| a friend's classmate

y/n took a sip of her chocolate soy milk, before closing the cap and bringing it down to look at her friend, bahiyyih who just got out from her review center she goes to every saturday. the two decided to meet up after both their review center classes which were held in different branches, with bahiyyih being in a different city and y/n being in another city. "how did you do in the pre-test?" bahiyyih asked, leaning on the table of a convenience store where they stayed before going out to buy school supplies. "it was hard, i probably only got 30 over 50." y/n muttered, sighing. "30? i got like 25." y/n busted out laughing. "hey at least it's half of 50." bahiyyih rolled her eyes. "i have a lot of classmates who take review centers, i remember minji! she also goes to the same branch as you!" bahiyyih said, looking at her friend and then placing a hand on her shoulders. "i don't know anyone in my class, most of them don't care." y/n replied, fixing her bag, her voice nonchalant, as if she couldn't care enough about whoever minji was. "wait, so you... don't wanna talk to her?" bahiyyih looked at her friend like what she said was almost ubelievable. everyone likes minji! y/n looked up at her friend with a straight face. "look, whoever that minji is i don't care, i don't remember anyone names minji. i don't even know anyone in our branch." y/n responded, shaking her head.

"that's insane, i'm almost friend with half of my class!" bahiyyih looked away and leaned on her seat. "we're different, even if you talk to jiwon and rei their responses will be the same as mine." bahiyyih shook her head with a pout. "you introverts suck!"

"we know, we hate ourselves too." y/n answered, earning a laugh from her friend.

the next week, saturday was another review center class y/n needed to survive, the tests were hard and she couldn't almost understand anything, their semester didn't have physics so that must mean the higher level students on her branch must be taking those. what does a girl like her know about physics! heck, she couldn't even bother with biology. it was recess, y/n found herself once again sat on a lone of seats inside the building, holding her favorite chocolate soy milk and just staring at the void with a frown. a pair of feet from afar was approaching her, but y/n couldn't care one bit, she didn't have friends in the center and she doesn't want one anyone. "hey, you okay?" a deep velvety voice asked y/n, yet her mind was miles away from reality, staring at the bright walls of the empty hall. the girl looked around, confused, she reached her hand to touch y/n soft shoulder, abruptly waking her up from her deep thoughts. y/n shifted her sight to the girl in front of her, who flashed an awkward smile. y/n looked around, seeing that they were alone, she looked at the tall girl once again. "is there... anything you want from me?" y/n asked.

the cold plastic bottle starts to feel like the room's temperature from being left with the cap on. the girl shook her head and chuckled. "nothing, i was walking around and saw you just staring at—" the long haired girl paused and looked at the wall. "nothing." y/n felt her buttocks stuck in the seat as she nodded. "oh, i'm sorry. i was just dozing off."

"i noticed." the girl took a seat besides y/n, placing her hands on her lap. "that's why i was asking if you were alright." y/n took a deep breath and looked at a different direction while thinking of an answer, before nodding. "yeah, i just want to go home already, nothing too serious." the tall girl nodded, as if she understood.

"i'm kim minji." minji— as was introduced, stretched her hand for a handshake, which y/n just stared at before accepting. "ahn y/n." minji laughed, her eyes turning crescent with her wide smile. "i know, bahiyyih told me." minji answered, before letting go and leaning her arms on her knees. "of course she did, that girl... tells a lot." y/n added, causing minji to giggle. "she's nice tho, everyone likes her. she tells a lot about you, that's why i know you."

"that's insane, but of course she has a lot of friends and she wished i went to the same school as her." y/n tapped at the cap of the bottle, thinking of that time she told bahiyyih her older sister yujin didn't want her to study at that school. "yeah, surprise you didn't, you were ahn yujin's sister after all." minji replied. "yup, everyone knows i am. but yujin didn't want me to, she said a different school's better." y/n stated, opening the cap and taking a drink. that time, all y/n could think about was minji's company, how nice she was, how good she smelled, how... how smart she is.

"oh my god! i heard minji talked to you last saturday!" from the other line, bahiyyih talked with enthusiasm. y/n could hear bahiyyih's little sounds of happiness, the creak of the bed and her laughter. "yeah, apparently she saw me dozing off in the middle of the hallway and decided to talk to me." y/n replied, laying on her bed, hair sprawled all over the mattress. "wow! thee kim minji! you know she barely talks to strangers— you're such a lucky girl!" bahiyyih squealed. y/n rolled her eyes and sighed. "bahiyyih. you told a lot about me to her at this point i'm not even a stranger anymore." y/n retorted, earning a snicker from her friend. "hey! at least i'm gonna get you a girlfriend! just what you deserve for being such a good student." y/n couldn't understand if bahiyyih is joking or not, minji is a nice person but a lover? how would she know, she's barely even seen her nor talk to her. "bahiyyih cut that off okay? minji is nothing but a... nice person to me." bahiyyih scoffed. "you're lying! have you seen her?! of course you did! she's like a prince and a princess at the same time! she's so gentle and smart, understanding too!" y/n was quiet, honestly not knowing what to say. "you do what you do, but i'm not gonna be a part of that." bahiyyih snickered. "o—kay! but think about it more, i'll be here! bye! i need to fix papers." the call hung up, leaving y/n puzzled.

what was bahiyyih even thinking?

whatever it is, there's a big chance it'll work.

"hi y/n, today's weather is nice isn't?" minji walked towards y/n, a smile plastered on her face. y/n looked at the cloudy sky, it was not hot nor that cold, perfect. "yes, it made my mood a little bit better." y/n answered, she had not noticed the brand new book on minji's hand. "uh, by the way— valentine's near so i got you a gift of appreciation." minji said, handing the cleanly plastic wrapped gift to y/n, who looked at minji and to the gift a few times, not believing. "huh—? but—" "it's just a token of appreciation, i understand you don't like talking a lot but you still try to talk to... me, so that means a lot." the two stared at each other for a few minutes, trying to read the expressions of each other or the small halt of their movements. y/n couldn't decipher but minji could read the uncomfortable feeling in y/n's side so she bright back the book on her chest and nodded. "uhm, it's okay if you don't want it, i understand—" "no!" y/n held the hand of minji that holds the book. "i'll take it, i'm sorry for making you feel like i didn't like it. it's just that i've never really gotten any gifts from anyone so this is new... and i appreciate your efforts! i wished i got you a gift too, all i have here is the bottle of chocolate soy milk i bought." y/n banters, hands moving away to reach for the chocolate soy milk as a gift. minji nodded. "i... it's totally alright if you didn't get any gift, i wanted to give you something so it's not your obligation to give back. totally my own will." but y/n shook her head. "no! please, this is me saying thank you!" they exchanged gifts, with minji smiling at y/n widely whilst holding the milk on her hand.

"valentine's day is on tuesday! we have classes but the event's gonna be cool!" bahiyyih stated, leaning on y/n's shoulder as they sat on a bench at a park. "we have one too, it's an 8 hour event and all i'll do is manage our booth." y/n complained, scoffing. on her hands was the book minji gave her. "what's that?" bahiyyih poked the book, taking y/n's attention. "oh, minji gave this to me earlier." bahiyyih shot up from her seat and looked down on y/n with wide eyes. "wait really?! are you serious!?" bahiyyih asked. y/n sighed and nodded. "absolutely, i didn't prepare any so i just gave her a bottle of chocolate soy milk." bahiyyih jumped in excitement, as if she was the one who received the gift. "you don't understand do you!? minji doesn't care about the value of the gift you gave her, she only cares about the gift she gave you!" bahiyyih held y/n's shoulders to make her look up. "you're way too lucky! it's even the book you wanted so bad!" y/n took a sharp breath and nodded. "that's why i'm more surprised." she stated. "y/n i swear! you need to get out there and go out with her! quick, this saturday! the university near your school's gonna hold a festival, go out with her!" y/n stood up and shook her head, a frown on her face. "bahiyyih you're insane! a lot of people are probably planning on asking her out!" "and? answer still depends on who asks! and this is definitely the first time you'll go there! just don't waste it on laying on your bed you lazy girl!"

y/n laid on her bed, still haven't read the book, afraid to stain or even damage it with a touch, it looked too majestic, hell this costs a lot! she stared at the book, thinking about that time minji gave it to her, her sharp gaze but kind words, too much for y/n. all of a sudden, her phone vibrated to a text message from an unknown number.

*******

hi there.

y/n rolled her eyes and ignored it until...

this is kim minji.

how are you y/n? bahiyyih gave me
your number.

that girl! of course she did!

omg, hi minji!

sorry about bahiyyih, she's very
nosy and does whatever she wants.

no worries, she's nice.

she told me you had no plans on
saturday after review center.

is that true?

oh my god. oh my god.

this has to be a joke.

yeah

i'll stay home.

oh really?

i was hoping to ask you to come
and see the college festival near
your school with me.

if that's alright?

totally! y/n knows that herself.

i guess? it doesn't hurt to try.

alright! see you!

now she's done it.

y/n and minji stood far from the crowd, watching the bands perform, y/n watches carefully, the light almost blinding her but it was just too good. the music was so loud, people around were chattering and just having fun. first times like this make y/n want to have a second try, something unforgettable, fun and even though it's tiring. they went on a lot of food stalls, rode different rides. minji was such a fun person to be with, she cares and she understands. minji looked at the fascinated y/n, liking the way the lights illuminated on her eyes. "y/n." she called, y/n was still looking far away, too amazed. "y/n." this time y/n looked at her. "uh— why?" she asked. minji smiled at her only and shook her head. "just making sure you're still here with me." y/n blushed and looked down on the grass. "of course i am." minji laughed. "just kidding... you look pretty that's all." y/n nodded, still feeling her face warm. "thanks..." she muttered. minji scratched her cheek, feeling her face flush. "that's so random." minji laughed, putting her hand on her face, embarrassed. y/n giggled, shaking her hands in front of minji's face. "no it's alright! it's a cute compliment, i appreciate it."

minji puts her hand down, her eyes down before looking up at y/n. "you're so nice y/n." minji muttered, strands of her hair falling from her face to her shoulder. "i just don't understand why i feel like this, i'm usually very calm." minji stated, looking away and blowing a breath away. "are you okay? we can leave if you want." y/n asked, moving her head to look straight if minji. "no, it's alright. i just need to say something." minji smiled. "oh okay." y/n moved a little backwards, giving minji space but minji reached for y/n's arm, making her stay still. "hey, i... y/n i think i like you. a whole lot." minji casually... casually, she confessed, moving her hand down to hold y/n's, squeezing it lightly. y/n felt her heart about to rip her ribcage, minji's hand was soft and warm, her eyes still gaze so cold. "m-minji?"

"are you okay?" minji asked. "yeah, i... i probably feel the same way as you— i just don't know. i'm confused." y/n answered, placing a hand on her chest, feeling it beat so hard. "it's okay, you're not ready and it's fine." minji responded, putting her hand down. "can i hug you?" she then asked. y/n nodded. "yeah, it's alright." minji took a step forward, stretches her arms to embrace y/n for a hug, her arms wrap around y/n's figure, pulling her close. y/n lays her head down low, forehead touching minji's shoulder, breathing softly. y/n's hands were on minji's waist, pulling on her shirt, the hug was arm against the cold breeze of the night air. a comfort brought only by minji.

y/n is still confused, unsure but she knew somewhere in her heart is a space for minji and only minji. the only thing she needs is a confirmation from her heart, to open it up for minji.