Work Text:
The melody of a ballad filled the air in the dimly-lit living room of the shared apartment, the screen of a small television showing a scene of a man and a woman wrapped in an embrace under the falling snow before fading into the credits. Two girls were seated comfortably on a small couch, a platter of fried chicken bones with a couple of half-eaten bags of potato chips strewn out on the coffee table.
Youngeun and Jia were having their weekly ritual of binge-watching dramas or movies that caught their fancy. It was something the both of them would always make time for despite their busy schedules packed with classes, exams, and endless assignments to submit.
"Well, that ending sucked."
"It sure was."
"Why do these dramas we watch always have the most boring couple ending up together? Those two had no chemistry at all!" Youngeun slouched against the couch, heaving an exasperated sigh as she stared deadpanned at the rolling credits. "She should have gone with her childhood friend instead of that jerk."
The girl lounging beside her chuckled at her antics, fishing out a chip from a bag and eating it. "Don't let it get to you."
"C'mon, Jia, doesn't it make you wanna pull your hair and scream when the girl didn't see how much he cared for her?"
Jia took a moment to contemplate her answer as she munched on the snack. "Of course it does," she replied. "It's aggravating, but you know how these shows are based on reality. It happens much more often than you think."
Youngeun tilted her head curiously at her closest friend. "How do you know that?"
"I read it on the net," Jia simply answered, an enigmatic smile curved its way on her complexion.
"Wait," the younger girl leaned nearer to her, brows furrowed in suspicion, "have you experienced that before?"
"...Maybe."
"You've never told me about it."
Jia reached out, placing a gentle hand on Youngeun's shoulder. "I got over it a long time ago." There was almost a hint of sadness behind Jia's eyes when she said that. With a reassuring pat, the taller girl suddenly got up from her seat and started cleaning up the messy table. "C'mon, let's go to sleep. We've got lectures in the morning and I don't want to doze off while the professor is talking."
Youngeun didn't pry deeper into it as she watched her roommate bring the plates and trash into the small kitchen of their shared apartment.
An inkling in her mind thought it was best to leave it be, but maybe in the future, she would ask her about it again.
Youngeun and Jia first met in high school. They were in the same class but gradually became closer when they found out that they joined the dance club as part of their co-curricular activities. Since then, they were attached to the hips. Contrary to popular belief, the two weren't so much polar opposites after they got to know more about each other. They shared similar interests and were on the same wavelength on most things.
It wasn't a surprise when they both decided to go to the same university together. Sharing an apartment together was also a unanimous decision, though they definitely had to come up with a plan for the rent beforehand.
University life for the two girls was new, hectic, tiring, and exciting all at the same time. Both of them have never lived under the same roof before, so getting used to each other's habits and lifestyles added a layer of difficulty to their close friendship.
Youngeun knew Jia takes care of her health quite seriously and diligently takes her supplements every day. She just didn't expect her best friend to bring a whole makeshift pharmacy with her which took quite a lot of space in the already small kitchen and bathroom. As for Jia, she didn't mind Youngeun indulging in her hobby of collecting fragrances and perfumes of all kinds. She just dislikes it when her best friend goes overboard with the scents, and the whole apartment is filled with pungent aromas that make it hard to breathe.
Those were a few of their lifestyle habits which they had to work around with, and many other things.
Now that they were sophomores, they had gotten used to the changes and lived comfortably together.
Youngeun wouldn't have it any other way, and so did Jia.
"Hey, don't forget that we have a party to go to later tonight."
Youngeun looked up from her piles of notes on the dining table, her shoulders drooping. "Another one?" She whined. "Didn't we already attend one a couple of weeks ago?"
Jia shrugged her shoulders as she closed her laptop. "Doah unnie invited us over and the rest of the girls too. Seems like they will all be there for this acquaintance party."
"Look, I love our friends but do we really have to go? I'd rather we all just go sing karaoke somewhere instead of playing beer pong with people we barely know."
The taller blonde laughed at Youngeun's complaints and proceeded to stroke the back of her head like an owner calming down a rustled puppy. "Am I hearing this right? Our little social butterfly, Seo Youngeun, actually wants to stay home instead of mingling with other people?"
Youngeun smiled and rolled her eyes at the teasing remark. "Wow, and I can't believe Yoon Jia, the introverted little Miss Perfect back in high school actually wants to go to parties willingly. Oh, how have the times changed us both."
"I'd say a certain someone helped to bring out my extroverted side," Jia smirked, adding a wink too for good measure.
"Now you're just pushing the blame on me," the shorter brunette scoffed. She grabbed hold of Jia's hand, bringing it down from her head to play with her fingers. "Okay, we'll go to the party later. To be honest, I still think it's worth skipping out on, but since you adore Doah unnie so much, I'll let it slide."
"Aww, you'd do this for me?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't I?"
"You really don't have to force yourself to come for my sake," Jia said, her complexion softened. "I can head there myself since the rest of our friends will be there too."
"No way," Youngeun shook her head adamantly. "Someone's gotta make sure you get home safe. I don't mind piggybacking you if you had a little too much. No offence, Jia, but your tolerance is still…"
The shorter girl didn't have a chance to finish her sentence before her best friend tugged the hand she was holding, pulling a surprised Youngeun into her personal bubble.
"I'll hold you to that piggyback offer," Jia whispered, a smug look on her face.
The two girls were already accustomed to frequent moments of affection, moreso from Youngeun, but Jia tended to show her hidden clingy and teasing side whenever they were alone. Sometimes, Youngeun still gets caught off guard by it.
"Hey, my piggyback service doesn't come for free, you know," Youngeun wrapped her arms around Jia's waist and pretended to lift her up. "At this rate, you might have to pay for the whole thing if we're going by the kilos."
Jia lightly swatted at her snickering friend. "You're lucky I love you so much, or else you'd be without a roommate for a week." She leaned in and gave Youngeun a peck on the cheek before getting up from her seat and heading towards her bedroom. "Be ready in an hour!" the taller blonde called out to her just as she closed the door.
Youngeun heaved a tired sigh as she rearranged all her study notes into a neat pile.
As much as she’d rather stay in, she really didn't have the heart to say no to Jia.
The party was your typical, standard affair.
Youngeun opted to sit on one of the couches, watching her friends and classmates she shared lectures with mingling around, entertaining themselves with either the pool tables, darts, or even a DDR arcade machine.
Seriously, whose place was this? Youngeun didn't bother to remember the host, but at least their house was nice.
She fiddled with the bottle of water in her hands, waiting for Xiaoting and Yurina to come back with some snacks. Her two seniors got tired of playing darts with her (they were extremely bad at it, much to Youngeun's amusement) and decided to get something to eat for the three of them.
As she scanned around the large common room, her eyes landed on her best friend chatting away with a group of people that Youngeun didn't recognise. For someone who labeled herself as quite introverted, Jia sure seemed popular with her peers.
Youngeun smiled to herself as she thought of how much Jia had broken out of her shell throughout the years they'd known each other. She became more outgoing, Youngeun noticed, and definitely more… beautiful.
Not to say that Jia wasn't beautiful before, but her best friend definitely had an upgrade ever since they graduated from high school. Even when they were getting ready to go for this party, Youngeun had to stop and admire Jia's appearance when she came out of her room, donning an all-black outfit consisting of a cropped turtleneck, denim skirt, and a pair of boots. Needless to say, they fit her proportions very well.
"Take a picture, it'll last longer," Jia had said to her, which immediately made Youngeun flustered at being caught.
"Youngeun ah."
She should really stop spacing out.
"Youngeun?"
That habit of hers never failed to put her in embarrassing moments.
"Youngeun!"
Her reverie broke when she finally heard her name. Two much taller girls were seated to her left, one of them holding a plate with a slice of pizza in front of her.
"Wow, you were really out of it for a minute there,' Xiaoting chuckled as she handed the plate over to her. "Here, I got you Hawaiian. It was the last one left."
"Thanks," Youngeun accepted it, now noticing that her stomach didn't have much to eat since she came here.
"What was our little fennec fox thinking about?" Yurina asked in a sing-song voice as she delicately ate her pizza.
"Nothing much, I was just people-watching."
She heard her Japanese senior making a sound of acknowledgement, nodding along casually.
As the three sat comfortably and indulged in the free food, Youngeun felt a bump on her shoulder.
"Are you sure it's okay to let them hang around her?" Xiaoting eyed the group of girls and guys who were mingling with Jia.
Youngeun followed her gaze and blinked in confusion. "What's with the strange question, unnie? She looks like she's enjoying herself, so of course it's okay."
"I happened to walk past them and overheard one of the guys asking if she's free," Yurina said, leaning her head towards Youngeun with a concerned look on her face. "Maybe it's better if you go there and accompany her."
Shooting another glance at where her best friend was, Youngeun observed the situation closely. Jia didn't seem uncomfortable. Heck, she was even laughing along with whatever was happening in their conversation. She moved her gaze to the guy who was standing nearest to her. Quite a handsome one at that.
If Jia was showing any kind of distress, it wasn't visible to her.
"She's fine, Yurina unnie," Youngeun sat back on the couch with a huff. "If Jia was in any trouble, she'd be calling my name at this point."
Xiaoting and Yurina shared a look; one which Youngeun proclaimed to be their way of telepathically communicating to each other.
"I don't understand why you're so indifferent about this," Xiaoting began, furrowing her brows. "Aren't you two dating?"
Youngeun immediately choked on her pizza. "W-What!?" the youngest sputtered out. "We're not dating!"
"You're not?"
"Of course not! What made the both of you think that we are!?"
"Holding hands?The heart eyes you two share? Even kisses on the cheek?" Yurina listed them down as she counted with her fingers.
"That's normal between us!" Youngeun retaliated. "We've been doing that since high school."
"You can't be serious…" Xiaoting gaped in disbelief. “I refuse to believe that the two of you are just friends.”
“We are just best friends, unnie.”
“You might be the only one thinking that,” the look in Xiaoting’s eyes hardened. ”Have you seen the way Jia looks at you?”
“W-what do you mean?”
“Youngeun,” Yurina held the Chinese girl’s wrist, stopping her before she could say anything a little too harsh. “I think you should observe your best friend more closely.”
That didn’t go down well with Youngeun.
What were they trying to say? Jia wanted to be more than just friends? How could they be so sure? She knew that Xiaoting and Yurina are a couple but did that really make them experts in this? A part of her was frustrated at their assumption.
Then her mind recalled back to the day she finished that horrible drama with Jia; the one question she asked her and the way Jia’s eyes looked so sad when she answered her.
“I got over it a long time ago.”
.
.
.
Oh.
Shit.
Jia didn’t just love her.
Jia was in love with her.
"Seo Youngeun," Xiaoting placed two firm hands on both of her shoulders, the intensity of her stare piercing through her soul. "You are an absolute dummy ."
The way she emphasised the last word left a deep mark on Youngeun's pride.
"Who's an absolute dummy?"
Speak of the devil.
Xiaoting calling her that was one thing, but having her best friend (whom she just realised has feelings for her) asking about it was enough to make her want to hide in a dark, secluded cave somewhere far away from here.
Youngeun whipped around to the front to see Jia approach the sofa. She instinctively pulled her in by the waist to the empty spot next to her. "Hey," Youngeun quickly greeted her. "We were just playing a quiz game and I lost." She faked a laugh, turning back to Xiaoting and Yurina with a look that desperately said, "Please just play along."
The two older girls wore their most convincing smile, enthusiastically nodding along.
"Oh, that sounds difficult," Jia remarked as she casually wrapped an arm around Youngeun's shoulders. "I guess even you have some things that you aren't good at."
Youngeun cocked an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Jia shook her head, letting out a small giggle. "It's nothing, don't worry about it."
Before Youngeun could even say anything else, she heard a cough from her other side.
"Anyways, I think I'll head over to the DDR machine," Xiaoting announced as she rose off the couch. "Ruiqi and Hikaru are having a dance battle and somebody has to keep an eye on them lest they break the game."
"Count me in too," Yurina followed.
The two seniors patted Youngeun's head a couple of times before they left, the gesture feeling like reassurance and encouragement to her.
Now that the pair were alone, Youngeun felt strangely self-conscious and hyper-aware of the girl sitting closely beside her. She could also smell the faint whiff of alcohol permeating from Jia.
"I thought you said you were gonna hold off on the alcohol," Youngeun said, her head tilting curiously.
"I was," Jia muttered, resting her head against Youngeun's. "But you know how socialising is like, especially at parties like this."
"You didn't have to force yourself…"
"It's fine. I only drank a little bit."
Youngeun already knew she was lying. Her alcohol tolerance wasn't the best, no matter how much Jia denied it. The poor girl was having a headache and her speech was starting to slur. "I'll ask Mashiro unnie if she has any painkillers with her. Then we’re ditching this dumb acquaintance party."
"Wait," Jia planted a hand on Youngeun's thigh, stopping her from getting up. "Just stay here for five minutes. You can get the medicine afterward."
"Whatever you say," she reluctantly agreed. "So were those your friends from your History class?" Youngeun was partly curious and needed something to focus on instead of the lingering thoughts floating through her mind.
"Yeah, we get along well."
"Oh? Why didn't you stay with them though? You looked like you were enjoying yourself."
This time, Jia raised her head up to look at Youngeun with a soft look in her eyes.
"They're nice," Jia said as she linked her arm with the other girl, "but I'd rather spend the rest of the night with you instead."
Youngeun gulped before quickly saying. "Oh... really?" Maybe she shouldn't have prodded about it. Now she really couldn't deny the signs which were so painfully obvious.
Xiaoting was absolutely justified to call her a dummy.
"Yes, really!" Jia let out a small laugh as she snuggled into the crook of her neck. "Why are you so surprised?"
The warm breath on her neck did little to calm Youngeun's racing pulse, nor was Jia's affection which she was so usually accustomed to. The fingers lightly caressing her waist. The other hand playing with her fingers. It was all starting to be a little overwhelming for Youngeun.
"Just making sure," the younger girl said dismissively, hoping that her best friend didn't catch on to her uneasiness.
To her relief, Jia didn't.
Her tipsiness, though, did make her bolder.
Before Youngeun could even react, a soft pair of lips kissed her cheek, lingering for a few seconds before pulling back.
"That's to reassure you that I won't ditch you for someone else," Jia whispered into her ear.
If this had been any normal day, Youngeun wouldn't have paid any mind to her friend's actions. Right now though, everything Jia did and said had a whole new meaning behind them.
It took a lot of willpower for Youngeun to feign a bright smile and carefully pull away from her friend's grasp. "Right, I hear you," she replied as casually as she could. "I also think the alcohol is getting to your head and you totally need the painkillers now."
Jia's smile widened, the flush on her complexion more prominent. "Maybe I'm just being real with you."
When Youngeun left Jia alone to find her most reliable upperclassman, those words kept echoing within her mind and left her more confused than ever.
How long had Jia been harbouring these feelings for her?
And most importantly…
Could Youngeun even love her the same way?
"You've been coming over a lot lately."
"Well, your place has air-conditioning and mine stopped working a while ago."
"You never really liked to study with me. Heck, you always choose Chaehyun as the tutor."
"Maybe it's because I want to switch it up once in a while."
"Are you trying to avoid someone?"
That made Youngeun pause slightly before continuing to type on her laptop. "No, why would you think that?"
The ash-blonde sitting beside her cocked a brow as she rested her face lazily on her palm. "You're avoiding Jia."
"I'm not, Dayeon unnie."
"Then tell me why you keep coming over for the past five days when we're already finished with exams," Dayeon questioned her. "I'm pretty sure it's not entirely because of air-conditioning and free sushi from my family's restaurant."
"It's…" Youngeun trailed, unsure of what to say. "Complicated."
"Try me."
Youngeun heaved a heavy sigh. “What would you do if you found out someone is in love with you?”
“Let’s be more specific here,” Dayeon folded her arms on the table. “Not just someone . You meant a close friend.”
“Is it really that obvious?”
“I’m surprised it took you this long.”
“Ugh,” Youngeun began rubbing her temples. “I’m really starting to hate being the most oblivious one here.”
“How do you feel about Jia though?”
“I…I don’t know.”
“Well, you gotta figure out your feelings sooner or later,” Dayeon firmly said. “And preferably stop avoiding your best friend. She probably is worried sick by now.”
Youngeun wasn’t proud of her decision to give some distance between them– no. No matter how much she tried to word it, she was still avoiding Jia. She thought this would be a good way for her to gather her thoughts about the sudden realisation she had. But all it really did was make her feel more and more like a complete jerk. Whenever Jia asked where she was going, she could only give very vague answers. Her replies to Jia’s texts were short and curt too, compared to how she normally responds to her. Seeing the slight hurt in Jia’s eyes as Youngeun rushes out of their apartment, it felt like a part of her died.
“Hey Youngeun,” Dayeon called and reached out to place a reassuring hand on hers. "If anything, I think the two of you would be really great for each other. Give it a chance.”
She gave a silent nod.
Youngeun was willing to try.
That was the least she could do for the person whom she cherished the most.
The apartment was dark when Youngeun returned. It was already past midnight and the living room was dead quiet. Shuffling in and closing the front door, she carefully tiptoed her way back to her bedroom. She could have made it all the way until the lights suddenly switched on.
Youngeun let out a yelp, rubbing her eyes after being temporarily blinded.
"Oh, you're back."
She could feel her stomach drop when she heard the monotonous tone in her best friend's voice.
"Uh, hey," Youngeun awkwardly greeted Jia after her vision returned. "Why are you still up?"
"Was thirsty."
Youngeun finally noticed the glass of water in her hand. "Ah…"
Jia being curt was a bad sign.
"I was beginning to think that I'm living with a ghost."
Jia being passive-aggressive was also a bad sign.
"I had to study for something," Youngeun said.
"Hmm."
The awkwardness wasn't doing her any favours.
"Good luck with that," the sharp-eyed girl muttered emptily. Jia stepped forward to head back inside her room, but as she walked past Youngeun, she had one last thing to say. "I didn't know you shared a class with a performance arts major, but tell Dayeon unnie I said hi."
Youngeun froze.
Of course she would find out one way or another.
She didn't have any time to react before she heard the door close shut. The lone girl heaved a heavy sigh, feeling a dull headache starting to form.
She really screwed up big time.
She knew prolonging this would make things worse.
Dropping her bag on the floor, Youngeun hurriedly went up to Jia's bedroom door and…
What was she going to say?
I'm sorry I avoided you because I know you're in love with me and I don't know how to handle it.
Youngeun scoffed at her own monologue. Even she knew how pathetic of a reason that was. Taking in a deep breath to calm her nerves, Youngeun knocked on the door.
"Jia?" She called her name wearily. "Can we talk?"
Silence.
She tried the door knob and it was not locked. “I’m coming in.”
Much like the living room, her friend’s bedroom was also dark, save for the natural moonlight entering through the slight gap of the window’s curtain. Jia was lying on her bed, back turned towards her. Whether she was actually asleep or not, Youngeun couldn’t tell. She stepped inside quietly and took a seat on the edge of her bed. Her hands rubbed the bedsheets restlessly, trying to wipe the cold sweat that formed on her palms.
“I’ve been a real jerk lately, haven’t I?" Youngeun began, her voice low and exhausted. “I was going through something and needed to figure out my jumbled-up thoughts. But in the end, all I did was push you away.” She paused for a moment to swallow the heavy lump in her throat. “I’m sorry that I made you worry. You can punch me in the face and I wouldn't mind,” Youngeun smiled forlornly. "I deserve it."
There was no response from Jia.
Guess the silent treatment would do.
“Again, I’m sorry for what I did,” Youngeun uttered as she slowly and dejectedly got up from the bed. “Night, Jia.”
Youngeun didn't even bother to change her clothes when she finally reached her own bedroom and landed on the bed. She sank deeper into her pillows, letting her throbbing head rest.
It came as a surprise when she heard the door open and close shut. Her breath hitched when she felt the bed sink and a warm figure pulling her in. Youngeun stared sunkenly at the pair of hands clasped around her stomach. The guilt grew heavier with each second passed as they lay silently together on the bed.
"You've been really frustrating to me lately," the taller girl behind her spoke in a low voice, tightening her hold on Youngeun, as if she would run away again.
"I can handle your silence," Jia continued. " You don't have to share your problems with me because I know you prefer figuring it out for yourself, and that's alright." Her arms loosened and Youngeun could feel Jia's head resting against the back of her neck. "But when you avoid me and straight up lie to my face… That hurts me more than your silence ever could."
Fuck. That did it.
Youngeun quickly turned over to face her best friend. Hell, she was ready to face Jia's anger but nothing could have prepared her for the tears and the pained look in her eyes. She wasn't a stranger to witnessing Jia crying. They both have shared their ups and downs since high school.
But this was the first time that the root cause of Jia's pain was her .
"Please, Youngeun… No more secrets. No more lies. Don't leave me in the dark like this."
And in that moment, Youngeun vowed to never repeat the same mistake ever again.
She reached out and pulled the taller girl close, quietly relieved that Jia did not push her away. "I fucked up," Youngeun bitterly admitted as she tightly hugged her friend with as much love as she could muster. "I'm really, really sorry for making you worried and causing you so much pain. You don't deserve that at all." Youngeun released a breath she didn't know she was holding when she felt Jia returning the embrace with an equal amount of love, if not more. "I'll do better. I promise."
A stream of tears started flowing down her face, wetting a spot on the shoulder of Jia's oversized shirt. They stayed entangled until there were no more tears left to shed, and their sobbing was reduced to the occasional sniffle. Jia was the first to pull back slightly, a soft smile on her face. Even with red, puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks, Youngeun thought she still looked as beautiful as ever.
"I trust you," Jia said, using one hand to cup the other girl's cheek. "I don't know what you're going through but know that I'll always be here by your side, okay? No matter what."
It felt like a weight had been lifted from Youngeun's heart.
All was forgiven, and eventually the two girls were emotionally drained enough to lull themselves to sleep.
Youngeun rested her head on the crook of the taller girl's neck, tucking it underneath her chin. "I don't deserve someone like you," she quietly muttered under her breath as tired half-lidded eyes finally closed.
If she wasn't so tuckered out, she would have noticed Jia placing a gentle kiss on the crown of her head.
"You mean the world to me and nothing will ever change that."
A week passed since that day, and Youngeun noticed that something had shifted in their friendship.
Their hugs lasted a little longer than usual.
Their small touches lingered.
Youngeun lost count over how many times she had blatantly stared at Jia. She didn't find herself looking away even when her friend caught her in the act. It was all worth it just to see Jia being on the receiving end and getting flustered instead of her. The bashful smiles she got were also a bonus.
It was like Youngeun was seeing her best friend in a whole new light, and she was mesmerised every time she glanced her way.
They were invited to another gathering, though this time it was less of a party with acquaintances but more of hanging out with their close group of mutual friends at a giant arcade.
Youngeun spent most of the time playing various games with her other friends. She got numerous requests from the squad; beating Bahiyyih's hi-score at the basketball game, win 5 matches against Rui Qi at Street Fighter, completing the story mode of a shooting game with May, Xiaoting's demand for a rematch at darts, the list goes on. She didn't mind it, though a part of her felt a little empty that she wasn't able to play something together with Jia.
After being challenged by Wen Zhe at a game of air hockey (which she won!), the older girl offered to treat her to a soda. As she waited for her to return from the vending machine, Youngeun scanned the vicinity. When she veered to where the claw machines were, her eyes caught sight of a familiar figure she knew so well focused intently on controlling the claw.
From where she was, she could see Jia and Chaehyun huddling together at the machine. Chaehyun was the one giving instructions and looking at the trove of plushies from different angles, while Jia navigated the claw.
Youngeun smiled amusingly at the sight, both of them groaning loudly when the plushie slipped from the claw's grip.
"Eyes on the prize?"
Youngeun blinked, her small observation interrupted by a newcomer sidling up next to her and leaning back against the air hockey machine. "I don't know what you're talking about, Dayeon unnie," she grinned.
"Keep denying all you want, but you've been staring at her for the past couple of minutes and I was getting tired of waiting for you to notice my presence," Dayeon rolled her eyes whilst shaking her head in mild frustration. "So, did something happen?"
"Maybe."
"Spill."
"We made up."
"You mean make out?"
"You heard me loud and clear," Youngeun firmly stated as she attempted to wipe the smug look off of Dayeon's face.
"C'mon, no development at all? You can't expect me to believe that the both of you are still friends when I just caught you staring at her from across the room like a love-sick puppy," Dayeon huffed.
"Sorry to disappoint you, unnie, but we are still indeed friends. Although at this point, I'm considering changing that."
"Considering? No, you're already planning to change it. It all depends on who is going to take the first step and finally confess."
Youngeun contemplated that for a moment. Would Jia ever let her know of her true feelings at this point? She "got over it" but would it ever resurface?
"I've made up my mind," the younger girl said, her hands clenched tightly on the sides of the air hockey table.
"Good luck," Dayeon simply nodded in understanding. There was a pause in their conversation before Dayeon spoke again. "Do you think I should try my luck with the prize too?" She said in an unusually somber tone.
Youngeun glanced at the blonde and followed her line of sight. She watched as Jia chatted animatedly with the other girl whose bright, pink hair caught the attention of most.
"Shoot your shot, unnie," Youngeun gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Though, I think you don't have to worry so much. Chaehyun unnie has a soft spot for you, you know. It's obvious."
"Heh, that's funny coming from you," Dayeon lightly chuckled.
"Well, I was blind before but not anymore," the younger girl shrugged as she grinned smugly.
They both shared a playful laugh, squaring up and lightly punching each other on the arm. The moment was short-lived when Dayeon looked up and immediately stopped.
"Oh shit, they're looking at us," she frantically whispered. "Act cool!"
Youngeun's mind blanked out for a second before shoving her hands into the pockets of her denim jacket, leaning back relaxed against the air hockey table and putting on the most charming smile on her face as possible. Dayeon opted to assert her dominance by folding her arms and dispel any awkwardness by clearing her throat.
Coolly, of course.
The two girls they were inconspicuously checking out looked at them in amusement from the other side. Chaehyun was giggling and whispering something to Jia. It was only then that Youngeun noticed the orange object in Jia's hands. Her best friend brought it up halfway up her face and waved one of its arms at her.
It was a fox plushie.
Jia was cuddling a fox plushie and happily waving it at her.
Youngeun could already feel the heat rising on her cheeks. "That's so fucking cute," the younger girl blurted out.
"Easy there, kiddo," Dayeon placed a hand underneath Youngeun's chin. "Close your mouth before a fly gets in there."
Not a second after, Youngeun let out a loud yelp when something cold touched her cheek.
"Whoa, didn't think that would startle you that much."
Now that she stopped being entranced, Youngeun faced the culprit who was innocently dangling a bottle of Coke in front of her face.
Youngeun didn't hesitate to snatch the bottle and hold it by the cap. "That's fucking freezing, Wen Zhe unnie! Uh, I mean, thank you."
After the two older girls finished laughing over Youngeun's adorable antics, Wen Zhe hurriedly dragged them over to where the DDR machines were to watch the continuation of heated dance battles between Hikaru and Rui Qi.
Youngeun whipped her face back in Jia’s direction to return the wave. A faint blush returned on her cheeks when what she got was a flying kiss aimed her way.
"How many times did it take for you to get the little guy?" Youngeun asked, eyeing the adorable plushie in Jia's arms.
After a long day at the arcade, the two girls were strolling along by the Han River, opting to take the scenic route back to their shared apartment.
"I had a little help from Chaehyun unnie," Jia proudly smirked. "It took three tries."
"Ayy, not bad! Get some more practice with it and you'll be clearing out all the claw machines in no time."
"I wouldn't know what to do with all those prizes, but thanks for the encouragement."
Youngeun laughed, the image of her friend sitting on a throne of plushies of all kinds vividly playing in her mind.
A thought suddenly came to her. She hesitated to ask but something in her heart was urging her to.
"So," Youngeun casually began, "why a fox though?"
A beat passed before Jia knowingly smiled and took the bait.
"Because it reminded me of someone," the taller blonde softly said, her eyes gazing down at the orange animal. "Someone I hold dear."
"I see."
The walk continued on in comfortable silence, the two girls left to wander in their own thoughts. Eventually, they reached a nearby convenience store along the way, its bright glow seemingly calling the two over like a safe haven for a couple of travellers.
"You know," Jia stopped in her tracks and faced the other girl, "we haven't hung out together in a while. And I'm suddenly craving for ramyeon."
The way she carefully left out the reason why they hadn't spent much time together recently didn't fly over Youngeun's head. A small pang of guilt shot through her heart as she remembered how her uncertainty caused so much pain to Jia. Even though they have already mended the rift, there was still a small gap between them.
Youngeun wanted to make things right again.
How could she even turn down Jia's offer when her best friend was smiling so sweetly at her with an expectant look in her eyes?
Not to mention that damn fox plushie she was holding on to…
With a light in her step, Youngeun pulled the other girl by the hand and led them towards the small, inviting store. "Your wish is my command, my dear princess."
"Princess?" Jia lightly chuckled. "That's new."
They spent the rest of the evening warming themselves up with a hot meal and in each other’s company. Despite the noodles turning out a little soggier than she would normally like, Youngeun thought it was one of the best meals she ever had.
It came out when they finally returned home.
Youngeun unlocked the door to their shared apartment, letting her best friend in first like a gentlewoman, much to Jia’s amusement over the small act of chivalry.
“I had a really great time,” the taller blonde said as she took off her sneakers.” I think today is the most fun I’ve had in a while.”
“I mean, we went to the biggest arcade in the city so I’d be a little concerned if you didn’t enjoy it,” Youngeun replied, taking hers off too.
“Yeah, the place was really nice. The company was even better.”
Youngeun’s ears perked up at the last remark. “I agree,” she uttered, her smile growing tender.
She watched as Jia walked further into the living room, still cradling the plushie in her arms like a precious baby. How could this girl be this cute? “Where are you going with the little guy?” she called out to her.
Jia whipped around to face her. “ She will be taking permanent residence in my room.”
“Oh?” Youngeun feigned surprise, closely approaching her friend. “Damn, she’s gonna be living a good life and in good hands.” She reached out and patted the plushie. “I’m kinda jealous.”
“I’ll try to remember to give some attention to you too,” Jia winked.
If Youngeun’s heart could beat any harder than it was, it would be bursting out of her chest by now. The three words she had made her mind up to say were at the tip of her tongue. It came out more naturally than she thought.
“I love you.”
A beat passed.
She stood determinedly under the pressure of Jia’s widened stare. Maybe this came in a little too abruptly? Youngeun inched closer to her best friend, the plushie in her arms being the only barrier between them.
“I love you, Jia. I’m sorry that it took me so long to realise that you have feelings for me,” she softly declared to her. “I want to make it up to you. Will you go out with me?”
Jia blinked a few times, her mouth trying to find the words to speak. “O-out?”
Youngeun, on the other hand, was almost in full-blown panic mode but she kept her ground. “Do you need time to think about it? I know this is really out of the blue, so I understand if you don’t know the answer yet. Should I come back with your favourite chocolates and ask again?”
Jia let out a sound that almost sounded like a whimper.
Before Youngeun could even second-guess this whole confession, she watched the taller girl place the plushie on the nearby couch, and with no hesitation launched herself onto Youngeun.
“Yes,” Jia squeezed her a little tighter. “I’ll go out with you.”
The shorter brunette melted into the embrace, letting out a breath she’d been holding in for way too long.
She didn’t want to ever let her go.
They pulled back just enough to see each other’s faces while still keeping close.
“Jia.”
“Yes?”
“That day when we watched that drama, and I asked you that question… Were you…?”
The taller girl cupped one of Youngeun’s cheeks, gently caressing it. “I got over it, but my feelings for you never really went away. But now, I’m glad that they’re still there.”
“You deserve all the happiness in the world,” Youngeun tightened her hold on her waist. “I’ll make sure of that.”
Jia gave her the most tender of smiles. “I love you too, Youngeun.”
And on hearing those words, Youngeun knew that this was way better than any of the dramas they’ve watched.