Chapter Text
chapter 1
An entire three months of Chemistry was wasted for Jinsoul. It’s not that she didn’t enjoy learning, and it wasn’t like she didn’t care enough to not listen, there was just something far more entertaining to pay attention to than her teacher. Ha Sooyoung - the brown eyed beauty who sat exactly two rows away from her - held her gaze captive for the entire duration of class. Every day, Jinsoul would open her spiral notebook to make it look like she was taking notes but rested her head in her hand and watched Sooyoung instead.
At first the young blonde reprimanded herself, insisting that staring at a girl she’s never talked to before was creepy, but came to the conclusion that if there was something she liked to look at, she would.
Jinsoul felt something hit her desk that broke her away from the one-sided staring contest with Sooyoung. She looked down, finding a note folded on top of her binder. She sighed, knowing it was from her best friend, but opened it anyway. ASK HER OUT. She quickly scribbled out a response, folded it back up, and passed it to the only desk separating Jinsoul and Sooyoung. YOU KNOW I CANT. Haseul read.
The bell rang and everyone collected their belongings. Jinsoul packed up slowly like Sooyoung who took her time and unlike everyone else who wanted to get out of class as quickly as possible. Haseul tapped her foot beside Jinsoul’s desk, waiting for her to stand up. She knew Jinsoul purposely packed her things slow just to follow Sooyoung out of class, down the hall and to the lunch tables. Which was exactly what happened every. Single. Day.
Haseul walked next to Jinsoul who walked behind Sooyoung who walked to her usual empty lunch table. She was kind of a loner. But it’s cute. Haseul heard Jinsoul’s words in her head. Jinsoul quickly say down at the table across from Sooyoung’s, pushing a freshman out of the way unconsciously. Haseul apologized for her.
“She’s going to file a restraining order against you once she realizes you stalk her.” Haseul spoke.
Jinsoul rolled her eyes. “I don’t stalk her I just...admire her from afar.” She pulled a sandwich out of her bag and took a bite. Sooyoung was reading a book. She occasionally flipped the page and tossed a grape in her mouth. Jinsoul sighed, resting her chin in its usual spot in her hand. “She’s so cute.”
“I swear if you don’t go and talk to her one of these days I’m going to. You know I will.” Haseul threatens.
“What am I even supposed to say to someone as beautiful as her? She’s out of my league.”
“Just go say hi or something. It’s not rocket science.” She shrugs.
“Really. Just say hi and walk away?” Jinsoul frowns at Haseul.
“You don’t think it’s that simple? Watch.” Haseul stood up and walked right up to Sooyoung. Oh god what is she doing? Jinsoul thought as she sunk down in her seat. “Hi.” She heard the shorter girl say.
“Hello.” Sooyoung responded with a smile.
Jinsoul’s mouth hung open as Haseul marched back over to the table and sat down. “Boom.” Jinsoul groaned and let her head fall to the hard surface in front of her. “One word, that’s all.” Jinsoul groaned, her head still planted on the table.
If Haseul can do it, I can do it. It’s really not that hard. Just say hi. She’s just a classmate. You’re not getting anywhere with your staring. You need to fucking talk to her. She continued giving herself a small pep talk for a few seconds. “I’m gonna do it.” The high schooler sat up abruptly. “I’m gonna do it Seul. I’m really gonna do it.” She swung her legs over the bench and stood up with determination.
Haseul watched in amusement as her shy best friend approached the girl. She was sure Jinsoul would chicken out at the last second and wanted to witness it. The shorter girl had her arm crossed as she watched Jinsoul.
God she’s even cuter up close. Jinsoul thought before clearing her throat to get Sooyoung’s attention. But of course the bell rang right when she did so. Jinsoul watched the girl close her book and throw her empty plastic bag in the trash can next to her. “Excuse me.” Sooyoung rubbed her hand on Jinsoul’s arm as she attempted to pass. She quickly stepped aside and then the brown eyed girl walk through the narrow aisle.
Once Sooyoung rounded the corner Jinsoul ran back over to Haseul with a huge grin on her face. “You saw that right?! She actually talked to me! Oh my god she knows I exist, this is the best day of my life.” She exclaims, spinning in a circle with her arms out and hitting a few students as she did so. Haseul apologized for her again.
“Did you say hi?” The shorter girl asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jinsoul froze. “...No.”
Her best friend sighed, “Maybe tomorrow.” Haseul took Jinsoul’s arms, linking them together and leading her to their last class of the day.
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The following day, Jinsoul did her usual routine of watching Sooyoung until class was over: follow her to the lunch tables, watch her eat her light snack, and have Haseul follow close behind as she did so. Much to both girls’ surprise, Jinsoul stood up abruptly and sat down in front of Sooyoung.
Haseul’s mouth fell open at the out-of-character gesture.
Once Jinsoul was seated in front of the brown eyed girl, her mind went blank. She just stared at her classmate who was staring right back at her.
“Hello.” Sooyoung smiled, setting down her book to give the girl in front of her all of her attention. She didn’t want to be rude to a possible new friend.
Jinsoul opened her mouth and let out a breath, “H-hi.”
“Im Sooyoung.” She introduces, holding out her hand to shake Jinsoul’s. Jinsoul looked down at it before grasping it in her own.
“I know.” She shakes it up and down. Sooyoung furrows her eyebrows together. “I-I mean, we have the same Chemistry class together. I’m Jinsoul.”
Sooyoung snaps her fingers. “Jinsoul, right. You’re the cute one.” She recalls. Jinsoul’s heart thumps hard in her chest. “You and your friend have matching shirts right? The Cute One and The Funny One.”
Oh. Jinsoul laughs nervously, her cheeks turning red. “Yeah, that’s us. I think I’m pretty funny but Haseul seems to think otherwise...” The younger girl says before she could stop herself. “You probably don’t care though.” She shakes her hand and stands up, trying to get away before she embarrass herself anymore. God, I’m such an idiot for thinking I could talk to someone as beautiful as her without saying something stupid.
“Wait,” Sooyoung stops her, a smile still on her face from the younger girls' words. “Where are you going?”
“Somewhere where I can’t make a fool of myself. Probably the mountains.” Jinsoul grabs her backpack and begins to walk away.
“Wait!” Sooyoung calls again. Jinsoul stopped walking and looked over at the girl. “Um...Did you want to be my friend?” She asks innocently, tilting her head to the side. It reminded Jinsoul of a puppy. Also a very young child. Either way, she thought it was adorable the way she ASKED to be friends.
The blonde grins. “Really?” Why did that seem so easy? Sooyoung nodded, not breaking eye contact. “Okay.” She sits back down in front of Sooyoung waving Haseul over. “This is my best friend, Haseul.” She points her thumb in the direction of the girl as she sits down.
“Hello.” Sooyoung holds her hand out.
Haseul looks down. People still shake hands?. “Sup.”
Jinsoul bites her lip to hold back a smile. Her best friend was right. Talking to Sooyoung wasn’t that hard, all she had to do was say hi. But now what? They all sat in an awkward silence. Jinsoul noticed her crush was fumbling with the edges of her book.
“Um, what are you reading?” She asks, hoping to break the ice a little more.
Sooyoung perks up, excited to share her answer, but then slouching back down. She forgot that not everyone is as interested in things as her and that it’s better not to get her hopes in talking about something she’s passionate about. “It’s called Please Don’t Tell.” She clears her throat. “It’s a murder/mystery type of book.” She explains, running her fingers across the front cover nervously.
That’s cool. I notice you read a lot of books.” Jinsoul speaks and almost regrets saying that until the girl starts talking again.
“Yeah, I love reading.” She shares.
Jinsoul shifts in her seat, “What’s your book?” She asks, hoping to keep the conversation going. Haseul was surprised Jinsoul even talked at all. She had a whole list of conversation starters prepared just in case her friend was silent the entire time.
“I really can’t pick a favorite, there are just so many good books out there, ya know?” Jinsoul nods with a small smile. She thought it was adorable how much Sooyoung had to say on the subject. Literally everything about her was adorable in Jinsoul’s eyes. “What about you?”
“What about me?” The blonde asks.
Sooyoung looks to her left and lets out a nervous laugh. “Do you have a favorite book?”
“Oh, yeah, totally.” Jinsoul shared truthfully. “I just finished Hunger Games series, actually. Have you read them?” She asked, already knowing the answer. She saw Sooyoung reading them a month or two ago and binge-read them all in a week just in case she ever got the opportunity to talk about them with her.
“I have, actually.” Sooyoung replied. “The author is amazing, I love her work.” She gushed excitedly. Jinsoul nodded along, listening carefully to each word her crush spoke.
“I, personally, am a fan of the I Spy collection.” Haseul butted in jokingly, causing Sooyoung to giggle in the cutest way possible. Jinsoul thought she was going to faint at the sound.
God bless you, Jo Haseul.
Just then, the bell rang and Sooyoung stood up. “I’m sorry; I should be getting to class. It was really nice meeting you two and I hope we can talk again soon.” She extended her arm to shake their hands again.
Jinsoul shook the soft hand and looked up at Sooyoung with hearts in her eyes. With a wave, the girl was gone.
Jinsoul slumped onto the table, clutching her heart. “She’s perfect.” She uttered.
“She’s a little strange.” Haseul crinkled her nose. “She doesn’t have any friends, shakes hands and talks a little funny. Like a proper person.” She listed, standing up from the table.
The blonde snapped her head up, “She’s perfect.” Jinsoul growled.
“Whatever you say.” Haseul chuckled, swinging her backpack over her shoulder. “Let’s go, buttface, we’re gonna be late for class.”
Just as Jinsoul was about to stand up, something caught her eye on the floor next to the table. “She must have dropped her wallet.” The girl leans down to pick it up. She spins it in her hands before opening it. Sooyoung’s I.D was the first thing she saw. In the picture, the brown eyed girl was smiling happily, her hair straightened and her bunny teeth sparkling.
A white card poking out of one of the pockets caught Jinsoul’s eyes. She pulled the tick piece of paper out. “If found, please return to Ha Sooyoung.” She read. An address was written below in Sooyoung’s neat handwriting.
“Now you can stalk her even more!” Haseul exclaimed teasingly. “How much money she got in there? I could totally go for a cold water right now.” She nods at the vending machine a few feet away.
“We’re not stealing her money, Haseul.” Jinsoul galred at her. “After school you’re going to drive me to her house so I can return it to her.” She informed to the girl.
Haseul rolled her eyes. “And why would I do that?”
“Because you love me.” Jinsoul said, putting the wallet in her backpack and zipping it up tight. Another bell rang throughout the school, letting the students know that if they walk in after, they would be late. “Fuck.”
After school, Jinsoul sat in the passenger seat of her best friends car, bouncing her leg nervously. They were about to turn onto Sooyoung’s street and she was already getting jittery at the thought of seeing the girl. Sure, she talked to her less than two hours ago and things went fine but she didn’t want to make a fool of herself again.
Both girls gasped as they pulled up to the house. It was a beautiful white house, at least three stories high, had a perfectly groomed lawn with a fountain in the front yard and a giant pool visible from the street.
“Damn, homegirl has money!” Haseul said surprised. “Are you sure this is the right house?” She asked her friend.
“I tripled checked.” Jinsoul told her, still gawking at the property. She cleared her throat and took off her seatbelt. “Well, wish me luck. Leave the car on just incase I say something stupid and need a getaway car.” She requested and opened the door.
“All right.” Haseul said, turning up the radio. “It’ll be just me and Red Velvet.”
Jinsoul walks up to the short gate in front of Sooyoung’s house and pushed it open, hoping her and her family wouldn’t mind. She fumbled with the wallet in her hands as she walked up the door, jumping from one stone to another.
Once she reached the door, she looked back at Haseul and saw her jamming out with her eyes closed. Jinsoul gulped knocked on the thick wood, stepping back slightly when she was done. She could see a figure walking towards her through the glass on the door.
The person unlocked the door slowly and opened it a crack. Only one piercing brown eye could be seen. “Jinsoul?” Sooyoung asked and then opened the door a little more.
“Hi.” The blonde shifted nervously.
“What are you doing here?” Sooyoung asked and let the door fully open. She was standing in only a white bikini and had a towel in her arm. Jinsoul’s mouth fell open slightly as she looked down at the girls’ body. “Jinsoul?” Sooyoung furrowed her eyebrows.
The blonde snaps upwards. “S-sorry. I, uh, wanted to return your wallet to you as soon as possible. Just in case you were worried someone stole it or something. I didn't steal it! I found it! On the floor.” She rambled on. “Uh, here.” She held it out to her crush. “I promise I didn’t take any money or anything. I got your address from the card in there, though. I didn't know where you lived before that.” Jinsoul told her. “I like your I.D by the way.” She said before she could stop herself. “You look really nice.”
Sooyoung smiled and took her wallet back. “Thank you.” She giggled, her cute little giggle again.
“Okay bye.” Jinsoul turned on her heels before she could say anything else.
“Hey wait.” The girl called. Jinsoul turned back around. “Um…” She scratched her shoulder. “Would you like to come in? I just made some lemonade and I was about to get in the pool. You can join me if you want.” Sooyoung told her, rolling a chunk of her towel in between her fingers.
Jinsoul looked back at Haseul who was doing the Bad Boy dance. She faced Sooyoung once again smiled. “I would love to.”
Sooyoung grinned and stepped aside to let the girl in. “Welcome to my home.” She told her. Jinsoul stepped inside slowly, looking around. The ceilings were so tall and the floors were so shiny. Everything was spotless.
A staircase was off to the right and a giant living room was straight ahead. Out the big, glass doors was a pool with a lazy river that went around the entire backyard, a bubbling Jacuzzi, a rock water slide, and even an enclosed gazebo with a pool table inside.
“Holy shit you live in a mansion.” Jinsoul stated.
Sooyoung shrugged and led her to the kitchen. “wouldn’t call it a mansion.” She set her towel down on the marble countertop and grabbed two glasses from a cupboard overhead. Ice cold lemonade was poured in each. “Here you go.” She handed it to Jinsoul politely.
“Thank you.” The blonde took a nice, long sip. “This is really good.” She told Sooyoung.
“It’s made with lemons from out back.” She pointed to the lemon tree in the corner. Two lawn chairs laid underneath the shade.
“Wow.” Jinsoul whispered.
“Would you like to come swim with me?” Sooyoung asked, biting her lip. “When you’re done with your lemonade of course.” She added.
“I don't know how to swim.” Jinsoul told her sadly. “I don’t have a bathing suit either, but thanks for inviting me.”
Sooyoung nodded. She didn’t know what to do next. “Um… would you like to watch TV? Or I could show you my library.” She suggested, wanting to keep the girl with her.
“You have a whole library here?” Jinsoul raised her eyebrows.
The girl hummed. “It’s a hidden room upstairs. Want to see?” She grinned. As soon as Jinsoul nodded, Sooyoung took her hand and pulled her up the long, winding staircase. The contact made the blonde’s heartbeat quicken. Once they got to the second level, Sooyoung let go of her hand. “It’s behind here.” She said, pushing aside a bookcase.
Jinsoul watched Sooyoung push the wall in front of her and a doorway appeared. The door swung open, revealing another giant room with hundreds of books on the ceiling high shelves. “Woah.” She looked up.
“You can go inside.” Sooyoung told her, holding the door open and extended her arm. Jinsoul nodded and walked along the walls, running her fingers along the spines of the books. “I spend a lot of my time here.” Sooyoung shared.
“This is amazing.” Jinsoul told her and continued walking. Sooyoung following close behind, playing with the strings of her bathing suit bottoms. The blonde turned around abruptly, causing Sooyoung to almost crash into her. “Where are your parents?” She asked.
“They’re at work for another,” She paused to look at the big clock on the wall. “Mmm, five hours or so.” Sooyoung told her, turning back around to face the girl. Jinsoul nodded. Her parents must have had important jobs if they worked late and could afford such a beautiful house.
“Do you have any siblings?” She asked, walking over to a chair in the middle of the room. Sooyoung followed.
“Nope, just me.”
“Any pets?” Jinsoul asked. Sooyoung shook her head. “A boyfriend?” She blurted.
“No.” Sooyoung smiled. “Do you?”
“I like girls.” The blonde replied without skipping a beat. Sooyoung looked down at her appearance and realized she was still in a bikini. But it wasn’t like knowing Jinsoul liked girls made her uncomfortable. Jinsoul saw the girl look down and was about to reassure that she wouldn’t try anything but before she could, a phone on the wall by the door started ringing.
“Excuse me.” Sooyoung spoke and then stood up, walking over to the door. She cleared her throat and picked up the phone. “Ha residence, Sooyoung speaking.” Jinsoul smiled at her. “Yes, mom?” The girl twirled the cord around her fingers. “A girl from school.” She whispered. “Sorry.” The blonde furrowed her eyebrows. Was she not supposed to be here? “I don't know.” Sooyoung said, glancing back at Jinsoul. “I don't know.” She said again. “Maybe. I have to ask… I will… Okay. Bye.” She hung up the phone.
Sooyoung walked back over to where Jinsoul was sitting and took a seat across from her. “Sorry, that was my mom.”
“How’d she know I was here?” Jinsoul asked.
“Oh, we have security cameras. My mom can watch the house from work and saw you come in.” Sooyoung explained.
“Am I allowed to be here?” The blonde asked.
Sooyoung nodded, “Of course. She just got worried because I’ve never had someone come over before.”
“No one.”
The girl shook her head. “I don’t have anyone to bring. You’re… the only person that’s talked to me all year. Well, you and Haseul.” Sooyoung admitted, rubbing her arm. Jinsoul frowned. She didn’t understand how such a beautiful girl didn’t have any friends and didn’t get a bunch of people asking her out all the time. “People think I’m weird for not participating in class and for reading so much. So they don’t talk to me.”
“How do you know?” Jinsoul asked.
“I can hear them talking about me.” The girl said with a shrug.
Jinsoul frowned. “I don’t think you’re weird. I’ve been trying to talk to you for months.” She told the girl. “I was too scared to try.”
“Am I scary?” Sooyoung asked in a soft yet sad voice.
“No no no no no!” Jinsoul shook her hands. “I was just nervous. Your beauty was intimidating.” She told the girl.
Sooyoung cracked a smile. “My beauty?” She tilted her head slightly.
“Yeah, you know. Beauty. What you look like…”
The girl giggled. “I know what it IS; I just didn’t think I had it.” Sooyoung paused. “I mean, I guess some might say I look nice but…” She trailed off with a shrug.
“I think you’re beautiful.” Jinsoul told her. Sooyoung bit her lip and shrugged again, looking away bashfully. “What?”
“No one has ever said so.”
“Well,” Jinsoul leaned forward and placed a finger under her chin to turn her head back around, “You’re beautiful.” She said again.
The girl couldn’t stop herself from looking down at Sooyoung’s lips. They were so pink and plump and inviting. Jinsoul unconsciously got closer, licker her lips as she did so. Sooyoung looked into her soft eyes, watching the girl move in.
She didn’t stop her when she felt lips on her own.