Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
———
She was clenching her jaw, her nails digging into the palm of her hand as she struggled to breathe. It's not fair - that's all she could think. It's not fair, it's not fair! Taking a deep, stuttering breath she opened her eyes, not realizing they were closed.
Ro let out a sigh, looking at the tweet again. She should've expected it - should've realized what was going to happen. After all, Mr. Yoo looked guilty and apologetic as he dismissed everyone from the auditorium.
Guess she knew why now.
Admittedly, hiding in the bathroom at her grandmother's apartment was a little weird, but she didn't want to risk her grandma seeing her so upset. Trembling hands held out her cellphone, clicking the last message in the group chat and dialing his number. Jeongin would calm her down - he always did.
He picked up after the second ring, and she didn't give him time to speak before she did. "Okay, this is going to sound stupid. But, yeah, the auditions were posted. And you know what? I'm Anastasia's understudy - I'm Daisy's understudy." She heaved in a breath, the action feeling shaky.
"And it's just so unfair because of course I would be her understudy! How could I have been so stupid to think otherwise?" She was crying now. Lips trembling and lungs heaving with the small, cracked sobs that were leaving her lips. Ro took in a deep breath, calming herself lightly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to rant."
There was a pause, and Ro was afraid Jeongin wasn't going to answer her. Or, worse, that Chan had answered the phone and was on his way to the school. Finally, he spoke, "you shouldn't apologize, you have every right to be upset."
Except, that definitely wasn't Jeongin. Taking the phone from her ear, Ro widened her eyes at the caller i.d. she was faced with.
ONGOING CALL WITH unknown4... [3 mins 42 secs]
"You're not Jeongin," is all she could think to say. There was a small, breathy chuckle from the other side of the phone.
"And you're definitely not what I expected Ro to sound like," he answered. His voice is nice - that's the first thing Ro thought. Soothing, soft and pretty - somehow it matched his texting personality. "So, Ro, you're not a boy. I don't think so, at least."
"I'm not." She took in another deep breath, her nerves getting the best of her. "And you're not as nervous as you seem to be."
"Oh, no, I am," he argued. It caused her to laugh lightly, looking down as she kicked her feet against the floor gently. "I'm just a little shocked right now. It must suck to be surrounded by boys, huh?"
"It's not too bad," Ro said. She bit the inside of her cheek, looking around the bathroom. Other than the initial stress she felt when he answered the phone, Ro actually felt content talking to the boy. "Are you busy? I don't want to keep you from doing anything."
"No, I uh," he cleared his throat. A shuffle was heard and his voice sounded further away as he continued to speak. "I'm painting my nails, actually."
Her eyebrows were almost raised to her hairline in shock. Her attention was brought to her own chipped nails, grimacing at the silver color that didn't seem as shiny as before. "What color?"
"Navy blue," he answered. There was a pause again - Ro swore she heard him counting to himself. "Would you... mind staying on the phone with me? I can't do much else with wet nails."
"I don't mind," she grinned. She found herself relaxing and sliding to the floor to lean against the bathtub instead of sitting on top of it like before. "Why do you paint your nails?"
She could almost hear his shrug, "it helps to prevent me from biting them. And seeing dirt beneath your nails is, like, really gross."
Ro could only let out another laugh.
———
RUGRATS! [8:46 p.m.]
cinnabun: im TELLING u it's "ravioli ravioli give me the formuoli"
peanut butter fiend: how do we know ur the real mr krabs
angel: i wanna join the krusty krew ))^:
twinkle toes: who's tryna b the mr krabs to my pearl need me some... money
