compliments get on her good side. terry’s been stuck with her long enough to know that her entire circulatory system runs on ego and the money she doesn’t have. after all, terry isn’t really any different - except he’s pumping an additional mix of caffeine and bad decisions. this entire ordeal could be the latter, which makes his blood flow justifiable at this point. mania can do many things - and so can an empty wallet. pull through. goddamn it.
the pull-tab is ready and waiting, clasped delicately between his thumb and index finger. just the sight of it in front of him is enough to make him snicker, shoulder shrugging the slightest in a futile attempt not to laugh. his friend’s agitated tone is enough to make him lose his shit, but he forces himself to keep his composure. he masks this as pure unadulterated, smile only growing wider. it’s easy to fake one if that’s what he’s been doing his entire life.
terry leans forward, closer, to hiss back through a clenched jaw, “i swear to god i’m leaving your over-dramatic ass on the spot.” as if his entire monologue hadn’t been dramatic at the very least. but he’s all for getting free shit. “just fucking focus for five more seconds. jesus.” slender fingers rest against slightly calloused palms, pull-tab slipping easily into jiyeon’s ring finger. terry leaves it halfway just so he doesn’t have to endure jiyeon losing her shit for the rest of the day.
he’s about to get up, ready the waterworks, and maybe a dramatic embrace a la the notebook, when he feels soft lips against his. he’s kissed girls before - just not this one, specifically. he forgot about these kinds of things happening, and it takes all of his self-control not to cringe. instead, he wraps her arms around her, fingers balled into fists at her back to restrain himself from shuddering. he buries his face in her hair, pretending to kiss the crown of her head, only to whisper, “that was fucking disgusting.”
however, the sound of applause drowns out the rest of his thoughts. the sudden tap on his shoulder has him craning his head, pulling away from the hug, and letting arm settle around jiyeon’s shoulder. the owner - thank god almighty - had been checking up on this specific branch, thus witnessing their entire ploy - play - ploy. he thinks that they make an attractive lovely, and that they are lucky to have each other. “no, i’m definitely the lucky one here.” a half-truth. or half-lie. either way, she can be a pain in the ass.
they get a full course meal served to their table - on the house, coming right up.
she can feel the disgust turning on his lips, and she can’t help but snicker. there was nothing wrong with kissing terry, but she knew he’d want to scrub his lips with bleach at least ten times later and that? that was enough motif for her to use that as a way to get back at him for doing this fake engagement so suddenly. she glances up at him, eyes glinting with humor and a snicker at the way he tries to control his facial expressions. “it wasn’t that bad, don’t be a big baby, terry.” she cups his cheek with one hand, gives it an endearing pat as both friend and fake fiance.
jiyeon puts in all her might to not be that self-absorbed person right now, so she thanks the owner, throws the most bashful smile she can possibly make. “he says he’s the lucky one, but it’s really me. i don’t think i could ever imagine my life without him. i would..probably be lost? he’s all i have and he’s all that’s keeping me going.” not so much of a lie, really. he really was someone important to her, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. even if she couldn’t stand some of the things that he did and said.
they’re seated at the best spot, a few pair of eyes still lingering on them and admiring the so-called couple. jiyeon overhears a few girls loudly whispering amongst themselves, talking about how they wish they could be in her position. how romantic! to have nothing but suddenly have everything with just one proposal! she wishes it was that easy. their food finally comes out and is served on the best plates, and jiyeon can suddenly forgive the prickly feeling of the pull-tab on her finger and how sudden this had all been. the aroma of the food sends multiple growls to ripple from her stomach, and she wraps her arms around herself out of embarrassment.
“holy shit, we actually pulled it off? i mean, yeah we pulled it off but, we actually pulled it off? terry, we could actually do something with this.” out of hunger, she accidentally stabs one of the foods a little too hard and startles herself when the sound of the utensil hits the plate. “i make it sound like a crime but, think about it. if we do this what..every other few weeks maybe? we could actually get free food. go to different places, the same story every time. you think we can keep doing this?”