out so please be patient.  

     

    Draft of this chapter was for them to go to Eurwangni Beach, but with Gyuri showing off Gangneung I decided to move it there.

    [FIC] ALWAYS SMILE CAFE (Ongoing)

    in Fanfiction

    Posted

    ALWAYS SMILE CAFE

    Pairing: Shoujo-Ai (GyuCole, HaYeon)

    Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Alternate Universe - No disrespect intended for the real persons used as characters in this fanfic.

    Chapter 9. Rouse Up Our Sleeping Love (Part 2)

    This week had been the Theatrical Festival by the theater clubs of three universities. Gyuri's theater club was able to snag the Friday slot due in part by the popularity and connections of their lead actor. After watching the other two clubs' performances, they made adjustments and took note of where they need to be better at. It was a competition after all. But being a uni theater club meant having less hands to do the work, thus everyone had to pitch in. Fearing sabotage of the set, their theater group had only brought in the pieces yesterday and had their dress rehearsal. They were still finishing up hours before the actual show. Gyuri had been at the theater since morning.

    Gyuri took a breather from the bustle on stage to peek at her phone. Unlike the others, she was not glued to her cellphone and kept it nearby.

    It wasn't because she didn't expect messages, but more so that she was prone to misplacing it if she did. So she kept it in her bag that was sitting on one of the front row seats. She pulled it out and smiled seeing a message from Nicole.

    『 I wouldn't miss it!~~~ㅋㅋㅋ Will I see you before the play? 』

    It was a reply to Gyuri asking her if she would be there tonight. "She wants to see me before the play," Gyuri thought with a suppressed smile. The last time she had seen the cafe owner was when she gave the ticket and they had not spent much time together seeing that Nicole was already tired. Thus, she also wanted to see the happy virus.

    「 I don't think there's no time to meet you before. Wait for me when the play is done. I want to see you. ٩(*˙▽˙*)۶ 」

    『 Eonnie wants to hear me praise her in person? ㅋㅋ 』

    The actress couldn't help but laugh. With her laugh, Yubin took notice of her. "Hey Gyul," she called. "Stop flirting with your muffin and come help us here. You wouldn't want her to see our set fall apart tonight, would you?"

    With that, Gyuri typed a quick reply before running off to her friend. She did not notice the ashen face of a younger girl beside the stage who felt crushed after hearing Yubin tease Gyuri.

    ~ ~

    Nicole rested her cheek on the cool table. She perked up with her message tone.

    「 You don't need to tell me what I already know 히히:Þ 」

    She could imagine her Gyuri-eonnie flipping her hair while saying that. She always found it funny when her eonnie acted like an arrogant goddess. She really was excited to watch the play, not that she knew her friend's role. It could be just a bit role with a few lines. The only name on the ticket was the lead actor, but it didn't matter. Gyuri-eonnie invited her to watch, and so she shall.

    『 ㅋㅋ See you later, eonnie. 화이팅! ~ ♥ 』 She replied.

    "Nicole, shouldn't you get going and prepare for the theater?" Hara asked as she entered the kitchen. "You don't plan on going dressed like that, right?"

    Nicole looked down at her clothes. She was dressed as she normally did: light shirt, jeans, and sneakers. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" She did buy something to wear for the occasion, but Hara seemed to be critiquing her clothes.

    "Well," Hara replied, "wouldn't you dress up a bit for your date with Gyuri-ssi? You'd want her to have eyes only for you tonight, right?"

    "What date? It's not a date. I'm going to watch her not the other way around," the flustered girl replied. Hara was on her playful teasing-mode again, the way she and Seungyeon-eonnie gets when talking to her about Gyuri-eonnie. Nicole decided to change the topic. "Is SeungYeon-eonnie here?"

    "No, Ham's not here," came the succinct response.

    "Hmm, come to think of it, I haven't seen her the whole week."

    "You wouldn't have. We had a fight last Sunday and she doesn't seem to care to make up."

    "What happened?" Since the time Seungyeon-eonnie had introduced Hara to her, she had not seen them have a fight that lasted a week.

    "She won't admit that she's wrong."

    "She's probably thinking the same thing too. That you won't admit that you're wrong."

    "I'm not. She called me a two-timing liar. I won't be the one to apologize after that."

    "She said that? Why did she say something like that?"

    "I had coffee with my ex-boyfriend and Ham found out after. It was just coffee."

    "But how can you talk to your ex? Past is past," Nicole replied. "You should've just turned around and feign ignorance."

    "It's not like we broke up in bad terms," Hara shrugged. "Besides it was his friends that saw me first and called my attention."

    Nicole nodded quietly, taking in the cool and indifferent tone Hara talked about her ex. "If you were with friends, I guess it should be okay. But how did eonnie find out?"

    Hara huffed, "stupid guy tagged me in a picture. We weren't alone, but the picture he posted was just the two of us."

    "Didn't you explain to eonnie?"

    "Of course I did. But she can be quite stubborn, telling me I didn't tell her about this so she wouldn't know if I went out with him before."

    Nicole was silent. She didn't really know what advise would be best. It wasn't like she's had a relationship before to know. It even just suddenly dawned on her that Hara talked about an ex-boyfriend. "You had a boyfriend!? You weren't always into girls?"

    Hara laughed a bit at Nicole's geniune surprise. "Yes, I had a boyfriend or boyfriends and two girlfriends before, if that's what you want to know." She knew Nicole had no malice or judgement with her question. Nicole was just caught up in her Disney fantasy of girl-meets-prince-charming love. "You know, love is where one looks for it. Other girls tend to look for it in guys. Some girls look for it in girls. I don't love the gender, I love the person. Someone who relates to me and supports my decisions. And I found that in Ham. Even if she were a boy, I'd still fall in love with Ham."

    "But she's such a choding, she'd look like a little boy!"

    "People would look at me and think what a cradle snatcher I am!"

    The same age girls laughed at the thought.

    "You don't look that much older to be called a cradle snatcher," Nicole finally said after catching her breath.

    "That lovely pelvis would be a shame to be on a man," Hara added with a grin that spoke of where her thoughts were leading.

    Nicole laughed. "Oh, stop that."

    "Well, I noticed Gyuri-ssi has lovely hips too." Hara was testing if Nicole would take her bait.

    "Of course, she has really feminine lines. She's quite womanly."

    "So, you've noticed that," Hara teased.

    For a few seconds, Nicole was speechless. "Lay off your teasing. Going back," quickly changing the topic, "you really should talk to Seungyeon-eonnie. I'm sure you both can work it out. She really loves you."

    "I know. She should trust me more," Hara said sadly. "I'm not like her who texts frequently to talk about what she's doing, but I love her too. I don't want to break up with her. And I miss her."

    "So why be both stubborn? She may be wrong, but nothing will get resolved by doing nothing."

    Hara nodded. Nicole always did have her moments of brilliant quotes that spoke true. "I guess-"

    Their conversation was interrupted as Minho entered. He took the closing shift for the week and arrived a little before 4.

    "Nicole," he greeted. "Didn't you have a date tonight? Why are you here?"

    The same-age employer looked at Hara. "You told him it was a date, didn't you?"

    Hara only shrugged and tried to look innocent. "Well shouldn't you get going?"

    "Nobody here would want you to be late," Minho joined in.

    "And we want all the juicy details tomorrow."

    "You guys win, I'm leaving." Nicole threw her hands up. "Hara, what we talked about, you make sure you talk to her."

    ~ ~

    The production was simple; the set and costume designs modest but adequate, allowing the audience to focus on the actors and the story. It was a period piece about a guy who leaves Korea and the love of his life, portrayed by Yubin-ssi, to study and gain expertise overseas. There, he meets and is helped by Cassandra, a seductive foreigner colleague played by Gyuri-eonnie. After some time, he decides to take back his knowledge to help build the then developing Korea. He reunites with Yubin-ssi, but he was indebted to Gyuri-eonnie who wanted nothing else but for them to return abroad. Their love triangle reflected his own conflict for his patriotism and his easier life abroad. It ended with him choosing Yubin-ssi and as he attests his love for her, he promises her a better Korea for their children.

    Nicole stood clapping her hands loudly as the curtains fell and the actors came out to bow to the audience. She made sure she clapped the loudest when it was the turn of Gyuri-eonnie to take her bow.

    Because Gyuri-eonnie asked her wait, she stayed seated while the rest of the audience started filing out of the theater. Moments later, she saw Yubin-ssi walking toward her and the girl who sat next to her walked to meet her with a hug and a kiss.

    While enclosed in the girl's embrace, Yubin-ssi looked at her and smiled. "Wait," she mouthed. After being released, Yubin-ssi walked hand in hand with the girl to Nicole.

    "Nicole-ssi," she called. "Did you enjoy our play?"

    "Yes, it was great. You didn't tell me you were the lead."

    Yubin-ssi merely laughed. "Nicole-ssi, this is Yeeun."

    Yeeun offered her hand to Nicole saying, "you can call me Yenny."

    "This is Nicole, Gyul's muffin."

    "Oh she's the girl? I was beginning to think you brought two dates to the play."

    Nicole was unsure what the exchange meant. Why did Yubin-ssi call her Gyul's muffin?

    "Gyul is just backstage with her parents. She'll come outside soo--" Yubin stopped when she saw Gyuri. "Oh look, here she comes."

    Gyuri had already changed into a loose top, black tights and heeled boots. Her hair was still styled in elegant waves that she had for her role. It bounced slightly as she walked to them carrying a bouquet of flowers.

    "Eonnie," Nicole greeted her with a bright expression. "You were great! What a different side! Seductress, woo~! I should've brought you a bouquet too."

    Gyuri blushed. "No, this is from my mom. She always gives me a bouquet no matter how small my part is."

    "But Gyuri-eonnie's part wasn't small. I really felt sad for Cassandra, loving someone who was only indebted to her."

    "Cassandra's love is tragic," Gyuri agreed. "When Yuu's in love, you better stand aside because she'll fight to win," she joked indicating the other woman standing beside Nicole.

    Yubin laughed. "I thought you two have forgotten I'm here. I'm kidding, Nicole-ssi," she appeased the stricken looking younger girl. "Not fair, Gyul. You already changed clothes. I'm gonna change then we'll go to the after party. Gyul, you're not going to sneak out and not go, are you?"

    "Where is the after party?"

    "It's just a small place we got near the uni. We can easily go there by subway."

    "I brought my car, I'll drive so Gyuri-eonnie has no excuse," Nicole conspired with a mischievous wink.

    "Just the kind of girl that Gyul needs," Yubin said laughing while Gyul glared at her.

    Left alone, Yubin to change and Yenny went with her to hound Yoonji, Gyuri and Nicole shared a moment of comfortable silence. Gyuri stepped closer to Nicole and fixed her fringe. Even though her fingers did not touch Nicole's skin, the feeling of her hair brushing against her brow made Nicole's heart thump.

    "There," Gyuri said as she put down her hand. "Your haircut suits you, I like it. You look good tonight."

    Nicole blushed; she looked down and her hand coming up to her neck, a reflex she does when she's flustered. She had a haircut early that week; she now sported a bob with fringe. She had told Gyuri about it, but it was the first time for the actress to see it. For tonight, she also bought a vintage 50's sleeveless dress and wore strappy sandals with it. She didn't usually wear dresses, preferring comfortable albeit boyish clothes.

    "I feel a bit under dressed, I should've brought something nicer for after the play," Gyuri said with an embarrassed laugh.

    "What do you mean? Eonnie can wear anything and still be a goddess!"

    The older girl hid her face with her bouquet, feeling elated at the continued praises Nicole has been showering her.

    The throbbing of my heart, it's too much for me to hide anymore. I want to feel you closer to me. And it makes me uneasy, yet I can't suppress it anymore.

    There were hardly anyone left at the theater when Yubin and Yenny returned.

    ~ ~

    The after party was held at a small club near Gyuri and Yubin's university. When they arrived, a few of the juniors were already there and the two actresses went around while Yenny and Nicole secured a table near the bar. The music played Western pop that wasn't too loud for conversation.

    The two girls made small talk where Nicole found out that Yenny was majoring in Music and was the musical score composer of another uni's theater group. When Nicole showed surprise, Yenny explained how the theater scene was small and it was all friendly but tough competition. She boasted of their group's musical scoring and that it was a shame Nicole had not seen it.

    "The first round of drinks' on me," Yubin delightfully announced when she and Gyuri returned to the girls.

    "Yuu," Gyuri replied, "Nicole is driving. She shouldn't be drinking."

    Nicole laughed. "Eonnie, I can handle my alcohol," she proudly said. "I won't drink to my limit, but a few wouldn't hurt."

    Yubin and Nicole agreed to buy a bottle of vodka and schweppes instead of ordering by the glass. As Yubin went to the bar, Gyuri whispered to Nicole, "Yuu will keep filling your glass as soon as it's empty. Hand it over to me so you don't get too drunk, okay?"

    Nicole agreed only because she wanted to assure Gyuri, although she was very much confident of handling her drinking well. Besides, she had the number of a reliable proxy driver service that she and her 91-line friends use.

    As the night passed, a few more of the theater group members arrived and often say hello to the female leads. The lead actor arrived late and dropped by their table. They introduced Nicole to Junsu-oppa who was graduating that term and thus this was his last stage for the group. He was years older than Yubin and Gyuri, as he dropped a few terms to focus on acting. He had built quite a reputation especially in musicals.

    "Had this been a musical, it would've been Gyuri playing the lead female role. Instead, I got Yubin," he chided.

    "What's wrong with me playing as your sweetheart? Does that mean you've had a one-sided love for Gyuri all this time?"

    "I have been carrying a flame that has been denied since I moment I met her. It's my burden," he acted being hurt. Gyuri's preference was not unknown to him.

    "Oppa, stop that," Gyuri chastised. "We all know you're acting, but Nicole here might believe you."

    "I'm sure she'll agree with me what a wonderful woman you are," Junsu teased noticing how the actress and Nicole sat closely to each other.

    Gyuri shot him a warning look to which Junsu responded with a charming smile and changed the topic. "So when are you girls going to graduate?"

    Yubin laugh out loud. "Me? I don't know. I'm not in a hurry, but Gyul here is planning to finish next term. She only dropped one term to go to Japan."

    "You went to Japan, eonnie?" Nicole curiously asked.

    "She joined the Osaka tour of 200 Pound Beauty musical last year," Yubin replied.

    "Omo~ eonnie, you're a Hallyu star!" Nicole had often teased Key with that term whenever he returned from another out of the country show.

    "What? No," Gyuri replied flustered by Nicole's bright smile and open admiration. "I was only a chorus girl."

    "I heard the producers really liked you, though," Junsu chimed in. "I'm sure it'll open doors for more work."

    The group fell into comfortable conversation until Junsu was called by another table and left.

    "Another round!" Yubin called out. "Your glasses have been empty long enough. One shot!"

    Gyuri downed her glass to the cheers of Yubin and her friend Yenny. Nicole silently counted how many glasses her friend has had. 6? 7? The older girl's cheeks were already rosy from her drinking. Yubin was preparing to fill Nicole's glass when Gyul's hand covered it. "I got this," and handing her empty glass to Yuu who merely shrugged and filled Gyul's glass.

    After some time, Gyuri excused herself and left. Nicole watched her make her way through the crowd to the restroom. She seemed to still walk straight despite the drinking. The crowd had already thinned as some have left to continue Friday night partying elsewhere. Even Jiyoung-ssi who had dropped by their table earlier was nowhere in sight.

    "Yubin-ssi, how much alcohol can Gyuri-eonnie handle?" Nicole asked worried for her friend.

    "Oh don't worry, she can handle it. Although, I think she's nearing her limit. She doesn't usually drink for another person. This is the first time I've seen her so protective. Do you think you can handle another glass? I can give you one now that your siphoning eonnie isn't here."

    Nicole smiled. "Of course."

    Yubin and Yenny were trying to keep Nicole engaged in the conversation but quickly noticed that her attention was on watching the crowd and keeping an eye out for Gyuri's return.

    "You're worried about her, aren't you?"

    "Yes," came Nicole's quick reply, then she noticed how that sounded. "I mean, no I'm sure she's all right."

    Yubin and Yenny looked at each other smiling. It reminded her very much of Hara and Seungyeon-eonnie when they teased her.

    "Really," Yubin assured her, "she hasn't had enough to make her pass out at the restroom."

    No sooner had Yubin said those words when she saw her beautiful eonnie emerge from the corner. She breathed a sigh of relief seeing Gyuri who was walking to them when a girl blocked her way to talk to her. Nicole's relief was short lived as she saw her eonnie's jaw clench and felt something was not right. She stood up and walked to Gyuri.

    ~ ~

    Eunji had been drinking non-stop that night. From the time she saw the bob-haired girl with her Gyuri at the theater, she knew it must be the same girl her Gyuri was flirting with on the phone earlier. The way Gyuri moved with the girl by her side, every touch, every laugh, every glass she took for her, it incensed her even more. Did she not spend so much time trying to get Gyuri's attention? Didn't Gyuri accept the little gifts she gave her? Didn't Yubin say she'd help her get Gyuri? She felt she was strung along all this time. She felt she was played for a fool. When she finally saw Gyuri alone, she decided to confront her.

    "Gyuri-eonnie," she said blocking the older girl's way. "Why? Why can't you love me back? Why? I have always been attentive to you. I brought you food. I brought you coffee. I even treated Yubin-ssi nicely to get to you. Why can't you see me as a woman, your woman?"

    "Eunji-ssi," Gyuri replied through clenched jaws. Eunji's voice had risen in her drunken tirade that they had gotten themselves an audience.

    "You," the young girl continued, "you just don't see love when it's right in front of you. You're arrogant and self absorbed. You think so highly of yourself. You will never find love because you're incapable of loving anyone but yourself."

    Gyuri was taken aback by her words. It wasn't the first time she had those words said to her. Even though she did not care for this girl, the words stung. She was still reeling when someone stood beside her and held her hand, squeezing it slightly.

    "I don't know who you are, but you certainly don't know Gyuri-eonnie at all."

    "Nicole--" Gyuri whispered, surprised that she had come to her defense. She looked down at their clasped hands.

    "She's a kind and warm-hearted person and treats the people around her well. Who are you to tell her that she can't find love? A loving person like her will."

    Eunji was drunk enough to get herself into a fight with this flirt who had the nerve to talk down on her. "Who are you to--" she didn't finish her sentence, as one of the theater group's sunbae took her arm and dragged her outside.

    "Gyuri-eonnie, are you okay?" Nicole asked in a concerned voice. Gyuri nodded.

    "That Eunji is such a party pooper! Seonsaengnim said we should call it a night," Yubin exclaimed as she and Yenny approached the two. "Really, if you can't handle your liquor, don't drink too much. The nerve of that kid," she stopped only because Yenny got her attention to stop. "Gyul, you okay?"

    Gyuri managed to smile. "I'm okay."

    "Eunji is lucky you aren't in a fighting mood. She'd have had a ###### slap if she said that to you at another time. But then I've never seen you fight with drunken girls even before. But had Go sunbae-nim not taken her outside, I'd have ###### slapped her myself."

    Yenny grabbed Yubin's arm and apologized to Nicole. "Yubin isn't the Buddha that Gyul is when she's drunk. This girl would get herself into a cat fight given the chance. Let's join the rest of the group out this club, shall we?"

    They grabbed their bags. Nicole never once letting go of Gyuri's hand. When she offered to give them a ride, Yubin and Yenny said they were going somewhere. And when Gyuri was about to decline her offer, Nicole insisted saying that she would pass through the area on her way home. So it came that Nicole and Gyuri drove together.

    ~ ~

    Gyuri looked out the window but was not seeing the passing scene outside.

    You're arrogant and self absorbed. You think so highly of yourself. You will never find love because you're incapable of loving anyone but yourself.

    Wasn't those the same things her last girlfriend said when she broke up with her? Was she really incapable of loving someone else?

    "Don't confuse her emotions while you try to figure out what you want to do. Either love her without hesitations or let her go." The words of the barista came to mind. If she was incapable of loving someone else, she had better let go of Nicole than risk hurting her. She wasn't too much a factor in Nicole life; she could leave without any trace, no scars needed to be healed.

    And yet, as those thoughts hovered in her mind, Nicole reached out to hold her hand. The touch stirred her from her spiraling thoughts and she looked up at see Nicole's bright and reassuring smile before returning her eyes to the road. Silently, time passed with their hands clasped as it had been at the club.

    "She's a kind and warm-hearted person and treats the people around her well. Who are you to tell her that she can't find love? A loving person like her will."

    How could she believe in her so? What does she see that others do not? Gyuri knew she was far from perfect although she still was confident in herself. But when it came to love, her confidence often falters. It was different, sharing your imperfect self with another.

    There is long way to go for us. It'll be better to fill each other's gap. I feel anxious because I am not perfect...

    And yet, with Nicole she had felt from the start that she could be imperfect and not be afraid. What kind of spell did this girl weave? As they stopped at a traffic light, Nicole turned to her and smiled. No words spoken, just that reassuring smile and her hand returning to hold Gyuri's after she changed gears to neutral. Those bright and assuring eyes, that warm smile, that jovial personality that never failed to lift her spirits. Gyuri could deny it no longer, she has fallen for Nicole. It wasn't the simple infatuation she was making herself believe it to be. Realizing that, the thought of letting go scared her.

    Even though I'm scared, for you I'll say it. Don't you know it 'til now, don't worry, I'll make you see. We're meant to be...

    Emboldened by the liquor, she broke the silence. "Nicole, I--" she was interrupted by the blaring horn of the car behind them.

    "Oh my god, some people are just too impatient," Nicole muttered as she moved the car forward, releasing Gyuri's hand to change gears. She looked back at Gyuri to find her engaged in her own thoughts and once again gazing out the window. She reached out to hold the older girl's hand while concentrating on driving. Whatever thoughts coursed through the actress-blogger's mind, Nicole wanted her to know that she was there for her.

    As she released Gyuri's hand to leave the highway and turn into the street leading to the cafe, Nicole glanced at her passenger to find that the silence was due to Gyuri having fallen asleep. Must've been tired from the play and with having drunk to her limit.

    Nicole parked the car in front of the cafe. She did not know where Gyuri lived, yet she was reluctant in waking her. Her mouth was slightly open and her chest rose and fell slowly. She seemed to have drifted into a peaceful dream.

    Nicole sighed. She wanted to punch that stupid girl who said those stupid things to her eonnie. How could that girl think of hurting her eonnie? Gyuri had been silent the entire drive, but she knew Gyuri-eonnie's emotions slowly settled.

    It was strange how she knew she could understand the older girl even without words being exchanged. They could talk for hours or just be silent, but it was always comfortable as if they had known each other for a long time. Even with her 91-line friends, their same age helped remove the stress of hierarchical manners. But with Gyuri-eonnie, she felt this was someone she could be open with and relate to. Thinking about it now, Nicole thought, "I guess it's something similar to what they say about soulmates."

    Even if she were a boy, I'd still fall in love with Ham, Hara had said earlier. Nicole looked at her passenger thinking whether she could see Gyuri the same way. Although she had not met her ideal type yet, she had an image in mind of what he'd be like. And if Gyuri-eonnie were a guy, she would match quite well with that image.

    Her thoughts were interrupted when the phone on Gyuri's lap unexpectedly rang. Nicole picked it up and stepped out of the car. "Hello?"

    "Gyul?"

    Nicole made a quick check on the Caller ID on the phone. "Yubin-ssi, Gyuri-eonnie is asleep."

    "Oh... OH!!"

    "She fell asleep in the car, but I don't know where she lives." Nicole said in a mildly distressed voice. "I'm parked at the cafe now since she lives nearby."

    "Ahh, I thought--" Yubin replied before laughing. "What's your number? I'll send you her address."

    Nicole gave her number to Yubin.

    "Nicole-ssi, about that incident earlier with Eunji, thank you. Really thank you. Gyul's lucky to have you. I need to go, Yenny's calling me."

    Nicole started the car careful not to wake the sleeping beauty to give her a few more minutes of sleep. She drove to the address Yubin sent her and parked in front of a villa. Time to wake the Sleeping Beauty, she thought.

    And from this slumber you shall wake, when true love's kiss, the spell shall break.

    Playfully, Nicole kissed her fingers and placed them on Gyuri's cheek. Gyuri stirred and gently opened her eyes.

    ~ ~

    "No way!" Mir exclaimed. "Jinwoon, are you serious?"

    "This is Cole we're talking about here. Our Cole," Jaejin agreed with Mir.

    The 91-line boys had gathered at Club 74 at Jinwoon's request.

    Jinwoon's hand gesture was asking the two excited boys to calm down. "That's why I'm telling you guys. I love our Nicole and I plan to date her." Jinwoon repeated himself to let it sink in.

    "Key!" Mir called Cole's best friend's attention. "Do you hear this? Jinwoonie wants to date our Cole."

    Key was quietly watching the scene unfold in front of him. Jinwoon had talked to him about this a week ago, saying he wanted to make sure it was okay with Key. He assured Key that he would pursue Cole and win her affections, that giving up was not an option. Who was Key to oppose? Besides, Key felt it would ultimately be his best friend's decision or indecision to make.

    "Aren't you two cousins?" Dongwoon finally broke his silence. They all knew he had asked Nicole out when they first met. Nicole had turned him down, but kept the friendship going even bringing him into the 91-line family. They had often wondered if he still carried a torch for Nicole.

    "Distant cousins," Jinwoon corrected him. "Very distant cousins. She's from one side of our great grandfather, I'm from the other side."

    "Yeah but wouldn't your families be weirded out by it?" Jaejin remembered how Jinwoon had been introduced to him as Nicole's cousin.

    "Not at all," Jinwoon confidently replied. He and Key exchanged a conspiratorial look.

    "You know," Woohyun expressed, "Nicole's had this glow about her recently." He had been hanging around the cafe recently to keep an eye on Sungjong and making sure he wasn't being lazy.

    "I thought so too, since she opened her cafe she's like happier and more confident. Maybe it's because she's doing something she really loves."

    "And Jinwoon here is swooping in at the right time," Key said making the other boys laugh.

    "Better Jinwoon than an unknown douche bag," Dongwoon replied giving his support.

    "That true. But Jinwoonie," Mir turned serious. "Hurt her, make her cry, you'll have to answer to all of us."

    The rest of the 91-line boys nodded and lifted their glasses in agreement.

    Author's Note:

    This chapter's title was taken from Jumpin' Jumpin' Jumpin' up!

    Did you wait too long for this chapter? I was thinking of cutting down the scenes, but since I did make you wait months, a long chapter wouldn't hurt. So I decided to keep the scenes as I had earlier written it. Did the chapter drag out too long?

    How do you feel about Gyuri's thoughts and Nicole's thoughts?

    In Chapter 9 part 1 and 2, we have Hara "the Love doctor" hahaha! Giving her doses of love advice to our GyulCole. But then she and Hammie fought. Who's side are you on? hahaha Don't worry about those two though. Our scandalous couple won't split just because of an ex-boyfriend.

    First things first: Do not drink and drive. Just because I wrote it up doesn't mean it's okay. Be a responsible driver.

    And what do you think of the last part? Ba-dumm!!

    And a bonus:

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