Silence

8

Dahyun frowned as she sat at the lunch table, watching Chaeyoung and Tzuyu attempt to learn new words in sign language in front of her. She wanted to learn, but felt like she would be terrible at it, so she didn't. She felt the table shift and heard small talking, looking over she saw Jeongyeon and Momo with three of their new friends.

"You have to ask her out." Jeongyeon muttered to Momo.

"Tomorrow... For sure." Momo mumbled.

Dahyun couldn't help but chuckle, she had overheard the conversation for the past few days, knowing that Momo was struggling with asking someone out, she just didn't know who. Her eyes trailed over to the other girls, ones she was sure she never met before. But she could be wrong. She didn't know.

All she knew was that one of them was incredibly gorgeous and Dahyun felt nervous just looking at her. Her hands were clammy, causing her to freak out internally as her cheeks went red. Chaeyoung noticed when she glanced up, seeing Dahyun taking small peeks at Mina.

"You like her." She gasped.

"What?!" Dahyun frowned, cheeks still red. Tzuyu looked up, seeing her friend's reaction. "What are you talking about?!" She hissed. "She could her you!" She frowned.

"No she won't." Chaeyoung chuckled. Dahyun frowned, watching as Chaeyoung wrote a few things down on a paper and handed it over. Explaining that the new addition to their little friend group was deaf.

Dahyun had gotten used to picking up on everyone's voices since she couldn't recognize faces. She knew Jeongyeon had a slightly deeper voice, while Momo's was usually higher pitched, and she spoke slowly. She learned that their new friends had higher pitched voices, but was unaware of the other silent one.

She couldn't help but feel like she was attracted to the girl. Which didn't help her in anyway. She didn't know how to even approach her. Yeah, she was in their friend group now, but she didn't know. She wasn't aware of the entire thing. She wished her life was easier... She really did.

"She's really nice." Chaeyoung whispered to her. "I think you two would get along perfectly." She smiled.

"Please don't say anything... I... I don't want to know what would happen." Dahyun whispered.

Chaeyoung swore she wouldn't say anything, but Momo heard the entire thing and hurried to tell Jeongyeon. Not in a teasing way, but to attempt to play matchmaker. Momo saw how adorably flustered Dahyun got with just glancing at Mina, and wondered how long she had been eyeing her. Granted, Momo wasn't the most observant person sometimes.

"Maybe we can get Mina to hang out with just her." Jeongyeon suggested.

"Maybe. Just get them to talk to each other.. Well.. As much as they can." Momo agreed. The two continued talking, Jeongyeon glancing away from Momo to see Jihyo wheeling herself through the cafeteria.

"Speaking of playing match maker.." Jeongyeon smirked.

"You wouldn't." Momo frowned.

"JIHYO!" Jeongyeon shouted, waving at the younger. Momo immediately hid her face, trying to escape but Jeongyeon had a grip on her arm that she couldn't shake. By the time she actually got herself free from Jeongyeon's grasp, Jihyo was there, and Momo couldn't escape.

"I have to be in a meeting in like five minutes. What's up?" She asked.

"I didn't know if you met my best friend. I really feel like you two would get along." Jeongyeon smiled while putting her arm around Momo's shoulders. "Her name is Momo." She smiled.

"Hi..." Momo mumbled, clearly embarrassed about the entire thing.

"Hi... Is that really it Jeong?" Jihyo asked.

"Yeah... Why?" She frowned.

"Nothing." She chuckled before leaving them alone. Once she was gone, everyone was looking at the two, Mina giving Momo a knowing look.

"You better get on that crush." Mina signed, smiling at the older.

"On my own time!" Momo frowned. Sana quickly translated for her, still laughing at the entire thing. Of course Momo would lose all confidence in herself when it came to someone like Jihyo.

--

After school, Chaeyoung dragged Momo to the council room.

"Trust me. If you don't do it now, you never will." She frowned while taking the elder to the small room. "I gave you all the advice you needed and the list of snacks she liked. So it's all you now." She added. Momo nodded, holding onto her bag as she looked at the near empty room.

"I'm still afraid." She whispered.

"And you have every right to be. Now go." She smiled while pushing her towards the door.

Momo took in a breath, turning the handle and peeking inside. No one else except Jihyo was in there, so she walked in.

"Knock, knock?" Momo called out, watching as Jihyo looked up from her desk.

"Oh... Hi.." Jihyo mumbled. "Are you lost?" She asked.

"Um... No.." Momo answered. "We... We met earlier today. Jeongyeon's friend." She whispered.

"Oh. Momo right?" She asked, watching Momo nod in response. "Did you need something?" She asked.

"Um... I just came by to give you something.." Momo walked closer to her, digging out a little gift bag and placing it on the desk in front of her. "And... to um... Ask you out on a date? Maybe this weekend? You can say no if you're busy..... I-I get it." She stammered, cheeks flushing red.

Jihyo stared at the bag on her desk, unsure on how to react. She had just formally met Momo today, but knew of her existence because of Chaeyoung. She wasn't even sure if this was real. No one ever asked her out. And even if they tried, it was never real. Always a pity date. She didn't need pity.

"I'm busy this weekend." Jihyo immediately said, going back to her papers.

"O-Oh.. Maybe.. Maybe another time then." Momo whispered, clutching the straps of her bag.

"I'm busy all the time." She lied. "Sorry." She muttered in a slightly agitated tone. Momo felt her chest tighten, knowing exactly what she meant.

"Okay... I get it." She whispered. "I-I'll leave you alone." She muttered before walking out of the classroom. She was near tears when Chaeyoung stopped her.

"Well???" She smiled. Momo shook her head, brushing passed the younger as she walked. She didn't want anyone to see her like this. Chaeyoung frowned, peeking into the classroom and seeing Jihyo ignoring the bag on the desk and going back to her work. She didn't know where it had gone wrong... Momo was nice.. Heck she was really nice and extremely pretty. But she was the one in tears.. It confused her to no end.