Chapter 5: "Comforting"
ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ
The past two days had been a whirlwind of challenges for both Minji and Haerin. Every morning, they'd make their way to campus, blending into the sea of students. Haerin seemed like a machine, methodically transcribing lecture notes, while Minji did her best to focus on her studies, despite the constant attention they received.
It was rather annoying.
Minji couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment as she observed Hyein's fascination with Haerin. Her closest friend was acting like everyone else, putting Haerin on a pedestal, and Minji had hoped that her friends would see Haerin as someone special, just as she did.
Lunchtimes were particularly tough for Haerin. She'd excuse herself, claiming she needed to dispose of the bland food she'd barely touched. Minji felt a sense of guilt; Haerin was denied the simple pleasures of enjoying a meal, something Minji cherished.
After school, the trio would regroup, either with Minji and Hanni or with Haerin, who occasionally filled in for Hanni's mysterious absences. They communicated using their newfound telepathic connection, a surreal and novel experience for Minji. Sometimes it went disastrously wrong, with thoughts and emotions jumbled together, creating a chaotic mental storm. But on other occasions, it was a blessing, allowing them to share thoughts and feelings with unparalleled intimacy.
On this particular night, Haerin was in the room just a door away, fervently explaining everything that had gone wrong during their history lesson earlier in the day. Minji, on the other hand, sat at her desk, surrounded by textbooks and homework assignments, her brow furrowed in concentration. Haerin's voice resonated in her mind as she dissected the nuances of their school day, "Hanni has left, why don't you just come back here?" Minji suggested telepathically.
In that instant, Minji felt a peculiar sensation—a part of herself disconnecting. It was something she would need to grow accustomed to; when Haerin withdrew from her mind, there was a palpable void. But Haerin, with her quiet demeanor, was not one to make a grand entrance. She simply materialized in the room without a word, Minji's intuition having sensed her presence even before she appeared.
Swiveling around on her creaky wooden chair, Minji faced Haerin, her eyes locking onto those of her enigmatic friend. "So, Mr. Khan, is he really that bad?" she inquired, a soft smile gracing her lips as she regarded Haerin. The vampire's eyes flashed with annoyance; she had given up on hiding her emotions, and Minji couldn't help but notice that they were often as clear as day, etched onto her face. Despite Haerin's irritation, Minji maintained her nonchalant demeanor. "He's just a product of his upbringing. Can't blame him for that," she remarked, her voice carrying an air of indifference.
Haerin cast Minji an incredulous look, the unspoken message clear in her eyes—Minji's tolerance and understanding were a source of both fascination and mystery to her.
"I dislike Mr. Khan; his thoughts are corrupt," Haerin declared, her voice taking on that characteristic tone that bespoke her centuries-old existence. Her brow furrowed ever so slightly, revealing the depth of her displeasure with their history teacher.
Minji, sensing the tension in the room, rose from her chair, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "Well, maybe don't invade his mind next time," she retorted, her voice tinged with an unmistakable edge of frustration. "Have you ever seen me trying to delve into anyone's thoughts?" she challenged, her gaze locked onto Haerin's.
Haerin's penetrating stare met Minji's unwavering eyes. "I've seen you try," she replied matter-of-factly, her words delivered with the weight of a long-forgotten history.
Minji's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, her irritation momentarily forgotten. She mumbled softly under her breath, "Liar."
But their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a knock at the door, and both of them instinctively turned their attention to the source of the sound. Haerin peered over Minji's shoulder, her posture remarkably composed, despite the intrusion.
"It's Hanni," Minji whispered to Haerin, her eyes darting between her friend and the door. A hint of concern flickered in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself. "No, we should act normal. Stay there," she instructed Haerin with a hushed tone, and then turned her attention back to the door. Clearing her throat, she raised her voice slightly and called out, "Come in!"
The door creaked open, revealing Hanni on the other side, her demeanor less composed than usual, as if she had indulged in a bit too much.
"Hey, guys," Hanni greeted as she stumbled slightly into the room. Her attempt at appearing normal was undermined by the subtle slurring in her words. Minji let out an exasperated sigh, her frustration evident.
"Is there a point in trying to hide anything? She'll just forget about it by tomorrow," Minji muttered to Haerin, her tone resigned. Haerin responded with a scoff, a smile dancing on her lips. "I suppose so," she agreed silently in Minji's mind.
Hanni, clearly not in her most lucid state, continued her somewhat incoherent rambling. "What ya doin', homework, makin' out?" She managed to prop herself up on a nearby chair, her gaze unfocused.
Minji couldn't help but sigh once more, a mix of irritation and concern bubbling within her. "Hanni, what happened?" she asked, though her curiosity was overshadowed by a growing sense of apathy towards her friend's drunken antics.
Hanni's eyes fluttered, her attempt to focus on Minji's face causing a noticeable strain. She swayed slightly as if the room had decided to join in her tipsy dance. A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she tried to piece together what had transpired during her evening of revelry.
"Ah, ya know... just... just having a bit of fun," she slurred, her words stumbling over each other. "Found a party... drinks... you should've come..." Hanni trailed off, her speech becoming increasingly incoherent.
Minji, accustomed to these episodes, felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. Hanni's drunken escapades were a frequent occurrence, and Minji had grown weary of trying to keep her out of trouble. She glanced over at Haerin, who observed Hanni's antics with a detached curiosity.
"Haerin, she's going to be like this all night. Probably best if we just let her sleep it off," Minji suggested, her voice tinged with resignation. Haerin nodded, understanding the futility of reasoning with a heavily intoxicated friend.
Hanni seemed to sense the impending abandonment of her audience. Her unfocused gaze drifted toward the ceiling as she mumbled something unintelligible. With a sigh, Minji guided Haerin out of the room and softly closed the door behind them.
In the corridor, Minji leaned against the wall, her frustration and fatigue evident. "Sorry about that. Hanni has a knack for finding trouble," she remarked, her tone tinged with a mixture of annoyance and affection.
Haerin regarded her with a calm demeanor. "Humans can be unpredictable," she commented cryptically, her vampire sensibilities allowing her to remain unfazed by the chaos of human emotions and behavior.
Minji sighed once more, the weight of her dual existence, balancing the mundane with the extraordinary, pressing upon her shoulders. "Well, let's get back to our 'normal' evening," she said, a wry smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Haerin nodded in agreement, and together they ventured to Haerin's dormitory, leaving Hanni to sleep off the effects of her intoxicated adventure.
ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ
In the morning light filtering through the curtains, Minji went about her routine, getting ready for another day at school. Hanni's hangover, an amusing spectacle of human indulgence, had her stifling a laugh as she gathered her books. Resolving to save her own breakfast from her roommate's potential scavenging, she decided on a quick microwaveable pop tart – a secret indulgence hidden away from Hanni's reach.
With her bag slung over her shoulder, Minji descended the dormitory's staircase. The girls' dorm unit was a quaint and cozy space, painted in calming pastel shades. The downstairs common room, serving as the heart of the dorm, was a snug area furnished with mismatched but comfortable couches and an assortment of board games and books. Sunlight poured through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room.
As Minji entered the small kitchen adjacent to the common area, she deftly placed one pop tart in the toaster and the other in the microwave. Each preparation held its unique appeal, and her discerning senses allowed her to appreciate both. The faint sounds of shuffling caught her attention, and she peered around the corner.
There, in the common room, sat Haerin, absorbed in a book. The flowy sleeping gown she wore seemed perfectly suited to her, adding an air of ethereal grace to her presence. Minji greeted her with a casual "morning," but Haerin remained engrossed in her reading.
Haerin's muttered words about the world being a lie earned a thoughtful raise of Minji's brow. She understood the underlying truth in Haerin's statement – the complexities of vampire-human relations were often far from straightforward.
Minji circled behind Haerin, glancing at the book's cover. It delved into the evolution of vampire and human societies, a reminder of the perpetual conflict that seemed to define their coexistence. She sighed softly, pondering the intricacies of their predicament.
Haerin's reminder about her dessert snapped Minji back to the present. She reacted swiftly, teleporting to the kitchen to rescue her pre-breakfast from a potential disaster. As she saved her snack from the brink of burning, she couldn't help but smile to herself. Haerin's presence, with her ability to offer reminders and her unique perspective, had indeed become an unexpected but valuable addition to Minji's life.
With her rescued pop tart safely in hand, Minji returned to the common room, where Haerin was still engrossed in her book. The smell of the slightly toasted pastry lingered in the air, mingling with the scent of paper and leather-bound books.
Minji found a comfortable spot on the couch, settling in beside Haerin. She had become accustomed to the vampire's quiet presence, the way she could blend into the background without ever truly disappearing. They sat in companionable silence for a while, the only sound being the occasional rustle of pages as Haerin turned them.
It was moments like these that Minji had come to appreciate in their unusual partnership. Haerin's age and wisdom brought a unique perspective to their conversations, and Minji often found herself contemplating things she had never considered before. Her thoughts meandered to the history lessons she had attended at school, and she wondered how much of it was an accurate reflection of reality, especially when viewed through the lens of a centuries-old vampire.
As the clock on the wall ticked away, signaling the impending start of another school day, Minji finally spoke up. "You know, it's strange how much we learn about history, yet how little we truly understand."
Haerin glanced up from her book, her crimson eyes meeting Minji's. There was a depth of knowledge in those eyes, a history far older than the pages of any textbook. "History is often written by the victors," she said, her voice carrying a weight of experience. "It's a tapestry of perspectives, some lost to time, others deliberately obscured."
Minji nodded in agreement. She had always been aware that the history she learned in school was a simplified version of the truth, one that omitted the nuances and complexities of the past. But hearing it from Haerin's lips added a new layer of understanding.
Their conversation continued, weaving through topics both historical and contemporary. Haerin shared stories of her own experiences, of a world that had evolved in ways Minji could scarcely imagine. Minji, in turn, offered insights into the modern world and the challenges it presented, especially for someone like Haerin who had been thrust into a foreign time and place.
As they conversed, the morning sun climbed higher in the sky, casting warm beams of light through the common room's windows. The room felt like a cocoon of shared understanding, where two individuals from vastly different worlds found common ground.
Eventually, the time for school could no longer be ignored. Minji reluctantly stood up, ready to face the day's challenges. Haerin marked her place in the book and closed it gently, her movements graceful and deliberate.
Minji turned to her with a small smile. "Thanks for the conversation, Haerin. It's always enlightening."
Haerin inclined her head slightly, acknowledging the sentiment. "Until this evening," she said, her tone holding a hint of formality, as if echoing centuries of tradition.
With that, they parted ways, Minji heading off to another day of school, and Haerin followed in her quiet world of and contemplation. It was a routine they had settled into, one that, despite its unusual nature, felt oddly comforting.
ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ♡ﮩ٨ـﮩﮩ٨ـ
Haerin stepped into Minji's dorm room without a trace of hesitation. The door clicked shut behind her, and she stood there, her gaze unwavering, as Minji's expression shifted from relaxation to sheer horror.
Minji, in the middle of changing her clothes, was caught off guard by the unexpected visitor. Her eyes widened, and she moved with lightning speed to cover herself, one arm flying across her bare chest, the other attempting to pull her shirt back on.
"Haerin!" Minji exclaimed, her voice a mixture of shock and chastisement. She stared at the vampire, aghast and deeply embarrassed.
Haerin remained unfazed by Minji's reaction. Her crimson eyes, tinged with amusement, remained locked onto Minji's face as if the sight of her bare skin held no particular interest. She took a step further into the room, allowing the door to click closed behind her.
Minji's heart raced, and she could feel the heat of embarrassment creeping up her neck. She hastily finished pulling her shirt back into place, her cheeks burning with mortification. "You could've knocked!" she scolded Haerin, her voice quivering with both anger and embarrassment.
Haerin finally broke her gaze from Minji and glanced around the room, her eyes sweeping over the simple, student furnishings and the personal touches that made the space uniquely Minji's. "Is this not the way humans greet one another?" she replied, her tone tinged with curiosity.
Minji's exasperation only grew. "No, it's not!" she retorted, her voice firm. "We knock and wait for permission to enter, especially when someone's changing!"
Haerin seemed to ponder this for a moment, her head tilting slightly to the side as she considered Minji's words. "I see," she finally said, her voice devoid of apology but not unkind.
Minji sighed, her embarrassment gradually giving way to irritation. "Well, now you know. Privacy is a thing humans value."
Haerin nodded, as if she had just learned a valuable lesson. "Understood," she replied simply, her eyes returning to Minji's face.
"It's nothing I won't see in the future; we are mates, after all," Haerin remarked with a certain casualness, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Minji couldn't help but scoff at her response.
"Oh, wow, okay," Minji replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. She turned her gaze away from Haerin. "I'm not about to have this conversation with you while I'm topless," she added firmly.
Haerin simply shrugged in response, her gaze steady on Minji as she retreated to the bathroom. Moments later, Minji reemerged, now wearing a shirt to cover herself. Haerin's eyes fell upon Minji's attire, and she seemed to recognize something different.
"Is that...?" Haerin began, her words trailing off with a hint of curiosity.
Minji sighed, rolling her eyes in response. "Well, I grew out of my clothes, sue me," she retorted, her irritation from earlier still simmering beneath the surface. She couldn't help but find humor in the situation, given that Haerin was the reason her clothes didn't fit anymore, but she decided not to bring it up at the moment.
However, Haerin, who often struggled to grasp social cues, stared back at Minji with a blank expression. She didn't seem to understand the humor in Minji's words, or perhaps she chose to ignore it altogether.
Minji took a seat on her bed, her frustration dissipating slightly. She gazed at Haerin with an arched eyebrow. "Also, I'm not entirely sure that you can be so confident about seeing me naked. Who said you'll see?" she asked, phrasing it differently to emphasize her point.
Haerin blinked, her darker eyes fixed on Minji's. It was clear that Minji's comment had caught her off guard, and for a moment, there was a flicker of uncertainty in her gaze. It was as if the idea of not seeing something she had taken for granted left her momentarily puzzled.
Haerin's gaze remained locked onto Minji, the subtle hint of uncertainty in her crimson eyes gradually being replaced by a composed and enigmatic calmness, a demeanor that often came naturally to her kind.
"Well, my dear Minji," Haerin began, her voice taking on a measured, almost hypnotic quality that was both soothing and unsettling at the same time, "mates share a bond that transcends the limitations of mere human concerns. It's not a matter of confidence or desire. It simply is."
As Haerin spoke, Minji couldn't help but feel an inexplicable chill crawl down her spine. Her mate's presence, coupled with her unnerving demeanor and her penchant for saying things that seemed more suited for a different era, had a way of making even the most mundane conversations feel like they were veiled in mystery and allure.
Minji sighed, giving Haerin a perplexed look. "You're quite the enigma, you know that?" she muttered under her breath, not sure if Haerin was being intentionally cryptic or if her vampiric nature just made her inherently mysterious.
Haerin didn't respond immediately. Instead, she leaned against the wall, her gaze drifting to the window as if contemplating something profound. The room was silent, save for the distant sounds of students in the hallway and the muffled noises from outside.
After a moment, Haerin turned her gaze back to Minji, her expression softening slightly. "You may see it as enigmatic, Minji, but it's simply the nature of our bond," she explained. "As time goes on, you'll come to understand it better. And perhaps, you might even find it... comforting."