Chapter Text
The two had met up at Chaewon’s apartment before Hyejoo led her to her car. They drove there, stereo blasting music as they both sang along. Nostalgia had crept inside Chaewon as she stared at the girl beside her, enamored as she watched the girl singing and laughing together as she got the lyrics wrong. Chaewon sniffed, a fond memory pushed to the back of her mind.
It wasn’t long before they arrived at the place. A tall, red-headed guy had greeted them at the door. He tried flirting with them, asking whether they needed anyone to show them around, until Hyejoo told him they were here together. He shrugged before giving them two red cups, full of no one knows what, and went to greet more newcomers.
It was tight, all they could feel was the crowd around them and the bass drops filling the room. People were moving their bodies to the rhythm, and Hyejoo and Chaewon swayed along with them. It was obvious neither knew what to do in these kinds of parties, their bodies awkwardly moving. Hyejoo raised her arms, grinning as she hit the woah. Chaewon laughed, doing a mini Electro Shuffle.
The next song came on—something much livelier—and the living room got tighter. Everyone was jumping and shouting to the music. The crowd pushed the two closer to each other, their faces so near Chaewon could feel Hyejoo’s every breath. She could feel her face flush as the crowd only pushed them closer. Panic started seeping in, multiple scenarios flooding through her head when someone suddenly grabbed her hand. She couldn’t hear anything over the music, just saw Hyejoo mouth something before she was being pulled somewhere else. They waded through the throngs of people, Chaewon only barely able to keep up with Hyejoo. Soon, Hyejoo opened a door and led Chaewon in before shutting it close and letting the music drown out.
Chaewon looked around and realized it was the kitchen. There was another group of people by the kitchen island, seemingly taking a break from the festivities. “Sorry, it was so loud out there, I couldn’t hear anything.”
“Oh, it’s fine,” Chaewon said, “I felt the same.”
“Oh my, isn’t that Hyejoo?”
A voice called out from further in the kitchen. The pair turned around and were greeted by four people standing around a kitchen island: a man with purple hair and matching purple make-up, a blonde woman in an elegant blue dress, a red-headed woman in a crop top who looked more haggard than anyone Chaewon has ever seen, and a tall, muscular man who… isn’t wearing a shirt.
The blonde woman waved the both of them over, almost beckoning them with her fan.
“My classmates. From Film Prod,” Hyejoo whispered to Chaewon. She headed towards them, Chaewon hesitantly tagging along.
“Glad you could make it,” the purple-haired man told Hyejoo, meeting them halfway. He then faced Chaewon and held out his hand, “I’m Yuri.”
Chaewon shook his hand, “I’m Chaewon. It’s nice to meet you.” She couldn’t stop staring at the man, stunned by his beauty. It was different from what she was used to, his features soft and gentle like a girl’s despite the masculinity he was emanating, his make-up only further accentuating the difference.
“Hey! I’m Balthus!” The tall, muscular man suddenly appeared in front of Chaewon, startling her.
“H-hello!” Chaewon squeaked. She looked down, unable to look Balthus in the eye—or anywhere up at him, for that matter. Her face started heating, unsure of how to deal with the situation.
She realized Balthus still hadn’t moved away. Hesitantly looking up, she saw him waiting patiently for something, his hand vertically stretched towards her. Chaewon slowly stretched her own arm, her palm meeting his in a high five. Balthus then grinned brightly at her and Chaewon started smiling back. She realized he did it to make her feel more at ease, and honestly, it worked.
He retracted his hand and pointed at the two girls who were still standing by the kitchen island. “That’s Constance,” the blonde smiled and waved at her, “and that’s Hapi,” the redhead gave a slight nod. “We’re all classmates with Hyejoo in Film Video Production.”
“Film Video Production?” Chaewon asked, walking to the island with the others.
“We basically make a movie,” Hyejoo said.
“Yeah, Hyejoo was the murderer in one of them. She was real scary,” Balthus said.
Constance opened her fan and hid her face with it, with only her eyes remaining visible, “I agree. She can be a really good actress.”
“Hyejoo? Scary? I don’t believe it,” Chaewon laughed, only to be met with stares from them.
“You just haven’t seen her in a movie yet,” Balthus mumbled, staring at her wide-eyed.
“So, you and Hyejoo must be real close. We haven’t seen her invite anyone to any of the outings before,” Yuri asked her, “What degree program are you in?”
“Oh, um.” Chaewon hesitated, unsure of how to answer. She hadn’t brought up the topic to Hyejoo yet and she wasn’t sure if she was ready to, wasn’t sure how she would react. In the silence, she could feel all of them staring at her, feel how heavy the pressure and attention were. She was grasping at her brain, sweat pooling in her back, words at the tip of her tongue yet nothing coming out. “I—”
“She’s not in one.”
They all turned to Hapi, who was still staring at her. “Park Chaewon. You dropped out of Biology, correct?”
“I—how did you know?”
“I’m from the same degree. The upperclassmen always talked about you.”
“What did they say?” Yuri asked.
“That she dropped out to pursue dance or something.”
“Dance?! That’s not very wise. It won’t help you in life at all,” Constance snubbed.
“Especially compared to Biology,” Yuri added, “Tell me, did you get anywhere after you dropped out?”
“Hey—”
“I would assume not. You can’t make a career out of dance .” Constance looked at her, judgment evident from behind the fan, “Perhaps as a hobby, sure, but a career?”
“Hey—”
“Maybe she’s real good at it, you know?” Balthus piped up.
“Well, are you?” Hapi asked.
Chaewon didn’t know what to say. She didn’t want to say anything. She hadn’t known this part of her past would be revealed, especially not in some stupid college party. She tried to take deep breaths, tried to calm down and fight off the panic.
“Hey!” Hyejoo suddenly shouted. Everyone turned their attention to her and Chaewon let out a relieved sigh. “Finally!”
It was clear Hyejoo was furious. Chaewon was surprised to see the usual goofy, jovial girl show anything stronger than irritation.
“Can you guys back off for a minute? Can’t you see you’re bothering her?” Hyejoo took Chaewon’s hand in hers, linking their fingers together and giving it a soft squeeze, “Who cares if she dropped out or that she chose dancing over bio? At least she’s brave enough to follow her dreams, unlike you lot. You all just let your baggage drag you down and insult others to compensate. Being judgemental won’t help you in life at all, you know?
“Let’s go,” Hyejoo quickly turned around and stomped out of the kitchen, pulling Chaewon with her.
Hyejoo didn’t know where she was going, she just wanted out of there. She felt awful, having introduced them to Chaewon and subsequently letting her experience that. She still hadn’t looked back at the girl, scared that she was blaming her for it. She climbed up the stairs and opened the first door she saw, praying that she wasn’t walking into anything.
When she saw it was empty, she shut the door behind them. She had led them into a large bedroom, walls covered in yellow wallpaper and lined full of bookshelves, although most of the books were scattered on the floor.
Hyejoo turned back to Chaewon, still avoiding her eyes, and bowed, “I’m really sorry for what they said.”
Silence filled the room. Hyejoo waited for a reply, eyes fixed to the ground. When none came, she slowly stood back up, afraid to meet the other’s gaze in fear of seeing anger or disdain. Instead, she saw sadness.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” she whispered.
“What do you mean?”
“You shouldn’t have shouted at them. You shouldn’t have insulted them!” Chaewon’s face scrunched up. She was a mess, a hotpot of different emotions all boiling inside her. She was grateful Hyejoo stopped them but she shouldn’t have done that! She shouldn’t have ruined her friendships just for her.
“But they were insulting you,” Hyejoo looked at her, confused.
“But they’re your friends! They’re important to you.”
“You’re important too!” Chaewon stared at Hyejoo, her mouth dry. “You’re more important to me than some people I just met and will probably never meet again,” Hyejoo continued. “I… I really like you Chae and I am so sorry this ever happened. I only wanted you to have a good time and I thought this would be a good chance to hang out with you again. But, I didn’t know how much of an asshole they were and I am so deeply sorry they said those things to you.”
“So… you’re not ashamed of me?”
“Ashamed of you? Why would I be?”
“Because I’m a stupid drop out.”
“You—weren’t you listening to a thing I said?” Hyejoo grumbled, “Who cares if you’re a dropout? College is overrated anyway.”
Chaewon laughed and asked for a hug, which Hyejoo gladly gave. “I’m still sorry for what happened,” Hyejoo said, her chin on top of the other’s head, “I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
“I’ll look forward to that day,” Chaewon smiled, glad for the warmth Hyejoo gave her.