(don't) take off your mask // yejisu

fin.

"Ryujin, you're nineteen for crying out loud. Walk out the front door without me!" an exasperated Yeji breathed out in one go. It's half past seven o'clock, and the duo were still in the middle of a pleading-declining argument.

Yuna, the cheerleader arranged a masquerade-themed party to be commenced inside her spacious residence. In the popular sophomore's defense, this would be the only time they could clear their heads out before midterm exams come crashing down. Loads of students but Yeji signed themselves up.

"Stop acting like you're gonna be annihilated the moment we get there. Girl, loosen up." the younger retorted, dusting crumbs off her fitting crimson dress. "This is why I'm your only friend."

"You're not my only friend!" Yeji scoffed, a bit offended at how her roommate could articulate such words. She aggressively plopped down on her unmade mattress. "Don't be an ass, I'm not going and that's on that."

"Give me names, then." Ryujin challenged, deciding they still had time to spare before the event.

"Chuu."

"Whom you've only brushed shoulders with in a convenience store? No."

"Chaewon."

"No."

"Lisa?"

"She just SCOLDED you at practice yesterday, but I fuck with you for trying."

"...Soyeon?"

"Doesn't count and we both know that."

What was the point of this Q and A, then? She wanted to scream. Oh boy, did she want to howl at Ryujin, but Yeji knew the blonde was right. People hardly attempt to look in her direction let alone have a word with the brunette. It's not like she's a campus bully or something akin to that, hence the older was puzzled by her amount of friends (or lack thereof).

"Fine." She huffed. Just like that, they've hit the dead end of the banter. Besides, she wanted to prove something. Supported by her forearms, Yeji pushed herself up and stomped her way to the dresser. A black off-shoulder dress that stopped three inches above the knee caught her attention.

Ryujin clicked her tongue at the (boring) choice of garment, and bit it to refrain from making further comments. At least, Yeji was going this time.

---

Yuna's dwelling was fancy, to put it mildly. Numerous LED lights illuminated the path stretching from their gateway to the two-storey villa. The interior was nothing short of, either. Even with youngsters mobbing the vicinity and cups strewn across the floor, Yeji admired the detailed paintings sprucing up plain white walls.

"Where do they get the- shit!" Yeji cursed behind her black-and-gold masque. Ryujin was nowhere to be found. She started to fidget the loose end of her dress. Skeptical footsteps trailed the hallway reeking of ironically cheap alcohol. One of these doors must lead to the bathroom. And Yeji, always a fan of horror stories in which bathrooms are at the end of the hallway, followed her instinct.

What she didn't anticipate was a spacious backyard garden with multiple fireflies adorning the area. Candle lights were situated left and right, creating a walkway towards a medium-siized gazebo in the middle. This doesn't look off-limits, and it's not like I'm damaging some property, no? Yeji thought to herself alone.

Or maybe not.

A lady, presumably the same age as her, perched on a bench nearby. She didn't seem to notice Yeji and was staring into the void. The mask did a good job in covering a great chunk of the unfamiliar person's face. And as though a light bulb just pinged inside the brunette's head, she had a great idea. She's unhurriedly walking towards the 'target'. still grateful that the latter was kind of spacing out. No clammy palms, nor rapid heart pace; just Yeji wearing a confident simper.