pineapples and bruises
With a sigh, Mina lets go of her hold on the door, an indicator for Jeongyeon to just let herself in. Mina pads to the small of her couch and plops down on it, taking back her focus on her phone, probably to play something on it.
Jeongyeon did let herself in, kicked the door close and followed Mina to the couch. She sat carefully before putting down the stuff she brought on the mini table near the sofa.
“Here.” she mutters with a grin, handing Mina a large Jon Lemon. Mina furrowed her brows, puzzled as to why Jeongyeon is here and why she’s bringing her her favorite drink, nevertheless, she still sat up to properly hold the cup, “Thank you." This only made Jeongyeon’s smile get wider as she undoes the ties of the pizza box.
“You barely ate anything earlier, and you seem like you wouldn’t eat dinner, too, so I'm here to make sure you wouldn’t do just that.” Jeongyeon states as she unfurled the box and revealed a mouth-watering Hawaiian pizza.
The smell of baked pineapple and cheese waft out of the box; it surrounded the whole of the room and Mina’s stomach couldn’t hide their growls anymore. She was suddenly reminded that she almost hasn’t eaten anything the whole day.
She wouldn’t eat anything at all if it weren’t for Jeongyeon’sattempt of feeding her something from their lunch earlier. She just doesn’t have the appetite, not when Nayeon’s words play on loop in her mind. It's all she could think of the whole day, and it still is, even now, but was set aside when Jeongyeon tried to remove the pineapple toppings.
“Ya! Don’t remove them!” Mina quickly pushed Jeongyeon’s hovering hand above the Italian dish.
Jeongyeon knew, of course, that Mina likes pineapples on her pizza, she just wanted to mess with the girl. “Why, do you like them on your pizza?” she acted cluelessly.
Mina lifted one slice before answering, “Yes, now can you please let me eat in peace?” and took a bite.
Jeongyeon was relieved, the Mina that she’s talking to right now is still feisty, but it’s the funny kind. The one that she’s accustomed to, the one that’s Mina’s default when it comes to her. “Wow, no ‘thank you, Jeongyeon’? No ‘I would’ve starved to death if it weren’t for you, Jeongyeon’?” she feigns hurt and Mina was really back, because she’s back to hitting and scolding her again.
“It’s because of you that I've been in a bad mood.” Jeongyeon laughed with mirth, of course, it’s because of her, but she wouldn’t let Mina know that she already knows or else Tzuyu would be in a big trouble.
“No, seriously, am I really the reason?” Jeongyeon took a sip on her drink, trying to fake nonchalance.
Mina put down the slice and sighed, “No... I don’t know. Maybe.”
Jeongyeon tilted her head and asked, “Maybe? What did I do again?”
Mina shook her head, Jeongyeon looks like a lost puppy with that tilt of her head and that scrunch of her nose, “You breathed and now I'm stuck with your annoying face.” she stuck out her tongue and Jeongyeon was left with no choice but to fake a gasp, her chest was swelling with this playful banter with Mina. She's really not that bad.
“Seems like my charms don’t work on you, Myoui.” Mina landed a smack on Jeongyeon’s shoulder as she contorts her face in an attempt to stifle her smile, “Who said you’ve got charms to begin with?”
Jeongyeon’s mouth was left agape as another exaggerated gasp escape her lips, “Excuse me, Miss, but I'll have you know that half the school adores me and my ‘captain’ charms!” she proudly states although she was just kidding.
She doesn’t really think that half the school likes her, or anyone (aside from Sana and Nayeon) for that matter. She’s just Jeongyeon from the baseball team, after all. It’s just her way of making Mina laugh, because faking arrogance around her always gets her the best reactions from the girl. Proof? The amount of bruises her arms would get after all these jokes and banters should be enough.
“Yeah, sure, and I belong to the other half that hates your dolphin laugh.” another shove and Jeongyeon lets herself fall sideways on the couch, clutching her chest, “You wound me, ma’am.” they shared a chuckle until it eventually wore down.
Mina continues to eat her slice and Jeongyeon took one for herself, as well. The atmosphere was definitely lighter this time around, and Jeongyeon couldn’t be any happier. Her efforts weren’t wasted, Mina’s gummy smile and laugh was enough payment for all these soon to be black and blue marks on her arms, even if she’s going to be the reason behind these, too.
But she didn’t just come here to bring her dinner, “Mina?”
“Hmm?”
“Why?” Mina turned to look at Jeongyeon, her eyes showed a bit of confusion. “What do you mean why?”
Jeongyeon made a face and Mina knew exactly what ‘why’ the girl beside her was pertaining to. I guess I can tell her.She sighed and the atmosphere got heavy again, as did both of their hearts, “Nayeon came here last night.”
Jeongyeon already knew but still, her blood boiled. Nayeon made Mina cry and for what? “She was mad that we’re ‘together’... that I got to you first. She was half drunk, I think.” Mina started to explain but her voice broke, she’s trying her best not to break in front of her supposed rival for Nayeon’s heart.
“Jeong, I think she hates me.” she was stifling a sob and Jeongyeon wanted to hold her, to console her, but she refrains. “She said I was just a rebound, and that you’re not even serious about me. I know she only said that because she’s mad or drunk, but what if that’s what she really thinks of me? That I'm not one to be taken seriously? That I'm only good for flings and a few dates?” Mina was pouring all the hurt she’s been feeling, she’s hidden it to everyone for more than a day, at least, she tried to. She wanted to hide from everything again, she’s feeling so vulnerable around someone she barely knew. She hated being this weak, she shouldn’t be like this in front of Jeongyeon.
Jeongyeon wanted to be mad at Nayeon. She made Mina think things like this, making her question her worth, but she’ll deal with that later. Mina needs her support more right now, so she held her hand and gave it a light squeeze, “Hey, no,” with the other, she cradled her cheeks, running her thumb gently, so as to soothe her, “You are not just any of those things. Don’t even think that way, not even for a second, because you are worth more than a stupid fling. You’re worth more than a few dates...”
Jeongyeon held her gaze, trying to make her feel what she feels, she hopes her eyes spoke for her, for whatever her words couldn’t, “You’re worth everything, Mina. Anybody would agree with me, and if they wouldn’t, they’re either blind or stupid for not seeing how great of a woman you are.”
When Mina closed her eyes and leaned to the touch, Jeongyeon knew she was doing the right thing. She couldn’t handle seeing Mina almost close to crying her eyes out for possibly the 15th time today, so she decided to make it her mission to make her smile again, and if she could, ease some of that pain Mina is feeling. They're partners on this fake relationship and Mina doesn’t have anyone to lean on other than her when it comes to this type of things. She has to be here for her.
“Next time, I’d beat anyone who would make you feel that way again, I’m telling you.” Mina merely chuckled and Jeongyeon tried to muster all her self-control, she did, really, but Mina’s cheeks looks so soft and squishy right now that she couldn’t help but pinch it, even for a bit.
Mina pouted at the sudden pinch on her face before it turned to a frown as she swat Jeongyeon’s hands away. The Korean was gritting her teeth at the overwhelming urge to fight Mina again just for another squeeze of her cheeks but didn’t.
I don’t need more bruises on my arms.
-
Not an hour later, Jeongyeon’s phone dings, a message was received.
Tzuyu: is mina unnie okay now?
Jeongyeon peered up through her eyelashes to steal a glance at the Japanese beside her. She only chuckled at the sight of Mina sticking out a little of her tongue on the side of her mouth. Just a few minutes ago, she won herself a thirty-minute duration of unlimited lives on Homescapes and frowns at Jeongyeon ever since. “I only have 30 minutes, Jeongyeon, do NOT disturb me.”scary girl, Jeongyeon thought, but she understands, since she doesn’t want to be disturbed when she’s playing, too.
She types in her reply to Tzuyu with a small smile on her face,
Jeongyeon: yes, thanks chewypoo. you can come home now.
A few more minutes in, Tzuyu comes into the door and witnessed a whiny Jeongyeon trying to get her Mina unnie’s phone, “Let me see what level you are on and I'll help you beat it!”
“Play on your own phone!” Mina exasperatingly replies as she stretches her left arm away, so as to not let her reach the small device, while the other takes care of pushing Jeongyeon’s face away from hers.
Jeongyeon is so close to putting her leg over Mina, almost to the point of straddling her just to get the phone and Tzuyu just rolled her eyes.
Just kiss already, jeez.
But she couldn’t help but smile to herself, she wasn’t sure this time if she’s looking at two adults already on their early 20’s or two kids practically fighting for a phone that has a good game in it. Cute.
The two wouldn’t even notice anyone coming in with all their loud whining if Tzuyu didn’t walk past them as if she’s seen nothing and went straight to her side of the room. “Uh, hi, Tzuyu-ah.”
The Taiwanese offered them a smile that showed her deep dimple, “Hi, Cap. Me and Chae already ate dinner, so you don’t have to worry about that baby.”
“Good. It’s late now and I think I already overstayed,” Jeongyeon rubs the nape of her neck while a shy smile was on her lips, “I should get going.”
She stood up and made her way to the door, Mina followed her this time. When Jeongyeon got past the door’s threshold, she turned to bid the roommates goodbye, “Bye, Tzu!” which was only answered by a wave.
Mina was leaning on the door, her face rested on the side of it while her hand was on the knob. Her eyes looked a bit lighter than they did earlier, and to Jeongyeon, it seemed a bit happier.
“I’m sorry for what Nayeon did...” Jeongyeon searches for something in Mina’s eyes, “I’ll take care of it.” she searched for anything that hinted that she’s agreeing to her plan. Mina did show a hint of what her answer would be, and it wasn’t what Jeongyeon expected.
“It’s okay, Jeong. You don’t need to do that.” No can do.
“No, she has no right to barge in on you and just do whatever she wants or make you cry. I'll make sure she won’t do that again.” she firmly says. There's no changing her mind this time.
A lot of things had surprised Jeongyeon in all her life but she didn’t see this one coming. Mina leaned in and kissed her cheeks.
Mina kissed me...
And it’s not for a show, because I’m sure as hell there’s nobody out here to see it...
It surprised her, sure, but it was a welcome surprise. For once, Mina is nice to her. Jeongyeon couldn’t hide her shy smile, she knows what it meant.
“Thank you.” Mina looked at her softly, and honestly, this has to be Jeongyeon’s number one on the list of her top five Mina looks.
Jeongyeon flashed Mina her signature smile, “I’ll see you tomorrow, grumpy.”
The night just keeps on getting better, as Jeongyeon was rewarded with another gummy smile from Mina.
You really would have to be blind AND stupid to not classify this Mina smile as your favorite.
It’s a lethal combination; Mina’s twinkling eyes and her gummy smile. It’s a sight Jeongyeon would want to keep seeing everyday. Other than her frowns and glares and whines, of course.
Yup, this is my top one.
A nose scrunch and a few more exchange of shy smiles later, Jeongyeon started to walk away, her phone on her hand, already dialing up a certain girl’s number.
“Hello?” the voice from the other line croaked, like its owner was worried.
“We need to talk.”