Chapter Text
First day of junior year, the point in your school life where your almost there... but not really. Yujin, who barely survived the past two years was already dreading what was to come. miyeon, a senior now, has stories that would only be present in a horror movie. From sudden quizzes, to AP homework, to the dreaded make or break tests, it could only be described as a nightmare.
"So why again are you taking AP chem, AP Pre-calc, and AP literature?" Asks miyeon who was walking alongside me.
I groan, "I don't know Miyeon, I'm just so worried about my GPA, and college, like I need scholarships, I need to do well on my ACT, ughhhhh... I don't know if I can do this." I say defeated, pressing my head to my locker door.
She sighs, "you do realize your like top 15 in the grade?"
I spin around to her "Miyeon Top 15 isn't top 5 is it!?!? I did horrible last year in AP US history, that's why I went from top 10 to top 15!" I say with a whine.
"Theirs just no saving her is there? Some of us are just trying to pass." Says a voice behind us.
I turn. Minnie, miyeons girlfriend, who had been listening to the conversation shakes her head with a sigh. I mock gasp,
"Yah! Shame on me for actually caring!"
She presses a hand to my shoulder, "calm down."
I take a deep breath. God, I'm so screwed.
"There you go, now breathe." She says.
I sigh before leaning into her and pressing my chin to her shoulder.
"I'm gonna die..."
"No you won't yujin. Now go to class." She says giving me a light hug before pushing me to the classroom, then turning to Miyeon with a smile.
"Cmon lets go" she says, taking the girls arm.
I stare after them in mock disgust and then turn my attention to the door infront of me and walk in. Luckily, I have some of my friends in this class, like kazuha and ryujin, whom I quickly walk over to with a sigh as I sit dow
"Girl, its the first day and ur sighing already."
I roll my eyes, "So what? I know this years gonna go horribly"
Ryujin slaps her forehead, "with that attitude, your going to fail every class"
"Yah!"
"You know she's right yujin" says zuha rolling her eyes.
I groan, "wow your all haters"
"Semantics"
"Bro" says ryujin, already giving up on my negative attitude.
"This class isn't that bad tho, I mean, like the people here are nice" says zuha, switching the topic.
I take the quiet moment and look around the class, quickly spotting the popular girls chatting in the corner. Yeji, Yuna, Chaewon and sullyoon laughing about something yeji had said. The four girls were the Tippity top of the school, in terms of popularity and academics, with Yuna and sulloon already securing scholarships to the same major university
I smile. Why you ask? Cus unlike the movies, the popular girls were actually really nice, always chatting and making new friends. Instead of putting people down, they seemed to bring people up and get them out of their shell.
"Ykw? You might be right Zuha."
She nods as she eats an apple.
I then turn my attention to Ryujin who happened to be looking over at the same group, and I raise my brow knowingly,
"Sooo... is the cool and mysterious Shin Ryujin gonna talk to her?"
Ryujins attention falters after getting caught, therefore spinning towards me and slapping my shoulder "SHHH!!! Don't say that!"
I chuckle, "you know the longer u wait, the less of a shot you have at her Ryujin, Hwang seems to be pretty popular... around the ladies."
Ryujin groans, "don't remind me... trust me, I will do something! Just- just give me some time."
Kazuha laughs, "didn't you say that last year?"
"Yah... it... just didn't work out..." says Ryujin, who was turning scarlet.
"Didn't work out? You mean, I was going to until I decided to chicken out last minute"
"...shut up"
Once the class starts the teacher introduces herself as Mrs. manoban. She had been teaching for about 6 years now, U.K. the entire teacher intro song and dance. And It was all going fine until... we were broken up into pairs... handpicked by Mrs. Manoban, Because according to her, it helps break the ice. Yeah... break the ice my ass...
After a chorus of groans, she begins to start calling out the pairs,
"Ohhhhkayyy.... Kazuha, you will be paired with Chaewon."
Zuha turns scarlet. Her face falling into that look when you realize you might not survive. I look at her with a confused expression, "yo why you look a like a tomato?"
She turns to me "Shut up."
I laugh.
Chaewon, oblivious to Zuhas nerves, smiles and walks over to her and greets her warmly. Zuha greets her back, although... with some difficulty speaking, barely even being able to say hello. I chuckle internally.
"Mkayyy lets see, Ms Hwang? You will be partnered up with Ryujin."
Ryujin spins over to look at me, eyes bulging in shock. I smile at her awkwardly, before patting her leg in encouragement. Cus welp... that'll
DEFINENTLY go smoothly for her. Once coming back to her senses, or as much back to normal she can, Ryujin goes and slowly walks over to yeji, (unable to make eye contact may I add) who greets her warmly before guiding her to a table towards the back.
Good luck soldier.
Mrs manoban continues calling out the pairs, girlcrush minji with love unenthusiast hanni, rizz god Danielle with Haerin who I'm convinced is just a human version of a cat, cute aesthetic girl Winter with Karina who for how modelly attractive she is, is legit the most clumsy person I know. She continues calling out names and partners, like Stonefaced Sunghoon with the always smiling Sunoo before finally reaching me, "okay... let's see... ms ahn?" She says looking at me with a smile, "you will be paired with ms. Jang."
My smile falters. Not because I don't like this Ms Jang but because... who? I look around the classroom for her unable to spot anyone without a partner, until I get a small tap on my shoulder. I turn.
FUCK. AN YUJIN YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY DONE FOR...
Because WHY is there a tall, slender, beautiful, bunny looking, brown haired, round eyed girl, standing in front of me?
"Are you Yujin?" She asks softly.
I melt, cus hello!?!? why does she sound like a princess!!!!?????
"Hello?"
I jump. "Oh yes! Hi, yes I'm Yujin!" I stammer.
I curse myself internally. Your selling the moment An Yujin!
"It's nice to meet you... uhh, what's your name? Sorry I didn't catch it"
"Wonyoung, Jang Wonyoung" she says with a small smile.
I smile back, my heart pounding a million miles a second, "it- its nice to meet you Wonyoung, I guess we're going to be tablemates the entire year huh?" I say, trying to mask my nerves.
She laughs. oh my god. Her laugh is so precious... What god blessed me today,
"It's nice to meet you too Yujin, yeah, dw we'll definently get to know each other really well this year."
I nod timidly. We stand awkwardly infront of each other until I sit down and gesture for her to do the same.
After receiving papers from Mrs. manoban about some about me things, we begin to start writing. I look over at Ryujin trying to get her attention. But OBVIOUSLY, at the moment, Ryujin is pre occupied on not trying to explode with how pink she is. Yeji appeared to be saying something while Ryujin was listening VERY intently. I chuckle. Ryujin was not in the right mental capacity rn to share my uhh... wonyoung issue. So I look towards Zuha, who was not doing any better, staring at Chaewon as if she hung up the stars. Chaewon, was deep in a speech about something that happened to her this summer and Zuha just sat there, listening and nodding along, with a big smile on her face. Long story short... everyone, including myself, was in for a long year. I get a tap on my shoulder from wonyoung again,
"Hey, you okay?"
I gulp, "yeah, I'm okay, what makes you say that?"
"You were kinda just staring off in space for three minutes" she says with a small smile.
"Oh, sorry."
"It's okay"
I stare at her, making her look down shyly. "You're staring, is their something on my face?"
Fuck! Yujin why would you stare at her!?
"Oh, no! Theirs nothing on your face, you actually look perfect, yeah theirs nothing!" I say hurriedly.
She blushes. "Perfect?"
Shit, I said that?! ...well am I wrong? No. But do I know what to say now? ALSO NO.
"Uhhh, sorry, yeah, ummm, I'm a mess right now, I'm not actually like this." I say, giving in with a sigh.
She giggles, "please stop apologizing, besides... no ones ever called me perfect before... so thank you, not that I think I'm perfect, but yk what I mean."
I nod, "yeah dw, I understand"
Flustered, I quickly change the topic, "do you have any brothers or sisters" I ask awkwardly.
Wonyoung smile, noticing my quick change in topic, lOh, yes I do, I have 1 sister, her name is leeseo, she's actually a freshman this year."
Leeseo? Why does that name ring a bell?
"...Oh Jang leeseo! I see her sometimes at my job, shopping"
"Wait really?"
I nod, "yeah she's actually really sweet, I talk with her sometimes. And you know what? Now that you mention it, she had mentioned to me that she has a sister."
Wonyoung laughs, "oh I'm not surprised, were like really close. How about you?"
"I'm an only child, although I've always wanted a little sister, so I'm jealous of you right now." I say teasingly. Jesus was that considered flirting?
She grins, "then I'll make sure you meet leeseo outside of work, then youll feel what it's like having a little sister."
I stammer, "oh, you don't have to go out of you're way, I was just sayi-
"Too late, I have an idea and your not going to change my mind."
I choke at her bluntness before stammering, "do I get to know your ideas at least?"
Wonyoung smirks, "nope. But give me your number, I'll text you later"
I freeze. My number? Dear lord, wha did I have to sacrifice for this to happen? After exchanging numbers I look at her, I mean really look at her, she is actually perfect.
"Yujin you're staring again."
I freeze. Caught again,
"Sorry, you're just really pretty" I say, regretting the words immedietly.
Now it's wonyoung turn to be flustered, "aishhh, do you flirt with every girl you meet?"
"Wha no! Sorry I didn't mean it to sound like that, I promise I'm not a player, I don't even have a girlfriend, actually I've never even had a girlfriend tbh-
"You're rambling."
"sorry"
"I told you to stop apologizing, also... I was just jokinggggg, I don't think I could imagine you as a player, you're to easily flusterable." She adds teasingly.
"Yah aye, I'm not easy!"
"I never said that, all I'm saying is you're cute."
Boom. Stunlocked. Cute!?! THIS BUNNY FROM HEAVEN THINKS IM CUTE!?! I slide down my seat, visibly defeated. She laughs, "you're proving my point."
"I'm not going to survive this year."
And for the first time today, I didn't say it because of school itself, but for one girl, named wonyoung.
Wonyoung grins, "you'll survive.
"Barely... so how come I've never seen you before? Your a junior right?"
Wonyoung pauses, slightly hesitant, "oh yeah, I've been... busy" she says with a slight chuckle.
But I notice it. The slight hesitation. The dimming in her eyes when she spoke. I begin to wonder, how come I've only seen her now? But I don't press on, worrying that it wasn't my business,
"Oh okay, yeah, you know how it is, everybody's busy with something right?" I say in a lighter tone trying to bring the mood back up.
She smiles back, almost as if she was grateful that I didn't press on, "yeah, something like that."
The bell rings. I turn to glance at her one more time before starting to pack my things. She makes eye contact with me before grabbing my wrist lightly,
"hey, I know were about to leave, uhhh can I sit with you at lunch?"
The spot where she was holding my arm began to burn, as if a wrist could blush. I look at her my face probobly pink but forcing my voice to be unwavered. "Oh yes, of course, uhhh... just text me when you get there and I'll come find you okay?"
She smiles.
"Okay, thank you, and I'll text you." She says warmly.
I nod as we get up and walk out the door. Looking down, i graze my wrist with my thumb, the one she touched. She glances down where I touched and smiles shyly, with me being oblivious to her seeing it. As we get to the hall I turn to her quickly, scratching the back of my neck still not able to maintain eye contact, "hey uhh, it was really nice to meet you wonyoung."
Wonyoung smiles. A real smile. A smile so bright in almost blinded me, "I'm glad to have met you too Yujin. But you make it sound like goodbye, we'll see each other soon alright?"
God she's right, I'm sounding way to desperate.
"Oh right, okay, I'll see you soon Wonyoung, text me okay?"
"I will, see you then yujin!" she says before smiling again and turning to go to her next class. I stare after her, drained of all of my energy I had, simply by trying not to combust.
"Ahem..."
I turn.
"What Ryujin?"
"Who was that?"
"Wonyoung."
"You sounded like lovers"
"I think I'm in love"
"Like you were literally sending heart ey- wait huh?!"
I place both of my hands on Ryujins face before speaking, "I. Am. In. Love."
Ryujin pulls away speechless. "Uhh... are you... okay?"
"No." I say as I begin to walk past her
"Jesus wait up" she saying before running to catching up to me. "So I heard you're sitting together at lunch?"
"Uhhh yes, imma have her sit with us actually... sorry I know I should've asked you."
Ryujin chuckles before scratching her neck, "uhhh yeah ummm, yeji's sitting with us too."
I freeze before rounding on her, "hah! See I'm not the only one! I saw you staring at her like she hung the stars!"
Ryujin lunges at me and shuts my mouth with her hand. "Shut up!"
Yeji, who had been walking and looking at her phone looks up at us with a confused face, "Oh hey jinnie! You okay?" She says, trailing off at the end looking at our awkward position.
Ryujin laughs nervously before wiping her hands on her hoodie "uhh yeah, sorry my FRIEND is kinda crazy, uhhh I didn't mean for you to see that."
Yejis confused look breaks into a laugh, "oh. it's okay, I'm like that too with my friends. But, I got to get to class,I'll see you at lunch Jinnie!" She says as she walks bye
"See you!"
Once out of listening distance Ryujin turns to me, "yah! You almost revealed my secret!"
"Hey, you didn't confess to her all last year, so I'm doing you a favor!"
"Aish, seriously you two, dealing with highschool crushes"
We spin around to put a face to the voice. Miyeon.
"Oh hi unnie." Says Ryujin.
"Hey ryujin... So when you gonna ask Hwang out?"
"Wha- how do you know that?!"
Miyeon smirks, "well, It's pretty obvious to legit anyone else besides you."
Ryujin begins to turn slightly pink.
"Is it really that obvious?"
Minnie, who was walking hand and hand with her, bursts out laughing, "I think she knows it too, why do you think she's turned every girl that's confessed to her down?"
"Uhhh, I really have no idea."
"silly, it's because none of them are you Shin, although I would confess soon, she won't wait forever" says Minnie, as the pair walk past.
I turn to Ryujin who was flustered at the news, "do you think she knows?"
I sigh, "girl she's never given any nicknames to anyone but you."
"But that could just be a coincidence"
I sigh exasperated, "it could be, but it could also be something better girl!"
"But she's like... so outta my league."
I look at her deadpanned, "you are the legit equivalent to Girlcrush Minji, do you know how many girls I've had to protect you from"
"Huh? what?"
"Yeah, they were kinda crazy, especially Emma... god the things she said" I say giving myself chills.
Ryujin begins to turn pink, "so, how do I ask her?"
"Just ask to hang out somewhere, like a cafe. Something chill, and you know she loves sweets, so maybe buy her ice cream."
"Yah your making it sound like a date!"
I palm my forehead, "GIRL. IT. IS. A. DATE!"
Ryujin looks momentarily taken aback before relizing, "oh yeah, so when should I do it?"
"After lunch, walk her to class, but go the back way for some privacy so you guys can just walk and talk."
"Ohhhh nooo, this is too much for me."
I give her a quick squeeze. "Hey you got this! It's better to know then not to know right?"
"I guess" she says with a nervous sigh.
I push her in the direction of her class, "now go to class we're going to be late."
"Yah, okay okay, see you bro!"
"See you at lunch" I say before turning and quickly walking to class.
...
The next couple classes go smoothly, nothing much to write home about until about 4th period English, when Kazuha walks in. Cus don't get me started, Ryujin and I had quiet a morning, but ZUHA was clearly making moves. When Zuha arrives next to me I yank her down quickly and get to the interrogation,
"So... someone was SO busy after first period that the two OTHER people couldn't debrief her!"
Zuha winces and rubs her arm,
"Sheesh let a girl get busy..."
"So ahah! You were getting some!"
Zuha cringes, "Yah that sounded so dirty, we were just talking."
I raise my eyebrows, "JUST talking, hmm?"
Zuha looks around, "uh huh, aish, were not even dating! What's up with you?"
I grin mischeiviously, "just wondering."
Zuha side eyes me before rounding on me herself, "and who were YOU staring heart eyes into this morning huh? A certain... TALL bunny, ring a bell to you?" She says arms crossed.
Chk chk, BOOM! Cus what do I say to that. I stay silent, accepting my fate,
"So does yujin have a crush?"
"...maybe"
"Ahah! Better move quickly tho, unless your yeji, pretty girls get taken quickly."
I smack her, "yah... your right. But like we just met yk? I can't make moves that quickly. Like you and Ryujin have known and talked to your crushes for a while now."
Zuha nods in understanding.
"Okay, ykw? Discard everything I had just said. Just take it slow... but when ever your with her, show her your interested in her, like in little ways."
"Little ways how tho? I'm going to look desperate."
Zuha puts a hand on my shoulder, "everybody is desperate for somebody, wether you want to believe it or not, just show her you care."
I stare at her stunned. Where the hell did the loser Zuha go?
"Did you read that from somewhere?"
"No."
I look at her suspiciously, but never less nodding, "mkayy. I'm trusting you."
She takes a sip of her water, "of course, when have I been wrong?"
"Okay, now your pushing it."
She laughs.
By the time lunch rolls around. I am starving. AP calc just murdered thr battery life that was already running on fumes. As I begin o walk over to claim a table I get a soft buzz from my pocket. Oh shoot! Wonyoung!
I quickly pull out my phone and read the text,
Wonyoung 🐰
W: hey I'm here, by the doors 😊
I look up and search the cafeteria doors, quickly spotting a tall girl on her phone, seemingly looking out of place. I text her back,
Wonyoung 🐰
W: hey I'm here, by the doors 😊
Y: I see you 😉I'm coming to get you
I pocket my phone before making my way over to her. She begins to look around before spotting me with a little wave. I chuckle before waving back.
"Hey, wonyoung."
"Hi yujin." She says warmly.
We stand awkwardly before I notice a smaller girl standing behind her, a familiar girl.
"Hi unnie" the girl says timidly.
"Oh my gosh, leeseo!? Hi! Did you want to sit with us too?"
The girl nods shyly before stepping to wonyoung a side instead of behind her.
"Yes please."
"Aish ofc leeseo, cmon you two!" I say cheerfully guiding them infront of me.
Wonyoung smiles walking next to me, before she whispers a quiet thank you. I give her a small smile.
The three of us walk over to the tables and spot Ryujin waving to us. I pat the back of wonyoungs shoulder, signaling her and leeseo to walk over. Once arriving at the table, now filled with Zuha, Ryujin, yuna, yeji, and Chaewon, I introduce the two next to me,
"Uhhh hey guys, ummm I wanted to introduce some people" I say gesturing to the two.
"This is wonyoung and leeseo. Wony is in our grade and leeseo is a freshman, so please be nice." I say mostly to Ryujin.
The group gives a chorus of hellos before we sit down. Wonyoung turns to me before whispering, "wony?"
My ears begin to burn, cus yes I just said that.
"Oh yeah, I mean I just figure-
She laughs, "it's okay.... wony... I like that" she says looking at me warmly.
I chuckle nervously before kicking her lightly. She jumps. "Yah jinnie!"
Ryujin looks across the table to me with a smug smile, but not saying anything. Yuna, taking a moment to look at the two new tablemates, turns to leeseo with a huge gasp. "OH MY GOSH YOUR SO CUTE!!" She says excitedly.
The table erupts with laughter. Leeseo looks shyly at the floor, visibly flustered.
"Thank you... unnie"
Yuna squeals, "UNNIE!?! YEJI UNNIE DID YOU HEAR THAT!?"
yeji tosses her napkin at her, "Aish, I think the entire school knows now."
Without paying yeji any attention, Yuna turns to leeseo with a serious expression, "You are now officially part of the group! Which means, if any boy tries to do something, ill handle it okay? And if you ever need anything just ask."
Leeseo looks at her very overexcited unnies with a slightly concerned smile,
"Ohhh okay, thank you unnie."
Yuna squeals again before continuing to coddle, dote, and shower her with compliments.
I turn to wonyoung with a laugh, "well, once Yuna approves you like THAT, you are officially in untouchable status."
Wony chuckles, "I can see that, is she like that with everyone?"
I shake my head quickly. "Nope, Leeseos just different I guess"
Wonyoung laughs before taking a bite of her pizza. She pauses to chew before looking over to me thoughtfully, "hey, you busy this weekend?"
I look at her unaware what she was asking, "uhh I don't think so. Why, what's up?"
"Me and leeseo are going to the fair this Saturday night, it'd be nice if you came with us" she says with a hopeful smile.
I look at her uncertain, "uhhh well, it sounds fun but uhhh, I wouldn't want to ruin your guys night out-
Leeseo who had been listening quickly jumps in,
"Yes unnie! It'll be so much fun! Please?" She asks with a little bit of aegyo at the end.
I melt at her expression, "okay, as long as your okay with it."
Wonyoung smiles before resting her hand on my wrist, the same one from earlier, "thank you, it'll be so much fun, I promise!"
I laugh at her eagerness, "I bet it will be with the two of you."
She nods, "I'll text you out address and the come by early at like 6, and then we'll drive together."
"Alright!"
Yeji takes in the scene with a chuckle, "you guys dating?" She says, immediately stun locking the entire table.
I freeze, becoming flustered, "wahh, oh, no, uhh... no, were not!"
Yeji laughs knowingly, "coulda fooled me"
"Coulda fooled everyone" adds yuna with a nod. "But hey, as long as I get to spoil leeseo a bit, I'm okay with it."
"Unnieee!" Whines leeseo grabbing Yunas arm.
She laughs before patting her head.
Wonyoung, who had been listening to the banter becomes quiet. I take notice and lean in,
"Hey you okay?"
She looks up, the brief moment of quiet quickly changing to a smile,
"Yeah of course, just thinking."
I nod, "as long as your okay."
She places a hand on my arm, but this time I don't flinch or freeze,
"Thank you"
The rest of the lunch period, her hand rests on my arm, noticeable for everybody at the table to see, but no one says anything, afraid that it could break the fragile moment. Towards the end of the lunch period Ryujin sends me a text,
the monkey
R: uhhh, it's time girl.
I look up at her. Oh shit yeah... Yeji
the monkey
R: uhhh, it's time girl.
Y: be confident Ryujin, you got this
...
R: yeah... I hope I got this
...
Y: good luck 🐵
About five minutes before the bell rings, Ryujin leans over and whispers something Yeji. Yeji, seemingly surprised, gets up quietly alongside her,
"Yo we got 5 minutes" says yuna
Ryujin smiles, nervous, but smiling never less, "I just wanted to talk with her... in private"
Yuna looks at Ryujin with a look of ahhh in realization, before turning to Yeji with a wink. Chae pats yejis thigh while me and Zuha give her a motionless salute, the ones only the bros know how to do. The pair walk off out the side door making their way into the quiet corridors.
Wonyoung take in the scene confused before leaning over curiously, "what are they doing?"
I chuckle, "something that should've happened last year, I'll tell you more later, as long as it goes well."
Wonyoung seemingly understands what I mean and just nods, before squeezing my arm. God. I am not washing that arm.
Once the bell rings, we get up to leave, throwing away our trash, Zuha and Chaewon say their goodbyes to us and walk off together to their class. Fortunately, me and wonyoung share the next class together so we decide to just walk together, leaving leeseo with Yuna. Yuna turns to wonyoung with a polite smile,
"Don't worry girl, I'll walk with her and make sure she gets to class safely."
Wonyoung, pleasantly surprised, looks at her gratefully before we say our goodbyes. Yuna and leeseo turn around and make their way out the cafeteria through the back with the younger holding on to the oldest arm.
"Yuna really likes her huh?"
I laugh, "trust me, it's not just her, Yeji too. Also sullyoon and minji, whom have lunch before us, love babies, so yeah"
"It's good to know my sis is in good hands."
"Yup, nothing gonna happen to her with Yuna on lookout, trust me, she is the definition of a guardian angel when she takes a liking to someone."
Wonyoung laughs and we we walk and talk on our way to the next class.
"Sooo do you have any friends in this class?" She asks curiously.
"Oh yeah! Minji and hanni, I'll introduce you to them. Minji's kinda that girlcrush loser, while hanni is that unromantic girl who fell in love." I say trying to explain it.
"Oh their dating?"
I nod "mhmmm their really cute together, minji confessed like a week before freshman homecoming."
"Awwww"
Speaking of Minji and hanni, when we walk in we notice them in the back already chatting it up. Hanni looks up with a smile and waves us over. They greet us warmly and I introduce them to Wonyoung,
"Guys, this is Wonyoung."
"Hey, nice to meet you!" Says Minji
"Nice to meet you too."
"Wow, ur really pretty." Says Hanni.
"Hey!" Minji teases
Hanni smacks her lightly, "jagiya, no matter how much I want to deny it, I fell in love with you, and you know that." She says with an eye roll.
Minji blushes.
"Thanks hanni, ur really cute too"
Hanni chuckles, "now don't be jealous baby."
"Why would I be jealous? She's not wrong is she?"
Hanni fake chokes out of cringe,.
I laugh and rest my hand on wonyoungs shoulder, "see? Anti romantic."
Wonyoung giggles, "no no, she has a fair point."
I gasp, "yah if I called you cute, would you fake gag?"
"Mmmmm I don't know, I haven't heard you say it," she says daringly.
I chuckle nervously, we are balancing a REAL TIGHT line of flirting rn.
"Okay you got me there."
"So how long you guys been dating?" Asks minji nonchalantly.
"Oh, were not... I mean... we kinda just met today." I say nervously.
Wonyoung blushes, "yeah, I just met yujin, we were actually paired as table partners first period."
Hanni raises an eyebrow, "funny how neither of you would turn down the idea of it"
Wonyoung freezes, "oh"
Hanni laughs, "oh my god, you two are so screwed."
Me and wonyoung turn to each other, and blush before looking down at the papers. God Hanni was right tho, wonyoung didn't deny it...
"So... how'd it go with Ryujin?" Asks minji, breaking the silence.
I raise my brow curiously, "oh she hasn't texted yet, which means... it went bad and she's in the bathroom crying, or... it went well and their making out in the bathroom."
Wonyoung burst out laughing, "but why in the bathroom specifically?"
Hanni grins, "because apparently, they went the back way out of the cafeteria, and nobody goes to those bathroom during the end of the day."
I turn to her, "and how do you know that?" I say teasingly.
Hanni blushed a deep red while minji smiles like a loser in love probobly, "imagining" things...
Wonyoung smacks my shoulder, "yah, don't tease her"
I lift my hands in surrender, "sorry princess."
Wonyoung freezes, "princess?"
Taking Ryujins words to heart, instead of being nervous, I flirt back.
"Sorry, it's not my fault you look like one!"
Wonyoung blushes hard. "Yah, first its Wony, then its Princess, you really seem to like your nicknames."
"Yup, I'll actually save you as princess in my contacts."
"Don't you dare yujin."
"Too late"
Wonyoung rolls her eyes "your so annoying." Although the comment had no bite.
I show her my phone, wonyoung saved as "Princess" with a bunny emoji.
"Okay no, you better not call me bunny. I do not approve of that one." She says, this time not joking.
I smile, teasing her was fun. "So your okay with Princess?"
Wonyoung pauses, then looks straight before answering, "Fine. You can call me that." She says quietly slightly pink in the face.
"Only me?" I say teasingly. God YUJIN WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU!?
Wonyoung chuckles before responding, "sure, yes ykw? Only you can call me princess."
I freeze not expecting her to flirt back. Minji and hanni look at each other confused. "You said you met today?" Says hanni tilting her head.
We both nod.
"Huh, strange" says minji.
"What?"
"Nothing, just thinking about something."
...
After the last bell of the day rings, I walk quickly out the building in a rush to get to my car. Once inside I hit gas and go... their was no time to delay. Especially when the buses came through and you got stuck behind it. "Aish, the yellow road blocks of doom" I mumble.
Once I enter the neiborhood I turn down the music, and turn into my street. Pulling into the driveway I notice my parents are not home at the moment, busy with work probobly. Once I walk in the door I collapse face first on the couch. "Godddd... what a first day..."
I lay there for what must've been at least 15 minute before lifting my head and pulling out my phone. Remembering Ryujins little situation I give her a call.
"Yo how did it go?"
Pant, pant, "uhhh reall- really good"
I pull the phone away from my ear, and look at it confused before bring it up to my ear again,
"You okay bro? You sound out of breath, you running from someone?"
"No- nobody, sorry- can I call you back please?" The desperation in her voice evident.
I raise my eyebrow curiously, "your not making out with her right now in your car are you?"
Silence... silence... more silence.. aaaaand silence. I sigh before hanging up.
After tossing my phone on the other sofa, I chuckle to myself, "Ryujin, musta went well huh?"
Laughing aloud, I decided I need to relax and take a rest in the tub. So I do just that. I light some candles, toss in bath bomb and dim the lights, before sinking slowly into the warm water. The instant the water touch my skin I sighed at the touch. This was relaxation at the max I thought. After what must've been an hour of daydreaming, the water begins to slowly get cold and I get out with a refreshed breath, "fuck, I needed that" I say stretching.
Once in new soft clothes, I walk out into the kitchen and grab a snack. After choosing some Oreos and picking up my phone, I collapse on the couch. I look down and notice a message from "Princess"
"Gosh, I still can't believe she let me get away with that one." I say grinning.
I click open the message, a photo, and almost drop my phone. My breath catches. Wonyoung looking at the screen cutely, eating a strawberry with a text underneath saying,
Princess 🐰
(Image)
W: do you like strawberries?
I immedietly heart the photo and save it before replying.
Princess 🐰
(Image)
W: do you like strawberries?
Y: it depends, I only like them if their sweet🍓
W: it was actually pretty sweet I'm sure you'll like it 😉
Y: lol, I like your hoodie, you looked comfy
W: lmao, that's cus I am.
Y: what you doing?
W: mmmm... texting you.
Ughhh this woman is going to be the end of me. Before I respond I quickly change my wallpaper to that of her eating the strawberry and screenshot it. I send it to her.
Princess 🐰
(Image)
Y: thank you for the wallpaper btw.
W: you did not just make me ur wallpaper 😹
Y: mhmm. Better than the default one
W: omg, I'm actually not complaining cus why did you have the default screen?
Y: lol, didn't find any other interesting photos.
W: yah you could have at least asked for a better photo.
Y: BETTER?
W: Yes, I look sooo bad.
Y: I have no response
W: whyyyyyy????😭
Y: you look cute tho. No?
W: really?
Y: yeah, I like the relaxed you
W: 😌 ...your such a flirt tho!
I smile. The back and forth squeezing my heart.
Princess 🐰
Y: I'm being honest
W: ...your proving my point Jinnie ☺️
Y: lol, but seriously what you doing right now?
W: cooking dinner.
Y: ughhh I'm jealous
W: lmao, about what? Food?
Y: nah. It's just I can't really cook tbh.
W: Aish, what will I do with you?
Y: you can teach me, can we face time?
W: sure
I hit the face time button and wonyoung picks up, smiling at the phone before propping it up in front of her.
"Hey Jinnie!"
I stare. She wasn't even wearing that extravagant. Just a casual hoodie, an apron, with her hair clipped up, and some joggers,
"Hi princess." I say after regaining consciousness
She blushes, "you're over using it."
I wave her off "nahhh, I think I'm using it the perfect amount"
Wonyoung laughs while stirring something in the pan. I watch her cook, moving swiftly as if shed been doing this for years. I smile. It looked so... domestic and... intimate.
"You look like a mom" I say in a soft tone.
When hearing the words, Wonyoung goes quiet, and I freeze.
"You okay?" I say, watching her concerned
Wonyoung freezes "y-yeah, it's just funny, mom huh?" She says with a sad smile.
Then It finally hits me. Why would she be making dinner for herself and leeseo? How come I've never seen her until this year? Why does leeseo do the groceries herself? The questions I had finally becoming clearer. I finally realize why. I look at the screen carefully choosing my words,
"You can tell me anything wonyoung" I say gently
Wonyoung closes her eyes, "I'm sorry..." she says with a sniffle.
I frown "for what wony?"
"Our parents are gone Yujin. They passed when I was 15 and when leeseo was 12."
The answer in my head to my question of "why" had been confirmed. I look at her, "I'm so sorry wonyoung, oh my god I really didn't know. Oh my gosh I'm sorry."
"It- it's oh- okay" she say barely able to get it out.
Then she begins to cry, not wails, but real, quiet sobs. The sound of her broken, choked, cries, ring sirens in my ears. I jump up and grab my keys, not thinking about anything else but getting to her.
"Hey. hey. Can you hear me wonyoung?"
Sniffle. "Ye-yeah?"
"Im going to be there in 5 minutes"
"Oh yu-yujin, you don't-"
"I want to, your not gong to deal with this alone."
Wonyoung stays silent for a moment before responding.
"Tha-thank y-you" she says, voice full of vulnerability.
Once reaching her house I quickly cut the engine and run to her door before knocking. After a few moments, the door opens slightly, revealing a teary faced wonyoung standing smally behind the doorframe. My heart breaks. No longer is their the cheerful tall energetic girl, only a small, tired, and vulnerable girl. Once inside I turn to her and embrace her in a hug. She flinches at the touch at first before fully melting in my arms. I hold her tightly before guiding her to the couch. She continuous to sob. I caress her hair, letting her just release everything she's held on to. My heart breaks for her. 17, taking care of a younger sister, cooking, driving, working, school, and the memory of losing your parents. The burden that was suddenly dropped on her shoulder must've bared the weight of the world.
"It's okay wony... just let it out."
And she did. The next minutes were just sobs, from loud ones to eventually just small quiet hiccups. I continue to hold her, refusing to let go. "You must be so tired."
She picks up her head, eyes glassy with tears, "you don't understand how exhausted I am every day jinnie. Everything hurts, everything is a pain, but I do it for leeseo jinnie."
I squeeze her tighter, "your so strong wony, so strong, nobody else could do this besides you."
She sniffles, "wh- why do you make everything better?"
I chuckle before rubbing her back, "then just listen to my voice wony. From what I know about you, you are the hardest working, and most loving person I've ever met, and from this point, your not doing it alone."
"I- I don't want you to feel like your forced upon this."
"If I felt that way, I wouldn't be here. But I am because I care about you a lot."
Wonyoung smiles eyes still glassy with tears, "do you mean that?"
"Yes I do." I say without hesitation.
"You're amazing you know that?"
"For you I will be"
...
After about 15 minutes wonyoung looks down at my phone with a small tired smile, "you really have me saved as your wallpaper."
I nod, "yes, and I'm sure I'll get many more in the future" I say returning her smile.
She hiccups, "oh, I need to pick up leeseo from soccer practice, shit sorry." She says trying to stand up.
I grab her arm quickly, "I'll pick her up, you finish making dinner. And before you say anything, I know your tired, so please just let me help."
Wonyoung just looks at me, before running into my arms once more before letting go, "thank you."
I nod, "I'll be back, also is it okay if I stay the night?"
Wonyoung pauses, "oh yujin, you don't have too."
"Wony I want to, please. Please?"
Wonyoung sighs. "Okay, okay... if you insist."
I say a quick thank her before heading out the door and begin driving to the practice field. It was almost dark now, "god wony, if only I met you sooner... all the things you do"
Once I arrive I spot leeseo looking around, asumingly for wonyoung. I wave at her "Leeseo!"
She turns, confused to see me, "unnie? What are you doing here?"
I smile, "I'm picking you up, is that okay?"
Leeseo a smile falters, "oh, is wonyoung okay?" She asks fearing the worse.
"Oh yes sorry, she okay, but I wanted to give her a break-"
I couldn't finish my words because leeseo had run straight into my arms, hugging me tightly, "thank you so much unnie. She does so much, you don't understand."
I squeeze her tightly and pick up her back, "I know baby, but from now on she won't be alone to carry that weight." I say gently
Leeseo stares up at me, face full of awe and love. I squeeze her cheek before guiding her inside the car. Once safely buckled in, I begin to drive us back to their house. When we arrive at the house we quietly head out the car and open the front door. Wonyoung who had finished making dinner was now sitting on the couch waiting.
Leeseo runs over to hug her and kisses her cheek. Wonyoung smiles, tired but smiling and hugs her back. I set down leeseos bag before holding out my hand for wonyoung to take. She hesitates for a second before accepting it as I help her up. Once we make it to the dinner table, I smile,
"This is really good wonyoung"
She smiles shyly "thank you"
Leeseo turn to me swallowing before speaking, "unnie, how long will be here to help?"
Wonyoung smacks leeseo a arm gently, "Aish you can't ask things like that sis"
I shake my head, "it's okay, I'll answer it, honestly? I'll help for however long I can."
A tear escapes wonyoung a eyes and I wipe it away with my thumb, "it could be until next week, next month, next year, or forever. Just however long I can."
Wonyoung pauses taking it in word for word, "forever" she says, balancing the word in her mouth seeing how it tastes.
I smile. "Yes, even forever."
After dinner and a shower for leeseo, we decide to sit on the couch while leeseo had retired to bed. Once on the couch Wonyoung falls back into me, and I let her. The sweet scent of strawberries hits me, I chuckle to myself before squeezing her waist. She molds into me, like how water molds it container. I smile. This intimate moment would normally freak me out, but with Wonyoung, it felt different. It felt, caring, loving... and scarily domestic. After a few quiet moments. I begin feel the steady rise and fal of her chest. I look down and notice her eyes had closed and her breathing evened out. She fell asleep. And after a few moments of watching her, making sure she was safe and loved, I closed my eyes and fell asleep, exactly where I wanted to be.
_________________________________
8/31/26
Dear Wonyoung,
Today was the day I found you. I think meeting you was fate. I had never saw anyone else the way I saw you. I don't know what after today will bring, but as long as your there, I'll be happy.
-Yujin