Chapter 20
Yoohyeon hated that she loved Cherry. And she hated that Cherry was so well-behaved and well-mannered and got along great with Pie. She wanted the dog to do something bad just so she could have a reason to dislike the damn thing, but the dog was perfect.
“So is Cherry yours?” Siyeon asked.
“Kind of… My parents got her for me when I was in high school… But I was afraid of her. Now she’s my best friend,” Minji smiled. “After Bora of course.” She quickly added before petting the dog that was blissfully seated on her lap.
“Cherry and Pie are the same breeds?” Yoohyeon’s mother asked.
“Um… Cherry is a Pomeranian… Is Pie?” Minji looked at Yoohyeon, watching her nod her head.
“You know, I used to have this dog growing up…” Siyeon’s mom started.
Yoohyeon tuned everything out, focusing on the little brown dog in front of her. Pie was the only thing keeping her sane these past few days and she really just wanted the entire summer to end already.
She ended up excusing herself, taking Pie up to their shared room, and sat on her bed. She couldn’t take all the questions. All the questions asking Minji about her job and how interesting rocks were all of a sudden. They were just rocks, how is that interesting?
Nothing seemed right. She couldn’t even enjoy her vacation properly and all she heard was laughter from everyone else around her. Her entire mind was clouded with too many things and she couldn’t stand it. She hated how it made her feel.
She felt something fluffy brush against her leg, and then little paws on her knees. She looked down, seeing Cherry pawing at her and already playing with Pie.
Yoohyeon couldn’t hate a dog.
“You’re a good girl…” She whispered while petting Cherry’s head.
Yoohyeon stayed with the two dogs, watching them play for a little while before they both got on the bed and laid down together. Clearly the best of friends now. She stayed near both of them, petting them both and relaxing for the first time in days.
“Oh, that’s where she went.”
Yoohyeon looked up, seeing Minji standing in the doorway.
“She’s not bothering you?” She asked, a clear nervous tone to her voice.
“No, she’s good,” Yoohyeon answered quietly while still petting the dogs. “She’s a good dog… You must’ve spent a long time training her,” She whispered.
“Not really… She came that way,” Minji smiled.
Minji moved more into the room, sitting on the empty bed next to Yoohyeon’s.
“I know I’m intruding on your time with Siyeon… I told her to spend time with you and not invite me… But she insisted and then her mom texted me… And I felt bad saying no after her mom texted me…” Minji whispered. “So I’m sorry…”
“You say sorry a lot,” Yoohyeon mumbled.
“I’ve had practice.”
Yoohyeon looked over, seeing the darkened look on Minji’s face.
“Not to be rude… But why did you come on this vacation?” Yooyheon asked.
She watched Minji take a small breath, letting it out slowly before she responded.
“I didn’t want to be at home… And Siyeon kept asking… If I didn’t come, I would probably just be in my room all summer…” She shrugged.
“You don’t have friends you hang out with? Or parties to go attend?” Yoohyeon asked, not entirely sure why she was asking these questions, but Minji was popular. How could she not?
“I don’t really… Hang out with anyone except Bora… And all of the parties are garbage,” Minji muttered. “Not like I would know, but what I’ve heard at least…” She shrugged.
“Are you not invited to the summer parties or something?”
“I’m not allowed to go.” Minji finally said with a small sigh.
Yoohyeon froze, not sure what she said to make her finally break like that. She glanced over, seeing the defeated look on Minji’s face.
“But you’re an adult…” Yoohyeon whispered.
“Yeah… I’m aware I’m an adult… Which was exactly why I lied to my parents by saying I was picking Cherry up and staying on campus for the summer for a special class,” She frowned.
Yoohyeon really didn’t know what to say. She thought Minji had it all from how she presented herself. How she held herself in public. She didn’t look like someone who was struggling constantly. She looked like someone who really had it all.
“Siyeon… Siyeon said no one came to your graduation…” Yoohyeon frowned.
“Yeah… Siyeon came… That was it…” Minji mumbled.
“Do your parents hate you?”
Minji looked up at Yoohyeon, seeing the worry on her face. It was a genuine question. One Bora had asked years ago when Minji snuck into her room to escape her own home.
“Yeah… Pretty much,” She finally sighed.
“I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be… I’ve lived my life and I know what to expect from them.” Minji mumbled. “Um… If… If we could just… Keep this between us? I-I haven’t told Siyeon my family situation… And I would rather keep it that way for now… At least until I can figure out how to explain everything to her…” Minji pleaded quietly.
“Why would you keep that from her?” Yoohyeon asked.
“Because it’s going to be a lot harder to explain everything after seeing how both of your families are… You guys have the best parents in the world…” Minji whispered. “They clearly love you guys and it shows.”