Room 2129 (A 2yeon Fanfic)

Chapter 16: Nayeon

The chorus of IU's Palette wakes me up, as my phone incessantly plays it from my room. That Jeongyeon...didn't wake me up from the sofa last night. Preparing to get up, I anticipate pain in my stomach but, surprisingly, there's none. Not even a trace of menstrual cramps.

I go to her door and see a sticky note on it. "Went out, will be gone the whole day. I made breakfast," it reads. Seeing the last sentence, I purse my lips; worrying about what she made this time. However, the smell of stir-fried vegetables from the table can't be ignored.

Well, at least the food looks appetizing, the oil glistening the dish. Wait, before eating, I have to document this. I pose for a selfie, holding the broccoli with chopsticks. "If I die, or get sick, it's on you," I mutter as I type the message. Send. Let's see what she'll say.

Hmm, it's not bad, but not good either. At least it's now edible.

***

"Sorry I'm late," I say, panting. "I really slept in last night." Yeri rolls her eyes at me.

"It's okay, our daughter here has been keeping us company for the last hour," appa kids, patting Yeri on the head, to which the latter reciprocates by hugging his arm.

I scan the table before sitting. We have two seats vacant. It's such a shame that Seo-Yeon couldn't join; our family would have been complete.

"By the way," umma starts. "How were you last night with...Jeongyeon?"

"We're okay, she apologized once I got back," I shrug, fixing my gaze on my iced tea. They'll flip if I give the full version: It's okay, she saved me from getting killed by two strangers last night, nursed me back to health, then she apologized.

***

My eyes widen as the waitress hands over the bill. For what we had, I could buy two week's worth of groceries! Reaching for my purse, the waitress stops me.

"Oh no, your bill has been paid," she says. What? Who'd shell out a crazy amount? I didn't see appa, umma, or Yeri paying.

"Really? There must be some mistake. We haven't paid yet," I correct her.

The waitress politely shakes her head. "No, she has already paid for your table," she explains, waving her hand over to the reception desk. I look behind her and see...Jeongyeon?!

She treads carefully towards our table, then immediately bows and kneels in front of my parents.

"Mr. and Mrs. Im, I truly apologize for my actions yesterday," she says loudly, her head sticking to the ground.

Out of embarrassment, I rush over and prompt her to stand up. With a little resistance, she rises.

"Jeongyeon-ah, what are you doing?!"

She only stares at the carpet flooring, like an awkward child. "I have wronged your parents. I must ask for their forgiveness."

While I want my umma vindicated after last night, I must admit that seeing Jeongyeon like this makes me uneasy; like a very formal spirit possessed her and made her act this way.

Umma stands up in front of Jeongyeon, smiles, and puts her hands on my roommate's shoulders. "Don't worry about it. Please, join us."

***

"So, she's the one auntie was talking about," Yeri whispers, while glaring at Jeongyeon. Uh oh, I know that look on her face; better act fast.

"Don't worry, Yem Yem-ie. She just has issues with socializing. I myself was surprised that someone like her would say sorry in that manner," I chuckle, trying to appease my childhood friend. The tension in her body dissipates as she lets out a soft sigh. Whew, crisis averted.

"So, what's the plan for today?"

"Well, I promised your parents that I'll take you to an IMAX. I doubt that we have that back at home," Yeri responds, looking at her tiny gold wristwatch.

"Oh, I think I've read something about that. Cool, I want to see what all the fuss is about it."

"But, unnie, that girl," she says, pouting her lips in Jeongyeon's direction. "She pays for herself. I only accounted for the three of you."

***

Out of courtesy, I pay for Jeongyeon's ticket, and we end up watching a horror movie about an exorcism. I wish we're watching something else, because the movie's boring to say the least. It's just that, since Yeri paid for our tickets, she has free reign on selecting the film. Also, just to make sure nothing unruly erupts, I sit in between Jeongyeon and Yeri.

"Hey," I whisper to Jeongyeon. "Thanks for paying our lunch but, seriously, we could've just used that for groceries or rent."

Expecting a snarky remark, oddly, Jeongyeon smiles at me. "You're welcome, don't worry about it. I'm just glad you had good food with your family."

Okay, this is really getting weird. Who is this person beside me? Did I wake up in an alternate dimension? "Okay, who are you and what have you done with Yoo Jeongyeon?!" With brimming curiosity, my voice raises. A collective shushing, even from my parents, shrink me back in my seat.

***

Is it considered money wasted if you keep laughing at a horror movie? Because this is what's happening. Jeongyeon apparently scares easily. I can't even keep track how many times she kicked the chair in front of her.

"Here, use this." I take off my hoodie and hand it to Jeongyeon. "Your face's practically shining with all the popcorn grease." She looks at me, hesistant to accept it.

"You're gonna get cold," she says while wiping her fingers with a paper napkin. I shake my head at her, plopping the hoodie on her lap. What kind of an idiot doesn't bring a jacket into the cinema?

Trying my best to focus on the film, Jeongyeon spreads my jacket to cover both of us. "Dummy. You're wearing a sleeveless top, the goosebumps on your shoulders can't lie to me," she tells me, pulling me in closer to her so no part of my upper body's exposed.

It's over, futile even. I can't keep my eyes on the screen. I find myself staring at her using the hood to cover her face. Apart from that, my nose focuses on how sweet her perfume is. To inhale more of it, I lift the hoodie to cover my nose as well.

Whoever advertised this theater as amplifying the cinematic experience is clearly lying. Because all I'm feeling, underneath this jacket, is Jeongyeon's hand, her fingers intertwined with mine, until the end of the movie.