another sigh slips out before she turns her head to look towards cinder. “why.. do i put up with you. you’re like a child. yet i’m the child..” hyejung trails off, their arms still interlocked as they made their way to hyejung’s house. “my grandmother’s gonna be home, she’s not as mean as me so if you get scared or whatever.. run to her. or play with my puppy– whatever you want to do.” she grumbles, keeping the usual, apathetic expression on her face for all to see. cinder probably knew by now that hyejung did care in some sense, but of course she wouldn’t just reveal herself like that. she’d show her in a subtle way, just like their arms interlocking. hyejung wasn’t really big on affection, or just touching people in general. so when she initiated the action, it was to show that yes, they were friends. cinder was one of her favorite friends– and also a friend that hyejung had the need to protect. “…yeah. let go of me and you’ll die. got it? i’m not prepared to go looking out for you yet again just because you got lost. ugh. do you know how much of a pain in the ass that was..” she mumbles, turning her head to hide the small smile that was now forming on her lips.

🌙 • • • That was actually a valid question; Cinder was older, so how come she was always the child? She let the idea mull over before eventually coming to a conclusion. Because, with everything it is I do -- how dangerous it is, I want to be able to feel like a kid again sometimes. With no worries. And, you're the only one who lets me be this way. She'd never say that though. She was satisfied knowing the answer herself; she didn't need to get Hyejung involved in that side of her life. So, for now, Cinder would just smile brightly for her. That's all she was good at, anyway. "Waaahhhh, Hyejung's taking me to her house! And I get to meet her grandmother! And puppy! Today's just the bestest of all best days ever!" She wouldn't push her limits, slightly in fear that if she got a little too close, Hyejung would snap and push her away. Not just right now, but for the rest of her life. That was just somethign Cinder could not afford. "Huh?! I might die!? Don't say things like thaaat!" Even though she was endlessly whining and complaining about being left behind or forgotten, that goofy smile still remained plastered on her face. And it's all because of you, Hyejung.

🏈 」  “I’M GONNA lick your face and give you danny cooties in five seconds if i don’t hear an apology from that mouth. five… four… three…”

🌙 • • •   “Bite me, ugly. You're not getting shit.”

        collections like this were not so much unorthodox as they were a little….repulsive. kihyun could be a sneaky devil if he wanted to and worm his plans around people but cinder was too damn clever and always had her eyes on him when he let her into the picture. mischief practically brims at his smile when he collects the last bit of money. he wasn’t being subtle about the fact but knowing she caught on from the moment he set the dare in motion, that irked him. it irked him just a tad because he’s still holding the wad and refusing to hand it over. “how do you know i’m not getting paid for a performance I’m about to do? or for my own services? what makes you think all this money is for watching you kiss a worm?” in regards to his own services, he wouldn’t be so foolish as to conduct it out in the open. “half for kissing a worm? one third. besides, there’s no rumor everyone knows you don’t back down from dares, and everyone knows you can’t beat me in dares.” he didn’t intend to make her compete for her share he just liked to talk a good challenge. he liked to bait the willing and the daring. 

🌙 • • • Every single fiber of her was lying his sneaky little ass off. She couldn't quite place her finger on it; but, something about Kihyun was throwing her off -- especially today. It could have been anything, really. From the way he was just looking at her with those money hungry, beady eyes of his or how he smiled just a little too hard for her liking. Or it could have just been something as simple as his breathing that rubbed her the wrong way. Regardless of what it was, she just felt it in her gut he was getting some type of profit. ❝ How do I know? Because it's you. ❞ A little white lie wouldn't hurt; she did manage to get him to tell on himself already, might as well roll with it. ❝ I can see it now: Oh Cinder falls to the great Kihyun. Special edition interview with the fearless girl that had finally been beaten. It's easy, really, all I've got to do is say I couldn't do it. Besides, you seem to have forgotten there's no photographic evidence I did it. It's your word against mine, and who do you think they'd believe more? The sly little fox trying to make a quick buck off of some lies? Or the pretty girl? ❞ Hook, line, and sinker.

🏈 」   “LISTEN, you woman thing. i will ignore you till i hear the words — deej, you’re one fine man; please forgive me as i have fallen short and have gone astray. you’re majestic and powerful, you’re not ugly! you’re handsome and a charm to be around. thank you for being my friend!”  

🌙 • • • “Did you just--- woman thing me, mister?! Looks like you'll be ignoring everything I say then, because I will not give in to peer pressure. You can't tempt me with your devil talk, ugly noodle. The only thing majestic about you is how you manage be to be so unattractive. Now that, my friend, takes some real talent to pull off.”

“I have to continue sayin’ jokes for my fans she says,  after agreeing to never say jokes…Damn, the things you’ll do for gummies, huh? All your fans, forgotten about when gummies are up for grabs. How loyal.”

“I only agreed to not makes them around you! My loyal fans will still get my jokes, of course. Plus, they'd understand if I suddenly stopped, especially if there's a good gummy involved! You're just jealous I make better jokes than you.”