nine lives
Days pass by quickly, October is coming to an end. Autumn has covered the ground with a blanket of crimson leaves, the branches sway to the cool wind without anything to rustle, for all has fallen back to their genesis.
Mina and Tzuyu were on their way to grab something to eat before they go to their respective classes on the same building, “Who are we going up against next game?” Mina looked up to ask.
“Next Wednesday? Yonsei.” the brunette simply answered.
Mina nodded a few times, remembering someone from a few years back at the mention of the said university.
Miyawaki Sakura.
Mina wonders if she went on to play football as she originally planned or completely changed to a different sport.
I hope she didn’t change her number.
Tzuyu pulled her out of her reverie when she called for her name, “Huh?”
“I said, have you cleared your schedule for this Friday evening?” Tzuyu repeats her question with knitted brows, probably perplexed. Is she spacing out?
“Oh,” Mina just shrugged, “I won’t come to that.”
Tzuyu was bemused, they’re not coming? “Are you and unnie going somewhere else?”
“Why would we go somewhere else? It’s just Halloween.” Mina pointedly said which made Tzuyu a little more confused.
“I just thought you’d want to countdown to her birthday through the party,”
Mina froze to her spot, Jeongyeon’s birthday?!
Tzuyu looked puzzled because Mina looks puzzled, “She didn’t tell you?” the girl beside her only shook her head, that explains it. “Her birthday is November 1st.”
-
Mina’s schedule on Halloween week was hectic, it’s packed with lots of business projects to do. But since she’s partners with Park Jihyo, they’ve finished it a day before the Saturday deadline. They could’ve maybe finished it with two days to spare, if only Mina could focus.
Sure, she and Jihyo are thankful for Jeongyeon who stays with them for a few hours, always bringing them coffee in the middle of the night to save them from snoring at the business plans, but every time Mina sees Jeongyeon, she couldn’t help but think what she should give her as a gift for her birthday this coming Saturday. She couldn’t focus much and it’s bugging her often, mainly because Jeongyeon is bugging her often, too.
It’s already Friday and she’s still empty-handed. Mina doesn’t have a costume nor a gift for her least favorite Korean. She does have the day free, but she supposes she couldn’t just drag Jeongyeon to the mall and make her pick whatever she wants and buy it secretly and just give it to her tomorrow... can she? Jeongyeon didn’t even told me that her birthday is already tomorrow! If it wasn’t for Tzuyu, she would still be clueless.
Before Mina could ask for anyone’s help, her phone rang and she’s very sure that Jeongyeon is the only person who will call her at 9AM, probably just to share what has happened in their training. With a groan, Mina answered, “Jeong, I know you outran your teammates this morning, no need to tell me this for the 46th time,”
“Wow, she updates you on everything, huh?” she heard the girl from the other line chuckle. She lifted the phone from her ears and saw the caller ID, ‘Nayeon’.
Mina babo. Mina grimaced at how stupid she might’ve sounded to Nayeon, just why does she always assume it’s Jeongyeon who’s calling to annoy her?
She let out an embarrassed chuckle, “Hi, Nay. Sorry, I thought you’re Jeongyeon.”
“You thought I was your girlfriend? Yeah, I wish you were my girlfriend,” Mina was shocked at how Nayeon answered, is she flirting with me?!
Nayeon let out another chuckle, “I’m kidding, Mina,”
I wish you weren’t.
“I know. What’s up?” Mina tried to divert their attention to something else.
“Just wanted to know what your costume is? I still don’t know what I’m going to be for the party later,”
Oh, she’s gathering ideas.
“Don’t know if I could help you much cause I still don’t have a costume myself,” Of course, why would she call to check on you, Mina?
“Why didn’t you text me? Let’s just shop together!”
“Oka-“ Mina was about to confirm but Nayeon’s excitement didn’t let her finish, “I’ll be there in 10,”
I guess dragging Jeongyeon to the mall is out of the question now.
-
The girls went inside the shop that displayed many costumes. They went all over the store, laughing amongst themselves; mostly Mina chortling at Nayeon trying on funny wigs, at Nayeon trying to look silly and cute, at Nayeon trying various idiotic outfits that earned her many of Mina’s gummy laughs.
Nayeon would glare at the people that dared to give them the stink eye for being too loud, and would occasionally pull Mina away so that she wouldn’t have to see the look on the other shopper’s stares.
“Go, try it on.” Nayeon ushers her to the dressing room and gives her the articles of clothing.
When Mina emerged from behind the curtains, Nayeon couldn’t help her gasp, “Oh my gosh, Myoui Mina is the sexiest Mummy alive!”
Mina chuckled at Nayeon’s attempt to compliment her, “I’m the only Mummy alive,”
“Well, it’s safe to say that you should’ve played that part on the movie, you’d totally ‘Mummy’ the Mummy part,” Nayeon snickered and stood to check the costume out. Ahmanet looks good on her. “‘Mummy’ the Mummy part? What does that even mean?” Mina softly laughed.
Nayeon just shooed her back to the fitting room and replaced Mina shortly after. She excitedly tried some of the costumes she picked. First one is the cutesy bunny that made Mina coo, “A bunny going to Halloween as a bunny?” Nayeon would’ve appreciated that Mina thinks she’s adorable but that is not the look she’s going for this year, she has someone to impress.
She changed to a leather Catwoman costume that hugged all the curves on her body and paired it with black cat ears. She smirked at the mirror, this is the one.
And she was right, it is indeed, the one, because it earned her the reaction that she wants, “Nayeon, that’s–” Mina stuttered at her words, “You–” she couldn’t form anything intelligent to say. Nayeon IS Catwoman.
Nayeon’s smirk only widened, “Yup, I know how you feel, babe,” she winked and blew Mina a kiss before disappearing back to the curtains.
Mina feels like her heart would explode with everything that she’s feeling. She feels hot just by looking at her, and Nayeon hasn’t even completed her look yet. Mina tries to calm herself down, deep breaths, Mina, deep breaths.
When they’re queuing to checkout, Nayeon looked at Mina with slight concern, “You’re sweating. Are you okay?”
After I saw you in all leather? Yeah, sure.
“I’m okay, maybe they just turned the temp higher,” Mina tries to reason out.
Nayeon only hummed, “Let’s just get ice cream before we go,”
Mina’s racing heart only went faster when Nayeon held her hand on their way out, and despite it, she couldn’t help the smile that’s threatening to split her face.
Maybe Jeongyeon’s right, Autumn and Halloween is the best season.
-
Nayeon stayed at Mina’s dorm after they got back. She says doing her and Mina’s makeup will take them hours, so she only allowed them a couple of full sixty minute of rest before she went to do the first touches on their faces.
Mina has been looking at her phone every after a few minutes, she’s not sure what she’s waiting for or whose name she’s waiting to appear on her screen, but Nayeon who’s busy winging her eyeliner has a hunch, “You don’t have to always wait for her to text first, you know. You could text first, too.”
Right... but I could ask the same to you. Why can’t Jeongyeon?
Mina just rolled her eyes and sighed. Whatever. She dialled Jeongyeon’s number and the girl picked up on the fifth ring, “Mina,”
Mina furrowed her brows at the tone Jeongyeon used, does she not want to talk to me?
“Jeong? Where are you?” she got up from the chair near the vanity mirror and walked out of Nayeon’s earshot.
“Around,” Around? What kind of answer is that?
Mina looked back to Nayeon who was still busy doing her makeup, “You didn’t text me all day...”
“I didn’t think you’d notice,” Mina knows she’s pouting while she’s talking, her voice alone gave it away. Is she sulking?
“Is my big baby sulking?” Mina tried to tease her, a small smile already playing on her lips.
“Whatever, Mina,” then Jeongyeon ended the call. What just happened?
“How’d it go?” Nayeon asked her when she took her seat in front of the vanity mirror.
Mina groaned, “Jeongyeon’s being a baby again,” What has she done now?
Nayeon chuckled as she starts to draw the Sumerian symbols on Mina’s face, “I think she has the right to,” Mina only scoffed as an answer, trying to come off as indifferent when in reality, she’s racking up her mind as to why Jeongyeon is being like this again.
A few moments later, Nayeon leaned back up to admire her work, “Alright, done! What do you think?”
“It’s amazing, Nay, thank you!” Mina looked up and rewarded her with her gummy smile, to which Nayeon paid back with her own bunny-toothed one, “Number 1 HMUA: Im Nayeon, at your service,”
They shared a chuckle until Nayeon made her stand up, “Let’s dress up, party will start at 10. I’ll go get dressed in the rest room,”
Mina got her outfit on without any difficulty, but Nayeon on the other hand seemed to be having a hard time. She’s been on that rest room for quite some time now.
As she waits for Nayeon to finish, Mina fished out her phone from her pocket, she’s contemplating whether she should call Jeongyeon again or not.
She tapped the screen a few times, thinking. Against her better judgment, she dialled her number, “Jeong?”
Jeongyeon only hummed, waiting for Mina to talk again, “Can you come fetch me here at the dorm? Let’s go to the party together,” Mina bit her lip, she doesn’t know why but she really wants Jeongyeon to say yes and just come here.
“Okay, be there in 10,” then she hung up. She can only sigh, at least she’s coming.
The door to the bathroom opened and Mina instinctually looked up, only to regret it, because Nayeon came out with just her bra, exposing her milky white skin and her flat abdomen; the full body leather costume only done halfway through her body, stopping at her waist, “Little help?”
Mina blinked, or stared or gulped a few times, or maybe she did all that, she wasn’t really sure.
The brunette walked closer to her and whined a bit, “I couldn’t wear the leather sleeves all the way up like earlier,”
Mina got up, albeit shakily. She’s begging for her heart to stop being so obvious, to stop beating so hard. She’s worried Nayeon might hear its pounding.
She went to stand behind her and helped Nayeon wear the sleeves and pulled it upwards. As much as Mina likes to keep her hands to herself, she just couldn’t, because the leather is biting too much of Nayeon’s skin. Her fingers graze it from time to time, it’s so smooth and white.
She lightly shook her head to keep her composure, calm down, you’re good. She repeats the mantra in her head so she doesn’t forget what to do.
She managed to pull the sleeves up, the only thing that’s left is to zip Nayeon up. Mina gulps and tried to steady her shaky hands. She’s trying so hard not to die because of Nayeon and her suit.
Nine lives. If Mina had nine to live, just like the inspiration of Nayeon’s costume, she’d have use them all just tonight. Nayeon is trying to kill her.
Catwoman Nayeon is going to be the death of me.
Just then, she heard a knock on the door. It opened after a few, “Ready to go?” Jeongyeon is dressed up as Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland.
Mina was happy to see Jeongyeon and basically waddled her way to the door, raging heart already forgotten, “Yes, but can you come in for a while?” It wasn’t really a question because Mina is already pulling Jeongyeon in. “Hey, Catwoman, nice curves.” She greets her feline friend and took her hat off, discarding it on the sofa, “Hey, Starbucks.”
Mina pulled Jeongyeon to where Nayeon couldn’t hear them. They stood on the corner as she held both of Jeongyeon’s hands and swayed them a little, “Are you mad?”
Jeongyeon furrowed her now red brows, “No,”
Mina isn’t convinced and moved her hands to hold Jeongyeon’s face, “You look like you’re mad,”
“Well, I am Mad Hatter, I should look mad.” Jeongyeon said with a straight face but her facade broke when she heard Mina’s laugh.
Mina knew she’s broken down whatever sulky wall Jeongyeon has built and smiled at her while running her thumbs on the other’s jawline, “There she is, my big baby is back,”
Jeongyeon only pouted and Mina didn’t resist the urge to kiss it away, she pulled Jeongyeon down and pecked her lips twice, “That’s two, because you’re being sulky and you’re cute today,”
The pout didn’t go away, it only jutted further. Jeongyeon leaned down and wrapped her arms to hug Mina, resting her chin on her shoulders. She can see on her peripheral that Nayeon is looking at them, is this for a show? she asks herself, but so what if it is, right? At least Mina is trying to make her smile this time.
“I saw Nayeon’s snap...” Jeongyeon trailed, “You should’ve asked me to come shop with you instead of her,” Mina hears her mumble beside her ears. Is this the reason why she’s being a baby? Because I left her for a day?
Mina wrapped her arms around her and rubbed her back, “I’m sorry, I was about to call you about it but Nayeon called me first,”
Jeongyeon pulled back, her brows closer than ever, “She called you?”
Mina nodded, “Is that so impossible?”
Jeongyeon seemed like she’s going to tell her something but decided not to and just changed the topic, “Nayeon helped you with the costume?”
The Japanese hummed, “She helped me pick between angel and Ahmanet,” followed by a little chuckle, “well, she picked Ahmanet,” slipping her arm on Jeongyeon’s waist when the latter made a move to walk towards the door.
Jeongyeon just put her arm around Mina’s shoulders after she wore her hat back while Mina brought her hand up to lace their fingers while they walk, pressing their bodies closer, “I think I have Nayeon to thank because you’re now the most beautiful, most attractive, sexiest, prettiest, cutest, Princess Ahmanet to ever live,”
Mina only nudged her side, obviously shy at the compliments Jeongyeon is showering her, “Stop lying,”
“M’not,” Jeongyeon smiled softly before kissing one of the symbols on her temple, “You look beautiful,”
Mina couldn’t stop the blush that crept to her cheeks, oh my god, Mina, stop. It’s just Jeongyeon!
Jeongyeon tried to catch her gaze to let her know she isn’t kidding, but Mina couldn’t, wouldn’t look at her in the eyes anymore. Mina only squeezed her hand, looking ahead, “You don’t look so bad yourself,”
-
Of course, they are late. The party is already hitting hard when they came. Nayeon said the party really started at 9 but she wants them to be ‘fashionably late’ so she told them it’ll start at 10.
“Jeongyeon! Mina! Nayeon!” they all whipped their heads, looking for whoever called their names.
“Over here!” A Cruella de Vill is waving at them, along with Princess Mononoke, Joker and Maleficent.
“Holy shit, I didn’t recognize y’all there!” Jeongyeon exclaimed excitedly, “Except you, Jihyo, you look exactly like your usual self. Always bloodied and wearing an off-shoulder,” the squad laughed and prepared for another Jeongyeon v Jihyo fight for the night.
The night seemed to be fun, everyone’s just dancing to music or drinking themselves to puke town. Momo who was dressed as Cruella, Jihyo as San, Chaeyoung as Joker and Tzuyu as Maleficent, are off to the dance floor while they asked Jeongyeon to bring in shots to their table from the bar. Both she and Nayeon offered to help but Jeongyeon declined.
Nayeon tapped her shoulder, “Mina, look,” and pointed at a direction.
It’s Jeongyeon on her way back, shots on both her hands, but she’s with other two people. The mermaid looking one clung to her neck while a cute Genie is following closely behind them. Sana and...?
“You should’ve told me you will still go as we planned last year! I should’ve worn my Red Queen costume to match your Alice in Wonderland theme,” Sana whined and Mina couldn’t hide the roll in her eyes. What’s she doing here?
Upon noticing that the three people they left on the table became five, the ones who were dancing came back, “Hi!” the puffy Genie greeted them.
“Dahyun?!” Momo almost choked on her drink at the sudden familiarity of the voice.
Oh, so that’s Momo’s Dahyun.
Momo introduced Dahyun to everyone on the table and everyone knew Genie girl is one of the good ones.
Mina, on the other hand, tries to distract herself from looking beside her, at Jeongyeon and Sana being clingy, mostly just Sana, but Jeongyeon doesn’t do much to get off of her snaky hands, either. Ugh.
A few more exchanges of stories and Jihyo subtly peeked at the time. She asked Jeongyeon to bring in another six shots, although Jeongyeon was puzzled as to why only six, she still complied. Jihyo looked at her phone again, and signalled for someone to bring in the cake and their gifts.
Jeongyeon was surprised to say the least when she got back, she got excited and shy at the same time. She clapped her hands as the people on their table countdown, “3, 2, 1, HAPPY JEONGYEON DAY!”
Jeongyeon was happy to blow the fire on the candles out after she made a wish. Everyone on their table got up and tried to give her their birthday kiss. Jeongyeon being Jeongyeon, she whined and hid her face behind her hands so everybody just kissed her there or on her hair. Including Sana.
Mina smirked because Sana didn’t get to kiss Jeongyeon anywhere near her cheeks, and nowhere near her lips. I’ll show you who’s boss.
Mina got up last and tilted Jeongyeon’s chin up so she knows who’s in front of her. When she saw it’s Mina, she lowered down her hands and put it on Mina’s waist, already anticipating what the Japanese will do.
Jeongyeon saw a ghost of Mina’s smug smile and it could only mean one thing, the show is ON.
She licked her lips and breathed in enough air to last her a couple of moments, now this is a birthday kiss.
Mina leaned down to capture her lips and slipped her tongue past, Jeongyeon gave passage even before she asked. Mina couldn’t stifle the smile into their kiss, Jeongyeon is getting better at sensing and anticipating things. Jeongyeon sensed the grin and broke the contact on their lips, but not their eyes. She couldn’t resist but mirror Mina’s contagious smile, they’re being better at this fake dating thing.
Mina slightly turned her head to Sana’s direction, just to look at her reaction and she could definitely say, it did not disappoint. Sana looked every bit of pissed and Mina wanted to add salt to the wound. She captured Jeongyeon’s lips once more, giving everyone an even hotter show. She opened her eyes in the middle of their kiss, raised a taunting brow to Sana and smirked.
While the others cheered and howled at the brief make out session they witnessed, Momo was the first one to complain, “Okay, now can you please drink all that, Ms. Birthday Hatter, so you can continue your tongue battle back at the dorm? It’s disgusting to see you kiss my innocent friend.”
Jeongyeon got out of Mina’s trance and instantly jumped to defend herself, “You think Mina’s innocent? I’M the innocent one here!”
“Yeah, right, I hope you don’t spread your rabbit rabies on Mina,” Momo laughed with the others as they really enjoy teasing Jeongyeon about these kinds of things.
Jeongyeon only made a face at Momo and hugged Mina’s waist from behind, resting her chin near her neck, “They always bully me,”
Mina merely chuckled, she couldn’t disagree because it’s true, “Do you wanna head home now? We can grab Iced Espresso on the way back and play Fall guys or Mario Kart if you want,”
The Korean’s eyes shone with hope, Mina can see it on her peripheral, “Really?”
“Yup,”
“And you’ll let me win?” Jeongyeon pouted her cutest to plead her case more.
“Maybe,” Mina’s shoulders shook as she tried to stifle a laugh at how Jeongyeon is desperate to beat her on any of her games.
Jeongyeon smiled her tight lipped one, the one that shows a little of her pearly white teeth, “You drive a hard bargain, my Ahmanet, but deal,”
Jeongyeon pulled back and announced to everyone that they’ll be going, but Momo and Jihyo stopped them, “Nope, you have to drink all six shots,”
“Are you serious? It’s my birthday!” disbelief is evident on her face.
Momo scoffed, “I know you got plans but it’s only six!”
“Aish, fine,”
Mina’s eyes went wide as Jeongyeon drained three shots like it’s just water. Oh my god, Jeongyeon, you’re going to get wasted once you feel it’s effects. Jeongyeon held on to the fourth, her face grimacing already.
“Jeong, stop, i’ll do the other three,” Mina braved the rough waters with this statement, although she’s a bit tipsy already. She doesn’t drink often, but she wouldn’t let Jeongyeon do this alone.
“What?” Jeongyeon and the team threw shocked glances at her.
“You heard me,” Mina downed one, the alcohol burned straight down to her stomach. God, how do people find this enjoyable?
She lifted the other one to her mouth and drained it as quickly, grimacing at the fire it’s left on its wake. Considering the other shots she was egged on drinking earlier, Mina is starting to blink faster, her body heating up with all the alcohol.
Mina can already feel it hitting her as she gripped the sides of the table for support, her world is starting to spin and blur. She just wants to lie down, but she still have one to go. She tried to get the glass but it’s nowhere now, she looked to her side and Jeongyeon drank it. She heard her bid goodbyes to their friends before she felt Jeongyeon lifting her up for a piggyback.
Lavender. It’s all what her mind could tell her for now.
-
Jeongyeon slowly put Mina down to the couch. She went to the bathroom to fix herself up and do her nightly rituals. Then, she rummaged through Mina’s skin care products and looked for the ones she always used at night.
She gently cleaned the makeup off of her sleeping face, the gray washing off in favor of Mina’s white skin. Of course, there’s the problem of taking off her clothes, she can do it, no problem, but will she be alive after that? Jeongyeon doesn’t know.
Luckily, Mina stirred, her eyes fluttering to open. The Japanese just smiled at her sleepily, and Jeongyeon knew the Mina she’s got now is the cute one.
“Hey, do you think you can change from your Mummy clothes to pyjamas?” Mina nodded and let Jeongyeon pull her to the bathroom. She’s already prepared a pair for Mina to wear so she wouldn’t have to worry about finding one.
Jeongyeon didn’t went out of the room and waited for Mina with her back facing her, she’s worried that she might just dunk her head on the bowl because she’s way out of sorts, “Are you done now?”
Silence.
“Mina?” Jeongyeon is tempted to look, what if she’s passed out?
She turned her head slowly, trying to be subtle, just in case Mina is still changing her clothes. Before she can even steal a look, she was met with a flying black garment. “Nolooking!” Mina exclaimed which made Jeongyeon regret looking back. “Sorry!”
Jeongyeon picked the piece of clothing and instantly felt her heart on her throat when she realized what it was. It’s Mina’s bra. Shit.
She gulped down her nervousness and tossed the garment to Mina’s bin. “How about now?”
Another round of silence. She peeked a bit to check and when she saw no movement, she turned to look fully. Mina managed to slip in on her night clothes. Okay, good.
“Let’s get you to bed, okay? On three. One, two...” Jeongyeon slightly grunted when she lifted her, “Three,”
Jeongyeon should be the one who’s drunk, considering she’s drank more, but her alcohol tolerance is high at this point of her life, she’s had worse nights.
Before they even got past the couch, Mina grumbled, pulling her to sit, “What is it?”
Mina plopped herself and pulled a confused Jeongyeon with her. The Korean’s heart nearly stopped when Mina decided to allow only a few inches of distance between their faces, her arm draped over her, reaching just on her side. She can feel Mina’s chest against her arms and Jeongyeon’s mind is short circuiting. She stopped breathing for a while, she doesn’t know what to do aside from freezing, god save me...
Jeongyeon closely watched Mina’s expressions, when the latter wore her adorable eye smile, she couldn’t help her giggle.
Mina playfully shook a small red box in front of her face, then she let her hand fall on Jeongyeon’s chest. Nudging Jeongyeon when she didn’t made a move to get it from her.
She bought me a gift?
Jeongyeon was pleasantly surprised, she didn’t expect Mina to know her birthday, much less give her a gift. She pried the box off of her hand, putting her other arm around Mina to open it with her two hands.
It’s a thin black diamond tennis bracelet. Oh wow, it’s... Jeongyeon near had her lower lip come off with how much pout it’s doing. Mina really gave her a present even if she doesn’t have to. The thought alone is melting her and making her heart swell. You sneaky woman. She kissed Mina’s hair and mumbled against it, “I love it, Minari, thank you,”
She was given yet another present in the form of Mina’s eye smile, “Birthday, Jeongyeonie,” before she trapped Jeongyeon with her snuggle and slept on her chest, just where she can hear her otherwise calming heartbeat.
Mina forgot to include ‘happy’, but Jeongyeon guesses it’s fine, because Mina is the happy on her birthday.
-
On the morning of Jeongyeon’s birthday, Mina awoke with a slight headache. A loud ringing made her felt around the bed with her hand, in search of her phone to turn off the offending sound. When she finally found it, she was momentarily blinded by the light. Caller ID read ‘Jeong-ass’ and the screen is flashing Jeongyeon’s annoying duck face. Mina smiled a bit, she swiped to answer the call but as soon as she did, Jeongyeon ended it.
What was that...
She remembered she slept on the couch hugging a pillow but she now woke up on the bed. My head. She winced a little at the sudden pain, but nothing she can’t bear.
She looked around, blinking the confusion away. The windows told her it still could be night but she wanted to make sure and looked at her phone again, 6:07AM.
Still early.
The bedside lamp is on and it illuminated the stuff beside it.
What’s this?
There’s a note, an orange juice and an Advil. The post-it read,
“Drink the Advil and prepare a bag (you might want to pack a swimsuit)
We’re gonna catch breakfast on the way.
— Your pretty fake (but pretty) girlfriend”
What are you up to now, Yoo Jeongyeon?