Chapter Text
Haewon joined JYP when she was fifteen. It was pretty young but many trainees were younger than her. Some had been there for a long, long time.
But Haewon had adapted quickly. She was a hard-worker, and a great singer. She was dedicated, and was a natural entertainer. Everything she did not already know how to do, she put all of her efforts into learning.
It earned her great respect from all the other trainees, and a lot of praises from the teachers.
Haewon was proud of that. She was a proud girl overall, and it would be a lie to say her teenage ego was not unsufferably big.
She was quite annoying, and some people called her an attention-seeker behind her back. She was fine with that.
''They can talk shit on me all they want, at the end of the day, they're just jealous. It's talent and hard work that get you a place in this industry, not bitching and being a hyprocrite.'' she often said to her best-friend who nodded amusedly everytime she went on a rant like that.
But despite her bravado, Haewon was getting hurt by the comments. And when she got hurt, she got angry. So, when she heard her name being mentionned in the conversation between the two girls who had just walked in the bathroom, she got ready to swing her door open and give them a piece of her mind.
But the rest of the conversation left her speechless :
''...simply don't understand how it's possible Haewon and her are together ! Like...She's such an angel, and Haewon is so...Haewon.''
''Right ? It doesn't make sense to me. When I said that to Jinsol, she got mad because she thought I was being homophobic. But I was like 'No, I'm not homophobic ! It's not the fact that they're girls that I find weird. It's the fact that Lily, who's a literal angel, is dating that icy bitch Haewon that doesn't make sense to me.' And then she agreed with me because...Let's face it : No one understands !''
''It's just absurd. She coud do soooo much better !''
Haewon was so confused that she had to sit back down on the toilet, feeling her cheeks getting hot. Actually, her whole body was hot.
People thought she was dating Lily ? But how ? Wasn't it obvious that they were just best-friends ?
She didn't know what to do anymore. Luckily for her, she didn't have to do anything.
A door suddenly opened and Lily herself spoke :
''That's very rich of you to call her a 'bitch' while you hide in a bathroom to bad-mouth her.''
''Unnie ? We...We didn't know you were there ! Hum...''
''I guessed that,'' replied Lily, as the sound of water opening echoed.
''We're sorry but it's just...Everybody is really confused. Like...What do you like about her ?''
''Well...'' said Lily, turning off the water. ''First of all, I think she's very cute. You guys might not see it, but I do. And I love that. Two, she's actually sweet. And if you got to know her instead of making assumptions, you would know that. She's also smart, talented, funny, caring, she always thinks of me, does tons of adorable litte gestures, and she makes me happy. There's no reason why I wouldn't date her. But, for your information, I actually am not.''
''What ? You're not together ?''
''No, we're not. We're just best-friends.''
''But...We saw you feeding her food at dinner, last week. And everybody was shocked because...Oh Haewon ? Getting spoon-fed ? We really thought you were gonna lose your hand, but she just took it like that and smiled at you ! That's what started the rumor !''
''And then...There was that time in the practice room when you were cuddling on the couch, all sweaty, completely entangled like...We couldn't even tell whose arm and whose leg it was ! That was so intimate ! People were sure it was a proof !''
''And I mean...She does sleep in your room like...Every night ? And since you have a solo bedroom, people just assumed...I mean...Hum...Well they just assumed things !''
Lily kept quiet for a moment before replying :
''Well...It doesn't matter what people 'thought' and 'assumed' because me and Haewon are not dating. We're just close best-friends. Now, I think it'd be nice if you stopped gossiping and make assumptions about people and go back to practice. Remember the values of our compagny !''
''Yes unnie,'' replied the two girls in one voice before leaving the bathroom.
Haewon sighed in relief and got up. She planned on waiting for Lily to leave before getting out, but her best-friend's voice suddenly called :
''They're gone. You can come out, Haewon.''
Haewon pushed the door open and with a tone she hoped sounded as sarcastic as usual she replied :
''Lily, I'm gay.''
Lily appeared in front of her with a large, amused smile and took her hand to pull her out of the stall.
''Idiot.''
''That's my name.''
''You really thought I didn't know you were in there ? Were you planning on avoiding me ?''
''No ! I just...I just thought it'd be embarassing !''
''Why ? Is there some feelings you're keeping away from me ?'' she joked as she kept dragging her around the room in a sort of aimless dance. Haewon shook her head.
''Yeah, you saw right through me : I'm madly in love with you Lily Morrow ! No, dummy. It's just kinda embarassing that everyone saw us and assumed that meant we're in love. It means we're probably super touchy and intimate in public, and that is not good for my 'icy bitch' image !''
They laughed a little and she continued :
''But you know, for real...Thank you for all that you said. That was really nice.''
''It was just the truth. I don't know what they're all on, but you're really not like what they say. And I love you just as you are.''
Haewon smiled gratefully and pulled her in a hug.
''Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you.''
''Stupid things.''
She punched her in the shoulder playfully and Lily pushed her back.
''But seriously, now we gotta tell everybody that we're not dating.''
''And that nothing is happening in my room during our sleepovers.''
''Yeah,'' nodded Haewon quickly. ''Especially that.''
They walked away and as they left, Haewon asked :
''But how did you know I was in there ?''
''A magician never reveals her secrets.''
Haewon rolled her eyes and Lily leaned in to kiss her cheek as they entered the practice room. All eyes immediately turned to them.
''Wow, that's a great way to proove that we're not together, Lily. Congratulations on that idea !''
Lily pouted at her and Haewon felt the urge to pinch her cheeks, but she resisted because...Well because they had a reputation to uphold, damn it ! And you don't oppose a rumor of you dating your best-friend by pinching her cheeks and calling her adorable in public.
''Hum, unnies ?'' Called a voice suddenly.
They turned to a corner and found out that it was one of the two youngest trainees, Jiwoo and Kyujin, both barely thirteen, who had spoken.
''Yeah ?''
''Son-ha and Ji-hyun said you were not dating, is it true ?'' Asked Kyujin.
''Of course we're not dating ! That's a stupid idea !'' Replied Haewon in a gruff tone. It didn't come out as cold as she wished, but she always had troubles keeping up her attitude with the kids.
''But you...Are you sure ?''
Haewon rolled her eyes but Lily replied patiently, with a small smile :
''I think I'd know if I were dating a pretty girl like Haewon. But I can assure you that we are just best-friends !''
''You know, we'd all be cool with you being gay right ?'' Intervened Yunjin. ''If you were dating each other, we wouldn't have a problem with that.''
''That's really nice of you to say that. We appreciate the support but I promise you, although I am bi, I am not dating Haewon ! We are not a couple !''
''But you would look kinda good together,'' commented Jinsol. ''Like, the two aces together...That'd be mind blowing !''
''Yeah, but too bad, we are not dating !'' Exclaimed Haewon, exasperated. ''She's not even my type !''
''I'm not your type ?'' Suddenly asked Lily with a pout.
''Not now !''
''But...Why ? Am I not cute ? Do you prefer someone more masc ?''
''That's really not the topic !''
''I know but now I'm curious ! You really wouldn't ever date me ?''
''I'm not saying that ! You're really pretty ! And a type is just a type, you know ? It doesn't mean much but-''
''But you still wouldn't date me ?''
''Because I'm not in love with you !''
''Well, love can come over time.''
''But that's not what we're talking about right now ! Why ? Do you want to date me ?''
''I'm not saying that.''
''Then what are you saying ?''
While Lily and Haewon kept arguing like an old couple, the other trainees kept watching them with wide, confused eyes.
Jiwoo leaned towards Kyujin and whispered :
''So...They're dating or they're not dating ?''
Kyujin replied by a shrug.
''Man, I have no idea.''
Safe to say they did not really succeed in convincing people they were not together. But eventually, the rumors died down.
Mostly because Haewon managed to frighten them all enough everytime she heard someone mention it.