What was worse than having to go to soccer practice every single day? Going to that practice while not being a player. Unfortunately, Manon was the star player, which meant you were going to almost every practice and definitely every game. She claimed she didn’t need you to be at practice, but whenever you weren’t there, you were receiving messages from her teammates saying that Manon wasn’t doing as well. So you made it your goal to try to make it to as many practices as possible while completing all of your assignments.
For the fifth day in a row, you were on the bleachers scribbling down notes as the soccer team ran laps. Once again, the only other person besides Rami. She was stuck being benched the entire season due to health complications. But the two of you usually spent quite a bit of time talking. This time, the blonde seemed distracted, shouting out reminders to Ahyeon about breathing. You laughed softly as Ahyeon pouted, but your eyes were drawn to Manon like usual.
The Swiss-Ghanian girl was running next to Daniela, but she paused for long enough to blow you a kiss. You pretended to catch it before smiling at her. You forced yourself to return to your work even as you could hear Manon's laugh from across the field. Once the practice was finally wrapping up, you were hopping down and striding over to your girlfriend. “Do you remember your promise?” She asked as her arm slipped around your waist.
You sighed, your mind flitting back to when you had promised Manon she could teach you how to play soccer. It was one you had made months ago, but she had been teasing about cashing it in lately. “Go shower first.” Is all you mutter, lightly pushing her away, and she laughs. You go back to your papers to put everything away while Rami joins Rora and Asa on their walk to the dorms.
Once Manon came back in some more casual clothes, tossing a soccer ball in her hands, you suppressed a groan. “So are you ready?” She asked cheerily before setting the ball down and lightly kicking it towards you. You watch it as it rolls past you, and she covers her mouth as she laughs. “Alright baby, kick it back,” She said, and you reluctantly kicked it back. She easily stopped it before passing it again.
The two of you ended up just practicing passing maneuvers for almost half an hour. But instead of being actually helpful, Manon seemed more interested in distracting you. She would come over and put her hands on your hips or rub your back as you practiced what she had demonstrated. “You’re not actually being helpful; you’re just being pretty, and it’s distracting,” You mutter.
Manon bursts out laughing, and just as you go to kick the ball into the net, she’s practically tackling you. The ball slips out from under your foot as the two of you fall onto the grass. You laugh, your hands flying to her waist as the two of you roll. “Am I being helpful now?” Manon teases as she begins to kiss your neck. You roll your eyes before redirecting her attention back to your lips.
You kiss her, your hands shifting to play with her curls as her own hands grip your hips. She pulls away once you guys hear voices from across the field. Daniela and Megan have emerged from the showers, and you flip them off at the sight of the camera in Megan's hands. Daniela's grip on her hand looks to be crushing, and you smile at them. Manon reluctantly gets off of being on top of you and hops up, dusting off her sweatpants.
You squeeze her hand as she kicks the soccer ball into the goal before dragging her to the bleachers. “You totally still owe me a lesson,” Manon warned as she grabbed your bags for you. You snag your water bottle and grab her backpack, swinging it over your shoulder as the two of you head to her car. “That was practically a lesson,” You retort, and she shakes her head, dragging you by the belt loop into a kiss. “Okay, I owe you a lesson,” You say breathlessly. Manon grins at you. “Soccer practice isn’t half bad, huh?” She teases, and you sigh. But she was right. It wasn’t half bad, not with this to look forward to.
The restaurant is loud in the way only small local places can be.
Music hums from overhead speakers, plates clatter somewhere behind the counter, and conversations blend together into a constant buzz. It’s nothing fancy—just somewhere close to the practice studio where all seven of you can finally sit down and eat after a long day.
You barely make it through the door before everyone starts claiming seats.
“Booth!” Lara announces dramatically, already heading toward the biggest one she can find.
The rest of the girls follow behind her, laughing.
You slide into one side of the booth, grateful to finally be off your feet.
Before you can even settle properly, Daniela drops into the seat beside you.
Naturally.
Like there’s nowhere else she would’ve sat.
You smile to yourself as she immediately leans into your side.
“Move,” she says.
You blink.
“What?”
“You’re taking up my space.”
You stare at her.
“Your space?”
Daniela nods seriously.
“Yeah.”
Then she proceeds to rest half her weight against you.
Across the table, Megan snorts into her drink.
“You literally sat next to her.”
“And?” Daniela asks.
“And now you’re acting like she’s invading your personal bubble.”
Daniela shrugs.
“She is.”
Sophia shakes her head.
Lara groans.
“Please. I just sat down.”
The table erupts into laughter.
You can feel Daniela smiling against your shoulder.
It’s comfortable.
Easy.
The kind of thing that stopped feeling new a long time ago.
Menus are passed around. Drinks are ordered.
Everyone talks over one another, bouncing between stories from practice and random topics that make absolutely no sense outside your group.
At some point, your food arrives.
At some point, Daniela decides your fries look better than hers.
You catch her hand reaching across your plate.
“Daniela.”
“No.”
“You haven’t even taken one yet.”
“No.”
You try to pull the basket away.
She steals two anyway.
“Thief.”
“Sharing is caring.”
“That’s not sharing.”
“It is when I do it.”
Megan nearly chokes laughing.
Even Yoonchae is smiling.
Nobody comments on it.
Nobody teases.
Because this is normal.
Daniela stealing your food.
Your knee pressed against hers beneath the table.
The absent-minded way she reaches for your hand while listening to Sophia talk.
It’s all become so routine that nobody pays attention anymore.
You don’t either.
You just sit there, surrounded by your members, listening to the chaos around the table while Daniela leans against your side like she belongs there.
Like she always has.
Like she always will.
The conversation flows easily around the table.
Lara is in the middle of telling some ridiculous story from practice, complete with dramatic hand gestures and exaggerated impressions. Manon keeps interrupting to correct details, which only makes everyone laugh harder.
You barely get a word in.
Not that you mind.
Watching the chaos is entertaining enough.
The waiter returns a few minutes later to check on the table.
He’s around your age, maybe a little older.
Friendly.
Easygoing.
The kind of person who talks to customers like he’s known them for years.
“Everything good?” he asks.
A chorus of nods answers him.
“Perfect.”
He starts collecting empty baskets and used napkins from the edge of the table.
Then he glances toward Daniela.
For a second, you think he’s about to ask if she needs a refill.
Instead, he smiles.
“So, random question.”
The table quiets slightly.
Daniela looks up.
“Hm?”
The waiter scratches the back of his neck.
“You single?”
Silence.
Not actual silence.
Nobody stops breathing.
Nobody drops a fork.
But suddenly every member at the table is paying attention.
You see Lara’s eyes widen.
Megan immediately looks away, trying—and failing—to hide her grin.
Sophia presses her lips together.
Manon nearly chokes on her drink.
The collective reaction is practically written across their faces.
Bro.
Seriously?
At work?
Right in front of everybody?
Daniela lets out a surprised laugh.
Clearly caught off guard.
“What?”
“You know,” the waiter says, smiling sheepishly. “Just thought I’d ask.”
The girls are trying so hard not to react.
Trying.
And failing.
You have to bite back a laugh yourself.
Then Daniela pauses.
Just for a second.
A tiny one.
Barely noticeable.
But you notice it.
Because it’s Daniela.
Because you know her.
Because you know the difference between when she’s thinking and when she’s not.
Her eyes flicker.
Just briefly.
Like her brain is sorting through something.
One second.
Maybe less.
Then she laughs again.
“No.”
The answer comes easily enough.
“Definitely not.”
The waiter immediately raises his hands.
“Okay, okay. Had to shoot my shot.”
The entire table bursts into laughter.
“Oh my God,” Lara groans.
Manon drops her head onto the table.
Sophia is openly smiling now.
Even Daniela is laughing.
The waiter shakes his head dramatically before walking away.
“Enjoy your food.”
The moment passes almost instantly.
Conversation picks right back up.
Lara starts talking again.
Megan makes another joke.
Daniela reaches over and steals another fry from your basket.
Normal.
Everything is normal.
Nobody makes a big deal out of it.
Nobody even mentions it.
But as the conversation continues around you, your attention drifts.
Back to that moment.
Back to that tiny pause.
That brief hesitation before her answer.
You stare down at your drink.
No.
The answer itself had been easy.
Immediate, even.
So why does that split second keep replaying in your head?
Why does it feel louder every time you remember it?
You glance over at Daniela.
She’s smiling at something Sophia is saying, completely relaxed.
Completely unaware.
And you force yourself to smile too.
Because it was probably nothing.
Right?
Just a second.
A meaningless little pause.
Nothing worth thinking about.
Nothing worth remembering.
Yet somehow, you can’t stop remembering it anyway.
You tell yourself it’s fine.
Because objectively, it is.
Daniela said no.
Daniela literally said she wasn’t single.
End of story.
So why are you still thinking about it?
The conversation around the table continues like nothing happened.
Because nothing did happen.
Manon is talking about an upcoming schedule.
Lara is arguing with Megan over something completely ridiculous.
Yoonchae is quietly eating while occasionally laughing at everyone else.
Everything is normal.
Daniela is normal.
She reaches for your hand beneath the table without even looking.
Her fingers find yours automatically.
Like muscle memory.
Like breathing.
You squeeze her hand back.
She squeezes yours once before returning her attention to the conversation.
Normal.
A few minutes later, she steals another fry.
You glare.
She grins.
Normal.
When she laughs too hard at something Megan says, she ends up leaning against your shoulder.
Normal.
Everything is normal.
So why can’t you stop thinking about it?
The pause.
Just one second.
Maybe less.
A tiny hesitation that nobody else seemed to care about.
You glance over at Daniela.
She’s smiling.
Relaxed.
Completely unaware of the argument currently happening inside your head.
Your stomach twists.
If the answer was easy, why did she hesitate?
The thought appears before you can stop it.
You immediately try to push it away.
Because that’s ridiculous.
Because you know Daniela.
Because she literally said no.
But the question comes back anyway.
Why did she need to think about it?
Maybe she was surprised.
Maybe she was caught off guard.
Your thoughts derail.
Was she deciding whether to tell him?
The idea makes your chest tighten.
No.
That wasn’t fair.
You know it wasn’t.
Still, your brain keeps going.
Was she deciding if I counted?
You stare down at the table.
The noise around you suddenly feels farther away.
Was she embarrassed?
The thought hurts more than you’d like to admit.
Not because Daniela had done anything wrong.
Not because she had actually said anything hurtful.
But because now that the possibility exists, you can’t stop imagining it.
You remember the way her eyes flickered.
The way she paused.
The way her expression shifted for that brief second before answering.
The memory replays.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Each time your brain fills in a different explanation.
None of them good.
You hate that you’re doing this.
Hate that you’re dissecting a moment that lasted less than a second.
Hate that you’re letting it get to you.
Especially because Daniela is still sitting right beside you.
Still holding your hand.
Still stealing food from your plate.
Still looking at you the same way she always does.
Nothing has changed.
Except now every time you look at her, that pause echoes in the back of your mind.
Small.
Insignificant.
And somehow impossible to ignore.
You laugh at one of Lara’s jokes a second too late.
Daniela glances over.
“You okay?”
The question is casual.
Simple.
You force a smile.
“Yeah.”
And maybe that’s the worst part.
Because for a moment, you almost believe yourself.
—
By the time the seven of you get back to the dorm, you’ve almost convinced yourself you’re over it.
Almost.
The ride home had been normal.
Practice footage.
Random TikToks.
Daniela’s hand finding yours whenever she could.
Normal.
Everything had been normal.
So normal, in fact, that you start wondering if maybe you’re being ridiculous.
Maybe you imagined the whole thing.
Maybe you’re making a problem out of absolutely nothing.
That thought follows you through dinner, through showers, through the rest of the evening.
Until eventually everyone begins retreating to their rooms.
The dorm settles into a quieter rhythm.
Doors closing.
Showers running.
The occasional laugh echoing down the hallway.
You and Daniela end up in her room.
Or your room.
Honestly, at this point neither of you know anymore.
You technically have separate beds.
Separate rooms.
But somewhere along the way that stopped mattering.
Most nights ended the same.
Together.
Tonight should’ve been no different.
Daniela is sitting against the headboard scrolling through her phone when you climb into bed beside her.
Usually you’d immediately steal half the blanket.
Usually you’d complain that she’s taking up too much space.
Usually she’d complain right back.
Instead, you settle down quietly.
A little farther away than normal.
Not much.
Just enough.
Daniela doesn’t notice at first.
She’s too focused on whatever video Sophia sent the group chat.
But after a few minutes—she does.
You feel it before you see it.
The way her attention shifts.
The way her eyes linger.
You keep staring at your phone.
Pretending not to notice.
A minute passes.
Then another.
Then Daniela scoots closer.
Instinctively.
Like she always does.
Usually you’d meet her halfway.
Tonight you don’t.
The silence stretches.
You can practically hear the gears turning in her head.
Then:
“Okay.”
Uh oh.
You already know that tone.
You lower your phone slightly.
Daniela is staring at you now.
Completely unconvinced.
“What?”
“What’s wrong?”
You answer immediately.
Too immediately.
“Nothing.”
Daniela snorts.
Actually snorts.
Then she tosses her phone onto the nightstand.
“Liar.”
You roll your eyes.
“I’m serious.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Daniela—”
“You’ve been weird for hours.”
You look away.
Immediately confirming her point.
“See?”
You groan.
“That proves nothing.”
“It proves everything.”
She shifts closer again until your knees are touching beneath the blanket.
Normally the contact would make you smile.
Tonight it just makes your stomach twist.
Daniela notices that too.
And suddenly she isn’t teasing anymore.
The amusement fades from her face.
Replaced by concern.
Real concern.
Her voice softens.
“Baby.”
You hate when she uses that voice.
Because it always makes it harder to dodge the question.
Daniela reaches for your hand.
When you let her take it, her thumb brushes across your knuckles.
Gentle.
Patient.
Waiting.
“What happened?”
You stare at your intertwined fingers.
Part of you wants to tell her.
The other part thinks you’re being ridiculous.
Because how do you explain that one tiny pause has been haunting you all day?
How do you admit you’ve spent hours overthinking something she probably forgot five minutes later?
The silence grows.
And Daniela’s expression slowly changes.
The concern remains.
But now there’s something else there too.
Recognition.
Like she’s running through the day in her head.
Trying to find the moment everything shifted.
Trying to figure out what she missed.
And judging by the way her eyes narrow slightly—she’s getting closer.
The room feels smaller than it did five minutes ago.
Maybe it’s because Daniela is looking at you like that.
You keep your eyes fixed on your hands.
Anywhere but her.
Because now that you’re here, now that she’s asking, suddenly it sounds ridiculous.
It’s been bothering you for hours.
Hours.
And for what?
A pause.
One second.
Maybe less.
The longer you stay quiet, the more Daniela studies your face.
Then something clicks.
You see it happen.
The moment her expression changes.
Subtle.
But there.
And somehow that makes your stomach drop.
Because she knows.
Before you even say it.
Daniela already knows.
“Baby?”
Her voice is softer now.
Careful.
You swallow.
“The waiter.”
The words come out quieter than you intended.
For a second, neither of you move.
Then Daniela freezes.
Completely.
And somehow that feels worse than if she’d looked confused.
Because she recognized it instantly.
No questions.
No hesitation.
No which waiter?
She knows exactly what you’re talking about.
Which means she noticed it too.
Your chest tightens.
Daniela closes her eyes briefly.
Almost like she’s already figured out where this is going.
“Oh.”
Just one word.
But it tells you everything.
The room falls silent.
You hate this.
You hate how embarrassed you feel.
You hate how childish it sounds now that it’s actually leaving your mouth.
You’ve spent the entire day arguing with yourself.
Telling yourself to get over it.
Telling yourself it wasn’t a big deal.
And yet here you are.
Still thinking about it.
Still hurt.
Still wondering.
Daniela waits.
Giving you room to say what you need to say.
Even if it’s uncomfortable.
Even if it’s messy.
Finally, you force yourself to look at her.
“You hesitated.”
The words barely rise above a whisper.
Silence.
Daniela’s face falls.
Not dramatically.
Not guiltily.
Just…sad.
Like she’s finally seeing the picture you’ve been staring at all day.
And she doesn’t like it.
Your gaze drops again.
Immediately.
Because now that you’ve said it out loud, it sounds even worse.
You laugh softly.
A humorless little thing.
“I know it’s stupid.”
“It’s not stupid.”
“It kind of is.”
“Y/N.”
You shake your head.
“No, seriously.”
Your voice cracks slightly.
Not enough to cry.
Just enough to annoy you.
“It was just one second.”
Daniela stays quiet.
Listening.
Which somehow makes it easier to keep talking.
And harder at the same time.
“It shouldn’t even matter.”
You stare down at the blanket gathered in your lap.
“But I keep thinking about it.”
The confession hangs between you.
Heavy.
Honest.
You hadn’t planned on saying this much.
But now that you’ve started, you can’t stop.
“If the answer was easy…” You swallow. “Why did you have to think about it?”
Daniela’s eyes immediately soften.
Which somehow hurts more.
Because now she knows.
Now she knows exactly where your brain went.
You laugh again.
Bitter this time.
“See? It sounds dumb.”
“It doesn’t.”
“It does.”
Your throat feels tight.
“I know you said no.”
You glance at her.
“I know that.”
Daniela nods immediately.
“I know.”
“I know you did.”
The room is so quiet you can hear the air conditioner humming somewhere in the background.
You look away again.
Because the next part is the part you’re most embarrassed to admit.
The part you’ve been avoiding all day.
The part that’s been replaying in your head over and over.
“At first I thought maybe you were surprised.”
Daniela doesn’t interrupt.
“Then I thought maybe you were trying to decide if you wanted to tell him.”
The words leave your mouth before you can stop them.
You hate them immediately.
Daniela’s expression crumples.
Not hurt.
Heartbroken.
Like she wishes she could reach back in time and stop this before it ever happened.
“And then—”
You stop.
Because saying it out loud makes it real.
Daniela’s hand tightens around yours.
Not enough to stop you.
Just enough to remind you she’s there.
Waiting.
When you finally speak again, your voice is barely audible.
“I started wondering if you were deciding whether I counted.”
The words sit in the room between you.
Raw.
Ugly.
Vulnerable.
You immediately wish you could take them back.
Daniela’s face falls completely.
And in that moment, you realize she finally understands.
Not just what happened at the restaurant.
Not just why you’ve been quiet all night.
She understands what you’ve spent the last several hours convincing yourself of.
What you’ve been carrying around since lunch.
The fear underneath all of it.
The fear that for one second—one tiny, awful second—she had to think about choosing you.
And judging by the look on Daniela’s face, that’s the last thing she ever wanted you to believe.
For a moment, neither of you speak.
The words linger in the air.
I started wondering if you were deciding whether I counted.
The second the sentence leaves your mouth, you want to take it back.
Not because it isn’t true.
But because hearing it out loud makes it sound so much worse than it did inside your head.
Daniela stares at you.
Completely still.
Then her expression softens.
Not with frustration.
Not with annoyance.
Just sadness.
“Baby.”
Her voice is quiet.
Gentle.
You can’t bring yourself to look at her.
“That’s not why I paused.”
You stare down at your lap.
The blanket twists between your fingers.
“Then why?”
The question comes out smaller than you intended.
Not accusatory.
Just tired.
Daniela shifts closer.
Close enough that your shoulders brush.
Close enough that you can feel her presence beside you.
She doesn’t rush to answer.
Doesn’t try to brush it off.
Doesn’t tell you you’re overthinking.
And honestly, that alone makes something in your chest loosen.
Because she’s taking it seriously.
Taking you seriously.
Even if the whole thing started with a one-second pause.
“I was caught off guard.”
You nod slightly.
That makes sense.
But not enough.
Daniela must see it on your face because she continues.
“I wasn’t thinking about whether I was single.”
You finally glance up.
Her eyes meet yours immediately.
Steady.
Certain.
“I wasn’t thinking about you.”
The second she says it, her eyes widen.
“Wait, that came out wrong.”
Despite everything, you almost laugh.
Daniela groans.
“You know what I mean.”
A tiny smile threatens to appear.
Only for a second.
Daniela notices.
Good.
Maybe that’s why her shoulders relax a little.
She takes your hand again.
Holding it carefully between both of hers.
“When he asked, my first thought wasn’t about my relationship status.”
She pauses.
Choosing her words carefully.
“Honestly?”
You wait.
Daniela sighs.
“I was trying to decide how much of my business a complete stranger gets to know.”
She continues before you can respond.
“Because if I say I have a girlfriend, that’s different.”
Your eyebrows pull together.
Daniela shrugs slightly.
“You know how people are.”
Unfortunately, you do.
You know exactly what she means.
The headlines.
The speculation.
The clips.
The comments.
The way one casual sentence can somehow become everyone’s discussion topic for the next week.
Daniela leans back against the headboard.
Still holding your hand.
“I was wondering if I wanted to deal with that.”
Her voice remains calm.
Matter-of-fact.
Not angry.
Just honest.
“I was wondering if I wanted to answer at all.”
You think back to lunch.
To the way she’d looked surprised.
To that tiny flicker in her eyes.
“I wasn’t sitting there deciding if I wanted you.”
The statement is immediate.
Firm.
Like she needs you to hear it.
Really hear it.
Your gaze drops.
Daniela squeezes your hand.
“Baby, look at me.”
Slowly, you do.
Her expression softens again the second your eyes meet.
“The answer wasn’t what I was thinking about.”
Daniela’s thumb brushes across your knuckles.
“The answer was easy.”
Something in your chest cracks.
Not painfully.
Like tension finally giving way.
Like a knot that’s been pulled tight all day finally starting to unravel.
Daniela shakes her head slightly.
“If he’d asked me what I wanted to order, I probably would’ve paused longer.”
A reluctant laugh escapes you.
Daniela immediately points.
“There she is.”
You roll your eyes.
But this time there’s no real weight behind it.
No ache.
No twisting uncertainty.
Just the lingering embarrassment of having spent an entire day torturing yourself over something that suddenly feels so much smaller.
Daniela notices the shift immediately.
The way your shoulders aren’t quite as tense.
The way you’re finally looking at her again.
And she smiles.
Like she’s just happy you’re letting her explain.
Happy that you’re letting her in.
Because if there’s one thing Daniela has made clear tonight, it’s that she never wants you sitting alone with those fears when she’d much rather be there to answer them herself.
For a second, neither of you say anything.
Then you laugh.
A real laugh this time.
Not because any of this is particularly funny.
Mostly because you’ve spent the last several hours making yourself miserable over something that now feels embarrassingly small.
Daniela squints at you.
“What?”
You shake your head, still laughing.
“Nothing.”
“Y/N.”
You hide your face in your hands.
Immediately, Daniela knows.
“Oh my God.”
“No.”
“Oh my God.”
“Don’t.”
“You really thought I was sitting there debating whether I wanted you?”
You groan.
“Can we not do this?”
Daniela stares.
Actually stares.
Then points at you.
“You did.”
You bury your face in a pillow.
“For like six hours.”
The room goes silent.
Then
“Six HOURS?”
You laugh again.
Daniela falls back against the headboard dramatically.
“That’s a full work shift.”
“It’s not my fault.”
“It is entirely your fault.”
You throw a pillow at her.
She catches it.
Unfortunately.
Somewhere down the hall, a voice yells:
“ARE THEY DONE BEING SAD?”
Megan.
Definitely Megan.
You immediately close your eyes.
“No.”
Daniela laughs.
Another voice follows.
This time Lara.
“Tell them I was right.”
“You weren’t right about anything!” you yell back.
A muffled “I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH” echoes through the hallway.
The two of you dissolve into laughter.
Just like that, the last bit of tension disappears.
Daniela nudges your shoulder with hers.
“You know you could’ve just told me earlier.”
You groan.
“I know.”
“Could’ve saved yourself six hours.”
“I know.”
“Could’ve saved me from finding out my girlfriend thinks I secretly hate her.”
“That is not what I said.”
“It kind of was.”
“It was not.”
Daniela gives you a look.
You immediately look away.
“Okay, maybe a little.”
“A little?”
“Be quiet.”
Daniela grins.
The kind of grin that tells you she’s going to bring this up again later.
Probably multiple times.
For weeks.
Maybe months.
You already regret telling her.
Eventually, you shift closer on your own.
No hesitation this time.
No weird distance.
Just settling into the familiar space beside her.
Daniela’s arm slips around your shoulders automatically.
Neither of you mention it.
You don’t have to.
A comfortable silence settles over the room.
Then:
“Next time somebody asks if I’m single, I’m just pointing at you.”
You immediately groan.
“Please don’t.”
“I’m doing it.”
“Daniela.”
“I’m serious.”
“That’s so embarrassing.”
“Seems pretty efficient to me.”
You pull the blanket over your face.
Daniela laughs.
And for the first time since lunch, the memory of that stupid pause doesn’t replay in your head.
Instead, all you can think about is how annoying she is.
CONTENT WARNINGS: Angst if you squint, Manon Hiatus, Gay Yearning...
WORD COUNT: 1,113
SUMMARY: You and manon had never been a thing, not really. But you were always something. Her hiatus is hard, celebrating a win without her? Impossible
You and Manon had never really been a thing, not officially. Stolen moments and hidden glances became your normal and you always found a reason to be beside each other.
The second you had met in dream there was a connection, a pull that neither of you could ignore but were too afraid to act on.
In the whirlwind of dream and the first year of Katseye there was never time to truly think about how you both felt, you just simply felt and moved on instinct. You were in sync from day one, always aware of the others needs and wants.
You were like magnets, always close always touching. Nights spent on the couch sharing secrets, cuddling during movies, and falling asleep on each other. It was comfortable, safe.
The two of you had worked up a perfect routine, that slotted right into the daily schedules and life with the girls and when it came to moving out of the dorm it wasn’t even a question that you would go with her. The girls never thought anything about it, you two were just close friends after all, the closest.
Things were great, the groups success was growing, and you were scheduled to play at Coachella. Then it happened…Hiatus. The six of you would be promoting and performing while Manon sat out. It was devastating.
Manon had decided to take the Hiatus as time to go back to Switzerland and her family which left a cold, quiet and empty house for you and a lonely work life. Of course, you had the other five girls, but it just wasn’t the same. Not without her.
The girls tried to include you; coffee trips with Lara, lives with Megan and Yoonchae, cooking with Sophia, even late-night drives with Dani.
You engaged with them; you smiled and talked but they could tell it wasn’t what you needed. What you needed was your girl. Even if no one said it, they had all started to see just how much Manon was to you. She was a rock, a lifeline, a constant.
Manon wasn’t doing much better, after the initial buzz of going home wore off she felt the empty tug of your absence and her whole body filled with longing. The more events you guys went to, the more promos she saw, the longer she was away from you the worse she felt.
Being left out of schedule she was excited for was one thing, but when the hiatus was extended and she realised her Coachella dreams were over, it crushed her.
Coachella had been such a big dream of hers, and the idea she would get to live that dream with you, and the girls, meant so much to her. Now that was all gone, and you weren’t even there to make it all better. She felt alone, and helpless and all she could do was watch you and the girls.
When Coachella came round, she had to go, for you. Of course, there was that gnawing sadness at not being up there with the six of you. But watching you on that stage she was in awe. At least till the MIA outro happened.
She felt a feeling of dread and burning in her chest the second Lara’s hands were on you. Watching the two of you smirk, and giggle as she touches you it was just too much.
After that, every clip of you with one of them, watching you lean into them or laugh at their jokes. Every thought of you needing them like she needed you, the thought of you moving on before the two of you ever started broke her.
Then came the events, it was hard for her watching you guys shine while she was hidden away. She didn’t want to watch, but she couldn’t not support you. It seemed like an endless loop of hurt, not that she ever mentioned it. Honestly, her radio silence was hell for both of you.
AMAs was a big event, and you were beyond excited to attend. Your outfit had been so beautifully designed to match Megan’s while complementing the dresses of the other four.
You were a bundle of nerves the whole night, hand latched with Megan’s and Sophia’s for support to stop the shaking. You had never wished for your lifeline more, craving Manon’s guiding and grounding touch.
When you were announced as winners, everything happened in a blur like slow motion. Your mind felt disconnected from your body. You were beyond happy, of course, but going up there doing speeches, winning an award it all made you nauseous.
When it was all over? You were honestly still reeling. The after party was in full swing, drinks flowing and people dancing and yet all you could think about was being anywhere else.
Well, somewhere else. With someone in particular. You watched the girls have fun and smiles before shooting a quick text to Sophia, not caring she wouldn’t see it straight away. Then you left, one thing on your mind.
Getting into your car you drove off, heading to the one place you knew by heart. The one place you felt at ease, home.
The drive went by fast, Manon being the only thing on your mind. Pulling up in the driveway you got out the car, practically running to the door before knocking on it.
At first there was no answer, and you were starting to get worried she was out and this was a desperate move. But then you heard the footsteps on the stairs and let out a nervous breath as the door opened.
There she was, Manon. Standing there, eyes half closed, baggy tee hanging just off of her shoulder and a confused pout on her pretty lips, sleep clinging to her like she just woke up. God, you needed her.
“Y/n..?” She mumbles, a confused whine clinging to her words. “W-what time is it? Shouldn’t you be at-“
You don’t let her finish, you act on impulse rushing forward to capture her lips with your own. She hums, freezing for a second as she stumbles slightly before her brain catches up and she grins into the kiss before kissing back eagerly. Her hands grabbing your hips and pulling you against her as she has her turn claiming your lips.
You stay like that, wrapped up in each other as you kiss on her doorstep in your own bubble of love and need. Neither of you thinking about closing the door or getting out of sight or the risk of someone seeing and snapping a pic. All that mattered in that moment was the two of you.
It didn’t start with a confession. It didn’t start with a moment where everything suddenly made sense. If anything, it started so quietly that neither of you could ever really point to the exact second it became something.
Back in Dream Academy, everything was loud. Not just physically—though it was that too, constant music, constant movement, constant evaluation—but emotionally.
Everyone was trying. Trying to be seen, trying to be better, trying to survive something that didn’t slow down for anyone.
You were focused. You had to be.
There wasn’t space to think too deeply about anything outside of the next performance, the next ranking, the next chance to prove you deserved to be there.
And yet, somewhere in between all of that, there was Lara. She was very easy to notice. Not in a loud, attention-seeking way. But in the way that she carried herself.
She was open, warm and effortlessly affectionate with the people she cared about. She laughed easily, touched easily, leaned into people without hesitation. Like closeness was second nature to her.
You weren’t like that. Not then at least.
You liked people. You loved deeply, even—but you weren’t someone who reached out first. You weren’t someone who needed physical closeness to feel connected.
It just hadn’t been your thing. Until you started noticing it. Not in general, but with her.
The first time it registered, you didn’t even react. You were sitting side by side during a break, both half listening to someone talking across the room, when her shoulder bumped into yours.
Light. Accidental, maybe.
Except she didn’t move away.
You remember thinking about it. Not 'why is she doing this'—but 'why don’t you mind?'
Then it kept happening.
A hand on your arm when she laughed, her leaning against you when she was tired, her head resting briefly on your shoulder like it was the most natural place in the world.
And every time, you let her. Not because you didn’t notice. But because you liked it. More than you expected to, more than you were used to.
Lara didn’t question it, she didn’t overthink it, she was just Lara. Touchy, affectionate and drawn to you in a way that felt instinctive.
It wasn’t until much later—closer to debut, when everything started becoming real—that it shifted into something neither of you could ignore.
It was late one night, everyone was exhausted. The kind of exhaustion that made everything softer, quieter.
You were sitting on the floor, back against the wall, staring at nothing in particular. Thinking about everything, thinking about the what ifs.
Lara sat down close next to you, closer than necessary.
'You’re thinking too much.' She said gently.
You huffed a quiet laugh. 'Is it that obvious?'
'Mhm.'
Her hand found yours, just like that, with no hesitation. You looked down at it, then at her, she didn’t look away.
'You don’t have to do everything alone.' She added, softer now.
Something in your chest shifted. Not dramatically, not all at once. But enough.
And for the first time, you squeezed her hand first. And that was it.
No big moment, no dramatic realisation, just a quiet understanding that settled between you and it had stayed.
From there, it didn’t rush. It grew. Through debut, through schedules, through long days and even longer nights.
Somewhere along the way, holding hands became normal. Leaning into each other became expected, sharing space stopped being something you noticed and it started being something you missed when it wasn’t there.
And you—you changed, without even realising it. You started reaching for her. Not just letting her come to you, but wanting to be close. Wanting to hold her, wanting to feel her there.
Because Lara didn’t just like affection. She lived in it. And somehow, she made you want to live there too.
The first of many moments where she reached for you was during an already chaotic livestream.
'Wait—are we live?' Daniela asked, leaning way too close to the camera.
'We’ve been live.' Sophia groaned, trying to push her back.
'No we haven’t—have we?'
'Yes, we have!'
There's laughter, overlapping voices, someone knocking into something off-camera. Just another normal Katseye livestream.
You were on the floor, right in front of the couch. Close enough that your back almost brushed against it if you leaned too far.
Lara was sitting above you. Literally. Relaxed, one leg bent slightly, the other stretched out just enough that it rested against your arm.
It wasn’t planned. None of this ever was.
You were focused on the screen in front of you, reading through comments, saying them out loud occasionally when something caught your attention.
'Someone said—uh—' you squinted slightly, 'they think we’re too loud.'
'WHO said that?' Manon immediately shot back.
'Block them.' Megan added.
You smiled faintly, shaking your head a little.
Behind you—Lara shifted. At first, it was just her leg pressing a little more firmly against your arm, a subtle adjustment.
Then—her fingers. They slipped into your hair so casually it took you a second to even process it. You paused mid-scroll just for a second.
Her touch was light and absentminded. Like she wasn’t even fully aware she was doing it. Her fingers combed gently through your hair, pushing a few strands back, then returning to do it again.
Slow, repetitive and extremely comforting.
You didn’t turn around, didn’t acknowledge it out loud, but your shoulders relaxed slightly.
'Read more comments!' Sophia nudged.
'Oh—yeah,' you blinked, refocusing. 'Someone said—'
Behind you, Lara hummed softly at something Daniela said. Still playing with your hair, still completely unbothered.
And then, because she’s Lara, she did something completely unnecessary.
Her leg lifted.
You felt it before you fully registered it. The shift of weight, the movement.
And then suddenly—her leg was draped over your shoulder.
You froze.
It wasn’t heavy, not uncomfortable, just kind of... there. Draped casually so it fell across your chest, her ankle resting somewhere near your opposite side. Like this was a completely normal thing to do.
You glanced up—just barely—trying to catch her expression.
She didn’t even look at you. She was still engaged in conversation, still acting like nothing had changed.
You huffed out the smallest breath of disbelief. But you didn’t move it.
Instead, you adjusted. You pulled your knees up slightly, shifting your position so her leg rested more comfortably against you.
Your arms came up without thinking and wrapped loosely around her leg, holding it against your chest like it belonged there, like she belonged there.
Behind you, you felt the faintest shift. Like she noticed, like she liked it.
'Wait—' Sophia’s voice cut through.
You blinked, looking up.
'…Why are you hugging Lara’s leg?' She asked, squinting at you.
The room went quiet for half a second.
You opened your mouth to answer but Lara beat you to it.
'She's cold.' She said immediately.
You turned your head slightly. '…What?'
Before you could question it further, her leg tightened slightly around your shoulder, pulling you back just a little closer to the couch.
Subtle, but intentional.
'She needs warmth.' Lara continued, like this made perfect sense.
You stared at her now, like actually stared.
She finally looked down at you, completely serious. And then—just barely—she smiled.
You exhaled a quiet laugh, shaking your head. 'Yeah,' you muttered, leaning into her leg a little more, 'That’s exactly it.'
Around you, the chaos picked back up. Arguments, laughter, someone bringing up chat again.
But you stayed like that, her fingers eventually returned to your hair, her leg still draped over you, your arms still loosely holding it in place.
Natural, effortless. But yours.
And if anyone thought it was weird, neither of you cared enough to stop.
---
Another time was on set for one of your music videos. It was beautiful. Cold, but beautiful. Not the kind of cold that hit you all at once, it crept in slowly.
Through thin stage outfits, through damp air, through the long pauses between takes where your body cooled down faster than it could recover.
'Resetting lights!' Someone called.
'Five minutes!' Another voice followed.
Five minutes. Which really meant stand around and try not to freeze while nothing happens.
You exhaled slowly, rubbing your hands together, but it didn’t do much. Your fingers still felt stiff, your shoulders still tense.
'Come here.'
You didn’t even have to look to know it was Lara. A blanket appeared around your shoulders before you could respond, warm and soft and immediate.
Then, her arms. They wrapped around you from behind first, pulling you back into her before shifting so you were facing her instead.
Close. Like, properly close.
'God, you’re freezing.' She murmured, her hands rubbing gently over your arms from under the blanket.
'I’m fine.' You mumbled automatically.
'You’re not.' She replied, just as quickly.
You didn’t argue, you didn’t have the energy to.
Instead, you leaned in so that your head found its place on her shoulder like it had done a hundred times before, your body settling into hers without hesitation.
She adjusted the blanket, pulling it tighter around both of you until there was barely any space between your bodies at all.
Her chin rested lightly against the top of your head. Her arms wrapped fully around you now, hands tucked securely against your back. Warm and safe.
You let your eyes fall shut. The noise of the set dulled almost instantly. Voices became background hum, movement became distant as everything softened.
You didn’t realise how tired you were until that moment. How much your body had been holding onto tension. Your arms slid around her waist beneath the blanket, holding onto her just as tightly as she held you.
Not loosely, not casually, but like you were anchoring yourself there.
She felt it. Of course she did. Her grip tightened slightly in response. A silent acknowledgement.
'Look at you two.' Megan’s voice cut in, light and teasing.
You barely reacted. Just a small hum, your face still tucked into Lara’s shoulder.
'Don’t.' Lara said immediately—but there was no real bite to it.
You felt the shift as she tried to wedge herself into the blanket space. More movement, more presence.
Lara huffed softly but didn’t push her away completely. Not yet.
Megan managed to squeeze in at your side, half under the blanket, half not, her shoulder pressing lightly against yours.
'See? There’s room.' She said, satisfied.
You shifted slightly, but not away. Just enough to adjust. Still half-asleep, still warm, still comfortable.
'Hey—' Megan paused suddenly.
You didn’t open your eyes.
'…I literally got so close to your face just then.' She said, amused.
You didn’t process it, didn’t register it because your breathing had already slowed. Your body fully relaxed against Lara.
But Lara... Lara noticed. Her eyes flicked down immediately. Megan was close, too close. Leaning in slightly, curious, teasing. Testing boundaries the way she always did.
'Okay, nope. Girl, bye.' Lara said.
It wasn’t loud, it wasn’t sharp, but it was immediate.
Her arms shifted as one hand came up gently, guiding your head just slightly deeper into her shoulder—while the other lifted the edge of the blanket.
And then she pulled it over you. Not fully, not in a way that would look strange. But enough that your face was now hidden beneath it. Shielded.
'Hey!' Megan protested lightly. 'I wasn’t gonna do anything!'
'You were thinking about it.' Lara replied flatly.
'I was just saying!'
'No.'
From the outside, it looked playful. Just another moment, another bit of chaos between members.
But under the blanket, everything softened again. The world disappeared. You didn’t even realise what had happened, didn’t know Megan had been close, didn’t notice the shift.
All you felt was Lara. Her arms tightening around you again, pulling you closer as her hand moved slowly up your back. Gentle and reassuring.
And then her lips. Soft, careful, pressing lightly against the top of your head. Once. Then again. Not rushed, not showy, just quiet affection.
Her way of grounding you, warming you, keeping you there.
You shifted slightly in response, your grip around her waist tightening just a little more beneath the blanket.
She smiled against your hair. 'Stay here.' She murmured softly, too quiet for anyone else to hear.
You didn’t answer, you didn’t need to, your body had already gone heavy against hers. Half-asleep, completely relaxed.
Outside, Megan was still complaining. Something about unfair blanket distribution. Someone else laughed.
But Lara didn’t pay attention anymore. Her focus stayed on you, her arms wrapped securely around you, her chin resting against your head, her lips pressing one more soft kiss into your hair.
Keeping you warm like that was the only thing that mattered.
---
The next time Lara properly reached for you came a couple days later. There were plenty of moments in between, but this is where her clinginess truly comes through.
The apartment felt lived in. Not messy—although it was still messy—just full.
Shoes by the door that no one had bothered to line up properly. Jackets thrown over the backs of chairs, phones charging in random corners, the low hum of overlapping conversations filling the space like background music.
It was comfortable. Easy.
You stood in the kitchen, lining up the last of the iced coffees on the counter.
'Alright—barista of the year,' Megan called from the couch, 'we’re waiting.'
'I’m coming.' You replied, nudging the final straw into place.
One by one, you handed them out.
Daniela took hers with a grateful smile, Sophia immediately inspecting hers like she was judging presentation, Yoonchae thanking you softly.
Manon gave you a small nod, already mid-conversation with someone else. And Lara didn’t take hers right away. She waited as she was watching you.
You noticed, of course. You always did.
'You gonna take yours or are you just gonna stare at me?' You asked, raising an eyebrow slightly as you held the glass out.
She smiled, slow and unapologetic. 'Both.' She said, finally taking it.
You huffed a quiet laugh, shaking your head as you grabbed your own drink.
The couch was full, so you settled beside Lara—not right beside her. About a foot of space between you. Just enough. You adjusted carefully as you sat, making sure your drink didn’t tilt.
For a moment everything was normal. People talking, ice clinking in cups, someone laughing too loudly at something that wasn’t even that funny.
You took a sip, settling back slightly, your attention shifting toward Manon as she started explaining something across the room.
And then—
'…Why are you all the way over there?'
You didn’t even need to look. Lara’s voice was soft, but genuinely offended.
You turned your head slightly.
'I’m not 'all the way over there,'' you said, gesturing vaguely between you. 'There’s literally, like, half a foot of space.'
'That’s far.' She replied immediately.
You stared at her. '…It’s not.'
'It is,' she insisted, 'I can’t even reach you properly.'
You took another sip of your drink, unfazed, 'You’re being dramatic.'
'I can’t kiss you if you’re all the way on Mars, babe.'
That made you pause just for a second.
'…Mars?' You repeated, trying not to laugh.
She nodded, completely serious. 'Different planet. Whole different atmosphere. Not ideal for affection.'
You shook your head, looking away again. 'You’re unbelievable.'
'I’m suffering.' She added quietly.
You deliberately ignored her as you turned your attention fully to Manon now.
'Wait—what were you saying about the waist beads?' You asked, leaning forward slightly with genuine curiosity.
Manon nodded, adjusting slightly where she sat.
'Yeah—it’s cultural,' she explained. 'They can represent different things depending on where you’re from. For me, it’s more about identity and—'
You were fully listening, interested. But beside you Lara had shifted. Louder this time, more noticeable.
You didn’t look.
'…I’m being ignored.' She murmured.
'You’re fine,' you replied absentmindedly, still focused on Manon. 'Keep going.'
Manon smiled faintly and continued. 'It can also be about femininity, confidence—sometimes even milestones. Like growth, or—'
'Wow,' Lara muttered, just loud enough for you to hear, 'I guess I don’t exist anymore.'
You exhaled slowly through your nose, still not looking at her.
'I’m literally right here.' You said.
'Are you?' She shot back.
Before you could respond, her hand reached out. Not grabbing your arm, not pulling harshly. Just taking your wrist and gently tugging.
'Lara—' You started, but your balance shifted slightly, your drink tilting just enough to make you pause.
'Wait—hold on—'
'Put it down.' She said simply.
You hesitated. Then sighed. '…Fine.'
You leaned forward, setting your iced coffee carefully on the table. And the second your hands were free, she pulled you. Not aggressively, but decisively.
Your back met her chest as she guided you into place, your body settling between her legs on the couch, your shoulders naturally aligning with hers. Familiar and easy.
Her arms wrapped around you immediately. One draped across your upper chest, the other sliding more securely around your waist.
You exhaled softly, your body relaxing without even thinking about it.
'Much better.' She murmured, her voice right by your ear now.
You leaned back into her slightly, still trying to focus.
'Sorry—continue.' You said to Manon, like nothing had happened.
Manon raised an eyebrow, but didn’t comment.
'…As I was saying,' she continued, 'they can also be used to track body changes. Some people use them as a way to stay connected to their body—'
You nodded, genuinely engaged. 'That’s actually really interesting. So it’s not just—'
Behind you, Lara shifted again. One of her hands slid slightly higher, resting more comfortably, more securely on your breast.
You paused mid-sentence, slowly looking down at her hand before turning your head just enough to look at her. A clear, silent are you being for real right now? in your expression.
Lara didn’t even look back at you. Instead, she glanced toward Manon.
'Continue.' She said casually, like nothing had happened.
Manon stared at her for a beat. Then shook her head slowly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. '…Right.'
Lara moved to rest her chin lightly against your shoulder now, her presence fully wrapped around you.
You tried to not acknowledge it any further. But your body melted just a little more into hers.
'—and so depending on the colour, they can have different meanings too.' Manon finished.
You nodded slowly. 'That’s really beautiful, actually,' you said softly. 'I never realised how much meaning there was behind them.'
'Yeah,' Manon smiled. 'It’s something I’ve always been connected to.'
You glanced down briefly, thoughtful.
Behind you, Lara pressed a soft, absentminded kiss against the side of your head.
You didn’t stop talking, didn’t break the conversation, but your lips curved slightly. Small and barely noticeable. Because as much as she was clingy—as much as she always needed to be touching you in rather questionable places, holding you, pulling you closer—you loved it.
You really, really loved it.
And honestly? You probably would’ve ended up in her arms anyway. She just didn’t like waiting for that part.
---
Another time was during rehearsals, of course, since that’s where you all seemed to spend most of your time. The music cut out abruptly. Not because the choreo ended, but because everyone physically couldn’t keep going.
'Five minutes.' Someone called from by the speakers.
No one argued.
The room fell into that heavy kind of silence that only came after hours of nonstop movement.
Breathing filled the space as shoes squeaked faintly against the floor. The low hum of exhaustion settling into everyone’s bodies.
You sat down slowly, wincing just slightly as you bent your knee. It wasn’t bad. Not bad enough to stop. Just enough to be annoying, persistent.
Lara noticed immediately.
'Sit properly.' She said, already crouching down in front of you.
'I am sitting properly.' You muttered, adjusting your leg slightly.
'No, you’re not.' She replied, completely unfazed.
Before you could argue further, she reached for the knee brace resting beside your bag.
You sighed, but didn’t stop her.
Her hands were gentle, careful as she guided your leg forward slightly, her touch firm enough to be steady but soft enough not to aggravate anything.
'Does this hurt?' She asked, adjusting the brace into place.
'A little.' You admitted.
Her brows knit together just slightly. Not dramatic, but enough to show she cared more than she was letting on.
'Tell me if it gets worse.' She said quietly.
'I will.'
You watched her for a second, on the way she focused, on the way her fingers worked carefully around your knee, tightening the brace just enough. She always got like this when it came to you. Attentive.
'Okay,' she murmured, pressing the last strap into place. 'Try that.'
You shifted your leg slightly.
'It's better, thanks.' You said softly.
She glanced up at you and smiled just a little. Then reached for your water bottle.
You blinked. 'Hey... that’s mine.'
'I know.'
She took a sip anyway.
You stared at her. 'But... but you have your own.'
'I don’t like mine.'
'…It’s the same brand.'
'Yours tastes better.'
You let out a quiet huff of disbelief, shaking your head. 'That makes no sense.'
She took another sip. 'Still better.'
Across the room, Daniela froze mid-stretch as she tuned into the end of your conversation.
'… I’m sorry—what?' She said, slowly turning to look at the two of you.
You frowned slightly. 'What?'
Daniela’s face shifted into something between horror and confusion. '…I’m not even going to ask.'
You blinked again. 'Ask what?'
Before she could respond—Manon, who had clearly understood the situation properly, suddenly let out a laugh.
Not a small one. A full, uncontrollable, losing it kind of laugh.
'OH—' she tried to speak, but couldn’t, covering her mouth as she leaned forward slightly. 'No, no, no—Dani—'
'What?' Daniela demanded, looking between all of you.
Manon shook her head, still laughing. 'You heard that wrong.'
'I definitely didn’t.'
'You did,' Manon insisted, barely holding it together now. 'You absolutely did.'
The rest of the room started looking over. Confused but curious.
'What’s happening?' Megan asked.
'Nothing.' You said quickly.
'Something.' Daniela shot back.
Sophia, who had been listening from where she stood nearby, narrowed her eyes slightly.
'Wait—what did I miss?' She asked, stepping closer. 'What are we talking about?'
Manon wheezed again at that. Because that was exactly the problem.
'It’s just—' Manon tried, failing again almost immediately. 'She said—'
Lara, meanwhile, was completely unbothered, still sitting beside you while holding your bottle like she had committed no crime whatsoever.
Sophia looked between all of you now. 'What?' She asks, hoping someone would just get to the point.
Daniela pointed immediately. 'She said hers tastes better.'
'What tastes better?!' Sophia asked instantly, her voice rising slightly as she stepped closer. 'Like—what are we even talking about right now?'
Manon was still visibly trying not to laugh, which was making it worse.
'Yes,' Manon said quickly, already losing it again. 'Lara said Y/N's water tastes better, even though it’s literally the same—'
Sophia stared at Manon, then at Daniela, then at you and then finally at Lara. She exhaled through her nose, already done.
Manon immediately lifted her hands in defence.
'No, no—wait, I can explain,' she said quickly, still barely holding back laughter. 'It’s just that Daniela heard it completely out of context, right? And I understood what they meant, so it was funny because—because—'
She paused, realising she was making it worse.
'Okay, no,' she admitted, shaking her head, a smile still fighting its way through. 'You kind of just had to be there.'
'You people are unbelievable.' Sophia muttered. Then she turned around and walked away.
Manon lost it completely after that. Daniela looked like she was questioning her life choices.
You blinked slowly. '…What just happened?'
Lara tilted her head slightly, still completely calm, still holding your bottle like nothing in the universe had changed. 'I don't know, I wasn’t really listening… I was thinking about you.'
You blinked. '…What?'
She shrugged faintly, like it was the most normal thing in the world. 'You look so cute when you're confused, I got distracted.'
You let out a quiet breath through your nose as you shake your head a little, still trying to process the absolute chaos unfolding around you.
'Can I have that back now?' You asked, reaching for it.
She handed it over reluctantly. You took a sip.
'… literally tastes the same.'
She shrugged. 'Not to me.'
You rolled your eyes—but your lips curved slightly.
Later, after another run-through, after more hours, after your body felt like it had reached its limit, you ended up lying on the floor.
Flat on your back, arms slightly spread out, completely done in.
'Don’t move.' You muttered to no one in particular.
'I wasn’t planning on it.' Megan replied from somewhere nearby.
A few seconds passed. Then Lara dropped down beside you. She shifted immediately, turning onto her side so she could face you and then leaned in.
Her arms wrapped around you without hesitation, pulling you into her.
You let out a soft breath as your body adjusted, turning slightly so you could fit more comfortably against her. Her head tucked into the space just below your chin.
Your arm came up automatically, resting across her back.
'You’re warm.' She murmured.
'You’re clingy.' You replied.
'Mhm.'
There was no denial as she held you a little tighter.
The room was quieter now as everyone is recovering, catching their breath.
You stared up at the ceiling for a moment. Then asked, 'What do you want for dinner?'
She hummed softly but didn’t answer right away.
'I don’t know.' She admitted after a second.
You tilted your head slightly, thinking. 'I could get you that thing you like,' you said. 'From the place near the apartment.'
She shifted slightly. 'What thing?'
You glanced down at her. 'Your favourite. The... what is it? Rasam.'
There was a pause, a very noticeable one.
Then she lifted her head slightly, looking at you properly now. '…You’d get that for me?' She asked, softer than before.
You shrugged slightly. 'Yeah. You like it.'
That was it. Something in her expression shifted instantly. Softened.
Before you could even process it, she leaned in and kissed you. Quick but gentle and full of something real.
You blinked, slightly caught off guard. 'What was that for?' You asked quietly.
She smiled that same soft, almost shy smile she only really gave you. 'Nothing.' She said.
Then, after a second, softer, '…Everything.'
She tucked herself back against you, arms wrapping around you again like she never intended to let go.
And honestly? You didn’t mind one bit.
---
Another example of Lara's clinginess was when you were on tour. The bus hummed softly beneath you. Not loud, not disruptive, just constant.
It was the kind of background noise you stopped noticing after a while—the low engine, the occasional shift in gears, the faint rattle of something in a cupboard that no one had properly secured.
Outside, it was dark. Inside, it was dim.
Most of the lights were off, save for a few small lamps near the bunks and the faint glow from phone screens scattered throughout the bus.
You were in your bunk. Curled slightly on your side, one arm tucked under your pillow, the other holding your phone just above your face, mindlessly scrolling.
Your body was tired. Not just sleepy tired, but deep, bone-level exhaustion that came from weeks of performing, travelling, repeating the same cycle over and over again.
But your brain was wide awake.
You scrolled through video after video, barely processing any of them. A dance, a meme, someone cooking something you’d never attempt.
You exhaled softly, shifting slightly to get more comfortable when the curtain to your bunk moved.
You barely reacted.
Lara.
You turned your head just slightly as she stuck her head in, already assessing where she's going to lie.
'There you are.' She says sleepily, like she’d been looking for you for hours instead of two seconds.
You smiled faintly. 'I’ve been here the whole time.'
'Mhm.' She hummed, not really listening.
She didn’t even hesitate, didn’t even ask. She just crawled in properly and immediately curled up on top of you. Her head settling against your chest, her arm draping across your stomach, one leg hooked loosely over yours.
Full body contact with no space left to breathe.
You let out a quiet breath, instinctively shifting your phone out of the way so it didn’t hit her.
'You have your own bunk, y'know.' You murmured.
'Don’t want it.'
Of course she didn’t.
You adjusted slightly, moving your body just enough to give her more space. Which, realistically meant you were now closer to the edge. Like… dangerously close.
But you didn’t push her away. You didn’t even consider it. Instead, your free hand came up, resting lightly against her back.
She sighed, soft and content. And within seconds she was asleep. Just like that.
You stared at the ceiling for a moment, then down at her. Her breathing had already evened out, her grip on you just loose enough to be relaxed—but still there. Still holding you.
'Unbelievable.' You whispered, though there was no real complaint behind it.
You shifted slightly again, trying to get comfortable without disturbing her.
The bus hit a small bump. Nothing major. Just enough to make everything shake slightly.
You stilled, hoping it hadn't woken Lara up. It was then that you realised you were really close to the edge now.
You glanced down, then back up.
'…Oh that's a long way down.' You muttered.
There was another bump. Your body shifted just a little. Lara didn’t move, didn’t wake up. Still completely dead asleep on top of you. You tightened your grip on her instinctively.
'Okay—this is fine—'
The bus hit yet another bump. A proper bump this time. And suddenly you were falling. It wasn’t graceful, it wasn’t slow. You just dropped. A very real, very solid thud echoed through the bus.
'OW—'
You landed on your side, tangled slightly in the blanket that had fallen with you, your phone clattering somewhere beside you.
There was a moment of silence.
Then a quiet, 'Y/N… Where’d you go?'
You blinked up at the bunk where Lara was. Soon her head peered over the edge as she blinked sleepily at you.
'…You left.' She said, voice thick with sleep.
'I fell.' You corrected, wincing slightly as you pushed yourself up.
'Oh.'
She stared at you, almost like she was processing. Then suddenl she moved. Fast. Well—fast for someone who had been asleep two seconds ago.
She scrambled out of the bunk, nearly tripping over the blanket in the process.
'Are you okay?' She asked, crouching down in front of you.
'I’m fine.' You said, though your pride was slightly injured.
'You fell.' She repeated, like this was the most serious thing that had ever happened.
'Yes, Lara, I’m aware.'
She reached out, brushing her hands lightly over your arms like she was checking for damage. 'You could’ve gotten hurt.'
'I didn’t.'
'You might’ve.'
You looked at her, really looked at her. Her hair was a mess, her eyes half-lidded with sleep, her voice still soft and groggy. And yet, she was fully focused on you.
You softened slightly. 'I’m okay.' You repeated, gentler this time.
She stared at you for another second. Then nodded, 'Okay.'
A second went by before she stood up. 'Come here.'
You blinked. 'What?'
'We're sleeping in my bunk,' she said, already moving, 'It’s lower.'
You hesitated. '…You’re kicking me out of mine?'
'I’m upgrading you.' She corrected.
You huffed a small laugh, but followed her anyway.
Her bunk was lower, safer, less… fall risk.
She crawled in first this time, adjusting the blanket before looking back at you expectantly. 'Come on.'
You shook your head slightly, but climbed in. The space was tighter, but that didn’t matter. Because the second you were in, she pulled you down with her.
She manoeuvred you so your back pressed against the mattress as she pressed her body into your side, her arm wrapping around you like nothing had happened, like this was always the plan.
'There,' she murmured, already settling in again. 'that's better.'
You let out a quiet breath. 'Yeah.' You admitted.
Her head found your shoulder this time, her leg hooking loosely over yours again. But now, you weren’t on the edge. There was no risk.
You adjusted slightly, your arm coming up around her. And within seconds, she was asleep again.
You stared at the ceiling for a moment. Then closed your eyes.
'…I literally fell out of a bunk.' You muttered quietly.
'Mhm.' She hummed, already half gone again.
And just like that, everything settled.
What neither of you realised, was that from across the bus, Sophia had seen everything, phone in hand, camera rolling.
She zoomed in slightly on the two of you now tucked into the lower bunk, tangled together like nothing had happened.
She whispered, barely containing her laughter, 'Not her falling out and still ending up cuddling…'
The video cut there.
And you?
You’d have no idea it existed. At least, not yet.
---
You were an affectionate person by nature, but not usually around other people. Most of your softer moments were saved for when it was just you and Lara—where affection came easier, quieter, and without thought.
Which was exactly why the girls noticed the moment you walked straight towards her.
You’d been awake for hours. But not by choice.
It started early, too early. That uncomfortable, restless kind of waking where your body just refuses to stay asleep.
At first, you tried to ignore it. Shifted positions, pulled the blanket tighter, turned your pillow over to the cooler side.
Of course it didn’t work. Because the cramps had already settled in. Low, heavy and persistent.
You let out a slow breath, curling slightly onto your side, one hand pressing instinctively against your lower stomach.
'Seriously…' You mumbled into your pillow.
You reached for the pain meds on your bedside table, took them and waited for them to kick in.
Nothing. Not even a dent.
'Great.' You muttered.
And as if that wasn’t enough, the headache lingered. The migraine itself had passed—that horrible blur, the sensitivity, the can’t even open your eyes properly part—but what it left behind?
A dull, pounding ache that sat right behind your eyes. Every movement just reminded you it was there.
You stared at the ceiling for a moment. Hungry, tired, sore and just very uncomfortable in your own body.
And you couldn’t even get comfortable. Every position felt wrong. Too much pressure, not enough support, something always felt off.
You groaned softly, dragging a hand down your face. 'Okay… okay.' You murmured to yourself.
You needed something, you just didn’t know what. But then, you did.
You pushed yourself up slowly, wincing slightly as your body protested the movement. One hand instinctively pressed against your lower back this time.
'Lara.' You mumbled under your breath.
It wasn’t a decision you thought through, not really. It was just instinct. You shuffled out of your room, moving slower than usual, your steps slightly heavier.
Voices carried from the living room, normal, calm.
'…I’m just saying, communication matters more than anything.' Sophia was saying.
You stepped into the doorway. The scene was soft, familiar.
Sophia and Lara were on the couch, turned slightly toward each other, deep in conversation. Manon sat nearby, scrolling through her phone, occasionally chiming into Daniela’s separate conversation.
Everything felt normal, except you. You let out a small groan as you stepped further in.
Four heads turned immediately.
'Hey—' Manon’s expression shifted first, concern settling in, 'You okay?'
You paused and considered answering properly. But the words didn’t really come.
'Mm… no.' You mumbled instead, voice low and rough, barely more than a grumble.
You kept walking. Straight past them, straight to Lara. She barely had time to react because you didn’t stop.
You just climbed onto her lap with no hesitation, no warning. One second she was mid-conversation and the next, you were there. Settling yourself between her legs, turning slightly so your side pressed into her, your head dropping forward against her shoulder.
'Hi.' You mumbled, already curling into her.
There was a long moment of silence before Lara’s entire body shifted, softened, opened. Her arms came around you instantly like it was the most natural response in the world.
'Hey,' she said, voice dropping immediately, all her attention snapping to you. 'What’s wrong?'
Sophia blinked. '…Okay—'
But Lara didn’t even hear her. Her hands moved gently over your arms, your back, grounding, checking, there.
You let out a quiet breath as she pulled you closer, your body relaxing almost immediately into hers.
'Cramps,' you muttered against her shoulder. 'And my head… and I didn’t sleep properly…'
She frowned slightly, her hand coming up to rest lightly against the side of your head. 'Hey…' She murmured, softer now.
Her chin rested gently against the top of your head as her grip tightened just slightly.
'Did you take anything?' She asked.
'Mhm. Didn’t work.'
She hummed quietly, her thumb starting slow, absentminded circles against your arm. 'You’re warm.' She noted softly.
'I feel like I’m dying.' You mumbled.
That got a small breath of a laugh out of her. Not because it was funny, but because of the way you said it.
'I’ve got you.' She said, pressing a soft kiss into your hair.
You didn’t respond, you just sank further into her.
Behind you, Sophia was still sitting there, processing. '…I was literally mid-sentence.' She said, slightly offended.
Daniela looked over, then back at her. '…Yeah,' she said slowly, 'but… look.'
Sophia followed her gaze. You—curled into Lara, completely unbothered by anyone else in the room. Lara—wrapped around you like nothing else existed.
'…Oh.' Sophia said.
Manon glanced up from her phone, immediately understanding.
Daniela leaned slightly toward Sophia, lowering her voice just enough— 'Yeah, this doesn’t usually happen.'
Sophia frowned slightly. 'What do you mean?'
'She goes to her,' Daniela clarified quietly, nodding toward you, 'but not like… this.'
Not like this, not in the middle of a room, not without caring who was watching, not without hesitation.
Manon smiled faintly, watching the two of you. 'It’s rare,' she added. 'She usually waits. Or pulls her aside.'
Sophia’s expression softened. 'Oh.'
Across from them—
Lara adjusted the blanket draped over the back of the couch, pulling it around you without even thinking. Her hand moved back to your arm, still tracing slow patterns, still grounding.
'You want me to make you something?' She asked quietly.
You shook your head slightly. 'Just stay, please.'
She stilled for a second at that. Not because it was unusual that you wanted her, but because of how you said it.
Soft, tired and needy in a way you didn’t usually show so openly.
She didn’t hesitate. 'Okay.' She murmured immediately, tightening her hold around you just a little.
Her hand moved slowly up your arm, then back down again, a steady, calming motion. She was quiet for a moment, thinking.
Then, softly asked, 'Hey… do you want me to get you something? Like—actual help, not just me.' She added gently.
You huffed faintly. 'You are actual help.'
She smiled a little at that, pressing a soft kiss into your hair. 'I know, but like—' she hesitated, then continued, 'my mom sent me some stuff. Natural things for cramps and headaches.'
You shifted slightly, just enough to look up at her. 'Like what?'
'It’s Indian medication,' she explained quietly. 'Herbal tablets… and there’s this oil too. It’s meant to help with pain—like, really help. She swears by it.'
You blinked slowly, processing. 'Does it work?' You asked.
'It does for me,' she said simply. 'And she uses it all the time.'
You considered it. You didn’t usually try new things like that. But right now? You’d try anything.
'…Okay.' You murmured.
She nodded once. 'Yeah?'
'Yeah,' you said softly, then added, tightening your hold on her slightly, 'But you can’t move.'
She let out a small breath of a laugh. 'Of course.'
She didn’t even try to get up. Instead, she looked past you, 'Sophia.'
Sophia blinked. '…Why am I involved?'
'My bag,' Lara said, completely serious, 'The big one. In my room.'
Sophia stared at her. 'The big one?'
'Mhm.'
'The one that weighs, like, ten kilos for no reason?'
'It has things in it.' Lara defended mildly.
Daniela snorted. 'It has everything in it.'
Manon was already smiling.
Sophia sighed dramatically, pushing herself up from the couch. 'I was having a conversation.' She muttered.
'You’ll survive.' Lara replied calmly.
'You owe me.' Sophia added, pointing at her as she walked off.
'Yeah, yeah.'
You shifted slightly against Lara as the room settled again. Your eyes had already drifted half-shut. 'Told you not to carry that everywhere.' You mumbled.
'And yet,' she said softly, brushing her fingers through your hair, 'it’s helping right now.'
You hummed faintly. Couldn’t argue with that.
A few moments later, there was a thud.
Sophia dropped the bag down beside the couch. 'There,' she said. 'If I’ve dislocated something, I expect compensation.'
'Thank you.' Lara replied, already reaching for it. She unzipped it with one hand, the other still securely around you.
'Of course you can do this one-handed.' Daniela muttered.
'Practice.' Lara said simply.
You felt her shift slightly as she searched through the bag, her arm tightening around you briefly to keep you close.
'Okay,' she murmured, pulling something out, 'Here.'
You opened your eyes just enough to see a small container. Simple, nothing intimidating.
'They’re herbal tablets,' she explained softly. 'Mostly things like ginger, turmeric, and ajwain—it’s supposed to help with cramps and inflammation.'
You nodded slowly.
'And this,' she added, reaching back into the bag and pulling out a small bottle, 'is oil. You rub it on your lower stomach or back. It helps relax everything.'
You blinked at it. '…You carry all this around?'
'Mhm.'
'Of course you do.' You muttered.
She smiled faintly. 'Sit up just a little.' She said gently.
You groaned quietly—but did it anyway, shifting just enough for her to guide you.
She handed you the tablets first, grabbing her own water. 'Take these.' She said softly.
You did, without question. Then she poured a small amount of oil into her hand.
Before you could really react, she shifted slightly—guiding you with a gentle hand at your side. 'Turn this way.' She said softly.
You followed without thinking, your body already heavy and compliant, turning so you were facing her fully now—your back angled toward the rest of the room.
Shielded, it was subtle but intentional.
Her knee nudged slightly between yours to steady you, one arm still wrapped securely around your back to keep you close as she adjusted you into a more comfortable position.
Then her other hand moved. Careful and respectful as she adjusted the waistband of your joggers slightly—just enough to give her access, nothing more.
It wasn’t rushed, wasn’t careless, just quiet consideration.
From where the others sat, it looked like nothing more than you curled into her—her arms around you, holding you close.
But in that small space between you, she took care of you properly. Her hand settled against your lower stomach, warm now from the oil.
You exhaled softly at the contact, your forehead dipping forward to rest lightly against her shoulder.
Her touch was slow, gentle with small circular motions, consistent and grounding, her focus entirely on easing the tension she knew was sitting there.
'Okay?' She asked quietly, her voice close to your ear.
You nodded faintly against her. '…Yeah.'
The warmth spread gradually this time. Not overwhelming, just easing.
Her arm around your back tightened slightly, pulling you closer into her chest as she continued, keeping you tucked in, hidden from view without making it obvious. Like this moment was just yours.
Your hands curled lightly into the fabric of her hoodie, holding onto her without thinking.
She noticed. Of course she did.
And her movements softened even more. Slower, more deliberate. She didn’t press hard. Just slow, circular motions as the warmth spread gradually. It wasn't instant relief—but it was something, something softer.
You let out a quiet breath, your body relaxing almost immediately under her touch.
'Better?' She asked softly.
'…Yeah.' You admitted.
Her hand moved slowly, rhythm steady, consistent. Her other arm stayed wrapped around you, holding you in place, keeping you close.
'You’re not allowed to go anywhere.' You mumbled.
'I’m not going anywhere.' She replied. And she meant it.
Behind you, Sophia sat back down, watching the whole thing with a softer expression now.
'…Okay.' She said quietly, more to herself than anyone else.
Daniela glanced at her. 'Yeah.'
Manon just smiled. Because this wasn’t something they saw often. Not you like this, not so openly, not so softly needing.
But Lara? Lara looked like this was exactly where she was meant to be. Holding you, taking care of you. Not letting go.
And you, you weren’t letting her go either.
Lara stayed like that for a while. One arm wrapped securely around you, the other resting lightly where she’d been helping, her touch now still—gentle, grounding, present.
She looked down at you, really looked. Your face was tucked into her chest, your breathing slower now, your body finally starting to loosen where it had been tense all morning.
Your grip on her hoodie hadn’t gone anywhere. If anything, it had tightened just slightly.
She smiled as her thumb brushed lightly over your arm, absentminded, careful not to disturb you.
For a moment, everything else faded out again. Just like it always did.
But then she glanced up and froze. Because they were all watching. Sophia, Manon and Daniela.
Not staring in a weird way. Not teasing. Just smiling, knowing.
Lara blinked once, then immediately looked away. '…Don’t.' She muttered under her breath, a faint flush creeping up her cheeks.
Daniela grinned. 'We didn’t say anything.'
'You didn’t have to.' Lara mumbled.
Manon just shook her head softly, still smiling to herself.
Sophia leaned back slightly, arms crossing as she watched the two of you for another second before speaking again. '…Anyway,' she said, picking the conversation back up, though her tone had softened, 'as I was saying—communication.'
Lara let out a quiet breath, trying to compose herself a little. But her arm around you didn’t move, didn’t loosen.
'Yeah.' She said, nodding slightly.
Sophia tilted her head. 'Like actually saying what you need. Not expecting the other person to just… guess.'
Lara hummed quietly. Then almost instinctively, she glanced down at you again. Still tucked into her, still holding onto her, still there.
A small smile returned before she could stop it. 'I mean…' She said, voice softer now. She gestured lightly toward you with the hand that wasn’t wrapped around you.
'…this is a pretty good example.'
You shifted slightly at that, but didn’t lift your head. Still half-buried into her.
Sophia followed her gaze. '…Yeah.' She admitted.
Lara’s fingers brushed lightly over your arm again. Absentmindedly and affectionately.
'She always comes to me,' she added quietly. 'If something’s wrong. Or if she’s overwhelmed. Or—' she paused briefly, her expression softening again, '—even if she just needs… this.'
Her arm tightened around you just slightly.
You didn’t say anything, didn’t need to. But your hand shifted against her hoodie. A small, unconscious squeeze.
Lara felt it immediately and her smile deepened just a fraction.
'And you respond.' Sophia pointed out.
'Of course I do.' Lara replied, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. There was no hesitation in it, no second thought. Just certainty.
Sophia watched her for a moment then nodded. '…Yeah. That’s kind of the whole point.'
A quiet settled over the room again. Not awkward, just warm.
Lara adjusted the blanket around you slightly, making sure you were still comfortable, still covered, still close.
Her chin rested lightly against the top of your head again. And this time, she didn’t bother hiding the smile.
BEAUTIFUL PERSON AWARD! Once you are given this award you're supposed to paste it in the asks of 8 (or more) people who deserve it. If you break the chain nothing happens, but it's sweet to know someone thinks you're beautiful inside and out <3
Note: I had so much fun writing this. Credit to @i-glue for brainstorming w me so much! Also just general inspiration and idea lending for this fic!
Sophia Laforteza was many things. A straight-A student, captain of the volleyball team, and theatre star. She was also a huge fucking pain in your ass. The class president had decided that you needed her tutoring skills. And ASAP if her 6 emails to you in the last 4 days had anything to say. Beyond her intelligence and striking good looks, she was relentless. Which was becoming increasingly clear to you. You had barely been at school for five minutes when she appeared.
Sophia Laforteza had dark hair that fell past her waist. A perfectly toned body. Deep brown eyes that seemed to assess everything. She currently has a very frustrated look on her face. “I’ve contacted you more than once now,” She says as if you hadn’t painstakingly deleted her emails and texts (how did she even get your number??). “Really, I hadn’t noticed.” You lie and shut your locker before turning to her. Considering your school's closest thing to a uniform was ‘don’t look like a stripper,’ she seemed to think otherwise.
There she was. In a pleated black skirt with a button-up white shirt and a matching black sweater. Her hair was perfectly pinned back except for one strand you desperately wanted to fix. But instead, you just glared at it while she continued to prattle on. “Y’know, I don’t need tutoring.” You cut her off with a harsh tone, and her eyebrows fly up. “Well, Mrs. Harris begs to differ,” Sophia says, crossing her arms and coming to a stop in the middle of the hallway. You clench your jaw and reluctantly stop as well.
The cocky grin that you associate with her returns in full force at your surprise. You and Sophia have gone to the same school for 4 years now. She knew that Mrs Harris was your favorite teacher and you dreaded the idea of disappointing her. “Fine! I’ll let you fucking tutor me,” You say fiercely and watch as her lips press together, but she just nods. “Fantastic. I’ll be in touch,” Sophia declares and then spins around, walking past you and to her advanced statistics class. Your eyes drift to her as if magnetized, but you shake your head and walk off to your own class.
Despite your strenuous efforts to keep Sophia Laforteza out of your mind, it seemed nearly impossible. It was as if she were running through your mind. Not only could you not escape her in your own mind, but all of a sudden it seemed as if she was popping up everywhere. Where you used to sit with just Rora and Stella in the lunchroom, now Sophia was only a table away. Not only was she the top of your class, but she practically had a cult following. You couldn’t help but glower as a curly-haired girl (Danielle? Daniela? Whatever) was brushing her fingers along Sophia's arm.
The hot feeling that was coiling in your stomach was foreign to you, but you just pushed your lunch tray away and left the cafeteria. You wandered around the school waiting for the bell to ring to signal your next class. Just to feel a cool hand wrap around your arm. You spin around, ready to push whoever it was away. Sophia was standing there with a smile on her face and sparkling eyes. With no one around, she seemed not to hate you as much as usual. “I figured you would just try to avoid me again,” Sophia explains, her hand still lightly gripping your arm. Your eyes flick down, and you realize her dark purple nail polish is a bit chipped at the edges as if she had been chewing on her nails.
She finally releases your arm, and the two of you stand there a bit awkwardly. “Oh uh yeah, you caught me,” You say, your eyes flicking down to your jeans-covered Converse. Sophia doesn’t laugh, and you feel embarrassment curdle in your stomach. Then Sophia opens her mouth again, and you’re instantly reminded of why you don’t give a fuck if she laughs or not. “I figured we could go ahead and start tutoring today. After school?” She suggests with that familiar grin, and you roll your eyes. “I have band practice after school today with some friends,” You admit.
Sophia's amusement practically radiates off of her. “That’s more important than your grades?” She questions, her voice edging the line between teasing and frustration. You nod without mustering the energy to have an actual argument with her. The amusement lessens, and she lets out a huff, “Fine. We’ll start tomorrow. Be at my house at 4:00,” She says, flouncing off as if you already had her address. Before you could even open your mouth, she was calling, “I’ll send it to you.” You sigh but watch as she smoothly rejoins her group of friends, her hand sliding into the curly haired girls. That hot feeling returned, and you stalked off to your next class just as the bell rang.
Thankfully, Sophia didn’t approach you during the last two periods of the day. Instead she seemed to stay rather far away from you. It filled you with a sense of relief even as you found your eyes being drawn to her more often than not. And most unfortunately, your friends had also noticed this development. As soon as you were settling down at your battered drum kit, a teasing lilt filled the room. “So how’s your girlfriend?” Chiquita asked, leaning forward from where she was setting up her guitar. You glare at her, but the other girls seem just as amused.
Carmen has a shit-eating smile as she finishes fiddling with her keyboard. “I mean, she was particularly close to you today…” “and one-on-one tutoring,” Chiquita adds as she moves your record player out of the way. Your eyes narrow at the sight, but you just huff. “Can we just practice?” You suggest tapping your foot rapidly, and Chiquita nods. Carmen quickly interjects, “We need Rora,” she points out, and you groan. The vocalist and unappointed leader of your makeshift band seemed chronically late. She finally rushes in at the last minute, and you’re able to start.
Repeatedly banging on your drum kit (with rhythm) helps more than you thought it would. Any thoughts of Sophia fly out of your mind, and you’re left completely absorbed in the song. That is, until your phone buzzes. And buzzes. And buzzes till it falls off your desk. “Fuck” You grumble and gesture to pause as you get up and grab it. An unknown number flashes across the screen with a call notification. The same number that sent you numerous texts about tutoring. You groan, “Hold on, guys, I need to step out. We might as well be done for today.” You gesture for the three of them to leave. They exchange confused glances but head out of your room with their stuff.
You flop onto your bed and click on the call icon. She’s immediately switching it to FaceTime. It looks as if she’s sitting at her vanity and getting ready to relax. “Did you just forget I had practice, or did you not care?” You ask, refusing to suppress your frustration at her. “It’s almost 5, I figured you were done,” Sophia comments as she begins to wipe her face. “We weren’t. And I don’t appreciate you intruding on it.” You inform, and she pauses.
Sophia levels you with a rather unimpressed look, “You’re the one who picked up,” She pointed out. You huff at her admittedly sound logic, “Yeah, but I didn’t want to,” You reply. She chuckles, “Weak defense,” She states, and just finishes taking off her makeup. You take a brief moment to stare at her. How was it possible she managed to look just as good, if not better than usual? She clears her throat, and you jump. “So uh, are we planning or something?” You ask, and she nods with a wry look in her eyes.
Sophia claps her hands and stands up, heading over to her desk. She sets her phone down, and you watch as she pulls out a binder with your name on it. “Stalker much?” You mutter, and her eyebrow raises even as her lips twitch. “My idea is to have 1-2 sessions a week. Focused primarily on math. But if needed, I can help you with science as well.” She explains as she flips through the meticulously organized binder. She’s flipping the pages too fast for you to get a good look, especially while on FaceTime.
You watch as she finally lands on a page and begins to take notes in that perfect handwriting. “So uh, how’s senior year?” You ask awkwardly as she continues to write. “Good,” Sophia states without looking up, and you shift in your bed. “Y’know I’m trying not to well…hate you.” You grumble, and a short laugh escapes her. Not the fake polite chuckle she does with everyone else. But a genuine laugh.
You push away the surge of satisfaction at the noise. “I didn’t realize you hated me,” She said, and for a brief moment, her face was stripped away to just plain hurt. “No, no! Not hate, just….you don’t exactly like me, and it’s not like we’ve ever been close.” You scramble to salvage the discussion, feeling a shock roll in your heart at the fact that you were caring for Sophia Laforteza. Of all people.
Her face softens for a brief moment, and the lead of her pencil snaps. “Shoot,” Sophia mutters and sharpens it before returning to writing. As if your comment had never happened. You mute yourself and toss your phone away before groaning into a pillow. Why was she so pretty but so fucking frustrating?? You allow yourself this respite before picking your phone back up. “That was a beautiful view of your DVD collection,” She comments with a smile.
Heat rises in your face, and you fidget with your pants. “Right, uh,” You falter now and just shrug weakly. You could’ve sworn you heard her mutter ‘cute’ under her breath as she shut the binder. “So it’s decided. I’ll help you with math. Twice a week.” Sophia declares while looking at you. You nod slowly, the frustration that had filled you when she had first pestered you about tutoring is melting away. “I can drive you tomorrow. I know you ride your bike.” She says, and that flustered, butterflyish feeling swarms you.
You nod instead of a legitimate reply, and she smiles at you with what seems to be genuine happiness. “I’ll pick you up from your last period. I don’t trust you not to be late,” She says, and annoyance returns to you for a brief moment. Sophia waves before ending the call without ceremony. You let out a disgruntled sigh and stand up for a moment before deciding to flop back onto your bed. You need to pick a non-shitty outfit for tomorrow.
You weren’t going to go all out or anything. But maybe not stained clothes. You glanced at your cracked closet doors and reluctantly stood up. You managed to find a somewhat cute Spider-Man t-shirt and lay it out. Before finding some baggy jeans that had working pockets. You laid it down next to it and stared at it. Well, that was good enough. You were exhausted, and the idea of doing homework right now was not appealing. So you lay down in bed and fell asleep in your jeans and tee.
You woke up to the usual sound of your alarm blaring. Rora had agreed to pick you up so that you wouldn’t have to put your bike in Sophia’s car. Which meant for once you actually had to get up on time. You changed into your outfit for the day and made sure it looked semi-good before grabbing your bag and rushing out the door and into her car. Rora didn’t tease you for the way you checked your hair a few times in the mirror and how you weren’t nearly as chatty as usual.
Your day seemed to fly by. Even Carmen didn’t give you shit for missing band practice. Your teachers assigned light homework, and you weren’t called on at all. Maybe this was foreshadowing for an actually helpful tutoring session. Sophia’s group seemed to be getting closer to your lunch table every time you looked up. But you felt a twisted satisfaction when you saw Sophia repeatedly brush off the other girl's physical affection. It felt as if her eyes were boring into your head.
As soon as you were done with your final period and you stepped out of the classroom, she was there. This time, it was in a purple and black ensemble with her hair up. “You look pretty,” you blurted as her hand secured around your arm and you got steered towards the parking lot. Sophia glances at you, her eyes flicking up and down. “You look like a cute loser,” She says and smirks as you trip over your feet.
Her car is stunning and clearly very expensive, and you’re careful to scuff your shoes off before climbing into the passenger seat. You rest your backpack on your lap while hers goes in the backseat. She pulls out of her prime parking spot without issue and waves at a few people as they walk to their own rides. “You can pick the music,” Sophia informs, gesturing for you to plug in your phone as she exits the school.
You give her a skeptical look, but pull up one of your go-to playlists. You scroll for a song that might not offend her. Her eyebrow raises at the song choice, but midway through, she’s humming along. “It’s the Crystals. Uh, they’re from the 90’s.” You explain turning down the volume. She turns it back up, “I like them. After all, you like them,” Sophia says and glances at you out of the corner of her eyes. You smile dumbly down at your lap and then scowl when you realize that’s a reaction to Sophia Laforteza.
You sip your water bottle as the drive goes on, and just as you take a long sip, she turns into her driveway and you all but choke. Goddamn Sophia Laforteza was not only captain of the volleyball team and stunning but also loaded. She’s grabbing a spare napkin and quickly wiping up the water that landed on your jeans and chair. You slid out of the car with a muttered thanks before following her into the house. And if the outside was nice, then the inside was certainly extravagant.
She doesn’t mention where her parents are or anything, and you don’t want to pry, so you follow her up without talking. Her room is gorgeous, but very clean and meticulous. There are hints of Sophia’s personality shining through, though if you take enough time to look. There are pictures of her and her friends scattered around, and a well-worn blanket folded on her chair. You glance around and notice a gorgeous journal resting on her desk. You spot a perfume bottle next to it, and you lean forward to see the label as you pass by. It’s so well used that it’s indistinguishable, unfortunately.
Sophia starts rummaging through her stuff while you just kind of stand there. “Alright, I guess I left it downstairs. I’ll grab us a snack while I’m at it,” She says, already rushing downstairs. You only have a few free moments, and even as your head screams at you, calling you an idiot, you flip open the journal. It has a flower embossed on the cover and gold-lined pages. The kind of journal only Sophia Laforteza could own.
Your eyes flicked rapidly over the pages, and you realized very quickly that this was not some academic journal as you had expected. Maybe a list of her goals as class president. But no, this was very clearly a personal diary. The guilt flooding your veins only grew hotter as you continued to flip through the pages. You find her last entry, presumably from not that long ago. You spot the date in the corner. It was from yesterday.
Your name was scattered throughout the energy. The guilt was replaced by icy shock as you realized she had been writing about you. Not in a ‘I hate their guts’ kind of way either. This entry made it seem as if Sophia was harboring a crush on you. Hell, one of the sentences said, ‘I think y/n was frustrated with me today. When all I’m doing is trying to help…and get closer to them in the process.’ You stared down at the sentence, but before you could properly process it, you heard footsteps. You all but slammed the cover shut and leapt back.
Sophia returned to her room with a binder and another book under her arm and a plate of sliced fruit in her hand. Her eyebrow raised at the fact that you were as far away from her desk as possible. You watch her eyes flick to the diary, and you only relax when she doesn’t seem to notice anything off. She pats the bed as she settles down, and you can’t help but laugh. “Didn’t think Miss Class President would let me eat in her bed.” You tease, trying to relieve at least a bit of the awkwardness.
Her smile crinkles her eyes, and you take a brief moment to appreciate the sight. The session itself passed in a blur of math problems, frustrated groans, and her hand brushing yours. Sophia agreed to drive you home, and she let you play the Crystals again. She seemed to be genuinely interested in their music, occasionally asking questions or humming along. You spotted her glancing at you more than once, and each time it felt like your heart skipped a beat.
You scrambled out of the car as soon as she parked outside your place. “Thanks!” You say yanking your backpack and tripping over yourself to get inside. Just as you finished unlocking the door, you looked behind you and realized Sophia had waited for you to get safely inside. She had an undeniably fond look in her eyes, and you leapt in the door, shutting it and leaning against it. Your heart pounded in your ears as you slumped down to the entryway.
Sophia Laforteza truly was crushing on you. And instead of the disgust or annoyance you thought surely would’ve hit you by now, you were filled with a sense of giddiness. You groan, cradling your head in your hands. You truly were fucked. You trudged your way through your afternoon routine. Showering, changing, listening to Rora ramble about Asa on the call, and skimming some reading for English. But through all of it, Sophia was burned in the back of your brain, the way she had grabbed your hand when you went to write something incorrectly. How her glasses slipped just a bit when she bent over to help you. Even the smell of her perfume seemed to linger.
The next day, your plan was simple: avoid her. You couldn’t risk her picking up on the fact that you knew about her crush or your own growing crush on her. Sophia seemed to plan the opposite. As soon as you had parked your bike, she was there. “I figured you could stick with me today? Maybe sprinkle in some tutoring?” She suggested with her sparkling eyes. It was a clear ruse to keep you with her, but you didn’t feel like calling her out on it. “You look cute,” she declared before dragging you to drop you off at your first period. You glanced down at your outfit of a striped tee with a Beetlejuice shirt on top and loose jeans. Utterly unimpressive compared to her own outfit.
Sophia gave your arm a gentle squeeze before heading off to her own class. You stumbled your way through the door and settled down in your seat. Just as Chiquita opened her mouth to tease you, the bell rang. You couldn’t suppress the pang of concern that Sophia was tardy to her own class after taking the time to drop you off. She valued her attendance above almost everything. You shook it off as you began to (reluctantly) focus on your Earth science assignment.
She didn’t seem as if she was going to leave you alone. The esteemed class president had turned into a clingy, gorgeous mess. You were being walked to every class, and she moved her lunch table to sit with you and the girls. Just as you were taking a bite of the sandwich Rora shared with you, you received a text. From Sophia. And all it said was ‘I know you read my diary’. You choked on the sandwich, and Chiquita leaned over and patted your back as you scrambled for water. Sophia slid hers over, and you took a sip while staring at her.
Fuck.
Sophia didn’t give any hints that she was the cause of your choking, and you received a few tips on how you should chew more slowly and swallow. But your mind was running too haywire to focus on that. Not only did she know that you knew. But she was acting like this while knowing. Which meant she was flirting. Right? You manage to leave lunch early and halfheartedly avoid her for a little while. She texts you just to arrange a tutoring session for the next day. Neither of you addresses the elephant in the room.
The next day consisted of sleeping in late, barely making it to school on time, then falling asleep in 3 classes and playing video games in the others. But hey, now you have a tutor to do that work with. Everything seemed to be going relatively smoothly. Until Sophia let you know that the tutoring session would have to be held at your house instead. She had some excuse, but you had just sighed and agreed. And tried not to notice how stunning her hair looked wavy.
You managed to fit your bike in her car (barely), and the two of you set off for your house. “My parents aren’t home, but my room is kinda a mess,” you warn as she plays some showtunes mix. She just nods and continues singing along, and you giggle at the fact that she knows every single word. If looks could kill, then her glare sure would have, but you just smile at her, and the glare diminishes. You fumble with your key to get into the house, and she leans against the wall with an amused smile. “Need some help?” Sophia teases, and you whip around to glare at her.
She slides behind you and takes your key, smoothly swinging open the door. Her breath hits the back of your neck, and you stiffen before walking in. You lead her up the stairs, your hand sliding into hers smoothly, this time it’s Sophia who stumbles. You grin to yourself at the realization that you were flustering the unflappable class president. You let her into your room and scramble to push one of your clothes drawers back. Sophia looks around your slightly cluttered room. There was a collection of DVDs, a bookshelf of manga, a stack of history books, and a gaming setup.
Sophia looks more than amused at the state of your room. “I’ve got a lot of hobbies,” You defend as she sits with her legs knelt beneath her on your bed. “We’re just going to review what I heard you missed during naptime,” She informs, and rather than the frustration that would’ve filled her before, now she just seems fondly exasperated. She reaches forward and taps your knee, “C’mon, love.” The nickname seems to surprise both of you. Her brown eyes go wide, and you just look away, pretending to cough,
She flips open the binder and scoots closer towards you on the bed. Sophia begins to lecture about whatever it is you had missed that morning. You were admittedly more focused on the way the two of you kept gravitating to each other. Her hand was absentmindedly smoothing down your shirt as she talked, and you weren’t sure she even noticed. Finally, Sophia seems to notice that you are not exactly focused on the lesson. “Why don’t we take a break? Clear your head,” She suggests, squeezing your waist before hopping up.
Sophia is wandering around your room and taking the time to examine almost every detail. She’s thrilled to spot some Disney DVD’s, but she seems most enraptured with your collection of vinyls. “Can I sit here?” She asks, pointing towards your gaming chair. “Sure?” You reply with pinched together eyebrows. Sophia sits down while smoothing out her skirt. She spins around in it before examining your setup. “Why don’t you come sit with me?” She suggests patting her lap, and you freeze.
Heat runs through your veins, but you cautiously settle down on her lap, essentially straddling her. You carefully help her fix her shirt collar, and she smooths down your jeans. Sophia takes a long moment to just stare at you, her brown eyes flicking over every inch of your face. Then she’s leaning forward, one hand sliding up to cradle your cheek and the other going to the small of your back. Without warning, she’s gently pressing her lips against yours.
You’ve associated Sophia with sharp edges and perfection and just general strictness for so long. It’s surprising to you that she seems so utterly soft. Her thumb is stroking your cheek while your own hands latch onto her hair. One hand is running through it while the other hovers above her back. Sophia finally pulls away her eyes, fluttering as she lets go of your cheek. You can’t help but feel dazed when you see how fond she looks. You untangle your hand from her hair.
The two of you stay silent for a moment longer, just looking at each other. “You deserve a real date,” Sophia says finally, her arms locking around you to keep you on her lap. You blink at her before clearing your throat. “Oh, a date.” You repeat dumbly, and she chuckles before pressing a peck to your lips. “A date,” She mimics playfully before patting your thigh. “Alright, let’s get some actual work done.” You slide off her lap and head back to your bed. She manages to walk you through some problems without the two of you getting too distracted.
Sophia checks her phone and sighs. “Alright, I have to go, baby. I need to help Lara with getting ready.” She informs and slides off your bed. You sigh as she gathers up her stuff before standing up to help her get out. You lead her down and out to her car. She waves and blows a kiss before driving off. You head back inside and rush up to your room. You take a moment to process everything. Sophia Laforteza was a straight-A student. Volleyball captain. But also a dork who loved Disney and showtunes. Who cared more than she would like to admit. And she had gone from being a pain in your ass to being your date.
Huge news everyone!! The physical versions of our comics are finally here!! This is so exciting for the whole team as we can finally see our hard work paying off!! We look forward to seeing you at London MCM this weekend!!
★TWs: nothing much really, just some angst, Yunjin yearns A LOT
★word count: 100
And after going through all those years, Yunjin couldn't bring herself to forget what she felt for Sakura—no matter how many rejections, how much pain she experienced, she still loved her.
Now at the studio, Yunjin writes about Sakura—doesn’t matter the topic—she's always the center of her work.
Whether it's a song or poem, or the countless nights spent by listening to their shared playlist.
Although it feels selfish to love, she still acts up on her feelings in secret to not scare Sakura because even though her heart is about to burst, she would hate losing her once again.
