Ever since that friendly little outing with Sunny Krystal had noticed that Amber looked a little sadder than usual. While she still smiled and enjoyed group activities she was a little more sullen than usual. She wasn't even as jumpy as she used to be. But now wasn't the time to think about it.

The youngest Jung sister was piling clothes and other items into her sports bag. Today she had a track meet.

After looking around her entire room and not finding her uniform bottoms she ruffled her hair in frustration. Walking out into the hallway with no pants on she hurried to the laundry room downstairs in hopes of finding the lost article.

A voice from behind startled her for a second before she realized who it was, “Hey Soojungie, lookin’ for something?” Krystal turned around and pouted at the older girl.

“Oh, Yuri unnie you’re here; I can’t find my shorts.” She crossed her arms like a child.

Yuri, with her hands behind her back, approached her and said thoughtfully, “You mean the blue spandex ones that fit your cute butt just right?” she teased.

Krystal’s pout grew and she stomped her feet on the ground, much like a child, “Unnnnie. This is serious. They won’t let me run if I’m not in uniform!”

Yuri snickered at the younger girl and said mischievously, “You sure you didn’t leave ‘em at Amber’s house?” Yuri took pleasure in the furious blush that appeared on Krystal’s face. She cackled in glee on the inside. Unlike Jessica, she could tease Krystal and, sometimes, get away with it.

Another voice from the hallway made them both turn to the owner, “Yuri, are you teasing my baby sister again?”

Yuri stuck her tongue out and chuckled nervously, “You caught me.” She leaned over and quickly pecked the blonde’s cheek.

Jessica rolled her eyes at the taller girl and looked her baby sister up and down, “Soojung, why don’t you have pants on?”

With her arms crossed, Krystal pouted at her older sister before saying, “I can’t find my spandex. Have you seen it?”

Jessica immediately turned to Yuri and punched her in the shoulder, “Owww, Sica that hurts!” Yuri whined. Yuri rubbed her shoulder, which didn’t hurt much, and stuck out her lower lip.

“I send you to go give my sister her shorts, and what do you do? Tease her. Giver her the shorts Yuri.”

Yuri moved the hand that was behind her back towards Krystal. The small blue article of clothing dangled off of her fingers, “I was gonna give ‘em to her! I couldn’t resist teasing her a little first though, honest!”

Jessica rolled her eyes at the taller girl’s antics and looked at her sister, “Someone,” she glared at Yuri, “mixed up the laundry. I found those in my pile of clothes.”

Krystal hugged the shorts close to her and pushed her way through her unnies without a word. Jessica stepped aside before she could get hit, but Yuri was not as lucky and clung onto the door frame before she could fall over, “Sheesh. That girl.” Yuri mumbled to herself.

Jessica pat Yuri on the back and yawned, “Come on Yuri.”

Krystal dashed up the stairs, nearly running Yoona and Seohyun over. Seohyun clung onto the other girl and shouted, “Careful, don't hurt yourself!”

Krystal didn’t stop as she yelled back, “Sorry unnies!”

Seohyun resumed her walk downstairs with Yoona, “She’s very lively this morning.”

Yoona yawned, “She must be excited. Her big track meet’s today.”

Seohyun walked into the kitchen and nodded. She opened the fridge and asked over her shoulder, “What do you want for breakfast?”

Yoona pat her stomach before saying, “Well what’s in the fridge?” She grinned.

--00--

Back in her room Krystal had put on her shorts and was now zipping up her jacket. She grabbed her cell phone when it rang and answered it on her shoulder as she finished putting things into her bag, “Hello?”

“Hey. Good Morning.”

Krystal smiled to herself. She loved it when Amber called just to say that, “Morning.”

“Did you sleep well last night?”

Krystal hummed for a second and nodded to herself, “Yeah, I guess, considering the circumstances.”

“Circumstances?”

“Well some of the unnies were playing a drinking game last night to celebrate Seohyun unnie’s acceptance into this big political internship. The funny part is Seohyun unnie wasn’t even drinking.” She mused.

“Oh. They got a little loud huh?” She could hear Amble chuckle over the phone.

“A little, but it’s nothing I’m not used to. It actually sort of soothed me to sleep.” She giggled to herself, “And how ‘bout you? How’d you sleep?”

She heard shuffling over the phone and some voices, “I slept well, thanks. The oppas and I have a surprise for you today, so look out for us, okay?”

Krystal’s smile widened, “Oh really? What is it?”

“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you now would it? Do your best today, okay? Fighting!”

Krystal pouted at not being told what the surprise was but before she could reply the door to her room slammed open, “Soojung! Stop flirting on the phone and come downstairs to eat!” Hyoyeon gave the younger girl a peace sign and left the room.

Krystal cursed her unnie inwardly and blushed, “I have to go now.”

“Okay. I’ll see you there, alright? Bye.”

With that she hung up her cell and drew her bag on her shoulder. She exited the room and headed downstairs where she found all of her unnies already seated at the large table inside the dining hall.

She stopped in her tracks and looked on at the scene, “Unnies? What are all of you doing up so early on a Saturday?”

Sooyoung stopped eating long enough to say, “What are you talking about? This is your big track meet! We wouldn’t miss it for the world! Look, even your Jessica unnie is up.”

Jessica rolled her eyes and continued eating, “Yah, I can be up early if I want to.”

Tiffany gave an eyesmile as Taeyeon set down another plate of eggs, “The problem is Jessi never wants to.”

Jessica aimed her glare at the eye smiling girl and earned a laugh in response. Yuri set down a plate of pancakes and motioned Krystal over, “Come eat! It’s your favorite. Western style breakfast, courtesy of Taeyeon, Hyoyeon, Hyunnie and,” she posed, “Yuri.”

Krystal smiled at her unnies and set her bag down before taking a seat next to Sunny. The short girl immediately set down a plate for her and started piling things on it, “Eat up Soojung, you’ll need the strength!”

Krystal smiled at her unnie’s natural display of aegyo and laughed to herself. She looked around the table and said softly, “This is nice...” The chattering, laughing, and yelling quieted down a little.

Yoona stopped her argument with Sooyoung to look at the group’s baby, “What was that?”

Krystal smiled towards everyone and said again, “This is nice. Breakfast together like this.”

Everyone around the table suddenly smiled as well. Sunny put a hand on her shoulder, “It is.”

With another smile Krystal dug into her food, and the table was alive again.

In the car on the way there Krystal had been texting Sulli and Amber. She’d explained how happy she was that her unnies were all coming to her meet and how they’d all had breakfast together.

Yuri nudged the younger Jung, who was sitting next to her in the back of Jessica’s BMW*, “Something wrong?”

Krystal shook her head and leaned her head on Yuri’s shoulder, “No. It’s just…everyone’s been having such different schedules lately. The barbecue was nice, and this morning was even better. There are so many of you so it’s hard to be able to see you all at once, even if we all live together.”

Yuri nodded and put her arm around the young Jung’s shoulder, “You know we love you Soojung. When you moved in with us a few years ago we were all so excited,” she whispered the next part, “Your Jessica unnie was the most excited though.”

Krystal giggled to herself and looked up at her older sister, who was currently arguing with the occupant of the front seat; Tiffany, while driving. She nodded.

“We all grew up together as friends, so the rest of us considered you our sister as well. I know we’re all busy a lot, but we do care for you. Your parents…they’re busy as well. I know they don’t call as often as you’d like them to, but they love you too. I’m sorry we can’t all be together more.” The dark haired girl sighed.

Krystal shook her head, “I know you’re all busy. Jessica unnie is busy with the firm, Tiffany unnie has her church youth activities, Taeyeon unnie has her recordings and schedule, you and Yoona unnie have modeling activities. And the rest of the unnies have school and other things going on. I understand. But I’m still happy when we’re all together like this.”

The car pulled into the school lot and Jessica parked beside Sooyoung’s SUV. Krystal unlocked the door and called out, “I’ll go first; I have to meet with my teammates.”

Jessica nodded, “Okay. Do your best Soojung, we’ll be watching.” She smiled warmly at her sister.

Tiffany and Yuri nodded at her and pumped their fist. As she exited she waved to those in the SUV, “Bye unnies! I’ll see you at the track!”

Sooyoung stepped out of the driver’s side and yelled, “Soojung fighting!”

As soon as she disappeared from sight Yuri smirked to herself, “Sorry Soojung, unnie’s gonna have a little fun today too.”

Jessica raised an eyebrow at Yuri and locked her car, “What are you planning Yuri?”

Yuri grabbed the other girl’s hand and smiled, “Oh nothing, just gonna have a little chat with our new friend Amber.”

Jessica’s lips turned up at the comment. Amber had only managed to pass one of the three tests so far. What Sunny told her was interesting though. Amber seemed to love her sister a lot, but then what is the explanation for those pictures and texts that Sunny found on her phone?

Before the blonde could ponder it further, the track came into view and Sooyoung, in a very Sooyoung-like manner, headed straight for the food. She looked back and saw Yoona getting antsy in her spot next to Seohyun. The youngest of the unnies had a disapproving look pointed at the other girl, probably saying something along the lines of “too much junk food accumulates, and eventually you’ll die.”

She and the others went on ahead to secure a spot for them. The intramural sports program was huge in their district. Amongst the slowly growing crowd Jessica spotted Amber chatting with a group of boys. She raised an eyebrow.

Choosing instead to watch on quietly the blonde merely sat down and kept her eyes on the short haired girl not too far away from her. She looked very comfortable with the lot. Maybe...Jessica shook her head. She wouldn't assume until she had hard evidence. She sighed. Hopefully Yuri would come back soon to relieve some of her boredom.

--00--

Amber rubbed her palms together and smiled at the group of boys surrounding her, “Thanks again everyone. Krystal's gonna be so surprised.

One who looked strikingly similar to the girl pat her on the head and smiled back, “Of course. How could we deny our cute baby sis?”

A sassy looking boy with a strange haircut nodded and pat his stomach, “We have to show off what we're working out once in a while anyway.”

Jonghyun rolled his eyes and pat Amber on the back, “No worries. We got this.”

Amber nodded, “I've never done something like this before.”

He laughed and headed up the bleachers while the others followed, “It'd be a good experience for you I think.” he winked.

--00--

This time both of Jessica's brows raised themselves. She'd watched the boy wink at Amber, but she wasn't sure what the situation was. She pondered and pondered and before she knew it she had kept a glazed look on her face.

Sooyoung approached the glazed looking blonde and poked her on the forehead, “Space Captain Jessica, please report for duty.”

Jessica pouted at the taller girl and swatted the hands away, “You're done eating already?”

Sooyoung nodded and pointed at the track, “Krystal's events are coming up soon. Try to keep your eyes open long enough.” the lanky girl ducked and moved away from Jessica as a fist swung at her. She stuck her tongue out at the blonde and seated herself next to Sunny and Yoona.

The eight of them were gathered but Yuri was still missing. Before Jessica could text the taller girl she appeared out of the side of the bleachers, smiling brightly. With a bounce in her step she bounded up the stairs and next to Jessica, “Did I miss anything?”

Jessica shook her head, “Krystal's events haven't started yet.” Jessica eyed Yuri's attire, “And why are you wearing your training gear?”

Yuri played with the zipper of her hoodie and smiled at the blonde, “Amber and I are going to exercise together.”

“Oh really? When did you ask her that?”

“I didn't. But if she knows what's good for her, she better come.” The sing song tone didn't match the meaning of the message, but Jessica smiled anyway, glad that the upbeat girl was enjoying herself.

The time finally came for Krystal's event. The nervous 16 year old hopped in her place as she waited for them to call her over. Sulli approached her after already finishing all her events earlier, “Hey Jjung. Don't be nervous!” The girl gave her an eye-smile reminiscent of Tiffany's.

Krystal gave a crooked smile back nodded, “A lot easier to say than do...”

With one last eye-smile Sulli pumped her fist and mouthed words of encouragement before moving off of the track. The youngest Jung puffed her cheeks and put her hands on her hips. Suddenly she heard her name being called especially loudly. She turned to the stadium and covered her mouth at what she saw.

5 of her Oppas and Amber were wearing tiny running shorts shirtless, with the exception of Amber and her tank top. On each of their respective bodies read GO-KR-YS-TA-L-and Amber had an overly done “!” boldly written across the front of her tank top. In addition they all painted their faces and were whooping like children.

She blushed at the display and watched on as the other members of her team giggled on. One of the older runners approached her and chuckled, “How can you lose with that type of support Krystal? Fighting!” She finally turned, a blush on her face, and returned the gesture.

“Thanks Oppa. Fighting!”

The 100m race ended with Krystal placing 3rd overall. She was embarrassed when both the group of unnies and the 5 oppa fans plus Amber cheered wildly. Even Jessica was smiling brightly. Her next event would be the 100m hurdles and then finally the relay. As the last leg, she was feeling nervous.

While other events were going on she decided to approach the stadium and greet her unnies and Amber. She waved at her unnies who cat called at her and approached Amber and the five boys.

Jonghyun Wooped and pumped his fist into the air, “You did well because we did this right? You found inspiration from us right?”

Minho pushed his head aside and rolled his eyes, “Great job Krystal. You worked really hard this year. You totally deserved it.” He smiled kindly at her.

Taemin and Onew each pat her on the back and pointed at their stomachs, “We don't know how long it'll take this to come off. So you better win your other events too.” His playful scolding earned him a laugh. Key was busy chatting it up with some other people he knew, but she knew he cared.

After giving each of them a hug she went for Amber last and gave her a peck on the cheek, “You planned all this?”

“Of course I did!” She looked proud of herself.

Jonghyun grabbed her in a headlock, “Yep. This kid planned all of this.”

“Ah ah ah! Oppa that hurts!”

“Who's your oppa? Hyung! Your hyung! You kid.”

“Ack! O-Oppa!” she whined.

Krystal smiled before she grabbed Amber's hand, “Sorry Jonghyun Oppa, I'm gonna have to borrow her for a bit.” When the two walked off All five of them couldn't help but whistle and cat call, further adding to Krystal's secret enjoyment and not so secret embarrassment.

Krystal pulled Amber to a quieter part of the field behind the equipment shed. There she pulled the older girl into a hug and gave her a breathless kiss. The surprising kiss made the short haired blonde go into a daze for a second until Krystal's laugh broke her out of her stupor. While holding the older girl's hand Krystal smiled and said, “Thank you. This means a lot to me.” She then punched her shoulder, “But it's so embarrassing!”

Amber rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, “I thought you'd say that...” she smiled.

Krystal looked the other girl up and down and pointed to the running shorts, “And are those my old JV running shorts? Where did you even get those?!”

Amber beamed at her, “Being friends with your best friend has its perks.”

Krystal rolled her eyes and mentally noted to demolish Sulli later. But when she looked at Amber's goofy smile and the splotchy exclamation point on her tank top she felt a surge of emotion go through her. Somehow this dork had managed to make her feel things she never thought possible. She wrapped her arms around the olde girl's neck and leaned in close.

Amber met her halfway and their lips touched. She wrapped her arms around the younger girl's waist and pulled her close. She didn't know what to do if someone were to pull them apart. Unfortunately, her figurative thought process didn't apply to reality. A voice made them pull apart from each other immediately.

“Well well, don't you have an event coming up Jung-shi?”

Krystal turned towards the owner, “I'm so sorry, it'll never happen ag-Yuri unnie?” her expression turned from frantic to annoyed.

Yuri waved at the pair, “Hello! Busy aren't we? I thought you guys weren't dating yet? So is this like a fling...?” she teased. She loved this.

Amber wiped her lips with her hand repeatedly as if that would remove the sin. She frantically tried to speak at the same time, “This, uh, I mean we were talking!”

Yuri walked towards them and nodded, “Oh yeah, Sica and I love talking with our tongues in each other's mouth too.” she smirked.

Krystal gave her a look of disgust, “I so don't need to know what happens between you and Sica Unnie.”

“But anyway Soojung-ie, shouldn't you be heading back to the track. They'll be calling runners for the 100m hurdles soon. You should warm up.” Krystal sighed and nodded.

Before she left she turned back to Amber, mouthed a sorry, and gave her hand one last squeeze. As she watched Krystal run away from them she gulped to herself. She was alone with Yuri.

When she tried to head back to the track Yuri took a step in front of her and put an arm around her shoulder. She redirected her towards the other side of the school towards the gym, “Oh Amber, you know what time it is now don't you?”

Amber gulped again and nodded slowly.

“That's right! Time for Test number 4 with the lovely black pearl Yuri! Oh yeah! Let's go!”

The blonde was a little confused when they walked into the gym and only found one exercise mat on the floor. Yuri turned to Amber and smiled. She reached for the hem of her shirt and lifted until Amber could see the bottom of her sports bra. The blond tried to shield herself but it was too late.

“Do you know what these are, Amber?”

Amber, who had her eyes squeezed shut, didn't want to answer.

“You're right. They're chocolate abs. My prized possession.” she pat her stomach affectionately, much like one would a cat.

She then ordered Amber to open her eyes. When Amber did so she was relieved to find that Yuri's shirt was back in place and that the older girl was now standing beside the mat. Yuri pointed at the blue material, “This is a mat. On this mat you will prove your worthiness of dating Krystal to me.”

Amber looked on skeptically, “I'm sorry, but I'm not quite following...”

Yuri pat her stomach again, “These babies are the work of **600 sit-ups a day, Amber. 600. A strong core makes for a healthy life. You probably know this already but Krystal also has abs I have dubbed white chocolate abs, since everyone thinks I'm black and all. But you...” She approached Amber and poked her stomach, “Skin and bones. No muscle.” With one hard slap on Amber's stomach she pointed to the mat, “Prove me wrong. Show me you can do 600 sit-ups without giving up or crying and I'll give you a pass.”

Amber looked up at the older girl. This wasn't a test. This was torture! She'd never done 600 sit-ups in a day before. She couldn't help but think that this was seriously unreasonable, “Isn't this a little unreasonable?” she tried.

Yuri had nothing of it and pointed to the mat, “You better get going before I get bored.”

Amber scurried to the mat, these unnies were going to be the end of her.

She was doing fine up until she reached the hundred point. Yuri watched on while eating a sandwich. Where she got the sandwich Amber will never know. The dark skinned girl watched on with a neutral expression and called out numbers once in a while for her.

Yuri's eyes followed her as she repeatedly went up and down. Getting slightly bored she leaned her arm on Amber's knees and kept chewing her sandwich. Amber had gotten to the 150 mark and by now was feeling like her abs were made of heavy rock. Her pace had slowed considerably and her heart rate was overclocking.

Yuri deviously smiled on the inside. She was slowing down. She tsked to herself. The other girl hadn't even reached the 300 mark. Yuri finally smirked at Amber after finishing her sandwich and said, “Come on you sissy! You're not even half way there! My grandma could do this blindfolded with her hands tied behind her back in a tank full of sharks!”

Amber was too tired to even try to comprehend what the black pearl had just told her.

Finally she was nearing 230. Her pace was unbelievably slow now. It took nearly all of her strength to lift her body up. She resolved to working out more after this experience.

Eventually she became totally breathless. She lay on her back with her arms sprawled on their sides, chest heaving with exhaustion. Yuri leaned forward and smacked her cheeks a little, “Come on Amber! Don't be a wuss! Get up get up!”

With Yuri's encouragement Amber struggled to get herself up for the 300th time. She panted, “I...I can't Yuri unnie. I can't feel my abs anymore...”

“What abs?!” She slapped Amber's stomach. The younger girl groaned.

This continued on, with Amber groaning pathetically and Yuri physically abusing her. Every once in a while Amber would force herself to bring her body up. She was seeing stars. This was animal cruelty.

-00--

Krystal was worried when after her hurdles the exclamation point in the stand was gone. She had quite a bit of time until the last event of the day, the relay, and so went to seek Amber. She first asked the oppas who replied that they didn't know. She then went over to the unnies who also didn't know.

Before leaving the group she noticed one was missing. She turned back and looked around before facing Jessica, “Where's Yuri unnie?”

Jessica looked around with a bored expression and shrugged, “I don't know. She left a while ago.”

Krystal sighed in exasperation, “Okay.” she went back to the spot she and Amber occupied behind the equipment shed and found no one there.

While she was looking around she accidentally stumbled upon a soon to be couple. A young man was rubbing the back of his head nervously while trying to keep eye contact with the girl across from him. Krystal immediately backed away from the spot as quietly as she could. She couldn't disrupt love.

She continued walking in one direction and felt a smile growing on her face. Even though they were together, Amber hadn't changed too much. Maybe a little less nervous, but still the same.

--00--

“Thank you, have a nice day!” Krystal sighed as the customer left. Ever since school started she'd had to take later shifts. It was only until the end of the year, but it didn't make her any less tired. The girl cleaned up the area around her and watched as the clock ticked by.

She was absentmindedly cleaning around when the familiar ringing at the door alerted her to a customer's presence. She dropped whatever she was doing and put on her usual work smile, “Hi! Welcome to-Amber?” her smile suddenly grew.

The blonde smiled back and shivered before approaching the register. She looked around before saying, “Quiet night?”

Krystal nodded, “Yeah. Which is a little weird, considering the weather's so cold.” Krystal couldn't hide her glee. She used to see Amber every morning during the Summer, but now she usually sees her an hour or so before her shift ended every night.

Amber smiled at the other girl, “Well maybe people would rather be bundled up at home I guess.”

“Yeah. The usual?”

Amber removed her jacket before nodding, “Yes please.”

“Coming right up.”

Before Krystal could turn to make the drink Amber called out, “And...” Krystal raised an eyebrow when she didn't continue for a while. Amber rubbed the nape of her neck and looked at the clock, “You're getting off shift soon right?”

Krystal looked at the clock and it was true that she was getting off shift soon, “Yeah.”

“Well...would you like to join me afterwards? Just to talk! Not like...anything. Yeah.” Amber burned a furious red.

Krystal giggled. She found the other girl's nervousness cute. The short conversations they'd shared whenever Amber ordered coffee never seemed to satisfy her. If anything Krystal herself had been waiting for the chance to jump at asking Amber to sit down for a drink. The younger girl smiled at her and nodded, “Yeah. I'll definitely do that.” with that she turned around.

Amber grinned to herself. She had been successful. She waited patiently for her drink and took it. The ring of the door signaled another customer and she parted ways with Krystal to find a suitable spot to wait.

She couldn't believe it. Krystal had agreed. After all this time of secretly liking the girl she finally grew the imaginary balls to ask her to sit down and talk. Sure, it didn't mean the other girl liked her back or anything, but it was a start.

She waited patiently, but it felt like time was moving slowly on purpose. Finally, after what felt like years of waiting she saw Krystal sit across from her in her day clothes. Usually hidden by her apron, Amber never really got to see the younger girl's style.

It was chic and classy with a dash of sexy. Who could make casual wear look so good? Oh right. Krystal Jung.

Krystal smiled when she sat down, “Hey.”

Over the course of the short conversations they'd had to have in order for Amber to order coffee successfully the short haired blonde had regained her function to speak. Sort of.

“Hi.”

There was an awkward silence as the two drank quietly. Amber shuffled in her seat and coughed before chuckling, “This is awkward. I'm sorry.”

Krystal laughed too and shook her head, “No. It's not awkward. We always talk, the only difference is that this time we're sitting down and no one's behind you yelling you to hurry the fcuk up.” she smirked.

Amber blinked a few times and suddenly laughed, “Yeah. You're right. So...what do you d-” she shook her head, “I mean, I know what you do, but I mean, what do you like to do?”

Krystal giggled at the adorable display in front of her and took a sip of her drink, “Well, for starters, I like track and field. I have this gift for sports.” She flipped her hair arrogantly in a joking way.

Amber played along, “Oh? Are you like Queen of the track?”

Krystal scoffed, “Please. This is the 21st century. I'm the King of the track. Women can be Kings too.”

Amber laughed and nodded, “Sorry your majesty. But to be honest...you don't look like a King.”

Krystal raised a brow and reached over to punch Amber in the shoulder as she laughed, “Yah!”

Amber laughed along and attempted to dodge the flying fist, “You look like a princess!”

Krystal stopped her violent antics and felt a tint of red overcome her cheeks, “What?”

“You know...spoiled, bratty, annoying...” Amber smirked.

Krystal pouted and reached over again.

The older girl held her hands up in defense, “Hey hey! I'm just kidding. Not many princesses or kings work at coffee shops.” Krystal pouted, “Only pretty girls.”

Without realizing what she'd just said Amber smiled. Krystal's face adopted a red color once more and she subconsciously tucked her hair behind her ear bashfully.

Somehow the awkward air around them had dispelled and they pair found themselves immersed in playful banter and friendly conversation. If anything the time they were having now only reinforced Krystal's wishy-washy feelings about the older girl.

The intern/college student was someone she looked forward to seeing, before at the beginning of the work day, and now at the end. After each meeting she hadn't realized that her heart was slowly being pulled out of her chest. With every short encounter and embarrassed smile and stutter from the other girl she hadn't realized that this person could be someone she would love in the future.

Before they knew it the Small shop was coming to a close. One of her colleagues greeted her and kindly told them that they'd be closing soon.

Amber checked the time on her watch and widened her eyes, “Oh wow. It's late. I'm sorry I kept you for so long...”

Krystal shook her head, “It's okay. I don't mind.” She smiled. Tonight was one of the best nights she'd had in a long time.

“Yeah, but I bet your parents are worried about you.”

Krystal tensed for a second but relaxed again the next, “I don't live with my parents. I live with my unnies, but most of them are busy with work or out of the country right now.”

Amber could feel the girl's mood go South and immediately tried to remedy it, “Uh, well, I really enjoyed tonight. Thank you for accompanying me.” she added a smile for good measure.

Krystal stood when Amber did and shook her head, “I enjoyed it too. Thanks for asking me.”

The pair stood there awkwardly as the room began getting darker, “So...do you need a ride home?”

Krystal shook her head, “No need. My friend will give me a ride.” Krystal ignored the appalled “Yah!” from the back. She figured it was payment for eaves dropping.

Amber laughed and nodded, “If you're sure.”

Krystal nodded and they stood awkwardly before Amber made her way to the door. Before she completely left she turned back to Krystal and called out, “Umm, I was...I was wondering if you were...” she took a deep breath and rustled her hair. Krystal giggled at the cute sight, “I...are you free? I mean...free this weekend? For dinner?” By now Amber's face was redder than Santa's cheeks on Christmas.

Krystal laughed again and, despite her own mild blush, managed to respond calmly, “Yes. I'm free.”

“Well...”Amber shuffled her feet and gulped, “Do you want to? With me? Err, dinner that is.”

Krystal nodded and tried to steady her rapidly beating heart, “...yes. I'd love to.”

Amber nodded and pulled out her phone from her pocket. They'd exchanged numbers earlier, “Cool. I'll uhh, I guess I'll call you?”

Krystal nodded, “Yeah. Sounds good.”

Amber smiled back and breathed a sigh of relief. The blonde then waved bye and tried walking out of the door backwards. She nearly tripped over the small step but waved that she was okay through the glass door.

Krystal covered her mouth in laughter and waved until the girl was out of sight. She sighed and turned around, only to be confronted by her friend.

“Spill.” The girl demanded.

Krystal shrugged, “I was just asked on a date.”

“You're always asked out on dates.”

“Yeah...but this time I said yes.” She grinned.

--00--

The memory brought a smile to her face. But she realized she'd walked around the school already. When she was about to turn back she noticed the doors to the gym were open. Deciding it was suspicious enough she made her way towards the door.

What she found inside made her both sigh and shake her head. She approached the pair on the floor and crossed her arms as Yuri continued yelling at Amber, who looked like she was in a lot of pain.

“Come on Amber! Time's flying and you're barely at 400!”

A groan was her response. Krystal cleared her throat and asked, “What are you two doing?”

Amber was too fatigued to notice Krystal's presence and instead continued miserably and slowly doing the exercise while counting to herself.

“Oh hey Krystal!” Yuri smiled at her.

“Yuri unnie, what are you doing to her?”

“Exercising.” Krystal raised a brow.

“She looks like she's in pain.”

“Oh that? Don't worry, she's fine.” She pat Amber on the knee.

Krystal tried calling out to Amber, “Amber. Are you okay?”

Amber still couldn't notice her. Krystal sighed and turned around. There was nothing she could do to stop this, after all, “Soojung fighting!” Yuri called out as she left.

“My next event should be in half an hour, don't miss it!”

Yuri smiled at her retreating form and turned back to Amber. This was pathetic.

Yuri crossed her arms and stood from where she was. Amber stopped, feeling her support move away. She saw stars, “Y-Yuri unnie...what...what are you doing?”

Yuri tsked and pulled Amber up off the ground. The girl cringed at the horrible feeling in her stomach, “Amber, Amber, Amber. Do you exercise? At all?”

Amber blushed, “I'm just...naturally skinny...”

“That's no good!” Yuri approached the nearby set of free weights and picked a 15lb weight, “Here.” Yuri dropped the weight in Amber's hands.

The blonde accepted the weight, but not without difficulty. She lifted it and looked up at Yuri with a questioning look, “Err, am I...supposed to do something with this?” she winced. Even talking was painful.

Yuri rolled her eyes and did a curling motion, “Arm curls. Let's go!”

Amber winced at the older girl's tone of voice and quickly got to it. By the time she got to ten on her right arm she was getting tired. Yuri saw this and put her hands on her hips, “Come on you sissy! Get to work! You think Krystal wants some skinny little respectable citizen of the Asian heritagenese girl who can't carry a bag of groceries?!”

Amber cringed and kept curling, “Err, no?”

“Rhetorical question Amber, rhetorical! But the answer is NO! No one wants to date a sissy! NO ONE!” she of course disregarded those people who wanted to date sissies.

Amber cringed and tried even harder to curl. Yuri was starting to scare her.

She was even more startled when Yuri picked her up by the back of her shirt, where she got the strength she has no idea, walked them into the adjoining cardio/weight room, and dropped her on the bench press.

“Put your hands up!” Amber did as she was told like a frightened puppy.

Yuri placed both her hands on the bench press and ordered her to go, “B-But I've never bench pressed before...”

“This is just the bar WussBer! Come on!”

Amber cringed. WussBer? Well that wasn't very nice. Either way she was afraid of the older woman's wrath. Her abs still hurt from before and her chest was in no way ready to handle the bench press, even if it was a mere 45lbs.

The dumbbell wobbled from side to side precariously in the air. Yuri stood behind her to “spot” and yell obscenities at her, “Push! Push! Sica could bench your skinny arse 100 times! ...Asleep!”

When Yuri grew tired of watching Amber struggle she dragged her over to yet another, in Amber's eyes, death contraption. Yuri forced her to sit on it and ordered her to push the chair back with the adjusted weights.

Amber, who by now was sweating a lake, struggled to complete the exercise even one time. Little did she know that Yuri had set the weights to 200...

Yuri crossed her arms and shook her head as she watched Amber pathetically trying, with all her might, to do the exercise. While outwardly she showed great disappointment, on the inside she smiled to herself.

“Come on! Go go! I bet you'd push Krystal in front of a moving train to save your own sorry hind!”

That's when the trash talking affected the blonde the most. Amber immediately stopped what she was doing, whipped her head to Yuri, and cried out passionately, “I would die before I watched her suffer!” The emotion in her eyes conveyed enough to Yuri. But she wasn't going to let up. It wouldn't be as fun.

Yuri redirected Amber back to the mat in the main gym and practically threw her down before yelling, “I don't believe you! Now get going!” Again, Amber set off on the sit-ups, only stopping once in a while to moan and groan in pain.

Yuri watched on in silence from then on. She spent the time mulling over the question many guardians have about their loved one's significant other; would this girl really give everything, even her life, for her baby?

She only really thought for a second, before letting a wide smile overtake her lips.

Yes.

--00--

Eventually time did pass and Amber had yet to complete the 600. To her defense she managed to do 482 before curling up into a ball and moaning like the dead.

Yuri moved off the other girl and shook her head, “Well at least you tried.”

Amber couldn't respond. She was too busy curled up on her side groaning about how much her abs hurt. Yuri crouched down to her level and pat her on the head, “Don't be too sad about it though. Soojung really likes you, you know. She even came looking for you. She never comes looking for anyone!”

Silence was her response.

“Although I have to give you an F, I'm rooting for you. Soojung isn't as happy as she looks at times. She hasn't had parents that were there for her, and we don't get to see her that often because we're all so busy. She's much more positive now. You and your little group of friends mean the world to her, so you better not mess this up.” Yuri got up and stretched. She smiled one last time, “Better get out there before you miss her last event. Amber fighting!”

All she could do was lay there and think on Yuri's words.

--00--

After finally getting up Amber made it in time to be the exclamation point to her little message. She waved to a smiling Krystal and cheered wildly as her team ran fiercely, regardless of the burning pain in her stomach. She cheered the loudest when Krystal's turn came at the end and became downright obnoxious when the younger girl pulled in front of the other runner, yelling embarrassing things like, “That's my baby girl!” “Go baby go!” and adopting a ganster-like accent all the while.

She and the five boys hugged each other and jumped up and down when, just by a small margin, Krystal crossed the finish line first. Amber looked down at the tired looking girl. She was covered in sweat, breathless, tired looking, but smiling. She decided then and there that she would go through hell and back for that girl. She was now even more determined to beat the unnies.

Amber: 1

Unnies: 3