An Unlikely Love Affair

2 - Photobooth

IRENE

The thing with homebodies and introverts is that we have our limit when it comes to social involvement. Once we've reached it, we inevitably and gradually shutdown.

Right at this time, I've reached mine. Even so, I didn't want to ruin the fun for my members which is why I just settled on looking for a place I could keep out of sight for a bit.

I wasn't expecting anyone inside the photobooth, let alone Lisa.

"Oh!" was the only thing I could say. I was seriously startled that I could only gape alternately at her and the screen.

"Su-sunbaenim..." Lisa finally managed to utter. Her expression was a mixture of confusion and shock which probably mirrored mine and to have it captured in those photos was icing on the cake. A fine addition to my embarrassing moments caught on camera archive.

"I'm sorry. I saw Jihyo and Mina come out, I didn't expect anyone to be in here." I immediately moved to leave.

"No, wait." She held my arm hastily to stop me but released her grip just as quickly upon realizing what she did. "Sorry." She apologized, shyly placing her hand on the back of her neck instead. "You don't have to leave, sunbaenim."

The awkward silence that followed was, well, awkward. Although Lisa and I have talked to each other before, it was the first time we were alone together.

"I didn't mean to photobomb."

"No worries. I'm sure the photos came out better with you in it, sunbae." She answered meekly as she retrieved the photo strip.

She was right. It turned out better than I thought but not for the reason she cited. It was unsurprisingly awkward but in a cute kind of way.

The first photo captured us staring at each other in utter shock. The second showed her pointing at the screen and me looking straight at it with a frown. The next one had us both looking at the screen, wide eyed and bewildered; and in the last photo she managed to flash a clumsy smile, throwing out a peace sign with it.

Looking at the photo strip reminded me of something I noticed when we found Lisa alone at her table. I didn't see it right to mention it until now.

"You have bruises on your face." I pointed out, looking from the pictures to her.

"Oh. Yeah." She touched her face. "Rosie drew these on to complete my look."

I can tell she's nervous because she's looking everywhere except at me and she's touching the part of her face without the bruises.

"Who are you supposed to be?" I honestly didn't know. I wasn't particularly good at keeping up with trends or all things popular. I mostly relied on my members to update me with these things.

"The bride. I mean Uma Thurman in Kill Bill."

"Ah." I've heard of it but I haven't seen it.

She glanced at me but looked away instantly when we made eye contact.

"Since we're on the topic of our costumes..." She hesitated.

"I hope you don't mind me saying this, sunbaenim but I've watched almost all the batman movies and you look nothing like the actresses who played catwoman." She said this without pause and all the while avoiding looking me straight in the eyes.

She must've perceived my silence as taking offense because she went on to explain.

"What I mean is you look better. Catwoman definitely suits you better." She shifted in her seat, evidently regretting saying anything at all.