someone // jiyoo

xxiv

'Is this my cue to leave or am I missing something here?' Handong spoke up once the younger girl had disappeared from view.

'Trust me, I'm just as confused as you are,' Minji sighed, flicking a few imaginary crumbs off the counter. 'Everyone seems to walk out these days.'

Handong clucked her tongue, deep in thought. 'Is it just me, or did Yoohyeon seem kind of tense just now? She looked as if she truly despised Minsoo's guts.'

'I wouldn't blame her. That girl can be a real pain in the ass sometimes,' Minji chuckled.

'Honestly, same, and I've barely spoken 30 words to her,' Handong shook her head sceptically. 'Why are you guys even friends?'

'She hasn't always been this way,' Minji argued. 'I mean, I've seen what she had to go through. All the battles she had fought and lost. The environment she was brought up in was not exactly a healthy one, and it certainly gave her a lot of incorrect values. So while I may disagree with some of the things she does, namingly tormenting that poor girl - she's never even told me her name - I completely understand where she's coming from in all of this.'

'That doesn't make what she does to people right, though.'

'No, it doesn't,' Minji agreed. 'Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to justify her actions. But I've known her long enough to know there's still some good left in there, and I'm willing to help her find it. I promised to always stay by her side, and I will.'

Handong patted her back reassuringly. 'You're a good friend. You know that, right?' Before the older girl could respond, an unfamiliar ringtone began to echo throughout the store, distracting both of the baristas. 'Whose phone is that?' Handong asked once they had located the sound source.

'It's probably Yoohyeon's. Look, her sister is calling,' Minji shushed her before putting the phone to her ear. 'Hello, this is Minji.'

'Hey, Yoo- Minji?' There was a pause on the other side of the line before Bora spoke again, sounding worried. 'Did something happen? Where's Yoohyeon?'

'I'm not sure. She kinda just walked out and left her phone behind.'

'Damn sis, what did you do?'

That was not the response Minji had expected. 'Oh, um...' She trailed off, unsure how to reply.

'Is it that bad?' Bora whisper-shouted. 'Like, can she still walk and all?'

Minji felt her face heat up. 'No, it's not- It's nothing like that!' She spluttered, ignoring Handong's frantic gesturing beside her.

'Whatever you say. My sister talks so much about you it's actually unreal. Are you sure you guys aren't dating?' Bora's question left a weird tingling feeling in her stomach as she imagined herself and Yoohyeon being a cou- Focus, Minji. 'Yes, I'm pretty sure.'

'Well, that's disappointing.'

Minji cleared her throat awkwardly. 'So, um, the phone...'

'Right, the phone. Based on how stupid she is, she probably still hasn't noticed it's gone missing so... you know what, give me 10 minutes, I'll drop by.'

'That wouldn't be necessary. I mean, if you don't mind texting me your address-'

'Yeah, sure. You're gonna need it in the future anyways, so better sooner than later.' Minji decided not to question what she meant by that. 'Check your phone, I just texted you.'

Unknown Number
hi i got yr number from siyeon

Kim Bora
+ 1 location attached. Click to open.

Minji practically sprinted out the door as soon as she got the address, getting into her car and driving as fast as she could. Yoohyeon was a fast runner, but legs could only get someone so far, and if Minji was quick enough she might be able to catch up with her.

She slowed down as she pulled into what the GPS deemed to be Yoohyeon's street, but did a double take when she noticed a familiar car parked just a few houses down. She watched as a girl whom she vaguely identified to be Yoohyeon spoke to the driver through the open window and got into the backseat. Moments later, the car drove off, leaving Minji in utter confusion.

Something inside her told her to follow the car. So she did. But soon they entered a different part of the city, and Minji could no longer recognise her surroundings. She started to have second thoughts - Maybe she had been too quick in her assumptions? Now that she thought about it, she didn't even see the number plate. That car could've belonged to anybody.

Despite this, a part of her refused to give up. And that part of her was right. They came to a stop in front of a private residence, and the driver of the pink car got out, confirming her suspicions - It was undoubtedly Minsoo.

'Holy shit.'