Better Days // 좋은 날

7. The Almost Storm

"Can you grab my bag, unnie? I'm late already," Wheein groaned, tying the laces on her sneakers and brushing a hand through her hair with a huff. She stood, accepting her bag from Yongsun's outstretched hand and giving it a subtle squeeze in thanks.

"Do you need me to pick you up later?" Yong asked quietly, and Wheein shook her head, taking in the subtle dark circles under the woman's eyes and the way her shoulders drooped subconsciously.

"Rest, okay? And eat a proper meal?" Wheein requested, squeezing the woman's arm and tucking her hair behind her ear. She supposed it was their version of public kiss. Yongsun nodded with a small smile and bit the inside of her cheek.

"I want to-"

"I know, me too," Wheein sighed, looking around at the bustling dressing room and settled for hugging the woman goodbye instead of kissing her. "I'll text you later." Wheein left with a wave to the rest of their team still packing up from the night's concert and hurried out of the building, refusing to think about where she was going in case her brain convinced her to turn around.

It didn't take long to reach the quiet bar they'd agreed to meet at, Wheein waving the taxi driver goodbye and shoving her hands deep into her pockets as she was faced with the icy night breeze. She pulled open the door and to the familiar building and greeted the owner with a soft smile.

"Wheein-ah, nice to see you," The woman grinned, giving the girl a quick hug before leading her to her usual table. "Are you meeting someone?"

"Yeah, they should be here any minute. How have you been, unnie?" Wheein asked, taking off her coat as she settled into the booth in the back corner of the bar, the table littered with soft burning candles and plants strewn across the darkened window beside her.

"Good. Although Joohyun's been driving me mad lately. She thinks we need a bigger house but I told her there's no point when it's just us and the dog," the woman sighed and Wheein laughed.

"You agreed to let her get the puppy? Yah, you're so whipped, Seulgi-unnie," Wheein teased, enjoying the way the woman hit her arm and let out a sigh.

"Shut up. Are you gonna order anything or are you just here to make fun of me all night?" Seulgi groaned and Wheein smiled goofily at the girl.

"The usual, please. Plus an extra beer," Wheein said, blowing the woman a kiss dramatically as she left to tend to Wheein's request. Wheein looked around, noting the various couples seated around the bar, the soft pulse of music playing from the speakers masking most of the chatter. Her eyes drifted to the door, noting a woman looking flustered and confused as she entered the building. Wheein could tell that face anywhere. She let the woman's eyes search the room, only offering a small wave when their eyes locked. The woman hurried over.

"Sorry I'm late. The traffic was awful and I maybe got a little lost too," the woman admitted, her cheeks flushed pink as she took a seat across from Wheein and let out a relieved breath. Wheein, wide eyed and unnerved, just nodded in response.
"Have you been waiting long?"

Wheein shook her head. "I was a little late too so it's okay," Wheein said, trying to calm her heart with each word she spoke, thankful for Seulgi's appearance and the drinks she set down. "I got you a beer? I...I didn't know what you like..." Wheein said awkwardly.

"You didn't have to," Nayeon said, offering a small smile in thanks at Seulgi who nodded back and retreated to the safety of her bar. "But thank you," she said, eyes boring into Wheein's, making the girl increasingly uncomfortable with the attention, before shaking her head as though she were breaking a trance. "Sorry. I don't mean to be creepy, it's just weird seeing you again in person."