Big Reputation - Chaennie ( Rose x Jennie )

12 - Apple To My Eye

        "Holy...I told you! I f*cking told you, Park Chae Young!!!" Joy screeched, pointing at the large board showcasing their monthly evaluation results boldly. Yiren and Miyeon were jumping for joy, and Lisa was chatting away happily with Sorn about all the snacks she'd steal using their free time in the Trainee's Lounge.

        Her eyes were playing pranks on her. Were those their names on the top of the group evaluation ranking? Was that her name on the top of the individual evaluation ranking? The Australian rubbed her eyes again and was met with the same results, Joy smacking her shoulder and calling her dumb.

        "You better treat us to a nice restaurant meal for this!" The over-excited female chuckled when Rose only whispered a dazed 'sure', eyes still fixed and unmoving on the led board. Her name was flashed in big, bold, black letters on the top of the list of trainees.

        It was a Tuesday, 20th March, also the day which their monthly evaluation results were displayed in the lobby for any visitors or employees to see. Usually, once taking a glance to see where they were at, the trainees would leave. But for Park Chae Young, it was different, because SERIOUSLY WAS THAT HER AT THE TOP.

        It took another minute of staring mindlessly at the board, before a brain finally let her process that she was, in fact, the best trainee there. That was when she also processed the fact that she was going to burn a hole in her already tiny pocket treating her group members to a meal. Oh no. The evil cackles of Joy in the background whipped the Australian around so fast she swore she heard her neck crack. "Joy you little-"

        A hundred and twenty-seven dollars later, Rose and Lisa made their way back to their apartment. The walk back was mostly silent, save for the soft scraping of the soles of their shoes against the rough cement of the pavement. The streetlights above them flickered and shone weakly, offering the two girls little light in the darkness of the night. The faint horns of cars in the city behind them were heard as they shuffled along.

       Rose took a deep breath, taking in the not-so-fresh air, enhanced with the oxygen from the rows of trees they were walking along. A buzz resonated from her phone, breaking the comfortable silence. She slipped the cellular device out of her pocket, a slight smile appearing on her lips when she realized it was her so-called 'texting buddy', whom she had been texting for a week.

Unknown: Congrats, you were first! ^^

        Rose chuckled at the small message. That, however, was enough to attract the attention of Lisa, who peered over her shoulder to look at her friend's phone.

        "What, you got a girlfriend?" The Thai teased, Rose rolling her perfect eyes. "No, you idiot. It's the random person I'm supposed to be texting." Lisa's mouth formed an 'o' and she nodded in realization. "Alright, I'll leave you to it. Don't forget to meet us at the cafe later!"

        Then, it was just Rose and her phone. The female settled into one of the plush, sky blue couches on the side of the foyer, placing her belongings on the coffee table in front of her. There weren't many people left in the large space meant for guests, save for the occasional employee or two, and a few clients, or potential investors, waiting to be tended to.

        Rose smiled fondly as she scrolled through the texts they had exchanged the past week. The other had seemed quite nice and friendly, and easily getting flustered, especially when Rose put her flirting skills she had acquired from Lisa to good use. They still had no clue who the other was, and Rose had just reverted to calling them 'unknown'.

(From Rose's phone POV, so messages from Rose will be 'Me')

Me: Thank you!

                                    Unknown: No problem! It's quite hard to get first, of course, you deserve credit ;)