oprah!
Jeongyeon knocked on Im Nayeon’s door but was answered by Park Jihyo after a few beats, “Jeongyeon?” a puzzled look was plastered across her face.
Jeongyeon nodded as a greeting, “Where’s Nay?”
“Jeong.”
Jihyo looked back to the source of the sound while Jeongyeon looked past the girl in front of her.
“Let’s go,” Jeongyeon pointed at her right with the use of her chin and offered a small smile for Jihyo, “I’ll bring her back, don’t worry.”
“You better,” Jihyo tried to make light of the situation although she has a hint of why Jeongyeon was asking for her roommate.
Before Nayeon got past her, she held her arm and murmured, “I’ll wait for you.”
Nayeon looked at the hand that’s holding her before meeting Jihyo’s worried eyes. She didn’t know what to say, so she only nodded before going on her way.
Jeongyeon walked ahead while Nayeon followed closely. She has an inkling of why Jeongyeon suddenly called her, and she knows it wouldn’t be in her favor, whatever this might be about.
Under the light from rows of lamp posts on their university’s park, Jeongyeon stood still. The school was well lit, but the night seemed darker as there were no stars in the sky, not to mention that fall is just around the corner. She looked around and surely enough, it’s only the two of them outside at this hour.
She turned to gaze at Nayeon whose hands are on each of her brown jacket’s pockets; her head hung low, seemingly more interested on the dirt on the ground than the person she’s with. “Nay-“
“I’m sorry, okay?” She looked up and Jeongyeon almost scoffed. She can see through her eyes, they weren’t even apologetic, “I don’t know why I did what I did. Just...” Nayeon looked away and set her eyes on the flood of red and white lights of the passing cars in the distance.
Jeongyeon remained silent, she couldn’t believe Nayeon is giving her a half-assed apology, and she wasn’t even the person that she’s supposed to apologize to. She didn’t want to be mad, she knows Nayeon, or at least she knew her.
When Nayeon didn’t say anything more, Jeongyeon shook her head in disbelief, she’s disappointed at her friend. Since when did she became an asshole? “That’s it? That’s your apology for whatever the fuck you did to my girlfriend?”
Nayeon winced at the last word, she didn’t need to rub that in. “What do you want me to say? Sorry for leaving her? Sorry for kissing her?” Nayeon looked at her smugly to hide the fleeting pain, I’m guessing Mina didn’t tell her everything. Jeongyeon deserves to know what kind of a girl she has.
“She didn’t even protest, did you know that? She kissed me back, Jeongyeon, tongue and all. Your girlfriend is a slu-“
“Enough!”
She would’ve let Nayeon spew everything she wanted to, she would’ve let her spit poison in every word she uttered but Jeongyeon could feel her arms tense, her fists balled shakily, her jaw clenched in absolute wrath. Who does she think she is?!
“You don’t have any fucking right to insult Mina like that, Nayeon. I don’t care if it’s true or not but you don’t insult her, you don’t barge in on her fucking dorm, drunk or sober, nor hurt her, because I fucking swear,” Jeongyeon was furious but she wouldn’t raise her voice and give in to anger, she wouldn’t shout back insults. It will only worsen everything.
Jeongyeon’s face was red from all the ire she’s trying to contain within. She wouldn’t let this slander just slip, not on her watch, no. She gritted her teeth as she stepped closer to Nayeon, their faces merely inches away.
In between shaky breaths, she hissed,
“I fucking swear to god, I’m cutting you off my life.”
Jeongyeon leaned back and eyed a dumbfounded Nayeon, whose eyes stared up to her widely. She wasn’t blind nor insensitive, Nayeon’s eyes were already glazed with tears and if she stays here longer, she would see it roll down her cheeks, and she’ll melt, she couldn’t let that happen or else all this would’ve been for nothing.
She walked past her and when she took a few good steps, Jeongyeon looked back. Nayeon was still standing there, unmoving. She could only shake her head with a sigh.
Wake up, Nayeon. You’re losing someone like Mina.
-
A few days had passed and everything seems back to normal, the team is eating lunch at their usual table, exchanging banters whenever they can, but right now, Momo and Mina both cooed with whatever Tzuyu is showing to them on her phone. It’s probably puppies. While she ate her tteokbokki, Jeongyeon smiled at the sight of Mina pouting. So cute.
“Unnie, did you already sign up Tzuyu’s name?” Chaeyoung leaned to whisper and instantly withdrew when Tzuyu looked up to them.
They both grinned at the Taiwanese who only looked at them with furrowed brows before turning her attention back on her phone. Whew.
Jeongyeon looked to her roommate before quickly raising an eyebrow as an answer. Yup, done.
“Also, about the other thing, it’s this weekend, alright? Don’t forget.” Chaeyoung reminds her as quietly as she can.
Jeongyeon just stuffed a mouthful of her food while nodding at whatever her roommate was asking of her as she was busy eating. The blonde seemed satisfied with her answer and was about to eat another forkful of her salad when a brunette came to their table.
Chaeyoung nudged her unnie’s side, making Jeongyeon look up from her bowl. Finally came to your senses?
She sipped a good amount of her drink, then acknowledged the brunette’s presence, “Nayeon,”
This made everybody look up from Tzuyu’s phone. Momo just shook her head and continued to chew her food as she anticipate what her roommate would do, Tzuyu automatically frowned, Chaeyoung only looked at everyone’s expression on the table, and Mina gulped down the nervousness she’s feeling. Underneath the table, she felt Jeongyeon’s hand on hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze, which prompted her to look at the girl beside her.
Maybe they’re close enough, maybe not, but Mina understood what Jeongyeon wanted to tell her even without words when their eyes met. “Don’t worry.”
Jeongyeon turned her attention back to Nayeon and slightly nodded, to which the brunette took as her permission to continue, “Jeongyeon, I’m sorry,”
Jeongyeon just looked at Nayeon intently, sending a message she hoped she got, this better end up with an apology to Mina.
Nayeon cleared her throat before looking at Tzuyu, “I’m sorry, Mina’s roommate.”
Tzuyu would’ve protested at Nayeon not knowing her name despite having met for a couple of times already, but she lets it slide. What’s important is she knows she’s wrong, although it took her a few days, at least she’s here to apologize for it.
Nayeon took a bow before speaking, “Mina, I’m sorry... I know what I did was wrong, please forgive me.”
Mina was quick to her feet, she stood up and pulled Nayeon’s shoulders up, trying to stop her from bowing, “It’s okay, you don’t need to do that!”
Jeongyeon was sure she saw Momo and Tzuyu roll their eyes, and she wanted to do that too, because who on Earth forgives that easily? One apology and Mina seemed to forget everything Nayeon did to her. Psh.
Jeongyeon merely grimaced, well... she seemed sincere to me.
“It’s okay, Nayeon, I forgive you. Do you want to sit with us?” Mina asked Nayeon with a hand on her shoulder.
The invitation surprised everyone, even Nayeon. The team together with Chaeyoung, exchanged glances. What the heck?
Nayeon who seemed unsure and a bit lost just nodded while Mina was all smiles. She even made her sit between her and Jeongyeon, which of course, earned a few questioning stares, but Jeongyeon dismissed them with a wave and a slight shake of her head.
Mina talked to Nayeon as if nothing had happened between them, as if they’re back to being friends, and everyone was awkward at the scene that they’re witnessing but still continued eating, as Jeongyeon silently pleaded them to.
She’s wearing her gummy smile again, ugh. Jeongyeon couldn’t help the roll on her eyes, so whipped.
But then she remembered, they’re one step closer to their goal. Nayeon is back and is under Mina’s radar again, all thanks to her.
Jeongyeon smirked when Mina met her eyes, I did a good job, didn’t I? and the Japanese could only give her a soft smile as a thank you.
It’s almost 1PM and Jeongyeon offered to walk Mina to her class before Nayeon gets the bright idea of taking her herself, because judging by the way how ‘close’ they are again now, it wouldn’t be impossible.
Jeongyeon held her close as they walk, wrapping her arm on Mina’s waist. Huh, no complaints. Okay, then.
Even when they reached the door of Mina’s Literature class, she didn’t want to let go of her. Mina broke free from her grasp on her waist and was about to walk inside but Jeongyeon pulled her by the hand.
Mina’s eyes were sparkling, Jeongyeon could swear they could put the brightest of stars to shame. “You’re happy, huh?” Mina could only answer with her soft smile and a nod and Jeongyeon could do nothing but mirror the girl’s expression.
The atmosphere is so light, Jeongyeon feels like she could float. Her vibe and smile is THAT contagious. What is up with this Mina?
“Okay, I’ll see you after class?” Jeongyeon was happy to see Mina happy. After all those tears Mina has shed, they’re finally making progress.
Mina nodded again as a response, her eyes visibly displayed cloud nine, but a flit of surprise crossed her orbs for a second.
Jeongyeon was about to ask what’s wrong, but Mina cupped each of her cheeks and pulled her down. Jeongyeon was startled to say the least, but was quick to lean in and pull Mina closer by the waist.
Their lips connected in the softest of ways, Jeongyeon wanted for it to linger for another moment but Mina pulled away, much to her disappointment.
Mina cradled her face and let their eyes meet for a second before hugging her close, breathing directly on Jeongyeon’s ear, “Ginger, six o’clock.”
Jeongyeon felt a familiar shiver down her spine but was quick to ignore the sensation, there are far more important matters to think of other than this. She’s now focusing on how to slow down her racing heart. Sana!
She would’ve whipped her head in a jiffy to look at Sana, but Mina walked towards her classroom with her raven hair swaying gently, effectively taking Jeongyeon’s full attention again, the Korean reduced it down to her just wanting to see Mina get in her room safely. Jeongyeon thought this was goodbye and was ready to turn her heel, until Mina turned around and leaned on the side of the room’s door,
“I’ll see you later, baby.“ Mina tried to wink at her but she ended up winking both of her eyes. Jeongyeon let out an amused chuckle, Mina is just too adorable when she’s in a good mood.
“Laters, baby.” and that was the last straw for Mina to break out into her gummy smile. Jeongyeon knew that phrase from Fifty Shades would earn her at least a gasp from her but never a gummy smile. So you know about Grey and Ana Steele, huh?
They just stood there smiling at each other like silly until Mina saw her professor walk past her and into the room. “Laters, Jeongyeon-chan!” she waved with a smile before closing the door.
The goofy grin Jeongyeon was wearing disappeared when a familiar strawberry scent invaded her sense of smell. There’s no mistaking who this is. Sana’s arm snaked around on hers and looked up, “Jeongyeon-chan... that’s cute.” She was worried Sana would hear her raging heartbeats so she tried to scoot away, but the Japanese didn’t allow her to. Shit, shit, shit, shit.
“Yeah,” Jeongyeon couldn’t find the right words to utter. She’s scared that the more she opens her mouth to speak, the more her brain-to-mouth filter malfunctions and she’ll end up spilling their secrets or just blatantly admit that she misses her so much. She’s also, very much afraid that she’ll just casually nuzzle her hair and mumble whatever like the old times, like it’s a muscle memory or reflex or whatever that she had no control over. And that wouldn’t do her nor Mina any good, at least, not right now.
“Do you have class today?” Sana looked at her with hopeful eyes, the look that she’s never said no to, not even once, and Jeongyeon wanted to tell her the truth, that she does have three classes to attend to, but she lies. “No...”
“Walk me to the park?”