Chapter Text
“Did you hear about the new girl?” Seulgi asked Chaeyoung as she twisted the cap off her water bottle. “I heard she’s in your class,” Seulgi glanced before downing a gulp of water. Chaeyoung sighed. She knew exactly who the new girl was.
Lalisa Manoban. She had gone to school with Chaeyoung in middle school but moved back to Thailand to start high school. Everyone in the junior class knew what had gone down between them, but that’s for another time. Now, Chaeyoung had to focus on the task at hand: dance practice. She was a shoo-in for captain next year, just a little more effort. It was no time to get caught up in three-year-old drama.
Seungyeon, another senior, had called everyone back to attention after a quick water break. The rest of the team gathered around for any possible announcements from the team’s captains, Seulgi and Seungyeon. Chaeyoung was the last to the circle, caught behind by the thought of Lisa.
Seungyeon was discussing their first performance of the year: the back-to-school pep rally. Definitely not one of Chaeyoung’s favorite things; the girls were bunched into the gym with cheer and flag, as well as the drumline from the marching band. Not to mention the thousands of students of YGHS packed into the stands like sardines while teachers and administrators tried to get everyone into the ‘school spirit’. No one ever did.
Chaeyoung loved the dance team, though. She loved the seniors Seungyeon and Seulgi. They were the perfect leaders and knew how to get a crowd engaged. The other senior girls, Momo and Eunbi, were also extremely talented girls. Chaeyoung bonded well with them.
The juniors, excluding Chaeyoung, were Chungha, Chaeyeon, and Jieqiong. Jieqiong was a foreign exchange student who was living with Chungha. Chaeyoung especially loved dancing with them. Every summer at team bonding events, Chaeyoung spent most of her time with the girls in her class.
The underclassmen were just as talented as the rest of the team. Chaeyoung always worried about those poor girls. The sophomores at least had some experience of performing with the team. Mina, Joy, and Olivia had been perfect additions to the team the year before. Now it was time to train up the select few freshmen, including Seungyeon’s younger sister Soojin, to be able to perform perfectly, even if the student body was more interested in their Instagram explore pages than the live show in front of them.
“As our veteran members know, every year we get an interview with a member from the school newspaper to gain exposure,” Seungyeon began.
“Not that we need any more,” Chungha added. “We’re doing well for ourselves.”
“Any publicity is good publicity. We can’t just run out of members after all of us have graduated,” Seulgi stepped forward a bit. “Which means that our juniors have the responsibility of making us look good. It may not seem that important but we have to show people that we aren’t a stuck-up group of bullies. I’m sure all of you have dealt with someone being exclusive just because you’re a part of the dance team.”
“So,” Seungyeon started. “At some point within the month, each of the juniors will be interviewed by a member of the newspaper staff. I think that’s all we have for announcements tonight… Unless someone else has something to add?”
“Make sure to work hard on the turns at that one spot!” Eunbi spoke up. “I know you all hate that part but it would be killer if we nailed it!”
Everyone cheered and went their separate ways to gather their things to leave. Chaeyoung sat on the gym floor and scrolled through her phone. A text from Jisoo.
“Hey I have to help set up for the pep rally on Tuesday could you show Lisa how to get to the gym? I know you guys were close a few years ago. Thanks! :)”
Chaeyoung swiped out of the notification and sighed. She grabbed her keys and her water bottle and stood up to leave. Just before she got to the door, she heard her name from across the gym. She felt hot tears stinging in her eyes. Composing herself and taking a deep breath, Chaeyoung turned to find the girl who had called for her.
It was Olivia. She had skipped a grade so she was the youngest of the bunch. Chaeyoung and all of the upperclassmen agreed that she gave off an older vibe. She wasn’t just a talented dancer but she also brought some maturity and humor to the team. Olivia jogged her way over to Chaeyoung and asked for a ride home.
“My sister got held up at work and I have my house key I only live a few blocks from here but I don’t want to walk alone in the dark,” Olivia began to ramble about reasons.
“Absolutely, it’s not a problem!” Chaeyoung smiled. She was glad to have someone to chat with a bit after practice.
The short car ride to Olivia’s was a bit quieter than anticipated. The girls discussed difficult parts of the routine, classes they were looking forward to, and before Chaeyoung knew it she was sitting in her own driveway with the radio turned all the way down. Her air conditioning was the only sound she could focus on.
Hot tears began to rush back to her eyes with memories of Lisa. Their friendship had meant so much to Chaeyoung. But what did it mean to Lisa? How could it just end like that?