Chapter Text
The pencil gracefully glided across the perfect lines in her notebook. She wrote of love and longing, both feelings she’s never experienced and has only seen in the K-drama’s her brother spent hours watching in their living room.
“I’m gonna stop time with you
But I can’t see the future I’ve drawn
It breaks like a dream
It’s all broken…”
Shaking her head in dissatisfaction and muttering, “No, that’s stupid.” She closed her notebook and stored it back in her bag as the first school bell rang.
She went to a rather prestigious highschool, CUBE academy. They were known to have the most famous alumni that previously attended and were very well known in the world. Not only did the staff and other students expect highly of each other but also their parents that spend at least an arm and a leg in order to pay for tuition.
Minnie came from a privileged family that didn’t need to worry about her school fees. Her dad donated generous amounts to money each year to ensure his daughter’s status at the academy and the wellbeing of that very institution.
Twirling her pencil between her thumb and forefinger, Minne was bored out of her mind. Her history teacher was going on about some imperial power and she honestly couldn’t care less.
The time came and she visited her locker before the lunch break, carefully taking out the lunch the household cook made her. From the corner of her eye, she could see a short bubbly girl hopping her way.
“Hi, Minnie Mouse!” She girl erupted from behind her.
“Hi,” she kept a short greeting.
“You ready?” She linked their arms together, leading her to the lunchroom.
Minnie met Shuhua at their first-year orientation, she was idly standing by her parent’s side while they talked to some colleagues whose kids also got into CUBE when Yeh Shuhua came bouncing in the auditorium. Immediately locking eyes with the Taiwanese girl, Shuhua came over to introduce herself.
Shuhua was Taiwanese royalty but she seemed so down to earth, a perfect match for Minnie, who never really paid mind to her riches. Shuhua was a lively character at that, comfortable striking conversation with her as if they were already friends and by the end of the night, they were. They have been close friends for 3 years now.
“Yeah sure, where’s Soojin?” Seo Soojin was the third addition to their little group and Shuhua’s girlfriend. She remembers having to give Shuhua endless pep-talks to go and talk to the other girl. They were sickeningly in love and unbearable to be around when they flirted. But she was happy for them. Soojin was beautifully intimidating upon first glance, but after she was added to their group, Minnie had the pleasure of learning that she was a shy sweetheart.
“She texted me and said she was already at our spot with Yuqi.” Ah yes, how could one forget Song Yuqi. The last person in their group was a short and fiery Chinese girl, she came from a prosperous Chinese family, her father being one of the biggest business tycoons in Shanghai.
Walking into the large and luxurious cafeteria, equipped with various food court stands and stocked vending machines, they easily spotted the other two girls.
“Hi, Jinjin.” Shuhua beams, her girlfriend returning a smile as she slid into the seat next to her.
Yuqi was dramatically laying against the table, hiding her head in her arms, groaning loudly.
“What’s up with her?” Minnie asked, unpacking her lunch, mouth-watering at the sight of the steaming rice.
“She’s just grumpy her crush won’t notice her.” Soojin rolled her eyes, picking up her fork and toying with her food.
“Oooo,” Minnie was finally catching on. “Yuqi, I didn’t know you had it that bad for Soyeon.” Jeon Soyeon got in this school on a music scholarship, she was always cool-headed and caring towards others, not letting arrogance seep through even when she was the best piano player at the academy and lead in the school orchestra.
“Why would she like me back anyway? I’m a loser.” She whined.
“Hey, you’re a catch. You’re just stupid sometimes.” Minnie reassured.
Earning a strong punch to the side of her arm, “Yah! You’re not helping, pabo.”
Snickering at her reaction, “At least you got your energy back, go get her tiger.” Minnie was pointing to Soyeon who just entered the room, struggling to carry her backpack, books, and notes. Which then resulted in her kicking Yuqi out of her seat to go over and help the poor girl.
Shuhua and Soojin gave her an enthusiastic thumbs-up as Yuqi shyly approached the shorter girl, helping her with her things. Both of them were blushing at the gesture.
Those idiots, just date already. Minnie thought to her self, proud of her excellent wingmanship.
Finally turning her attention back to her lunch she devoured it in a flash, before heading to her club meeting room. “See you later guys, I’ve got to help out with the music club preparations for the school fair.” She waved goodbye to the couple before weaving through the crowded lunch tables.
___
After quickly stopping by her locker to return her lunch pouch, she heads up the hardwood stairs and up a rather long hallway. Stopping when she hears the soft melody of a piano being played. Her curiosity gets the better of her and she slowly creeps to the source of the sound.
Peeking her head in the doorway cautiously, she sees a very pretty girl sitting on the black piano bench. She had long chestnut brown hair and was softly singing a ballad Minnie couldn’t remember the name too. But she recognized the girl, it was Cho Miyeon.
No one really knew who Miyeon was. She never talked to anyone or tried to make friends, she always kept to her self. She and Minnie were in the same literature class this year and every time Minnie saw her, she was usually staring blankly through the window or folding little paper cranes out of neon yellow posit notes.
No one bullied Miyeon, at least not to her face. People started making weird rumors about her during their second year. They made up weird stories that she was a mute orphan that got her tongue cut off by the Asian mafia, but she wasn’t mute. Even though she never talked to anyone, she had a beautiful voice. Her voice was low and sultry, unique and amazing in its own way.
She had gotten numerous offers from the chorus teacher, he practically begged her to be on the team but she politely declined all his invitations. That’s when they started making up even more rumors. One that she was terminally ill and didn’t have much time left on this planet. This one wasn’t that far off. If it was true, that would explain why she always sat out during team sports and why she was so pale.
But no matter how many fables they conjured, no one ever really cared enough to find out. Some just thought she was a normal shy girl that wanted to spend time alone, and most just simply ignored her existence. The teachers even gave up on calling on her for class answers, because she would always respond with the same bland one: “I don’t know” .
She used the same tired response, even to the easiest questions that she surely knew but didn’t want to waste her breath on. Miyeon had normal grades and everything about her seemed normal on paper, but there was something very off about her.
Who really was Cho Miyeon? Minnie didn’t know anything about her, she sort of just blended into the background in every setting. She, on the other hand, was a social butterfly. Minnie was a charming soul that garnered many friends and acquaintances. Unlike Miyeon, Minnie was very approachable and easy to talk to. That’s just who she was, when she attended all the formal house parties her parents threw. Her mom being a talkative socialite and her dad being a rich landowner, she was raised in a very talkative person, especially around her older twin brothers.
Minnie forgot she was still staring until the piano stopped and their eyes met. Miyeon was like a deer caught in the headlights, looking at her with her big brown eyes. This was the first time Minne had gotten a good look at her in the three years they had been in the same class.
Miyeon had a long elegant nose, a sharp chin, and naturally attractive features. Her long light brown hair was neatly tucked behind one of her ears, other strands fell perfectly on her left cheek.
“Um…” Minnie didn’t really know what to say now that Miyeon acknowledged her presence. She wasn’t planning on staying that long but got lost in the song that Miyeon was singing. “What song was that?” Desperately trying to break the ice.
Minnie was known for being a very straightforward person, who rarely got shy in front of people, but Miyeon’s gaze made her feel so small. She couldn’t describe it, whether it was the lack of emotion coming from the other girl or the thick tension between them. She felt like she walked into something she wasn’t supposed to see.
“It’s Palette By IU.” Miyeon almost whispers.
“Oh… cool.” This was really awkward, that was the longest sentence she’s ever heard from the other girl. “Um, sorry for interrupting. I just heard you play and I wanted to see who was playing…” She felt like she needed to apologize a hundred times for the look she was giving her.
Miyeon said nothing, just staring right back at her, her legs were now elegantly crossed as she fiddled with the buttons on her uniform blazer.
“Yeah, so… sorry-” Minne turned to continue down the hall and left to her club meeting she was supposed to be at.
That was weird. She internally cringed, hating that she made a fool of herself in front of such a pretty girl.
___
Her family driver opened her car door and helped her get out, she triedly stalked up to her room. Opening it’s double doors and collapsing on her bed face first, burying her head in her pillows. She was so dead tired but she had to be at Shuhua’s in an hour for a project meeting.
In her literature class, they were supposed to make a song and sing it. The song was supposed to embody the feelings expressed in the book they were reading, Romeo and Juliet . She hated that goddamn book. It was so overused and cheesy, personally she had never fallen in love, but that Shakespearian play made her blood boil.
How the hell did they fall in love, get married, and die all in one week? It’s so predictable and boring. She hated stuff like that, much rather preferring to watch those horrid romance dramas.
The teacher was drawing lots for groups of three people and she and Shuhua luckily got each other. And just by coincidence, they also got Cho Miyeon. In the past, what she heard is that Miyeon just quietly did the work assigned to her, not really caring what group she was in. And when the teachers let the students pick their groups on occasion, she just worked by herself.
Turning over to lay on her back, she loosened her tie. This is going to be a hot mess. She concluded. Miyeon wasn’t necessarily hard to work with, she did whatever you asked her to do with little to no qualms, but it was merely based on the fact that she couldn’t stop thinking about her.
She couldn’t forget how pretty she looked sitting at the music classroom’s piano, her delicate face, and slender fingers playing that song like she had done it numerous times before. She couldn’t forget that look she was giving her when she stared back.
Hate, uncomfortableness, annoyance? She couldn’t seem to figure out how Miyeon felt about her, it made her frustrated. Shaking her head and taking in a deep breath, she loaded back into her chauffeured car and sped off to Shuhua’s mansion.
___
Opening the grand front doors and having two very hyper poodles rush to her feet, she smiled widely to Shuhua who answered.
“Hi, Minnie!” Shuhua brought her in with a big hug.
Squeezing the life out of her, “Calm down Shu, you literally saw me like 3 hours ago. Is Miyeon here?” Her voice dripping with anticipation.
“Mhm,” The shorter girl hummed in compliance. “She’s sitting in the living room.”
“And?” It was obvious Minnie wanted to know her opinion on her.
“And what?” Shuhua was still clueless, closing the door behind her.
“What do you… think about her?”
“Well I don’t know, I only just met her. She’s really quiet and shy.” Shuhua was talking at her usual lighting fast pace. “But she’s really really pretty, she seemed nice when she greeted me at the door, and she loves the dogs.”
Entering the rich living space, where a thick, intricate Persian rug lined the floorboards. Miyeon was perched on Shuhua’s $10,000 couch and looking unreal.
The sunlight spilling through the large windows near the far end of the room perfectly illuminated her features making it seem as if she was glowing. The vibrant green of Shuhua’s huge backyard coming into view through the windows contrasted the different shades of soft brown and gold inside the house. From where Miyeon was sitting on her couch, dressed in her prim and proper school uniform, Minnie wouldn’t be surprised if she was royalty too.
“Hi,” Minnie made eye contact with her a soon as she walked into the room.
“Hi,” Miyeon said in the softest voice she’s ever heard.
“So, let’s start on the lyrics.” Shuhua brought their attention back to her. “If we finish writing that, we can plan everything easier.”
Minnie and Miyeon nodding in agreement in unison. “Um, I already kinda wrote a whole verse already.” Minnie admitted.
“Really? Great! We can just go off that then.” Shuhua carried the conversation for the majority of their study session.
Her eyes scanning the lines of Minnie’s notebook and nodding in approval, “It’s perfect, Minnie.”
“Yeah, I-” She was interrupted her in mid-sentence, by her dogs screaming.
“Oh, sorry. That must be my dad, I’ll be right back.”
“Shuhua-yah, my love? Are you home?” Her dad was yelling through the long halls in Chinese. Shuhua followed the sounds of the dogs, leaving her alone with the utterly silent Miyeon.
“Do you want to read it?” She held the paper out to the girl, who was again playing with her blazer’s buttons.
“Sure,” Taking it and reading it intently.
Studying her expression while she read, Minnie tried to find any semblance of sincerity in her gaze. Surprisingly, her eyes softened and her lips lifted slightly on the ends, resulting in a small smile.
Cute. Minnie thinks to herself. Miyeon was a really interesting person in general, she felt the urge to get to know her more. If only she would say more than 4 words to her.
“It’s good.” She handed it back to her.
Sitting in silence for about 30 seconds in each other’s company, Minnie felt like dying. What is taking Shuhua so long?
In a failed attempt to strike up conversation, “So you play the piano?”
“Yes.”
“You’re really good.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you know how to play any other instruments?” Minnie felt like she was prying since the other girl was so vague with her.
“The violin.”
“Wow, that’s cool. I can kinda play the guitar.”
And that’s when the conversation ended. Preferring to sit the rest of their company in the quite, she didn’t want to scare Miyeon off.
“Hey guys, sorry my dad was just showing me the new boat he bought.” Shuhua sighed in annoyance. Only the daughter of Taiwanese royalty would be annoyed that her dad bought his 5th boat. “Did you guys start on anything?”
“No.” Minnie was shaking her head rapidly.
“Okay, let’s start.”
___
Minnie was packing up her pencils and notes, it was already 9 pm. Miyeon was helping Shuhua clean up the take out they ordered that was on the coffee table. The study session went over smoothly, Miyeon, for the most part, worked silently, with Mata sitting in her lap (one of Shuhua’s dogs). Stealing glances here and there, Minnie found her self entranced by Miyeon’s sheer beauty.
She and Minnie announced they were going home at the same time and walked out of Shuhua’s large estate together. Shuhua holding a poodle in her arms and waving them off from her front porch.
It was a cold night and walking out of Shuhua’s long driveway, but she felt uncomfortably hot. Minnie saw the thin girl shiver in her peripheral vision, causing her to shrug off her thick cardigan. “Here.” She handed the girl her sweater.
Looking at her curiously, she shook her head, refusing to let Minnie freeze as well.
‘It’s fine. See,” She grabbed her hand with hers, warming it. “I’m not cold.” Watching as the brunette slipped it over her shoulders, holding her backpack in her hand.
“Thank you.” She could see a slight redness to the latter’s cheeks, Minnie couldn’t tell if it was because she was cold or embarrassed, she just assumed a little bit of both.
Looking a little bit down the wide road, she saw a small car parked with the headlights beaming. “Is that your ride?”
“Yes.”
Minnie just wanted to make sure Miyeon had a safe way home before leaving, “Well, my ride’s over there,” she pointed to the sleek black Bentley parked in the opposite direction.
Miyeon was looking at her with her big eyes, but something was different. She could finally see something behind her expression, fondness.
“Goodbye, Minnie.” She broke their staring contest, turning on her heels to walk down the cobblestone paved road and to the small Kia that was waiting for her.
“Bye, Miyeon.” She smiled, feeling a lot better having shared that little moment with her. She stayed where she was standing, facing the other girl, and gave a big wave and grin in her direction when Miyeon turned to get in the car.
Then she saw it.
She was smiling back. Miyeon flashed her straight teeth in a small grin, her shoulders moved up and down a little. She laughed too. Her heart only pounded louder in her chest, as she waved goodbye to the beautiful and elusive Cho Miyeon.
Skipping to the car door that was being held open but a man dressing in a formal black suit, she excitedly buckled her seatbelt.
I want to see that smile more.