but first, paris

I

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this place sucks

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"hello,"

you looked up, only to be met with a beautiful brunette smiling down at you, bow lips forming into an actual heart shape at the subtle action.

you blinked, almost not believing that what you're currently laying your very eyes on is an actual person. it's difficult to comprehend, as she's just too gorgeous to be real.

pointing towards the spot next to you, the brunette mumbled in a low rasp, "do you mind?"

"no, go ahead." you replied, not wanting to come off rude. she didn't look like a kidnapper or a robber in any way, after all.

you stayed silent as the brunette sat down next you ever so casually, not too close but not too far away, either. you expected her to reach out, offer her hands, and introduce herself to you, like what a normal stranger would usually do the first time they meet someone.

however, it didn't even took you long to realize that she isn't just one of those normal strangers at all. you already kinda guessed that just by looking at her surreal, outstanding features, anyway. (if you were drunk enough, you'd probably even think she's a literal fallen angel.)

so instead of a handshake, the brunette just continued to observe you quietly, chocolate orbs curious and gaze held rather strongly towards you, before letting out a soft, friendly chuckle you least expected to sound so incredibly magical.

snap out of it. you don't even know her.

"that enormous mansion's already been turned upside down back there. aren't you worried you're missing all the fun?"

hearing the other's laughter made you smile a little as well, and you didn't know why, either.

"funny, that's actually the reason why i'm here alone at the backyard to begin with." you mumbled back, voice small but firm in a way. "i don't really feel like having fun at the moment."

the stranger raised an eyebrow at you, yet the amused, lopsided grin still plastered firmly on her rather painfully charming face.

you eyed her confusedly, and that's only when it hit you. "that was supposed to be sarcastic, wasn't it?"

you watched the brunette let out a laugh, this time a little louder and fuller, and you didn't understand as to why your heart just started racing so fast inside your chest.

"are you kidding me? this place sucks." she retorted in between a fit of uncontrolled giggles.

usually, one would be offended when a stranger straight-up insults their home right in front of their face, but not you, because you thought maybe she's just one of your distant relatives' plus one who had no idea whose party she's even got dragged into, in the first place.

also, it's not like this is something you could actually call your home, either.

so yeah, you took no offense at all.

"you said it." you agreed instead, turning away and shutting your eyes as you took a deep inhale of the cold midnight breeze brushing against your skin.

you had your eyes completely shut close, yet you could still feel the way the brunette didn't even bothered to look away from your direction.

and then there's that series of weird tugging inside your chest again. damn it.

"you actually agree?" the stranger asked, so you simply nodded at her. "but it's your party." she added, laughing a little to herself.

the statement immediately made you turn your gaze towards her, hazel eyes hinting surprise. however, the stranger just continued to stare and smile at you amusedly. "you're park chaeyoung, right?"

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