start of something fake
Walking to class has never been this embarrassing. All eyes are on her, at least, that’s what Mina thought inside her head.
She’s walking on the hallway with her head hung low, uneasy with her surroundings. She feels like everyone is talking about what she did at the KISSCAM incident yesterday. She had hoped that this issue will die down sooner rather than later because she’d rather go back to being invisible than being the center of everyone’s attention.
As soon as she stepped in her literature class, everybody instantly stopped talking. The buzz suddenly died down, a very unusual thing to happen to this chatty class, and what mortified her even more is that everybody’s eyes are on her. No one’s staring but everybody’s throwing glances. No one has asked Mina directly but whispers of yesterday’s incident are on everybody’s lips. In short, she's the hot topic for today.
“Mina, what the hell did you do?” Jihyo whisper-shouted, as if she’s trying to scold Mina but at the same time, she doesn’t want to cause a scene.
So much for no one has asked directly, huh?
Mina slumps at the seat beside the brunette and covers her face with both her hands, her mind couldn’t come up with any sensible reason beside from preventing Jeongyeon from kissing Nayeon. “I don’t know.”
“Aish, I don’t know whether I should be proud of you for finally making out with someone like Jeongyeon or pity you for the stares and gossip that’s been circulating all over the uni.” she says while shaking her head, her eyes trying to stare back at the people who dares to look at Mina’s direction.
Sure, she’s teasing the Japanese, but she only does it to maybe lift Mina’s mood; she won’t let these people make Mina more uncomfortable than she already is right now.
“Jihyo,” Mina almost pouts, her eyes shining, probably from holding back her tears, “What should I do?”
Just before the brunette could reply, their professor comes in the door. “Let’s talk about it later,” she offers the raven-haired a small smile, to which the latter just nodded to. She just hopes that Jihyo has some sort of solution for this hole she dug herself.
-
The class ended but not the stolen glances, not the whispers. Why couldn’t they just let it go...
Jihyo notices how exasperated the Japanese is and links an arm on the other girl’s as they make their way out of the room, “They’ll eventually forget about it, Mina. In a few days' time, it’s gonna be ancient history,”
Mina just nods, despite feeling gloomy with everything that’s happening, she hopes that Jihyo is right. “Maybe I'll just stay far away from anything related to Yoo Jeongyeon so the gossips could die down faster.”
As if the universe is playing with her, the girl she planned on avoiding was leaning on the wall in front of them.
No... what is she doing here?!
Upon hearing her name, Jeongyeon looked up and untangled her crossed arms.
“Hi.” the purple head smiles her crowd’s favorite, the damned crooked one.
“Hi, Jeongyeon!” the brunette greets back at the Captain before attempting to slip her arms off from the raven haired’s, “Bye, Mina!”
“Jihyo!” Mina whisper-shouted, her eyes widening at the sudden betrayal of her friend. She didn’t let go of Jihyo’s arms until the girl pulled her to the side. As though they both have telepathic powers, they held a conversation using their eyes.
“What are you doing? Why are you ditching me?!”
“Just go talk to her!” the Korean clenched her jaw, trying to emphasize a point which is unclear to the bewildered girl.
“NO!” Mina shook her head vehemently, Jihyo really is trying to leave her with this Jeong-ass!
“YES.” Jihyo pursed her lips and widened her eyes, she thinks Jeongyeon can help Mina erase the rumors that the Japanese abhors, so she insists.
How the Captain could be of help, she doesn’t know yet, but one word from Jeongyeon can end every single rumor, so she hopes that’s what the Ace have come for.
Mina pouts, her face pleading to her friend not to leave her with this braggart of a woman, “JIHYO, PLEASE.”
Jihyo dropped every expression and looked at the Japanese intently, slightly raising a brow, “It’s final, Mina. Sorry, not sorry.”
Mina couldn’t hide the disbelief on her eyes as Jihyo dismissed her pleas, and turned to smile sweetly at the airhead, “You better not worsen the situation, Yoo, or else, you answer to me.”
The Japanese didn’t know what to think of her friend right now. First, she wants her to talk to the very girl she doesn’t ever wanna see again. Now, she’s threatening her for my sake? Park Jihyo!
Jeongyeon raised both of her hands, as if surrendering, “No, I won’t, ma’am.” her face portrayed seriousness but her eyes shimmered with amusement.
“Good. Mina,” Jihyo looked knowingly at the Japanese and lifted her hand to form some sort of a telephone with her fingers and waved it, as if to say, “Call me later.”
The raven-haired just looked on to Jihyo’s retreating figure and couldn’t help but think that Jeongyeon’s here to confront her about the incident yesterday.
What if she’s mad? Of course, Mina, she’s mad at you! You kissed her!
Mina’s heart feels like it will escape her ribcage. She isn’t just nervous, she’s terrified. Jeongyeon is a popular athlete who’s adored by many, everything that she’ll do or say to her can either fix or worsen the rumors.
“Mina, right?”
The Japanese squeezed her eyes shut for a few seconds, trying to calm her pulsating nerves. What if she’s here to shame me in front of everyone?
She turned to look at Jeongyeon, already expecting to see a furious expression, but there’s no trace of anything ill on her face, instead, her deep brown eyes looked at Mina softly, the same lopsided smile was plastered on her small face, but it’s laced with regard this time.
Everything about Jeongyeon right now is mellow, except her strikingly sharp jawline. Even her cheeks look smooth, Mina couldn’t help but wonder if it’s as soft as it looks. Her purple hair was let down, cascading beautif- WHAT?
She internally shook the thoughts away, she couldn’t afford to shake her head in real life nor furrow her brows. Jeong-ass might think it’s directed at her and make her life worse than it is now.
Mina nodded, still unable to utter a word, her mind full of different thoughts, mostly about how she could salvage her reputation and how she should just apologize to this annoying woman so they could just return to their previous lives.
Jeongyeon looked around and sure enough, everyone’s eyes are on them. This won’t do.
“Come with me.”
She held Mina’s hand and pulled her as they walk away from the students’ prying eyes.
They walked in silence until they reached the park just outside the university, Mina was weirded out with how the Korean’s acted but she guesses that Jeongyeon wanted to give her a piece of her mind away from the people at the uni, and for that, she let out a sigh of relief. At least she wants to deal with this privately.
Jeongyeon led her under the shade of a huge tree, and Mina thought, this is where she’s going to apologize before Jeong-ass ruin everything for her.
She took a deep breath before beginning her not-so-rehearsed-I-only-made-this-five-minutes-ago apology.
“Look, Jeongyeon, I’m sorry about yesterday. I didn’t want to kiss you, but I don’t want you to kiss Nayeon, either.” Mina decides to just tell her the truth, there’s no sense in lying in this situation.
Jeongyeon simply chuckled. She didn’t mind the kiss yesterday, especially when it comes from someone as beautiful as Mina. She'd be lying if she’d say that the raven-haired doesn’t look divine with just her simple black hoodie and knee-ripped pants.
“I was about to introduce myself but it seems like you already know my name,” the Captain just shook her head lightly, she really needs to remember that there are people who knows her because of the sport she plays.
“I’m Yoo Jeongyeon.” she offers a handshake, still trying to somehow introduce herself formally to the girl she made out with before even knowing her name.
Mina was baffled, to say the least. She’s still nervous but her mind is too perplexed. Why is Jeong-ass trying to be nice to her?
No matter how much she hates this airhead, manners took over. She shook Jeongyeon’s hand and uttered her name, “Myoui Mina.”
“Nice to meet you, Miss Myoui.” Jeongyeon replied with a full grin that showed her perfectly white teeth.
The Japanese couldn’t hold back the curiousness anymore and asked what’s been bugging her, “Jeongyeon, aren’t you supposed to be mad at me?”
The grin that she was wearing earlier slowly faded, “Yeah, I should be, but you already apologized so it’s a bit forgiven now.”
“A bit? What do you mean?” Is there a point here? It doesn’t even seem like she’s bothered with what happened yesterday.
The Captain turned and fixated her eyes on the kids that’s playing at the playground a few meters in front of them, “You’re not wholly forgiven yet.”
Mina sighs, she knew there’s a catch to this. Of course, Jeongyeon’s the type of person who wouldn’t let anyone one-up her. She wouldn’t just let it go without making us even.
“What do I have to do to be wholly forgiven, then?”
Jeongyeon met Mina’s gaze, trying to search for something. She doesn’t quite know what she’s looking for in the sea of Mina’s chocolate brown orbs, but she knows the plan she’s devised in her head will work, and will only work if the Japanese agrees.
“Date me.”
Her eyes widened, her mouth agape, “WHAT?” Mina was extremely stunned; did she hear her right?
Jeongyeon’s fake confidence didn’t waver, albeit the beads of sweat that’s forming on her forehead out of the nervousness she’s feeling inside her chest. She can’t let this one slip out of her grasp, Mina’s the only one who can help her, “Date me, Myoui.”
Is she crazy?! No way!
“What makes you think I'll ever agree to dating you?! Because of that incident yesterday? I'm sorry, truly, but I'll never date you just because you can’t wholly forgive me.” this is absurd, never in Mina’s wildest dreams the thought of dating Yoo Jeongyeon crossed, never.
The Japanese made a move to walk out of the scene but Jeongyeon was quick enough to catch Mina’s arm, “Because I know you still want Nayeon back.”
The mention of Nayeon’s name made Mina stop on her tracks, she turned around and yanked her arm off of the Korean’s hand, “And how is dating you a solution? If I’m with you, how am I supposed to make my move?”
“You wouldn’t have to make a move if you’re dating me, cause I'll do it for you.” Jeongyeon spoke as if she was talking to a wounded animal, she knows she has to be calm and not join the Japanese on her fit of rage.
Mina was intrigued, Jeongyeon would do it for her, how?
“How?”
“You know by now that Nayeon’s trying to be with me, right?” Jeongyeon begins to explain with much enthusiasm, her smile creeping its way back to her lips.
Mina raised both her brows and made a face, as if to say, “Really?”
Does Jeongyeon really have a habit of stating the obvious?
The Captain knew to just ignore Mina’s attempt to tease her. She wasn’t sure if the Japanese was just trying to be funny or what but if she’s throwing a bit of “attitude”, then she knows not to respond back with the same attitude or things will get ugly, just like with Sana.
Sana...
She shook her head lightly at the sudden thought of the ginger head, she just wants another chance with the Japanese. Jeongyeon thinks Sana just needs a little bit of push and realization, and this fake dating thing will do just that.
“You can’t get hold of Nayeon, either, yes? You don’t know where she is most of the time, but if you’re with me, you’ll always see her, you can even talk to her, cause she’s always up my ass.”
Okay, that’s actually smart. Maybe she’s not that much of an airhead.
“I’ll reject Nayeon every time she asks me and I’ll always boast and brag you in front of her until she realizes what she’s been missing.”
Jeongyeon finished her explanation like she presented in front of the class. Well, she did prepare for it like one because she really needs Mina to accept this proposal. She thought of how both she and Mina will both benefit from the situation caused by the Japanese’ impulsive act yesterday.
Mina was impressed, Jeongyeon really made some points. She was right on everything, Nayeon doesn’t reply to any of her texts anymore, she never sees her, either, and of course, she’s always where Jeongyeon is, cause that’s how Nayeon woos her women, by always being “there” for them. Giving them whatever they need, whatever they could possibly want.
But Jeongyeon failed to mention how she’ll benefit from this.
“What’s in it for you?”
The Korean’s eyes literally sparkled, her lopsided smile, wider than ever. “I’ll get Sana back.”
She still hasn’t moved on from that girl?
“If the rumors were correct, you guys broke up a few weeks ago, right?” Mina tries to confirm.
“It shouldn’t be anyone’s business but, yeah. I don’t even know how the news got out.” the Captain furrowed her brows, still clueless as to when and how her personal life was made a part of the daily gossip.
“Yeah, people are always nosy and curious...” the raven-haired could only agree, she really thinks people should just mind their own business but, well, curiosity is a part of human nature.
A few moments of silence had passed between them, and only the laughter and occasional shrieks of children running on the playground can be heard. Jeongyeon patiently waits for the Japanese’ answer while Mina mulls over the pros and cons of this proposition.
Pros: She gets to see and talk to Nayeon again, and have Jeongyeon reject her every attempt. She can also keep an eye on Jeong-ass aka her “greatest competition”. If she’s dating Jeongyeon, she’ll know where she is, who she’s with. It’s like keeping your enemies closer so you’ll know what their next move will be. It’ll also redeem her reputation that somehow plummeted when she kissed someone who she isn’t even dating. If they’ll come to know that she’s been dating Jeongyeon all this time, then all the bad rumors about her will completely dissolve. All that there’ll be left is how possessive she is, that even in KISSCAM, she won’t let other girls kiss her girlfriend.
Cons: Nothing? Really, they’ll both benefit from this. There are no cons, except maybe Nayeon getting pissed at her because she got to Jeongyeon first.
Then a disgusting thought crossed her mind that made Mina frown her face.
Falling in love with Jeongyeon along the process.
The Japanese just grimaced. Nope, that’s never gonna happen.
“Just one more question,” Jeongyeon turned to look at the Japanese’ frowning face.
“Why me? You could’ve just used Nayeon or any other girl. I’m sure you have a lot of fan girls willing to date you, even if it’s just for a show.”
“Well, for starters, Nayeon is a known playgirl. If I date her, Sana wouldn’t even bat an eye, she knows it’s just a hookup and a temporary thing. That won’t do at all.”
The Captain offers another soft smile to the raven-haired before continuing, “Whereas with Myoui Mina, a straight A student, who’s never had any bad rumors and as innocent and elegant as a royalty, Sana would likely think that I’m moving on from her and she’ll never let that happen if she still have feelings for me.”
“Also, because when she heard what you did at the game yesterday, she went nuts and texted me non-stop, asking things if I’m serious about you or are you just a fling and other stuff. That’s the first time she has texted me since we broke up, Mina.”
“And you told her that you’re really dating me, didn’t you? That’s why you’re here, convincing me to be your girlfriend?” A small chuckle escaped Mina’s lips, she needs me more than I need her, then.
Jeongyeon puts on a shy smile, her hand rubbing the nape of her neck; she’s been caught. “Yes...”
“So, what do you say?” the purple-head asks, the pounding on her chest came back, she needs Mina to say yes.
The Japanese already knew that they’ll both benefit from this, so why is she holding out?
“I don’t know, Jeongyeon.” hesitation can be traced on her face. Still unsure about how she should go with this.
Jeongyeon gulps her nervousness down, “I know it’s a bit complicated, you don’t need to give an answer now. Just think about it...”
The raven-haired started to walk away, and Jeongyeon couldn’t help but think that this is Mina’s answer to her proposal. No...
“We’ll both get our girls back, Mina, the love of our lives. Please, think about it.” the Captain shouts her last words before the Japanese turns to exit the park. She hopes her bargain was enough for Mina to even consider dating her.
-
Morning came and Mina still haven’t told Tzuyu nor Jihyo what she and Jeongyeon had talked about.
She spent half the night thinking how this would affect her and her possible relationship with Nayeon. Jeongyeon made a lot of great points that she couldn’t just downright turn her down. Everything is spot on, if things go according to the plan, but one thing’s bugging her though.
What if I piss Nayeon off because I snatched the girl she currently likes? What if because of it, she begins to hate me?
She got her phone and texted Tzuyu, she needs to know where Jeongyeon is.
Mina: Tzu, are you with the team?
A few seconds had passed before she heard a ding,
Tzuyu: yes, Mina unnie. we’re on our way to the cafeteria.
: also, Nayeon unnie is here
After rushing to do her morning rituals, she put on her light washed jeans, thin black belt, and a plain white shirt. She applied minimal make-up, enough to make her presentable to the public eye, and went out of the door.
As she went in, the cafeteria was buzzing with a lot of students trying to get food in their stomachs before going to their respective classes.
Searching for someone who has purple hair wasn’t really a difficult task.
Jeongyeon was looking before the glass shelf where the wide selection of food was displayed when Mina swiftly pops out of nowhere in front of her.
“Mina,” the Captain uttered, slightly startled by the raven-haired’s sudden appearance.
“Let’s do it.” Mina looks intently at Jeongyeon, she hopes she didn’t make the wrong decision.
“Huh?” the Korean was once again clueless, her senses still flying out somewhere.
“Let’s fake it till we make it.”
The words that came right out of Mina’s lips was enough for Jeongyeon to realize that she’s agreeing. She’s accepted to be her fake girlfriend.
She looked around and as expected, people are already staring at them. The team had frown on their faces, especially Nayeon.
This is the perfect place to let everyone know.
A smirk broke out of Jeongyeon’s face before she placed her left hand on Mina’s waist, pulling her closer and settled her fingers under the raven haired’s chin.
The Captain leaned down and gently captured Mina’s soft lips to her own.
Mina was shocked, she didn’t expect Jeongyeon to move this fast. Now everybody knows they are together.
She wants to push Jeongyeon away but it will completely ruin their game, so she responds. Their lips meld perfectly, like they’ve done this a dozen times before. Mina placed a hand on the Captain’s shoulder, so as to push her subtly, without the others noticing.
When they part, her hands traveled from Jeongyeon’s shoulder to the nape of her neck. She pulled her down and whispered, “Do not ever, kiss me like that again.”