Only Chaeryeong

Part 3: Aftermath

Lillian's perspective:

As we finished our performance, which was ITZY and I, I saw my bestie recording us, and I blushed a little bit, but didn't let it show much. We had practiced in the conference room before our performance, to make sure that each of us were spot on four the three songs, Dalla Dalla, Loco, and Mafia in the Morning. I felt bad for the members of ITZY because they had wanted to give me my own part to shine, rather than it just seem like I was only tagging along. Once again, I took the offer since I didn't want to break their spirits or hurt them emotionally.

As we left the gymnasium after our performance, we were all laughing and joking around about my part of Loco when we performance as well as me during the song in general.

"Why did it sound like you were actually crazy in love?! It was so suiting for the song!" Yeji said while still laughing historically. "It's like you're a natural in romance, it even looked like you were flirting with the audience at times!"

"I mean, I am a tiny bit crazy, and I am in love, but that's besides the point. And I was flirting with the audience," I began while gripping my chest from laughter. "I just naturally flirt with people. Jokingly of course, it's how I mess around."

I regret mentioning that I'm in love with someone. Luckily, I never specified who, so they don' know how I feel about Chaeryeong. Heck, not even Chaeryeong knows.

"Who are you in love with?" Asked Lia. I blushed a little bit while I was thinking of Chaeryeong.

"It's um... I don' tell people about who I'm attracted to anymore. Not after a prank my friends pulled that got me rejected by a boy I used to like.

You were saddened when ITZY left to return to Korea, but you also understood and were happy you got to meet them. You were about to finish saying your farewells when something came up in your mind. 'Chaeryeong is your friend now, wouldn't it be nice to keep in touch with her?'. Of course, I knew that was only my brain teasing me, but I decided to give each member my number so they can keep in touch for if they ever need, or want to talk to me. Then I wished them luck and safety in their journey before they left.

When I returned home myself, I told my entire family what happened, and of course, them knowing how I fell for more Asians than any other race or ethnicity, they teased me. I lied in bed that morning, sleepless from how I got to meet ITZY. But it wasn't just me meeting ITZY, it was also my first time seeing Chaeryeong that up close before. I was happy I ended up loosening up to them so I wouldn't blush every time I was around Chaeryeong.
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Chaeryeong's perspective:

After Lillian gave us her number, I couldn't stop thinking of her. It wasn't like I was in love with her or anything, I don't think so at least, I just really look up to her, and I'm just a big fan. I couldn't sleep so I had decided to get up and read for a little bit to try to make myself tired, but that didn't seem to help. I had looked at the card that Lillian gave me, and wondered if she was still awake, so I decided to give it a try and called her. My phone rung several times before she picked up.

"Hello?" Asked a masculine voice, I don't think it was Lillian's.

"Hey um... this is Chaeryeong of ITZY, is Lillian awake?" I asked gently, not knowing who it is. After a short while, Lillian come on the other side of the phone.

"Hey Chaeryeong! Sorry I didn't pick up at first, I was just practicing for my next song!" Lillian said, this time, I could tell it was her voice. The softness of her voice had calmed me, she just had a very soothing voice I had thought.

"Hey, I can't sleep, so I decided to call you. Sorry about the interruption, I'll let you go back to your practice."

"No, no, it's fine! I've been practicing it for the last several hours. Like I said, I have lots of free time." I could tell Lillian was quick to respond, which made me giggle.

"Soooo... when is your next album releasing? I'm excited to hear it!" I asked, really wanting to know.

"It actually releases on February 26th of next year!"

My mind went blank. Lillian's last album came out just recently, yet she was already going to release another one so soon?

"Why so soon? I mean, I really like your music and am excited to hear it, but isn't February 26th too soon?" I commented.

"Same thing I thought when you released Cheshire in the same year as Checkmate." Lillian replied, which made me blush little and chuckle. "Besides, it'll be good, I promise! That's why my last album, Tough Love, was so short, so I can have lots of time to work on my next one!"

"You have a fair point, I'll give you that."

"By the way, just out of curiosity, which song of mine is your favorite?"

Lillian's question made you think for a while.

"Mmm, I'd have to say Midnight, it was so soothing, and you sounded so relaxed. I could also tell the emotion of the song immediately! It gave a sad and romantic feeling."

"Well, looks like that song's plan worked then!"

I chuckled again at her comment.

"You're funny." I said softly with a soft smile on my face. It was a small while before Lillian responded again.

"Thanks." Lillian spoke very softly, I could tell she was embarrassed or something.

"*sigh*. It's a shame we had to depart, I think we would've been great friends. You better move to Seoul, Korea!" I joked around in a tone that let Lillian know you were just messing around.

"Oh, I plan on it! In fact, I had already auditioned for JYP entertainment to help with my career of music!" Lillian responded. I could tell she wasn't joking.

"Well in that case, you better prepare for five girls to hang out with you." I continued messing around.

Little did I know that time went by quickly, and I had no idea that I was on a call with Lillian for hours. Before I knew it, it was already day time. I heard the alarm clocks go off, so I said my fair-wells to Lillian one last time before the drive to the airport continued.