Chapter 29: Unfamiliarly Familiar
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It was difficult for Minji to wrap her head around the idea of picking up a pen again, considering all that had transpired in Crestwood. Sleep remained a precious commodity, something she craved deeply, and she couldn't help but long for the familiar comforts of home, especially the food. As night fell, Minji fell into her nightly routine, adapted to her life in a boarding school, just like before.
She waited her turn to brush her teeth and wash her face, moving swiftly but quietly so as not to disturb her roommate. In the dim light of the bathroom, she hastily changed her clothes, ensuring that no part of her body was exposed that she didn't want others to see. It was an act of self-preservation, a habit formed in the wake of past experiences.
Minji couldn't help but feel a pang of concern for Hanni, knowing the turmoil she was going through. While it should have been Hanni who was cautious, given her past penchant for late-night revelries, this semester was different. This year, Minji was determined to focus on herself, to delve into the mysteries of her own burgeoning powers and to help Hanni navigate her condition.
And then there was the matter of her relationship with Haerin—a possibility that lingered in the back of Minji's mind, tempting her with its potential for connection and understanding. As she slipped into bed, Minji couldn't help but wonder what the future held, and whether she would find the answers she sought.
Just as Minji queued up in line, she felt arms enveloping her, the sensation feeling uncomfortably intimate. Yet, in the same breath, it seemed as though every moment shared between the two of them was swiftly snatched away. Minji let out a resigned sigh as Haerin murmured, her voice too close to Minji's ear for comfort.
"Can't sleep?" Haerin's voice broke the silence, causing Minji to shiver involuntarily. Was the window open, she wondered, or was it the pulse point behind her ear being tormented by Haerin's 'innocent' whispers.
"Not with you in my ear," Minji grumbled, feigning annoyance as she shifted uncomfortably. She could practically hear Haerin's smirk in response.
"You're overthinking, that's why you can't relax," Haerin observed, her voice low and soothing.
Minji scoffed lightly, trying to brush off Haerin's insight. "Stop looking into my thoughts," she retorted, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Haerin pretended to sigh exasperatedly. "Yet you make it so accessible. It's almost as if you want me to know what's going on in your head," she teased, her tone playful yet knowing.
Minji rolled her eyes, unable to deny the truth in Haerin's words. "Sorry I'm not all 'incognito' like you," she grumbled, feeling a mix of frustration and amusement.
Suddenly, the bed dipped and Minji felt Haerin prop herself up on her elbow, her long hair tickling Minji's skin as she leaned closer. The scent of lavender enveloped Minji, calming her nerves despite the unexpected closeness.
"I'll pretend I know what 'incognito' means," Haerin remarked with a playful glint in her eyes.
Minji chuckled softly, rolling onto her back to meet Haerin's gaze. "It means you're in disguise," she explained, her voice laced with amusement.
Haerin pondered Minji's words for a moment before flashing a mischievous smile. "Seems about right," she agreed, before Minji could react, Haerin was straddling her, the sudden closeness sending a jolt of electricity through Minji's veins.
Minji huffed, her frustration palpable in the air. "You know, you really are like a cat," she remarked, her voice tinged with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
Haerin raised a brow, her curiosity piqued. "A cat?" she echoed, her lips quirking up into a playful smile.
Minji nodded, elaborating on her comparison with a hint of fascination. "One minute you're all strong and poised, and the next you're mischievous and playful. I don't get it," she confessed, her words carrying a note of genuine curiosity.
Haerin's smile widened at the observation, her eyes dancing with amusement. "What else?" she prompted, her voice barely above a whisper as she leaned in closer, the atmosphere between them shifting subtly.
As Haerin's hands found their way to Minji's shoulders, applying gentle pressure in a soothing massage, Minji felt the tension in her muscles begin to melt away. "You're always there, lurking in the shadows, and I guess you always land on your feet," Minji continued, her tone lightening as she made a joke.
Then, as Haerin's skilled hands worked their magic, Minji inhaled sharply, feeling the knots in her muscles begin to unravel. "You get mood swings, like whenever we get... interrupted, you look like you want to claw somebody's eyes out," she trailed off, her words punctuated by a soft chuckle.
"Mhm," Haerin murmured, tilting her head slightly as she observed the rise and fall of Minji's chest.
"And when you latch your claws into something... you don't let it go," Minji finished, her voice tinged with admiration.
Haerin's laughter filled the room, rich and warm like honey, enveloping Minji in its sweetness. "That was way more flattering than I expected from you," she remarked, her tone teasing yet affectionate.
Minji scoffed playfully, her hands resting on her collarbones as she rolled her eyes. "Remind me not to be so nice next time," she retorted, a hint of stubbornness in her voice. Despite her attempt at levity, Minji couldn't deny the heaviness that settled over her, her eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment.
Haerin untangled her leg from Minji's and settled beside her on the small bed, her presence a comforting anchor in the darkness. "Sleep now, and everything will be fine in the morning," she murmured, her voice soft and soothing as she stroked Minji's hair.
Unable to resist the pull of exhaustion, Minji found herself clinging to Haerin's tank top, seeking solace in the warmth of her embrace. With a contented sigh, she buried her head in Haerin's neck, allowing herself to drift into a peaceful slumber, comforted by the steady rhythm of Haerin's breathing.
It was the little gestures that Haerin did to make Minji feel normal, to remind her that she wasn't alone in this unpredictable world. She forced her breathing to sync with Minji's, a silent reassurance that they were in this together. Haerin went above and beyond, not only eating food for Minji's sake but also ensuring that Minji felt warmth and comfort in her presence. If she could, she would even fake a heartbeat just to ease Minji's worries.
As Haerin hugged Minji's head tenderly, Minji felt a sense of calm wash over her. For once, she finally allowed her eyes to close, trusting that everything would be alright as long as they were together.
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As the two girls awoke—or rather, one did—Haerin's eyes remained closed, her mind simulating the act of dreaming as she lay still. Minji stirred beside her, prompting Haerin to reach out and gently tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
Minji's eyes fluttered open, and she groaned sleepily, "Five more minutes," she pleaded, her voice thick with drowsiness. Haerin glanced at the alarm clock, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I would advise for 2," she suggested, her tone light and teasing.
Minji glanced at the clock and her eyes widened in alarm. "Christ! I'm late," she exclaimed, her voice tinged with panic. Haerin couldn't help but smile at the familiar exclamation, realizing that she would have to become accustomed to hearing those words from Minji.
With a sense of urgency, Minji rushed into the bathroom, quickly scrubbing her teeth in a blur of motion. Haerin appeared behind her, silently offering Minji her face wash. Minji took it without hesitation, washing her face swiftly before grabbing the towel that Haerin held out for her.
Throughout the morning rush, Haerin remained a constant presence, always there to offer support and assistance without a word of complaint. As Minji hurried through her morning routine, she couldn't help but appreciate the comfort of Haerin's silent presence, a reassuring presence in the chaos of their daily lives.
Minji opened her wardrobe, her eyes scanning the array of clothing before settling on a jumper, a shirt, and a pair of trousers. Hastily, she shed her pajamas and donned the chosen attire, only to grimace as she inspected herself in the mirror. The trousers were snug around her hips, and the hem fell awkwardly above her ankles.
"I look like a little boy!" Minji sighed in frustration, her hands tugging at the fabric in annoyance. Just then, Haerin materialized beside her, holding out a skirt with a hopeful expression.
"Try this?" she suggested, her voice soft and reassuring. Minji turned to her, surprised. "How long have you been standing there?" she asked, a hint of curiosity in her tone.
Haerin raised a brow, a silent question lingering in her gaze. Minji decided it was best not to press the issue and accepted the skirt with a grateful nod. With a sigh of relief, she quickly exchanged her trousers for the skirt, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her as she smoothed down the fabric.
Examining herself in the mirror once more, Minji couldn't help but feel a pang of self-consciousness. The skirt was a little shorter than she was used to, and it hugged her curves in a way that felt unfamiliar. Nevertheless, she felt presentable, if not entirely comfortable.
"Thanks," Minji murmured, turning to Haerin with a small smile. Haerin's eyes flickered up from Minji's legs to meet her gaze, a warm smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"No, thank you," Haerin replied sincerely.
Minji fought the urge to roll her eyes at Haerin's predatory gaze as she tugged her boots on, the familiar weight of the footwear reminding her of Hanni, who had gifted them to her when her shoe size had unexpectedly increased by two sizes. She made a mental note to visit Hanni soon, feeling a pang of longing for her friend's company.
Turning to Haerin once more, Minji arched a brow at her already dressed appearance. "No overalls this time?" she quipped, a hint of amusement in her tone.
Haerin shook her head, a small smirk playing on her lips. "They were insufferable," she confessed, her disdain evident in her voice.
Minji shrugged on her coat, the fabric offering a shield against the cold air that nipped at her skin. She watched as her breath formed visible clouds in the chilly air, a stark contrast to Haerin's composed demeanor.
Together, they made their way out of the dormitory and into the bustling cafeteria. "What do you want?" Haerin asked, her tone casual.
Minji pondered for a moment before replying, "How about pancakes?" Her stomach grumbled in agreement at the thought of the fluffy breakfast treat.
Haerin's smile was quick and genuine. "You got it," she replied, her voice filled with a sense of assurance. In a flash, Haerin was at the front of the queue, effortlessly navigating the crowded space.
As Minji watched Haerin effortlessly command attention, a thought crossed her mind. Were vampires now accepted here? Technically, they had saved the school—or what was left of it. Only time would tell how the rest of the student body would react to their presence.
Minji settled into her usual spot at the table, the familiar arrangement of the three connected long tables bringing a sense of comfort. As the first one to arrive, she watched as Danielle entered the cafeteria, her presence a welcomed sight.
Danielle made her way over to Minji, who let out a sigh of relief at her friend's arrival. "I'm exhausted," Danielle confessed as she sat down, her words echoing Minji's own sentiments perfectly.
Minji nodded in agreement, grateful for the shared understanding. "Ditto," she replied, a small smile playing on her lips. Danielle shrugged off her cream-colored coat and placed it behind her, her gaze scanning the cafeteria with a hint of apprehension.
"Doesn't this feel a little weird?" Danielle whispered, her eyes roaming the room. Despite the similarities to the old cafeteria—thick oak tables, benches, little snack booths, and the lunch area with its familiar queue, large clock, and arched roof—there was an undeniable sense of unfamiliarity in the air.
"A little, but it's refreshing," Minji reassured her, her gaze drifting back to Danielle. Suddenly, Danielle's attention shifted to the seat next to Minji, and Minji followed her gaze to find Haerin seated there, her expression stoic as she balanced two plates of pancakes.
Haerin's sudden appearance seemed to catch Danielle off guard, and Minji couldn't help but chuckle at the surprise on her friend's face. "Good morning, mortal," Haerin greeted in her usual dry tone, her lips curling into a faint smirk.
Minji couldn't shake the feeling that Haerin was intentionally being cryptic, her deliberate mood swings acting as a subtle menace. As Danielle greeted her with a hesitant "Hey," Haerin couldn't help but smirk, sliding a plate of pancakes towards Minji.
"Thank you," Minji replied in Korean, a habit ingrained from years of speaking her native language. However, Haerin's puzzled expression caught her off guard. "Pardon?" Haerin questioned, furrowing her brows in confusion.
Both Minji and Danielle exchanged a puzzled glance before Danielle pointed out, "She said thank you." Haerin squinted in confusion. "In what language?" she inquired, looking genuinely puzzled.
"In Korean," Minji clarified, surprised by Haerin's lack of knowledge. "Don't you know it?" she asked, genuinely curious. Haerin shook her head, a hint of regret in her expression. "I've learned every language in the book, but Korean has somehow eluded me," she confessed.
"That's weird. Aren't you Asian? I just assumed," Minji remarked, her curiosity piqued. Haerin shrugged, offering a glimpse into her mysterious origins. "Not exactly, not from the South, or even from your globe. We're something called Coreèn Romanian, and our language sounds vaguely Slavic," she explained casually.
Danielle's interest was piqued by Haerin's revelation. "Well, we'd love to hear it sometime," she remarked optimistically. Haerin nonchalantly began cutting into her pancakes, a smirk playing on her lips. "Va trebui să vorbesc mai des, nu-i așa?" she remarked in her native tongue.
Minji's chest swelled with a strange mixture of attraction and curiosity as she found herself drawn to Haerin's mysterious allure. Her eyes widened in surprise as she processed Haerin's words. "What did you just say?" Danielle asked, her curiosity matching Minji's.
Haerin met Danielle's gaze with a coy smile. "I'll have to speak it more often, shall I?" she replied in English, her accent adding an exotic charm to her words.