A Chaesmas Story (Christmas)

Prologue / Stepping Off

Prologue

[18th of December, 2019]

Momo grasped Chaeyoung's waist even tighter, and Chaeyoung's eyes grew more pleading. "You have to let go Momo, they're going to see," Chaeyoung's voice was quiet and cracked, stifling cries.

"Then tell me what I want to hear. What you know you want to say," Momo said more firmly this time, somehow holding Chaeyoung's waist even tighter. Their faces were so close Chaeyoung could smell the peppermint candies she gave Momo just 20 minutes ago. Chaeyoung winced at how strong Momo's grip was, looking mournfully into her eyes as Nayeon's familiar voice edged closer to their empty dorm room.

Nayeon: Chaeyoung's girlfriend.

Stepping Off

[18th of December, 2018]

All 9 girls collectively sighed as they stepped off the train and onto pavement. Tzuyu stretched out her arms and accidentally belted Dahyun in the stomach, who turned and let out a groan.

"That's gonna hurt tonight," she said sheepishly, Tzuyu profusely apologized while Jeongyeon stifled a laugh. Accident or not, Jeongyeon always had a thing for slapstick humor. There was an incredible silence followed by a hiss and thump of train doors closing, when the girls realized they were the only ones to get off. All around them were fir trees and a cold, closing mist they'd come to get used to. The train station was completely desolate except for them, and seemed to lead nowhere. The sun was nowhere in sight – instead, a light red hue accented the sky, and seemingly in tandem the girls all looked and sighed. Comeback season was over, if only for a brief two weeks. It was a miracle that JYP had even gotten them such an amount of time away from hectic tour life. It only made sense that every fibre of their being was sapped, and that red hue only served as yet another reminder that they needed this break. And frankly, they deserved it.

Jihyo was the first to break the silence: "Well, we were supposed to get here at 6:00, but it's 5:40. The driver will probably honk when he's here, so just hang out for like 20 minutes, alright? And remember, no choreo."

It was their running joke that as soon as they stepped out of the train, they'd be off work. Mina visibly smirked. As if, she thought. With every waking moment spent on perfecting something, she knew it would take some practice to not practice for Once. Some of the girls giggled and went back to what they were talking about on the train. Sana was showing Dahyun a video sent by her friend; Jeongyeon, Mina, and Tzuyu continued their game of never ending Rock Paper Scissors; Jihyo sat on the one of the benches and visibly shivered before settling down and trying to get some sleep. Momo followed suit, nestling herself in her scarf before putting her head on Jihyo's shoulder.

Chaeyoung had been quiet for the course of the train ride, uncharacteristically so. Most members assumed she was enjoying some quiet time, but Nayeon unnie took one glance and saw her best friend in pain. It had been hard enough to get her to open up, but now that she had everything they did together felt more awkward. They knew about each other, but the other members didn't know about them – it was easier this way. But why was it still so tough to deal with?

They glanced at each other and both realized the other didn't want to talk. Fine by them. They sat opposite to Jihyo, and after a moment Chaeyoung rested her head on Nayeon's shoulder, mimicking Momo. Nayeon stiffened, Chaeyoung could feel it. That gave her all the information she needed. It only took a few seconds for Nayeon to notice and make an effort to relax her shoulder, but by that time Chaeyoung was out like a light.

It only took 5 minutes until she was nestled from sleep by a horn.