Chaennie One-shots

Imaginary

Jennie's POV

Some people say that little kids base their imaginary friends based off of real people they’ve seen.

That can be a horrifying notion for some, those people who had clowns or ghost-like characters as their imaginary friends, but i’ve always liked that idea.
I don’t remember much about my imaginary friend, just that she was perfect.

She didn’t even really have a name, or maybe i just don’t remember. All i can think of is purple hair, pretty face and  Squishy cheeks.

“I like your dress,” i remember saying at 5 years old.
The girl, probably around 20 years old, smiled and patted my hand, looking like a goddess even while sitting on the top of the wall beside you.
“Thanks, Jennie. I like your outfit.”
“I don’t,” i mumbled, picking at my shirt. “Do you have pink hair?”
“Yep! It looks like cotton candy, right?” she laughed, sounding like the bubbles rising to the top of a sugary drink.
“What do you think about my hair?”
I pouted and reached out for it, grubby 5-year-old arm too short to reach. “Pretty. You’re pretty. Who are you?”
“I’m your imaginary friend,” the pink-haired girl explained, legs swinging in the air.
“I’m here to be your friend, Jennie, only your friend.”
“My friend.” i nodded agreeably, chubby legs swinging in rhythm with the girl sitting next to me. Her laugh made me smile too, and you clapped your hands together. “Friends.”
Is it even possible that such a person ever existed, never mind near me? Maybe it’s a bit of a fixation, with how often my mind drifts to the idea.

My job as a cashier in a tiny restaurant kind of sucks, but you meet a lot of people. The possibility of seeing someone who even slightly matches the description in my head is honestly the only reason i'm still working out front.

Jin,  my manager, sometimes scolds me for staring at the customers, but he always means well.
“Yah, Jennie, is the job so boring?”

He’s teasing, but i bow anyway with flushed cheeks. “Sorry, Jin-oppa. Today’s slow, I promise I’ll pay attention when we have customers.”

The tall man peers out; sure enough, there’s no customers, other than a couple having a coffee together and a grandma sipping at her tea.
“Ah. Are you still searching for her?”

It’s a bit embarrassing that my manager even knows about my ulterior motive, but Jin has a way of making everything he says sound kind and unassuming. “Yeah, even though it’s not really possible. I doubt the saying is true anyway.”

He shrugs and grabs a cup, probably to make me a drink to cheer you up.
“I don’t know, but I don’t think you should give up either. Maybe-”

He’s cut off by the bell signaling a new customer ringing, and you sigh before turning around to face them.
“Hi, how can I...”

It’s her. It takes every single ounce of effort i can muster for my jaw not to drop at the girl walking into the shop. Purple hair, chipmunk cheeks, perfect body and outfit.

She seems to think i'm judging her outfit, and the smile on her face drops a bit. “I’m not weird, I promise, I just came back from a performance.”

“A performance. Really?” i swallow hard, straightening up to not seem bored in the conversation. “Uh, what kind of performance?”

“I was singing at my friend’s birthday,” the pink-haired girl explains, adjusting the hem of the glittery gown.
“A bit fancy for something like that, I know, but I wanted an excuse to wear it. I thought it was nice.”

“It is,” i assure her, managing to smile when she meets your eyes.
“You look pretty.”

She returns my grin, stepping close enough for you to smell a familiar sweet perfume, hints of vanilla and orange blossom. “Thanks. Um, what’s your name?”

“Jennie” i feel kind of stupid, pointing at my name-tag, but i can’t see anything other than my childhood imaginary friend standing right in front of me. “What can I get for you today?”

“Oh!” The girl cocks her head, pouting as she contemplates her options. It’s probably wrong for my heart to already be beating so fast just looking at her.
“I’ll have a yogurt smoothie? Two, please.”

“Two?”

She frowns, hitching her bag up her arm. Designer, i note. “Unless you don’t like yogurt smoothies, but who doesn’t like them?”

My mind’s racing a mile a minute, and it feels like i’ve been ejected out of the car when you come to a conclusion.
“Oh. One for me? And I do like yogurt smoothies, but the way.”

“Great!” Her smile is sugary sweet, but still impossibly genuine. “One for you, yes. It looks like it’s slow today, so I’d like to have a smoothie with you. If you’re okay with that, of course.”

“Definitely.” Even to your own ears, i sound a bit breathy, so i clear my throat before speaking again.
“Um, your name? For the order, of course.”

“Rosie.” a smile reappearing, she holds out her hand.
“I’m Park Chaeyoung but you can call me rosie”