ʜʏᴇᴊᴇᴏɴɢ.ʟɪɴᴜs

@hyejjeon, someone misses you!

Bella had thought up various approaches to reconnect with the idol, but all of them were immediately filed into the back of her mind once work got busier ( on both ends ) and her… slight admiration for her only made it worse. She naturally wanted to hide distance herself from Hyejeong because of her fear of rejection. There was no way she could be an ideal partner for an ethereal being such as Shin Hyejeong; funny, breathtaking, all around an amazing person. 

After a few months without any correspondence did the goddess ( finally ) muster enough courage to send out a two word text: ‘what’s up?’ The conversation blossomed from there and before she knew it, they had planned to hang out. Her hands were shaking nervously against the steering wheel, taking a sharp left turn into the cafe’s parking lot. Was this a good idea? Bella didn’t have much to say to the other, they could talk of her group’s comeback and the weather ( that’s all she thought of at the moment ) - a good start, but mere general conversation. She clears her throat and recites her greetings nervously as she exits her vehicle, smoothing out her dress when entering the building. 

“Ah, hello, unnie. Nice to see you.”

Hyejeong had no clue the younger female was keeping her distance away from her. She had just thought their schedules were so conflicting that the other female just didn’t have the time to catch up over the new year. She believes that’s how long ago they haven’t really spoken, since the last year a few months before the new year came. So when the two finally made plans to meet up for the first time in a while, Hyejeong was ecstatic. It would be a nice getaway from her members and all the hectic schedules. 

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Hyejeong looked up at the oncoming female with a smile. The phone that was once in her hand was pushed to the side and flipped over since she didn’t have the need for it any longer. “Hey Bella. I’m so glad to see you. How are you doing?” She motioned for the younger to sit down at the table she had gotten here early for as she didn’t take her eyes off of her. She was truly curious how the other was doing, it wasn’t every day that she could take the time to hang out with a friend anyways. 

Huffing, Naeun gave a shake of her head before mumbling under her breath, “I’m not grumpy.” Looking as the other took the seat beside her, folding her arms as she leaned back slightly. “Unnie ~ You can’t blame me!” Sticking her tongue out slightly before she pouts, “I told you I’m going to be a little rushed. I did warn you.” Raising her hand slightly, “you should know by now that you shouldn’t expect a lot from the clumsy one.” Letting out a small chuckle, as she quickly shakes her head. “Fine. That seems only fair, but with you promoting now how long do you think we’ll have to wait before we can swap our CD’s?”

She let out a heavy sigh, only to mess with the younger female before she sat up to look at her. “You’re right, you did warn me that you were busy and had to rush over here. Speaking of clumsy...” She pointed to the others’ shirt. “You got something on it.” When she knew she had the younger female’s attention, she let out a laugh. “Made you look! Aha, I’m sorry I had to.” Hyejeong had grabbed a pillow to shield herself from any future attacks if the other may feel it was necessarily with her jokes and all. “That’s a good question, though, maybe before we have our first concert... Sometime around then we could swap, possibly.”

There were certain hints through body language and facial expressions that led Jihyo to automatically show concern and empathy. Being the leader of eight girls meant she had to be cautious and caring of others’ feelings. And when she saw Hyejeong sunbae that evening, she knew something wasn’t right but refrained from asking. Instead, when the other replied yes, she  wrapped her arms around the taller female, embracing tightly to reveal her concern. She smiled, “Hyejeong sunbaenim, please get shorter so our hugs are perfect,” she attempted to lighten the mood, “whatever is bothering you, I hope it goes away soon! You’re pretty and talented so I hope you are happy all the time.” 

» excuse me, cuse me! « he sing-songs at the older female, his lips twitching into a playful smile.  » blame my parents for making me this tall! but do you know how fortunate this height is? I can see which people have dandruff quite easily - not everyone has a useful skill like that! « releasing a quiet chuckle, he claps his hands behind his back, trying to sort of shrink in place - if that’s in any way possible - probably not.  » is this really why you’re seemingly in a bad mood? ah, noona, I think you just picked a good excuse. however - congratulations on the long awaited comeback, I’m loving the songs! «

Jimin appreciated times like this when any of her members would come to her just to speak their mind and pour out their heart. It validates her as a leader and a trusted friend. A can of coke zero occupied one of her hands as she sat closer to the younger female, her other hand then reaching to rest comfortingly on Hyejeong’s shoulder. Some time last year, this was her exactly in Hyejeong’s position. She was experiencing the scariest rollercoaster of all rollercoasters. 

❝ I’ve been there and I know this too well, ❞ she begins after taking a sip of her drink, ❝ and it takes time to learn how to be calm, more carefree, and care less about things. ❞ There was something about the new year that just changed her. The previous year definitely drained her physically and emotionally and maybe it’s the reason why her disposition towards things is lighter than before. She hopes it doesn’t take as long as she did for Hyejeong to get to a better state of mind.

❝ We have to realize that we can’t please everyone and the most important part of doing things is that it makes us happy, ❞  she continues, pulling out a small carton of banana milk from behind and offering it to her.  ❝ It’s okay to be in this slump, but don’t stay too long, okay? ❞

Hyejeong really appreciated this time with her leader to actually be able to sit down and talk about her worries and fears to the elder. She knew the elder was having troubles in the last year because of many things and never really got a chance to ask if she was alright. She felt bad for that, that she couldn’t be there for her leader like her leader is here for her right now in this moment but she was sure the elder knew that she could come to her anytime she needs to talk. 

She was thankful for the advice the elder gave her as she took the banana milk in her hands and a small smile spread across her face. Grabbing onto the material that kept the banana milk closed, Hyejeong gently pulled it back halfway before she took a sip of it. “I’ll try not to stay in the slumps for too long. I just need to do exactly what you said and I know I won’t just be all carefree, calm and all by tomorrow. So, I know it will take time but I promise not to take too much time.” 

Waving away the other’s joke with a few swishes of her hand, she simply continued to grin at the other female, a look of understanding and genuine concern in her features. “Eh, Bomi’s Bomi and she could always share with me, anyhow,” the vocalist insisted, a slight shrug of her shoulder accentuating that it really wasn’t a big deal. “There, see? Now isn’t that better? Mmm, I hear they might supply some coffee or cocoa later, though I’m hoping for some tea because my throat…” she cleared it, a hand moving up to swipe over her neck as she mentioned it. Ah, winters were always so dry. 

Heading to the kitchen, she had already separated and organised the ingredients for the facial in different bowls. “Well the first thing we do is a deep cleanse, meaning we take off the first layer of your skin to bring out the newer, prettier skin!” She explains with a smile. “Then we remove the blackheads and finish with a moisturise. It’s meant to make you stop ageing as quick.” In response to the older’s question, she nods, handing her a baby wipe, “you can redo it later.”