girl()friend // hyewon

viii

It was a few days before opening night. Hyeju was nervous enough to have gotten bad dreams for the past week, dreaming that she'd somehow forget to wear clothes to school or that she'd forget all her lines. Heejin and Yerim had been just as stressed, so there was no one she could turn to for relaxation. And her relationship with Chaewon was...odd to say the least.

"You were a pretty good kisser too,"

Chaewon blinked in surprise, and after an awkward moment of silence, laughed. "Thanks. I hoped I didn't make it awkward between us,"

Hyeju was fucking stupid. It didn't mean anything, because it would never mean anything. All these times she thought there was a connection between them, it was just her imagination. Why was it that even Heejin could get a girl, but Hyeju fell for a het?

Jihan had come up to her, apologizing when she noticed she made Hyeju uncomfortable and giving a piece offering in the form of a school milk carton.

"I've just always thought you were really cool,"Jihan scratched the back of her neck. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable,"

"It's fine," Hyeju shrugged. "You're forgiven,"

"Can we be friends?" Jihan asked hopefully. "If that's alright with you,"

"Sure, let's be friends," Hyeju nodded with a polite smile. "I bet you're pretty cool too,"

Jihan grinned. "You think so? I want to have your style, the all black clothing and the skater boy look..." She looked Hyeju up and down. "Could you give me tips?"

"Sure," Hyeju chuckled, not missing the dust of pink in Jihan's cheeks. "I'm not sure I'll be very helpful, but I can try,"

"Hmm, I don't think I could do it as effortlessly as you though," Jihan sighed good naturedly.

"I think you'd look nice in a lighter, more hipster style," Hyeju offered. "If you want my opinion,"

Jihan brightened up. "Thanks Hyeju! I'll try that!"

Hyejoo had watched her skip across the stage with a smile, happy to know that Jihan wasn't going to be as weird with her anymore.

"Ooooo, Hyeju, player of the 10th grade," Sooyoung's hand ruffled her hair and Hyeju looked back to see the senior walking through the theater doors.

"Sooyoung," Heejin pointed to the sign. "Closed rehearsal,"

"Is it a closed rehearsal if brought Jiwoo with me?"

Heejin looked her up and down. "Did you?"

At that moment, a girl smaller than Sooyoung and Hyeju ran past them, towards Heejin, the stage light making her red hair shine brighter.

"Heejin!" Jiwoo cried happily, embracing the younger girl.

"Wooming!" Heejin hugged her back, then looked up at Sooyoung. "Fine, you can stay,"

Sooyoung turned back to Hyeju with a laugh. "I swear, all I have to do is bring Jiwoo with me and people are way nicer,"

"Jiwoo is like the human reincarnation of the sun," Hyeju agreed. "But why did you want to be here so badly anyway?"

"I couldn't miss seeing my little cousin's costume up close!" Sooyoung smirked. "Jinsoul said that was today,"

Hyeju groaned. "I want to fucking die,"

"I can't wait to photograph every moment," Sooyoung joked, then lowered her voice. "Also, I just wanted to check up on you,"

"Woah, Ha Sooyoung has a heart?" Hyeju gasped comically.