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“Do you wanna...I don’t know...go grab—-“

“—-yes.” Mina interrupted, and Chaeyoung’s eyes widened. They were sitting in lounge in Chaeyoung’s dorm building, enjoying each other’s company while doing school work.

“Okay...so this will be like our first official…” Chaeyoung leaned forward on her toes, feeling embarrassed.

“...date,” Mina finished. Their first official date—-as a couple! They’d been out just the two of them, quite often, over the past few weeks, but now it could officially have that label.

Mina really wanted to make up for the heartbreak she caused Chaeyoung, and she was determined to be the best girlfriend ever. But, there were still nagging thoughts in her mind, reminding her of Nayeon every once in awhile. When Mina and Chaeyoung kissed again, she thought of how Nayeon had pressed against her with a sort of hunger. With Chaeyoung, there was only gentleness and shyness. But the more time passed, the more her time with Nayeon felt like something from a distant dream. The feelings she had were fleeting, and she let them fade away, rather than chasing after them.

Mina kind of liked taking the lead with Chaeyoung since she had more experience than the younger girl—-granted not much more, but still...more. She was patient and open, and found it endearing to see Chaeyoung pull back and look at her with rosy cheeks.

Things were slightly awkward between Mina and Nayeon for a few weeks, although the two girls didn’t avoid each other. Nayeon wanted to get Mina alone to talk to her more about everything that happened, but she wasn’t sure what good it would do at this point. She noticed Mina was happy by just glancing at the girl’s mannerisms whenever she saw her. Mina twirled around a bit when she thought no one was watching in the kitchen. And she’d never admit this to anyone else—-but Nayeon may or may not have pressed an ear up against the bathroom door to better hear Mina singing along to a Beyonce song while the girl took a shower.

Nayeon didn’t want to bring up old memories, so instead she focused on Jeongyeon. Nayeon began to hang out with the blonde girl more, at Jeongyeon’s request. The younger girl seemed determined to get Nayeon’s mind off of Mina. One day, Nayeon helped Jeongyeon build a giant lego set of the Millennium Falcon at Momo and Jeongyeon’s apartment. Nayeon held the instructions for the set, squinting at the lack of guiding words and at the vague pictures before her.

“You put the red cone thing on top of the grey square,” Nayeon announced.

“Which grey square—there’s like ten of them?” Jeongyeon asked, trying not to sound too impatient.

Nayeon sighed at the instructions dramatically. “Man, if I would’ve known you were gonna put me to work I just would’ve stayed in my bed and watched a drama.”

Jeongyeon rolled her eyes. “Oh c’mon, all you’re doing is reading and bossing me around. I’m the one doing all the physical labor here.”

“That’s right, I’m the boss. Do you have a problem with that?” Nayeon smirked, and Jeongyeon simply groaned.

“Will you just let me see the instructions?” Jeongyeon asked, reaching for the small, paper booklet.

Nayeon was fast though and moved it out of reach. “Reading the instructions is my job!” Nayeon insisted. “You’re the assembler and I’m the instructor, so let me continue instructing. These instructions are just pictures! There’s no words or anything. I’m doing the best I can.”

“Legos are for kids, you know that right?” Jeongyeon picked up the box the lego set came in and inspected it. “Yup, ages seven and up. They expect seven year olds to figure out how to read these instructions. How old are you again?” There was a playful look about her.

“You’re the one who still plays with legos,” Nayeon huffed, and this time it was Jeongyeon’s turn to look offended. Often the two girls went back and forth, but it was never harmful banter. Every insult they threw at each other was laced with something else. Something more.

Meanwhile, Dahyun and Sana were hanging out more and more as well. Dahyun, knowing that Sana had liked her this entire time, began to observe things differently. Looking at Sana in a new way made Dahyun realize that the girl was actually...adorable. But not in a “I wanna hang out with you” way, more of an “I wanna kiss you and hold your hand and protect you from harm” way. Of course these feelings didn’t happen overnight, and there was even a brief fling Sana had with another girl, Eunha—

“Why are you pouting Dahyun-ie,” Sana had said, noticing Dahyun’s unusual gloominess when they met for ice cream a day after Sana had invited Eunha to join her and her friends for a movie night. “That look doesn’t suit you,” Sana stated, grabbing the other girl’s cheeks and attempting to turn her frown into a smile. She massaged the girls cheeks while giggling until Dahyun, who whined and tried to push the girl away, eventually caved and laughed along too. “There’s that smile I adore.”

—but it didn’t last too long, and eventually, it was clear to Dahyun that she saw Sana as more than a friend. Sana was getting mixed signals, and was afraid to actually ask Dahyun how she was feeling since she’d gotten rejected before, so it was up to Dahyun to make the first move this time. A few months after Momo had let Dahyun down gently, Dahyun and Sana were baking cookies at Sana’s apartment. An idea dawned on Dahyun, and with shaking hands she diligently frosted one of the cookies, writing: “Dahyun loves Sana.” She gave it to Sana with trembling hands and a shy smile, and Sana’s eyes lit up brighter than Dahyun had ever seen once she noticed what the cookie said. Sana pulled the younger girl into a hug, nearly dropping the cookie in the process, and was almost in tears.

At the next Witch Alliance meeting, dressed up in their business casual attire, Jihyo sat down in-between Mina and Nayeon on Irene’s couch, causing Nayeon to send Jihyo a grateful look. Sana sat down next to Mina and practically clung onto her while giggling about some non-existent joke. These days, Sana had been quite giggly and touchy, with Dahyun confessing to her. It reminded Nayeon a bit of Mina’s recent behavior, except Mina was much more subdued in her lovey-dovey state. Nayeon was happy to see her roommate finally getting the girl.

“I guess you’ve officially won the bet, huh?” Nayeon pointed out one night, right before both girls drifted off to sleep. It was the night that Dahyun had literally spelled out her love for Sana and when Dahyun left the apartment Sana practically screamed it to her roommates.

“That doesn’t matter anymore,” Sana whispered to a Nayeon. “What a silly bet to make, after all.” She rolled over so she was facing away from Nayeon’s bed. “But yes. Yes I did.”

In the darkness, Nayeon had given her roommate a look but said nothing. Despite her happiness, Nayeon couldn’t help but feel slightly jealous and sad.

Back at Irene’s house, the older girl made an elegant and to the point speech about the responsibilities of practicing witchcraft wisely. Irene made a note to look at Nayeon a few times while saying this. Jihyo gave Nayeon a little smack on her knee but continued to look at Irene attentively. After the speech was made along with announcements about the new level 10 graduates from a different coven and when the next tests for level 10 qualifiers would be held, Irene swiftly made her way over to where the four girls were sitting and bowed her head respectfully to them, who bowed their heads back.

“Glad to see you all,” Irene replied politely. “Have you been keeping up with your practicing?”

“We have,” Jihyo assured. “I’ve been making sure everyone’s been keeping up with lessons.”

Irene smiled at Jihyo in delight. “Well, if you don’t mind I’d like to borrow Mina for a minute.” Irene extended her hand in Mina’s direction.

At the mention of her name, Mina’s eyes grew wide and her eyebrows rose—-she was taken off guard. She graciously stood up and took Irene’s outstretched hand. Nayeon shot Irene a questioning look before Irene pulled Mina away after interlocking their arms.

“How have you been?” Irene asked Mina once they had made it into her kitchen, which was empty for now.

“I’ve been well,” Mina replied, suddenly feeling quite self-conscious to be alone with the High Priestess. “And you?”

“Fine,” Irene said. “Just fine. Nayeon told me about the spell she casted and I just wanted to make sure she lifted it properly.”

“Yes, she did,” Mina stated levelly, but her cheeks were flaming at the thought of Irene knowing what had happened to her. “I’m back to normal once again.”

“That’s such a relief to hear,” Irene sighed, leaning onto her kitchen counter and looking at Mina warmly. “I was worried about you. Nayeon can’t go very long without getting in trouble, can she?” Irene asked.

Mina smiled at that. “No, not really. But, I’m fine now, really. I think she’s learned her lesson.”

Mina had noticed Nayeon had been a little mopey recently, but she was glad Nayeon wasn’t flat out avoiding her. Mina did still want to be Nayeon’s friend, despite their brief intimacy. She’d also noticed that Nayeon had been going over to Jeongyeon and Momo’s place more and more often, so Mina hoped that maybe Nayeon could find happiness in Jeongyeon’s company.

“You know, there was one time when I—” Irene’s voice was interrupted by the small footsteps of a brunette entering the kitchen.

Looking between Mina and Irene with an embarrassed expression on her face, the girl froze like a deer seeing the blinding light of a car headlight. “Oh! Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” the girl apologized while not making eye contact. “I was just grabbing a glass of water.”

Irene smiled fondly at the girl as she turned away from Mina. “It’s fine Seulgi, you weren’t interrupting anything. I was just about to tell Mina of a time when I got in some trouble myself.”

Seulgi relaxed slightly and continued her trip toward the refrigerator. “That’s right, this girl can cause a lot of trouble when she wants to,” Seulgi said to Mina, smiling at the thought. Their leader was responsible and careful, but she did have a bit of a playful side.

Mina smiled at that, feeling a bit more relaxed now that she wasn’t alone with Irene. It wasn’t that she was scared of Irene, but she’d never really spoken much with her one on one.

After Seulgi poured herself a glass of water and offered Irene and Mina one as well, Seulgi joined them for a brief conversation.

Meanwhile, outside in the living room, Nayeon kept nervously glancing toward the kitchen, wondering what Irene and Mina were talking about. Sana placed a hand on Nayeon’s shoulder. “Relax,” she whispered in Nayeon’s ear. Sana gently placed a hand on Nayeon’s thigh to stop it from bouncing up and down repeatedly.

Nayeon sighed but nodded. They were probably gossiping about her, Nayeon figured.

When Irene and Seulgi returned into the living room with a trailing Mina behind, Nayeon released her breath and Jihyo gave her a slight pat on the back. Mina returned to her spot between Sana and Jihyo and her three roommates looked at her expectantly.

“Well?” Jihyo replied, and Mina, suddenly looking shy, smiled to herself.

“We had a pleasant talk,” was all Mina said, and Nayeon could feel her eyes rolling at the vagueness of the statement. No one pressed Mina for details though, and left it at that. Later, when the girls returned home, Mina would tell Jihyo all the details, including Irene’s story of when she had made a love potion once, and it too had backfired.

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Mina’s first date with Chaeyoung was, as expected, a success. Chaeyoung found a semi-fancy restaurant to take Mina to. She even made a reservation and everything. When Mina pulled up outside of Chaeyoung’s dorm building in her car, Chaeyoung nervously walked to the passenger seat and opened up the door. She was wearing a short, dark red dress that shined slightly.

“Hello,” Chaeyoung mused, not even making eye contact with Mina, but feeling embarrassed anyway.

“You look beautiful,” Mina answered, causing Chaeyoung’s eyes to widen as she turned to look at Mina. She could feel a slight bit of sweat forming on her brow as she took in Mina’s strapless black dress. The girl’s hair was even pinned up—a look Chaeyoung rarely saw from the older girl, but it made her look more sophisticated.

“Urmm,” Chaeyoung’s words wouldn’t work for a moment. “You too. Wow.”

And so they drove off to the restaurant. They laughed and chatted, with Chaeyoung leaning in slightly over the table to catch Mina’s every word. The restaurant was a bit too dimly lit and the background music was a bit too loud, but Chaeyoung felt as though there was nowhere she’d rather be than with Mina, here and now.

Hand-in-hand, the two girls walked to Mina’s car, taking in the fresh air which felt especially good after leaving the crowded restaurant.

“Chaeng?” Mina asked so quietly that it took Chaeyoung a second to process the word. She turned her head to the girl to her right. When she made eye contact with Mina, the older girl continued. “I’m sorry.”

Chaeyoung stopped walking and pulled Mina to a halt as well. “What for?”

“Everything that happened before.”

At first Chaeyoung was confused at what she was talking about, before it dawned on her that Mina was referencing the whole Nayeon incident. “Mina, you don’t need to apologize for that ever again, okay?” Chaeyoung urged, and Mina’s eyes lowered. Under the streetlamp, Mina was illuminated in a shade of yellow, but her face was covered in shadow. “It’s in the past. We’re together now, and I’m really happy!” Chaeyoung raised herself up slightly on her tip-toes and kissed Mina’s cheek.

“Okay,” Mina replied softly, but she wasn’t sure if she could ever stop apologizing for it. She was convinced she’d feel eternally guilty about it.

“Let me take your picture,” Chaeyoung mused, releasing Mina’s hand. “You look really beautiful right now.” And so Chaeyoung took out her phone and expertly angled it until Mina, who looked slightly sad, perked up slightly and posed expertly for a photo.

“You deserve the world,” Mina replied after Chaeyoung proudly showed the taller girl the photo on her phone screen.

“I have it, right now,” Chaeyoung confirmed, smiling at Mina with her dimple and causing Mina to lightly punch her girlfriend in the arm.

“You’ve been hanging out with Sana too much for your own good.” Mina laughed. “You’re so cheesy!”

“What can I say, you make me that way!” Chaeyoung smiled dopily and Mina fake gagged, only to cause Chaeyoung to give her a light punch back.

“Let’s head home, shall we?” Mina mused, looking slightly amused at the girl standing before her. It was a bit chilly out, and they both didn’t bring jackets—in the name of fashion of course. They were both dressed to impress. And Mina couldn’t deny the fact that her deliberate choice of a dress that exposed her shoulders was doing nothing to keep her warm at the moment.

Mina reached over and took Chaeyoung’s hand, relishing in the warmth of it, as they walked side by side toward Mina’s car.

___________________________________________

“This is so you,” Nayeon said, holding up an obnoxiously sparkly sequined dress in front of her.

Jeongyeon, dressed in an oversized jean jacket, with her signature round glasses on, and her blonde hair slightly wind-blown, simply rolled her eyes at Nayeon. “Ha ha. Totally.”

Nayeon had a goofy grin on her face as she hung the dress back up and pointed to an outfit dressed on a mannequin that was much too skinny and had no face. “You could pull that off,” Nayeon pointed out.

Jeongyeon turned her head from the t-shirt she was looking at and glanced up at the tight-fitting, highwaisted skirt with a pink, long sleeved crop top. “You think?” Jeongyeon asked honestly. “It’s not really my style.”

“It’d look good on you,” Nayeon replied. “With your body type.”

“My body type?” Jeongyeon moved to stand beside Nayeon and gave her a lazy smile.

“You know, tall and thin.”

“I’m not that tall,” Jeongyeon said, but she couldn’t help but hide her amusement over the fact that Nayeon thought about her “body type.”

“I wish I were as tall as you,” Nayeon sighed.

Jeongyeon simply smiled at Nayeon. “I’m not that much taller than you, you know.” But Nayeon continued to pout and Jeongyeon couldn’t help but elbow the girl. “So you think about my body type a lot, huh?”

Nayeon’s pout suddenly turned into a look of annoyance. “No, but I’m not blind,” she declared.

“Okay,” Jeongyeon chuckled. She took Nayeon’s arm and pulled her toward another section of the store. They were out shopping on a weekend, just for the heck of it. Window shopping, mostly. They’d gotten lunch in a little ramen place in the mall and were both suffering a bit from a food coma as they walked back and forth through the rows and rows of clothes in the boutique they had wandered into.

“What’s on your mind?” Jeongyeon replied, noticing Nayeon—who was normally a chatter box—slipping into a thoughtful silence.

“I’ve just been thinking...this is nice. Hanging out. With You. You and me,” Nayeon confessed.

“Don’t get all sappy on me now,” Jeongyeon joked, but she could feel Nayeon’s grip around her arm tighten.

“I’m serious,” Nayeon whined. “It’s nice, don’t you think?”

Jeongyeon looked at Nayeon’s serious expression and nodded. “Of course, I like hanging out with you.”

Nayeon let herself lean into Jeongyeon slightly. “Good.” She smiled and revealed her bunny teeth.

Nayeon weighing against her stirred something in Jeongyeon. It felt nice being that close to her, even in a public place where she’d usually be annoyed and embarrassed by such skinship.

“Thanks for trying to get my mind off of things,” Nayeon murmured, although her voice was slightly muffled as her lips were partially covered by Jeongyeon’s shoulder.

“You’re welcome,” Jeongyeon answered softly.

Pressed against Jeongyeon in the corner of the same boutique, getting semi-annoyed looks from the sole attendant in the shop, Nayeon truly forgot about everything that happened between her and Mina. No more flashes of their shared kisses, or their hands intertwined, or Mina’s soft brown eyes burning into her. There was just Jeongyeon’s warmth and kindness.

“Why are you helping me out?” Nayeon replied, after Jeongyeon had eventually pulled her out of the store and they sat down on a bench outside.

Jeongyeon opened to answer but Nayeon held up a hand. “And don’t say because you’re my friend. I know that. But none of my friends are willing to hang out with me every day to get my mind off of things.”

Jeongyeon thought for a minute and shrugged. “Guess I’m just a really good friend, so you better treat me well.” Jeongyeon smiled that lazy smile of hers and it made Nayeon’s chest ache. “Maybe you can buy me a—”

Jeongyeon didn’t have time to jokingly ask Nayeon to buy her a frozen mocha before Nayeon’s lips found hers. It was quick and a bit desperate, but it was a kiss, after all. Nayeon pulled back with a start and stared at Jeongyeon’s shocked expression. Her wide, brown eyes stared at Nayeon from behind her glasses.

Nayeon paused for a moment, regaining the thoughts that had slipped her mind as soon as their lips met. “Do you like me, Jeong?”

Jeongyeon looked away, suddenly becoming self conscious that they were outside in a public place where they could have an audience. “Yes,” she breathed out. “Now let’s not do this in pub—”

Nayeon pressed against her again, suddenly feeling brave at seeing Jeongyeon’s confident outer shell crack slightly. Their lips met and this time Jeongyeon’s parted a bit. They pressed closer and Nayeon’s hands desperately grabbed Jeongyeon collar, pulling her closer.

Jeongyeon began to melt into it for a moment before she put her hands on Nayeon’s chest and pushed her back sharply. “Nayeon—”

Nayeon’s eyes opened and she looked at Jeongyeon in horror. Did she misread all of the signs? Did Jeongyeon really only like her as a friend? Was she a fool, destined for loneliness?

Nayeon stood up abruptly and and took a step backward. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’ll...I’ll just go now…” She spun around to leave awkwardly and escape the embarrassment, but a quick hand caught her wrist and spun her back around. It was Jeongyeon’s fast reflexes. They were face to face again.

“Nayeon, wait. Don’t go.”

“I’m sorry Jeong, that was stupid. I feel like such an idiot.” Nayeon couldn’t meet Jeongyeon’s eyes. Instead she stared at a small fountain in a courtyard-like area nearby. “I know you’re just trying to be a good friend…”

“I am,” Jeongyeon admitted. “But…”

“But?” Nayeon replied, whipping her head back around, suddenly hopeful.

“But...I like you.”

“Like a friend?” Nayeon asked.

Jeongyeon hesitated, as if struggling to form the words in .

“Well, don’t just leave me standing here like a fool!” Nayeon whined. A few people walking nearby turned their heads at the noise.

“I like you, okay,” Jeongyeon grumbled.

“Like like me?” Nayeon offered, practically dancing back and forth from foot to foot. She wore a bit of a mischievous grin.

“Yes,” Jeongyeon breathed out.

“What was that?” Nayeon replied, leaning in closer. “I couldn’t hear you.”

“Don’t push it,” Jeongyeon warned, releasing her grip around Nayeon’s wrist.

Nayeon nearly squealed with excitement. She plopped back down on the bench beside her friend. “You like me too!” Nayeon sang in a cute voice. Jeongyeon’s face was reddening.

“Yes, okay dummy?”

Nayeon was smiling ear to ear and Jeongyeon couldn’t help but break slightly and smile back. “Wow. What a turn of events.”

“I really wasn’t expecting that kiss,” Jeongyeon confirmed.

“I wasn’t either. I was just feeling bold, and living in the moment, you know?”

Jeongyeon rolled her eyes.

“You like me,” Nayeon said again, as if still not quite believing it.

“Don’t let it boost your ego too much,” Jeongyeon warned. Nayeon reached and took one of Jeongyeon’s hands in her own.

“Too late for that,” Nayeon laughed and Jeongyeon rolled her eyes again but smiled like a dummy herself.

“Let’s go back to my place,” Jeongyeon replied after their fingers were intertwined. Nayeon’s heart was practically pounding in her chest as they walked side by side, hand in hand, to Jeongyeon’s car.

"We can...play with some more legos. I know you're good with your hands," Nayeon suggested cheekily causing Jeongyeon to snort and suddenly turn bright red. Nayeon laughed like a Disney movie villain as Jeongyeon quickly put her car in reverse and backed out of the parking spot.

This was the beginning of their future.

Who knows how long it would last, but it was theirs.

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That's it guys....for now, anyway! There's plenty more trouble for Sana and Nayeon to get into! I hope you've enjoyed Stuck In Love! Thanks for all your comments!