Behind the signals | TripleS

#7

Mintz secret.

After returning home from practice, the girls each headed to their assigned houses, quickly drifting off to sleep. However, two of them stayed awake. Chaeyeon decided to text Jiwoo, inviting her over for a much needed catch up, as they haven't had any time for just the two of them lately.

Before leaving, she decided to check if everyone was asleep. Climbing down from the top bunk, she first checked on Yubin, who was sound asleep in her practice clothes. Jiwoo quietly closed the door behind her and made her way to the purple room. Upon opening the door, she noticed that Seoyeon was missing from her bed. Confused, she turned to see if Yooyeon was there, only to find Seoyeon and Yooyeon cuddled up together, fast asleep.

Jiwoo gasped at the sight of Seoyeon's hand resting gently on Yooyeon's stomach, with Seoyeon's head nestled into Yooyeon's neck. Covering her mouth in surprise, she quietly tiptoed out of the room, careful not to disturb the peaceful scene.

After confirming everybody was asleep she made her way to haus #2 and quietly knocked on the door waiting for Chaeyeon to open it. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing Chaeyeon's familiar, warm smile. "Hey, you made it!" she whispered, pulling Jiwoo inside and closing the door softly behind her.

"Of course! I could never say no to you," Jiwoo replied, with a small grin. The living room was dimly lit, creating an intimate atmosphere that made Jiwoo feel a bit nervous. Chaeyeon gestured for her to sit on the couch. "I was hoping you'd come. It feels like forever since we've had some time just for us."   she muttered in a soft tone, slowly looking down at floor. As they settled in, Jiwoo glanced around to make sure no one was watching. "Yeah, with practice and everything, it's been hard to find a moment alone. I missed you," she admitted, a shy smile spreading across her face.

Chaeyeon's eyes sparkled with affection. "I missed you too." she winked jokingly. Jiwoo on the other hand felt butterflies in her stomach. They spent the rest of the days watching signals, and playing around in Chaeyeon's room. 

Around midnight Jiwoo and Chaeyeon decided to watch a romance movie in the living room, The other girls in the house had awakened already but stayed in their rooms since they were all still a bit tired. As the opening credits rolled, Jiwoo felt a flutter of anticipation in her chest. She turned to Chaeyeon, who was already nestled into the cushions, her gaze fixed on the screen. The atmosphere between them was charged, filled with a nervous energy neither of them could quite place. They had always been close friends, but tonight felt different, electric.

As the romantic storyline unfolded, Jiwoo found herself drawn not only into the film but also into Chaeyeon's quiet presence beside her. The intensity of the on-screen love story mirrored the unspoken feelings that lingered in the air,  A tension that seemed to grow with each passing moment. Jiwoo's heart raced, and just when she thought the movie couldn't inspire any more flutters, she felt a soft hand resting on her thigh.

Startled, Jiwoo jerked upright, her cheeks flushing with heat. "C-Chaeyeon?" she stammered, glancing sideways to meet her friend's wide, startled eyes. There was a moment of stunned silence as they both processed the unexpected contact.

"I'm so sorry!" Chaeyeon blurted out, her voice barely above a whisper. Her face mirrored Jiwoo's, a rosy blush spreading across her cheeks. "I didn't-  I wasn't thinking"

Both girls fell into an awkward silence, the weight of the moment hanging heavily between them. Jiwoo's heart raced not only from the shock of the touch but also from the heat of Chaeyeon's embarrassment. There was something undeniably intimate about the shared vulnerability they experienced in that instant.

With the tension almost suffocating, Jiwoo decided to break the silence, her voice quieter than she intended. "It's okay... I mean, it's just... it surprised me."