Seol-a looked around the event center, her fathers company had put on a ceremony to recognize a new partnership with an up and coming company that showed a promising future. Every affluent family was there, these events weren’t just for the ceremony but a networking opportunity. Ever since she was young her entire family had attended these events, her brothers used these events to get connected to the powerful men in the room but these events had been used to set her up for marriage proposals. Seol-a searched the room for Ji-hwan, he had saved her many times from prospective men her mom found as marriage material. They had played their roles so well it was now a running joke in the family, for everyone but her mom.

Seol-a spotted him talking to a group of older men in the cigar lounge, soon he would be working with one of the companies in this room. She made her way through the room making pleasantries as she passed familiar faces, occasionally being stopped for more lengthy conversations. Her time in college had been very beneficial, allowing her to navigate the more serious conversations with eloquence and in turn she was able to use the knowledge from those more experienced to advance in her degree.

She made her way to the bar, asking for a seltzer with lime, she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. Ji-hwan smiled down at her,

“Hi, stranger.” ,He said playfully, ordering the same drink as Seol-a. “Feels like I haven't seen you in a long time. How was break?” ,he asked as they walked to a small cocktail table.

“It was busier than I expected. No-rea and I worked for a friend of my brothers so we didn’t really get to take any time off.” Seol-a pause, “I did get to go snowboarding.” ,she said with a big smile.

Ji-hwan watched Seol-a’s expression as she spoke briefly about the job, she seemed energized and bubbly. “You didn’t work another modelling job, did you?” ,Ji-hwan teased.

Seol-a grabbed his arms, “Don’t say that! You know how my dad feels about that.”

His smile faded and looked at her seriously, “What did No-rea do there?”

“Oh, do you think you might get some free photos?” ,she poked his chest, Ji-hwan sighed blushing slightly at her, not enjoying her teasing. “She was the president's secretary.” she huffed, “That woman was really something else.”

He ran his fingers through his hair trying to collect himself, “Meant your match, huh? There aren’t many people that get under your skin.” reverting back to his old self.

“She was just a bit too forward for my taste but it was fun working for her company.” ,she clarified, “No-rea seemed to be enjoying herself.” she smiled.

The announcers called for everyone to take their seats, abruptly ending their conversation. Only a few more hours and they would be able to sneak out of this ceremony.

Min-jeong sat on Seol-a’s couch, bouncing her foot as she watched the game show on tv. The last time they had lunch Seol-a had been pretty depressed. She turned her head watching Seol-a walk back and forth in her room getting ready. Something was different about her friend. She couldn’t place what but she could feel some sort of restlessness as she watched her get ready. Seol-a walked out with two different shoes, “Which ones?” ,she asked. “The red ones.” ,Min-jeong nodded. 

Min-jeong had been the only true friend Seol-a kept after her accident. They had been close friends almost their whole life, joining the same dance studio in elementary school. She was a dance major at a prestigious school in Seoul that created a great network for students to become professionals straight out of college. Seol-a had wished to go to that school, her life would have been so different if that accident had never happened. The silver lining in life was ironic. The experiences she had since meeting No-rea had been a blessing she never expected. She almost felt thankful to the events in the past, the mistakes of her past were invaluable lessons that she swore to never make again.

Seol-a and Min-jeong walked through the shopping district, looking at the menus of the different restaurants. Picking a cute bistro because of its extensive drink menu. They chatted briefly about their prospective day to day lives, catching up on the drama.

“I’ve been meaning to ask but why did you cut your nails?” ,Min-jeong asked, giving Seol-a a pointed look. Min-jeong was used to Seol-a always dressed to the nines. There was nothing casual about her, every outfit looked deliberately put together. Even in jeans and a t-shirt she looked like she could step into a photoshoot. 

Seol-a looked at her hands and sighed, oblivious to the examination, “I don’t even want to talk about it. It still pisses me off” ,she huffed, crossing her arms.

“Oh, it’s that bad?” ,Min-jeong was intrigued, hoping Seol-a would elaborate.

“We had a class party last week and No-rea got drunk. I was going to take her home but her friend went and got No-rea ex!” ,Seol-a explained exasperated, “Out of all the people to ask, her ex!” ,Seol-a felt herself get hot, anger rising inside of her. She took a sip of her drink, trying to calm down. Min-jeong sat quietly listening to her, watching the changing of emotion across Seol-a face. Min-jeong had not met No-rea yet but Seol-a had spoken of her so many times that she had grown a bit suspicious of their relationship.

“When we got to No-rea’s house, he wouldn’t leave because he said my nails would hurt her if I was left to take care of her. So I cut them.” ,Seol-a sighed heavily.

Min-jeong laughed, “So you actually cut them! Who are you, I’ve never known you to give up so easily.”

Seol-a glared at Min-jeong, at a loss for words she shrugged her shoulders.

Oh boy, Min-jeong watched the conflicting emotional run across Seol-a face, this must be pretty bad.

“Maybe he wanted a chance to work things out with her, alone.” Min-jeong stated, pausing before saying the last word slowly, she didn’t want to push too hard but she felt the need to dig deeper into Seol-a feelings.

Seol-a looked shocked and hurt, “She was drunk! There was no way I would leave her there with him.”

Min-jeong gave her a look of endearment, “True but you can’t blame the guy for trying.”

Seol-a eyebrows furrowed, showing deep lines in her perfect face, shaking her head, “Whose side are you on?”

“Yours.” ,Min-jeong reached across the table and grabbed Seol-a hand, choosing her words carefully, “I think you need to think about why something like this is getting to you so much”. 

Seol-a face flushed, unable to hide her true emotions. She didn’t realize how transparent she had been. Min-jeong could see it clearly, Seol-a cared deeply for No-rea and not in the same way she cared for Min-jeong. She never thought the day would come where someone would catch Seol-a eye. The way she gushed with happiness when talking about No-rea and the palpable jealousy she showed now, it was obvious she was in love with her. 

“I’m glad I didn't have any sisters because you're all I can handle.” Seol-a said, frustrated.

Min-jeong laughed, shocked by her response, “Okay, I’ll stop. I just don’t want you to get hurt.” ,she squeezed Seol-a hand, “No matter what you choose to do, I support you no matter what.” Seol-a nodded, she felt tears burn her eyes. She didn’t realize how much the reassurance meant to her. She smiled at Min-jeong, she really needed to see her more often. 

Min-jeong watched as Sol-a wiped her eyes as she became emotional. She wanted to help her friend in any way she could, but she knew that it would be up to Seol-a and No-rea on how this story played out. No matter what she wanted Seol-a to know that she would be there for her. These small moments in their lives were life altering, a turning point in Seol-a future and a prediction to the future of their friendship.

They had left the bistro a while ago and found a nearby bar. It was early enough in the day that it wasn’t packed at all, with very few patrons, allowing the girls to talk comfortably with each other. The girls ended up talking at length about relationships and life aspirations. 

“To think the day would come when you would seriously talk about relationships!” ,Min-jeong said gleefully, a bit intoxicated.

Seol-a blushed, “You’re just as surprised as me.” ,playing with her hair, she never thought she would fall in love with a woman. As she got older and dated a variety of men it must have been obvious at this point something was off. 

“Everything about her feels right but I don’t know if she feels the same way.” ,Seol-a sighed, taking a sip of her drink, “I tried telling her how I feel over fall break but that was a disaster.” Seol-a groaned, dropping her head in her hands. 

“Seriously, did you get rejected!” ,Min-jeong asked.

Seol-a head snapped up, “What!? No!”, she exclaimed, “Her ex popped out of no where!”

Min-jeong looked like she was about to fall out of her chair, ”Her ex!” she shouted, “Is he stalking her.” she asked seriously. 

Seol-a almost laughed, “No, I think we’re the only ones that attract crazy men. No-rea wouldn’t date someone like that.”

Min-jeong poured a moderate amount of soju into Seol-a cup before filling her glass. She took a sip of her drink, drumming her fingers on the table. “I don’t think you would fall for someone that didn’t feel the same about you.” ,Min-jeong mused, “You’ve always been careful choosing the people you're close to. Buuut.”, Min-jeong elongated the word, “It sounds like you need something more private. Somewhere that would set the right mood.”, Min-jeong paused for effect, “You need to ask her on a date.” 

Seol-a looked at her shocked, going on a date was honestly a great idea. She was ashamed she hadn’t thought of it herself.  

“A date would be perfect.” ,Seol-a thought about the idea for a moment, “But, we go out all the time, how would I take her on a date, without making her uncomfortable.”

“I’m sure she would get the feeling something is different but that’s what sets the mood.” ,Min-jeong said, shrugging her shoulders as if she was stating the obvious, “If you just surprise her with how you feel, who knows how she could respond.”

Seol-a hummed her acknowledgement. 

“I don’t know how soon you plan on asking her, but my class is playing in the Nutcracker this year. The show is in two weeks and we perform all weekend.” ,Min-jeong raised her eyebrow pointedly at Seol-a.

Seol-a blushed as she thought of the idea of taking No-rea on a date to ballet and a nice dinner.

“Okay. I’ll do it.” ,Seol-a felt her heart flutter as she spoke. 

Min-jeong gave her a beaming smile, “I’ll send you the information.” Min-jeong pulled out her phone and sent the show information to Seol-a.

“We should go shopping.” ,Min-jeong said excitedly as Seol-a looked through the Nutcracker information. Min-jeong was playing in a well known amphitheater and the attendees would be required to dress in business formal attire. She worried the show would be too grandiose for No-rea. Seol-a pushed the negative thoughts out of her head, standing up from the table she gathered her things, following Min-jeong outside to walk the strip of shops and boutiques in the area.