Chapter 4
Yoohyeon listened to Siyeon talk long after Dong had left. She was supposed to work on their project, but since they were already light years ahead of everyone else, they could afford to miss a day of working on said project.
“Your social battery must be shot…” Yoohyeon chuckled.
“It is… But why me?” Siyeon whispered.
“Well, despite what you believe, you’re actually really pretty. And you have a big brain to match. Even if you turn it off the second you walk through that door,” She smiled.
Siyeon let out a huff, but it was true. She would turn off her brain just so she could relax properly.
“Maybe she’s actually interested in you… Not looking for someone to do her homework or anything,” Yoohyeon shrugged.
She hated seeing her roommate in such a state of confusion. Seeing her mull over every little thing she had been doing to bring attention to herself.
Siyeon was kind, smart, and pretty. But she wore her heart on her wrist, protected by the thin layer of cloth. Yoohyeon knew it was a modified expression, but Siyeon was guarded. Afraid of people and their reactions. Which was why she chose a career path that could hide her from the world for days on end.
Yoohyeon remembered the days when Siyeon would try to talk to people, only to be outcast and forced out of groups she thought she could fit into. Which caused her to start to protect herself. Keeping her walls up just enough until she learned that people wanted to keep her around for a while longer.
“Did you give her your number?” Yoohyeon asked.
“More like she forcefully got my phone and swapped contacts…” Siyeon sighed. “What if she wants to text all the time?” She frowned.
“Just tell her you don’t have the energy. Remember, communication is key.”
Siyeon attempted to stay away from all of her usual spots, but it was futile now that she was aware someone knew of her existence outside of her little social bubble.
Minji had texted her a total of 57 times over the course of 4 hours and it made the younger woman fill with anxiety. How could someone like Minji want to get to know her?
She was well hidden in the library, focusing on her textbook when she heard someone set books down at the same table. Usually, she wouldn’t glance up, but she did and saw Minji there.
“You’re really bad at messaging too,” She huffed. “Was it a bad first date?” She asked before sitting right next to Siyeon. Essentially trapping her in the little corner of the library.
“Um… No?” She whispered.
“Then why didn’t you respond?” She asked.
“I… um… My social battery… drains… and it-it takes days to recharge… sometimes…” She mumbled.
Minji hummed, trying to force herself to understand. With her ex, everything flowed. Flowed perfectly. Now she was chasing this girl who didn’t seem at all interested in being social.
“Well how about a study date then?” She smiled, forcing herself to try and enjoy this.
Siyeon watched her pull a textbook closer to her, noticing the title, and watched her flip it open to the pages she needed. Siyeon took the moment to get back into her own studying and ignore the girl next to her.
She didn’t really understand anything anymore.
Bora listened to Minji complain and wondered why she was even forcing herself into this situation.
“Do you even like her?” Bora finally blurred out.
“What?” Minji stopped in her tracks, looking at her best friend who was seated on her plush duvet.
“Do you even like her?” Bora repeated her question, giving her a stern look.
“No, why? I mean, it helps that she's pretty,” The older woman shrugged her shoulders, looking at Bora.
“So you’re just toying with her… To get to Dong?” She frowned.
“Exactly. The closer I get to Siyeon, the closer I am to Yoohyeon. And I can just spill all sorts of things about Dong and make her come crawling back to me for good,” Minji smiled.
Bora shook her head, choosing to get off the bed and walk toward the bedroom door.
“I can understand wanting Dong back. I really can. But toying with someone’s feelings Minji… It’s not right,” Bora sighed. “Just… Don’t talk to me about this anymore… Please?” She asked.
“Yeah… Yeah, whatever. I don’t have to talk about it,” Minji quickly mumbled, afraid of her best friend leaving suddenly.
“I have a midterm to study for… Maybe you should too,” Bora reminded.
“I studied with Siyeon yesterday,” the older woman sighed. “But thanks for the reminder…”
Bora left, leaving her with the promise to message her. Minji flopped on her bed, letting out a loud groan. This was going to be a long semester.
Siyeon watched her phone light up, multiple messages again. This time from Yoohyeon. She saw multiple pictures come through of the night sky and a few raccoons. She smiled at the pictures when she heard her doorbell go off again.
Another message came through this time from Minji. Saying she was outside.
Siyeon was praying to whatever higher being was out there to have Minji break things off. To say she was too boring and to give up.
“Hi…” Minji gave a tired smile when Siyeon opened the door. “Um… My roommate has a guy over… I was wondering if I could hang out with you?” She asked.
“Oh…” Siyeon had heard stories. Yoohyeon was never one to bring anyone home and if they did it was for an intense gaming session that lasted all night. To which Siyeon did participate.
“It’s a cute apartment, why don’t you dorm?” Minji asked.
“My parents wanted me to be safe. So I brought Yoohyeon with me,” Siyeon explained. “We can hang out in my room? Or out here… Yooh won’t be home until late late,” she explained.
“Oh?” Minji pouted.
“Um… yeah… She’s taking photos of the stars for her professor. It’s extra credit if she can get amazing photos or something.” Siyeon hoped Minji would say no to her bedroom.
“Why not your room? I would love to see how you decorated it.”
Shit.