Chapter Text
"Yes, we've heard this a hundred times" Jihyo complained
"No, it's just that it's really like fate, we met lik—" Tzuyu starts to daydream
"Like that scene from Serendipity" Nayeon and Jihyo said in unison. Nayeon rolled her eyes and Jihyo sighed knowing that they'll hear about Tzuyu's litany of how she met Chaeyoung.
"You don't understand, it was Christmas and we both stumbled upon this really nice pair of black gloves and then we both agreed to negotiate about it in a nearby café." Tzuyu said dreamily
"The café wasn't named serendipity but there's a drink called serendipity." Jihyo recited, she knows this story better than the Hippocratic Oath and she's a med student for crying out loud
"But unlike the movie, you guys actually met right afterwards. You live in the same dorm. On the same floor. Right across each other" Nayeon countered
"Out of all the chances to stumble upon each other admit that meeting her there was kind of sweet and you didn't even let me get to the skating part!" Tzuyu whined
"That was wildly unromantic you two can't even stand properly. What's so sweet about clutching the handrails for dear life for half an hour?" Nayeon pointed out
"You guys don't understand. Jihyo's got it easy with this perfect relationship with Jeongyeon and Nayeon doesn't even believe in love."
"I do believe in love. I love my dog with all my heart, I would kill for that dog and that's on a good day." Nayeon countered
"You're being dense, you know what I mean." Tzuyu rolled her eyes
"I tried looking Tzuyu. She isn't out there and that's okay" Nayeon wiped the fake tears from her eyes.
"I'm pretty sure you can't find love down on someone's throat. Seriously what's with you and kissing every girl you meet?" Jihyo asked
"Public Service" Nayeon smirked
"Can we stop talking about kissing strangers and please just help me pick something to wear?" Tzuyu groaned
"I'll be your first kiss, Tzu." Nayeon wiggled her eyebrows and puckered her lips.
"You know for your usual not-a-date you seem to be overthinking this one more than usual" Nayeon added while rummaging through Tzuyu's closet
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that and I'm not overthinking we haven't seen each other for weeks and now that the exams are finally over so we would be catching up." Tzuyu grinned
"How many years have you known each other?" Jihyo asked
"Best friends since freshman year so four years on Christmas eve?" Tzuyu counted on her fingers
"And not once have you decided to, I don't know, try to talk to her about what you feel?" Jihyo wondered out loud
"It's fine, it's just a crush besides it's not like I need something more than what we have now. We work as best friends and I'd rather have that than lose her."
"Besides half the campus thinks they're already a couple. It's only a matter of time until they actually end up together." Nayeon said with absolute certainty that a small part of Tzuyu actually believed her. A small part of her hoped that maybe Chaeyoung likes her back too.
Tzuyu left and Nayeon and Jihyo promised to clean up the room after watching a movie or two. Tzuyu's room has the best smart TV and sound system money could buy (why she settles for Chaeyoung's 720p laptop monitor will forever be a mystery to both Nayeon and Jihyo). Tzuyu is subscribed to most streaming sites (even the weird ones. What the heck is iqiyi?), Her walls are lined with rows upon rows of Blu-ray discs (Jihyo's Mental Note: Teach Tzuyu how to download torrents) and her mini-fridge is full. Tzuyu's parents are loaded because they're somehow related to both the Taiwanese government and the Triads (Not true it's just one of Nayeon's crazy, made-up theories) and as such Tzuyu, as Jihyo would put it, is Regina George Rich. Some Wednesdays Tzuyu even wears pink and that's all the proof that Jihyo needs.
"I get first pick today and we'll watch Ten Things I Hate About You" Nayeon declared
"We always watch this. I can close my eyes and I can see this movie playing" Jihyo complained but settled on the couch with a bucket full of popcorn
"It's Heath Ledger's best role. Better than Joker on The Dark Knight" Nayeon said proudly
"That's cinematic blasphemy and you know it. Speaking of which I found a possible roommate for you." Jihyo remembered
"Really? You announce this to me now? But thank you I've been struggling so bad I've been raiding Tzuyu's fridge for a week. Tell her she can move in as soon as possible." Nayeon got back to watching the movie
"You're not going to ask who it is?" Jihyo asked and paused the movie
"I'm so broke I'll live with Miranda Priestly or Cersei Lannister as long as she's quiet and easy to get along with then I'm sure it's going to be fine besides, I trust you." Nayeon assured Jihyo as she grabs a handful of popcorn and pressed play
"This is going to be fun"
Tzuyu was excited to meet Chaeyoung. It's been too long and spending time with Chaeyoung after a tiring week has been a tradition at this point. Tzuyu missed Chaeyoung despite talking with each other every single day. She ordered for her while she waits. She memorized everything throughout the years, what she wants to eat on rainy afternoons, how she likes her coffee, and she could probably guess what they'll do after this. A movie marathon on Chaeyoung's old laptop (beat up was an understatement. Tzuyu's convinced it's only held together by the stickers they designed it with).
Tzuyu felt a tap on her shoulders and turned her head. A finger pokes her cheek and saw Chaeyoung trying to suppress a smile.
"Real mature, Chaeng" Tzuyu rolled her eyes
"Why do you always fall for that?" Chaeyoung laughed
"Some of my friends actually act their age." Tzuyu answered with a smile on their face
"You're friends with Nayeon. I'm not sure if that statement is valid." Chaeyoung took a sip of Tzuyu's drink before taking the seat across Tzuyu.
"God, I've missed you. Chou Tzuyu." Chaeyoung said out of nowhere
Tzuyu coughed, shocked by the unexpected statement
"Are you okay?" Chaeyoung asked worried while handing Tzuyu her handkerchief
"I'm fine. That's what happens when you don't see your best friend for weeks." Tzuyu took the handkerchief hoping it could hide her flustered smile.
"So how's this oh so dreadful painting you've been whining about?"
"Oh My God, don't remind me. Find a muse and paint something with heart? What kind of overplayed bullshit is that? I'm in Fine Arts I need you to teach me how to make money with just a plain white painting. Like Robert Ryman's Bridge, that's worth 20.6 million dollars, you know?"
"Son Chaeyoung, in it for art's big money. What happened to making art available to everyone?" Tzuyu said mockingly
"I'm kidding! You know I won't sell out. We'll travel the world together you helping animals and me teaching art to people who don't have access to it." Chaeyoung protested
"Travel the world together? You're like a vampire Chaeng, you can't stand the sun." Tzuyu laughed
"Who will take care of you? I'll have to risk shriveling up and dying because you're a big baby. You're stuck with me forever, Tzu."
"Yeah, maybe being stuck with you forever isn't such a bad idea" Tzuyu said softly
"Yeah imagine the headlines. Two best friends travel around the world to save the world" Chaeyoung said dreamily
'Right. Friends. Just friends.' Tzuyu thought
"Wanna take this all out and start watching movies?" Chaeyoung asked
Tzuyu gave a small nod
While walking back Chaeyoung suddenly froze
"Hey, Seyoung" an unfamiliar girl greeted
"Hi Somi" Chaeyoung said visibly shy
"Ohh where are my manners? This is Chou Tzuyu, my best friend." Chaeyoung hurriedly said trying to get out of the awkward situation
"Hi" Tzuyu gave a small wave
"Ohh I've heard so much about you!! I'm running late but I'll see you tomorrow? I'll bring the snacks!"
"Yup. I'll see you" Chaeyoung smiled, a blush evident on her cheek
'Why is she so pretty? Why does she call her Seyoung? That's supposed to be my nickname for her. Talked about me? About what?' Tzuyu's mind raced
"Who's that?" Tzuyu asked trying to suppress the hundred different questions she wanted to ask
"Ohh, Jeon Somi she's a Film Major, we'll watch Inception tomorrow after lunch. I'll prove DiCaprio's not in a dream anymore" Chaeyoung rambled
"Ohh, but what about visiting the new dog café?" Tzuyu looked at Chaeyoung. A tinge of disappointment evident on her voice
"I'll be there, Tzuyu!! I promise" Chaeyoung held out her pinky
Tzuyu brightened up and locked her pinky with Chaeyoung's.
"It still amazes me that Dahyun's half of the room is so immaculate and your half looks like Jake Peralta's locker" Tzuyu said as she tidied up some of Chaeyoung's mess
"Yeah go scold her, Tzuyu" Dahyun said wrapped in blankets barely awake
The only clean part was her painting area where a blank canvas rests on the easel.
"Rude? Also, it's part of the creative process. I'm like the eye of the storm. The outside is messy but in the middle is me. Calm and zen"
"Stop making art an excuse. I've seen Chaeryeong's room and her place put temples to shame and she's on the top of your class." Tzuyu scolded while pointing with a matted paintbrush
"So what will we watch?" Chaeyoung asked while booting up her laptop
A knowing look passed between them
"ROCK PAPER SCISSORS SHOOT" they shouted in unison
Chaeyoung had scissors
Tzuyu had rock
"Why do I always lose?" Chaeyoung whined
"You always throw out scissors first" Dahyun said rubbing her eyes
"I do not!!" Chaeyoung stared at her hand still forming a V as if in disbelief
"You do, then paper then scissors again. We're watching a classic, My Bestfriend's Wedding!" Tzuyu declared
"Noooo. What's with you and this Julia Roberts obsession lately? We just watched Notting Hill before the exams?" Chaeyoung objected
"What? It's lighthearted and fun!" Tzuyu reasoned out
"You can't keep choosing romcoms whenever we watch something togeth-"
"The morning I wake up" Tzuyu started singing
Chaeyoung rolled her eyes
"Before I put on my makeup" Tzuyu continued
"I say a little prayer for you" Dahyun sang groggily
"Come on, Chaeng" Tzuyu pulled Chaeyoung
"While combing my hair now" Dahyun sang louder this time
Tzuyu took the paintbrush she cleaned and started using it as a mic
"And wondering what dress to wear now" Tzuyu pointed the paintbrush at Chaeyoung
"Come on, Chaeng. You know the words" Tzuyu raised her eyebrows
Chaeyoung took the brush and sang "I say a little prayer for you"
Tzuyu laughed and Chaeyoung smiled at the sight of her best friend laughing. Chaeyoung really can't seem to resist Tzuyu.
"God, fine I'm giving in but just so you know I hate romcoms. It's cliche and predictable. Romcoms are so overrated." Chaeyoung sighed while playing the movie
Tzuyu stole a glance at Chaeyoung. 'Why am I in love with this idiot?'
'Ohh'
'I'm in love with her'
As the opening credits started Tzuyu wondered how did she even get into this mess. Falling for your best friend never really bode well for anyone (in movies and in real life).
Nayeon woke up early, ordered Chinese takeout for her roommate, and cleaned the apartment as best as she could. She even borrowed a mop from her neighbor. Nayeon is broke so she can't afford to live inside the campus dorms. So a small, decrepit apartment (think Amityville Horror for the vibe meets 221B Baker Street for the size) a couple of kilometers outside the campus was all that she could afford. But it has two bedrooms, a couch (Tzuyu's old one), an electric stove (Jihyo's housewarming gift, rarely used because Nayeon is a fire hazard), and her most prized possession: a short-throw projector she paid full price for (hours of repairing old cars has been made bearable because she really wanted this projector) made the place feel like home.
After putting on the final touches (don't wanna scare her roommate away) Nayeon heard a small knock. Thinking it was the food Nayeon hurriedly opened the door and was shocked to see Myoui Mina standing outside.
"What are you doing here?" Nayeon asked not expecting to see the richest kid in school to be in this neighborhood let alone in front of her house.
"I'm your new roommate. I thought Jihyo told you?" Mina asked visibly confused
"But you're rich? And this place is cheap? Am I being pranked?" Nayeon asked not sure if she should let Mina in
"HA HA okay come out Park Jihyo you got me good with this one!" Nayeon shouted
"Exactly! This place is cheap. Look, do you want a roommate or not?" Mina asked clearly annoyed and struggling with the heavy backpack on her shoulders
Nayeon left without saying a word leaving the door wide open and headed straight to her room.
Mina sighed, dragged her luggage before Nayeon could come back and kick her out.
When Nayeon entered her room she whipped her phone out so fast it will put gunslingers to shame. She opened their group message and furiously typed.
theprettiestbuny: You didn't tell me that it was
going to be her!!
parkthetrain: I tried telling you!!
You said you could live
with Miranda or Cersei.
She's not that bad!!
theprettiestbunny: I said OR Park! ORRRRRRR!!
Not AND. Not Miranda Priestly
AND Cersei Lannister rolled
into one.
tallgirlchoowee: What's happening?
I just woke up
theprettiestbunny: I'm living with her! Myoui Mina
The snob from Civil Engineering!
tallgirlchoowee: That's going to be messy
I'm going to sleep again
theprettiestbunny: Go back to cuddling with
Chaeyoung. Park, do I kick her out?
tallgirlchoowee: Chaeng's warm and about
that. I need to tell you guys
something
parkthetrain: You won't kick her out
She already paid rent
and we know you need
a roommate. Let's talk
later. Be a good roommate
and feed her she hasn't
eaten anything yet
Nayeon locked her phone and sighed. She crashed onto the bed and sighed. Thinking of Mina just outside the door just made her sigh again. Myoui Mina is the bane of Nayeon's existence. The entire Engineering department knows the friction that they have. Nayeon and Mina are polar opposites, Nayeon's a Mechanical Engineering student who works during the weekdays to get by while Mina's set to inherit her father's Construction and Real Estate empire. Nayeon parties during the weekend, Mina studies the lessons in advance.
Nayeon heard the doorbell and went outside. She saw Mina trying to pay the delivery guy but stopped her.
"Don't worry about it, Myoui" Nayeon waved her off.
Mina walked quietly to her room but Nayeon stopped her. Nayeon didn't miss the way Mina stared at the food before leaving.
"Stop, where are you going? Come eat" Nayeon said in an annoyed tone
Mina took the food reluctantly and sat in the dining room.
Nayeon grabbed her food and sat on the couch. She fired up her projector and played The Wedding Singer
Nayeon was watching quietly when she heard Mina giggle when Petey called Linda a bitch. Nayeon paused the video and looked at Mina who pretended like she wasn't watching.
"Do you want to watch?" Nayeon asked
"Can I? I haven't seen this before. I promise I'll try not to make any noise." Mina looked like a child and Nayeon was shocked to see Mina's expression. Nayeon thought that Mina's emotions only ranges from angry to less angry
"You haven't watched The Wedding Singer?" Nayeon asked as if the only answer was obvious
"I haven't" Mina looked embarrassed
"No, it's fine. I can hold this against you your entire life. That I introduced one of the best movies to you and every time you want to see it you'll remember me." Nayeon smiled innocently
"Come, sit" Nayeon patted the couch
Nayeon waited for Mina to slowly waddle towards the couch and pressed play.
Nayeon watched Mina more than the movie. Despite her promise of not making a noise she laughed when Adam Sandler made jokes, got angry when Glenn acted like an asshole, and Nayeon's pretty sure there were tears during the ending when Drew Barrymore started to realize I Wanna Grow Old With You was written for her. Mina looked in awe of what she just watched.
"God, I could never do that in a million years" Mina said out of nowhere
"What are you talking about?" Nayeon tilted her head in confusion
"Make a fool out of myself in front of hundreds of people." Mina sighed
"I'm pretty sure those things only happen in movies. Are movies banned in your part of the town or something?" Nayeon teased
"No, I just never really had the time to watch a lot of movies." Mina answered seriously
"What have you been doing in your spare time then?" Nayeon asked, genuinely curious
"Spare time? Between studying, extracurriculars, and helping with the firm I don't really get a lot of free time. I'm lucky if I get to play my Switch" Mina shrugged as if it was only natural.
"God, you rich people are crazy. I won't pay for your dinner so go order or cook later. Don't disturb me, that's rule number 1, so don't bother knocking." Nayeon said nonchalantly
The moment Mina thought Nayeon was being marginally nice the illusion was broken off.
"It's going to be a long year." Mina sighed