Make It With You

16

Jisoo**

I woke up far too early for my own liking. It was nearly 5 AM-way earlier than my usual, but something stirred me from my sleep. Groggily, I dragged myself to the kitchen and made a cup of coffee, my mind wandering. As I sipped the warm drink, I found myself replaying the video Lisa uploaded... again. I think I'd watched it a hundred times by now, maybe more. And with each replay, I felt it: I missed her. The words slipped out of my mouth, barely a whisper, "I miss her."

Just as I was sinking into my thoughts, a knock echoed at the door. Who in their right mind knocks on a door at 5 AM? I muttered to myself, bewildered.

I opened it, and there stood Monique-dressed in her pajamas, looking like she'd just rolled out of bed. Surprise barely covered my face.

"Yeogiseo mwohae? (What are you doing here?)" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Monique shifted uncomfortably, glancing around. "Jega cham-yeohal su iss-eulkkayo? (Can I come in?)" She asked, voice laced with tension.

"Geulae mullon. keopi na mwo jom deulilkkayo? (Yeah, of course. Can I get you a coffee or something?)" I offered, trying to mask the concern growing in me.

She shook her head. "Ani. nan... gwaenchanh-a. (No. I'm... I'm good.)" That was the first time I'd ever heard Monique refuse coffee. Something was definitely up.

I crossed my arms. "Museun il-iya? (What's going on?)"

Monique hesitated, biting her lip. "Geulsse, naneun igeos-eul eotteohge malhaneunji moleugessda. geulaeseo naneun geugeos-eul malhal geos-ida. Geugeos-eun jeongmallo je an-eulo deul-eoganeun geos-ibnida. Geuligo jega da-eum-eulo alge doen geos-eun dangsin ap-e seo issdaneun geos-ibnida." (Well, I don't know how to say this, so I'm just going to say it. It's getting to me, and the next thing I knew, I'm standing here in front of you.)

I blinked, raising an eyebrow. "Dangsin-eun achim 5sie bunhongsaeg jam-osgwa pugsinhan seullipeoleul singo issseubnida. (You're in your pink pajamas and fluffy slippers at five in the morning.)" I chuckled lightly. "You're doing great with your Korean, though."

She flushed slightly but continued, "Munjeneun naneun nae gamjeong-gwa gamjeong-i mobsi nappeudaneun geos-ibnida. Non-uineun malhal geosdo-eobsgo, jega daluji anhgo sip-eun jujega manh-i issseubnida." (The thing is, I'm really bad with my feelings and emotions. There's a lot I'd rather not bring up, let alone discuss.)

I gave her a pointed look. "Dangsin-eun mueos-eul malhalyeogohaneun? (What are you trying to say?)" I tried my best not to let my excitement show.

Monique suddenly blurted out, "Naega keopi na dalg kkochileul sa julkka? (Do you want me to get you coffee or chicken skewers?)"

I stared at her, completely caught off guard. "Eung? (Huh?)"

She swallowed hard, her eyes flicking away nervously. "Naneun dangsin-ui miso, neung-geul maj-eun us-eum, ppigeog geolineun geos-i joh-a. Jeulgeobge jinaego keun us-eum-eul teotteulimyeon nae ma-eum-i nog-a yo. Dangsin-ui ileum-eun jega gajang joh-ahaneun dan-eoibnida." (I like it when you smile, when you smirk, when you pout. When you're having fun and show that big grin, it makes my heart melt. Your name is my favorite word.)

I cut her off, unable to contain the laughter that bubbled up. "Deolkeong geoliji malgo jigjeob malhaejwo. (Stop rambling and tell it to me directly.)"

Monique groaned, frustration creeping into her voice. "O, jenjang. Naega museun mal-eul halyeoneunji al-a naegi wihae cheonjae il pil-yoneun eobs-seubnida." (Oh, damn it. You don't have to be a genius to figure out what I'm trying to say.) Her voice had a note of exasperation now.

I smirked, trying to hide the growing smile. "Joh-a, cheonjae. Imi malhaseyo. (Alright genius. Just say it already.)" I was loving this. Monique's frustration was adorable.

She looked at me, the words tumbling out in a rush. "Naegahalyeoneun mal-eun, naneun... naneun dangsin-eul joh-ahabnida. Jeongmal manh-i joh-ahaeyo. jeolang deiteuhago sip-eoyo?" (What I'm trying to say is, I lo... I like you. I like you a lot. Would you like to go on a date with me, please?)

I paused for a moment, pretending to be unimpressed. "Achim 5 sikka ji yeogikkaji o syeossnayo? (You came all the way here at five in the morning just to tell me that?) I teased, though my heart was pounding in my chest.

She lowered her gaze. "Anioleul uimihabnikka? geulae, gaya gess-eo. (Does that mean no? Okay, then I guess I'll go.)

I rolled my eyes and grabbed her arm before she could leave. "Ibwa, nan andoendago malhaji anh-ass-eo. (Hey, I didn't say no.)" I half-yelled, irritated at myself for not being able to hide my feelings.

"Dangsindo geuleohdago malhaji anh-ass-eoyo. (You didn't say yes either.)" Monique pouted, and it was ridiculously cute.

I rolled my eyes, smiling affectionately. "Dangsin-eun geugeos-eul al-a naegi wihae cheonjaega doel pil-yoneun eobsdago malhaessseubnida. Dangsin-eun jeongmal mujihabnida. (You told me, you don't have to be a genius to figure it out. You are oblivious.) Ne, mullon dangsingwa deiteuhago sip-eoyo, babo. (Yes, of course, I'd love to go on a date with you, idiot.) I leaned in and gave her forehead a gentle poke, my heart finally catching up to my words.

At that moment, Jennie barged in, teasing us both. "Oh yes, at long last. You owe me a new bag, Lili."

Rosé, with her usual dramatic flair, added, "Monique unnie, your confession is on another level." She squealed.

Lisa, clearly enjoying this moment, laughed. "Unnie, you're a rambler. I thought you were going to choke."

Mina clapped her hands, proudly announcing, "Dude, I am so proud of you."

Monique's face flushed with embarrassment as she realized just how much of the conversation her friends had overheard. "How much did you hear?"

Mina, ever so nonchalant, shrugged. "Oh, from the very beginning. We thought you'd back out."

"Why are all of you here?" Monique asked, still processing the chaos.

Jennie, without missing a beat, responded, "Obviously, I live here too."

Monique nodded, taking it in stride. "Right, understandable."

Lisa rolled her eyes. "And me? Well, I'm Nini's girlfriend, obviously."

Monique shot her a look. "And what's your excuse, Chaeng?"

Chaeng grinned. "I'm Lisa's best friend and a Blackpink member. Is that a valid excuse, unnie?"

Monique sighed dramatically, "Fine, point taken."

"And you, Mina?" Monique raised an eyebrow.

Mina shrugged with a sheepish grin. "Well, you're my best friend, and I just happen to be here for an unknown reason."

Monique threw her hands up. "I think I should change my set of friends and best friends." She chuckled, shaking her head.

Lisa, ever the dramatic one, threw her arms around Monique. "Fine, unnie! It's your loss. You're definitely going to miss me. Bye, unnie!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

I crossed my arms, looking at Jennie and Lisa. "Wait, did you two just bet on us?"

Jennie shrugged, unfazed. "Yes, we did."

Lisa grinned wickedly. "I bet Monique unnie wouldn't confess because everyone knows she's a coward. Nini said she would."

I couldn't help it. I grabbed a pillow and threw it at Lisa, landing it squarely on her face. Laughter erupted from everyone, and Monique defended herself, "I'm not a coward!"

She took my hand, and before I could react, she kissed my cheek. As we turned to look at our friends, still laughing, I couldn't help but smile.

Best morning ever, I whispered.