ᵍᵒᵈᵈᵉˢˢ | ᵈᵘᵇᶜʰᵃᵉⁿᵍ

012

I decided to open the store back up while I waited for Chaeyoung, to do some extra cleaning to get the store ready for in the morning.

As I was getting ready to pull the gates and lock the door, a car pulled up.

I groaned in annoyance until I noticed it was the girls.

As they all got out of the car, I couldn't help but notice that Chaeyoung looked a little off while the rest of the group was praising her. Is everything okay?

"Dahyun!" Tzuyu cheered, hugging me. I giggled softly, returning the favor.

"What's up, guys?" "We're just here for our celebratory ice cream. We know you're about to close so we'll be quick."

"Take your time, you're my best customers." They all smiled in return before they went to go retrieve their ice cream.

I waited patiently at the counter, making sure I had everything prepared for the opening crew tomorrow.

The group of girls finally approached the counter, each with an ice cream in hand.

Momo paid for them all this time. Do they all take turns paying? That's honestly really sweet.

As Momo, Sana, and Tzuyu began to walk out, Chaeyoung whispered something to Sana, who only nodded as she smiled at me.

"Have a good night, Dahyun!" Tzuyu cheered as the trio walked out before getting into the car and driving off.

Chaeyoung turned towards me, smiling brightly. "Can I buy you an ice cream before we leave?"

Smiling, I nodded. "Sure." I went to fetch an ice cream before handing it to her. Her smile never left her lips as she paid for my treat.

After she was done, I finally locked up for the night.

Chaeyoung and I walked to the park, taking our spots on the swings.

"How's Pinky?" She questioned as she began to open her ice cream. "She's good. Upset at me, but good."

Chaeyoung turned to me with a confused look, "Why would she be mad at you?" I bit my lip, wondering how to phrase it.

"Our parents are best friends. Just as we are. Sometimes it's awful but most of the time it's great. Well," I paused as I unraveled my ice cream.

"My mother called her mother last night, wondering if Pinky was still home because I didn't come home. And when they found out she'd already arrived in Japan, my parents started a whole ordeal about me being out late. Pinky got word of it and called me this morning, super angry. We had a small argument but made up earlier."

Chaeyoung nodded as she ate her treat, her eyes intently watching me as I spoke, as if every word I said were poetry.

"So you have a curfew?" I chuckled, "Unfortunately, yeah. My parents are fairly strict. But that's what I get for being the 'perfect child.'"

"Well, when's your curfew? I can always walk you home." She's so kind, it hurts.

"I'm not allowed to stay out after work. My curfew is eleven or midnight, depending on when the store closes." Chaeyoung nodded, forming an 'o' with her mouth.

"And you agreed to break curfew again because...?"

I stared down at my lap, slowly munching away on my ice cream as I contemplated her question. Why did I?

"I've never gone against my parents, but for some reason, it feels...liberating."

The blonde grinned, "What a cute little rebel you've become."

My cheeks burned at her comment and it didn't go unnoticed either.

"You're beautiful when you blush." She spoke softly, her eyes shining with adoration.

Looking down at my lap, I mumbled, "Thank you, Chaeyoung."

"Chae." She smiled, "Call me Chae."

Glancing back up at her, I mirrored her smile, "Thank you, Chae."

We decided to finish our ice cream in silence, not wanting it to melt everywhere.

"Alright," Chae started, getting up from her seat. "Am I walking the good little girl home or are we gonna go on an adventure?"

Good little girl. The words echoed in my mind as I responded, "Take me on an adventure."