This "practice dinner" is terrible... I'm not making any progress... Okay, Lisa, concentrate...
Lisa was looking at the meal she prepared and wasn't feeling too happy about it.
I mean it's edible, but... Come on! "Edible" is no what Joohyun deserves! Even though she won't be able to eat my meal because it's a cyber-date, I still want it to be nice... And this... "Edible" at best...
Lisa was determined to work on her cooking skills in the future, but for now she was stuck with the meal she made.
I should look online for some easy, yet eye-appealing recipes. Yup! That's what I have to do! Hyun, at least it will freaking look good! Lisa encouraged herself because she really wanted to make it happen.
She and Irene arranged for the meal to be at 8pm and they were both satisfied with that. It gives me enough time to prepare everything - Lisa thought.
The following day, Lisa spent most of it looking for online recipes that weren't too complicated but that would look good. Okay, I think I could nail this one! She encouraged herself once more and then she went to the store to buy the necessary ingredients.
When she got home, she placed her laptop on her kitchen table. She wanted to find the perfect angle where Irene would be "sitting" while they were eating. This looks good, I approve this. She finally found a spot and was now determined to cook properly. Okay, but first... I better go and wash and prepare myself so that I look nice... I'll find something to wear and put it on my chair so that I can change into that before I start the video call... Yeah, sounds reasonable enough.
Irene on the other hand wasn't having any dilemmas concerning her dinner - she was slowly cooking everything as she danced throughout the apartment to the music that was playing on her TV. Her clothes were also put on her chair as she didn't want t get them accidentally dirty while making dinner.
Oh, I wish Lisa was actually here.. I would love for her to try this!... This meal already looks delicious... Irene was proud of the meal she made. Lisa claims she doesn't think she cooks well, but she also said that about her dancing, so I'm not really sure if she's the best judge when it comes to self-evaluation hehehe... She mused.
Irene's phone buzzed. It was Nayeon.
"Hey, what's up? I'm cooking a meal for Lisa right now! I followed your advice, we're doing a cyber-date night tonight!" Irene answered happily.
"That sounds great!" Nayeon was happy for Irene, but Irene felt there was something wrong. She was soon proven right when Nayeon started to talk:
"Unnie, I need your help!"
"Oh my! Are you okay? You don't sound okay!" Irene spoke with a concerned tone in her voice. She hoped everything was okay with her friend.
"It's Mina, something's not right!... We went out today to eat something and we went to a couple of places, and she's sick now... I think she ate something bad or maybe the food she ate got all mixed up in her stomach and maybe her stomach isn't digesting it well, I don't know, I'm panicking!" Irene could hear the panic in Nayeon's voice.
"Okay, okay! Where are you? Have you called an ambulance?"
"Yes I have! But we're in a street that's currently in a massive traffic jam, and Mina can't walk far! And this traffic jam, yeah, it's a seriously massive traffic jam, I don't even know what happened... And I don't know HOW or WHEN the ambulance is going to come..." Nayeon felt helpless. "I called my other members, they are coming here on foot, I don't even know when they're going to be here, but I'm scared! Do you... I don't know, I'm panicking, I needed someone to talk to!"
"I'm here! I'm here! Listen, I might have an idea, just tell me the name of the street, I'll think of the details soon."
"What? How?"
"Just... Tell me, Nayeon please!"
Nayeon then told Irene the name of the street.
"Okay... How is Mina holding up?"
"I'm holding her now, we're sitting on a sidewalk... She can't throw up, but she's feeling very ill... I don't know what to do!"
"Can you give her some water?"
"I've been giving her water so far, but soon we'll be all out of it!"
"Okay, keep her hydrated, I'll... Like I said, I'll figure out the details soon!"
"Oh... Okay... Thank you Unnie!" Nayeon didn't know what Irene would come up with, but she trusted her. They both soon hung up the phone and Irene's brain immediately went to thinking.
Thank you brain for giving me an actually decent idea this time!
Irene then stopped with her cooking completely and went outside in a hurry.
Very soon, she was in the street where Nayeon and Mina were.
"Hey!" Irene spoke when she saw them.
"Unnie! Oh my, I'm so happy to see you! You didn't have to come, but I really appreciate it." Nayeon spoke as she held Mina. She then looked at the man that was standing next to Irene. Irene then spoke:
"Nayeon, this is Bogum and this is Bogum's motorcycle."
"Hi!" He said with a concerned tone. He was looking at Mina, trying to figure out if she's okay.
"He drove me here... He uh... didn't obey much of the traffic rules because, like you said...the traffic jam..."
"Oh hi!" Nayeon was confused as she greeted Bogum. Irene then continued:
"So the plan is - he can take Mina to the hospital on his motorcycle... The way he'll do it won't be legal, at least until he gets out of this street, but after that, they should be good."
"Are you a good driver?" Nayeon asked with a concerned tone because she didn't want to waste any time.
"Yes." He spoke confidently. Irene agreed: "He really is... We came here in no time and he really was careful."
"Oh... Alright, but please take care of my bab- of Mina..." Nayeon agreed, trusting both of them.
"I will." He reassured her. "Irene can give you my number and you can call me in six to seven minutes, that's when we'll be there..."
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Nayeon then hugged Bogum. He found that endearing and he hugged back.
They then helped a silent and sick Mina to get on Bogum's motorcycle.
"Hold on tight Mina... I'll drive safely, but I want you to hold on tight."
"Okay..." She spoke gratefully while barely lifting her head.
"I'll be there as soon as I can Mina, I'll walk there!" Nayeon assured her.
"Thank you Nayeon... See... See you soon!" Mina spoke to her with a faint smile s she waved at her gently.
Bogum then drove off, avoiding cars an occasionally driving on the sidewalk. He knew it was against the law, but he wanted to do the favor he was asked for. Luckily, no police was in the vicinity and he really was careful not to hurt anyone walking. As soon as he got out the busy street, the ride went on smoothly.
"How did you..?" Nayeon then asked.
"I asked for a favor... He's a nice guy and he was worried that something was wrong, so he wanted to help..."
"I'll owe him... Like a lot." Nayeon added, still shaking a bit from everything that just happened. Irene rubbed her back a bit so that she would calm down.
"Here, you can have his number and you can call him... He really will get there in six or seven minutes."
"Oh.. Okay... Thank you Unnie..."
"Your baby is going to be alright. I promise. She probably just had a bad food combination." Irene tried to make Nayeon feel better. Nayeon faintly smiled.
"I know... It's just... I'm worried."
"I saw that... But you did what you could and now she's going to get treatment."
"Thank you Unnie... You really are the best." Nayeon's tears started to appear as she tightly hugged Irene who hugged back.
When they pulled apart from each other, they realized that the rest of Twice was approaching.
"Nayeon, where's Mina? Is she okay?" Jihyo spoke first as she saw the two.
"Yeah, Irene Unnie's friend took her to the hospital on his motorcycle... They'll be there soon."
"Oh, okay...what happened?"
"I think it was a bad food combination... Her stomach might have been sensitive..."
"Let's get out of this street then so we can call a cab and get to the hospital." Jihyo suggested and they all agreed.
Once they got out of the street, they ordered a cab. Before that Nayeon already called Bogum who assured her that the doctors were already looking at Mina's condition and they said that there shouldn't be a cause for alarm. A collective sigh of relief was heard throughout the group. Before entering the cab, everyone hugged Irene and thanked her. Irene wanted to go with Nayeon , but Nayeon assured her that she was okay because her members were there and she also didn't want for Irene to miss out on her date night.
"You saved our sister, you are now an honorary member of Twice now Irene Unnie!" Jihyo spoke and everyone agreed. Irene felt honored as she heard that and was very appreciative of it.
"Unnie, I'm sorry about your date night... I truly am..." Nayeon apologized before she went to the cab.
"Nayeon... Please. I will help you whenever I can! Just text me later when you know everything... As far as the date night goes, I still have a bit of time and I'm still technically not late, so don't worry about that... Just know that everything will be alright..."
Nayeon then hugged Irene and went into the cab.
I still have time! I can make it! Irene hurried as she ordered a cab for herself.
As soon as she arrived, she looked at the time - Okay! Hair's looking good! I need a quick shower, I'll have to get ready, get dressed... And then... Oh, I can't finish this meal, I'll have to make another one on the spot...
Irene rushed everything so that she wouldn't be late for her date. At 8pm, both girls were ready and available for the video call.
"Hi... Oh wow! " Irene was immediately amazed.
"Oh stop it, you!" Lisa immediately blushed.
"No, stop it you! You look amazing!" Irene was covering her mouth.
"Thank you..." Lisa replied shyly. "So do you!"
"Thank you!" Irene blushed when she heard that. "I literally put this on a minute ago haha"
"Oh...did something happen?" Lisa wanted to know.
"Oh yeah!" Irene then briefly explained what happened with Nayeon and Lisa was listening.
"So wait... You did all of that, and you still managed to be here on time?"
"What can I say? When you're in the music industry, you get used to tight schedules and you're used to the fact that everything has to be on time... Plus, I really didn't want to be late for our date..." Irene added that last part while showing the cutest smile she could find which made Lisa instantly melt.
"Hyun...you're a miracle worker..." Lisa spoke then.
"I try" Irene replied proudly. She then asked:
"But again... Lisa, wow... I can't get enough of you in that dress, you look amazing.. I mean, you always do, but wow... And did you... Are those candles?"
"Yes.. I... I wanted everything to look nice so I lit some candles... And I put a plate for you... Because I made food for two so..."
"Lisaaaa... I'll need to go to the hospital now, come on! That is way too much sweetness for me to handle!" Irene was really impressed with all the hard work and pure thought Lisa put into this. "And now I feel bad because... I didn't put up anything for you..."
"Hyun... Please. You helped out your best friend. You know how I feel about best friends... You helping Nayeon like that is extremely sweet and I appreciate that. And also, you being here on time, with a meal, looking like you came from paradise... No, seriously, "witchcraft" is the word of the day." She added at the end which made them both chuckle.
"Thank you Lili... The fact that you're appreciative... I mean..." Irene has no words. she was just staring at Lisa, thinking how she just wanted to hug and kiss her at that moment. She softly added "thank you" again.
"Okay! Let's get this cyber-date rolling!" Lisa wanted to cheer them both up a bit which made Irene smile again. "I am super proud of my meal. It's simple, it looks great and I didn't burn anything!"
"I...am weirdly proud of that! What did you make, I can't see because it's still in the pot!"
"Let's both do a reveal of what we made, okay?"
"Okay! One, two..."
They both showed each other the meal they made in the end. Upon seeing the meals, they both started to laugh.
"I can't believe you made pasta!"
"Neither can I!"
The both made the same meal.
"Well, this really will feel like I am there, you know?" Irene then chuckled and Lisa joined in.
"Except, you know... This here is a meal for two... But I will eat your part as well." Lisa joked and they both laughed again as they started to eat.
The conversation was flowing as they both talked about what had happened to them recently. They talked about some of these subjects over texts beforehand, but now they could go in depth into them as well.
Irene talked about the tour as well which Lisa always found interesting, while Lisa talked about the photography events she had, which Irene found fascinating. After a while, the conversation started about Jennie.
"Oh wow! A dance troop, that sounds amazing!" Irene spoke.
"Yeah, we'll go and see them on Friday... I was thinking about inviting Bambam... He's one of my friends as well and he really loves to dance... He was probably going to go and see them anyway, so I figured, now the three of us can go together..."
"Oh, okay! I do hope you'll have fun... I always like to see dance troops, so... yeah, please do have fun!" Irene smiled.
"I hope we will!" Lisa replied, faintly smiling.
"Is everything okay?" Irene asked concerned. Lisa then admitted:
"It's just... I feel bad because I didn't even get to tell you that we're going to see them... I just said "yes" to her because... I wanted to go and see them..."
"And that's the adult thing to do - if you want to go somewhere and see something, you go and do that."
"But..." Lisa started to speak but then stopped because she didn't know what to say.
"Lisa..." Irene was understanding. "We're both adults. I know you care about my feelings and, it's really refreshing to have someone who cares about my opinion, but... We live in different countries and we have our own separate lives... And even when we're in the same country, we still will have separate lives - mine will be related to music, and yours will be related to photography... And in those situations, we will be doing things together but... If opportunities arise in your life, like this one with the dance troop, and you want to go out and do something by yourself, I want you to do it because you want to do it... I don't want to be an anchor... I want you to feel free with me!" Irene spoke sincerely.
When she said that last part, she felt relieved because it wasn't easy for her to convey that message, but she was proud of the way she said it. She wanted Lisa to have her own life apart from her so that they can both blossom individually and together I know we're taking small steps at a time, but I do want to be honest about everything, and this part that I discussed right now is important to me, no matter how soon or late it is.
Lisa just sat there amazed by what Irene just said. When she finally found the words she wanted to say, she spoke:
"Can I just sat that the most attractive part about you is your brain?" Lisa spoke smoothly and she made Irene blush.
"And that's saying a lot because you look gorgeous... But... your brain... O don't even know how to handle it!" Lisa then added:
"Hyun... That... That small, but great speech... That's everything I want you to feel as well. I want you to feel free and I want to..." Lisa wanted to say something but she wanted it to sound right.
"You want to...?" Irene wondered what Lisa had to say.
"I want you to feel safe with me. Yeah, I know, we said one small step at a time, but I think I need to be honest, no matter what." Lisa admitted.
"Oh my! That's what I just thought!" Irene replied and they both smiled at each other.
"And Lisa, I know that I can feel free and safe with you, you wanna know how I know that?"
"How?" Lisa was confused.
"I mentioned Bogum and the way he helped me and you... You didn't make a fuss about it."
"Well... You needed help, he was there to help you.. What's there to be fussy about?" Lisa wondered.
"Exactly!" Irene smiled and Lisa smiled back.
They felt happy because they understood each other so well. They felt incredible relief they found someone who felt the way they felt and understood what they understood.
The rest of the conversation was lighter and filled with laughter which they both appreciated. They thoroughly enjoyed their meal and their talking. When they were done with their food, they just stared at each other, grinning from ear to ear.
"Hyun... I... This night was amazing... Thank you!"
"Likewise, thank you!" Irene replied with a smile.
"I... I want to take you out when I come back to Seoul. My treat this time. I want to take you out somewhere nice... And I want to treat you nicely..."
"Lili..." The thought of that made Irene instantly blush. "I would love that too." She replied with a cute smirk which melted Lisa. She then noticed Irene's phoe buzzed:
"Is that Nayeon? Plese check if it is, I've been worried." Lisa said.
"Me too, but I did tell her to text me when she knew more, okay, let's see." She's worried about my best friend, that is... So sweet! Irene mused as she was reading the text. She then spoke to Lisa:
"She says everything's okay and that Mina will be going home tonight, so, that's a relief!"
"It is! Those two are dating right?" Lisa then asked. "Oh, I'm sorry if it's their business, I didn't mean to pry, I just... I'm sorry..." Lisa apologized.
"Hahaha... Noooo!" Irene replied with a grin. "But, someone else in Twice is dating. It's still private, but I have to ell you..." Irene thought that since Nayeon had a complicated situation with Mina, it would be best not to mention it for now. But she did want to mention another Twice relationship.
"Oh, if you don't want to tell me..."
"Nayeon didn't mention that it wasn't okay for me to tell you about this soooo..."
"Oh, okay then..."
"Dahyun and Tzuyu!"
"Oh come on! No way!" Lisa was pleasantly surprised.
"Yup! the couple we've mentioned so many times!"
"I knew Tzuyu was a butt-grabber!" Lisa then blurted out which made them both laugh pretty hard.
"Oh...HAHAHAHA... I can't wait to tell Nayeon about this nickname... "Tzuyu, the butt-grabber"!"
"Better not... Who knows if Tzuyu could win in a fight against us..."
"True, yeah... okay...hahaha...but it was still funny though..."
"It was..." They both smiled at each other happily.
"But, that's nice, I'm happy for them!" Lisa added.
"So am I... I can just imagine it - the tall one and the small one, so precious!"
"Yes, yes it is..." Lisa looked into Irene's eyes and Irene blushed. There was a small silence between them before Irene suddenly spoke:
"I miss you Lili..."
"I miss you too, Hyun... And I can't wait to come to Seoul."
"I can't wait for that either!" Irene admitted.
"I know it's kinda dorky but... Can I take you to bed?" Lisa asked.
"Oh wow! How classy!" Irene joked.
"No, not that hahahaha! I meant... I wanted to go and get ready for bed but I also wanted to talk to you while I'm in there...if that's okay..."
"Of course! I'll get ready too! We can call each other again in like, half an hour?"
"Deal!" Lisa replied with a smile.
The two quickly got ready for bed and video called each other after half an hour.
"Hi... You still look beautiful..." Lisa spoke softly.
"Liliii...." Irene was blushing again. "So do you!" She replied.
The two continued their conversation and were having a great time. After a while they got tired but they didn't want to end their video call. They were smiling at each other.
Lisa then cutely asked:
"So, what do you think... If we just closed our eyes for five minutes, would that be okay?" She yawned because she was tired and Irene yawned as well.
"I agree." She cutely replied.
They both put their laptops aside, facing each other. Both of them were lying on their sides with their eyes closed, smiling.
The plan was for them to open their eyes in five minutes and continue with their conversation, but that did not happen.
They both fell asleep tightly with soft smiles on their faces.