A new school year, a new schedule, and new classes. Although they had signed up for pretty much the same options, Younghee and Nari only had a few lectures together. This also meant their break periods didn't exactly line up.
At least today was one of the few days that it did and it felt a little like they were getting back into their old routine.
At least that's what Nari hopped.
Seriously why is she here…
The face she'd seen earlier had kept lingering in her mind. That alongside Theo's timing back into her life was giving her a sense of déjà vu she did not want to experience.
Her eyes trailed over to Younghee as she let out a small sigh. The sight of the girl sitting opposite her was the sole cause of the stress she was experiencing.
Actually, you're probably why I'm so stressed.
"What should we get? Nari?"
Nari blinked, snapping out of her own little world as she took a look at the menu again. Maybe she just needed a good meal before she could figure out what to do, if anything. "Hm.. I want something spicy."
-
A random café in Seoul had more customers today than they ever had during their whole business. A customer that no one could take their eyes off not only drew in more customers but also served as a distraction to the staff to the point the manager was carrying out the orders so her staff couldn't fake walking past the same table every time they brought out the food.
The bell on the door ran just as the girl turned her phone off. The person she had been waiting for was finally here.
"Jen! Oh my god, what are you doing here?" Ari asked, reciprocating quickly as the girl immediately pulled her into a hug. "Did you really come just to see me?" She joked.
"Well of course, that and I'm here to do some sightseeing… How was your winter break? You should've stayed in London a bit longer."
"Haha, I would've but I was getting too homesick. Anyway, since you showed me around before, let me return the favour!"
Jen laughed, "I was going to bring it up if you didn't offer, though there is something else…"
-
"Are you sure your roommate would be okay with this?"
"It's only one night I'm sure it'll be fine. You can sleep in my room… I just don't know if Younghee's back yet..." Ari mumbled as she unlocked the door.
"You two live together?"
"Yeah, but she's been busy lately so we haven't seen each other that much, oh." There was a hint of relief in her voice as the door opened to the apartment with it's lights on.
Younghee looked up from where she was lying on the sofa, "hey, have you eaten yet?" She sat up as she saw the suitcase Jen was holding onto, a confused look falling on her face immediately.
"This is Jen, she's staying with us for the night," Ari said. "Come on, I'll show you my room."
There is probably nothing more awkward than making small talk with a friend's friend, unless you're also staying over at their place.
Jen had suggested a food spot she wanted to try but they didn't have delivery. Seeing as it was close to the apartment, Ari suggested going to get the food herself, inevitably leaving her and Younghee alone.
Jen sat on the dining table, sipping on the drink she had bought earlier as she looked around the place before the door to the other bedroom opened.
Younghee was probably more startled by her as they made eye contact for a second but the silence was quickly broken as she cleared her throat. "So, how do you guys know each other?"
"We met during her semester abroad."
"Oh right that.. Well, nice to meet you, I'm Younghee."
Younghee felt a little put off as the girl stared at her for a long time without a word or even a change to her expression before Jen finally forced a smile, one that would have came of as natural had she not been giving off hostile vibes. "You too. I've heard a lot about you."
As she shook her hand, Younghee couldn't help but notice she wasn't like the type of friends Ari usually made. Ari was a sociable person but the people she attracted were always the same kind - those who usually kept to themselves. Whereas Jen's appearance itself made it obvious she would stand out no matter in what crowd. From her hair to her clothes, and her makeup, even down to the shiny eyeshadows, she was more like someone Nari would be friends with.
But there was something else too.
"Have we met before?"
"Oh no, I meant I've heard about you from Ari of course."
"Not that, you look familiar."
Jen blinked in surprise. "New York?"
"Oh right."
She smiled slightly, "yeah, sorry about that time. I must have mistook you for someone else."
-
The next morning came by quickly and as thankful as Jen was to Ari, there was still something she hadn't done.
"I would've never guessed she was your roommate."
A passing comment as she finished packing her things back into the suitcase caught Ari's attention.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"Living with another girl when you're dating someone is a bit weird, no?"
Ari laughed, thinking she was just messing with her. "What are you talking about? Younghee's not dating anyone."
Jen paused for a moment, as if she was considering something before pulling up a photo on her phone, watching the smile on Ari's face fall as she grabbed it from her.
In the picture with Younghee was the same girl Ari saw in the graduation photo. She didn't just look like her - it really was her.
…Liar.