[M] maybe shell surprise you (1/1)

"And then I said to him, shut the hell up and for once in your life try to be a decent human being--" "I love you." Mina stopped sipping on her iced coffee and looked up. She laughed. "A little random, but same. Love you too." "No," Tzuyu leaned in, resting her elbows on the table. "No. I mean I love you. As in, I love you roma--" "Yeah, I got that. And I'm saying I love you too." Tzuyu opened her mouth again but shut it in record time when Mina grabbed her hand, looking concerned. "Is everything alright?" Tzuyu took a deep breath and leaned back, letting go of Mina's hand. She pressed her lips together and looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah," The music blasting through the cafe that Tzuyu had tuned out started reaching her ears once more, and she straightened her posture, looking back into her friend's eyes. She smiled, "I didn't get much sleep last night. Don't worry about it. What were you saying?" The glint in Mina's eye returned and she continued talking from where she left off, Tzuyu's confession cast aside like many times before. Now, Tzuyu wasn't exactly the best liar but her smile always covered it up nicely. Through the time they've been together, Tzuyu learned that although observant, Mina seemed to believe her lies if she smiled bright enough. She used this to her advantage. "So what do you think?" Shit. Tzuyu zoned out. What did Mina ask her again? "I think... that's great!" "Really? So you think we should go?" "Sure." Tzuyu blinked. "Where?" "To... Nayeon's party?" Mina giggled. "Hello, where's your head today Tzuyu?" "Hold on, a party? But you hate parties." "Yep. But it's Im Nayeon's birthday party. I'm willing to make an exception if a certain friend of mine came with me and had my back for the night." Mina winked, or at least she tried to. Tzuyu chuckled at her attempt, her chest fluttering. "When's the party? And are you sure I'm even allowed to come?" "Friday. And yes, why not." Mina grabbed the straw with her lips and drank the last bit of her iced coffee, her eyes locked with Tzuyu's. Tzuyu looked away. "Because I haven't been invited?" "Have I mentioned the host is Nayeon? You know, The Im Nayeon that's been loyally crushing on you since freshman year? I'm sure she just couldn't find the courage to send you an invite. With the way you've been acting, the poor girl probably thinks you hate her guts." "Wha-- We've only talked like three times! And she does NOT have a crush on me." Mina lifted her eyebrows. "mm'kay." "She doesn't." *** Nayeon barely noticed Tzuyu at the party. Tzuyu was happy about it, even though a small part of her wondered if Mina had been right. Nayeon was really pretty. Super pretty. It wasn't like Mina was ever going to look at her the way Tzuyu looked at her anyway. But then again she knew Nayeon deserved better than her. Someone like Sana, who now held Nayeon's hands and had all her attention as they danced to the loud music. It was one of those days Tzuyu was feeling under the weather. There wasn't a particular reason why she felt down, she just did. Maybe it was the weather? She had no idea. She wanted to go home and lie in her bed, listen to the sad Taylor Swift playlist Momo had made for her a while ago, and maybe cry... Definitely cry.  The glass in her hand suddenly felt too heavy and she downed her drink in one ago before putting it on a nearby table. She was still sober, but for how long she wasn't sure. Someone grabbed her arm, yanking her to a corner. "Tzuyu!" Tzuyu felt her heart ache, seeing Mina...and Jeongyeon. "Hi, Mina. Jeongyeon." "I missed you," You don't mean that. "Hmm. I'm here." "We can leave if you want." Mina pulled her closer until Tzuyu could distinguish her perfume from the many other heavy scents that hang in the air. "I know that look," she whispered. Tzuyu chuckled dryly. "No, I'm... I'm fine. We're here already, aren't we?" "Yeah, don't gooo," Jeongyeon cutely whined, grabbing Mina's shoulders. "I'll go get some air. You stay." Tzuyu smiled, stepping back until she hit someone and basically ran away, mumbling an apology. "Tzuyu, wait!" Tzuyu barely made it out on the porch. She sat down on the stairs and threw a glance at the door behind her. Please don't follow me. And Mina hadn't. Tzuyu was utterly alone despite the people around her, laughing and having fun. Or so she thought.  "Hey," Tzuyu hugged herself, leaning against the balustrade. She didn't have to look, she knew who that voice belonged to. "Hi." "What a shit party," Chaeyoung said, crouching down to sit beside her on the small stairs as she wrinkled her nose in disgust at the guy throwing up in a bush. "Are you leaving? Didn't you come with Mina?" "No. And yes." Tzuyu sighed. "I'm just getting some air." "Well, I'm leaving in a few minutes. I love Nayeon, but her parties aren't my cup of tea." Chaeyoung bumped her shoulder to Tzuyu's. "I can drop you off too if you want." "Didn't you drink?" Tzuyu asked, slightly concerned for the other girl. "No." Chaeyoung huffed. "Momo made me promise not to." "She's only looking out for you." Chaeyoung sighed. "Tzuyu." "What?" "Do me a favor and go back in there. Go have fun and have a drink, dance or something. Just stop looking like a kicked out puppy on the porch." She stood up, fishing out her car keys from her varsity jacket. "Talk to Mina. You're only going to hurt yourself the more this goes on. And hey, maybe she'll surprise you." Tzuyu hummed. "I'm serious. Stop chickening out and tell her." Tzuyu stood up as well. Chaeyoung's eyes were softer than usual when Tzuyu looked at them. "God," Chaeyoung tiptoed, ruffling Tzuyu's hair. "Tell you what, you confess to Mina properly tonight without chickening out and this baby is yours for two weeks," she said, motioning to the jacket she was wearing. Tzuyu cracked a smile at that, the first real smile of the night probably. "Go." Chaeyoung pushed her shoulder gently as she walked backwards, hands in pockets.  Before she could get far, Tzuyu pushed herself into Chaeyoung's arms and tightly hugged her much smaller body. Chaeyoung sighed for the second time that night, pulling her closer in a way she felt that Tzuyu needed. "It'll be alright. Mina's nice. She won't be weird about it." "Thank you, Chaengie." "Yep." "Be careful on your way back. Tell Momo I said hi."  "Will do." And as Chaeyoung drove away, Tzuyu took a deep breath and opened the door, going back inside the house. She pushed through people dancing and walked towards the corner she last saw Mina, hoping she was still there. And Mina was there, leaning against the wall, scrolling on her phone.  Before going to her, Tzuyu stopped and observed her from a bit far. Mina looked beautiful as always today, her make up a bit heavier than usual. She was wearing a t-shirt underneath her favorite red checkered shirt. Her jeans hugged her legs tightly and Tzuyu would be lying if this was the first time she tried to memorize the elegant curves. Tearing her eyes away, she focused on her face this time. So focused and yet not so focused at the same time, her red plump lips parted slightly, her cheeks looking squishy and full as she looked down at her phone. Her blonde hair fell over her eyes but Mina didn't seem to mind it. She blinked, her eyelids fluttering. Was she tired? Tzuyu took a few steps forward as she felt her heart beating faster, matching the quick beat of the song that played loudly in the house.  "What're you doing?"  "Tzuyu!" A grin appeared on Mina's previously bored face and she locked her phone, slipping it inside her jeans pocket. "You're...back?" Tzuyu laughed at how unsure she sounded. "Yeah, come on!" She pulled her by the hand to the dance floor. They were pushed close together since it was crowded but neither minded it. Mina's laughter was unlike any other she had let out that night, her hands tightly gripping Tzuyu's as they ridiculously danced.  Taking Chaeyoung's advice, Tzuyu brought them drinks and they drank a bit more. Mina pulled a giggling Tzuyu aside and leaned on her shoulder. "M-Mina..." Tzuyu mumbled, the words barely leaving her mouth. "I've been meaning...to uh... to tell you." Mina lifted her head and hummed, her face just a whisper away from Tzuyu's. Mina's flushed face stole Tzuyu's breath away and as her heart pounded in her chest, she remembered Chaeyoung's words.  And hey, maybe she'll surprise you. Tzuyu leaned in, pressing her forehead against hers. Mina giggled. Somewhere in the back of the room, they heard Nayeon yelling something but it got lost in between the screams and music. Tzuyu grabbed Mina's hands and made them sway slowly to the exciting music, both of them a little drunk.  "What if I kissed you right now?" Tzuyu whispered, her eyes flickering down to Mina's lips as if to show she truly meant it. Mina only giggled (she giggled a lot when she was drunk) and waited, biting her red lips slightly before she looked up into her friend's eyes like she was challenging her. When Tzuyu lowered her head and her nose brushed against Mina's, Mina didn't back away like the sober part of Tzuyu's brain expected her to. Instead, Mina closed her eyes. So Tzuyu parted her lips and pecked Mina's. Once. Twice. The third time, Mina's hand on the nape of her neck didn't allow her to pull away, capturing her lips in a proper kiss. Tzuyu felt someone bump into her in the chaos, but she didn't even flinch. It was like Mina had her under a spell. She gave her full attention to the kiss before she pulled away briefly. Tzuyu's chest expanded as she took a deep breath. Mina was too impatient to let her breathe, so she found her lips again. These kisses were different than what Tzuyu imagined they would be, they were rougher. That was the last thing Tzuyu recalled thinking that night. After that, she remembered them stumbling into an empty room and locking it before doing things Tzuyu had done barely a few times in her life. In contrast to Tzuyu's inexperience, Mina was skilled in getting Tzuyu's clothes off and making her feel things. Tzuyu tried to return the favor best she could and hoped Mina's loud moans meant she was doing a good job.  Despite the alcohol in their systems, they remembered everything about that night when they woke up tangled on a couch with nothing but a thin blanket.  They got dressed in silence. "Window?" Tzuyu asked with a chuckle after Mina tidied up the place a little bit, panicking. "Yes, please. I can't believe we had sex in Nayeon's house...of all places." Tzuyu giggled as they sneaked out. "Why? Did you have somewhere else in mind Ms. Myoui? Where should we head next?" Mina froze and Tzuyu was so sure she screwed everything up. "Tzuyu I... I don't want to be weird about this" She was choosing her words carefully, Tzuyu noticed. "I had a great time last night. But it was--" Tzuyu's face fell, she knew where this was going. "A one-time thing?" She laughed and even she didn't know why. "I know." "Oh," Mina let go of the breath she was holding, "Good. Great." She chuckled. The relief in her voice broke Tzuyu's heart.  *** It wasn't a one-time thing. It happened again and again and they never put a label on it.  Tzuyu was glad to have some part of Mina like this, but it was slowly making things worse. She was aware. God, she was aware of much it hurt her heart to do this, but she couldn't stop. Not when some nights she could imagine Mina being hers as they slept in the same bed. It was so easy to fool herself when Mina was in her arms. In midst of all that, rumors about her and Chaeyoung spread across campus. Tzuyu should have seen it coming honestly. Chaeyoung was a known and loved jock and anyone she talked to became a victim of the stupid rumors once or twice. They went away quickly though, so it didn't bother Tzuyu. And Chaeyoung, well she was used to it.  Tzuyu eventually told Chaeyoung about this recent casual thing she had going on with Mina, looking at her with an even sadder look than the one she had on the porch that night. Chaeyoung sighed. She took off her varsity jacket and gave it to her anyway. It wasn't the deal, so Tzuyu tried to give it back.  Chaeyoung took the jacket from her hands only to throw it over the taller girl's shoulders. "End it. And god, Tzuyu. Tell her. You already crossed a line. What's one more?"  Tzuyu nodded, her eyes tearing up. Chaeyoung panicked. "No. No. Don't cry! Gosh, no no no." This time it was Chaeyoung who pulled her into a hug first. She drew soothing circles on her back, patiently waiting for Tzuyu to pull back whenever she wanted. They stayed like that for so long that when Tzuyu finally pulled away, Chaeyoung's neck hurt from keeping her head up. Maybe it was due to that day that the rumors didn't die and just grew.  And after some time, Mina heard them. It was inevitable. Tzuyu didn't think she cared. Not after she saw Mina having a small picnic on campus with Jeongyeon, giggling all shy and happy.  But she did care. One day when Tzuyu had Chaeyoung's varsity jacket on (the sleeves riding up because it was too small for her) and they were walking to Mina's apartment with their arms linked, Mina asked her suddenly. "So you and Chaeyoung?" "Just rumors." "They say you went home together after Nayeon's party." If Mina was testing Tzuyu's patience, Tzuyu was very close to exploding. "Well, I was with you that night. Remember?" Mina hummed, unaware of the annoyance in Tzuyu's tone. Or maybe she was aware. "Then why do you have her jacket?" "Why are you asking me all of this?" Tzuyu had her head down, her voice trembling. She didn't want to cry in front of her but at this rate, she was going to. Tzuyu hated the silence that followed when they entered the building and walked up the stairs. Why couldn't Mina just-- "Do you want us to stop?" "What?" "I said, do you want us to stop," Mina repeated as they reached her apartment, her eyes never meeting Tzuyu's as they stood before the door. Tzuyu still couldn't be brave enough to answer that. "Do you?" "Yes." Mina breathed. "Let's just...go back to the way we were before." "Okay." Tzuyu's voice was so low Mina scarcely heard it. Images of Mina and Jeongyeon sitting on the picnic blanket and laughing flashed through her head and she took a deep breath. Mina tried holding her hand, "We can watch a movie instead? I have some snacks–" "No. It's okay, I think I should go." Tzuyu quickly took a step back. Once Tzuyu's hand slipped out of hers and she was left alone in front of the door to her apartment, Mina felt an ache spreading from her chest, paralyzing her. Maybe it was the look Tzuyu gave her as she left, but Mina couldn't stop thinking that this... wasn't right. It stung. It wasn't supposed to. Ending it wasn't supposed to hurt her like this. Weren't they just having fun?  Mina wasn't supposed to feel like she was making one of the biggest mistakes of her life. She wasn't supposed to think about Tzuyu heading back to her dorm, maybe crossing the street at this very moment as Mina froze in the cold hallway like this. If she jumped down the stairs and ran like she was competing in a marathon, could she catch Tzuyu?  What would happen then? Mina didn't know, and that scared her. So she unlocked her door and entered the apartment. Maybe all they needed was some space. *** The next day, Mina saw Tzuyu sitting in a tree, a book in her hand. Mina stood far as she watched the wind sweep away the stray locks falling over Tzuyu's face. Tzuyu's eyes looked a bit puffy. Mina hated knowing why. The second Tzuyu lifted her head, Mina turned away and started walking. Tzuyu saw her. She wished she didn't. Mina was the one who wanted to go back to how they were before but she was the one doing the opposite. Tzuyu didn't have it in her to confront her, so she let Mina do whatever she wanted even though it hurt.  Mina started avoiding her at all costs, and the ache in Tzuyu's heart grew. One day she decided to skip classes and stay at her dorm, watching trashy shows on Netflix all day. It did help for a moment, but then every scene started reminding her of Mina. She pressed pause after that, grabbing her head in between her hands. The memories never left her alone. "No way! We're not watching that. I'll leave. I swear to god, I will leave." Mina pouted. "You're so mean. We always watch whatever you want..." Tzuyu lifted her head from Mina's shoulder and looked up, "That is a huge lie and you know it." "Is it though?" Tzuyu laughed, sitting up. "You're unbelievable." Mina tilted her head cutely and smiled.  "Fine. Put it on." "Yay!" "You're lucky I love you." Mina chuckled smugly. "Hehe, I know." Tzuyu shut her laptop and put it away before getting inside her bed, trying to forget the feeling of Mina's body pressed against hers in the sheets. Sleep didn't come to her easily.  *** Jeongyeon's suspicions that something was wrong with Mina was confirmed when she caught Mina staring at her phone longingly, barely paying her any attention. "Waiting for a call?" Mina shook her head sadly and put her phone on the table after locking it. She smiled. "Why did you bring us here?" Jeongyeon ignored her question. "What happened to you and Tzuyu? You guys were inseparable and now you're avoiding each other like the plague." Mina ran her hand through her blonde hair and leaned back on her seat. "I fucked everything up." Jeongyeon gave her a bored look. "Elaborate." And Mina told her. Everything. "I can't believe you two were fucking and I had no idea. I mean I knew you two were touchy friends but damn," "I want to talk to her." Mina confessed, "But I'm not sure she wants to and I don't even know what to say! I just want to go back to how everything was before." Jeongyeon sighed, watching Mina closely. "Is that really all you want? To go back?" "I...," Mina took a deep breath, "I don't know..." Jeongyeon reached for her hand across the table, "Mina. Stop calculating everything. That hurt you're feeling now... You know what's causing it, don't you?" Mina stopped. Then she slowly nodded, and the tears in her eyes surprised Jeongyeon. "You should tell her." "She'll never speak to me again." "Do you seriously believe that?" *** "I'm by the cafe you mentioned, Chaeng." Tzuyu spoke, holding the phone to her ear. "Do you-" "Yes. I have your jacket. It's washed and it's exactly as you left it." "Okay. I'm on my way, just got out of practice." Chaeyoung was breathing heavily. Tzuyu assumed that's why. Tzuyu hummed, her eyes wandering around. "I'll wait for... you..." "Tzuyu?" Tzuyu wasn't sure why she was surprised. She knew there had been something going on with Jeongyeon and Mina. But the way they held hands and smiled at each other was a heavy blow. Especially when Tzuyu and Mina weren't talking anymore. Just seeing them talking in the cafe like that cut open the wounds on Tzuyu's heart she tried so hard to heal. Tzuyu stood on the other side of the glass wall and watched them. She felt stupid. She was the only one who cared. The only one dwelling on this. And of course she was, for she was the one who had feelings for her. Even though a rational part of her brain told her it was okay to feel hurt, Tzuyu just...felt pathetic. She turned away. "Actually," She spoke into the phone, amazed at how stable her voice sounded despite the tears threatening to run down her cheeks at any moment. "Can we meet at the park instead?" *** "Can we talk?" Tzuyu froze. When she slowly turned around, Mina was there. She could feel Chaeyoung's concerned gaze on her as she looked at the cause of her heartbreak. She nodded anyway, and heard Mina release a shuddering sigh of relief. Just as she was following Mina to wherever she was leading them, Chaeyoung caught her hand. She didn't say anything but her eyes told Tzuyu enough. Mina noticed the little exchange, her eyes lingering on their locked hands. Eventually Tzuyu smiled and with that, Chaeyoung smashed her lips together, slowly letting go of her tall friend's hand. Tzuyu followed Mina to her car. Memories flooded her mind the second she got in. She quickly opened the window, as if the air outside would help her get them out of her head. Mina started driving, and Tzuyu couldn't stay silent anymore. "Where are we going?" A smile bloomed on Mina's face, and she threw a quick glance at Tzuyu before her eyes went back on the road. "I missed you." "Mina." Tzuyu couldn't do it anymore. Did Mina have fun playing with her like this? Or was she just really dense? "Stop." The smile on Mina's face fell, her grip on the wheel tightening. They didn't speak another word the whole ride. When Mina finally pulled over, Tzuyu realized everything looked a bit familiar. The view was amazing, the whole city felt like it was under them. "Do you remember?" Mina asked, shutting the engine off. "We first met here. We were sitting far from each other on the grass and enjoying the view. There wasn't anyone else here but us that day. And you shyly sat beside me once you noticed the book in my hand. It was the same as the one you brought." She chuckled. "You attempted a conversation but I was too shy back then so we ended up just sitting beside each other. Reading, watching the sunset color the sky orange." "You gave me a ride back to the dorm. Once we learned we were attending the same university, we exchanged numbers." Tzuyu spoke, fondly remembering how she had stared at Mina's number for hours before coming up with a text to send her. "Tzuyu," Mina turned her head to look at her in the eyes, dropping her hands from the steering wheel. Tzuyu held her breath, refusing to lift her head. "I saw you reading that same book again the other day." Tzuyu stayed silent. "I'm sorry. Tzuyu, please look at me." The sincerity in Mina's voice was overwhelming. A finger under her chin made her flinch. Mina gently lifted her head and Tzuyu finally met Mina's eyes. Her pupils were dilated and the expression on her face was of one Tzuyu had never seen before. "I don't know when it happened. How it happened. But my feelings were starting to get involved and I was just...so scared of it. It started with wanting you to stay in the mornings too, and then each day I began to want more and more. But I couldn't tell you," Tzuyu looked like she was about to cry, sucking her bottom lip. "Mina. Are you..?" Mina's thumb wiped away the first tear that fell from Tzuyu's eye. "I have feelings for you, Chou Tzuyu. I think I always have but it took me a while to be brave and finally accept them. I didn't want to lose your friendship-- I... I didn't want to lose you. When you and Chaeyoung got closer, plus the rumors... I convinced myself we were just having fun and what I felt for you was me misunderstanding things. But when I ended it and you left..." Mina moved her tongue along her trembling dry lips, "It was like.. It was like I couldn't breathe. I wanted you back, I had to have you back. As a friend or something else." "Two weeks." Tzuyu shook her head as if in denial, freeing her head from Mina's tender grip. "For two weeks, you acted like I didn't exist. Do you have any idea how much it hurt, how much I cried? And now you're saying you like me?" Mina's tears fell, but Tzuyu didn't wipe them away. "I'm sorry. You're right. I... I am so, so sorry, Tzuyu. I never meant to hurt you." "Mina. Please, I'm begging you." Tzuyu sobbed, "S-Stop playing games with me. I've seen the way you look at Jeongyeon." "I swear to you I'm being completely honest with you. She's just a friend!" Mina tried grabbing Tzuyu's arms when she tried to get out of the car. Tzuyu slipped out of her grip and got out anyway. Mina opened the car door and followed Tzuyu. "What about Chaeyoung?" "What about her?" They were starting to yell at each other, all the pent-up frustration coming out. "She's always with you. Why won't she ever leave you alone if you're only friends?!" "Is that what you want? For everyone to leave me alone so I can come running to you? So you can have your toy back?!" "Wha- Toy? Is that how you think I see you? Don't you know how much you mean to me?!" "Mina, stop this." Tzuyu covered her face with her hands, her voice unsteady. "Please, just stop--" "No, I love you!" Both of them froze. And hey, maybe she'll surprise you. Mina gasped for air, tear tracks on her cheeks shining as the wind blew her blonde hair back over her shoulders. She had a pleading look on her face. "I can't stop! And I don't want to..." she said, sounding choked up. "I love you. I love you so much. Please, believe me." "Do you know how long," Tzuyu started, her hands falling from her face. She took a few steps towards Mina who never once broke eye-contact. "I've waited for you to say that? Why are you saying it now? Why now?!" As Tzuyu started crying again, this time her whole body shaking, Mina stepped forward and enveloped her in an embrace. Tzuyu tried to push her back at first but eventually she let herself relax in Mina's arms. They quietly cried together, wondering how things turned out this messy between them in only a month.  "I'm sorry," Mina whispered into her shoulder, "I'm so sorry," Tzuyu pulled back, she opened her mouth to say something but Mina was quicker. She tiptoed, cupping Tzuyu's cheeks. Tzuyu's heart almost stopped when Mina placed her lips on hers. This kiss was much softer, and felt more intimate than any other they ever shared.  The sky looked just like the first time they met on this very spot, a pleasant orange. Tzuyu kissed back.