Mirror

“Don’t pretend like you don’t see it.” Exy says, settling beside you while leaning against the open bar.

“See what Sojung?” You reply.

“You think you’re so cute acting like you don’t know?” She says with her arms crossed.

“Please, I’m adorable. And I really have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“That little piece of eye candy you brought along. The one that’s currently dancing like a crazy person on the dance floor.”

“Her name’s Yujin, Sojung. I asked Jiyeon if I can bring her as a plus-one and she said she doesn’t mind. I didn’t think I needed to get your permission too, considering this is her wedding and not yours.”

“I’m not talking about you bringing a date, asshole. I’m talking about her.”

“What about her? Is it an age thing? I know I have a few years on her but she acts more mature than she looks. Besides, why do you even care? It’s been three years since we broke up, it’s none of your business.”

“Oh come on!” Exy huffs with annoyance. “This isn’t the time to act innocent. I know you brought her here to mess with me. There’s no point in pretending like you don’t know”

“How would me bringing Yujin here be messing with you?”

“Oh my god. You really don’t see it, do you?” She gives you a look of bewilderment. 

“Exactly what I’ve been saying for the past few minutes.”

“Fine. I want you to take a good, long and hard look at her.”

“Why–”

“Just do it, jackass!”

So you do. From the open bar in the wedding party you look at your girlfriend, Yujin, on the dance floor.

“Take note of her features.” Exy starts telling you. “All the specific details of her face. Her face shape, the like. Try your best to remember them.” You do as you're told, but to be fair, it’s pretty easy to do so looking at your girlfriend.

“Are you done?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, now look at me!”

“What? Why do I–”

“Oh for the love of god, will you just—” Exy, already impatient, immediately grabs your cheeks and makes you face her. Your eyes are the first to meet. You start to get a bit awkward, considering you haven’t done this since before you broke up. It takes a while before you actually hear and follow her instructions. “Compare our faces damn it! Stop staring like an idiot!”

You try to follow her instructions, but you’re a bit flustered from looking at your ex. Still you do your best to look at her.

“So?” Exy asks you.

“So what? I still have no clue what you’re talking about.”

“God, you're hopeless.” She says as she releases your face. “I’m gonna go talk to the other girls. You stay here and think about it more.”

“I still have no idea what it is!” You shout as she walks away. You go back to your whiskey before being interrupted by the star of the night.

“What was that about?” Bona asks you as she leans against the bar top beside you.

“Oh you know, one of our regularly scheduled arguments. Nothing new.”

“I don’t know, there’s something else with Sojung’s stomps right now.”

“It’s weird, she kept asking me to look at Yujin and then her. She kept asking if I saw it.”

“Oh… So did you see it?”

“Again, I still have no clue what it is!”

“Christ, you need glasses. They look alike, you idiot!”

“What? No they do–”

But then it hits you. The realization crashing over you like a wave. You start to see the small similarities at first, but then they start to meld into one person. 

“Oh fuck.”

“There it is.” Bona says with a smile before she takes a sip of her champagne. “Do what you will with that new information, but you might have to sober up to the realization fast.” She says as she points to someone approaching.

“Are you okay, Oppa?”

“Yeah– Yeah Yujin, I’m fi–” You’re unable to finish your thought as you see Exy’s face on Yujin’s. You start to get flustered, unable to think of a coherent thought until Bona saves you.

“Are you enjoying the party, Yujinnie?”

“Yes Unnie! It’s really fun! Congratulations again on the wedding and thank you for inviting me!”

“Thank you, Yujinnie. You’re always welcome to join us, you know. Now if you excuse me, I’ll go catch up with the rest of the girls before they get sloshed on margaritas. You two enjoy!”

“We will Unnie!” Yujin says as she hugs your arm. “Are you sure you’re alright, Oppa? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“A doppelganger maybe.” You whisper underneath your breath. Her face starts to morph back into her own. “Probably just the whiskey, Yujin. I’m fine.” You try to say it as an excuse.

“Well okay. I might have to call it a night now anyway. We have a group thing tomorrow and I don’t want to be late.”

“Oh damn. I’d drive you home, but…” You look at the glass on the bar top.

“No, it’s fine! Gaeul-unnie is picking me up in a bit. I asked her to so that you can enjoy this little reunion with your friends. I know you barely get to see them anymore so I want you to enjoy this rare moment.” She grabs your arm again. “I’ll just say goodbye to Unnie then I’ll wait for Gaeul outside.”

“The least I can do is wait with you Yujin. I’ll meet you there.” You say as you down the rest of the whiskey before going out. You needed some air anyway.

From outside, you can see Yujin greeting Bona again before letting her know she’s leaving. She points to you and the rest of the group looks at you, letting them know you’re staying. Exy’s stare lingers just a bit longer than everyone else’s before going back to the conversation. As if on cue, Gaeul pulls up to the venue just as Yujin exits the ballroom. You give Gaeul a quick wave before she points at you, gestures downing a beer, and laughs. You reply appropriately with a raised middle finger.