Just Off The Key || Bbangsaz

Chapter 2: One Foot in Your Bedroom

When Hanni woke up, before the crack of dawn, she got ready quietly and in a sleep hazy blur, and grabbed coffee and a banana from the kitchen before heading out the door. Rehearsals went smoothly, despite the increasing bossiness that seemed to overtake her body when she was tired, and she definitely thought they were ready for opening night.

They got off early evening and Hanni got a smoothie from her favorite place before heading home. She thought about texting Minji to see if she wanted one, but realized she didn't yet have the woman's number. So, being the awesome and generous person she was, she got Minji one anyway.

Hanni walked through the door, not really knowing whether to expect Minji to be home or not. She went through the entryway and into the living room and smiled when she caught sight of Minji curled up in a ball, fast asleep on the couch. She put the smoothie in the fridge and pulled out some stuff to put a salad together for dinner.

Barnaby came trotting happily into the kitchen, and then a mussed up blonde head appeared in Hanni's line of sight, with a small smile on its face.

"Hey." Minji greeted, voice laced with sleep. "How were rehearsals?"

Hanni waved her salad tongs around enthusiastically. "Hey! They were wonderful! We're so ready to open, Minji, it's going to be amazing."

"It sounds like fun." Minji remarked, leaning onto the breakfast bar and shaking her head around to settle her hair.

Hanni was amused. "So much fun. You'll probably meet my cast sometime; they're just… fantastic." She enthused. "Oh! I got you a strawberry smoothie! It's in the fridge if you want it."

Hanni didn't bother waiting for Minji to answer. She just swept over to the fridge and pulled it out and handed it to her.

Minji smiled. "Thanks."

Hanni studied her and calmed herself down a little. "So, tired huh? Couldn't go back to sleep?"

Minji sipped her drink. "Mm, no. I…It's going to take some getting used to." She said quietly.

"Well, you should get an early night. I don't have work tomorrow, so maybe we can do something? Are you from-have you seen the city yet?"

Minji nodded. "Yeah, I've lived here for…a while."

Hanni waited to see if she would say more. She didn't elaborate. "Okay. Maybe we could hang out in Central Park, you know, get lunch or something? I have some friends coming over in the morning, so it would have to be after that."

"I-yeah, okay."

Hanni raised her eyebrows. "Well, Minji, try to contain your excitement, please."

Minji flushed. "No…really, that sounds fun. I'm just not used to…people. Like, hanging out with people. People wanting to hang out with me."

Hanni thought for a moment. "We'll bring Barnes. He likes to chase…well, everything I guess. He actually goes a little psychotic..." Hanni narrowed her eyes. "You know, actually, maybe we shouldn't bring him."

"Aww, no, he'll behave." Minji said, smiling down at the dog lying against the dishwasher. "Won't you Barnesy."

Hanni scoffed. "Psshht, of course he'll behave for you. He thinks you're his lord or something. A goddess."

Hanni squatted down next to Barnaby and held his head with both her hands, looking straight into his happy brown eyes. "Look, B, I know she looks like an angel, and I can see why you're enamored with her," Hanni looked up to a crimson Minji and gave her a wink, "but you're supposed to love me more. Okay? Good boy."