Archive of Our Own ^beta

Mina was silently eating her food in the noisy cafeteria. Her cousins were bickering in front of her, fighting over who should eat the last meatball on their shared spaghetti: A regular day for Mina, if you’d ask her.

“No, it’s mine. I’m older than you, Sana.”

“No no, it’s mine.  And please. You’re older by a split second, Momo, shut up.”

Mina wiped her mouth clean and drank her soda, not paying mind to her cousins. They were older than her, but Mina had essentially taken the role of being the more responsible one among the three.

Mina opened her phone and played her game. The cafeteria got way noisier when the jocks came. Mina looked around and saw the tables slowly being filled. The math geniuses on the far corner, the geeks on their side, and the others scattered everywhere but the center. The jocks, the cheerleaders, and the popular ones are at the center. Mina’s cousins were one of them. Hence, their table was at the center-left. They were popular, a complete contrast to Mina, who was a wallflower.

Momo and Sana were extroverts, Sana mostly. Momo was somewhat friendly. But not Mina; she hated crowds and noise. And people. However, few were part of her exception. Im Nayeon.   Yup. Her friend group was small, and she never wanted to expand it. She wouldn’t dream of it.

Her cousins continued fighting when Momo suddenly stopped talking, frozen on her seat with her fork raised mid-air. With Momo practically glitching,  Sana took this opportunity to eat the last meatball and chew it happily. Meanwhile, Mina was too busy to pay them any attention. When Sana followed where Momo was looking, she choked on her meatball. This time, Mina paused her game and raised her head, “What-”

Mina froze, and at the cafeteria’s entrance was Im Nayeon.

“Mina, it’s your crush.” Sana and Momo said in sync. Mina quickly looked down and continued playing. She was blushing so hard. Ever since they knew about Mina’s crush, the teasing never stopped. 

Mina peeked, head still hung low, and there she was, Im Nayeon in all her glory, gracing them with her beauty. Sana tapped at her shoulders, “Minari, you’re drooling.” Momo guffawed when Mina glared at them—earning a few glances from the neighboring table. Mina hung her head even lower before hissing at Momo. “Stop it. People are staring!”

Momo paid no mind and just drank her soda. Mina risked another glance at Nayeon’s table and saw her talking to her friends animatedly. After that, she just sighed and continued playing.

***

Sana and Momo never go to class together like ever. Instead, they asked for entirely different schedules. “We see each other at home 24/7. Please let me breathe.” Momo once complained. Sana agreed with and ever since they reached high school, they never got to the same class.

The twins gave away their schedule to Mina; her cousins got a few classes with Nayeon. A history with Sana and  Momo got PE with her. Mina didn’t ask for this information, but the twins gave them away. “Mina, you can visit us during our P.E. like pretend I called for you or something.” Momo encouraged Mina. Sana enthusiastically agreed to her sister’s ridiculous suggestion. “Trap them both inside the changing rooms!” She just flipped them off.

Taking the books out of her locker when Jihyo, occupying the locker next to her, popped behind her. “Hey.” Jihyo is the current council president, a junior like Mina. She was one of Nayeon’s friends and Mina knew her because they took the same elective. 

 They were given assignments in pairs. Mina hated these because she was bad at finding partners let alone interacting with them. Luckily, Jihyo was not hard to deal with and she took Mina as her partner. Mina was thankful that Jihyo was in this class.

They decided to do it in the student council’s office, Jihyo’s schedule was quite hectic so she’d have to multitask. They entered the office and saw different tables. Jihyo entered the conference room. “We’ll do it here, my table is too stuffy. Wait.”  After things were settled, they started to work. 

They were already halfway done when they felt hungry. Jihyo offered to buy their food. Mina agreed and went to proofread their work instead. No one was left at the office other than them, so Mina felt a little scared when she realized that she was alone.

She regretted not accompanying Jihyo. Mina heard the door outside creaking. Jihyo was back already? The footsteps were heard but it seemed like the person was looking around the office. It was not Jihyo. Alarms were blaring in Mina’s mind, what if it was a serial killer? It was already dark outside. She stopped thinking, Mina accepted her fate that this is how she’ll die-

“Jihyo?” There was a knock, but Mina was malfunctioning, she couldn’t hear anything other than the footsteps and her ragged breathing. The creaking of the door was loud, as loud as Mina’s drumming heart. 

“Jihyo?”

 A head popped in. Mina stopped breathing. Nayeon looked around the conference room until it stopped right at Mina's seat; they held each other’s gaze. Mina stopped breathing and she couldn’t hear anything other than her erratic heartbeat. It wasn’t because of a killer, though, she was still nervous because of Im Nayeon.  

It felt good.

“Excuse me…”

Mina’s mouth was agape, Nayeon entered the room and cleared her throat. She jumped on her seat. Goddamit Mina, get yourself together. “Uh, Jihyo went out. Sh-she’ll be back soon.” Mina sat up straight, trying her best to keep her composure intact when Nayeon sat on the chair adjacent to hers. 

“I see.” Was the only thing Nayeon said but it did a lot of things to Mina. She was actually talking to her crush, look at that. Mina was dying inside and she wanted to give herself a tap on her shoulder for being composed while talking to Nayeon.

There was an awkward silence, Mina internally cringed. She was staring at the screen for almost five minutes now, while Nayeon was looking around the room, checking the papers before her. Mina was stealing glances at Nayeon. 

Nayeon read the papers, occasionally checked her phone, then leaned on her seat, tapping the armrest. Mina followed every movement, everything Nayeon was doing right now, it made her heart flutter. It was a great experience to be breathing the same air with Na-

“Do I have something on my face?”

Mina shook her head and immediately looked down, leaning closer to the screen as if there was something interesting inside. She could still feel Nayeon boring holes across her screen. Mina craned her neck to see if Nayeon was still staring. Only to meet Nayeon’s eyes shining in mirth. Mina was startled. Nayeon laughed and shook her head. “Alright, cutie, what’s your name?”

Mina’s brain went short-circuits. She couldn’t form words to respond to Nayeon. Her hands were trembling, her heart was full, and she could feel adrenaline running through her veins. A lot of things went through her mind to answer Nayeon’s simple question, but an unexpected one was what Mina uttered. “C-cutie?”

Nayeon laughed again and nodded. Mina wanted the floor to eat her alive, she grimaced and gulped. “I’m sorry, I- I’m Mina.”

“Mina. Hmm. I’m Nayeon.”

“I know.”

Nayeon raised her brow, Mina wanted to slap her mouth for talking without thinking first. IF she could never function properly with Nayeon around, what about when Mina conversed with Nayeon? Here’s exhibit A for an example. Mina swallowed hard before defending herself with faux nonchalance, “I mean, everyone knows.”

Nayeon leaned back on the swivel chair and spun herself around. Mina just watched her. She couldn’t think of anything else. The door opened with Jihyo holding take outs. Jihyo was confused when she saw Nayeon inside. The older one reclined the chair and looked at her. “Oh, hi.”

“What are you doing here?” Jihyo asked, settling the food on the table. Nayeon just shrugged. “I saw the lights are on so I thought that you are still here.” Nayeon eyed Mina as she finished talking.

“We are making an assignment. And have you met Mina already?” Jihyo was too busy with their food to notice anything. Nayeon never broke their eye contact and answered. “I did, right, Mina?”

Mina broke away from Nayeon's hypnotizing gaze and answered Jihyo. “Yes.”

The three of them ate together and Jihyo and Mina worked on their assignment. After everything was done, Mina bid them goodbye. She left as soon as possible and rejected Nayeon’s offer to drive her home. Jihyo was arranging some papers while Nayeon was sitting on the secretary’s chair, “Are you close with her?”

Nayeon glides her seat closer to Jihyo’s table. The younger girl stopped piling her papers and squinted her eyes. “Why?”

“Nothing.”

Nayeon glided away and continued playing with her keys.  “Mina’s a shy girl. Interaction with a stranger overwhelms her. Did you do something?” Jihyo accused her, as they walked out towards the parking lot. “Of course I didn’t.”

Nayeon pressed the button on her key and her car beeped. Jihyo looked at her before entering the car. “Mina is a good person. Just make sure you didn’t do anything.”

“I didn’t! I promise.”

Nayeon started the car and muttered, “Actually she’s interesting.” Jihyo rolled her eyes. “SO what now, you’ve developed a crush on her or something?” When Nayeon didn’t answer, Jihyo quickly turned to her, eyes widening.

Jeongyeon was eating her food and she was distracted with Nayeon who kept on looking around the cafeteria, searching for someone. “Will you sit still? I can’t eat!” She didn’t pay attention, she hadn't seen her yet. Jihyo made mention of Mina being an introvert. “Jihyo, do you know who is friends with Mina?”

Jihyo stopped chewing and suspiciously eyed Nayeon, Jeongyeon too. Nayeon was taken aback by their reaction. “What?” Jeongyeon tilted her head to the left, “You mean Sana’s cousin? That Mina?” Nayeon checked the direction of the cafeteria and there Mina was, eating with Sana.

“Wait, she’s their cousin?” Jihyo nodded and bit her burger. “They are. I thought you know, they are close to the hip. The three of them are always together.” Nayeon frowned, then why did she never notice? “I never saw her at parties though.”

“Ah, right. She rarely goes to parties. I once saw her at Chaeng’s birthday.” “She went to your sister’s birthday?” Nayeon’s overreaction was feeding Jeongyeon’s growing suspicion. But she answered Nayeon nonchalantly. “They are quite close.”

Jihyo finally asked her, “Why the sudden interest??” Jeongyeon’s eyes widened. “No way.”

Nayeon ignored them and looked at the table on the left. Mina was laughing at whatever Sana was talking about. She seemed comfortable. She looked cute laughing like that.

***

“-work alone or do it by group, pair whatever. Just make sure to submit it 2 weeks from now.” Everyone was talking. Nayeon liked to work alone though; especially that Jeongyeon was not in this class. 

But a bright idea came inside Nayeon’s mind. “Hey, Minatozaki.” Nayeon called out Sana who was sitting three seats ahead. She immediately proposed something. “Let’s pair.” The other girl was confused, but she nodded. Nayeon smiled widely.

 See, she’s hitting two birds using one stone: she paired up with the smartest in her history class and probably got enough information about her crush. Who’s doing it like Im Nayeon? No one.

“Are you free this weekend?” Sana asked her. Nayeon stopped stuffing her bag and answered. “I am.” Sana beamed at her. “Okay, let’s do it where?” Nayeon wanted to thank the gods for blessing her so much. She was really their favorite creature.

“At your house, if it’s fine.”

“Of course.” Sana bid her goodbye. Nayeon might be happy, but Sana was way happier.

Momo was waiting for Sana at the entrance hall and was visibly shaken when suddenly jumped in front of her dancing around like a lunatic. “What happened? You scared me!” Sana ignored her sister and just grabbed her hand, “Later, when we got home. Come on!”

 Mina, on the other hand, was finishing a new set of puzzles she bought last weekend. She immediately went home after the class to finish this one. She could start building another set once this was done. She heard the car arriving with Momo and Sana shouting around the house, calling her name. “Mina! Mitang! Minari!”

Mina groaned. What were they up to now? Before she knew it, loud steps on their way to her bedroom were heard, the door burst open with Sana smiling widely like a fool. “Mina! We got some good news for you!”

Momo was behind her mimicking a trumpet sound while moving her hands like she was playing one. Sana took a deep breath and said “Nayeoniscomingherethisweekend! If you’re excited, say what.”

“What?”

“Good!” Sana and Momo screamed and left her room. Mina just shrugged and continued finishing her puzzle. “Idiots.” During their dinner, Sana ordered them to clean the house for a visitor coming this weekend. Much to Mina’s surprise, Momo didn’t whine or complain about being assigned to do household chores. 

“Mina, are you going out this weekend?” Sana asked calmly. Momo was clearing out the fridge, while Mina was washing their dishes. “And where do you think I’m going? Sana, what kind of question is that?” Mina deadpanned.

“Right? Sattang, sometimes you really have to use your common sense.” Momo said while smiling widely. Sana smiled at her too, they eyed each other, wiggling their brows and laughed like a brace of ducks.

Mina ignored Momo and Sana’s antics, they were at that time of the year where they completely lost it because the midterms were fast approaching. She watched her cousins sing off tune, playing with the mop and the fridge’s door.

She just massaged her temples and walked up stairs. She couldn’t stand dealing with them today, she needed to rest. “I’m going to sleep. Night.”

They stopped singing and waved comically, “Good night, Mitang!”

“Sweet dreams!”

The following day, Mina was playing in her room the entire morning, she didn’t bother to go down and eat with her cousins, she was a woman on a mission. She intensely pressed the buttons of the joystick and eyes focused on the screen before her. “Dammit.”

She paused her game and stretched. Mina’s room was still dark and the drapes were not drawn aside. Momo came into her room a few hours ago to invite her for breakfast but she declined. Now she checked the time and it’s already lunch, she was feeling icky and hungry.

Still wearing her pj’s, she went down and walked in the kitchen absentmindedly. Mina missed to notice that there were three people inside their kitchen, eating boxes of pizza. She just went straight to the fridge and pulled out the fresh milk.

Drinking from the box silently, Sana recognized her presence, “Wow, I thought you’re not going to get out of your room.” She didn’t answer but drank her milk bottom’s up instead, then turned to her cousin. “It’s Saturday, of cou-”

The empty box on her hand fell out of her grasp, mouth agape and face was turning flaming hot. Sana was dying  as Mina zoomed out of the room like a road runner. She bumped into Momo who was trying to corner her but she didn’t stop, she heard them calling her name and even laughing. God, that was so embarrassing! She thought as she strode in large leaps and locked herself in her room again.

Mina was heaving by the time she reached her room. Nayeon just saw her in her ugliest and nastiest form. Ruffling her hair she begrudgingly walked in the bathroom. She turned the shower’s knob and tried to convince herself that the scorching hot water could wash away all her shame and embarrassment.

Thee Im Nayeon just didn’t see her like that. Well, she did. Mina groaned in annoyance and turned the knob further, the water was dripping fast and hot. So sweltering that it made her skin burn, and maybe hid her blush and giddy feeling.

***

Nayeon heard the heavy footsteps on the staircase. That must be her . Sana ordered some pizza after they started working on their project. Nayeon came late because her car broke down and she had to take the bus. She arrived around lunch and now, they were eating when Mina came in still half-awake, clad in her pajamas with some cute cartoon print. 

Cute.  

Mina looked sickeningly adorable, this ain’t fair. Nayeon watched Mina open the fridge and drink her milk. Who the fuck drinks milk at noon? It didn’t matter, apparently Mina did and Nayeon found that charming.

Sana talked to Mina but she didn’t answer, then turned around looking so adorbs with that little milk mustache. Their eyes met the second Nayeon blinked, Mina was out of sight. “Hey, Mina!” Nayeon saw Momo turn around after Mina bumped into her, looking at them  clearly entertained. It was the way she sped out waddling, or her sheer shock when she saw Nayeon, or maybe because it was Mina, it made Nayeon’s organ caged by her ribs flutter.

Disgusting. But she couldn’t help but feel it.

“Aw, Mina is shy.” Momo muttered, Sana laughed and picked up the empty carton. The twins communicated in their twinning alien telepathy then looked at Nayeon. They were not speaking, but they were making these weird facial expressions. Sana nodded and Momo started laughing. Nayeon shrugged it off, she guessed it was a sibling thing. Momo tapped her shoulders while grinning like a Cheshire cat, “Why don’t you stay for dinner, Nayeon?”

Of course, she’d love to stay for dinner.

They resumed making the scrapbook, whatever history. Sana suggested they do it in her room instead of the living room because Momo was disrupting them every time. Nayeon declined, maybe she could put up with Momo in another hour or so.

Sana was typing on the couch, Nayeon on the coffee table cutting some papers. Momo was beside her, doing nothing, just watching the television. “Nayeon, do you watch Adventure Time? You look like Princess Bubblegum, you know?”

Nayeon was tapping the scrapbook when Momo called for her. She acted like she didn’t hear but Momo was annoyingly insensitive. “Nayeon?” Sana sighed and kicked Momo’s back and glared at her. “Aw, what was that for?!” Momo sulked and rubbed her back. Sana sternly scolded her sister. “Leave Nayeon alone.”

The other didn’t listen. She continued blabbering. ”And Mina looks like Marceline, don’t you think?” Nayeon stopped cutting the papers and hummed. “Maybe it’s the opposite.” Momo gasped and looked at her twin, Sana eyed Momo and they talked in twin telepathy again.

Nayeon looked at the staircase, Mina didn’t come down after she walked in her messy hair and cute pajamas. Momo brought Mina some pizza to her room. The youngest refused to go out because she said she was busy. The twins however claimed their cousin was just giving excuses because they had a visitor.

Mina getting shy around Nayeon made Mina extra endearing. Don’t ask Nayeon why.

The dinner was, how would Nayeon put it? Momo and Sana were throwing purposive jabs at Mina, but Nayeon didn’t understand. They talked normally, but Nayeon thought it had another meaning. Mina was silent all throughout the dinner. She even volunteered to wash the dishes when Momo said they were going to watch a movie. Nayeon was not that dense, Mina was avoiding her.

“I’m going now. I might miss the last bus.” The twins snapped their necks when Nayeon said that in the middle of their debate on what movie they should watch. Momo was whining at Nayeon when Sana pinched Momo and murmured something incoherent.

Momo’s face showed understanding and suddenly looked sympathetic, as if she was not about to beat Nayeon’s ass a few minutes ago. “Oh, that’s uh, sad. Okay, take care I guess. Hey, you heard that noise? Sana, let’s check the attic, I- I think I heard something.”

Sana looked at the ceiling and nodded. “Yes, I heard it. Nayeon, really, thank you for coming. As much as I’d want to walk you to the bus stop, I have to accompany Momo upstairs.” The twins were both eyeing the kitchen, waiting for someone to come out. Nayeon understood now. It’s clear as day, they were teasing Mina, now they were framing the poor girl out.

“It’s fine-“ Their faces lit up when Mina finally came out, “Mina!” Startled, the girl jumped as her cousins fawned over her, Mina looked annoyed.

“Wow, Mina, your hair looked so healthy.”

“Mina, the dish washing soap smells so good on you.”

“Your nails look so cool!”

“Mina-“

“Okay, what is it?” Mina crossed her arms, eyeing them intently. Silence.

Nayeon waited for them to talk, but they weren’t speaking, they kept on nudging each other like some kindergarten. Nayeon sighed and just dropped the bomb instead. “I’m going home now, your cousins want you to walk me out. But really, I’m fine.”

Mina was not looking at her, her face turned grim. Momo hid behind Sana. If the adorable and cute Mina was pretty, the serious Mina was hot and appealing. Damn. They were discussing, though not speaking, but Mina was not amused, that’s for sure.

Nayeon gathered her things and was ready to walk out to the door when Mina spoke, “Wait. I’ll walk you to the bus stop.” She was about to refuse but Mina walked past her and was already outside. Nayeon smiled. Her crush is going to walk her up to the bus stop, what a potential sweet moment.

They were walking on the pavement silently. Only the sound of their shoes scratching the surface, the crickets’ singing and the faint sound of the cars from the main highway was keeping them a bit noisy. It was silent but Nayeon found it comfortable, maybe because it was Mina.

She stole glances at Mina, the other girl got her hands behind her, looking at the sky with those shining eyes. Nayeon wanted to look up and see what Mina’s looking at too but Mina was tugging her attention. Fuck the night skies, Mina was breath-taking.

Mina turned to her and her eyes were shimmering. “Yes?” Nayeon just shrugged and smiled. Mina just made her blush unconsciously. This was not fair at all. Nayeon got flustered with Mina’s mere existence, Mina smiled? Nayeon’s heart shook. Mina laughed? Nayeon’s heart felt full. Mina looking at Nayeon like this? Nayeon would lose her marbles.

“You’re so pretty.”

She didn’t just blurt that out. Nayeon you’re so romantic, dang. Who’s doing it like her? Mina halted. Seemingly flushed, thank goodness  it worked. Nayeon gave out a victorious smile.

“T-thank you.”

Nayeon just hummed and continued walking. Mina did too. She noticed that Mina was wearing Iron man slippers. Her gears were working. Now. “You’re a fan?” She gestured at the slippers. Mina smiled and nodded vigorously. She walked in an extra way now, flexing her cute slippers. Legs walking in an outstretched manner, walking a bit bouncier and was grinning widely. Mina was so beautiful. Nayeon thought to herself.

“Are you going to watch the movie?” Nayeon asked. Mina was looking at her puffing her cheeks out: thinking, Nayeon tried her best not to squish her and kiss her right there. “I am planning to, but Momo and Sana aren’t going to watch, I’m still thinking about it. Maybe I’ll watch it alone.”

Bingo.

“Let’s watch it together then.” They stopped walking, Nayeon noticed that they were already at the bus stop, the bus was coming so Mina already bid her farewell. Nayeon felt something soft touch her cheek. Mina leaned away, blushing profusely. “Good night, Nayeon.” Then Mina sped away once again

***

Mina closed her eyes and tried her best to extend her patience as Momo and Sana kept on teasing her about what had transpired last weekend. “Our Mitang is getting brave.” Momo said in a sing-song voice.

They drank yesterday night. Mina is an annoyingly honest and talkative drunk. She accidentally spilled what happened and now they weren’t going to shut up about it. “They k-i-s-s-i-n-g at the bus stop, under the night sky. Sappy.” Sana cajoled.

Mina was brooding at the backseat, increasing the volume of the music she was listening  to drown out Momo and Sana’s teasing. Mina was blushing by just thinking about what she did.

She really did that. Wow.

After the humiliation that her cousins put her through last weekend, it was fair she had to build herself  again like that, right? She did that to save her face on her crush. Was it too cocky? Ugh.

When they arrived at their uni, Mina tried to avoid bumping into Nayeon the whole day, but she managed to pop out anywhere near Mina today. When she was getting books for her first period class, she almost ran into Nayeon but she turned around and took a longer route instead.

It was lunch break when she swore she saw Nayeon was looking at their table. Mina tried to ignore the blatant staring but she could feel a burning stare from her left. She hated to admit it, but Nayeon staring at her made her feel flighty.

Mina thought that maybe she should also avoid Jihyo as well, but it was futile, not when they were in the same class, not when Jihyo ran up to her and asked to be her pair once again. The whole period, Mina was silent. She just talked when it was necessary, and Jihyo noticed it. “Are you okay?”

She nodded. Jihyo, god bless her soul, didn’t push Mina to talk anymore. After the class, she immediately left and texted her cousins that she won’t be home early this time. She needed to think, Mina needed to go somewhere peaceful. The abandoned gardens.

It was not scary though, it was abandoned but the flowers and plants were still growing beautifully. They were growing haphazardly, but they were beautiful still. She sat under the large tree and opened a book she had been reading. The world around her started to warp and Mina left reality as she delved into the lieu of the story, ignoring the time and space.

The sun was starting to set, so Mina closed her book and was about to leave when she noticed a figure sitting on the other side of the tree, sleeping. Nayeon.

She got her forearm on her eyes, mouth slightly open, snoring softly. Mina didn’t have the heart to wake her yet. So she sat beside Nayeon and waited for her to wake up. She didn’t have to wait for that long though, as the older girl jerked while she was sleeping then sat upright. Nayeon’s  eyes were wide and in daze. 

“Nayeon, are you okay?”

Letting out a small scream, Nayeon jumped away. Mina just laughed it off. “Sorry, did I scare you?” Dusting off her skirt, she lent her hand out and tilted her head. “Let’s go.”

Nayeon must be still in her sleepy state because she wordlessly took Mina’s hand and they left.

“Are you avoiding me?”

“Are you looking for me?”

Nayeon stopped in her tracks and held her gaze, “I am.”

Mina just smiled and continued walking. Nayeon caught up with her, Mina answered in her tiny voice. “Did you wait for me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Why not?”

They arrived at the bus stop, Mina didn’t answer her. Nayeon was about to get on but Mina pulled her out and they walked on the other side, dragging her away. But Nayeon was just looking at their hands.

Nayeon just smirked before leaving a narcissistic remark, she needed to redeem herself so she had to do this at least. “Mina, if you want to hold my hand, you can just tell me. There’s no need to do all this trouble.”

As fast as the night changes, Mina let go of her hand, like Nayeon got some communicable disease. “I wanted to eat dinner with you, but I guess I’m now full and fed up.” Woah. Sassy. That’s hot.

Nayeon laughed and intertwined their hands again. “Okay, so where?” Mina fought back the urge to grin, as she felt Nayeon’s humongous hand held tighter around hers, “Just, somewhere.” They ate dinner in peace.

 Not really.

It seemed like Mina got used to Nayeon now, though she still got these giddy stomach aches whenever Nayeon threw some cheesy line or even just smiled at her. But Mina could now thrive.

She threw some sassy remarks to humble Im Nayeon, though it was not working, at least she tried. Nayeon loved it when Mina got worked up and she started talking in sass. It was so attractive.

That was how the dinner went and now they were fighting on who should walk who home.

“It should be me, my house is nearer.”

“You walked me home last time, it’s my turn to-“

“No-”

“I pay my debts, Mina. I don’t want to owe anyone favors.”

“That isn’t a debt of gratitude. I did that because I want to”

Nayeon smiled widely, “Really?”

“Just let me walk you home!”

“No.”

“Yes.”

Sighing deeply, Mina rested her hands on her hips, “Okay, let’s make amends.” Nayeon hummed teasingly and gave Mina a look of disinterest. “The loser will walk the winner home. Call?”

“Call.”

They played rock-paper-scissors. Nayeon lost. Mina danced around the bus stop like a cute idiot. “See, I won. Ha, you-” Mina’s big gummy smile and her crescent eyes were shining, her smile was blinding, those little shaking and waddling that she did when she won was adorable. Mina looked like she would be one of  Nayeon’s most precious weaknesses.

Before Nayeon could even stop herself, she leaned in and sealed Mina’s mumbling shut. Then ran to the bus and waved Mina through the window as the bus slowly moved forward, meanwhile Mina was frozen on the bench still deciphering what had transpired.

“Mina, I told you, I don’t keep debts.” She was grinning as she watched Mina’s eyes follow the leaving bus, still unmoving. Mina’s lips left a faint taste on Nayeon's. She bit her lips to stop grinning but she couldn’t help but break into a dopey smiley fool.

***

Jeongyeon was laughing loudly as they made their way to their lockers. She was rolling her eyes as she opened her locker loudly, carelessly changing her books.  “-You gays smooched twice already and had dinner together but you, the big fat idiot like you are, still doesn’t have her number? Oh god, this is peak of lesbian idiocy.”

Slamming her locker shut, Jeongyeon was not even startled, the other girl was too amused at what she had pieced together as they talked.

“On my defense-“

“Oh, Nabongs, you have nothing to defend on.”

“Look, I am about to ask for her-“

Jeongyeon just raised her hand dismissively and walked ahead. Nayeon stomped her feet and followed suit. She hated it when she didn’t get the last word, she never left a battle losing. But this one, she was losing it. “Stop, you won’t be saying anything snarky to me.”

Nayeon raised her brows and eyes Jeongyeon incredulously. Jeongyeon was fiddling with her phone as they walked to their next class. “Ah, there it is!” Jeongyeon shoved her phone at Nayeon’s face and pulled it away quickly. What, how did she…

“Jeongyeon!” 

The motherfucker already sprinted away laughing at her. Nayeon ran after her. She would be getting that phone number either by hook or by crook.

***

Mina was building a puzzle today, tomorrow would be the premier of the movie, but still got no tickets. It’s not that she was waiting for someone to buy them for her. It’s not that she couldn’t afford them, but it’s just that-

“Minari, you’ve been sighing the whole hour not even building anything. You okay?” Momo asked and waited for Mina to reply. She just gathered the pieces and walked upstairs.

“I’m fine. I’ll finish this in my room.” She silently locked her room and checked her phone once again. Nayeon hadn’t called her yet.

Oh.

Mina, you idiot. Of course, how would Nayeon contact you if you never gave her your phone number? 

She sighed and stomped her feet in frustration. She jumped on her bed, face first and screamed, muffled on the bed and pillows. Mina, you were this close on having a date with your crush and there you were, blowing it out.

But wait, Mina remembered something. Jihyo!

Grabbing her phone, she immediately typed a text to her friend. But she stopped before she could even send it. It would be embarrassing to just ask for Nayeon’s phone number like that.

Mina thought of other ways to get Nayeon’s phone number. She heard a knock and the door creaked. Sana popping her head in. Mina’s light bulb brightened. Yes, how could Mina forget her precious cousins.

“Mina? Are you okay?” Sana walked in and slowly closed the door. Mina braced herself and prepared herself from all the teasing. But she thought, it would be less embarrassing if it was just them. She took a deep breath and muttered. “Can you give me Im Nayeon’s phone number?”

Sana looked at her, smiling widely as she took out her phone. Mina closed her eyes and internally groaned.  “With pleasure,  you didn’t have to ask nicely. I would give these digits to you wholeheartedly.”

Sana immediately left after sending Nayeon’s phone number to her. Saying she shouldn’t interrupt them. However, Sana was not really going to interrupt something, not when all Mina did in the past thirty minutes was stare at Nayeon’s phone number and hovering her thumb on the call button. Mina, you coward.

She locked her phone and tossed it on the side, ruffling her hair in annoyance. She kicked her sheets and groaned. She threw a fit at herself when she heard the phone ring. And Im Nayeon’s name flashed. She answered the phone immediately. After 2 rings and half.

“Nayeon?”

There was a gasp on the other line. “Damn, Mina, you are really expecting me to call? I didn’t even introduce myself.” Mina closed her eyes and internally screamed. Shit. Did she just get exposed while waiting for Nayeon to call her? At least Nayeon didn’t know she asked for her number, that would be a greater damage to her dignity and a larger ego booster for the other girl. She literally screwed and fed off Nayeon’s ego.

Redeeming herself, she cleared her throat and rattled on. “As if. I just know it’s you. Wild guess.” Nayeon laughed on the other line. Mina liked that laugh. 

“About the movie that we planned before….” Mina hated that her heart was constricting in anticipation, her insides were churning, and she was excited for some reason. “Yes, and what about it?”

She counted one to 7 and waited for Nayeon to continue talking. Mina closed her eyes and bit her lip. Now she was getting nervous. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow afternoon, is that okay?”

“Yes! Of course!” Nayeon laughed again. Mina blushed. Maybe she sounded too enthusiastic. She held on to her phone and listened to Nayeon’s melodic laughter.  “Alright, see you tomorrow. Don’t miss me that much.”

“As if.”