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"You gotta be kidding me," Aeri mumbled into her pillow as she blindly reached for her phone.
With one eye open, she groaned when she saw the caller ID, although by now it wasn't surprising for Jimin to be the one disturbing her from her beauty sleep.
She perched the phone on her ear hands free as she hit the green answer button. "You better be dying," she let her annoyance be known.
"Yeah, dying for a milkshake. Put your shoes on, we're right around the corner!"
Although it was Jimin calling, Minjeong was the one talking. It was unsurprising. The two were practically attached to the hip.
"Girl, it's like–" Aeri pulled the phone away and squinted at the time, "almost midnight. I was sleeping."
"And you're not anymore. We'll give you five minutes to change if you want."
"I don't want to." And Aeri hung up.
She put her phone on do not disturb (which she should've done in the first place) and tried to go back to sleep. Keyword TRIED.
A loud honk broke through the tranquil serenity of her room and she panic bolted out of bed and ran toward her window. She tripped and lost her footing, falling knees first, but she scrambled back up and stuck her head out to see Jimin in her car and alongside her, Minjeong. When they saw Aeri, Minjeong stuck half her body out the window and waved enthusiastically while Jimin got out and circled the car and beckoned her over with her arm.
"Come on!"
"Are you two insane?!" Aeri shout-whispered.
Jimin squinted, not understanding what she just mouthed and looked at Minjeong to ask if she caught that, but she got a no. Instead she opted for a booming "hurry up!" Hands cupped around her mouth and everything.
Oh my God, her parents were going to kill her if they woke up, which her friends seemed to have as a mission.
All summer long they had dragged her along on their crazy ideas, like going floating down river rapids, go-karting at night in an empty amusement park, zip-lining at the national park, bungee jumping from the highest tower in their city, spontaneous road trips to small towns they'd never even heard of, beach camping (mind you she didn't like camping), and the jet boat incident.
To be honest, milkshakes at night was the most sensible thing they had come up with, she just really didn't like going out this late. They always dragged her out of her comfort zone but somehow they always ended up having fun. God damn it...
"Fine!" Aeri huffed and closed the window.
That Jimin and Minjeong understood and the two shared a high five to celebrate. In five minutes, just like Jimin had said, she was out the door and running over to the back seat, but not without smacking Jimin and Minjeong in the process.
"What the hell is wrong with both of you!" She exclaimed as Jimin got back in.
"Milkshake run." Minjeong turned her head and answered simply.
"Milkshake run, my ass. It's crackhead hours. Something bad could happen. We could DIE–"
"Relax," Jimin interrupted her. "We're going to The Diner. We'll be fine inside."
"Can't we just hit a drive-thru?" Aeri bargained. She wanted to come back home and sleep.
"To where? McDonald's? Hell no!" Minjeong intervened. "I want a real milkshake made with ice cream. Not fake milk with artificial color for flavor."
"Oh for crying out loud, we have school tomorrow! I'm a senior guide, I have to wake up early!"
"It's our last day of summer though!" Minjeong countered. "We're all going to get busy again and won't be able to have spontaneous outings."
Jimin agreed from the driver's seat.
Somehow Aeri doubted that. The two were too unhinged to give that up. Still, she leaned back and didn't protest any longer. There was no point. Whenever they got an idea in their head there was no way to change their mind.
Jimin stole a glance of her through the rear view mirror. "We'll pay for you."
Aeri crossed her arms. "Of course you're paying for me. It's the least you can do for dragging me out at ungodly hours."
"Love you Aeri," Minjeong tried.
"Well I don't love you right now."
Minjeong pouted but only Jimin could see from the front. Aeri was still huffing in the back but she'd come around soon enough. She always did. And if she didn't, they had their ways to convince her.
When they reached their destination, Jimin and Minjeong did their best to get on Aeri's good graces, which meant hugs and kisses. Minjeong was holding onto her arm like a koala and rubbing her head against her shoulder, while Jimin placed several kisses on her cheek from the other side.
Aeri couldn't keep a serious face. "Okay! Okay!" She tried to shake them off.
"Don't be mad!" Minjeong snuggled closer.
"ALRIGHT. I GOT IT!" Aeri said between giggles. "LET ME GO!"
With one last squeeze and smooch, finally they pulled away, but still held Aeri close by the hand as they led her inside The Diner. The bell above the door chimed as the three girls made their way to a table in a corner. At this hour the place had a seat yourself policy.
A waitress came over to them no later than thirty seconds after picking a table.
"Welcome in. My name is NingNing and I'll be your server tonight. Can I get you started with anything to drink while you look through your menus?"
Jimin gave her a friendly smile and handed her the menus back. "Actually we just came here for milkshakes."
The waitress took them under her arm and got out her notepad. "Then if you're ready I can get those started for you."
The three told her their order and as she was writing it down, Aeri couldn't help but stare. She looked young. Young enough to be their age actually. The words were out before she could even stop herself.
"Are you a student?"
NingNing's eyes snapped back up at the sudden address. Normally people that came in this late at night didn't want much conversation and just wanted to eat and leave as soon as possible.
She finished writing and showed a polite smile. "Me? Yeah. Just moved here a couple months ago."
"SM High?"
"Huh?"
Aeri chuckled. "SooMan High School." Her eyes did a little crinkle.
Jimin and Minjeong shared a knowing look. Jimin then leaned her chin on her palm and Minjeong held in her laugh as they let Aeri do all the talking.
"Oh. Yes," NingNing replied.
Aeri frowned in confusion. "Tomorrow is the first day and you're working this late?"
"It is?" Her eyes went wide.
NingNing then took out her phone to check something (the date most likely) and gasped.
"Thanks for telling me. It totally slipped my mind."
"Do you know anyone?" Aeri continued to voice her interest.
Jimin and Minjeong were practically trying to not bounce off their seats.
"Umm no. Not really. Moved here with my mom. No other relatives."
"We go there. We can show you around tomorrow. Being new on the first day can be tough. Been there before."
"Oh. Wow." NingNing was taken aback by the random hospitality. "That'd be really nice actually."
Aeri gave her a cute nod. "Cool then."
NingNing stood there waiting for something more until she snapped out of it and remembered who she was and what she had to do.
"I'll be back with your milkshakes shortly."
"Thank you." Three voices echoed this time as they saw her walk away.
Finally when they saw her disappear through the door to the kitchen Jimin and Minjeong finally laughed.
Aeri glared at them instantly.
"What was that?" Minjeong asked between her the fingers covering her mouth.
"What do you mean? It's me being nice!"
Minjeong shook her head and put up her hand to stop her. "No, no. That was different."
"Shoot your shot, Aeri. Ask how old she is though. We're going to be seniors, you don't want to be dating a freshman," Jimin winked.
"Oh come on. There's no way she's a freshman." She denied. "She's working past midnight."
"So you admit you are interested in her?" Jimin added with an evil grin.
"Damn it, Jimin. Leave me alone!"
"Hey you never know," Minjeong shrugged. "Maybe she'll return the sentiment." And then her nonchalance morphed into mischief. "Want me to ask?"
"No!" Aeri vehemently refused. "I'm trying to be casual. Start bombarding her with questions and she's going to think it's weird!"
" Aw come on. We mean no harm," Jimin gave her a look similar to the one she gave whenever she suggested for them to go on spontaneous trips. Oh no.
Like clockwork, NingNing returned from the back with a tray in hand with their drinks.
Aeri clenched her jaw and hissed between her teeth. "I swear to fucking God if you two say anything stupid I'll tie my shoelaces around both your necks, hook you to my dad's truck, and drag you through the neighborhood."
And then she straightened back up and acted like nothing, giving NingNing an innocent smile. Nothing happened here.
"Three milkshakes." She passed them out.
They were picture perfect. Whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and a cherry on top. Minjeong was quick to take her phone out to get a picture.
"Anything else I can get for you?" NingNing asked, looking at all of them and her eyes stopping on Aeri last, but Aeri was too busy glaring at Jimin and Minjeong from across the table to notice.
Meanwhile, Minjeong and Jimin weren’t phased by the lasers coming out of her eyes. Aeri had always been more bark than bite.
Minjeong put her phone away and bumped her shoulders with Jimin. It was go-time.
"What year are you in?" She asked as she stirred her shake with her straw.
"I'll be a senior." NingNing replied.
"Cool. We're seniors too." Jimin cut in. "I'm Jimin. Minjeong," she pointed beside her. "And this is Aeri," she pointed with her chin.
Aeri was no longer relaxed. She was tense and slightly scared of whatever foolery Jimin and Minjeong were about to do.
"Nice to meet you. I go by NingNing in the diner but I'm Yizhou."
Jimin continued the conversation. "Alright then Yizhou. You busy right now?"
"Not really. You're the only ones here."
That's when they realized Yizhou was right. The few people that had been here before were long gone.
"Wanna sit for a bit then?" Jimin motioned to Aeri's empty side.
“Yes, join us!’ Minjeong backed her up.
Aeri's breath hitched, ready to combust and scatter into a million pieces, but she morphed her face into a smile. Although a bit forced. "Yeah, you should."
Yizhou looked over her shoulder to the kitchen's open window. "Okay. Give me a sec." She walked up to it and asked, "Steve! Is it okay if I take my break?"
"Go for it!"
"Thank you!"
Jimin and Minjeong cooed at the natural cuteness.
"She's adorable."
"Seriously."
It was like Minjeong and Jimin were giving their blessings for them, but they were getting ahead of themselves! Aeri was interested, sure, but everything was going so fast! She wanted to take her time and slowly get to know her, not charge head-on!
Ever since Aeri saw her, something about Yizhou made her senses be on edge, the good kind, which is why she had reached out for small talk. Jimin and Minjeong were always all or nothing though. They always encouraged her to act first and think later, which was fine for them but Aeri would like to at least have a back-up plan!
Yizhou came back with an enthusiastic smile to join them in the booth. Aeri easily scooted over and tried to not give her nervousness away. Her heart was ringing in her ears and she feared the blood would rush to her face.
The four girls then talked animatedly, mainly asking Yizhou questions since they were all curious about her. Conversation between them was easy. In fact, the trio was surprised at how well they all clicked with Yizhou.
“...and she was literally sobbing. Snot bubbles out her nose while she screamed how she was never getting on a jet boat ever again!” Jimin vividly explained.
“I did not have snot coming out my nose!”
“Yeah huh!” Minjeong cut in. “I have the video to prove it! Yizhou, wanna see?”
“Kim Minjeong don’t you dare!” Aeri tried to jump over the table to stop her.
Even if Yizhou was laughing at her expense, Aeri found she didn’t mind. At least not if that beaming smile was directed toward her. Aeri figured could put up with the retelling of the jet boat incident just this one time. And even if Yizhou laughed along with Minjeong and Jimin, it wasn’t with ill intent. When she laughed, she did so with her whole heart, exuding positivity and good vibes. Soon, they finished their milkshakes and also Yizhou's break was over.
"I'll take those for you." And she left to the back.
For a minute they forgot she was actually working here and hadn't come with them to hang out. How intriguing. Never had they met someone that clicked so well with the three of them. When she returned, that's when Jimin sent Aeri a look. They were communicating using only their eyes while Minjeong followed Yizhou to the counter to pay.
Once they were out of earshot, "Do it."
"Do what?!" Aeri said back indignant.
"Give her your number! Or just ask her to give you hers!" Jimin encouraged her.
"No!"
"Yes! I'll give you the opening. You just have to follow through!"
Jimin and Aeri then both got out of the booth, with Aeri trying to catch the taller girl and to hopefully stop her but it was futile. They reached the register where Minjeong was and Jimin easily wrapped her arms around her waist and rested her head on her shoulder as Yizhou gave her back the change.
Coward. Using Minjeong as a human shield, Aeri narrowed her eyes at her and Jimin stuck her tongue back playfully at her in retaliation.
"It's okay. Keep it," she told Yizhou. "We'll see you tomorrow, right?" She smiled.
Yizhou's eyes were bright. "Yes. But how will I find you?"
Jimin didn't even hesitate. "You can give Aeri your number! She has to be at school early tomorrow. We don't know what time you'll get there so the best person to be there with you is her."
There was nothing Aeri could do now. Of course she wanted to exchange numbers! But she was scared it would make her look desperate. After all, they had barely interacted for less than half an hour. She was currently a ball of nerves and embarrassment.
She clenched her fists at her sides. Fake it till you make it though.
With a gulp she took her phone out and asked for Yizhou's number. No doubt she must be blushing. How embarrassing!
What Aeri didn’t know was that Yizhou was looking at her with stars in her eyes. She had been too preoccupied with her own mental battle to notice, but Minjeong and Jimin had noticed the minute Yizhou gave them their milkshakes. It was also the reason they were pushing Aeri so much, because the attraction could not be one-sided.
However, if their intuition was wrong and things crashed and burned, then they’d be there for Aeri with two shoulders for her to cry on. But there was no need to think of the worst. The future currently looked bright, and Jimin and Minjeong could not be more excited.
Jimin shook Minjeong’s shoulders gently in quiet celebration for the success of their plan.
"See you tomorrow then," Jimin and Minjeong left first without waiting for Aeri, trying to give the soon-to-be-couple a private moment.
Oh Aeri was definitely going to kill them after she finished here.
She read back the number and called Yizhou so she could have her number as well. Buzzing cut through the air and Yizhou took out her phone from inside her apron pocket to confirm.
"Got it."
"Great. I'll call you in the morning. Or text you. Whichever you want."
"A text is fine." Yizhou nodded. "Thank you again. You didn't have to do that. I don't know anyone here so I really appreciate it."
"It's no problem at all." And the awkward silence. She should just get out of here before she embarrassed herself even more. "Bye Yizhou. Text me when you get home," she said without thinking.
Crap.
She froze in her spot when she realized.
That was something she, Minjeong, and Jimin always said to each other whenever they were going home. Was that weird to say to someone you just met? She saw a look of surprise on Yizhou's face.
"To make sure you got home okay," she quickly followed. "It's really late." She told her the truth.
"Okay, I will. Have a good night." Yizhou couldn't help the bashful grin that was suddenly on her face. One Aeri finally noticed and newfound confidence filled her.
She couldn’t stop her grin. "You too."
And then she tried to leave The Diner coolly. There was nothing cool about the way she had acted this past half hour though. Aeri felt so dumb! How had she not noticed sooner?! No wonder Minjeong and Jimin had been bugging!
Once outside, she lunged at the Terrible Twos. "You two are the worst!"
"You're welcome!" Jimin said between laughs as she and Minjeong ran to the car to go home.
They would drop off Aeri first. Loud music played as Jimin drove, the windows shaking slightly if you paid close attention, and the three singing their lungs out just having a good time. They did not tease her about Yizhou anymore. They knew they had pushed her boundaries enough and knew when to stop. The two of them sometimes knew her better than she knew herself.
"Bye Aeri!"
"Goodnight!"
Aeri waved at them both from the front door. "Text me when you get home," she told them like always.
She punched in the door code and went inside.
The house was dark and quiet, a clear sign that her parents hadn't a clue she had gone out so late, thank God.
She went to her room to change back into her pajamas and did her night routine all over again. Her phone had been charging all the while and when she came back from the bathroom, she was pleased to see texts from Jimin and Minjeong that they were both home.
Good. She sent both quick goodnight texts and then got comfortable in bed.
She let out a deep sigh and closed her eyes. Honestly Aeri wasn't feeling much when she had gone to sleep earlier today for school tomorrow. She hardly got excited since she had so many summer school activities anyways. Having met Yizhou tonight had changed that though. Her heart raced with anticipation at the thought of seeing her at school.
She exhaled and relaxed her body, sleep slowly coming to her. She had a good feeling about this school year and about Yizhou. In fact, she was going to manifest it!
Good vibes only this year!
And to think that she owed it all to the Terrible Twos for getting random milkshake cravings at Cinderella hours. But she wouldn't thank them just yet or she'd never hear the end of it.
Aeri let out a small chuckle replaying tonight's events in her head. She really was lucky to have them in her life even if they drove her up the wall sometimes.
About an hour later, when Aeri was in deep sleep, a notification lit up on her phone.
Yizhou:
I'm home! See you in the morning :)
And that she did.
When Aeri met with Yizhou at school, the pounding in her heart only got stronger. The twinkle and energy from yesterday was still present today. Good. She was glad Yizhou returned her enthusiasm to see each other again.
She chanted the mantra from last night in her head again but with full certainty this time.
Good vibes only this year.