Changes and Chances

Chapter 8

Got caught up in something today. See u sometime next week?

She pressed send and drove home feeling a lot more exhausted than usual.

She put on her playlist and ran a hot bath as she listened to Niki - unconsciously singing along to a certain girl's favorite song.

*

The routine with Yeji and Ryujin meeting every week went on for another month. Somehow, Ryujin felt that the cat-eyed girl had warmed up to her due to her constant greetings and teasing. She laughs at some of her jokes, too. And often replies to her text messages - even the personal ones.

Ryujin realized that Yeji isn't that bad. Afraid of human connections, yes. But her nature of caring about people slips up once she warms up to you. She could also tell when the girl tries not to care too much or when she feigns annoyance to get away from possible soft conversations or confessions.

She even sometimes shares links to videos that she knows would make Ryujin laugh - although she wouldn't admit it.

"It's a group text", she would always say. But she knows that she doesn't have lots of friends she shares memes or funny videos to.

She's also very careful in sharing things about her personal life but Ryujin has learned that she has never had a relationship before, too, despite her many experiences in flirting and being with people physically. She didn't talk about her family at all and Ryujin didn't press it.

"So has she replied to your invitation yet?" Yeji asked as Ryujin was finishing the rest of her coffee.

"She did! We're meeting at 6PM this weekend. I'm so ecstatic."

Ryujin feigned excitement as the other girl asked for updates on her making a move towards the girl that piqued her curiosity in exploring.

The truth is, there wasn't anyone. But Ryujin was taken aback by Yeji's sudden interest in how she's moving forward with it that she invented a whole imaginary person as "the girl" and someone she's looking into asking out on a casual meeting with.

The other girl seemed to have developed a certain interest in helping her out more - knowing that she has someone to actually apply all the learnings to. So Ryujin decided to lie. And now she cannot go back.

"So you're taking her to that festival?"

"Yeah. She likes attending music shows, too. I think it'd be less awkward - knowing that it's not anything serious, and all."

The lies just kept on piling up. And Ryujin had no problem with it - until today.

"Great! I'll be there, too. I want to check out newer artists so we might run into each other."

"Y-you're watching that, too?"

"Uh-huh."

Ryujn gulped, the other girl oblivious to it.

"But who knows, it's a big crowd. Enjoy, though. And I hope it goes well for you", Yeji genuinely smiled.

"I also think that my work here is almost done." She stood up and grabbed her coffee. "As much as I love getting free coffee, I do have some things to spend my time on. I guess I'll see you around?"

Confusion and shock was seen on Ryujin's face when she realized what the other girl was saying. She shrugged and smiled, anyway.

"Yes. Great help, Yeji-ah", she pushed her luck since there might be another time that they'll be able to talk to each other like this.

"Yeji-ah?" The other girl chuckled.

"These meetings were surprisingly... not boring, Ryujinnie."

She winked and walked away, leaving Ryujin dumbfounded - heart pounding like crazy.

"Ryujinnie", she whispered as she tried to hide the huge smile on her face.

Officially ended "meetings" with Yeji.

She pulled out her phone and texted Lia.

Bad news, though.

I need to find a date for the festival.

And I might have developed an even bigger liking towards her.