ᵍᵒᵈᵈᵉˢˢ | ᵈᵘᵇᶜʰᵃᵉⁿᵍ

006

I sat on the swing beside Chaeyoung as she took another drag of her cigarette before putting it out on the bottom of her tennis shoe. She placed the butt of the cigarette back in the pack.

I noticed how she had already smoked a few from the pack before she closed it.

"Chaeyoung, can I ask you something?"

"I guess." She shrugged, swaying softly back and forth on the swing as she just stared straight ahead.

"Are you scared? Being in TWICE? Like, is it scary?"

She just chuckled before turning to look at me. "I'm not in TWICE."

My brows furrowed together in confusion before she continued, "Sana and Tzuyu are my best friends and they help me out. Nayeon agreed to let me stay with the gang after my parents kicked me out. So I'm not in TWICE, as of yet, but I'm staying with them."

I nodded, wondering what happened with her parents. But I don't want to pry, especially since we aren't close at all.

It was now her turn to look confused. "Why do you ask?"

I shrugged, "I was just curious. I've always wondered.  Pinky was telling me that sometimes Sana and Tzuyu come in pretty beaten up, but they're always laughing and smiling."

She nodded, "Yeah, they're troopers."

We sat in silence for a few moments before she questioned, "Why'd you come over here, if you don't mind me asking? You don't know me, what if I were like a serial killer or something."

I giggled, only making the girl pout. "No offense, Chaeyoung, you may look intimidating, but you don't look like you could hurt someone."

Chaeyoung stopped swinging, puffing out her chest in a joking manner before speaking, "I could totally kick someone's ass."

I giggled at her, admiring the way she smiled afterward. Her smile is really pretty.

I mean, she as a person is really pretty, gorgeous even. But her smile seems to bring light to her eyes, instead of the usual dark cloud of gloom that fills them.

"Are you gonna keep staring at me or are you gonna answer my question?" Chaeyoung grinned as I could feel my cheeks burning red.

"I...I saw you over here alone and thought I'd come and keep you company."

She hummed, nodding her head softly. "That's very nice of you, cutie, but you don't have to stay here with me if you don't want to."

Cutie. The name echoed in my brain as I tried to find the words in order to respond.

"What if I want to?" She thought for a second before speaking, "Well if you want to spend time with me, why don't we go on an adventure?"

"At midnight?" "That's the best time for adventures." She stated matter-of-factly.

I bit my lip, knowing that I needed to go home.

My parents would kill me if I stayed out past curfew.

"What do you say, cutie?" Glancing at Chaeyoung, I wanted so desperately to go on an adventure with her.

Do I go with her and deal with my parents later or do I skip out on this opportunity and go home?

"Let's go." I agreed, earning another grin from the blonde. I'm going to regret this...

-

Chaeyoung and I had walked around the quiet city until almost four in the morning.

We talked about everything under the moon. Or, rather, I did.

Chaeyoung doesn't seem to be a talker, but she kept wanting to know more about me.

I did learn, however, that she has a pretty rocky relationship with her parents.

I learned her father kicked her out because he didn't like the way she was living her life. Which is just awful, how could you do that to your child?

"Do you think you'll join the gang?" I questioned, watching my feet as we walked down the street.

"I'm not sure." She sighed before continuing, "I want to explore all of my options before deciding, you know?" I nodded, understanding.

"I will give myself a year. If I don't find something worth staying on the outside for, I'll join."

"What would make you stay on the outside?" I questioned, curious to know what would keep her on the outside.

Chaeyoung thought for a moment. "Love."

My eyes softened at her words. All she wants is to feel loved.

Chaeyoung turned to face me, a smile plastered on her face.

"What are you looking for in life? Surely you don't want to work in the convenience store forever."

I chuckled, "I actually only work there part-time. I work for my parents a couple of days a week."

My parents. Fuck.

"What's wrong?" "It's nothing. Just...My parents expect me to be home after work and I've been out for hours. I can't imagine the lecture I'm going to get once I get home."

The blonde nodded, a look of mischief in her eyes. "So you're a goody two shoes?"

"I am not." I countered, earning a grin from Chaeyoung.

"Sure sounds like it. Why is a goody two shoes like you walking around the city with a reject like me?"

Why am I?

"I think you're doing it for the thrill. You've done what your parents want your whole life so you pounced at the first sign of rebellion." She spoke her hypothesis, sounding pretty confident in it.

Biting my lip, I couldn't help but think that she was right.

"Come on, cutie. It is late, we should get you home."

"You don't have to walk me home, Chaeyoung."

She nodded, "I know. But I want to. So, lead the way."

I smiled softly at the blonde before heading in the direction of my house. I really hope my parents aren't awake.