you can make them even happier

"Another party?" My mother said. I looked at the envelope and carefully undid it. I read it aloud.

"You are invited to Min Seo-Hyun's 23rd Birthday party." I put it back in the envelope and put it aside.

I know I promised her a lot, but I can't go.

"I can't go." My mother dropped the soapy dish and sat next to me. Her diamond necklace shimmered even in the dim light.

"You have to go! This is an important step in your life. Why don't you want to go?" She asked. I looked at her then back at my hands.

"I don't deserve to go. Going to such high-class parties like that may just a be a one-time thing." I whispered. My mother smiled warmly at me with her youthful appearance. She could pass as in her late 20's if she wanted to. She pulled my hair behind my ear and grasped my shoulders gently.

"Just try it. I bet Min Seo-Hyun would be sad if you didn't attend her birthday celebration." I laughed lightly and stood up.

"I gave back the dress to F4 mom. I wouldn't have anything to wear anyway." I was about to walk off to my room and put the letter away but was interrupted by a tap on my shoulder. My little brother came running up to me with a box.

"It's addressed to you, Noona!" I grabbed the box and peeked inside.

"Dress?" I spoke in broken English. I pulled it out slowly. It was a classy light pink dress with the same pink embroidered design that branched out to my collar-bone, and to the top of my waist. The sleeves reached my elbows as the skirt went down to the beginning of my knees, with a matching-colored belt around my waist, and tool falling right under it. Maybe even more stunning than the purple dress I got earlier. I looked at the card and all it said was enjoy.

"It was supposedly sent from Min Seo-Hyun Sunbae." Sang-Hyeok assured. I thanked him and went into my room.

"Spoiled brat," I whispered as I stared at the dress. I put it on a hanger and latched it onto my mirror. I was about to text Jan-di and Ga Eul when I spotted a shimmer of glitter. They weren't the heels from before, but looked very familiar. I looked at the label at the bottom and it read a name.

"To-Be Seung Eun-Chae~" I read out loud. Mom's wedding shoes? For just a birthday party? She must be crazy to let me wear these. They were white shimmering wedges with an open-toe and ankle buckle on top. I put them back down and stared at myself in the mirror.

"Am I really the one to fill in the void of Min Seo-Hyun?"

I got ready the next night. The dress fit snug, and so did the shoes; comfortably of course. I spun around and fixed my hair a little. My mom did my make-up and hair, in which she did an up-do with the sides of my hair twisted into a small little bun at the bottom of my head. Curly pieces framed my face and I sighed. Walking in heels like these are starting to hurt. . .

After being picked up by a limo from Min Seo-Hyun we arrived and I stepped out. I bowed toward my driver and walked in once again. I took off my black button down coat and gave it to a butler. I was given a pamphlet so I decided to read through it. I then suddenly felt a grasp around my shoulders and was being directed toward more F4 members. My smile went down a little when I saw Jun-Pyo. Somehow memories came flashing back. The necklace, him, me. But I manged to smile and greet them.

"Don't you think she looks nice?" Yi-Jeong said sweetly. I glared at him.

"Only when I'm dressed up I am." I muttered. Woo-Bin laughed and shook his head.

"In this room, you're the prettiest." I rolled my eyes playfully then spotted two people coming around the corner. I stopped smiling and stared at them. Min Seo-Hyun was as beautiful as always, and Ji-Hoo was like a Prince in polished armor. Yi-Jeong's arm fell off my shoulders, as his eyes stuck to my face. I glanced at him and smiled warmly. He only looked away, without a response whatsoever. I shuddered and grabbed my other arm. Ji-Hoo was given a violin and Seo-Hyun gave her coat to a serviceman. Then, the ceremony began.

"Happy birthday to you~" I sang along with the others.

I looked at Ji-Hoo as he played his violin. His face was calm; almost too calm. I must've been staring too long though.

"So-Young?" Woo-Bin asked. I shook my head out of my trance and smiled.

"Yes?" I saw Ji-Hoo leave out of the corner of my eye as Seo-Hyun began a speech.

"Thank you all for coming, friends family. I wouldn't be here without you all." She began.

"But for me, holding big parties is unlike me; it's not me. Instead I have an important announcement." Everyone started muttering and looked back at her.

"I'm moving to Paris, and I'm not coming back to Korea."

"I don't want to succeed my mother or father, and instead rely on my own abilities to live my life. I want to explore what I'm capable of, and become independent as I planned before." She looked around before saying one last thing.

"Please be happy." Everyone clapped, including me and the remaining F4 members. It was shocking, and I was now learning why she said I must replaced her. She bowed and began walking back to where she came from. I wanted to talked to her so I decided to follow her.

I don't think I should've done it.

They talked, they hugged, then they kiss. And that kiss killed me inside. Not because of Seo-Hyun, but now I was questioning if Ji-Hoo was really meant what he all said to me. All those apologies, gone.

"So-Young, are you okay?" I quietly looked back and saw Yi-Jeong. I shook my head and smiled.

"Everything's alright."

"Doesn't seem like it."

"Worry about yourself Yi-Jeong."

"Pretty crazy down there," I turned back and saw Ji-Hoo and Seo-Hyun's arms wrapped around each other's elbows.

"Yeah." I whispered. Yi-Jeong stood beside me. He had a mischievous look on his face.

"We're going out for a quiet drive; care to join?" She offered politely. I waved my hands and played with my hair.

"No, don't let me ruin it for you two! I'll be going soon anyway. Just wanted to thank you," I quickly replied. Yi-Jeong put his arm around me and pulled me tight.

"We were just about to go on a drive ourselves." He stated. I blushed and looked at them. Ji-Hoo didn't look so pleased.

"Let's go," He whispered to me. I nodded and we both turned away.

"You owe me big time."

"What are you talking about?"

"First I save your life, compliment you, and I just rescued from being a total stalker." He said. I pushed him away and crossed my arms.

"Who told you to?"

"Would you like to explain why you were really there then?"

"Never-mind. . ." I tip-toed away and into the hallway. Yi-Jeong snickered.

We were driving around, admiring all the buildings. I looked at all the glittering buildings and hung my jaw out in awe.

"It's beautiful,"

"Like you?" He said. I scoffed and looked back at him.

"Flirting like that isn't going to get you anywhere." I stated dully.

"I'm not flirting; simply being a thoughtful gentleman." He said as we came to a stop-light. We sat in silence for a few moments.

"Why were you over there?" He asked, moving once again. I looked at my hands and sighed.

"I wanted to talk to Seo-Hyun, to persuade her that she couldn't leave." We pulled over at a mountainside that looked over the city. He got out and opened my door for me.

"Why would you do that?" He said as we leaned on his car.

"Because Ji-Hoo wouldn't be happy." I waited a little while before answering.

"Why are you so concerned about him when he loves another girl?" He asked once again. I felt my nose tingle as I put my hand on his shoulder.

"That's it. I don't know why I'm so engrossed in his personal life when all I've been to him is a pile of pity." He looked down at me and removed my hand from his shoulder. Instead he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer. I started crying into his chest.

"I hate love. It's pointless and heartbreaking. I don't want it!" I said. He pulled me tighter and rested his chin on my head.

"Don't cry."

"Yi-Jeong. . ." I whispered quietly.

"Shh. Don't talk." He replied.

I felt the rays of yellow car lights and I slowly turned. My tears wet his suit and my eyes felt puffy and irritated. He kept his arm around my waist.

"So-Young! What's wrong?" Seo-Hyun came running out of the car and she hugged me. I regained my balance and hugged her back. Yi-Jeong smiled then looked at another person leaving the car. Seo-Hyun let go and wiped the hair out of my face.

"Don't cry! I want you all to be happy. . ." She said. I smiled and looked behind her. She turned too. Ji-Hoo.

I watched as the boys glared at each other and Yi-Jeong returned back to the car, roughly brushing his friend's shoulder.

"Do you want to go home with us?" She asked. I looked at the orange car and back at her. I shook my head and took her hands off my face.

"I'll go home with Yi-Jeong. Thank you Sunbae." I bowed and stepped back in the car. I saw Ji-Hoo helping Seo-Hyun back in the car and him staring at our car before stepping back in hesitantly. I looked back at Yi-Jeong as his eyes laid on the rear view mirror.

"Let's go." He said. I nodded and put on my seat-belt.

"Okay."