Tales Of The Heart | (G)i-dle

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐩 𝐩𝐭. 2

The locker room buzzed with the post-game energy of the Five Aces. Faye, still breathless from the match, threw a towel at Minnie, who was meticulously cleaning her volleyball shoes.

"Earth to Minnie! You okay?" Faye asked, her voice laced with amusement. "You've been spacing out ever since that art exhibition."

Freen, ever the observant one, chimed in, "Yeah, you've been practically glowing. Is it the art, or is it something else?"

Minnie's cheeks flushed, and she mumbled, "It's nothing."

Engfa, ever the voice of reason, interjected, "Don't be shy, Minnie. We all know you've got a thing for the art department president."

Ling, always quick with a quip, erupted in laughter, "Oh, come on, Min! You're head over heels for Miss President! The one who makes all the boys go weak in the knees."

Her heart sank. She knew her teammates were teasing, but their words stung nonetheless. She had been trying so hard to keep her feelings for Miyeon a secret, but it seemed everyone had noticed.

"It's not like that," the latter protested, her voice barely a whisper.

"Oh, really?" Engfa said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Then explain why you've been spending every free moment with her, why you're always blushing whenever she's around, and why you're suddenly interested in art?"

Minnie couldn't answer. She knew they were right. She had fallen for Miyeon, hard. And she was terrified of what would happen if her feelings were not reciprocated.

The echoes of a recent conversation lingered in Minnie's mind, driving her to dissect every detail.

"I saw your art exhibition. It was incredible. You're a true artist."

"Thank you, Minchun," she said, her voice soft and sweet.

It was Miyeon, engaged in conversation with no ordinary fellow, but Minchun - a captivating figure from the drama department, known for his towering stature, striking looks, and undeniable talent that had earned him accolades. Minchun's charm had been a constant presence in Miyeon's life for weeks, a flirtatious undercurrent that Minnie found both unsettling and irksome.

"Time for me to get some practice in," he said, his voice taking on a playful edge, a hint of something more for Minnie. "See you later, Miss President."

Minnie's heart twisting a mix of jealousy and despair. She knew Minchun was just being friendly, but she couldn't help but feel threatened by his presence.

The echo of Minchun's footsteps fading down the hallway of the fine arts office left Minnie engulfed in a wave of sorrow.  She knew she couldn't stand idly by – she had to act, to find a way to make Miyeon understand the depth of her feelings. But the path forward remained unclear. 

How could she bridge the gap and reveal her heart?

"Hey, what's wrong?" Faye's simple question, delivered with such warmth, snapped Minnie back to the present moment, dragging her from the depths of her despair.

Her teammates, sensing her distress, gathered around her, their faces filled with concern.

Minnie took a deep breath, her eyes welling up with tears. "I...I think I'm in love with Miyeon," she confessed, her voice trembling.

The locker room fell silent. They looked at each other, their faces a mixture of surprise and understanding.

"We knew it," Engfa said, her voice soft. "We've been watching you."