Krystal's POV
Now
You can't fall asleep. The words Amber shouted still ring in your ears. You turn onto your side, hoping to find a more comfortable position. The bed feels so big and empty. You involuntarily think back to last week, how you had curled up next to Kai.
Then
"You like this," he had sighed as he slid his hands in between your legs. You thought about how even when he was whispering he still sounded harsh.
"Kai, stop," you had weakly asked, but he didn't, and the hot wetness spreading across your thighs made you give in eventually.
Now
You aren't sure if you want him in your bed anymore. Amber was right. It wasn't normal the way Kai had treated you. You shudder when you remember how he had towered over you in the brunch room.
Then
"You think you can leave me?" he had breathed, his black eyes boring into yours. You cowered but refused to look away. He just smiled and stepped closer to you, his boots crunching on the broken plates. You felt tears prick your eyes. That was your sister's favorite china set she had given you, for when you wanted to remember home.
Kai saw how you looked down at the china. He grinned and ground his heel into a cracked blue and white bowl, crushing it into dust. You knew telling him to stop would be useless. He bent down until his face was level with yours.
"You think you don't need me?"
Don't back down, you told yourself.
"I—I don't!"
"I—I don't!" he mimicked you. "You're terrified of me, aren't you Krystal? Woof!" He barked right in your face and you fell back until you slammed against the wall.
There was never any escape from him.
He guffawed and sauntered forward, pressing his chest against yours. The overwhelming scent of his cologne made you gag but you tried to not blink.
"You know, the way you're standing up to me right now is kind of sexy. I could get used to it," he murmurs, trailing one finger up and down your neck. "But I hate to ask, where did you learn this bravery? Did that thing in here teach you?"
"Amber's not a thing," you heard yourself say.
Kai narrowed his eyes.
"Looks like I'll have to teach you some manners." He took a step back and cracked his neck. You knew you should've run then. But your feet were rooted to the spot. He meticulously rolled up his sleeves. You knew this sequence all too well, after every time he drank. But he seemed stone cold sober now. "I hope you know this is for your own good. My mother and father would never want me to marry someone who didn't know how to listen. So listen to me now."
He carefully raised his right hand, emotionless eyes on your trembling mouth.
"Never see Amber again."
But as he said Amber's name, a sudden warmth blossomed throughout your body and you unfroze. You found your feet and as he swung his arm down, you ducked and dashed away from underneath.
Now
You look at the door but it's still closed. You shouldn't be in here. Amber should be on the bed and you should be on the couch. Amber's the reason you're not with Kai now, playing his concubine. Amber's the reason you started taking control of your life again.
Yet you're still the one on the bed.
When would you learn to stop being so selfish?
There had to be a way to fix this. You pick up your phone and scroll through your contacts. Luna, Lisa, Key, Onew, all great people you've partied, brunched, and traveled with. But not people who'd make Amber feel at ease. Yet. You alight upon a newer name.
Yes, she could help. You quickly send her a text.
Krystal 12:03: hey, u up?
Byulyi 12:03: is this a booty call…
You smile as your heart feels lighter. Moon Byulyi always knew how to make you laugh.
Krystal 12:04: it's too early for that
Byulyi 12:04: aw damn. I had my booty call outfit on
Krystal 12:04: haha
Krystal 12:04: isn't that just a birthday suit?
Byulyi 12:04: it's a birthday suit minus some stuff ;) wanna see it?
Byulyi 12:05: jk jk jk
Krystal 12:05: ew stop flirting with me. What will Yongsun say?
Byulyi 12:05: she's fine with it considering we're not together just yet…
You bite your lip. Maybe you just said something you shouldn't have. But before you can say sorry Byul responds.
Byulyi 12:06: but I like that u think that we're together =D
Byulyi 12:06: so y u txting me
Krystal 12:06: ahh kk sorry! Wasn't sure where u were with that but we should catch up
Krystal 12:06: was txting to see if u wanna get bfast tmrw
Byulyi 12:07: where and when
Krystal 12:07: im at the mandarin, so wanna meet me here?
Byulyi 12:08: oooo fancy, r u treating me at the rooftop bar or something?
Given Amber's feelings from earlier, you're not sure if that's the best idea.
Krystal 12:10: well actually I wanna talk to u about that. can I call u rn?
Your phone starts vibrating as a funny picture of Byul lights up the screen.
"Hello?" you quietly answer.
"Dude why are you whispering?" Byul shouts through the line. It sounds like she's at a frat party, judging from the loud hoots and cheers in the background.
"I'm not alone."
"What! Don't tell me you're with Kai again or else I'm going to come and beat your ass."
"No, no, I'm not."
You can hear Byul moving through a crowd. A few people yell at her but she tells them to go have sex with themselves. You giggle but all the same you wish you could be as outspoken as she is.
"Whew, okay I'm outside. Now tell me what you've gotten yourself into," Byul breathlessly rasps.
You're not quite sure where to start so you just launch in. "This is going to sound like a weird question but do you know someone named Amber Liu?"
"Amber? Of course I do! Premed, super smart, TA for my biochem class. Pretty quiet definitely has a badass side. Oh and not too hard on the eyes." She says the last part with a slyness that makes you blush.
You're not sure what you were expecting but that wasn't it.
"Really? Tell me more—wait, actually never mind." You want to discover this badass Amber on your own. "Anyways, I'm going to be bringing Amber to brunch tomorrow. Except I think it's better if we go to a more low key place, not the Mandarin."
"Dude you still owe me a meal after I got you those condoms! Well I guess Kai owes me a meal but I'm sure as hell not getting it from him," Byul whines, "is he even a large?"
"I'm not discussing his dick size with you right now! I'll treat you tomorrow."
Byul must hear the note of finality in your voice because she drops the subject. "Fine, fine. Do you want to hit up that burrito place? And why are you bringing a stranger to our breakfast again?"
"Yeah that place! And well, Amber's the reason I'm not sleeping with Kai tonight so I'm returning a favor."
"Ah, so you're actually inviting me to not make things awkward with your new boo. I see I see—"
"What!" you squeak, "no!" But as you deny the accusation you invariably think about how lithe and strong Amber's body felt against yours in the shower, how you two fit better together than you and Kai ever did. You jerk your thoughts away from that dangerous area.
"Hello? Krys you still there? Or are you and Amber making out?"
"Shut up! I'll see you tomorrow in the lobby at 9." You hang up before Byul can say something sarcastic again. Your face still feels warm so you turn up the AC. It's totally ridiculous, how she thought you and Amber were going on a date tomorrow.
You fluff up your pillow.
Ridiculous, you think again.
You relax into the bed and take deep breaths.
Right before you fall asleep, you admit it's not an entirely unpleasant thought.