Chapter Text
"Yeji, dear. I packed you some sandwich in case you get hungry."
Mrs. Hwang shouted from the kitchen. It was too early yet her mom woke her up reminding her that being early makes it a habit for you to continue doing for the rest of the school year.
"Okay. Thanks, mom."
Yeji went downstairs. Despite at a young age, she acts already like an elegant grown woman. One of the factors why she has a lot of admirers. Her delicate looks. And her outstanding reputation of being a top student. She's living her best middle school experience. She's got friends and supportive and loving parents.
She and her mother got inside the car. She knew it's going to rain later as the clouds were dark and gloomy.
She lazily gazed around the quiet street while sitting at the front seat of the car beside her mom. They live in a quiet and peaceful neighborhood which she appreciates a lot.
While gazing up ahead, she saw a long-haired girl walking all alone on the left side of the road with her earphones on. It was like, the girl doesn't care about the world and was too focused on her music.
She thought of giving the girl a ride since she thought that maybe they're gonna be schoolmates.
However, the girl went inside the public library. Yeji pouted sadly. Her mom bid goodbye.
It seems like Yeji is the only student roaming around the school. After all, their class starts at 8:00 and she arrived at 6:20. She explored the school, taking time to appreciate the peaceful surrounding.
As she was walking around the empty hallway, she heard a faint whistling. The same tune from the movie Kill Bill. She followed where the sound came from. She was indeed spooked but decides to put on a brave facade. She was slightly nervous and scared since she knew she was defenseless.
She cautiously tiptoed. The sound came from the garden and there...she saw the long-haired girl from earlier. The latter was sitting under a tree with her eyes closed and hands at the back of her head, used as a pillow.
Yeji sighed in relief knowing that it was her. Yeji, being the social butterfly that she is, went beside her.
The girl stopped whistling when she heard footsteps. She fluttered her eyes open then saw the beauty smiling warmly at her.
She got flustered and decides to sit straight. Yeji looked at her intently.
"Hi"
Ryujin mind and heart combusted. She never expected that the most popular girl in school would talk to someone like her. She was so flustered that she blurted out an unusual response.
"I love you too" Ryujin turned crimson red "I-umm I mean...I didn't-fudge, this is humiliating"
It was her first time talking to her yet those were the words that she managed to say. She sighed mentally for putting their first interaction into an awkward mess.
Yeji was caught off guard by the strange girl's statement. She burst out laughing thinking about the girl's silly statement.
"You're funny."
Yeji said while showing her smile that immediately tugged the long-haired girl's heartstrings.
"I am?"
Yeji looked at her skeptically. She was torn for two things. One is that she wished, she'd magically disappear for saying I love you too. Two is that, despite her awkward response, she managed to make Yeji laugh.
"I'm Yeji. Hwang Yeji."
Yeji reached out her hand to Ryujin. Ryujin stealthily wiped her sweaty hand onto her clothes before accepting Yeji hand.
"I know."
Ryujin smiled shyly then shook her hand. She still wonders why Yeji would talk to her.
"Umm...I think this is the part where you say your name."
Yeji chuckled at the awkward girl. She thinks the girl is cute and the fact that earlier, she thought that this cute girl would be some psychopath.
Ryujin widened her eyes realizing what Yeji said. She pursed her lips to stop herself from blushing. She nervously rubbed the back of her neck.
"Right. It's Ryujin. Shin Ryujin."
Yeji smiled then rested her back at the tree.
"Do you always come to school this early?"
Yeji asked then gazed at her. Ryujin shook off her negative thoughts that maybe Yeji was talking to a loner like her out of pity.
"Yes. I like to enjoy the quiet and peaceful state of the school before it gets crowded."
"I see." Yeji trails off "I saw you earlier and was about to offer you a ride but...you went to the public library."
"Well...I returned the book I was borrowing."
"Ahh...so you're a bookworm?"
Yeji said amusingly. Ryujin nodded then avoided eye contact knowing that if she stares for too long, Yeji might get creeped out. And her secret might be exposed. She cants trust Yeji easily just because the girl is being kind and friendly to her.
An awkward silence hung around them. Ryujin just wished she was talkative and be like those typical kids that talk about TV shows or their boy crushes. But...she just can't talk to Yeji about crushes especially when they're not exactly friends and the fact that...she never has a crush.
"You don't talk much...but"
Yeji began. Ryujin knew Yeji got bored of her. She bit her lower lip, preparing for Yeji to say those lines but she hold on to that little hope the moment Yeji said 'but'.
"I like it."
Ryujin was caught off guard. She wonders how Yeji made those simple words meaningful and heart-fluttering.
"H-huh?"
"Usually, when I make friends...they always talk about themselves or ask a lot about me honestly, I don't mind- but...it gets tiring sometimes. And... I know they just wanna be friends with me to gain popularity. In the end, they'll make up some false rumors about me. You know... the same cycle...it's all too cliche."
Ryujin listened attentively at Yeji sudden confession. She thought what Yeji said would only happen in movies but hearing Yeji rant out like that proves her thought wrong. Being popular may have benefits but it has some cons.
Yeji sighed, feeling a little lighter on her chest for saying all those. For some reason, she had the feeling that Ryujin isn't the type to gossip. She was glad Ryujin was here to listen and not judge her.
"H-hey...don't worry...you'll find some great and worthy friends."
Ryujin reassures her with a smile.
"Will you be my friend then?"
Ryujin felt butterflies fluttering on her stomach. She knew being friends with Yeji would mean exposure and having to interact with other kids and she was not up for it. However, she also knew that Yeji needs a genuine friend. She was having a hard time choosing what to answer.
Yeji must have noticed her uneasiness. She smiled dejectedly that made Ryujin guilty.
"To be honest... I'm not a good candidate to be your friend."
Yeji looks at her, confused. She rested her fluffy cheeks on both palms waiting for Ryujin to continue.
"I'm a boring person. I'm also socially awkward and....well...we're just...so different. I'm a lone wolf and a weirdo."
Yeji placed her hand on top of Ryujin hand. Ryujin swore she got goosebumps because of the sudden contact. She's not used to skinship. She's not a fan of it.
"That doesn't mean that it defines the real you. I know you're a good person and we all have flaws. I'm willing to accept yours if you accept mine."
Ryujin gazed at Yeji eyes. She felt her heart soften seeing the girl's pleading eyes. She sighed then smiled timidly at her.
"O-okay...I'll be your friend."
"Really?! Yay!!"
Yeji hugged her for being too overwhelmed. She was really glad that she found a friend.
Ryujin heart was doing backflips. The butterflies fluttered once again on her stomach. She froze on her spot, debating if she should hug her back.
'This kitty must be clingy'
She thought to herself. Yeji realized what she did and it made her flustered. She pulled away then avoided eye contact while chuckling nervously.
"Sorry about that. I got carried away."
"It's okay."
Ryujin pats her head then stands up. That little gesture warmed Yeji heart. She chose not to disappoint Yeji by telling her that she doesn't like skinship. She thought that maybe she could make Yeji an exception.
She noticed the time when she checked her watch then stands up all of a sudden which startled Yeji.
"Damn! I'm late!"
Yeji was skeptical.
"Huh? What do you mean you're late?"
"Come with me. We gotta hurry."
Ryujin grabbed her hand then sprinted to walk faster. She had no time to entertain those butterflies in her stomach. All she had in her mind was to show Yeji, her favorite scenery.
Yeji was confused but remained quiet as she let Ryujin drag her. She noticed how their hands fit perfectly for each other.
'You must be my soulmate. My best friend's soulmate.'
When they reached the rooftop, they were both panting and exhausted. Yeji was about to whine and complain but realized what she saw was worth the energy they spent to be there.
She saw the beautiful sunrise. It all seemed unrealistic.
Yeji looked at it dreamily as she placed her hands on the railing. Now she knows what Ryujin fussed about. She admired the spectacular view.
On the other hand, Ryujin can't help but admire the girl's ethereal beauty beside her. She gazed at how Yeji dreamily looked at the view. She smiled softly at her reaction.
Yeji turns to look at Ryujin. Ryujin immediately looks away, feeling flustered.
"It's beautiful." Yeji tilts her head slightly
then smiled genuinely at Ryujin. "Thank you for bringing me here."