What Are We Called?

Sprouting (part two)

"Great job, everyone. You all did well today," Ms. Kim, their fine arts teacher, appreciated the students who applauded themselves in relief.

"Of course, there are a few that stood out among others." she paused for a couple seconds while processing her thoughts, "I am actually thinking of including them in the cast of the play for the upcoming Interschool Festival of Arts."

"Who are they?" one of the students excitedly asked.

Soon, the whole class was pleading their teacher to tell them who they were. Ms. Kim raised her hand to gesture them to keep quiet.

"Class, calm down. I have no intention of keeping it a secret because you'll be watching them anyway." she pointed her left hand to Irene, "Everyone knows that Irene showed good leadership in managing their group by presenting a good outcome in their act. With that, she has the potential of being a skillful director for the play."

Everyone nodded and clapped their hands in agreement. It's no secret that she had already been scouted to be a director since her freshman year. Teachers had already been complimenting her skills and creativity when it comes to theater arts.

"And for the actors... No doubt that Mina, Chaeyoung, and certainly Jeongyeon, were the ones who did a great job in it. Actually, the Theater Arts Department thought of conducting an audition for the cast that we'll contribute to the play but after watching them, I think it would be unnecessary." she turned to the three who had baffled look on their faces, "But you'll still have to prove them what you can do. I'll tell you when and where after talking to them."

Chaeyoung felt triumphant that somehow she had been praised by a teacher for doing well because that was her first time ever. Her eyes searched for her friend Jeongyeon, wanting to share her feeling to her, but to her surprise, Jeongyeon looked like feeling the opposite. She was sulking on her chair, staring at her desk like she was stabbing it multiple times at all sides. It wasn't the right time to celebrate.

"We are lacking male casts for the characters of the play and we're having a hard time looking for those who are interested. But you two," Ms. Kim referred to Chaeyoung and Jeongyeon, "seem to be fine with those roles, am I right?"

They just nodded in reply.

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"I'm so sorry for acting like a kid earlier. I should've understood you. Besides, I have no right to feel that way." Jeongyeon apoligized. She felt so bad she can't look at her directly.

"No, it's alright. I would've felt the same if I was in your shoes,"

Jeongyeon was still looking down at the floor, unable to face her, so Mina cupped her cheeks with her hands and tilted her head slightly upwards so she could see her face.

"You don't have to feel bad. It was just a little misunderstanding. We already understood each other so, cheer up now."

Mina's warm smile was so contagious that Jeongyeon couldn't resist mirroring her. She patted her head and ruffled her short hair in delight.

"There, there. Keep that smile, okay?"

"What's going on in here?" a familiar voice asked.

The two both turned around to see who it was and immediately recognized their friend.

"Hello Momoring~" Mina greeted.

"What's this you two are doing in the middle of the hallway?"

"Empty hallway, Miss. And it's very obvious that we're talking here," Jeongyeon annoyingly answered.

"There's three of us here so the hallway is not empty, Miss," Momo mockingly corrected her in revenge.

"I-It's nothing really. We just talked out our simple misunderstanding and brought it to an end. That's all," Mina said, trying to divert the attention of the quarreling duo.

"Seriously, don't talk like that in places like this. You know people's minds..."

"Are you jealous?" Mina teased Momo with a smirk.

"tHAT'S RIDICULOUS. OF COURSE NOT."

Mina raised her hands up as white flag. "Okay, just asking."

"Honestly, Mina. What's with you and your are-you-jealous questions today, huh?" Jeongyeon asked.

Mina giggled at Jeongyeon and Momo's faces who looked upset now.

"Bully in disguise?" Chaeyoung interrupted.

"She's always been like that to everyone, don't you know?" Tzuyu added.

"Oh, Mina. You're being nice to her?" Momo asked Mina, pertaining to Chaeyoung, with a feigned surprise. "Oh my.... I thought you weren't into younger ones."

"She became a paedophiliac because of Chaeyoung," Tzuyu supported.

"That's gross." Jeongyeon grimaced.

"What the fuck?!" Chaeyoung, who is clueless of what's happening, exclaimed.

"Would you please shut up, you two?" Mina retaliated to the laughingstock duo.

"I will support you Mina-unnie, don't worry," Tzuyu assured her with pumped fists.

"GUILTYYYYYY" Momo blurted as she ran about like a small kid.

"She's a bit of a pain, isn't she?" Chaeyoung asked as she watched the absurdity in front of her.

"Yeah, a small bit of a pain." Jeongyeon agreed as she shooked her head.

"Instead of making a fuss here, why don't we hang out instead?" Chaeyoung suggested.

"We still have a long way to go before dismissal," Mina said while checking the time on her watch.

"We can cut classes..." Chaeyoung and Tzuyu said in unison.

The two maknaes looked at each other with that wow-we-are-thinking-the-same-thing- expression on their faces and gave each other a high five.

"Kids are really becoming reckless nowadays," Jeongyeon declared under her breath.