“I’ll do it! I swear to god I’ll do it!” Heejin threatened as she held Hyunjin’s ty off-brand speaker out of the bus window. Shouting like a crazy lady whilst drenched in coffee wasn’t the first thing she wanted to be doing at 9am on a random Thursday, but what could she say? Duty called. 

 

Hyunjin snorted and crossed her arms. “You wouldn’t dare.” Her attitude was cool and careless, but Heejin was no fool. She could see the panicked twitch in Hyunjin’s eye, the way her hands were squeezing her forearms in discomfort. Heejin was getting into her head. The ridiculous plan was working. 

 

With a smug grin, Heejin hopped down from the bus seat she was stood on and approached her nemesis, speaker held firmly behind her back. “Alright then big girl, I’ll make you a deal-”

 

“Big girl?!” Hyunjin snorted once again, fighting with the lord to hold in a barking laugh. “Jesus, you’re really not good at this are you?” 

 

The truth was, she really wasn’t. She had never been a fighter – in fact, she had spent most of her life actively avoiding any form of conflict. What was she supposed to do if things went south? Run away? Don’t be stupid. The last time Heejin went on a run, she had to stop after less than two minutes because she could taste blood. 

 

Though for Kim Hyunjin, she could make an exception. The person who blasted music every fricking morning on a public bus. The person who elbowed her and kneed her multiple times whilst she worked out… on a public bus?! The reason that her clothes were currently dripping lukewarm coffee onto the floor- oh, she could make an exception. 

 

Cheeks burning, Heejin smacked the athlete’s arm. “Quiet! Or the ty speaker gets it.”

 

Hyunjin mimicked a zip of her lips and took a deep breath, managing to concentrate all her amusement into one mocking smirk.

 

“Thank you.” Heejin took a position on the 1st step of the bus in obvious attempt to tower the taller girl. “Now, if you want this speaker back, there’s going to have to be some changes around here.”

 

“Changes huh?” Hyunjin butted in, earning a stern glare. 

 

“This is your last chance, Kim!” Heejin pointed her finger as if she was a mid-aged teacher in low-rated high-school. 

 

Hyunjin’s grin remained prominent on her face, though she allowed a little more submission in her posture “Yes sir, sorry sir!” she muttered under her breath.

 

Heejin decided to let that slide. 

 

“I do not want to see this… this abomination of a machine on this bus- no, scrap that, I don’t want to see it anywhere, everagain.” Heejin ranted, aggressively gripping the speaker as if the object itself could feel physical pain. “Use headphones, like a normal ing person. Like everyone else that ever got the damn bus. Ugh, you’re so weird-”

 

“Objection! Uncalled for.” Hyunjin called out, making Heejin roll her eyes. 

 

“Overruled because its true.” Heejin glared back, signalling with her eyes that Hyunjin was on thin ice.

 

“Secondly, your dumb work-outs stay the out of my personal space. I’m sick of looking up to see your crusty in my face. Who even works out on the bus? Who has the goddamn motivation and energy at this time in the damn morning? I didn’t even have the energy to check my pants were on the right way… not that it matters now anyway.”

 

Looking down at her still soaking wet clothes, Heejin sighed deeply. “Which brings me to my last point.” She inches closer to Hyunjin, stepping down from the stairs in order to get right up in her smug face. “If you ever, ever spill hot coffee on me again, I am allowed to smash up the dumb speaker until it is just a little dumb ball of scrap metal.”

 

Hyunjin let out a slight giggle, “Wow, I’ve really pissed you off with that speaker…”

 

“Do we have a deal, Kim Hyunjin?” Heejin interrupted, trying to ignore what had just been said (of course it pissed her off. It was nine in the ing morning). She extended her sticky coffee hand and presented it Infront of the athlete. 

 

Nose wrinkling, Hyunjin used her pointer finger to push Heejin’s gross- hand out of her way. “Yeah, sure, deal, whatever. But I’m not shaking on it.”

 

“Great.” Heejin smiled sweetly and shoved the speaker back into Hyunjin’s hands, before gracefully returning to her seat. Finally, her plan had worked. 

 

She took a deep breath of relief. The air felt fresher than before. 

 

For the first time in a while, Heejin couldn’t wait until tomorrow.

 

…

 

The looks that Heejin received upon swinging open her office door drenched in coffee were… somewhat amusing. 

 

If she wasn’t already so over the events of the day then maybe the bewildered faces and mocking snickers would’ve embarrassed her. Maybe she would’ve felt some sort of shame for making the whole room reek of crappy coffee. 

 

But after the morning she’d had, Heejin had no energy for any of that. She smiled, almost proudly, and slumped down on the table with the other interns. 

 

“Okay… I’m guessing there’s a story here?” Chae instantly questioned, grinning at her friend’s unusual entrance. 

 

Park Chaewon was pretty much the only person Heejin could stand in the office. The only person who held even an inch of personality, who didn’t have the face of an old English bulldog. She was high spirited and caring, but with a sparking attitude towards anyone she didn’t respect. Truthfully, Chae always reminded Heejin of a preppy animal crossing villager – small, cute and cheerful, but could be a right when she wanted to be. 

 

Heejin let her head fall onto the table and let out a slight groan. “Can I call in sick if I’m already here?”

 

“No. That would be unfair on your favourite co-…intern.” Chaewon rummaged through her bag before pulling out a pair of leggings and a pastel pink hoodie. “Here. Go change. You stink.”

 

Heejin spent the rest of the day rocking about in gym clothes that were three sizes too small for her and resembled the style of a 12-year-old girl. It’s hard to get taken seriously in a lawyer’s office looking like such a fool. Nobody would give her any good files, and she honestly didn’t blame them. She looked like a crazy lady who had somehow wandered in from the streets. 

 

So instead of doing her own work, Heejin spent the day sponging off whatever Chaewon was given. The two had decided to visit a local café after hours so that they could ‘discuss Ms. Golding’s case’ (though they both knew that Golding’s name wouldn’t be mentioned again until tomorrow. The time was guaranteed to be spent gossiping about Chaewon’s crush on ‘wolf girl’ and Heejin’s hatred towards Seoul’s biggest bus wanker). 

 

“So all this girl said was ‘deal, whatever’ and you sat back and called it a day?” Chaewon repeated after Heejin, her eyebrows furrowed. 

 

The taller girl nodded slowly, trying to ignore the wave of doubt that had bombarded her after just one sentence.

 

“Jeon Heejin, you’re a ing idiot.” Chaewon smacked her hand, earning an offended ‘owww’. “You really think she’s going to listen? Are you that naive?! Jesus, if I knew you were such a dingwat I would’ve showed up to supervise you.”

 

Heejin felt as though she was a child being scolded by her strict mother. She hadn’t been that stupid… right? She clearly set out everything she wanted Hyunjin to do… she even felt at some points she had been quite intimidating! Hyunjin would probably be too scared to go against her wishes, who wants to piss off the angry, shouty, property destroying on the bus? Surely not anybody in their right mind…

 

Her heart dropped once she realised that Hyunjin was the last person that would be found to be in their ‘right mind’. The girl was ing crazy. She does daily pullups on bus hand-bars at an hour where the birds are still chirping. She’s insane. You can’t reason with insanity…

 

“Please tell me you at least held her speaker hostage? Yknow, so she can get it back if she behaves?” Chaewon reasoned, her face growing angrier once she saw how sheepish Heejin had suddenly become. “Oh my god you gave it back to her didn’t you. You actually gave it back to her. I can’t believe this. My best friend is a ing .”

 

Throwing her head into her hands in disappointment, Chaewon finally stopped her scolding. The air was tense and uncomfortable for a while – Heejin’s high of defeat had just come crashing down. The two sat basking in their angsty first world problems for a while: Heejin thinking of her failures, Chaewon disappointed that her friend was a complete . After what felt like months, the silence was finally broken.

 

“So… is your crush still dating your brother?” Heejin provoked, causing Chaewon’s head to snap up. 

 

That was always the best icebreaker. 

 

“She doesn’t even like him! I swear they have the chemistry of two brick walls!” Chaewon began her rant, earning a giggle from her friend. “She looks at him as if he’s one of those stale dog poos on the side walk! Yknow? The ones that have gone all white and stuff? And I swear when she looks at me her eyes twinkle a little… that must mean something right? She must know she’s with the wrong sibling- I mean have you seen Woosung?! I love him but… he hasn’t been blessed with looks has he? I mean, in the nicest way possible, he’s like one of those dogs that are so ugly that they’re kind of cute but only in a way that you pity them-”

 

Chaewon was finally cut off by an abrupt laugh from Heejin. She took the opportunity to take a deep breath and gather herself a little, before delving into another cluster of a rant.

 

“Yknow, we had a sort-of moment yesterday… she stayed round for dinner, and I asked her if she wanted a drink, and she said no and touched my shoulder? And there was sparks Heejin! Like… actual sparks! I saw her eye twitch! She had sparks too I swear! And I found out that she’s a gamer which means she’s obviously my soulmate and stinky Woosung doesn’t even like gaming so essentially he’s stolen my gamer girlfriend and I-”

 

“Chaewon, please!” Heejin cut her off. “You’re making the dogs bark! Your pitch could shatter windows if you carry on!”

 

Slumping back in her chair, Chaewon sighed. “I just… wish things were different.”

 

“I know.” Heejin pulled her chair closer to Chae and placed a soothing hand on her back. 

 

The art of comforting Chae in these times had become a well-developed skill of Heejin’s. This had been going on for months… in fact, maybe a year. Chaewon had been whipped for this ‘wolf girl’ since well before her brother got his hands on her. They attended the same high school, Heejin had been dragged to watch ‘the wolves’ basketball team play many times. Chaewon was devastated when they graduated and Hyejoo went off to play for another unknown team… and also when wolf girl met her brother. Naturally, Woosung’s presence had drastically changed the nature of Chaewon’s yearning- but still. Heejin had gained enough experience in listening to this bull to call herself an expert.

 

“Ooh! Also! I need you to come somewhere with me!” Chae suddenly chirped up, an animated lightbulb almost appearing above her head. “I’ve been doing some digging.”

 

Heejin groaned. “where.” 

 

There was a few seconds of obvious contemplation from the smaller girl before she answered. “It’s a surprise.”

 

“a surprise, or a with-holding of information because I won’t go if I know…”

 

Chaewon got up from her chair and gathered her things, tapping the side of her nose mischievously. “Just be at Chayang bus stop at 6pm tomorrow! Thanks! Love you! You’re the best! Ok bye.” The smaller girl made her abrupt exit before Heejin could express any form of dissent, clumsily dragging all of her things along with her. 

 

Heejin knew exactly what was coming. She had been here before. Did she want to be dragged to yet another dumb basketball game by her crazy friend who should probably have a restraining order against her? Big fat no. 

 

Was she going to go anyway because she was a top tier boss of a friend who deserved much more appreciation than she ever received?

 

Heejin sighed, resenting every nice bone in her pathetic body. 

 

Guess I’m going to watch basketball!

 

…

 

Heejin couldn’t believe it. She couldn’t believe her friend had been right. 

 

Before the bus even reached her stop, she could hear that damn speaker. It was louder than usual today. Heejin knew she was in for the worst morning of the week. 

 

When the bus doors opened, she was met by an incredibly smug looking Hyunjin. She was wearing a tank top and shorts that showed off her… exceptionally toned body, yellow sweat bands on her forehead and wrists, and bright yellow trainers. Her equipment was laid out all over the floor, and her speaker was headache-inducing. Heejin felt a little taken aback by the skin exposure, she had only really ever seen Hyunjin in sweats. She had no idea she was so…fit. Like, physically. She felt her hands get a little clammy… must be the bus heating. 

 

“So is this the kind of person you are? The type to break promises?” Heejin scanned her ticket and made her way over to the taller girl, fighting with her desire to throw some punches. “I expected better from you, Kim. This is low, even for you.”

 

“Settle down, sweetheart.” Hyunjin brought her large hand up to Heejin’s face and brushed her cheek with her thumb. “We didn’t shake on it.”

 

“B-but… I-” Heejin scrambled to find her words, her body becoming more and more flustered by the feeling of Hyunjin’s touch on her skin. She was obviously just… confused. She didn’t expect to be touched. This was a normal, straight way to be dealing with such an action. “You-… you promised!” She tried to ignore the burning in her cheeks. 

 

Hyunjin chuckled smugly and brushed a strand of hair from Heejin’s face, before taking a step back and picking up a dumbbell. “The promise wasn’t sealed though, was it? Your hands were too sticky, we couldn’t shake on it. Therefore, not enforceable. Sorry.” Though Hyunjin clearly wasn’t at all sorry. She smiled sweetly and began lifting, lip-syncing to the current song. 

 

For a few long seconds, Heejin stood staring back in utter shock. Why in the name of did she let Hyunjin touch her like that? And why did it feel… no. She was clearly just shocked. She wasn’t expecting it. She wasn’t feeling butterflies, it was definitely just adrenaline. 

 

But honestly, that was so weird? Heejin was used to some mild ‘flirty’ language, Hyunjin would often call her ‘sweetheart’ or ‘honey’ with the obvious intent to patronise her. But the touching? That was new. Why was that necessary? Was it Hyunjin’s new way of taking the piss? By messing with her emotions and finding amusement when she turned into a fumbling mess? Evil, pure evil.

 

Sighing in defeat, Heejin took a seat and outwardly sulked. She needed to take this up with Chaewon… the beast was harder to slay than either of them once thought. They needed a game plan, and they needed one fast. 

 

Hyunjin must’ve noticed Heejin’s pouting, because her thoughts were suddenly interrupted with a harsh silence. Heejin rolled her eyes and turned away once she noticed the taller girl making her way over, earning a (probably deserved) snort of disbelief.

 

“listen, if you’re gonna be like that I’ll just turn the music back on and you can continue to sulk like a stroppy toddler.”

 

Heejin looked up slowly, veins riddled with annoyance and agitation. “why not? I tried to reason with you and you threw it back in my face.” She kicked her feet slightly to show her irritation, making Hyunjin smirk. 

 

“You threatened to throw my property out of the window, called me weird, referred to my as… what was it? ‘crusty’? Then you insulted my morning routine, threatened to destroy my property once again and left.” Hyunjin recited, causing Heejin’s face to go slightly pink. “When was it that you tried to ‘reason’ with me?”

 

“Uhm… I-” Ah beans. Heejin had been stumped. Maybe the devil’s incarnate was right… maybe she had stooped to her level? Heejin had always thought she was the bigger person, but it seemed that yesterday she had lost it. Maybe Hyunjin deserved an apolog-

 

Wait…

 

“So you’re saying that my reaction was completely unwarranted? You drenched my entire uniform in coffee?!” There it was. Heejin’s anger had gathered its together and was ready to make a structured pounce. “You are the one who started this. You are the one who pisses me off every morning for literally no reason. You are the reason I had to spend half of yesterday smelling like a schoolteacher’s breath! If you want respect, show some respect!”

 

Heejin really thought she had made a statement. She felt a second of pride after her little outburst- a satisfying feeling of power and emotional strength. That was all until Hyunjin literally responded by laughing at her. 

 

“You really are obsessed with me, aren’t you?” Hyunjin chuckled, throwing a wink towards her rival.

 

Heejin was baffled. She blinked slowly, trying to process what the was happening.

 

“I… When did I- what the ?!” 

 

Hyunjin giggled- a giggle that Heejin hadn’t seen before. It was soft, genuine. Asif a completely different soul had possessed Hyunjin’s body, giggled, and then left. Weird.

 

“Okay sweetheart, this is my stop.” Hyunjin quickly gathered her things, winking once again before swiftly exiting the bus. Heejin was left internally ting crying and sliding down the walls. 

 

What the hell did she mean? Heejin wasn’t obsessed with… well, with anyone! Sure, she thought of Hyunjin a lot, but not in an obsessive way! In more of a… yknow… angry way. In a way where she wanted to wrap her hands around her muscular neck and just squeeze. Or in a way where she wanted to just… just-

 

Heejin was flustered. She didn’t want to think about it right now. She just wanted to sit quietly, get to work and forget about everything.

 

And that’s exactly what she did. 

 

…

 

Chaewon was already waiting at the bus stop the second Heejin pulled up. She would’ve thought that arriving 15 minutes early would’ve given her a bit of time to herself… she was wrong. 

 

“What the took you so long?!” An excitable Chaewon scolded, before grabbing Heejin’s wrist and dragging her towards the nearby university basketball court. 

 

The taller girl rolled her eyes and allowed herself to be dragged. “I’m literally early- Ow!” Chaewon dragged her carelessly passed a lamppost, causing her shoulder to harshly collide with it whilst doing so.

 

“Don’t be a baby. We’re nearly there!” Heejin let herself be tugged for a few more blocks until finally they reached the campus. 

 

Heejin couldn’t lie… the university as a whole was incredible: Beige brick buildings towered elegantly above them; grass decorated certain patches of the ground to make a well-structured pattern of pathway; freshly trimmed bushes, marble statues, decorative flower beds and stone fountains were placed flawlessly around the campus. Everything was perfect, so perfect that Heejin couldn’t help but feel like they didn’t belong. 

 

“Uh… so” Heejin began, feeling slightly overwhelmed. Chaewon snapped out of her amazement to re-attach her grasp on the taller girls wrist.

 

“This way!”

 

The basketball court was significantly less impressive than campus, but still pretty snazzy. It looked like the sort of stuff you’d see in American movies- massive outdoor court, lights shining down from the outsides, rows and rows of chairs. All very cliché, but nevertheless impressive. 

 

Suddenly, Heejin’s attention was grasped by a high-pitched squeak. “Oh my god there she is! She’s right there! Heejin look look look look look look look-”

 

“Chaewon I’m ing looking!”

 

All dramatic annoyances aside, Chae was right. Hyejoo was right there, talking with a couple of her teammates. Lucky you, wolf girl! Your stalker has found you!

 

The two sat and watched the girls practice for a short while- well, Chaewon watched. Heejin spent most of the time on her phone, searching for new jeans on Asos. She nodded half-heartedly at every thirsty comment Chaewon made, pretended to care about anything but her new jeans, and tried to act as though wouldn’t rather be anywhere else in the world for at least 10 minutes before she looked up. And god, did she wish she had just kept her head down. 

 

The second her gaze lifted from her phone, it landed on something that made her feel instantly sick. There, in the middle of the field, was Kim ing Hyunjin. 

 

Heejin stood up and leaned forward to try and get a better look. Surely that can’t be her?! She wanted to run until she hit Russia. Of all the people in the world that could’ve shown their faces? Kim stinkin’ crusty Hyunjin?! 

 

No, Heejin wasn’t having that. Absolutely not. 

 

Dramatically grabbing her things, she began to make her exit, when she was pulled back by a small (but surprisingly strong) hand. 

 

“Jeon Heejin you are not going anywhere.” Chaewon said sternly “Sit down and tell me what the problem is!”

 

“Chae, That’s Her!”

 

Heejin pointed to the figure, causing her friend’s eyes to widen dramatically. Chaewon smacked her leg in excitement.

 

“Nooooo way! You never told me she was hot! Jesus Christ Heejin I was picturing some little sweaty gremlin or something! Look at her?! She’s like one of those athletic model-” Heejin had no choice but to shut her friend up by putting a hand over . 

 

“Okay! I get it! Shut up!” Her cheeks were burning. 

 

When Chaewon finally got free from Heejin (by ing biting her), she smirked widely. “Oh my god, I’ve had it wrong this whole time. You don’t hate her… you like her!”

 

Heejin nearly threw up in . Her heartrate began to speed up and her skin went pale. She never wanted to have such an awful realisation. Her eyebrows furrowed in pity. She had realised that her best friend was clinically insane. 

“It’s okay Chae… we can get you help…” Heejin rubbed her friend’s back, growing to be increasingly worried. Chaewon didn’t appreciate this at all. She responded with a swift flick to the forehead.

 

“I’m not mad you idiot, think about it!” Heejin rubbed her forehead. “You talk about this girl allllll the time, seriously, you never shut up about her. You continue to get on that same bus at the same time even though you claim to ‘despise her and her stupid speaker’, and you seem to let her push you around as if you’re some submissive and breedable bottom!” Chaewon snorted when she saw Heejin turn a vibrant shade of red “You like her. I’m convinced. Shotgun on being your bridesmaid.”

 

“You’ve definitely lost it” Heejin tries to play it off, but her thoughts were doing marathons. Surely Chae can’t be right… right? She could admit that Hyunjin was kind of attractive, but that didn’t mean she wanted to stick her tongue down ! And those feelings she got… they must’ve been adrenaline. Moments with Hyunjin were tense and uncomfortable, that was a completely valid reason as to why her heart raced and she got all sweaty. None of that meant she liked her…

 

Did it?

 

Besides, even if it was true. Even if Heejin did, as if by a miracle, find out she had… feelings. It’s not like anything could happen. Hyunjin had made it quite clear that she hated Heejin. You don’t go out of your way to ruin the morning of people you have feelings for. 

 

Saving her from a guaranteed sequence of embarrassing comments from Chae, the game finally started. 

 

Hyejoo’s university must’ve been the best of the best, because damn did those girls play good. It was like watching a well-choreographed dance. The players glided around the ball, effortlessly tackling the other team in places where you’d expect it would be impossible. The team worked like gears in a machine- each executing their roles to perfection. 

 

She didn’t want to admit it, but Heejin did spend most of her time trying (and failing) to keep her eyes off Hyunjin. All of those workouts must’ve been doing something, because she was probably the best player. Every shot she made went flawlessly through the hoop, as if it was as simple as tying her shoes. And there was a certain dorky dance she seemed to do every time she scored… a dance Heejin had never pictured Hyunjin doing. It was ugly and cheerful, and also kind of cute? Heejin was growing more and more to believe that this was actually Hyunjin’s adorable, dorky, y twin sister. 

 

Chaewon was a mess throughout the entire game, as to be expected. She was screeching, sweating, sliding down the back of her chair – honestly, it was embarrassing. She was like a cat in heat. She might as well have been holding a sign that said ‘RUIN ME WOLF GIRL’ in big, obnoxious letters. 

 

When the game finished, Chae had this manic look in her eyes. As soon as everybody started getting up, she grabbed Heejin once again by the wrist and began to drag her away.

 

“Yknow it wouldn’t hurt to just ask me to follow you. Where are we even going?” Heejin groaned, letting her self be dragged once again as if she was some kind of rag doll.

 

Though Chaewon’s next words left her stunned.

 

“I’m going to confess.” She said proudly, marching with such determination. Heejin’s eyes near enough popped out of her skull. 

 

“What the  Chae? She’s literally your brother’s girlfriend?! Have you lost your ing mind?!”

 

Heejin tried her best to pull the girl back, but Chae just let go of her wrist and continued marching forward. “I’ve had enough Heej!” She shouted, whilst parading off into the distance. “She’s mine and he knows it! He’ll get over it eventually! Don’t wait up!”

 

Unbelievable. 

 

“I guess I’ll be going then…” Heejin muttered under her breath, before turning on her heel and walking back towards the bus stop. 

 

…

 

Upon arriving at the bus stop, Heejin was delighted to find that her particular bus had stopped running beyond 8pm. Her house was roughly 45 minutes away by foot. 

 

Fantastic.

 

Begrudgingly, Heejin began her long journey home. She hated walking, especially on her own. It was so… boring. She often found herself forcing her to think about random, unimportant things when she was that bored; like whether the cast of greys anatomy got squeamish whilst filming certain surgical scenes even if they knew it wasn’t real; or which avenger would be most likely to die in a zombie apocalypse. That kind of thinking was fun when it came naturally, but not when it was forced. When it was forced, Heejin could equate it to psychological torture. 

 

“Need a ride?” A voice appeared suddenly beside her, bringing her from her thoughts so quickly it was jarring. Heejin jumped and snapped her head up to see Hyunjin, who had appeared out of ing nowhere to ruin her evening as well as her morning. 

 

“A ride? What ride? You’re literally walking.” Heejin deadpanned, kicking herself for forgetting her earphones. Though Hyunjin didn’t take any offence to her grouchiness. She actually chuckled. 

 

“I’m calling a cab.” Hyunjin replied, jogging slightly every now and again to keep up with Heejin’s fast pace. “It can take us both home, on me?”

 

Heejin looked up, her eyebrows wrinkled. Why would she do that? Such a random act of kindness? Hyunjin hadn’t been kind to her once in her life? No. It must be a trap.

 

“I think I’d rather walk.” Heejin smiled sassily, before picking up her pace once again. 

 

Sighing in slight annoyance, Hyunjin kept up her speed. “Fine, but I’m walking with you. You might be a bit of a , but I don’t want you to get killed.”

 

Heejin decided to ignore that. 

 

The two walked in silence for a while, the tension rising with every step. Seconds felt like hours, minutes felt like days. Heejin was becoming increasingly annoyed – why couldn’t she just be left alone? It was if that girl’s life mission was to ruin every commute Heejin had for the rest of her days!

 

“So, what brings you here so late?” Hyunjin broke the silence, obviously feeling just as uncomfortable. 

 

Heejin’s lips pounced to hit her with a ‘don’t ing talk to me’, but she bit her tongue once she realised that talking was probably better than radio silence. She sighed and submitted to a session of awkward small-talk. 

 

“I was watching the game.” She replied matter-of-factly, too stubborn to put even a smidge of effort in. 

Though the evidence showed that she didn’t need to say any more. Hyunjin’s head shot up, her attitude suddenly becoming small. “y-you what?” Did she just ing stutter? Heejin was confused, she could’ve sworn she almost saw the taller girl’s cheeks burn.

 

Puzzled, Heejin’s eyebrows knotted together. “Uhm, yes? My friend has a crush on your teammate, so we went to watch the game… is that okay?” 

 

Heejin was absolutely speechless. Where’s the sass? The unbearable narcissism? The patronising terms of endearment? Could it be that there really was more to Kim Hyunjin than it seemed? Was all that nastiness just an act?

 

“Wow, you really can’t get enough of me can you?” 

 

There it is. 

 

Heejin groaned outwardly and rolled her eyes, scolding herself for ever getting her hopes up even slightly. Her anger was very nearly bubbling out of control. 

 

“What is it that makes you so obsessed?” Hyunjin continued, oblivious to the fact that she was prodding at a ticking bomb. “Is it my big muscular sporty body? My adorable face? My eyes that draw you in like chocolaty pools of seduction?”

 

Cringing greatly, Heejin practiced her deep breathing. They had just reached the alleyway, meaning she was only half-way home. She didn’t know how much more she could take.

 

“Do you yearn for me when I’m not around? Go to bed early every night so that you can wake up quickly and see me on the bus?”

 

Don’t get mad, don’t get mad, don’t get mad… 

 

“I mean, I knew you liked me, but showing up at my basketball game? Damn, you must be straight up in love with me-

 

That was about enough. Heejin snapped. She threw her body against Hyunjin’s and pushed her up against the nearest wall, her movements electric with rage and adrenaline. She tried to ignore how close her face suddenly was to Hyunjin’s, and how red her cheeks probably were because of it. 

 

“What the  is your problem? Why are you such a  all the ing time? Jesus christ you’re like a disease! If you hate me this much then why can’t you stay the away from me? You’re constantly just… there?! Do you enjoy making me miserable? Because if you do, you should probably get that looked at, because it’s a bit ing psychotic.”

 

Heejin didn’t know what she was expecting, but it wasn’t… this. Hyunjin didn’t push her away, she didn’t shout anything back- hell, she didn’t even look angry. She just stayed there, silently pressed against the wall, a smirk plastered across her face. 

 

Just before the smaller girl was about to give up, there was a response.

 

“If you want to kiss me this bad, you should just ing do it.”

 

Heejin was… repulsed! So repulsed that her stomach tied itself in knots. She scanned Hyunjin’s face to find any form of mockery- nothing. Her expression was weirdly soft. She seemed almost breathless. 

 

Just as Heejin was about to pull away, her eyes fell down and locked with Hyunjin’s lips. She never should’ve looked. Suddenly, she couldn’t think. Her body couldn’t communicate with her brain. She felt herself begin to lean closer into Hyunjin, her hands rose up and grabbed a handful of the athlete’s shirt. On autopilot, Heejin tugged Hyunjin forward and crashed their lips together. 

 

She instantly felt a redness creep up the back of her neck and spread to her ears. Heejin was in disbelief. She was kissing Kim ing Hyunjin. The Kim Hyunjin. And what was even crazier was that Hyunjin was actually kissing her back?

 

The athletes hand s onto Heejin’s lower back and pulled her waist forward, making their bodies fall flush against each-other. The smaller girl placed a hand on the back of Hyunjin’s neck, using her nails to leave small scratches which caused Hyunjin to exhale deeply through her nose. The kiss was deep and passionate – Heejin was surprised she could still breathe.

 

Finally, Hyunjin pulled away and rested her forehead gently against Heejin’s. The two stayed like that for a while, holding each other tightly and catching their breath. Heejin had no idea why she was still there, why she hadn’t pushed Hyunjin away and bolted. The truth was, she didn’t want to. she had never felt anything so… electrical. Her heart was racing in a way that it hadn’t before. She didn’t want such a feeling to flee. 

 

“I don’t hate you.” Hyunjin spoke softly, her head still resting against Heejin’s. “How could I hate you?”

 

It was an understatement for Heejin to say that she was stunned. How doesn’t she hate her? What evidence was there of any emotion other than hate? Heejin brought her head away and lifted Hyunjin’s chin softly with her hand (bold move, but at this point, what did she have to lose?). For the first time since Heejin was screaming bloody murder, the two locked eyes. 

 

“I don’t think you hate me either” Hyunjin spoke again, this time looking directly into the shorter girl’s gaze. “I think you’re scared of what you feel.” 

 

Without a known reason, Heejin suddenly felt quite defensive. She pulled away slightly, her face presenting a frown. “What do you mean?”

 

“No no- wait-” Hyunjin panicked, scrambling to save herself. “I- I mean… I was scared too! That’s why I’ve always been so… uhm-”

 

“So difficult? Such a pain in the ? Such a colossal bumfluff?” Heejin chuckled, taking a seat on the ground and bringing her knees to her chest. Hyunjin smirked and followed suit. 

 

“I was going to say turbulent, but I guess those work too.” 

 

The two sat for a while, staring at the wall opposite the one they were leant against. Heejin couldn’t help but feel kind of relieved. Her weird relationship with Hyunjin had added sort of an ambiguous weight on her shoulders, that refused to leave before the matter was resolved. She was glad to finally be beating that weight with a stick. 

 

Putting her head upon Hyunjin’s shoulder, Heejin let out a sigh. “Lets start fresh.” She began, smiling contently. “I want to get to know this Hyunjin, instead of the Hyunjin who drenches me with coffee at 9 in the morning.”

 

Hyunjin couldn’t help but snort. “Okay, I am truly sorry, but you have to admit that was ing hilarious.” She mocked, earning a pout from a very unamused Heejin. 

 

“See! Look at that! Look at how cute you are when you’re grumpy!” Hyunjin poked at Heejin’s cheek, earning a swift swatting away. 

 

Knowing when to give it up, Hyunjin wrapped an arm around Heejin and pulled her close. “Okay, I’m sorry. I’d love for you to get to know me, I think you’ll find I’m actually quite charming.”

 

Heejin gave up trying to hide the smirk that wanted ever so greatly to decorate her face. She playfully smacked the athlete’s leg before cuddling further into her embrace. 

 

“Okay, well, Hi. I’m Heejin.” 

 

Hyunjin chuckled, squeezing the smaller girl into her embrace slightly. “I’m Hyunjin.” She played along. 

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

 

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Thankyou for reading my covid isolation creation. 

I should be writing another oneshot explaining the show between Hyewon so don't worry! I didn't do them too dirty!