Chapter Text
A breath of fresh air becomes two and then three. She sighs, her face forming a frown as well as her head creating a surge inside her head. Chaeyoung looks at the quiz paper that's been causing her trouble like it made an offence.
She thought it would be fine— no, she didn't even think about this surprise quiz. By the way, her professor gave the slightest bit of clues about what could occur today, she should've realized. And if she did, she would've taken the rest of her time to study.
“Time's up.” The professor roared.
Great.
Dejectedly, she passes the paper at the front, dismissing the loud noises that erupted in the meantime. She gazes at her watch, Eight-thirty. The next class will be the last, at least she'll finally be free.
As the instructor, busy himself with the piled papers, Chaeyoung took the time to snatch her phone in her pocket. Planning to slide into Dahyun's DM'S and send hate messages that satan could also think of.
Fucking rude. Dahyun messaged back within a minute to the most jaw-clenching and eye-bulging words from her dear friend. Now, Chaeyoung's not at fault here. If anything it was Dahyun! If she didn't invite her to a karaoke night, singing till she couldn't, she would've had the chance to review!
But what's done is done, all she can do is suck it up. The professor left the room without a word, sighing as he does so. And the students; including her, followed outside to go to their separate classes. The next hours flew by without Chaeyoung learning anything from the discussion and she was disturbed as to why. Well, her astrology reading app did say she'll have unfortunate luck today...
She came back to the dormitories burned out and dazed. Her roommate, Tzuyu seemed to have already gone out for her afternoon classes as there was a note on the fridge about not eating her left-over "pizza" she likely bought a week ago. And Chaeyoung won't by the way, she doesn't eat pizza.
So she does what's the next best thing to do. Open the windows, let herself bathe in the sunlight and jam along to the rhythm of her favourite song. It didn't last that long though, because she finds herself painting whatever came to her mind not a moment later.
She scribbled and made a simple sketch, a flower as the penguin's hat. She took a clean brush; plunged it in blue paint and swayed a confident stroke to the drawing. It's been a while since she'd done this. The last time was probably back in the first semester when time management was still a thing in her system.
Chaeyoung liked drawing. It felt refreshing for her and it makes her mind more at ease. And sometimes, when she's calm she would reminisce about her drawings. Those were the days when she could say she was truly happy. And looking back at her drawing now, she's definitely drawing Mina.
Mina is her best friend for years, decades and still counting. Soulmates since birth, her mother would occasionally tease but it felt true to her. Mina knew her more than she knew herself; vice versa. They've been with each other through ups and downs, always having each other's back. Like the time when Chaeyoung was a wimpy kid, when bullied, Mina quarrelled back to protect her. Or when Mina couldn't sleep, her parents called for Chaeyoung and she did come. She probably sang her a lullaby or hugged her...Chaeyoung doesn't remember every single detail but it's what made the two closer than ever.
That reminds her, she hasn't seen Mina for a while now. Too busy to snatch available time, they've only been conversing through online messages. Updating each other on what they have done, any tea to spill and much more stuff. Chaeyoung was only the one spilling tea, however. (Sorry, friends.)
Last week was the last time they talked according to the message's time. Anyway, she tapped on her keyboard and waited for the message to be sent. She stalls on her phone until she realizes Mina won't be seeing this message anytime now. She gave her attention back to the drawing, she can't go empty-handed to her best friend's house, right? The canvas she used is small enough to put in her backpack so no headache could be at cost.
Her phone vibrated on her lap the moment the brush and the canvas came into contact.
Expecting Mina, She gets a glimpse of Somi's name.
Somi:
Call call call
Tapping on her phone, she calls Somi who immediately accepts it.
“Hey there my honeybunchsugarplum, how's the day going?” Somi says, breathy and panting. Judging her heavy breathing she must have done something.
“Could be better,” Chaeyoung replies, choosing to look at the paint instead of the eager blondie on her lap. “What do you want?”
“Don't be mean, let me see my bestie's pretty face.”
“Don't even try.”
“Come on, show me that fashionable face.”
Chaeyoung just followed along, giving the best sarcastic smile she could muster. “Happy?”
“Very. Anyway, do you have a spare change?”
She rolls her eyes, “I knew it.” And threw the phone back on the bed, cleaning her fingers before she joined in. “No.”
“Dude! I've been so nice to you! I just need to borrow some 'cuz I'm already here and I got scammed!”
“Scammed about what, Somi?”
“I bought a ticket for an art museum online, when I woke up earlier I was like: "oh, ok. Might as well." Type of shit yadda yadda and then I soon realized that it was a fake ticket, now I'm here at the parking lot of the museum-”
“Okay, wait, wait.” Chaeyoung sighs at her friend's explanation, unknowingly massaging the bridge of her nose. “How the hell do you get scammed online, Somi? And how much was it?”
Somi shrugs from the other line, “Like, 20 bucks or so.” At that, Chaeyoung's eyes widen.
“You fucking-” she doubles over, “You dumbass! How the fuck do you-” she stops, Calculating her words thoroughly. “Oh my God, that blonde hair is getting through your head.”
Somi let out a gasp that was fit for mediocre acting. “I was fucking drunk! What was I supposed to do??”
“Uhh, I don't know, maybe not buy it??!”
“I. Was. Fucking. Drunk!”
Chaeyoung could not believe this. And to think that she once idolized Somi...cringe.
“Somi, you don't even like art.”
“I thought so too but drunk Somi says the otherwise. Now can you like, I don't know, come here and give the Thirty dollars?”
“You said twenty.”
“No, the ticket seller changed her mind she said it was thirty now.”
“Ugh, you broke bastard. Fine, I'm coming.”
It seems like Somi wanted to rile her up more. Because she told her the museum will stop allowing entries by the moment it hits Twelve. And guess what? It was Eleven-thirty. She drove the motorcycle faster than the speed of light, luckily there weren't any cops that were on the road with her. Lesser problem to deal with.
She stops behind the trunk of Somi's car. Her car was a shade of pink that even had her signature on its sides. With it visible, it wasn't hard for her to find it.
Here lies the devil: Somi sat on the trunk, a thigh covered over the other looking as chill as ever while Chaeyoung was at the edge of choosing to kill her or giving her the slowest agonizing death she could think of.
“Hey there, babyboo.” Somi greets when she gets off.
“Get a life.”
“No, you. Anyway, you got the stash?”
Chaeyoung glared full daggers at the daring girl. “You sound like this is a criminal activity. Jesus, come on let's just go.” She sighs, hearing Somi laugh along the way.
The museum wasn't that bad. The art's shown we're pretty and pleasing for her eyes. Joining Somi was a good opportunity to give her creativity; the art and the descriptions about it did not disappoint. Yet, her friend thinks differently.
“Holy fuck, that was the most boring 4 hours of my life.”
“I think it was nice. A good waste of 6 bucks.”
Not much was said after that. Somi glued her eyes to her phone as she strolled to her car. Almost tripping in the process. (Good lord, Somi.) She spits her gum and started her car's engine.
“See ya, sucker.” Somi grins and drove away.
Her feet grew tired as she descended the stack of stairs. Mina's condo was below the ground floor and this always made Chaeyoung grow weary. It sucks to know that her best friend could purchase a villa and could probably buy the whole neighbourhood as well if she wanted to, considering her father's connections and well...income for that matter. Nevertheless, Mina constantly explains to her that having a small space gets her to keep herself in check and organize. Who was Chaeyoung to argue anyway? People have different ways to cope with stuff.
Four hours with Somi— oh sorry, at the museum* was great. She entirely forgot about her best friend but it seems like the latter hadn't even replied to her message. So, she took it upon herself to go back and bring the completed art as an excuse to meet with her best friend. She knows there's no point in making excuses but what if she's busy? At least she can make up an excuse if Mina gets mad. (She never does.)
A sigh escapes past her lips after she took the last step. Another thing she hated about Mina's place was the fact that each floor's light becomes dim. It's like they want to attract ghosts which is a big No-No for this short girl.
“Mina.” She lets out, her fisted hand making a quick melody on the door. Even though Mina often reminds her to just come in, considering that Chaeyoung knew the password yet she never listened. Chaeyoung dawdled, waiting patiently for the other woman to come out but to her surprise, she didn't. “Mina?” Another call, a little louder this time and she's sure whoever is inside heard it.
Silence passed and the air grew thick for her. What isn't her friend answering? Did Mina get kidnapped?? Is she okay?? If Chaeyoung could describe Mina as an animal it would be a cat. Fast and flexible, a quick thinker and a sharp person in general.
Still no reply. She jammed the password, anxiety slightly rushing through her. “I-I'm coming in!” The door unlocks slightly, and it was dark but not enough for her not to see thankfully. She was greeted by nothing but faint sobs. Uh oh?
She decided to drop her bag and take the canvas out first and placed it on the couch “...” She believes she hears it in Mina's bedroom. A sudden flashback catches her: Mina never cries.
The next thing Chaeyoung did is something she never does. “Mina!” She barged into the room to see a small figure tucked on the floor, head hung low on her arms and the sobs halted.
Mina looks up and Chaeyoung's heart is shattered.
“C-Chaeyoung?!” She let out, hoarse.
Chaeyoung didn't think twice to leap at the girl, giving her a long embrace.
“Mina, what happened? What's wrong?”
She feels her best friend's head shake in her neck along with a long sigh.
“Mina...” Chaeyoung tries to lean away but Mina kept her close.
“Stay...please.”
What's this? Why did Chaeyoung hear her voice so broken and sad? Why is she crying? Why isn't Mina telling her?
Chaeyoung left the thoughts. For now, Mina needs her comfort and that is what she'll give her.
They stayed on the floor for minutes, until Chaeyoung whispered soothing words to her ear until Mina's audible sobs starts to cut short— until Mina's gasp for air had slowed— until the arms that had restricted Chaeyoung's movement loosened.
Chaeyoung waited patiently for Mina's breathing to join her rhythm. The thoughts from earlier abruptly come crashing back and she caught herself clutching her best friend's shoulder as she leaned away. Brows furrowed, Worriedness evident in her face, she asks.
“Mina, what's wrong? You have to tell me.”
Lips pressed into a thin line, Mina rubbed back the hands that caressed her face and shook her head. And if that's enough reply to her question then Chaeyoung didn't think the same. If Mina answers her clearly that she doesn't want to, it will hurt Chaeyoung. Worse, she will react aggressively and get all sulky. Chaeyoung never liked secrets, especially if it was hidden from her.
Oh, and also hidden from her for a very long time.
Mina sighs. Chaeyoung won't get her if she didn't speak. “Sorry, I can't.” She mustered up the courage to make her voice harden so much that she thought it sounded a little annoyed.
But as expected, all the emotions on Chaeyoung's face dried out. All Mina could get from her was oddly calm and slightly parted lips.
“You're hiding something from me.”
“I...”
“I thought there were no secrets between us. Why?”
“I don't know. I just can't, okay...? Not right now, At least.”
A lapse of silence.
“...You promised.”
Mina squirms at what she said. Yeah, she promised. How ironic, Myoui Mina.
She thought Chaeyoung would get angry, but she couldn't know. She couldn't study her face but the twitch of her lips was enough to know that she was feeling malicious and won't tell.
A little afraid albeit Mina is the older one between them, she reaches for Chaeyoung. However, the younger one was quick to stand up, facing her back at Mina to her dismay.
“Have you eaten?” Chaeyoung asked, prim and strong that it felt like a jab to Mina's heart.
“W-what time is it?”
“I don't know but the night is near.”
“Oh...well, I haven't. And I don't feel like eating for that matter.”
Chaeyoung only sighs as a reply and left the room, probably to get whatever was available in the fridge so Mina quickly followed.
The bright bulb beamed at her reddened eyes when she got out. Chaeyoung was already placed in front of her fridge. Even from this distance, Mina could recognize a look of irritation.
“You've been too slim. Is it because of this empty fridge?”
“You know that's not the reason,” Mina leans on the wall, eyeing the shorter girl. “I work out.”
Right, stupid question gremlin. From time to time, she actually joins Mina for a run or goes to a gym. Though, she stopped joining her for one: college has her in a chokehold and two: the bodybuilders at the gym terrify her to no end.
“Right. But you can't miss dinner...”
“Well, to follow my diet I don't have to.”
“Mina.”
“You know how to saying goes right? Eat like a king in the morning, eat like a queen in the afternoon and eat like a peasant—”
“Ugh. Stop stalking, weren't you crying just earlier?”
Mina giggles quietly. She has to shift her best friend's mood somehow, right?
From the corner of her eye, she catches a glimpse of a drawing. She goes near to it and sat on the couch. And it was a drawing of a penguin on a couch. What a coincidence.
“Cute.”
“Hey,” Chaeyoung voiced out. “I'm gonna go alright? I'll buy something.”
“No, stay.” Mina abruptly stood up, walking faster to Chaeyoung.
“But-”
“Come on,” she took her hand. “I'm not feeling too well...let's go to sleep?”
Chaeyoung relented in the end.
Everything is so dark. She woke up to Mina's chin on the top of her head while she placed herself just below. Mina hugged her so tightly that it felt like a miracle to be alive. She gingerly moves away, to which Mina responds with a grunt. Chaeyoung almost thought that she had accidentally awakened her, an apology is on the brink of her tongue until Mina repositioned herself and proceeded to sleep comfortably with no signs of waking up.
Chaeyoung sighs for God knows how many times. She grimaces back at the way Mina had anxiously replied earlier when she didn't want her secret to be revealed. To be honest, it hurt her to know that. She knows she shouldn't but she is.
She planned to take a breather outside, probably a quick walk or find a club somewhere to drink away all the thoughts. Just a quick engagement.
So, she found herself standing in front of the counter, waiting hurriedly for a waiter to arrive. She checks her phone, Mina wasn't a light not heavy sleeper. Yet, if she took too long, Mina would notice. She wakes up earlier than Chaeyoung anyway.
“And what would it be for you, Miss?”
“Beer. Any type, your choice.” She ignored whoever was talking and stared at her phone.
“Trouble in paradise?”
Chaeyoung looked up, stunned. “What...?” She mouthed and Barista dared to look shocked at her.
“Oh. Sorry, I thought...you just looked like you got your heart broken by first love.” The woman grins and continues to shake a drink.
Weird. Wait.
“First love? You think I'm a teenager or something?”
The woman laughs loudly. “At first glance. Sorry, you must get this shit a lot.”
That reaps Chaeyoung's interest, “What's your name?” The bartender asked with a smile.
“Why does it matter? I changed my mind I'll have whatever's the popular choice.”
“It's on the house.”
“You don't even know me.”
“And I want to, man.” The bartender shook her head and sighed like Chaeyoung was a disappointment. Maybe if the bartender didn't smile so quickly, she would've taken it as an offence. “You know I'm pretty good at dealing with problems or making a solution so why don't you lay all of it to me?”
Chaeyoung narrowed her eyes. “Who says I want to tell you?”
“Well if not me, definitely someone by that look on your face.” Chaeyoung only registers what she had just said by the time she left. She almost thought the bartender won't give her what she wanted until she came back with a beer in hand.
“Jeongyeon.” The bartender announces as she lowered the mug on the counter.
The way she talks is really hard to understand, Chaeyoung thinks. “Pardon?”
“I'm Yoo Jeongyeon. A good bartender and a good listener as well.” oh dear.
“You're awfully persistent.”
She snatches the mug and took a big gulp. “Easy there,” Chaeyoung hears it slightly. She glared at Jeongyeon after putting down the mug.
Why is this woman so persistent? Why is everyone getting on her nerves? Is today a hell day?
“Even if I did, you would find a solution.”
“Oh? I like a good challenge.”
“I knew it. It was no use of sharing it with you.”
She withdrew without a goodbye, a shadow in its wake. Chaeyoung leaves the bar not tipsy but unsettled. She had shared everything with Jeongyeon. Talking with her was like talking with air, Jeongyeon had this aura around her that Chaeyoung couldn't place. It was nice her way of conveying words left nothing but grumpiness through Chaeyoung's heart. She kinda sees herself in Jeongyeon honestly.
Ah, right. Mina. She checked her phone as she walked.
Mina:
Chaengie?
Where are you?
Did you leave??
Chaeyoung
oh fuck
“Changie, why did you leave?” Mina tightens the hug, almost pinning her down. Chaeyoung turned to look at her, eyes teary and ready to spill. Chaeyoung found Mina axiously waiting for her at the couch, she guided her back in her room was she came back.
Her demeanour changed and she stiffened underneath Mina, she was not supposed to make her cry.
“I..needed to get fresh air.”
Mina didn't reply anymore she leaned and to Chaeyoung for the whole night.