Work Text:
"Jessica," someone called out.
Jessica lifted her head to see a half-asleep, half-awake Tiffany dragging herself toward the kitchen. She's walking with her back hunched, barefoot, eyes half-closed.
Checking the time on her laptop, it's a few minutes before 1 am. She got carried away again by browsing pictures of Hollywood celebrities in recent red-carpet events. While they were in the middle of rehearsals earlier, she had this design stuck in her head and she kind of wanted to see if somebody has thought of it or maybe made something close to it. Being so occupied by this made her miss a few blockings at today's practice, but still did so much better than Yuri, who was shamelessly, hilariously so out of it. It was a little inconvenient on the staff's part, but everybody still had a great time.
"I just had a really scary dream," Tiffany groaned, her eyes opening a little wide when she said the word 'scary'. She took the chair beside Jessica with a clumsy slump.
She thought of asking what her dream was until she noticed her friend sniffing the aroma around the room, searching for the source.
"Is it just me or does it smells really nice in here?"
Tiffany has always been easily distracted like this. She would bet a dollar on it that she has already forgotten what the scary dream was. Or the fact that she was suspiciously in the kitchen alone at this hour on a weekday.
"My candles arrived today."
"Oh! That was the one?" Her eyes darted at the little candles laying on top of the kitchen island opposite where Jessica and her laptop are stationed. "They came in really quick, huh."
The smell of the candles and the company of a friend must have woken her up because Tiffany's no longer looked like she just got out of bed. She now has the energy of someone who's slept very well and is up for something crazy, just like how she is during the day.
"Wait, is that even allowed? Won't the smoke detectors go off?"
"Haven't heard anything yet, have you?" Jessica replied, saving her word document, which is basically filled with notes and sample designs associated with her idea. It's common knowledge among the group that she's been into fashion designing for the longest time, but she hasn't shared with anyone yet how active she's been lately with ideas and research. Not when they are in the middle of a strenuous schedule in preparation for an upcoming album.
"Mean!" Tiffany said, with an animated slap on the shoulder that didn't hurt.
She stood up and went over to the fridge, which was located behind Jessica. "Watcha doing anyway?" She asked casually.
"Watching," Jessica replied, as emotionless as she can manage. Even if Tiffany was standing behind Jessica, she can clearly see a reflection of her friend in a window nearby. Right now, she's busy browsing the contents of the fridge, much to her relief. She quickly opened a tab for Youtube to put on anything random. She'll think of a convincing cover with whatever video will come up first.
"Watching what? Am I disturb- OH MY GOD!"
Jessica turned in panic to see her friend looking shocked, with a hand on her mouth. Before she can make sense of anything, Tiffany continued, "You're watching 50 Shades of Grey!"
Jessica quickly turned her sight back to her laptop to see what on earth is she talking about. In her web browser, she saw a tab beginning with '50 Shades of...'
"What part are you on?" Tiffany took the chair again beside her, slumping herself down gracelessly in excitement. The chair she pulled made a screeching noise against the tiled floor.
"Be quiet!" Jessica hissed, half laughing, half closing her laptop for Tiffany not to see anything anymore. She found the situation all too funny and convenient and embarrassing at the same time, which are all good feelings. She's always had moments like this with Tiffany, and these are moments she's truly grateful for. In fact, she considers their friendship as one of the best parts of her being in Girls' Generation.
"Sorry!" Tiffany said, barely getting the word out in between laughs. Continuing with a lower volume, she asked, "How do you find it?"
"I... don't know. I t-think I've seen better ones."
Jessica thought she gave a generic, passable review. It was only there anyway not because she was watching it but because she remembered passing along pictures of Dakota Johnson's dresses during this movie's red carpet release.
Upon hearing this, Tiffany's eyes widened as if she couldn't believe what she was witnessing in front of her. She placed a heavy hand on Jessica's shoulder, trying to keep it together. "WHAT?! Like what?!"
Jessica opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. She's in complete disbelief at the way her friend came to this type of conclusion.
"What? I promise I won't tell anyone!" Tiffany said with a hand over her heart.
This wasn't the turn of giggling events that she was expecting, but then again, better than her knowing about what she was really up to, right? At least not right now.
"F-female Secretary?" Jessica managed, suddenly remembering that one guesting show they had where Tiffany was made fun of about allegedly seeing the raunchy film.
Tiffany made a hurt expression. "No fucking way!" She started shaking her head slowly, then exaggeratedly waving her hands. She's triggered into her all-American, uncontrollable mode. "NO FUCKING WAY!"
"Quiet! Or you'll wake up everyone!"
"No fucking way, Jess. Stop fucking with me."
They were both clowning at the same time, with Tiffany's repeated 'no fucking way' and Jessica trying her best to contain her friend. They wouldn't want to wake anyone up or worse, alert the managers that they're still awake. They have places to be tomorrow.
"What then? I promise I won't tell!"
Jessica's seen a few international movies she could suggest, but maybe she'll have this conversation with Tiffany next time. They both grew up in a culture where it isn't considered that much of a crime, especially at their age. It's getting late anyway and since she knows that this is going to be a loud conversation, maybe she'll humor her next time.
"You know what, I'm going to bed," she said teasing. She gathered her things and walked as quickly as she can towards the stairs.
"Hey, no fair!"
Jessica jogged up as quietly as she can to her room. It was located beside Seohyun's, who's always honked out 11am on the dot. She can hear Tiffany following behind.
Her room only has a small lamp lit up, just as she preferred. It's not messy but it's also not clean at the same time. Whenever Sooyoung or Yuri comes in here, she gets a little conscious, that's why she prefers not inviting people that much into her room. However, it's different with her American sister. She doesn't care at all.
After putting down her laptop on her vanity table, Jessica headed straight to bed. Tiffany came in crashing and sprawled herself over.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Tiffany's chaotic energy reminded her sister of when they used to share a bed when they were little.
"I don't feel sleepy anymore. It's your fault."
Jessica tried her best to push her over to the side, where she limply fell like a doll. "We have an early day tomorrow, come on."
"Nope!" Tiffany said, getting up suddenly, strands of hair draped messily over a frowned face. "We're not needed until lunchtime. You weren't listening earlier."
"Really? Ow!"
She hugged her uncomfortably, with her weight pressing down on Jessica's chest and stomach.
"Can I sleep here?" Tiffany asked, ignoring her friend's discomfort. "Can we bring the candles here?"
"Right, I forgot to put them out." Jessica realized, half getting up.
Before she can do anything, Tiffany quickly jumped out of the bed and emerged later on with the candles. The aroma quickly filled the room.
"Can you send me the links to these please?" Tiffany asked while placing the candles on the same vanity table where Jessica's laptop was.
"I'll give them to you tomorrow."
"Yayy..."
They both coddled comfortably under the blanket as they prepare to sleep.
She closed her eyes to appreciate the quietness and the warmth of the environment. Tiffany was hugging her arm, with her face comfortably resting against her shoulder. Jessica doesn't mind at all.
They are indeed living the dream, no one in their right mind would argue- performing in front of crowds, traveling around the world, and doing amazing interviews, commercials, and photoshoots.
Through all the fame and glam, Jessica catches herself staring off sometimes, which is happening right now again, feeling restless and unsatisfied, as if something is lacking.
Is this truly what there is to life? Have they truly reached the finish line?
Surely, not, she thought. I'm only twenty-something years old. There's got to be more out there.