How Things End and Begin Again

Seohyun stands by the manager-unnie, both women wearing secretive smiles. 

“What gives?” Hyoyeon asks immediately, squinting at the pair.

“We have something for you,” SNSD’s youngest member says simply. 

“Here,” the eldest woman of the nine gathered adds.

From behind their backs, the two presenters pull out many scraps of paper.

“Not this again!” Tiffany whines as she throws her hands up in frustration.

“Just take one; reach blind and you’ll know which one is for you.” The manager is almost vibrating with suppressed joy.

Sunny gasps then. Immediately, she plunges her hand toward the paper giving off vibrations that are most melodious with her soul and turns it over.

Lee Soonkyu, is that really all you had to say to me? Don’t play. You aren’t even scary. Or cute! ...Okay, you’re kind of cute. Don’t tell anyone I said that. ...I’m sorry about the dream... I hope you understand. And know that I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you <3 ^_^ (Good thing I’m cute at least, right?)

Silent tears slip down the smallest woman’s face even as the apples of her cheeks and the corners of her mouth rise.

Noting the peace on her face, six more hands are quick to copy hers.

“What does yours say?” Hyoyeon demands of Seohyun before even looking at her own paper, clutching it to her heart like six other Girls are doing to theirs.

Seohyun hands hers over without protest.

You were never a waste, Maknae. And you are safe in my heart, forever. Hmm... Yejun-ah, huh? Unnie’ll get her for you, Juhyunie. Yes, your name will never leave my lips without a smile in my voice. And thank you, Sweetie; I know for sure now that I am not alone. ...Just look for me in places I actually am next time, okay? kkkk I love you.

Seohyun wipes the tears from her unnie’s face with gentle hands. “Read yours, Hyoyeonie-unnie.”

Taking a deep breath, the older member complies. Soon, her breath is knocked out of her again but by a sharp laugh.

Oh great, I got a letter from freaking Voldemort. Heh The answers to all but one of  your wishes are yeses. I will never forgive you. There is nothing to forgive. :) And I’ll never forget you. Or stop loving you, any of you. I did actually try but failed miserably. Go ahead and gloat. But you’re a princess too, Fiona! Love ya <3

“What? What’s it say?” Tiffany sticks her nose into Hyoyeon’s business. 

The younger member merely laughs, taking over wiping her own tears and then drying her hand on Tiffany’s hair. She passes the move off as petting the older Girl but does nothing to hide her mischievous grin.

Yoona and Yuri, having retreated to the other side of the room to read their notes, cling to each other as they cry happy tears.

I know your heart whether you like it or not; a mother always knows her child. And you are mine. Maybe not from your first breath but definitely to your last. For the millionth time, the only thing either of us needs to throw away is that egg donor-incubator who dared ever call herself your mother. Aish. I love you, you little rascal.

and

Damn right I’m the only one for you, Yuri-yah. Don’t ever forget that.The only reason you were so lonely is because you were feeling my emotions. We are still connected and always will be. Let’s make it physical some time, okay? ...-___- Not like that, ByunYul. I mean I miss those safe, homey arms. Come hug me some time. I love you!

their notes say.

Sooyoung is quick to throw herself onto them. Her note, pinched tightly in her hand, reads,

That’s MY pen, Choi Sooyoung! Haha, got it back already and yours. HAHA! You lied again. You weren’t there No one was... But that’s okay. I planned it that way. Don’t be sorry, my love. And stop doubting yourself. And don’t call me Sooyeon ever again! You know I don’t like it. It sounds too much like your name. kkkk Love you too <3

The leader stumbles blindly through her tears to fall onto 2NyHyoHyun’s embrace. She actually reads her note aloud, reciting,

Taeyeon-ah! :’( You’re such a poetic little weirdo. We were doing okay at the end there, you know. And the time for apologies is long past but no longer due. I’m returning your gift. Don’t want it; don’t need it. Nor do you need my help. You haven’t failed and you never did. But you are indeed mine, truly. I. Love. You.

and Tiffany soon follows,

I’m not a Liar-Liar-Pants-on-Fire! YOU are! We are always so mature, aren’t we? Your fault! kkkk Don’t worry; I’ll save one of my albums for you. But only one ‘cuz they’ll be in super high demand. And I’ll buy SNSD’s sucky stuff too, even though it won’t be as popular as mine’ll be. haha Call me. I’ll pick up this time for sure. Love you, Steph!

She uses her T-manager skills to bring everyone into a huge, joyful group hug. Her shaking hands even jam into her pocket for her phone, intent on making a very important phone call.

But the line rings once before going dead.

The tears in Tiffany’s eyes take on a sadder tone, and everyone around her feels familiar disappointment tinging the air again.

Taeyeon is quick to lose hope. “These aren’t even signed...” 

“And their light tone is a bit hollow.” Sunny, pouting, worries her note between her fingers. 

“Maybe Man- ...Where is she?” Taeyeon glances around the room to find the woman by the door.

A soft voice from behind it asks, “Room for one more?”

“Sica!” many people cry out with various suffixes while one particularly loud voice calls, “Jessi!”

Then the group hug is anything but soft.

“I’m so happy that I could burst!” Seohyun exclaims many full but silent moments later, setting off a widespread but good-natured chuckle at her expense.

“Sorry. I did answer... I just... dropped my phone...” Jessica mutters, answering Tiffany's half-pout without seeing it.

The younger woman chortles. “Oh yeah, I’m the klutz between us!”

“Shut up.” A small smack on the arm answers her.

“Let’s celebrate!” Yuri is quick to stop the bickering even though it makes everyone smile.

“Huzzah! Drinking party!” Sunny says with more life than has been heard from her in almost a year.

“Party, party!” Tiffany whoops. “P-A-R-T-Y!”

Sooyoung does a silly sort of teasing dance while the manager stares at her and listens to Tiffany, intensely. “I bet we could make a song out of that...” she murmurs.

“Now isn’t the time to talk about work!” Tiffany laughs. “Party, party! P-A-R-T-Y! P-A-R-T-Y!”

“I want tequila!” Sooyoung says straight away.

“Mojito!”  Hyoyeon answers her.

“Lemon soju!” Yoona chimes in.

And that and then some is exactly what they get.

*Upvote and comment if you want to see the next part! It’s a lot of fun too :'D