ᵍᵒᵈᵈᵉˢˢ | ᵈᵘᵇᶜʰᵃᵉⁿᵍ

010

Chaeyoung sat behind the counter while we waited on the rest of the girls to come back.

It's almost eight o'clock and I'm getting kind of worried. It's been a few hours now, but I'm sure they're fine.

Chaeyoung doesn't seem to be worried as she's invested in her book.

Almost as if they could hear my concerns, the group finally returned.

"Dahyun!" Tzuyu cheered, hugging me.

"Hi, Tzuyu." I giggled, hugging her back.

Glancing at the other two girls, I was trying to inspect them for any injuries.

I wonder what they had to leave for. And why Chaeyoung couldn't tag along?

"Chae, come on. We've gotta go."

The blonde only nodded, closing her book before following the group out. Tzuyu hugged me one last time before rushing outside.

Chaeyoung turned around, standing in the doorway as she questioned, "See you later?"

I bit my lip, debating on whether to agree or not. My parents would kill me.

"Yeah." I finally agreed, earning a smile from the girl.

I watched as she got into the car, watching it speed off.

That crazy girl, Momo I think was her name, is the one driving and I'm honestly scared for everyone else's lives.

Sighing to myself, I gazed around the store, hating how lonely it's become.

Even when Chaeyoung doesn't speak, her presence is enough to keep me company. And now that she's gone, the store appears gloomy and bare.

Snap out of it, Dahyun. She's just a girl, you barely know her.

Besides, Pinky warned you to stay away and what are you doing? The opposite.

Groaning, I decided to mop the floor, knowing the girls wouldn't be back for the rest of the night. I doubt anyone will be in the rest of the night.

My phone buzzed on the counter, but I decided to ignore it, continuing to mop the floor.

Only after I was finished with my chore did I check the notification, seeing how it was Pinky.

'please call me' it read, causing panic to arise inside of me. Is she okay?

I immediately dialed her number, holding my breath out of fear.

"Hello?" Pinky answered the phone, and I could finally breathe. She sounds safe.

"Are you okay?" I questioned, biting my lip.

She hummed in response, "I am. I just," She sighed before continuing. "I just wanted to apologize. I'm really sorry for earlier. I only want you to stay safe and now that I can't protect you, I guess I got worried and took it out on you."

"Pink," I started, leaning over the counter as I held the phone to my ear. "I appreciate you so much, and you know that I love you. But you don't have to protect me. I'm a big girl. If anything, I need to protect you because you're the troublemaker."

"Am not!" She laughed, causing me to smile.

I miss her. Hearing her laugh just makes me miss her even more.

"Dahyun, on a serious note." Silence fell over the both of us before she finally spoke up. "My neighbor is hot as fuck."

"Really? Have you said anything?"

Pinky scoffed, "No, I'm too scared. Plus, he's far too gorgeous."

"You say that like you're not." "I-" "Shut up, you're drop-dead gorgeous and he'd be lucky to even speak with you."

"Thanks, Hyun." I smiled, almost forgetting that she couldn't see me. We should really start face timing instead of calling.

"I've gotta go, my laundry is almost done. Text me, yeah? I want to keep up with the drama and everything."

"Same with you. Especially with gorgeous neighbor man." We both bid each other goodbye before hanging up the phone.

I sighed to myself, really missing my best friend. Maybe I should move to Japan with her...

Glancing at the clock, I was relieved as time seemed to fly, it now nearing ten o'clock.

"I've still got to do closing duties." I mumbled to myself, hating that I now only had an hour to close the store.

I decided to run through the closing duties, not being too precise or anything as to hurry.

I'm sure Mr. Kim won't mind as long as it's all done.

Once I was finally finished and the store looked nice, I turned all the lights off, locking the door behind me.

Turning toward the park, I noticed that Chaeyoung wasn't there yet. Maybe I should wait for her?

I bit my lip, debating on whether I should or not. I don't want to bail on her but I also shouldn't be out too late.

My parents are already really mad at me, and mother did warn me earlier.

But it's for Chaeyoung.

Fuck it, my parents will be fine.