Halfway Home - A Chaelisa Story

Truth

"What is there to tell?" I ask Jennie with an innocent look while I change to my pajama. She's currently looking at me with a 'I know you better than this' look. Jennie sits on her bed and crosses her arms "Okay, then. You like her Rosie. Like like her, like her. Not as a friend but something else. And it's okay-really. I just didn't expect to see you so whipped by someone so quickly." She rants and I know I look like a tomato for the third time today.

"Jennie, I-... I just know I like her. I don't know to what extent just yet... is that bad?" I say looking down. Jennie gets up and gives me a huge hug. "No, that's not bad at all. Just, try to figure things out Rosie." I sigh into Jennie's shoulder and nod my head. She rubs my back and lets me go. "One thing I'm sure of is that she likes you back... to some extent. She really couldn't stop touching you, uh?" she says with a cocky smile.

"Jennie! Oh my gosh... I don't know? Maybe she's just a touchy person? I haven't known her that long. But I feel like I can be myself with her- with Jisoo as well. Like we've been friends for years but I feel this pull to Lisa, I can't help it... I got it bad" I say with a bitter laugh. How could someone like Lisa notice me like that? Like more than a friend?

"That's it!" Jennie says clapping her hands "Operation 'Making Lisa whatever her last name is fall in love with Rosie! Oh gosh, I'm so excited!" I turn to Jennie and say "What?! Are you crazy? No! If, and only if I come clean with her it'll be by myself, okay? Not meddling" Jennie huffs "You're no fun. But okay... I won't meddle... I think. I can't make any promises yet." I laugh and say "Okay, that's enough for now."

We spend the next hour talking about every interaction I've had with Lisa since I've known her and Jennie keeps trying to dissect everything, trying to make her point about how I should ask Lisa on a date and me refusing.

I wake up groggily for my 7 am class. I'll remember to never schedule a class at 7 am AGAIN. Jennie has already left for her morning coffee and class since her lecture is at the other end of the campus.

The lecture wasn't very interesting today so I kept to myself and took a few notes of what Ms. Bae was explaining and every so often I exchanged memes with Lisa via text. I'm gathering my belongings to go to the cafeteria and finally have something to eat when Chaeyoung approaches me.

"Hey, Rose. I was wondering if you've had breakfast already? Sometimes I see you at the cafeteria around this time?" she says smiling. "Oh! No, I was actually going there because I woke up late again and didn't have time to eat before class." I respond while I'm putting my bag on my shoulder. "Want to go together? I'm heading there too." Chaeyoung says. "Um, sure. It'll be nice to have company." I respond.

We walk to the cafeteria in silence. I hope Chaeyoung understands that I'm not fully functional without my morning coffee. Once we're there I order a medium black coffee with sugar and a cheese croissant. She orders a matcha and a ham and cheese sandwich. We sit in front of the other and eat in silence. Once I'm done with my croissant and half the coffee I say "Sorry, Chae. I really can't function without caffeine this early... I hope I didn't come off as rude?" she smiled and sipped her matcha "No need to worry Rose. I've noticed that already... You're usually very participative in class except when you don't have a thermos in front of you." I blush and laugh "Is it that obvious? I'm sorry nevertheless" she laughs with me and says "Will you be going to today's dance practice?" the question takes me off guard "Uh, I don't know. I was invited yesterday by a dance club member and I haven't been invited today so... I don't want to impose myself." I say. "Okay, well. Would you like to come to today's practice? That's an invitation." She says with a cute smile that makes her dimples show in her cheeks and her eyes almost close. "I'd like that." I say with a smile. I'll take any chance to watch Lisa dance again. I continue "Will that be okay with the team? I don't want to cause any problems..." she shakes her head "No, of course not! The dance practices are actually open doors always. Seulgi says it's a way we can attract more people to join. We usually have at least 5 people around a day on the first weeks of the semester, they're curious enough to go but not many actually join." She explains. "Really? How come you don't have that many members if many people are interested?" I ask curiously. She laughs nervously "Well... tons of people audition but not everyone gets to get in. Seulgi and Lisa are very demanding of new members' potential and capacities. It actually took me two tries to be an actual member. I had to practice a lot and I know that Lisa wasn't too happy when Seulgi let me join at first." I was surprised to hear that and it must've been all over my face because Chaeyoung continue "But don't get me wrong. Lisa has helped me improve a lot; she has a hard hand but she's never putting you down when she points out what could be done better. She is co-captain and main dance of the club for a reason. She has won professional competitions since she was 10 and it shows. So, at the end I'm glad I was able to get in and dance with all my members." She says with a smile on her face as she's finishing her sandwich. I nod in understanding "Wow, I'm amazed at your perseverance Chae. Oh! Is it almost 9 already? I have to run to my next class; it starts in 15 minutes. See you later today in class?" I say as I'm getting up. She smiles and nods "See you Rose. Have a nice class." I return her smile and as I'm walking outside, I notice my phone is vibrating.