Courage
A few weeks had passed by and they were on their own activities again. Occasionally passing by and waves to one another. Minji wonders why she has never met or passes by any of them before but then she remembers that she has schedule that she follows consist of attending classes, spending time in the library and went to her comfortable home once her classes finish for the day. Her schedule maybe looks simple but clearly not the subjects and moreover the assignments given. Sometimes the assignments and project could take months to finish because of details and research that need to be done. The marks on it of course are big and being the diligent student she is, always strive to do her very best in getting a flying color result. Wherein bora is the type to mingle with everyone else and having to know them. That explain why the small one and the juniors know each other at the parties.
There are two classes in a semester. One is full-time study where student will 100% focus on their academics whereas the other class is just as the same as the first one but with curriculum activities. Students are allowed to choose between the two classes in order to gain their best interest in the Uni. The first class is less packed than the second because there is no curricular activities. That is why minji would always spend her time in the library while waiting for her next classes since there’s time gap between them. She rather not spend most of her scholarships money on transport. The scholarship was used to pay for her education in University of Somnies and to support her payment for the apartment where she lives now. She also got income from science competitions and talks she won in the past years. Her parents would offer to give her monthly pocket money but she insist that she wanted to live independently. Besides, the money was more than enough to give boost for her to live comfortably as a student in a private college.
The evening was chill in Happy Face Cafe with jazz music on the background, the front door of the cafe opened as people coming in to get their own coffee for the day. The place was pretty popular for students to hangout since it is near the campus. Minji and bora were seated at the very right corner of the building, having conversation and occasionally laughs over a joke the latter would throw out. They had decided to get coffee. They haven’t had lunch much together these past few weeks because of the pilling assignments given and needs to be done also with bora being busy with her curricular activities which is dance class. That’s why they are happy to be able to spend their evening together at the moment.
‘Bora unnie! Minji unnie!’ The seniors both turns to the source of the voice and sees a twinkling pair of eyes. They both smiles.
‘Gahyeonie!’ Bora stands up to hug the sophomore. The little one then gives out hug to the sitting senior also as bora sit back down.
‘How have you been doing?’ Minji asked as soon as she back away from their hug.
‘I’m doing great. Even though there are lots of assignments to be hand in but yeah I’m doing great.’ The sophomore grins.
‘Oh yeah I’m here with my teammates. We just finished with our training and went here.’ She added.
‘Where are they then?’ Bora was looking around.
‘They are at the counter and I’ve been given a task to take a table. Do you mind if we join you guys?’ Both of the seniors nods and took another unoccupied chair to make the numbers 5 since the table fit for 4 only but it will manage. Gahyeon waves her hand in the air motioning the others her whereabouts after noticing them done paying on the cashier.
‘Hey guys, over here!’
‘Okay I see you bring us some company, gahyeonie.’ The tallest stated while sitting down on a chair beside gahyeon and yubin. She was at the side of the table.
‘Shut it, jock. Like you didn’t enjoy our company last party.’ Bora beam an obvious fake smile.
Minji was looking at them, enjoying the exchange of their little banter as soon as they see each other.
‘Of course I enjoy your company, tiny.’
Oh. She’s daring. Minji thought.
‘What was that?’
‘What? I didn’t say anything false there.’ Yoohyeon mirrors Bora’s action earlier. Tiny fist was about to be launch to the tall jock but stopped by yubin.
‘Okay lets just have our drinks before yooh lost a body part.’
Gahyeon chuckles. ‘Agree. I need my caffeine.’
Minji nods at that while sipping her drinks. She likes the feeling of having the bittersweet of her coffee on her taste bud. Bitter but sweet.
…bitter?
She moves her gaze to look across the table.
‘Gahyeon’
She was sipping her coffee from the straw when hearing her name was being called upon. She tilted her head to the side a bit. ‘Yes, minji unnie?
‘I just thought that you’re not the type of person to drink coffee when I first met you. But looks like my gut feeling was wrong.’
‘Your gut feeling is not entirely wrong though.’
Gahyeon nods. ‘Yooh unnie is right. I’m not used to its taste since I prefer juice over coffee but my preferences have change, I guess. I like having coffee now.’
‘Woo our youngest team member is all grown up now.’ Yubin cheers for her.
‘Great! Next is alcohol!’ All of them chokes on their drinks after the suggestion came out from bora.
‘What- no!’
‘Ughh c’mon yooh she’s all grown up now. She can drink it.’
‘No.’
‘Yooh-’
‘I said no.’
‘Since when do you have a say for her?’ Bora was beginning to feel irritated by the star player jock.
‘Whatever you say it is still a no.’ Both of them begin a staring match. Making the table quiet as seconds pass by.
‘Um.. I would like to try it.’
Yoohyeon gasps. She can’t believe her own ears.
‘Let her. She pass the age system for it now. I don’t think the government are against it.’
‘And that is why you lead the volleyball team, yubin. Wise, not like a certain giant on this table.’ Yoohyeon throws a glare across the table. Bora giving her a smug look.
‘Yeah, as long as you know your limits and not drunk driving. It is okay.’ Minji adds to support yubin’s point of view.
Bora raises her right eyebrow at yoohyeon. Three against one. (Four actually but yoohyeon won’t count gahyeon choice into it.)
Yoohyeon sighs. Surrendering. ‘Fine. You heard them. As long as you follow their advice then, why not.’
Bora and gahyeon cheering by giving high-five to each other. After their little argument, they continue with having conversation between them all the while trying to tone down the volume of their voices since they noticed that they garner attention of passerby and people near their table but by the end of their evening, they knew they failed to do so when an individual reach out to their table.
‘It seems you guys are having fun here.’
‘Handong!’ Bora stands up to give a high-five to which was reciprocated as Handong do the same to minji. She quickly noticed the foreign presence of the other three. They bowed to each other instantly. ‘This is our juniors. They play for the volleyball team.’ Bora introduces them.
‘Yes, I’m quite well aware of their contribution in the campus bora unnie. Besides,’ She stares at the triplets of jocks for a second before continue ‘you guys are eye-catching enough not to pay attention to.’ They laughed it off together saying it was nothing as they enjoy playing volleyball but still thank the vice president for the flattering words.
‘Were you from campus just now?’ Minji had asked after the laughter died down.
‘Yeah, I stayed for a bit since the student body committee made a call for a last minute meeting.’ Exhaustion was evident in her voice.
‘That’s a bummer. Are you okay? You seems tired.’
‘I’m fine, thanks minji unnie.’ A tired smile can seen on her face. ‘I was on my way out actually but the loudness here piqued my interest to pay you guys a visit.’ She giggles motioning their table.
‘Sorry we tried toning down a bit but we’re not really good at it.’ The occupants at the table sheepishly smiles nodding their head as an agreement to bora statement.
‘I’ll be on my way then. See you guys around.’ Handong waves at them as she went out of the cafe.
‘She looks so elegant.’ The youngest voices out her thoughts.
‘Yes she is.’ Bora answered.
‘I wonder if she’s dating someone.’
‘Why the sudden thought? Perhaps are you interested in her?’ Bora wiggled her eyebrows accompany with a teasing smile.
The youngest seems flustered by bora’s question and quickly corrected her. ‘No, I notice there was 2 coffee cups in the plastic she was holding. I thought it was for her boyfriend maybe.’
‘Aw c’mon gahyeonie just say so you’re interested in her. I can set you two up. That is if she swing that way of course.’ The two keep on bantering back and fort about the vice president as gahyeon denied the brunette beside her. Soon the whole table join the teasing. Poor gahyeonie. After the teasing session died down, a ringtone can be heard from a phone.
‘Sorry, my mother had summon me. I’m needed at home.’ Bora announced to them after coming back from having her phone call. She then turns to minji. Giving her an apologetic look.
‘I’m sorry, minji. I can’t drop you off today.’
‘Oh it’s okay.’ Minji nods in understanding.
‘No it’s not. I promise to send you home but-’
‘Bora it’s fine. I understand. I’ll take the buses home, okay?’ Minji would occasionally take public transport but rarely do so during the night because bora would be the one to send her off. Not really an ideal time to be alone when night falls in fear of bad things could happen. Safety is important. Knowing this, bora always offers a ride but it seems not tonight. Feeling guilty for she can’t do anything about it, an apology was about to fall out of bora’s lips again but it didn’t go through as another voice chime in.
‘I can.’ Their attention now changes to the chestnut hair. Confusion was evident on their faces. Yoohyeon steals a glance at minji for a bit. As their gazes met, feeling her cheeks about to lighten with heat, yoohyeon quickly shift her attention back to bora.
‘I can lend her a ride.’ Their confused expression now turn into shock.
‘But yooh, your place is at a neighbourhood far from minji’s.’
‘It’s okay. I’m fine with it. I mean as long as minji unnie is okay with it also.’
‘I’m okay but I don’t want to burden you with it since bora said that yours are far from mine..’
‘I’m totally fine with it. Really. I’m not in a rush anyway.’ She smiles to reassure them.
‘Thank you, yooh.’ Bora smiles back. She bid her goodbyes and left feeling relieves knowing her jet-black haired friend is in a good hand and will be back home safely. After bora left, the four of them finishes up in order to step out of the cafe and proceed to their own vehicles. They split up as gahyeon went into a black sport car. Dami also disappear into driver seat of the same vehicle as the youngest. The engine roared and not long after, the sport car was out of their sight. The two remaining had waves and went into yoohyeon’s silver coloured car after that and start their own journey home also.
***
‘I wonder if yooh unnie will be okay.’
The person on the driver seat smiles. ‘Who knows. They are the only ones inside her car.’
‘I can totally see she has a crush on minji unnie. Like a big fat crush.’ Gahyeon giggles. ‘Do you think she’ll admit her feelings?’
Dami hums for a few seconds before answering. ‘Maybe? Maybe not? Sometimes she just need a push.’ They were enjoying the music currently playing inside the car. A country music was identified by the beats of it from the radio.
‘Wanna bet?’
Dami raises an eyebrow. ‘On what?’
‘On yoohyeon unnie. I bet she will get minji unnie’s number, at the very least.’
‘Being alone with the campus beauty brain is already overwhelming to her so I bet she won’t get anything by the end of tonight other than being giddy about it’ Dami replied without missing a beat. ‘And she’s probably going to scream into her pillow tonight.’ She added.
‘How are you so sure, dami unnie? I don’t think yooh unnie is as coward as she looks like. Like you said, she just need a little push is all.’ Dami snorted with silent laughter. She recalls a moment back in the cafe when she had kicked the tall jock’s leg and got a confused look in return. She nods her head to the seniors direction a bit indicating for yoohyeon to do something. Yoohyeon was still as confused as ever not until dami mouthed ‘Volunteer. Send her home.’. Yoohyeon was opposed to the idea of being alone with the beauty brain and shakes her head just enough to tell her ‘no’. Dami wasn’t having it and continued secretly bickering-- well not so secretly to gahyeon anyway as she saw it all. Just as dami was about to landed another kick again, yoohyeon faces the seniors and popped it out the awaited moment.
‘I can lend her a ride.’
Sometimes she does need a push and that was how the push was made tonight. Dami chuckles to herself.
‘Lets ask her tomorrow then.’ Smiles can be seen on the driver’s face. Smiles that tells she would surely win the bet.
***
Yoohyeon was trying to hide her flushed cheeks after dami had threw her a knowing wink before went inside the car. Calmly she focus her eyes on the road in order for their drive to be smooth as possible. The temperature was quite cold in the vehicle. She had switch on the heater button but it surely does not feel like it. She steals a glance beside her to look at minji but she doesn’t seem faze about the coldness. Yoohyeon made a sound trying to test the sound out from her throat before properly vocalize her doubt. Minji had acknowledged it by turning her attention from the road to her side. ‘I’m sorry I think the heater is broken. That’s why it is quite cold.’
Minji immediately respond. ‘Oh no it’s okay. I actually feel warm right now. I think the heater works just fine.’
Yoohyeon internally asking herself if the beauty is just being nice to her for being given a ride home because it sure feels cold. Or there is something wrong with her. Yoohyeon re-position her grip on the steering wheel and instantly feels her palm clammy with sweats. Yup, something is definitely wrong with her.
She places her right hand down wiping her palm against her baggy jeans. ‘Dang it, I’m so nervous what the heck.’ With her thought clouding her mind, she unknowingly sighs out loud.
‘Are you okay?’
From the peripheral vision, yoohyeon spotted a concern look throws toward her. She verbally assure the jet-black haired that she is fine in hopes it looks believable enough for she didn’t want her nervousness to be noticed. But minji’s expression remain the same.
‘You mention the heater was broken earlier. Are you perhaps feeling cold?’
Before yoohyeon could argue, minji’s hand was on her forearm. Yoohyeon’s brain short-circuit for a bit before it works back again, feeling the warmth from minji’s.
‘You are cold, yoohyeon..’
Think something,.. think something.. Quick! Anything! Kim Yoohyeon! At this point, as you can see Yoohyeon is battling with her dear self.
Minji’s eyes were lace with worries as she looks up from yoohyeon’s arm to face the latter.
She’s looking at you, you fool! Say something!
‘I have… stomach ache. I just need to go to toilet.’
Why the fuck did I say that!? This is so embarrassing!
Minji expression turns quizzical then to a knowing ones. Her mouth forming an ‘o’ shape. ‘That’s why.. you are cold, I assume.’
‘Yeah don’t worry, I can hold it in.’
Fuck yoohyeon! You’re so lame! She internally face palming herself.
After a moment, minji speaks to break the silence that starting to engulf them. ‘I know a way to lessen a stomach ache. Here, let me show you.’
Minji’s hand once again went to the other side as it landed on chestnut’s stomach, making yoohyeon almost flinch at it. Immediately she froze in her seat, seemingly surprised at the contact. Then she feels the hand on her stomach starts to move in a circular motion.
Heat.
Heat was starting to take over her body.
The coldness that once felt a little while ago gone in one swift movement. The movement from a certain jet-black haired beside her. Yoohyeon’s heartbeat seems to increase. Her grip on the steering wheel also tighten at the simple yet wonderful sensation.
I’m screwed.
‘I do this whenever I have stomach ache. It usually helps m--.’ Yoohyeon was trying to catch what minji was saying but her mind was busy decipher something else.
‘--yoohyeon?’
‘Hm? Yeah?’
‘I thought I lost you there. I was worried if we’re going to crash.’ Minji giggles and yoohyeon laughs as a respond.
‘Are you feeling okay now?’ As minji asked that question, yoohyeon seems to realize the sensation has gone from her not so sick stomach. Not to say the latter is sad or disappointed at the lack of warmth but she actually is.
‘Yeah, I’m feeling alright now. Thank you.’
Minji replied her a ‘Welcome’ and they continue their ride to minji’s apartment quietly as they follow the direction shown on the GPS. The night seems longer to yoohyeon tonight. The outside breeze seems cold in contrast to the inside of yooh’s car. Yoohyeon does feel warm now, not like when she first got into her car with miss campus’ beauty brain. When yoohyeon feel her posture started to feel relax by then, they arrived at their destination. Minji hop out of the vehicle and went to the driver’s side to thank yoohyeon.
‘How about you come in for a bit. You can use the restroom.’
Oh fuck. She still remember about that? I freakin’ forgot it. Yoohyeon speaks internally.
‘No it’s fine. I’m okay. Just going straight home now.’ Yoohyeon assures minji that her stomach is doing tip-top at the moment. Minji believe as she wishes her a safe ride.
‘Text me when you’re at home.’ Yoohyeon nods at that. The chestnut hair was waiting for minji to go inside her apartment but seconds pass by and she’s still there. Staring at yoohyeon expectantly as both her brows lift up, head angles a bit down to face the driver. Yoohyeon in return stares back at the jet-black haired, feeling confused. Did I forgot something? Yoohyeon thought to herself.
‘Are you not going to ask for my number?’
‘Huh?’
‘How are you going to text me if you don’t have my number?’
Oh.
Yoohyeon was embarrass and feel so stupid at her poor rational thinking. Minji was waiting for me to ask-- freaking brain! Why are you so stupid! (Yoohyeon - 0, Brain - 1) Minji giggles not long after. Gosh now I wouldn’t mind being stupid just so I can listen to that melodic sound again.
That night they had exchange numbers after yoohyeon texted the number given by minji telling she had safely arrived home. They said goodnight to each other before going to bed. Oh didn’t forget that yoohyeon screamed into her pillow after their texting session ends. Guess the star player jock be having a good dream tonight.
Hello dear readers,
I have been busy with my youtube since few weeks ago making me having slow update on this fic. Sorry for making you guys waiting. I didn't mean too :(
I have make some adjustment to this fic, you can see the title have changed. University of Somnies was just a temporary title actually.
Also my mother passed away last week making it harder to write here. I mean it's hard doing everything now since my mom is gone. But I tried writing again for you guys and try taking my mind off other than last week event. Thank you for reading this fic. It would be great to know your thoughts on it.
I have cc now if you want to leave anonymous message. @somnies_7spirit
Until then, see you guys again! Later :]