Always and Forever

Chapter 9

••

Yunjin and Y/n were sprawled out on Y/n’s bed, a half-eaten bowl of popcorn between them, the movie long forgotten. It was one of their typical weekend sleepovers, the kind where they got too distracted by random conversations to actually finish watching anything.

"Have you thought about what you're getting Eunchae for her birthday?" Yunjin asked, glancing over at Y/n with a curious smile.

Y/n sighed dramatically, tossing a pillow up into the air before catching it. "Now that you've mentioned it... I have absolutely no idea what to give her."

Yunjin raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "How is it that you’re good at everything except picking out a gift?"

"Why is it so hard to come up with something meaningful?" Y/n whined, frowning as she kicked her legs in frustration. "She’s the kind of person who loves everything, so how do I even start?"

Yunjin chuckled, sitting up and leaning against the headboard, looking at Y/n with a mischievous grin. "Well, let’s break it down. What does Eunchae usually like?"

"Everything," Y/n answered flatly, flopping back onto the bed. "Seriously, she’s one of those people who’d love a rock if you gave it to her."

Yunjin burst into laughter, her voice light and airy. "Okay, okay, fair. But come on, that’s not true. She has favorites, right?"

Y/n groaned, her mind already spinning with the possibilities. "I mean, sure, she loves cute stuff, but that's too generic. I can’t just get her a stuffed animal or something, right?"

Yunjin leaned in playfully, nudging Y/n with her shoulder. "Well, just because you don’t want to get her something generic doesn't mean it’s a bad idea. But hey, I already know what I’m getting her."

Y/n shot her a look of mock indignation, crossing her arms. "You can’t just rub it in that you’ve already got your gift sorted out. This is unfair."

Yunjin grinned. "Hey, I’m just saying. You know how easy it is for me to pick out gifts. You just need to put some thought into it—and stop overthinking it."

Y/n stuck her tongue out at Yunjin. "Just because you're already ahead of the game doesn’t mean you get to bully me about it."

Yunjin chuckled, giving her a playful shove. "I’ll let you off the hook. But seriously, think about what Eunchae really loves. You’ll figure it out. And when you do, I’m totally expecting you to admit that I was right."

Y/n rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "Fine, fine. But if you end up being wrong, I’m never letting you hear the end of it."

As Y/n and Yunjin continued their playful banter, Y/n’s mom knocked lightly on the door before entering, a warm smile on her face and a plate of freshly baked cookies in her hands.

"I thought I’d bring you two something special," she said, setting the plate down on the nightstand beside Y/n’s bed. The sweet, comforting scent of the cookies filled the room instantly.

Y/n sat up, eyes lighting up. "Mom, these smell amazing!"

Yunjin grinned and leaned over, taking one of the cookies. "You’re the best! These look so good."

Y/n’s mom chuckled softly. "Well, I hope they taste just as good. I made them for you two. Figured you'd be busy with your weekend plans, so I’d drop by with a little treat."

"You're spoiling us," Y/n teased, reaching for a cookie. "But, uh, seriously, these look way better than anything I could’ve baked myself."

"Only because you’re not allowed to mess up my kitchen," her mom shot back with a wink, taking a seat on the chair by the desk. "How’s the weekend going for you two?"