Home Is Always You

012

The sound of wind chimes resonated as Roseanne pushed the door of the shop where Suzy had dropped her off. This same old wind chime, she thought. It's been a while since she last visited the place, but it hasn't changed a bit. Still as homey as it's always been.

Welcoming herself inside the shop, feeling of nostalgia washes over her. The smell of the air freshener, pile of vinyl records meticulously arranged in the shelves while a classical music was playing in the background. She couldn't believe it has been years. It all still feels like yesterday.

"Chaeyoung?"

She snapped out of her trance hearing that very familiar voice, and turned her head towards the counter. A smile makes its way to her lips seeing a face she missed dearly.

"Joy."

Her childhood friend mimics her reaction and hastily steps out of the shop counter to approach her.

"Hey, wow, it's been a while. How've you been?", Joy asks in both surprise and excitement.

"Well, I..."

Roseanne always seems to be at loss for words whenever that question is being tossed, because just how the hell is she?

Joy must've sensed her anxiousness and decided to dismiss the question by reaching for her hand.

"I know, Chaeng", the girl nods softly and offers her a warm smile, "You don't need to answer that. I'm just really glad to see you again."

The reassurance in her friend's smile was enough to make her eyes well with tears. Letting them fall down her face once more, she lunges on the other girl and embraces her tight.

"It's okay, Chaeng", gently rubbing her back, Joy comforts her, "It's okay."

If Roseanne only knew that one hug from a dear friend is enough to ease at least half of the burden she's carrying, she would've come sooner.

The other girl tightens the embrace, and suddenly, she felt like she was back in the early days with Joy and Wendy when everything was so simple. When they're carefree and do not worry on what the future holds.

She wished she could go back.

No.

She wished she never left.

~•~

"So, you just got back from the tour?", Joy asks the singer after ushering her inside their house.

Roseanne followed and settles herself on a counter stool, "How'd you know I was on a tour?"

Taking a pitcher from the fridge, Joy pours the water into a glass and hands it over to her friend.

"Please, Chaeng. I'm your number one stan, I run some social media fan pages of yours."

"You've got to be kidding me."

Joy lets out a soft laugh before plopping down on the seat beside the singer, "Of course, I'm kidding. But, anyone who follows you would know where you are, please. And I keep myself updated."

Roseanne lifts her brows in slight astonishment, "You do?"

The other girl nodded, "That's the only way I could keep in touch with you."

As if crying twice this day wasn't enough, the pink-haired feels like tearing up again.

"I know exactly what you're gonna say, Chaeng", Joy stops her before she could say anything, "You don't need to apologize. At least not to me. I understand why you needed to distance yourself."