HEARTBEATS [2KIM AU]

three

It's the second half of their school year, things are going just how it should be. Chaewon and Minju repeating the same routine every weekdays when they have classes, unless there's a sudden suspension because of urgent matters.

It was always the same, from the moment Minju would knock on the other Kim's household, she'll be greeted by the older's mother that will turn into a small chit chat between them. Not long enough, a dressed Chaewon would appear in between their conversation and they'll walk together at school. They fortunately have the same classes except for one extra subject. Chaewon attends orchestra club while Minju attends the instrumental club. They'll meet each other at the locker room before finally heading home.

Saturdays would also a day they will spend together. Either they're are doing some school work that they didn't finish at friday night or they will simply hang around one another's houses or go out. Sundays would, of course, be a day when they spend their times with their parents but they don't forget to get in touch. They just don't seem to get tired of one another. They do feel something strange toward each other after all.

"What could be the menu for today, hmm? I'm starving." Chaewon complained with her signature pouty lips as they walked on the school halls, on their way to cafeteria. Minju just chuckled with the older's complaint and patted her head lightly telling her that they would eat sooner. Before they could even proceed to another conversation, a small group of students from the middle school building, blocked their way making them stop on their tracks and avert their attention to their juniors. The person in front of them was very familiar, the two see her almost once a week at the school gates before they go home.

"Chaewon unnie! Hello!" The student said with a bright smile plastered on her face. Ahn Yujin, a middle school student who's taking interest with Chaewon. The clubs inside the school are alike but it was divided into two level, the first one is for middle school students and the other one for the high school students. They're both part of the club but in different levels. Since Yujin have seen Chaewon participate in an opening performance for a seminar, she have taken interest on the older.

"Oh! Yujin-ah, hello! How are you doing?" Chaewon answered, reciprocating the younger's bright smile. She was always gentle with her and treat her as a good friend. She's pretty much aware about Yujin's action, how the latter acts sweetly and gentlewoman with her. She knows that the younger is aiming for a different kind of relationship, not just friends but she don't have any idea how she could reject the latter nicely, without hurting her much. She has treated her great all the time that she's feeling burden about it.

"I'm doing great but until now, I feel much better. I get to see you today and I feel much happier and oh-! I have this for you, I hope you'll like it." Yujin blushed as she answered the older's question and handed her small gift for her, a mint chocolate ice cream and chocolate. She was inside feeling shy but she's hiding with the brightest smile she could give. It wasn't hard for to do that as the person she likes is just in front of her.

"Why thank you! You shouldn't have bothered doing this, it's just causing you to spend money. I should treat you sometimes when we have free time."

"I would gladly wait for that time and I hope it's just the two of us."

"Pardon? I didn't hear the last part clearly." She heard it clearly yet she didn't how she will respond to the remark. She wished that the younger wouldn't repeat it again or they might fall in an awkward silence in the middle of the hallway. A lucky day for her, her wish was granted.

"Oh, it was nothing! I said that I'll hope to see you soon again because I still have a class to catch on. So I better get going." Yujin lied as she said those in a hurry. She didn't know if it was better that the older didn't hear it because even she's bold with her actions, she gets shy when speaking on how she's feeling for Chaewon.

"Really? Again, thank you for this! Goodluck on your classes." Chaewon waved on the younger with a sweet smile on her face before looking at her side to let Minju know that they should go. She took a step and before she could even take another step, someone grabbed her wrist gently that made her turn around. She was greeted by a hug from the younger which took her by surprise. She slowly patted the younger's back so that it would seem she's hugging back, her body was kinda tensed and didn't know how to react.

"Take care. I like you a lot." Yujin whispered to Chaewon that made her even more surprised. She didn't want to hear those words of confession. She was worried how she'll reply to that.

"Don't feel pressured about it. I'll still act normally until you're ready." Yujin pulled back and smiled to Chaewon once again and waved at her before starting to walk again. Chaewon mindlessly waved back, shock is still present on her face.

Minju heard what Yujin said to Chaewon. She was envious and jealous but she can't do anything but to just watch the scene to unfold before her. She doesn't have the rights to be jealous even though she is, she's just a mere best friend to her nothing more. She was envious that Yujin can tell her those words without hesitation. If only nothing is holding her back, she could claim her. She would make Chaewon her's. If ever the latter would feel the same way. Even there's pain in her, she covered it up with smile and linked her arms to Chaewon who's still in shock.

"Didn't you just say you were starving? Let's go eat now, stop blushing." It hurts for her to say that and tease her like that. Minju smiled but deep down, she was afraid. She feared that the girl that's so dear to her would have her happiest moments with other person that's not her.

'Shouldn't you be happy if she'll be happy, Minju? You won't have to get worried about her.'

Soon enough, they've arrived to the cafeteria. Students are already seated on their perspective groups, chatting and laughing together as they eat their order. The two went to get their meals as they bicker about if Chaewon did blush on Yujin's sudden action. The older keep telling Minju that she was just surprised by it but the latter wouldn't let it away. As they're looking for a table to sit, a hand was waving for them. Chaewon was looking at the opposite direction of the waving but Minju saw it.

'Not another one.'

"Unnie, your sophomore friend is waving at us. They seem to have vacant seats." Minju tapped the older's shoulder pointing at the student who was waving at them with a bright smile. Chaewon saw who it was but she was unsure whether she would be happy. She wanted to spend her lunch peacefully with Minju but it seems like today isn't her lucky day after all. Being the sweetest girl she is, she can't seem to reject people so she walked her way to the table with Minju beside her.

"Please sit beside me." Chaewon said to Minju sparing a quick glance to the younger.

'I only need you beside me.'