A week has gone by since their accidental meeting at the singles’ restaurant. Although they haven’t talked to each other since then, both have been secretly keeping an eye on the other person’s Instagram, lurking for new photos to get a sense of what she’s up to.
Jihan's more active on the social networking platform and uploads at least twice as much as Zoa.
The red-haired girl only posted two new photos so far, one of her new art supply and one of a cute dog she came across somewhere on the streets of Seoul.
Jihan, on the other hand, has posted a couple of selfies, music she’s been listening to, a photo of her white dog, some food shots and a wefie with Jiyoon.
Two things they unknowingly have in common though are the constant reminiscing about that particular year in high school as they go through their old stuff; and the self-restraint exercise to not leave a comment on the other person’s Instagram. The most they do is like the picture after others have done the same because they don’t want the other person to think that they’re stalking.
Jihan is rereading her old diary again one night when something falls out of it.
It’s a yellow rectangular piece of paper containing a lot of printed writings—some of them now faded.
She instantly recognizes it as an old movie ticket after seeing the large movie cinema logo on the top corner and smiles softly when she reads the name of the movie and the date, remembering why she had saved it.
It was a memento from the first date she and Zoa had gone on.
Before that fateful day, they always went out together with their other friends, or in a large group. They got along well but she always thought that Zoa was just another good friend until that Wednesday afternoon, when a cute and shy Zoa came up to her after school was over and asked whether she’d want to go see the new Disney movie that weekend. It was a sequel to the movie Jihan said she really liked.
The brunette smiled as she remembered what happened.
“Princess Diaries 2? Yes! Let’s go!” she exclaims, clapping her hands in excitement.
Then Zoa adds a mumbled request with pink cheeks, fidgety hands and eyes on her shoes. “Um… Is it okay if you don’t tell anyone about it? Or ask them to come along?”
“Huh? Why not?”
“I… I was hoping that it would just be us. You know, you and me. L-like on a d-date?” stutters Zoa.
“Oh,” she states in surprise. It feels weird to imagine going on a date with someone she considers a friend but Zoa is a nice person, a good friend that always makes her feel comfortable. They’ve hung out together before, just the two of them, and it wasn’t awkward at all. In fact, Jihan had fun that day so maybe going on a date with her would be just as fun.
Zoa must have lost all confidence thanks to her sudden and prolonged silence because she lifts her head, looks at her with fear and worry in her eyes, and quickly blurts out, “It’s okay if you don’t want to, you know. I-I mean, if you feel more comfortable with other people there, I can ask Jimin to come along if you want. Or maybe you can ask Jiyoon or someone else or… err… never mind. Forget I said anything. S-sorry. Bye.”
Her friend turns around to run out of there but she has fast reflexes so she grabs her by the backpack before she could get away.
“Wait, Hyewon-ah.”
Zoa doesn’t move or even look at her, still feeling utterly embarrassed by the indirect rejection.
“Sure. I’ll go on that date with you.”
