In Between the Lines | Completed

Chapter Two | Deodorant is necessary

Vivian Jones

"Vivi!"

"Meimei!"

How does my best friend look even more beautiful in athletic gear than I do after a nightly hour-long skincare routine?

I run to the beautiful woman I have claimed as my best friend for over 15 years and wait for her to knock me down with her tight hugs like she has since we were freshmen in high school. She lunges for the hug, and we split into laughter as Xiao Mei Cheng practically knocks me to the ground. She grabs my hand, and we walk down the hill towards an ice cream stand as we catch up on the latest gossip and work updates.

"The gig with Zhuhai Gaming ends next week, right?"

"Ugh, yes. I am SO tired of voicing the characters. I swear switching between Mandarin and English makes me loony at times."

"You love what you do, how can you be tired of it?" I lick my spoon and roll my eyes at my friend while Xiao Mei complains.

"Don't you sometimes get tired of writing certain parts of the story when you just want there to be a happy ending?"

"Not really," I shrug.

"And of course, my best friend would never fast forward through side character scenes in her current drama until she gets to the romantic moment between the leads because she's tired of waiting, right?"

Meimei's sarcasm wasn't lost on me.

"I mean..."

"Well, what happened with this last company's offer? Tempting?"

I sigh and launch into the life-changing offer. I try to hide my smile as Meimei's jaw continues to drop further and further to the ground as I discuss Gong Hoon's shocking offer and plans for 'Behind the Scenes' launch into the k-drama world.

"So, you're moving to South Korea?" Meimei asks, shock lacing her voice.

"For a year at least."

"You can't even use chopsticks!"

"I'm glad that is your biggest concern not the fact I don't know the language, the culture, or have any friends or family there," I deadpan.

Meimei's doe eyes stare at me in disbelief, her jaw dropping open as she openly stares at me.

"You're not joking, are you?"

"No, Sammie and I will leave for South Korea in two weeks. The studio found a nice apartment near an international academy for Sammie so he can be around other newcomers and begin to learn the language." I explain. Meimei blinks and waits for me to continue. "And, I'll have an assistant who will act as my translator and help me with the culture if I need assistance--"

Her face draws slack as she stares at me, dead in the eyes at my words, her bright pink lips parting open as she drolly asks, "You hired an assistant to translate for you and you didn't even bother to ask me?"

"Technically the studio did. Besides, you always say that of the languages you know that Korean is your worst..." I mumble. "Anyways, I can't ask you to move halfway around the world anyways, that's crazy. Coming to visit? Sure. Moving with me? Of course not—"

Meimei begins to hit me with her purse, and I run away, her long legs chasing after me as she screeches and continues to hit me with her small bag. I duck and dodge as best as I can, but she's relentless in her pursuit.

What is in this damn bag? Bricks??

"You should still ask me to come with you, woman! As your bestfriend and forever soulmate, you should of course ask!"