[II] (1/1)

A month has gone by before Seulgi could even realize it.Seulgi left the hospital a week after the car-crash. What came after the accident was even more exhausting for Seulgi than her recovery: the issues with the insurance company. The fact that the driver had left once they hit the Seulgi's car, leaving Seulgi unconscious inside it, made the investigation more difficult. Taeyeon, Seulgi's lawyer, had been helping her and that helped Seulgi leaving the focus of the situation. All this situation has been stressful for her. A week later, the police found the driver. He was an alcoholic man. He didn't remember anything about the accident, but he also didn't remember where he had left his car. His car didn't have any insurance and that made the whole situation worse. Seulgi tried to not think about it and she gave Taeyeon full control of the situation. She was happy to have her as a friend as well. Seulgi spent the first days back at home with her family. It was easier for her to relax when she was around her family and their dogs. She kept making video calls with both Seungwan and Yerim while she was gone. If Yerim had been dead worried about her, Seungwan had it worse. Seungwan texted her every single day to make sure she was okay. Seulgi tried to reassure her by sending her cute selfies, but that would never vanish her best friend's worries. When she came back to her apartment in Seoul with Yerim, Seungwan calmed down because now she could ask Yerim actually how was Seulgi doing. Yerim was always honest with her. She would tell her 'Today she's not doing so well' or 'She seems pretty happy this morning. I will keep you updated though'. Seulgi was fully aware of this and she was thankful that her friends cared so much about her, but at the same time she felt guilty about worrying them so much.That very same week, she started attending her piano lessons. Joohyun, her older sister's friend, had been sweet to her. It was a relief to have someone who would talk to her without talking about the accident. It was obvious that she still couldn't practice with both her hands, but it was cool because Joohyun was teaching her how to play with her right hand. She still needed to learn a lot before she could think about using both her hands. It was also soothing that the woman's house was so beautiful and it always smelled nice. She always had a bouquet of fresh flowers on top of a table. It made her wonder if she was dating someone. Seulgi won't deny that her piano teacher is beyond beautiful. She has the kind of smile that can leave you speechless. Of course, she must be dating someone. Seulgi had thought but that didn't help that she felt something on her stomach when Joohyun sat down next to her on the piano bench.She was a little starstruck when she saw her smile, her face so close to hers. Seulgi shakes her head at the memory and tries to think about something else.But it did seem that she wanted to kiss me. Right? I couldn't just imagine that."Morning, sleepyhead." Yerim greets her as she enters the kitchen.Seulgi smiles at her as she opens the fridge. "Look who's talking. You look way sleepier than me." Yerim shrugs and she checks her phone.It's Monday and with the beginning of a new week, Seulgi is reminded as soon as she wakes up that she has something on her list that she has to mark as done.As she makes some coffee for Yerim and herself, her mind leaves the memory of Joohyun behind and she begins to picture Joy's face. The cute girl from the ice cream store has been clearly flirting with her all this time, ever since the first time she went to the ice cream store. Seulgi has always been slow and couldn't read the signs when someone was flirting with her, but in Joy's case, it was really obvious. Even Yerim had told her so.She hands her flatmate her favourite cup and pours the coffee for her. Yerim lets out a sigh in appreciation of the smell. "Thanks, Seul," she mutters before taking a sip of the coffee. She hums a random melody as she gets up from the counter. "What are your plans for today?""I'm meeting Taeyeon for lunch. She has to update me about the whole situation." Yerim nods and uses a napkin to clean her mouth. "That's good, I guess. I hope everything goes fine." "Thanks, Yerim." Seulgi places her healthy hand on her friend's shoulder and gives her a little squeeze. "And... I want to go to the ice cream store this afternoon."The way Seulgi rises her eyebrows is enough for Yerim to turn into a teasing fluff ball. "Oh my, someone is confessing to her crush!" "No! Well, yes, but not confessing really. I'm just going to ask her to go on a date with me.""That's kind of confessing, you know?" Yerim pokes at her sides. "I'm glad you are asking her out. Joy is a cool girl." "Is that a pun?" Seulgi chuckles."I didn't intend it to be, but it does sound funny. I'm naturally funny, you know?" Yerim brags, which makes Seulgi laugh even more. Yerim feels happy for seeing her friend like that. "So, what are you wearing?"  Seulgi is wearing a simple white shirt and jeans. She has tried to keep it as casual as she could. She didn't want to look like she was trying too hard. As she nears the ice cream store, she feels her heart beating faster. She has never been straightforward about any crush she has ever had. The only person she had dated was a guy from high school who confessed to her. She accepted, but it was a desperate move to make Seungwan jealous. It didn't seem to work. Her first kiss was with him after a double date they had with Seungwan and some other guy. Seulgi doesn't remember any of their names, but it was pointless. It was that very same kiss that made her realize that dating men wasn't her thing.Then there was a girl she had slept with when they were both drunk the night of her graduation from college. Her name was Sunmi, they were barely acquaintances. She never heard of her after that night, even though she tried to reach her. Seulgi is lacking love experience, but here she is, about to come into the ice cream store to ask the cute girl behind the counter to go on a date with her.She looks through the glass door, trying to look like she's thinking about what ice cream she's picking. She tries to spot Joy and she panics a little when she doesn't see her.There she is. Seulgi watches as Joy reunites with her coworker and asks her for help, as she's coming from the back of the store with a heavy box.That smile...Joy turns around and their gazes meet. Joy's smile widens and she waves at her. Seulgi waves back and she lets out a sigh.Here it goes.She opens the door and she walks up to Joy, who is already waiting for her behind the counter."Hey there. Long time not seen." Joy says while leaning her elbows on the counter, her head resting on top of her palms. "It hasn't been because I didn't want to come.""I know. Yerim told me when she came here last week." She did?Seulgi remembers then that Yerim brought her her favourite ice cream and they shared it while watching La La Land.Joy plays with a straw between her fingers. "I was worried." Joy confesses. "Are you okay now?""Yeah." Seulgi shrugs and raises her hand, showing her the cast. "I've been lucky. Just three broken fingers. The airbag really helped." Joy's brows furrow as she reaches out to Seulgi's cast, that has already been signed by Yerim and Taeyeon. The latest made a beautiful drawing of a bear. "This one looks like you." She points out, chuckling. Seulgi still detects that something was off. Before she could ask her, Joy speaks up. "Is it true that you almost died?"Seulgi rubs the back of her neck and gives a nod. Joy looks at her regretfully. The same look she saw in Yerim's eyes when she woke up. The same look Seungwan had when they first talked on a video call.The look of regretting not having done so many things before it was too late."Hey, do you want to sign my cast?" Seulgi changes the topic, getting out a sharpie for her to sign. Joy's face lightens and she nods enthusiastically. Seulgi looks at the ice cream board as she feels Joy working on her writings on her cast. She thinks about what ice cream should she order after she's done talking with Joy. Chocolate and mint if Joy goes out with me.Chocolate and chocolate if Joy rejects me.When Joy is done with her cast, she hands the sharpie back. Seulgi tries to read it but it's upside down. Joy laughs at her own clumsiness as she watches Seulgi move her head to read what Joy has written.Get well soon! I want to see you around more.- Joy <3"Awwww" Seulgi lets out before she can hold it back. "Actually, there is something I want to ask you..."Joy's full attention is on her and she doesn't know how to word it.She plays with the sharpie in her hand and she opens her mouth, but no words come out.I must look like a fish right now.Joy, on the other hand, is just thinking about how cute she is."I want to know if... maybe... you want to go on a date with me? Um, this week?"Joy's eyes widen. "Thank you, but..."Those words make Seulgi gulp.Seulgi gets ready to order a chocolate and chocolate ice cream."My work schedule is a mess this week. I hope we can make it work though. Let me see." Joy gets her phone and the two of them look at Joy's weekly agenda.Seulgi can't hide her smile. Chocolate and mint it is.