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Author's note
Low quality photo, high quality uwu
~~~~~
Yu Yan's POV
This was a stupid idea.
Why did I invite Daimeng to come over to my dorm? It was already hard for me to look her in the eye during "Lion" practice and here I was, asking her to come over for a chat.
She was the one girl, out of the 109 I had encountered on that first day of filming who made a lasting impression on me. I knew I wasn't the most approachable person. I often put on a stoic face, not because I was unhappy, but because I wanted to appear strong and resolute.
I realised immediately that the other trainees were struggling to look me in the eye and tried to relax my expression a bit. But I guess, I just wasn't used to smiling a lot.
Daimeng was the first girl to say hi, to look me fully in the eye.
I found all of the SNH48 7Senses girls very stunning, yet it was Daimeng who really caught my eye. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail, her lipstick applied flawlessly to accentuate her lips. At one point, I found my eyes drifting towards them and panicked.
Surely, I was just admiring how well she put on her lipstick?
Her bright eyes and smile lingered in my mind on that day, and now as I was mentally smacking myself because I had invited her to come over without thinking.
Daimeng, the girl who I had admired and who I appreciate for helping me find my fun, outspoken side first during "Flammable and Explosive", and now during "Lion".
I recalled all our interactions hence far, including that time she had been accidentally hit in the face and when I went to check on her. The thought made me flustered. Friends normally do that, right?
I told myself to be cool and calm. I was Yu Yan. I was known for my stoic and leveled demeanour. I wouldn't let this girl who I had come to admire change that.
There was a knock on the dorm door and I prepared myself. I opened the door, revealing Daimeng standing there in a set of comfortable, casual clothes. She was wearing spectacles and holding up a plastic bag for... food?
At that moment I melted. Screw this persona of calm, collected Yu Yan. This was my chance to enjoy myself, to become more comfortable with interactions.
Daimeng smiled, one of those huge smiles that even made her eyes crinkle in happiness. "I brought some of those instant hot pots from the canteen!" She announced happily.
I hadn't realised it was dinner time. I could have married her right then and there.
"Come in then. Let's eat together."
We boiled some hot water for the hot pot, as the familiar smell made my mouth water. I was starving after all that practice for "Lion". The choreography was exhausting.
"So," Daimeng said, "did you want to head back to the practice room for a bit after we eat? I want to perfect some of the moves for the performance.
To be honest, I had planned to go to the practice room before, but alone. I wasn't sure why, but my heat began beating faster at the thought of Daimeng and I in the practice room. Alone.
The hot pot was finally ready, and Daimeng and I ate while discussing our thoughts for the next stage.
"I'm worried that I might not be able to do the dance well," Daimeng said while picking up a slice of potato from her hotpot bowl. "You know I'm a vocal, not really a dancer."
I scoffed at that statement. "That's ridiculous. Your dancing is amazing, and your vocals are only the icing on the cake."
Daimeng looked at me, while chewing on her food thoughtfully. "You really think so?" She was doing another one of those smiles, the ones that made my heart beat faster.
"I don't think so. I know so."
She reached her hand out, taking mine and intertwining our fingers as I felt my face flush. "I really appreciate that." She said. There was silence for about a minute, as neither of us seemed to want to let go. Her hand was warm, not only physically but it made my entire body feel warm and fuzzy.
~~~~~
Training room, 10:12 PM
Yu Yan's POV
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8," Daimeng counted as we went through one part of the choreography together. I had to admit, this was much better than my late night dancing practices alone. Daimeng was a good teammate, and she brought along really great energy.
"Wait, I think you're doing this part wrong," she said, walking up behind me and placing a hand on my arm. I think you're supposed to move this way, it looks more natural." She guided me, and I became extremely aware of just how close we now were. I could smell her vanilla perfume, and as she moved closer her hair brushed my shoulder, tickling me.
"L-like this?" I asked. What was this? I was Yu Yan. I didn't stutter.
Daimeng nodded her approval. "Much better."
We continued to practice until about 12 AM, and as we continued going over the dance moves it infuriated me that all I could think about was Daimeng's hands on my arm and shoulder and the feeling of her breath tickling my skin.
Focus, Yu Yan. Now is the time to prepare for the stage, not daydreaming.
~~~~~ Later in the dorm, a shower later
Yu Yan's POV
I don't know how we got to this point but Daimeng was lying next to me, on my bed. She had claimed that she was too tired to go back to the 7senses dorm, and me being the genius I was decided to let her crash at my dorm,
I didn't know why my heart kept beating faster around her and this nervousness I was feeling. I had admired a lot of other girls before, so why was I feeling like this now?
Thankfully, my other dorm mates were asleep by the time Daimeng and I got back from practice. I hadn't thought of a good explanation as to why I'd brought her here.
I tossed and turned in my bed as I tried to sleep knowing she was right beside me. I wanted these stupid reactions to her to go away.
There was a light rustling from beside me. "Are you awake?" Daimeng whispered. Her voice was raspy this late in the night, and instinctively I shivered.
"Yes. What's wrong?"
There was silence for a few seconds and then a response. "Um, sometimes in the 7Senses dorms I would cuddle another member when I had trouble sleeping."
My fave grew hotter as I realised where this was going
"I know we're not that close yet, but could I hold you?" I didn't know how to respond. I was already starting to feel weird just by her lying next to me. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said-
"No," I interjected. "It's fine."
"Oh," Daimeng said in a small, vulnerable tone I had never heard from her before. "Thank you." She scooted closed, draping an arm over my body as I willed myself to stay calm. This is normal for friends. This is normal especially for close friends. I would be okay.
"Goodnight, Yu Yan," she said as I felt her warmth envelop me.
I might have been getting ahead of myself, but I wondered if we could hang out together more often. I truly felt so happy around her presence and of course, those weird butterflies appeared in my stomach.
"Good night," I replied softly as I closed my eyes.
