babe? ● blackpink oneshots collection

rain, go away.. or don't • chaennie

Chaeyoung was just walking down the sidewalk on some random afternoon during her weekend. While she was giddy she could finally have some free time during her busiest day, she didn't jump around but instead just stepped slowly as she was able to consume as much time as possible. Her earphones were in, blasting unusually happy tunes--which was so unlike her usual depressed-Lana-del-Rey state--and the warm weather slightly mixed with the soft winds caressed her skin softly, giving her the much comfort she needed.

It was such a wonderful time, before the wind started acting up. They became harsher and harsher. So, did the clouds seem to gather and get heavier and heavier. The sky became dark and grey and dull. The sun was no longer visible, as the clouds hideously hid the burning bright ball. It definitely was going to be raining.

Neglecting the complete state of it, Chaeyoung couldn't care less. She read earlier that day that the weather would be warm and bright and maybe just a little windy. So, she just thought it was just some odd quirk of the day. But, the whirling wind didn't seem to end anytime soon.

Then, the rain started dropping very slowly right on top of her head, one by one dripping like a not properly closed bottle being put upside down.

Chaeyoung just smiled calmly as she searched for her emergency umbrella in her pocket. Panic started filling her brain and heart and face when she couldn't find it. She could've sworn she brought one with her just in case things like that happened.

"Aw, shit, the rain is getting- ugh like heavier too," said Chaeyoung. "Damn it."

Suddenly, the rain became rapid and Chaeyoung almost got drenched before a strange hand pulled her to run towards the nearest bus stop. The woman who pulled her had an umbrella, so at least Chaeyoung was only half drenched when they arrived, panting for their lives after a 100 meters run towards the roofed stop.

"Thank you," said Chaeyoung. She would've been a wet mess if it wasn't for the kind stranger's act.

"You're welcome," replied the nice stranger while she closed her umbrella. She had cat-like eyes, sharp and upturned, complete with cute soft lashes and brows. Her lips, when curved into a smile, created dimple dents and cute chubby cheeks. She's wet too from her knees down, but at least she wasn't as drenched as Chaeyoung. "Maybe, bring an umbrella or a raincoat next time."

"I could've sworn I brought one before I went to walk," replied Chaeyoung as she scooted over a little while drying her phone with a part of her clothes. "I might've just left it somewhere. Ugh.. I'm so careless.."

Looking at the poor struggling Chaeyoung, the stranger just chuckled a little and handed her some tissue paper as she sat down beside her. "Here, it's never going to be dry if the wipe is also wet."

"You're really nice. Have you always been this kind towards people?" Chaeyoung thanked her while grinning from ear-to-ear. She was so sure she would never forget this one act of kindness and generosity.

"Well, it's called empathy. Apparently, it's the bare minimum yet lots of people nowadays lack one," she sarcastically replied.

The rain became harsher. The winds blew harder too, the trees started moving and plastic bags started flying on the street.

"Welp, looks like we'll be stuck here for a while," the stranger commented as she checked on her phone. "The bus will be delayed for 10 minutes and when it's raining this hard, the rain is probably not going to stop for at least another hour."

Chaeyoung paused briefly before she finally said, ".. which is shite crap because my battery is dying."

"Here, have my power bank," the stranger offered her power bank, complete with the different types of cables. "Don't ask why I have lots of cable types. This power bank is like some kind of communal thing. My friends literally use this all the time which is crazy because I don't know why it's so difficult to bring one themselves when they carry bags as big as pigs."

Chaeyoung laughed. This stranger really knew how to make situations not awkward.

"Thanks." Chaeyoung smiled as she charged her phone.

There was some silence after that exchange of words, although the deafening noises of the rain were obliterating their ears in the background. Thankfully, though, soon enough the rain started becoming less and less harsh, though it was still quite heavy.

"Well, are you from around here?" Chaeyoung tried to start the conversation.

"Yes.. and no." The stranger said, suddenly her face turned sad as she looked down to her swinging legs lightly. "I'm from Boston. I was born here though. When I was three, I moved to Brisbane. Then, I went through middle school, high school and college in Boston. So, I spent most of my life in Boston before my mom passed recently and I decided to move here because I inherited her house here."

Chaeyoung was almost completely speechless. How did some light conversation turn into one deep talk in twenty seconds, she thought to herself. "I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"No, no, no, it's fine," the stranger interrupted and she chuckled. "I'm sorry for the trauma dumping. It was such a simple question but I always have the need to explain it."

"I get it," replied Chaeyoung.

"How about you?"

"Oh, I've lived my whole life here. I'm a boring person after all," stated Chaeyoung as she laughed. Her life was indeed boring. She was twenty four that day, but since the day of her birth, her life seemed completely normal. If being ordinary had an award, she would be a life time awardee or at least that's all she thought of herself. "My parents are state officials. I was obligated to stay with them until I was 18 and I never even left the country because of that. Now though, I'm still living with them because.. rent is too high and an artist like me wouldn't be able to afford it."

"Wow, you're an artist!" The stranger had wide eyes, seemingly excited towards the latter. "That is so cool!"

"Thanks," said Chaeyoung, her face a bit red as she was flustered from the compliment. "B-but, I'm not a full time artist yet.. I'm kind of broke so now I work in this paper company as a middle manager assistant during the day and paint during the night."

"Yet I couldn't even maintain working one part-time job in Wendy's back in the summer when I was 15," said the stranger. "What you're doing is impressive."

"You just know how to flatter people, don't you?" Chaeyoung giggled. Never had she felt this kind of genuine interaction for a long time. For the first time, she hoped for a stranger to talk with her more and more.

"Well, it's easy to compliment someone who has something to love and be inspired by," said the stranger to defend herself jokingly.

As the two laughed and conversed, time passed by quickly. The rain had started to become lighter. The drops came back to the speed of when it started, dripping like a leaking pipe.

Suddenly, a familiar light came from the street. The bus that would pick the stranger had almost arrived.

"Ah, I have to go," said the stranger. "My bus is almost here."

Chaeyoung had never felt that before. That feeling where she wanted to stay as long as possible with someone she barely even knew. So, in an impulsive bravery of a moment, she finally said, "Wait, but you haven't even told me your name. I'm Chaeyoung, by the way."

"I'm Jennie. Nice to know you, Chaeyoung."

"Can we exchange numbers?" Chaeyoung gulped her own spit out of nervousness. "Only if you don't mind though," clarified Chaeyoung, semi-panicking.

"Sure thing," replied Jennie as the two exchanged phones to write their numbers.

"Thanks for not making the waiting for the rain not as crappy as I initially thought it would be."

"Well, maybe we can talk more so my life would feel less crappy as well.. or maybe even becoming gold like you are."

And as the rain stopped, a new story began to carve history. Maybe, just maybe, even a new romance bloomed to connect two souls, once again.