Taeyeon's POV

In the Grocery Store.

I took a deep breath. Calm yourself down Kim Taeyeon.

This is embarrassing, somehow.

Our shopping cart was almost full because they can't decide in just one brand. Imagine that in a product they picked two or more brands because they insisted what they want to buy.

I think this was a bad idea to buy groceries together. They always argue what's the best and what I wanted. They pick a fight even in small things like the size of product or even just the color of it.

Sometimes, they're shouting and I tried to be their referee. Gosh. They're giving me headache. Although I already talked to Mi young, she still act like this. And I think Stephanie is just giving her stimulus response. I mean, she's just giving the attitude what Mi young was showing and treating her.

I'm not biased, I'm not siding to any of them. I just want them to be okay with each other because they're important to me but I think it won't be easy for us, for them. They're both have pride and both have strong personalities.

"Taetae, do you want to try this noodles?" Stephanie asked as she showed Neoguri pack noodles to me. "It's their new product, new flavor."

Before I could nod, Mi young interjected "She don't like that! This is her favorite!" She showed Ramyeon pack noodles. "Right Tae? This is your favorite?" She cockily said. Well, she's right. We were best friends. She knows me more than anyone else but also, there's nothing wrong in trying something new. 

"What's your problem? I'm just suggesting this new product to try, I'm not trying to change her favorite," Stephanie said with her meanest tone.

"What? I'm just saying that this is her favorite, what's wrong with that?" Mi young retorted with her spiteful voice.

I sighed. I'm tired of hearing them like this.

"I will just go outside, call me if you're done buying. I will pay for it," I excused myself and went to the parking area. I leaned my back to the side of my car and just closed my eyes to relax.

I need to think of something to make them fine.

But what if they really don't like each other? Am I forcing them? They're both negatives but in Algebra if we multiply both negatives make a positive result, right?

Tch. I'm just making my excuse and I'm talking about algebra, I hate that subject.

I'm just doing this because I want them both to stay in my life. Maybe I shouldn't force them to get together if they don't want but still, no one will gonna leave me. I want them both so if they don't want each other then, I will just let them. I will not force or pressure them.

I know, it's kinda selfish but what can I do?

"So... Look who's here?" Fuck. I know that voice.

I shut my eyes opened and flinched back as I saw this dumbhead guy. He threw the bud of cigarette on the ground and stepped on it.

"Finally, I found you. Where's Stephanie? Where did you hide her?" He barked. He's really a dog that kept barking.

Yeah right, he's the stupid brother of Stephanie.

"I don't know what you're saying, just back off," I flatly said.

"You're with her that night! When I came back the next day, she was gone! Where is she?" He yelled at the top of his voice. No manners huh?

"I don't know where she is," I was about to go back in the store when I felt a grip on my arm then smacked.

He also punched me hard on stomach causing me to cough blood, I felt numb for a moment and stumbled on the ground.

I was holding my stomach as I feel nausea, my vision was blurring too and I started to feel the pain.

"If you don't tell me where Stephanie is, I will kill you," he began to kick me everywhere while he kept cursing.

I wanted to faint and be unconscious but when I feel his kick, it made me awake. The pain makes me weak and I can't feel my body.

"Ya! What are you doing?" A girl shouted and he stopped.

I tried to look up and saw Mi young was running to the guy.

"You asshole!" She growled as she gave him 360 high kick on face. He fell on the ground, Mi young is indeed strong for a girl.

"I will give you lesson for beating my girlfriend!"

"Mi young stop it," I tried my best to stand up. Slowly but surely.

Mi young quickly helped me as the guy stood up and ran away.

"Fuck!" She cursed as she stomped hard. "I will find him! And I will beat the shit out of him until he can't walk anymore!" Oh, that's scary.

I put my arm around Mi young and she supported me as she held my waist. I pulled the key with the remote of my car out of my pocket. I clicked the remote to unlock my car.

Innocently, Stephanie came holding grocery bags "Mi young left me there after she paid these! She didn't help me!" She grumbled.

When I faced her, her face changed and became worried "Taeyeon, what happened?"

Stephanie quickly put the grocery bags inside the car then she walked back to me and looked at my face.

"You have bruises," she said as she held my face gently.

I felt that Mi young's hand tightened near at my stomach and I winced. It really hurts there. I held Mi young's hand and it loosened immediately.

"Your brother saw me, he's looking at you but I didn't say anything to him," I said to Steph.

Stephanie fumed "I will kill that jerk!"

"Wait, that crazy guy was Stephanie's brother?" Mi young asked.

"Yes, he is. That guy is f-"

Mi young interrupted me "You know Stephanie, you just give Taeyeon a lot of troubles. Maybe it's best if you just stay away from her. Look at her! She got beaten because of your brother! I will make him pay for this in jail! And you, just go away! Taeyeon is just being kind to you and you're taking advantage of it! If you really care about Taeyeon, leave her alone, leave at their house! You're just a burden!" She ranted.

I frowned as Steph stepped back and let go of my face. She's in the verge of her tears and looked guilty. It's not her fault to have a brother like that.

Then I saw her tears escaped from her eyes and she walked away, I was calling her but she didn't bother to look back.

I removed my arm from Mi young and looked at her in disbelief. She's not like this, I don't know her anymore.

"What was that?"

"I'm just saying the truth, she's a burden to you!" Mi young blustered.

I shook my head "I don't know where's this coming from Mi young but I hate what you said. You don't know what happened but still, you made comments like that to Steph. What's happening to you? Where's the Mi young that I know?"

"Choose Taeyeon, me or Stephanie?" Oh gosh, this is not happening.

I ran my fingers through my hair "I will not choose Mi young but for now, let's have some space. You need that to think."

"Space? What? You're choosing her?" Her voice cracked.

"No, I won't choose Mi young. You just need your time," I walked to my car then she held my wrist.

"Wait Tae, I'm sorry. I just don't want you seeing like this. Please, don't be mad. I'm sorry."

I shoved her hand gently away from me "Don't say sorry to me, say that to Stephanie."

Mi young kept quiet so I opened the door of my car and went inside. She didn't move and just stare at me.

I started the engine but she didn't stop me so I decided to just go and leave her there.

I don't know but it's the first time that I feel uncomfortable with Mi young. She's different and very unconsiderable.

I slapped my forehead few times, I hate this. It all messed up.

But for now, I need to find Stephanie.

I need to talk to her.

*****