Imperfectly Perfect [Chaelisa]

three

Lisa spends her first week in Seoul confused.

And that's down to Park Chaeyoung.

Whenever Lisa arrives in the art room, Chaeyoung falls silent. If Lisa tries to make conversation, Chaeyoung either ignores her or gives her one worded, awkward answers. But then in her first music class, Lisa had been informed that 'her friend Chaeyoung' wanted to sit with her.

She just doesn't understand it. She doesn't know what the other girl's intentions are, she doesn't know why Chaeyoung is so quiet around her, and she doesn't know why she thinks they're friends. Because they're not.

Obviously.

From her fourth day onwards, Lisa tries her best to ignore the other girl's presence entirely. And for the most part, it works. Aside from times they had to interact in class, Lisa doesn't bother with the other girl. And on the last day of her first week, when she comes into school with good news, she tells it to Somi, Jennie and Jisoo. Not Chaeyoung.

"Hey guys," She greets them collectively as she walks into the art room and sits down in her usual spot. "Listen, I have to ask you something."

"Sure, Lisa." Jisoo nods. "The floor is yours."

"So, I was wondering if you three maybe wanted to come over one night. You can sleep over if you want, but I figured we could have pizza and a movie marathon." Lisa asks, admittedly a little nervous. "My mom keeps wanting to meet my new friends and she won't shut up about it."

"Sure, we'll come over." Somi smiles at her. "Text us all the details and we'll come."

"Sounds like it'll be fun." Jennie says, before she turns around and flashes a smile to Chaeyoung, who is late to the art room for some reason. "Hey, Chaeng."

Chaeyoung worries her bottom lip between her teeth and nods. "Hi, Jen."

"Lisa invited us all to a night at her house next week." Jisoo tells her, and Lisa inwardly cringes. She hadn't planned on inviting Chaeyoung along. She'd figured that the operative words 'you three' had been enough to hint that the invitation was only extended to Jennie, Somi and Jisoo. "Are you in?"

Lisa doesn't worry too much. There's no way that Chaeyoung would want to come. They weren't friends, and the fact was obvious to anyone. She wouldn't actually-

"Okay." Chaeyoung sits down in her seat and looks down at the floor. "Yes."

Crap. Lisa fakes a smile. "Glad to know everyone can make it."

She stays silent until the bell rings signalling the start of first period, and as she makes her way to music class, she feels someone walking beside her, and sees Chaeyoung's familiar blonde hair. She's clutching her sketchbook to her chest and her cheeks are flushed, but she doesn't look up at Lisa. In fact, Lisa has noticed that Chaeyoung only looks at her when she knows she's not looking back.

Out of common courtesy, she holds the door to the music classroom open for Chaeyoung, and then sits down at their shared desk. Lisa busies herself with getting out her necessary books, and when she leaves her backpack by her feet, she looks up to meet Chaeyoung's nervous gaze.

"Um... hi, Chaeyoung." Lisa awkwardly greets her. She notes the way Chaeyoung doesn't look her directly in the eyes, opting to stare at her neck. "What's up?"

Chaeyoung turns away from her, and Lisa rolls her eyes. Typically, she'd reject any attempt at conversation. She's so frustrating, and Lisa honestly can't stand her.

She feels a little guilty for that thought when Chaeyoung pushes her sketchbook in her direction, and on the open page is an incredibly detailed and realistic drawing of her.