It took her a while, but Tzuyu could finally say with confidence that she was at ease. 

 

Maybe even a little too at ease.

 

As they waited for their order to arrive, she and Jeongyeon spent the last few minutes talking about their interests and just generally enjoying each other’s company. For some reason, Tzuyu couldn’t help but feel that this moment felt different from all the times when she came by the bakery during her free time. Sure, they sometimes talked about topics that might be deemed a bit sensitive or deep, but this time it seemed almost… intimate... if the way they were unconsciously inching closer to each other was an indication of anything.

 

Then, they moved on to talking about pets when Jeongyeon brought up a picture of her cat Bami. 

 

“This is a picture of him when we celebrated his first year with us, and then... oh! This was when we first got him. Look at how small he was!” Jeongyeon said as she showed the picture and swiped through a few more. 

 

Tzuyu remembered that cat. How could she forget when it literally stole her wallet? That little angry face of his really is...unique. I wonder...

 

“Umm, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but has he always looked like that?” Tzuyu asked.

 

“Always looked like what?”

 

“Always looked, you know, pissed?” Tzuyu continued. “I’m not saying he isn’t cute and all, but he always looks like he’s planning to kill someone.”

 

Jeongyeon laughed at Tzuyu’s remark before swiping to another photo. “Yeah, he’s always been like that even before we decided to adopt him. The people at the shelter honestly didn’t think anyone would want him because of how he looked, but it only made us want to take him home all the more.”

 

“Aww, that’s so sweet of you. You gave him a home when nobody else wanted to." Tzuyu said, feeling her heart swell with happiness a little.

 

“It just felt right, you know? Even the weirdest looking animals deserve a home.” Jeongyeon continued, and Tzuyu swears she might be falling for her even more.

 

“So what about you? Do you have any pets?” Jeongyeon asked.

 

“Oh, I have two dogs back at home. Their names are Gucci and Wutzu.” Tzuyu answered as she brought up a few photos of them on her phone.

 

“Oh my God, they’re adorable!” Jeongyeon said immediately upon seeing the photos. “They look so polite!”

 

“Polite? Heh, that’s new.” Tzuyu mused as she swiped through a few more photos. “That’s the first time I’ve heard someone describe my dogs like that.”

 

“What do you mean?” Jeongyeon asked with a little head tilt.

 

“Well, everyone always says that my dogs look like rats, especially Gucci.” Tzuyu answered, sounding a little downhearted. “I try not to let it get to me, but it still hurts when people call him a rat.”

 

“Aww, come here.” Jeongyeon said as she put her arm around Tzuyu’s shoulders and pulled her close. “If someone ever does that again, we’re fighting them.” She continued as she looked up and raised her fist into the air.

 

Tzuyu couldn’t help but giggle at Jeongyeon’s gesture. “I appreciate that, but I don't really like confrontation. I just try my best to ignore them when it happens.”

 

Jeongyeon looked at her, wide-eyed with astonishment. “Damn, you can stand that? I wouldn’t have had the patience if someone called Bami ugly. I would’ve been out there like Mike Tyson going “pow pow”!” She said, letting go of Tzuyu before making punching motions in the air. 

 

“Oh please, you wouldn’t have the guts. You’re just as soft as I am.” Tzuyu teased as she poked Jeongyeon’s side, making her yelp.

 

“Ah! Stop, I’m ticklish!” Jeongyeon said as she playfully swatted Tzuyu’s hand away. Tzuyu didn’t stop though and proceeded to tickle her all over. They both laughed as Jeongyeon tried her best to stop her, eventually resorting to wrapping Tzuyu in a bear hug.

 

“Hey, that’s not fair. You have strong arms!” Tzuyu said as she tried to move.

 

“Thanks. It’s what I get for kneading dough all day.” Jeongyeon replied, chuckling as she kept her hold on her. Even though the hug was a bit tight, Tzuyu had never felt so comfortable to be in someone’s arms, so much so that she closed her eyes and rested her head on Jeongyeon’s shoulder without thinking about it. Eventually, Jeongyeon’s hold on her loosened as she rested her own head on Tzuyu’s. 

 

This is nice. Tzuyu thought to herself. This is very nice... Wait, hang on, what the hell am I doing? What the hell are we doing?!

 

Her eyes shot open when she realized the position they were in, and it looked like Jeongyeon had just realized it too. They quickly returned to their original positions and felt embarrassed about what just happened. Tzuyu was already feeling herself blush and proceeded to look away to hide her face.

 

What followed was probably the longest and most awkward silence either of them had experienced. They also realized that their chairs were basically sticking to each other, so they moved back to their original spots to give each other space.

 

After another uncomfortable minute had gone by, Jeongyeon finally decided to face Tzuyu again and broke the silence. 

 

“So, umm…”

 

“Yeah, I uhh, that was…”

 

“Too much?”

 

“No! I mean, just a little umm...”

 

“Weird.”

 

“Yeah, weird.”

 

“A little weird, but not too weird, right?”

 

“Yup, not too weird.”

 

You could cut the tension with a knife, and it seemed like the waitress that arrived to bring them their order felt it too.

 

“Here you go, one order of nuclear chicken wings… Umm, is everything alright?” The waitress asked.

 

“Y-yes, everything’s fine.” Tzuyu stuttered as she smiled at the waitress. “Can we have some water too?”

 

“Oh! Heh, sorry, my bad. I’ll be back in a sec.” The waiter said before bowing and turning to leave. Not a moment too soon, the waitress returned with two glasses of cold water. Tzuyu’s throat felt dry after what just happened, so the moment the waitress put their glasses down, she took her glass and immediately gulped down all her water in one go, earning a surprised look from both Jeongyeon and the waitress.

 

“Do you umm, want a refill Miss?” The waitress asked.

 

“Y-yes. Thank you.” Tzuyu answered shyly as she handed her cup to the waitress who then headed off to refill it.

 

“Heh, seems like someone’s thirsty.” Jeongyeon commented in an attempt to ease the tension. It didn’t work, obviously, as it only served to make Tzuyu blush even more. 

 

Goddamnit, why did I let myself get carried away? Tzuyu thought to herself. I was in Jeongyeon’s arms. In her arms! And she was hugging me. She was hugging me, and I felt like I could melt right then and there…

 

“Here’s your water, ma’am.” The waitress said as she returned with the water, snapping Tzuyu out of her daze. 

 

“Oh, and umm, can we just get these wings wrapped to-go?” Jeongyeon butted in as she looked over behind the waitress. Tzuyu wondered what she was looking at, so she followed Jeongyeon’s line of sight. She saw that Jeongyeon was looking at the people that had just entered the restaurant: a woman in a blazer walking hand-in-hand with another woman in a simple sunday dress.

 

Is that them? Thank goodness, we can finally get this meeting over with. Tzuyu thought, feeling slightly relieved. 

 

“Ah! By the way, here’s the payment. I almost forgot to tell you that this is separate from the reserved dinner for the table.” Jeongyeon said as she pulled her wallet out and handed some cash.

 

“I see, okay. Will do, ma’am!” The waitress said as she took the plate of wings and took the money before leaving them.

 

Tzuyu couldn’t work up the strength to insist that they split the payment for the wings, so she just kept to herself as the two women that Jeongyeon was looking at finally reached their table.

 

“Oh my God, Jeongyeon, we’re so sorry to keep you waiting.” The woman in a sunday dress said they sat down at the other side of the table. “We really couldn’t afford to resolve the issue at a later date due to time constraints.”

 

“It’s okay, Sana. At least you two are here now.” Jeongyeon replied as she straightened her posture, almost as if she wasn’t totally flustered like Tzuyu was a few minutes ago. “Anyway, Sana, Momo, this is Tzuyu. She’s my uhh--”

 

“Friend. I’m her friend.” Tzuyu cut her off as she shook Sana’s then Momo’s hands. “I’m, uhh, the one lending her a hand with the bread.”

 

“Nice to meet you! Jeongyeon did tell us about the situation, so I’m glad you took up her offer.” Sana said as she and Momo settled in their seats.

 

“I-it’s nothing, really. Who am I to say no to a friend in need, right?” Tzuyu said, trying to match Jeongyeon’s professionalism despite her feelings.

 

“Mhm, yeah okay, friend...” Momo said as she looked at Tzuyu with a glint of mischief in her eyes, sending a shiver down Tzuyu’s spine.

 

Crap, please don’t tell me she can see right through me. Please don’t tell me it’s that obvious.

 

“Momo!” Sana said with a light tap to Momo’s shoulder. 

 

“What? I’m just trying to lighten the mood.” Momo responded. “Besides, we’re all gonna be working together. Why not ease the tension a little?”

 

Yep, she can tell. Goddamnit...

 

Soon enough, they began talking about the details of the events and all that, but one thought lingered at the back of Tzuyu’s mind.

 

This is the most awkward night of my life, and I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

-------------------------------------

The meeting went surprisingly well as they managed to iron out all the specifics, and by the end of it, everyone was on board with everything. 

 

“Thank you so much for your time, you two.” Sana said, shaking Jeongyeon’s hands then Tzuyu’s as they stood outside Rosie’s. “So, just keep in touch if anything goes wrong, ‘kay?”

 

“Yep. Take care now!” Jeongyeon said as Sana and Momo waved goodbye at them before turning to leave.

 

Tzuyu let out a sigh of relief as they watched Sana and Momo disappear from their view. Great, now that that’s over, I can finally--

 

“Is that who I think it is?” An ever so familiar voice chimed in from behind them, nearly making Tzuyu drop the plastic bag containing the box of chicken wings they had to get wrapped to-go. “Oh, it’s Tzuyu! And Jeongyeon too! What a nice surprise!”

 

Oh right, they’re here too. Tzuyu thought to herself as they turned around, letting out an exasperated sigh as she watched Dahyun and Chaeyoung approach. How could I forget about my dearest friends…

 

“Chae! What did I tell you a while ago?” Dahyun said as she pinched Chaeyoung’s arm.

 

“Ow, that I shouldn’t make things awkward…” Chaeyoung replied in a small voice.

 

“You really can’t contain yourself, can you?” Dahyun said before turning to face Jeongyeon. “Sorry, please excuse my girlfriend’s behavior. She can be a little… eccentric… at times.”

 

“It’s alright, I don’t mind.” Jeongyeon replied. “So, you two must be Tzuyu’s friends?”

 

“Yep. We haven’t properly introduced ourselves yet. I’m Chaeyoung and you’ve met me before.” Chaeyoung said as she broke off from Dahyun and shook Jeongyeon’s hand. “And this is my lovely girlfriend, Dahyun.”

 

“Ah, right! No wonder you looked so familiar. You’re the one that asked about the starter. “ Jeongyeon remarked before letting go of Chaeyoung’s hand and facing Dahyun. “Nice to meet you, Miss Dahyun.” She said as she bowed a little.

 

“Nice to finally meet you too, Miss Jeongyeon.” Dahyun replied and reciprocated the bow. ”Tzuyu’s told us a lot about you, you know.”

 

“I see...” Jeongyeon said, her lips curled into a small smile as she looked over to Tzuyu before returning to face Dahyun. “Well, I guess it’s only fair. My mom’s constantly been asking about Tzuyu too.”

 

She... she does?! I can’t believe what’s happening right now. We better go--

 

“Oh, and by the way, Chaeyoung and I are gonna drink tonight. Wanna come with us?” Dahyun asked. “It’s a bit of a spur-of-the-moment thing, really, but I think we all need a drink or two after a long week of exams.”

 

Before Tzuyu could react, Jeongyeon had already made her decision. “Oh man, I haven’t had a drink in ages. I’m in. Let me just give my mom a call.” 

 

Oh my God, what do I do? I don’t wanna ruin this for Jeongyeon, but I don’t wanna make things more awkward than they are. 

 

“Hey, Tzuyu, you good?” Jeongyeon asked, noticing the blank expression on her face. “You kinda zoned out there for a sec.”

 

Ah, Dahyun told me to take it easy, and I’m already disappointing her by overthinking right now. Screw it, let’s go.

 

“Yeah, I’m good. Let’s go then!” Tzuyu said, shifting her expression and trying her best to sound excited. “Live while we’re young, right?”

 

“Wow, didn’t think you were a 1D fan.” Chaeyoung butted in.

 

“Hey, don’t judge her. We’ve all had our phases, except you didn’t grow out of yours.” Dahyun retorted.

 

“It’s not a phase if I never stopped listening to them.” Chaeyoung answered back. “My Chemical Romance is timeless, you know.”

 

Jeongyeon couldn’t help but laugh at the couple bickering in front of them. “Are they always like this?” She asked.

 

“Unfortunately, yes. This is pretty normal.” Tzuyu answered before getting in between Dahyun and Chaeyoung. “Hey, save the argument for the dorm. We don’t have all night.”

 

“Yeah, Tzuyu’s right. Let’s get going.” Chaeyoung agreed.

 

“Psh, as if you didn’t start it.” Dahyun retorted.

 

Even before they got to whatever place Dahyun and Chaeyoung had in mind, Tzuyu could already tell this was going to be a long night.

 

She just hoped she’d be able to keep herself together for a little longer. She of all people would know that alcohol and emotions are a bad combo.