Halfway Home - A Chaelisa Story

Little Things

It's been 3 days since I've met Lisa and Jisoo and I feel like we've been friends for years. Lisa and I keep texting all day, sending each other cute animal videos or memes. I can't help but to stifle a laugh in the middle of my last class when I see Lisa's message of a goldfish making tricks in its tank, making a few of my classmates turn to me with weird faces. "Sorry..." I whisper and turn back into my lecture. Finally the bell rings announcing the end of the class. I'm so hungry right now. It's already 7 p.m.

Rosie: hey! I was thinking that maybe we can grab dinner? I'm so hungryyyyyyy

Lisa: I thought you'd never ask. Are you near building F? I'm around that area

Rosie: Yes lol meet me right at the front of the building. I'm heading out

Lisa: See ya cutie 😉

I gather my stuff hastily in my bag and start walking to the exit when I hear my name "Yes?" I turn around and there's this short girl from my class "I think these are your pens? They must've fallen down." She says with a smile. I smile back at her and start walking towards her "Oh gosh, yes! Thank you erm-?" I take the pens from her hand "Chaeyoung. Nice to uhm meet you Rose" I'm such an ass, this girl knows my name but I didn't know hers... "Likewise, hey we have the same name!" I say excitedly "Do we? Isn't your name Roseanne?" she says with a crooked smile and lifting her right eyebrow. Her dimples are so cute! "Yeah, that's my western name but my Korean name is Chaeyoung" I explain. "Aaah! I always thought you were Korean but I was too afraid to ask" she says. "No worries, only we Asian people know how it's like, so I get it. Plus we don't want to offend anyone-" I feel my phone vibrating in my back pocket.

Lisa: forgot about me already? I'm hurt Rosie

"Oh shit, sorry Chaeyoung I really have to go but it was nice meeting you! See you around class?" I say putting my pens in my bag ready to run to the front of the building. "Yeah, see you around Rose" Chaeyoung says waving as I run.

I'm running through the building halls and see Lisa tapping her foot with her hands in her pockets waiting for me at the entrance of the building. She's wearing jeans, a black hoodie and a beanie and has her light brown hair straightened out flowing with the wind. How is she able to look so cool? Only her could pull out that outfit so well. Suddenly I feel like surprising her from behind. I start walking slowly and quietly, crouching a bit to jump on her. Once I'm right behind her I yelp and cling to her neck, hugging her from behind. "I'm sorry I made you wait for a bit" Lisa laughs and says "No worries, Rosie" as she holds my forearms with her hands and detangles me from her to turn around. "C'mon, I'm also starving." She says as she takes my bag off my shoulder and carries it herself. "Such a gentlewoman" I say with a smile. "The least I could do. I'm not actually carrying anything besides my debit card, keys and cellphone in my pants. I left my backpack at the dance studio." I turn to her with a surprised look "Dance studio? You dance?" I ask tilting my head as we keep on walking to the school cafeteria. "Didn't I tell you before? Sorry about that" she says with a laugh "It's just that I've danced my whole life and I think everyone knows that about me, you know? Like dancing = Lisa" I hum and say "No, I didn't know. Are you in the dance club? Or do you go to an out of uni studio?" I curiously ask.

She bows then extends her hand to me "Lisa, co-captain of the dance club of the Melbourne University. Nice to meet you, m'lady" I giggle and slap her hand away "Fuck you. You should've told me! You and Jisoo are way too talented to be hanging with me" Lisa laughs her throaty laugh, I love to hear it. "Shut it Rosie, you're funny that's your talent" she says and then holds my hand. I grin at her "I'll have you know that I can actually play the guitar and piano but can't dance if my life depended on it" Lisa raises her eyebrow and looks deep in thought. "See, we still have lots to know about each other. I'd love to see you play sometime." We keep walking holding each other's hand. I squeeze Lisa's hand and say "Ditto, but you know, see you dance." She starts walking with little jumps in between and swaying our hands which makes me laugh out loud "Lisa! Stop! We're almost there" I say. Lisa stops and lets go of my hand. I didn't mean that... I immediately miss Lisa's hand warmth. "You can come see the team practice tomorrow if you'd like. We have a practice session at 4 p.m. and then we can go together watch your friend's audition to the theater club." I smile at her and say "Yes! Just let me know which building, I don't even know where the dance club meets. But wait- aren't the auditions closed to theater members only?" I ask and she squints her eyes and says "But we're friends with the theater club captain miss Jisoo Kim, remember?" Aaaah, I'll record Jennie's audition with my phone for sure.