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First Day

Chaeyoung stepped off the train into an entirely different world.

Not like…Harry Potter style but it wasn’t too far off. Seriously, how many people actually rode trains anymore? She had traveled to Seoul and then nearly immediately got on this train with a lot of similarly dressed students. Two hours later and finally she found herself stood on the platform of a station, behind which stood the looming buildings that made up Bis Optimus University for the Arts.

Bis Optimus was a private university usually populated by snooty rich kids with some type of artistic talent. Or enough money to convince the board of directors they had talent. A lot of famous musicians, photographers, artists etc came from this university and now Chaeyoung stood among them. Believe her when she says she has no clue how she got here. Chaeyoung had grown up pretty poor and was attending a community college when some visiting professor saw her doodling in the pages of a textbook.

Well, doodling was probably underselling it. Either way he asked if she had anything more substantial and Chaeyoung handed over her sketchbook. The professor had told her that Bis Optimus offered two completely free rides a year to their arts school. He had asked her to email him a portfolio, which she did (after an all nighter of drawing, painting and at one point sculpting play-dough). Once the professor had sent it off to the board of Bis Optimus, they had responded in a week via an email directly to Chaeyoung.

We want you.

Honestly, whilst she was honored for the opportunity, she felt so out of place already. The uniforms (red waistcoat and blazer, white undershirt, black tie and either a red skirt with tights or black trousers) gave a sense of unity, Chaeyoung supposed, but it seemed to her like she stuck out. She didn’t carry herself the way everyone around her did. She wasn’t standing with groups of friends made through life long family associations. Chaeyoung just stood alone, searching the crowd for what had been described as “a woman with a green sign”.

“Excuse me?” A voice called,

Chaeyoung turned to see another girl looking equally as lost and raised an eyebrow at her.

“Are you a scholarship too?” The girl asked, reaching up to the little green badge on her blazer,

Chaeyoung had a matching badge of her own. Lime green was the symbol of a scholarship student. Legacy students had blue badges, scouted students had gold and people that had auditioned to get in had white. When Chaeyoung had learned this she had questioned attending such an institution, one that thrived off keeping you in your place.

“Yeah,” Chaeyoung relaxed a little, “Do you know where we’re meant to go?”

The girl shrugged, “No fucking clue, I’ve walked the length of the platform and there was no green sign.”

A grin spread across Chaeyoung’s face at the profanity, grateful that at least one other person wasn’t as stuck up as everyone around them. Seems like everyone was taking note of their green badges and giving them a wide berth.

“I’m Chaeyoung. I uhh got in for art I guess, but I’m a philosophy student.”

Bis Optimus allowed you to study what you liked, like any university, however you had to also study your art. I suppose it was like majoring in whatever but having to minor in your artist skill.

“Cool,” The girl nodded, “I’m Momo, I dance. I took sports science.”

Momo and Chaeyoung talked for a while waiting for this green sign to appear. Hirai Momo had originally only moved to Korea after her father got a new job abroad. Originally she had been pissed, missing her life and friends back in Japan, but overtime she accepted her new home. That being said, the plan had once been to attend university back in her homeland. But despite her family moving for her father to get a better job, money was tight - when Bis Optimus offered a full ride, Momo couldn’t exactly decline. Japan would still be there after graduation and all of Asia understood the prestige of Bis Optimus University.

To be honest, Momo had no clue what to make of any of this really. Not that it mattered. All she needed to do was keep her head down and work hard. She loved to dance,she had been dancing all her life in fact. This school was allowing her to dance somewhere with the best teachers, best dancers and best facilities. However the one thing it didn’t have was a fucking map showing where she and Chaeyoung were meant to go. Chaeyoung seemed pretty cool though, which put Momo more at ease.

“Oh there!” Chaeyoung suddenly shouted, pointing off towards the station,

Momo turned and sure enough there was a woman who stood holding a lime green paddle. A few people, with identical badges to Momo and Chaeyoung, stood around her idly. Both girls picked up their suitcases and ran over to where the small crowd were waiting. The woman holding the paddle, introduced to them as the assistant to the Dean Kim Jiyeon, appeared to have been waiting for them. She had been quite exasperated when they had finally got to the group, but otherwise seemed to be nice enough. Jiyeon led them through the station and up the long hill leading to the university itself.

The hill had stone steps built in but it was still quite a steep walk and even Momo felt herself sweating a little by the time they reached the top. Chaeyoung, for her part, was dying. She struggled to keep a hold on her suitcase. Jiyeon, however, had done this walk so many times she still looked as put together as she had back at the station.

“Okay everyone, now I will hand out your house assignments. I will walk you all down what everyone calls ‘Main Street’ where all the student houses are. From there you will be able to meet your house mothers, older students who will look after those in their houses.”

Chaeyoung and Momo stepped away from the group to open theirs, exchanging looks of faux excitement. Neither really cared where they were put, they just wanted to sit down following that walk up the steps. But someone above must have been smiling at them because they fortunately had been put into the same house. Twice house was almost in the middle of the left row of large manors. All the houses on this side were girl houses, the houses to the right were where the boys stayed.

Walking towards it, Momo noted it was a tall building with an open window through which some gentle piano music was being played. Jiyeon stood by the front gate until the pair had knocked on the door, then she moved the dwindling group to the next house. Nothing happened right away, leaving the two girls in awkward silence. Then, after a moment, the door swung open and a face appeared. It was a taller girl with long light brown hair, studying them both for a moment. Unlike the others, this new girl was wearing casual clothes - Momo suspected newer students just had to prove their uniform was up to scratch given that weekends were usually casual dress.

“Hi, can I help you?” She asked, looking between them,

Momo simply handed her the envelope.

Jeongyeon was a second year student and the house mother of Twice house. She had only taken the mantle this year and so had gotten to the school with the early enrollers - students who opted to start their year earlier for some extra credit. Most of the girls had this year, obviously except for the two who stood patiently in front of her. She took the envelope and glanced over it, reading “Hirai Momo, Twice House” in big bold letters. Jeongyeon didn’t recognise the name and judging by the two green badges, the duo weren’t from well connected families like the rest of the house. Still, never judge a book as her mother always said.

So Jeongyeon smiled kindly at them and stepped back to open the door fully.

“Nice to meet you both, I’m Jeongyeon. I’m the house mother so anything you need just let me know!”

Jeongyeon watched both girls walk in and saw the awe strike them almost instantly. It was a pretty open plan building. To the left was the living room, where Kim Dahyun was sat at the piano playing the same piece she had all day. There were two long couches facing each other either side of an unlit fireplace. In the corner was a small table with a few chairs and the far wall was made up of glass with sliding doors leading out back into the garden. Under the window at the front of the house was a loveseat and next to that was the piano.

To the immediate right was the dining room with a long oak table taking up nearly all of the space. At the back of that room was an archway leading to the kitchen. Dead centre of it all was a grand wooden staircase leading up to the first floor landing where seven doors lined the second story in an L shape. Along the back and back down towards the door. These were five bedrooms and two bathrooms.

“If you both want to head up,” Jeongyeon told them, “You’ll both be rooming together in the last available room at the front just there.”

She pointed up to the room directly above where they stood in the doorway. It was identical to the other bedrooms except the white board stuck to it was blank whilst all the others had names. As the two went upstairs to put their things away, Jeongyeon closed the door and moved into the living room to straighten the blanket folded along the back. Dahyun glanced briefly up at her without pausing her playing.

“The final two?”

“Seems like, greens though.” Jeongyeon added,

Dahyun hummed, thinking of her own white badge on her blazer upstairs, “They’ll be fine. They were brought in for a reason right? Must be talented.”

“I’m sure they are.” Jeongyeon agreed lightly, “But all the same - I would hope everyone is nice to them.”

Dahyun just hummed again, fingers still dancing gracefully over the keys.

This was second nature to her, having been a child prodigy. Always trotted out at dinner parties to impress her parents' friends and had played at countless recitals and shows. She barely needed to study for music classes anymore, Dahyun could pick out the tune just by hearing it. Her parents had let her know from a young age that they had assumed she would audition to attend Bis Optimus. So she did and of course she got in. Dahyun was one of the rare students studying music as their main qualification. She ate, slept and breathed it.

Only she didn’t rub that in other people’s faces like some members of the house did.

“Whose turn is it to cook dinner tonight?” Jeongyeon asked suddenly, content with the blanket now it had been properly folded,

“On a Saturday? That’s Nayeon and Mina.”

Jeongyeon rolled her eyes, “So…take out then?”

“Yup.”

“Would you kindly remind them?” Jeongyeon asked,

Dahyun’s playing finally ceased, she sighed, “Fine.”

“Thank you, Dubu!” Jeongyeon grinned, ruffling her hair,

Dahyun batted her hands away good naturedly and stood up. Heading up the stairs she walked to the second door along, next to Jeongyeon’s - house mother gets single room perks. This room, like all rooms, had two single beds either side with two wardrobes and two desks. In this room though, one side was messy with magazines and clothes everywhere whilst the other was in pristine condition with ballet trophies all over.

After knocking, Dahyun was able to enter and find both the room's occupants on their respective beds. The girl on the pristine side was playing a game on some hand held device whilst the messier girl was watching something on the television mounted on the wall. Some K-Drama Dahyun hadn’t heard of.

The ballerina glanced up from her device momentarily but said nothing. Myoui Mina was thought to be the best dancer in the university, at least in the ballet classes. Everything about her was poised and proper. Every move calculated as if it had to be done perfectly, from dancing to pouring a bowl of cereal. She and Nayeon had known each other for a while with both their fathers being pretty well-known tech moguls. They were raised in the same circles and whilst initially they had only known of each other in passing - they had formed a fond friendship.

Im Nayeon was the jewel of Bis Optimus. Known throughout every hall and by every teacher. A legacy student, her fate to attend this university was set in stone from the beginning. It was her birthright to attend the school her father had - he had been a terrific artist as a boy. Not that he had any time for it now though. Nayeon, however, was a singer and she would tell you herself that she was good. Fantastic even! Second choice soloist last year, the best any freshman had achieved. Be it talent or nepotism, Nayeon really didn’t care - what she did care about was the younger girl interrupting her KDrama just when it was getting to the good bit.

“Can I help you?” Nayeon asked, snappily,

Dahyun shuffled awkwardly, choosing to look over at Mina instead, “Jeongyeon told me to remind you it’s your day to sort out dinner.”

Nayeon huffed, irritated by mention of Jeongyeon with whom she had somewhat of a feud. The origins of which were, when put plainly, that Im Nayeon did not like being told what to do.

“Can’t you and Jihyo handle it?” Nayeon snapped,

Park Jihyo was Dahyun’s roommate and another singer, like Nayeon. Though the elder girl would always insist Jihyo was nowhere near her skill level. If you couldn’t tell Nayeon didn’t like anyone much.

“We did it yesterday…”

“The other two then.” Nayeon tried,

“Tzuyu has a lesson and Sana isn’t allowed to cook alone. Not after the noodles incident.”

“Take out exists.” Mina finally said, still distracted by her game and seemingly uninterested in the conversation,

“Name a nearby place where Sana is not banned.” Dahyun countered, keeping her temper,

Silence

Nayeon conceded and rolled her eyes, “Fine, we’ll call...”

Dahyun smiled. Nayeon thought she looked far too happy.

“...but you need to bring us the menu book from Tzuyu’s room.”

Dahyun’s smile dropped to an expression of mild annoyance, “Why does Tzuyu have it?”

Mina spoke up again, “Sana wanted 3am Thai food last night.”

With a sigh, the pianist recognised her quest was not yet over and turned around to head to the end of the hallway. She passed one of the bathrooms which was located next to Nayeon and Mina’s room, then turned the hallway corner. She passed her own room and stopped in front of the room next door. Dahyun knocked loudly and after a second a cheery voice called for her to come in.

Sana and Tzuyu made for a strange pairing. Very golden retriever vs black cat energies. Minatozaki Sana was a photographer who had an entire wall to the left of the room covered in photographs she had taken. Photos which weren’t up at the moment as Sana constantly changed which ones she had up based on her latest favourites. Photographs covered the bed on which she was kneeling, all over the floor and covering the other bed where a taller girl sat with her back against the wall. The violin on her lap forgotten as she seemed to have been more interested in watching Sana’s choosing process.

Chou Tzuyu was a Taiwanese student who, like Nayeon, was a legacy student. However, unlike Nayeon, Tzuyu wasn’t very vocal about it. Tzuyu wasn’t very vocal about anything really. Nice enough when she did talk, very polite but whether due to language barriers or introversion she usually preferred to listen. But that was fine - Sana did enough talking for them both.

Their situation had been the gossip of the house ever since they both turned up for early enrolment a month ago. It was obvious to everyone, even the duo themselves, that there was a mutual attraction there. They acted like a couple, they bickered like a couple, Sana had openly said she wanted to be a couple. But if asked if they were dating, they always said no. Nobody knew the details except the couple in question but it was painfully obvious that there was something romantic there. For example, the 3am Thai food.

“Hey Dahyun!” Sana greeted enthusiastically, “Which is prettier?”

Sana clambered across her bed and held two polaroids in front of the shorter girl’s nose. Dahyun let her eyes to the room's other inhabitant who seemed amused but said nothing. One of the polaroids depicted a sun setting behind a barbed wire fence. The other was two people in an embrace, one with a finger on the other's lips as if shushing them. Though the photo only showed their chins down, it was obvious to Dahyun who the model’s were.

“They're both great,” Dahyun began, “But the second one seems…happier I guess?”

Sana made a noise and looked at the photos herself, “Huh…I thought they were both rather sad.”

Before she could start babbling about the photographs (she was also a psychology student so these rants could be long with complicated terminology), Dahyun looked back to Tzuyu and smiled tiredly at her.

“Nayeon and Mina want the menu book.” She said directly,

Tzuyu nodded and carefully stood, gracefully moving to her desk without disrupting the organised chaos surrounding her. Jeongyeon had taken all the local menus and put them in a laminated scrapbook. It was the level of domesticity the house mother brought to them all. The book had been sitting on top of the tidy desk and a long arm reached it out to Dahyun over the sea of polaroids.

Taking it Dahyun took one more look around, “Does she do this a lot?”

Tzuyu finally smiled, “More than you’d think.”

Sana let out a whine and playfully swatted them both, “You two love me!”

Dahyun rolled her eyes fondly, but Tzuyu just kept a smile aimed at Sana. Not wanting to intrude, Dahyun thanked Tzuyu for the book and left the room. As she closed the door though, her eyes drifted towards the newly occupied room. The door was cracked open and Dahyun could hear talking from inside. Looking at the book in her hands she realised that if she gave it to Nayeon they’d all be forced to eat from some stupidly high end restaurant. If the two in that room were scholarship students would money be an issue? Maybe she should let them pick? It would allow them to choose somewhere in their price range without the awkward confession. Mind made up, Dahyun stepped one along and tapped gently on the door before pushing it fully open.

Two pairs of eyes looked over at her expectantly.

“Hi, I’m Dahyun - I wondered if you two had any dinner preference?”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Solo

“Again.”

“Jihyo, we’ve been at this for an hour…”

“I don’t care. Again.”

“You’ll lose your voice at this rate…” Dahyun grumbled,

Still, with a sigh, she began playing the introduction to Jihyo’s solo audition music. They were in their room. Dahyun was sitting on her bed with a keyboard across her lap whilst Jihyo stood in the centre ramrod straight. Singing the same lyrics she’d been practising for the last hour. The first week of lessons had been and gone, everyone settling into the swing of it. Today was Sunday and tomorrow the choir would hold auditions for solos in the upcoming competitions. Jihyo was practising as much as she could before dinner. There was a no music rule after 7pm and so she wouldn’t be able to rehearse after they’d eaten. Therefore, Jihyo had forced Dahyun to play the same song over and over until she was pitch perfect every time.

Jihyo had auditioned to attend Bis Optimus after arguing with her parents throughout her final year in high school. They were both lawyers and very serious people. It was only when Jihyo had promised to study law as her non-artistic subject and a very influential friend of theirs explained the prestige of the place did her parents finally agree to fund her study. Lord knows she wouldn’t have been able to afford it alone and she would rather die than wear one of those lime green badges. No offence to the scholarship students, Momo and Chaeyoung seemed nice enough, but those badges were a symbol of poverty. They were embarrassing to be seen in and Jihyo had fought too hard to get here to be made fun of.

As the final note rang out there was a tap at the door. Before either girl could invite whoever in, Sana’s beaming smile poked round the door.

“Tzuyu’s nearly finished.” Sana told them brightly, “Everyone else is heading to the dining room.”

Saturday was Sana and Tzuyu’s day to cook. After what Jihyo called potato-gate, Sana usually let Tzuyu do all the cooking and only helped with the sides. For example, salads or sliced bread. Things that didn’t involve fire. Tzuyu usually did a good job, preparing meals she had learned from her grandmother. But strangely, Sana had an eye for plating up. Probably a photographer thing, knowing the perfect angle for a photo.

“Excellent, I’m starving!” Dahyun declared, putting the keyboard to one side and all but sprinting towards the delicious smells from downstairs,

Sana looked back to Jihyo, “You sounded good by the way, I was waiting for you to finish before I knocked.”

Jihyo forced a smile at her, knowing Sana was being genuine. The older girl then left Jihyo alone to put away the music notes she had leant to Dahyun.

“

Good

isn’t enough.” Jihyo muttered as she finally headed for the door, running the song in her head over and over like a self-induced earworm,

Descending the staircase she saw Sana carrying some empty plates from the kitchen into the dining room. Tzuyu was clearly giving her some busy work. Everyone was already in the dining room and after Jihyo took the last available chair between Dahyun and Momo she looked up and locked eyes with Nayeon. Im Nayeon was in direct competition with Jihyo for the solos this year. It was weird, Jihyo hadn’t heard Nayeon practice and yet the girl smirked at her with all the confidence in the world.

“Make space!” Sana chirped, bringing in a large hot pot of some sort of broth,

Jeongyeon stood and took each dish from Sana as she brought them it. As everyone began to dig in, Sana finally sat down and prepared a dish for herself and their chef who had yet to appear. Not uncommon, Tzuyu always insisted on cleaning up the kitchen before she could sit down to eat. A light conversation trickled around the table but Jihyo was too preoccupied to join in. As she trailed her chopsticks through the food, soon she found herself lightly humming her song.

Tzuyu eventually came in, looking a bit tired and taking her seat next to Sana.

“That’s a pretty song, Jihyo.” Tzuyu said, more focused on her food than on Jihyo,

Jihyo looked up sharply, “Oh…thanks Tzuyu.”

“Is that what you're singing for solos tomorrow?” Nayeon asked, eyeing Jihyo,

Jihyo froze and looked back at the eldest girl. Nayeon had put down her chopsticks and was staring at Jihyo with that same stupid smirk. Suddenly, Jihyo felt her guard go up - she didn’t like that smirk. It was like Nayeon was bragging, like she knew something Jihyo didn’t.

“I was considering it.”

Nayeon laughed at that, picking up her chopsticks again and bringing some beef to her mouth.

She knew it was bait, Jihyo wasn’t dumb. But she still took it, “What?”

Nayeon swallowed and shrugged, feigning disinterest, “Just…not what I expected.”

“Nayeon, don’t start.” Jeongyeon told her firmly,

“What!? She asked.” Nayeon snapped back,

“It’s fine,” Jihyo added, tone clipped, “It’s not exactly Nayeon I need to impress.”

“Keep thinking that.”

Jihyo felt anger rise but held her tongue. Nayeon liked bothering people, her family were so influential that messing with her would have bad results. There was a rumour a girl called Nayeon a bitch and so Nayeon had her expelled from their high school. But Nayeon wasn’t top dog here. Jihyo was pretty sure a few of the girl’s here came from more influential families. Mina definitely did and Sana’s father was a big deal back in Japan apparently. Tzuyu never talked about it much but her grandmother was a huge socialite back in the day.

Ergo Nayeon’s ego was unfounded.

“So what are you singing?” Jihyo found herself asking,

Nayeon’s eyes glinted maliciously, “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“That’s why she asked.” Momo quipped, clearly bored,

“Shut up greenie.”

“Nayeon. Enough.” Jeongyeon scolded,

With a huff the eldest in the room looked back to Jihyo, “I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Jihyo matched the intensity of the look, “May the best woman win.”

“Don’t worry - I will.”

Keep thinking that, bitch.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Flying (Mina)

Mina was quite nearly the stereotypical ballerina archetype.

She was always poised, elegant and conducted herself with the same grace she would her routines. If not for her video game addiction she’d be the complete package that ballet companies craved. Mina loved video games in her spare time. Unlike most others in the house, her artistic talent wasn’t the only thing she did. It was a luxury really, for her to be able to split her focus. Take Jihyo and Nayeon for example, both spent every spare second practising for the solo audition later today. Mina never needed to do anything like that, ballet had taught her that perfection was just Mina’s natural state. She’d done it so long that even though they were receiving their first gradings today, Mina had no worry at all.

The first year dance classes at the university were divided into semester long modules dedicated to one dance style each. Ballet, to Mina’s joy, was the first. After first year, they could choose their main dance style going forward. Mina assumed this was to make sure nobody tried to switch style and mess with the classes.

Though Mina couldn’t help but think if someone had worked this hard to dance at Bis Optimus, they should know what they were getting into. She sure did! She, like others in Twice House, had arrived a while before classes began. During that time she had taken advantage of unlimited access to Bis Optimus’ four dance studios. One located on each floor of the dance building. There was an unspoken rule about the dance studios. Greenies on floor one, white badges on floor two, golds on floor three and legacy students on the top floor.

The top floor dance studio

was

the most well maintained. The others were a little scuffed from overuse and age. All fine facilities but everyone wanted to be in that room to rehearse. Mina loved the occasions where a class had been booked for that floor, they were rare. Mina was a gold, scouted at a recital in her final year of high school back in Japan. The scout had been invited by Nayeon’s father as Mina and Nayeon’s families had run in the same social circles most of their lives. It’s how they were able to room together since legacies usually were put in rooms together. The only other legacy in the house was Tzuyu and Mina wasn’t even sure the tall girl talked to anyone except Sana.

Sana and the others were pretty chatty though. Mina still didn’t know what to make of the greenies but they seemed nice enough. She didn’t have the air of superiority like Nayeon did. Mina mainly kept to herself, usually found with Nayeon or Sana if the legacy wasn’t around. However, as she walked into the drama building towards the changing rooms located on the first floor, Mina spotted something through the glass window on the studio door.

Momo was in there in first position, eyes locked onto her own form in the mirror. Mina hadn’t really spoken to Momo much, she knew the elder girl was Japanese too but that was about it. Judging by the awkwardness in her movements as Momo transitioned to second position then third, Mina assumed ballet was not the dance of choice. She couldn’t help but watch as Momo attempted a pirouette…only to wince as the girl lost balance and toppled to the floor. Clearly thinking too much to keep her gaze on the same spot.

With a sigh, Mina stepped away and continued on to the changing rooms, changing quickly before heading upstairs. Ballet took time. It was a dance about perfection. Every movement, every transition, every note of music in the background created a story. A story which, if performed to desired perfection, could have dancers flying through the air in leaps and transfixing the audience watching. No need to talk, no need to give long monologues or quick retorts.

All words were actions and when she performed them, Mina flew.

Spinning around and around. On pointe, like she should be. On time, like she should be. Extending her limbs with a still strength before fluidly moving between positions. She felt graceful and strong and confident and…and like she was flying.

Mina may not be the best with words, she may not be the first to advocate for herself and others. The casual observer may see her as stoic or even uninterested in those around her. But as the music echoed around the studio and Mina moved into her first position, anyone with eyes could see the passion put into every move. She flew around the room, each move performed perfectly. No matter how many times she ran the routine, it never changed. Mina never faltered, she had already mastered the moves and now it was all down to fine tuning.

After another perfect run the music faded and Mina, whose ending move left her on her knees on the floor, panted. Her eyes met her own through the mirror as she took in her image. Mina was tired, sweating, chest heaving as it tried to fill with air. But still, the music began again from the corner and echoed around the room. Mina stood shakily and moved to her first position all over again.

Not enough.

Performing the routine again.

Not perfect enough.

And again…

Not enough.

…and again.

_

Mina couldn’t say for sure how long she had been in the studio, but when she finally got changed and shakily walked out of the building it was dark out. Her legs were trembling with either exhaustion or adrenaline but the cold air helped wake her up a little as she walked back to Main Street. A few houses had doors or windows open so the street was alive with music coming from within each residence. Checking her phone Mina realised it was dinner time, also her phone was nearly out of battery so clearly she finished at the right time.

As she’d showered back in the changing room, Mina was ready to climb up the staircase to bed as she walked through the door of Twice House. However, when she walked through the front door she was slightly surprised to find nobody preparing for dinner. She had planned to use the last of her energy to excuse herself away from an overly mothering Jeongyeon. Instead the dining room and kitchen were empty. Chancing a look through the glass door, she spotted Dahyun, Momo, Chaeyoung and Tzuyu all sat outside with some pizza boxes.

Curiosity got the better of her and Mina decided to see what was going on.

“Hey Mina,” Dahyun grinned, a slice of pizza in her hand, “Good rehearsal?”

Mina tried to appear nonchalant as she shrugged, Dahyun was nice enough but Mina still didn’t really know the others. The four girls had been sitting on the step from the deck to the grass, they shuffled a little to make room for Mina to join them which she awkwardly did. Still very much wishing to be asleep right now.

Chaeyoung gestured to the pizza boxes on the deck behind them, “Feel free to grab a slice. Tzuyu’s treat.”

“Why are you eating out here?” She asked, “I thought Jeongyeon was cooking tonight.”

Momo rolled her eyes and took a puff of the cigarette Mina had only just noticed, “Jihyo and Nayeon got into another fight. Jeongyeon tried to get them to knock it off, causing all three of them to fight.”

“It was…something.” Dahyun concurred,

“Yeah, Dahyun and I had been watching TV when it started. Momo literally walked through the door right as it started and came out here so we followed. Tzuyu appeared a bit later and ordered pizza.” Chaeyoung explained,

Mina looked at the silent member of the group, the tall girl was picking at a finished box of what Mina assumed once contained garlic bread, “Sana with Nayeon?”

Would make sense, Mina not being home meant Nayeon could seek Sana to rant at.

Tzuyu looked up and shrugged. Mina and Tzuyu were very similar in the sense that they were both quiet and hard to read. Mina because she hid her feelings well, Tzuyu because she was generally quite oblivious.

Momo snorted and Dahyun sent her a look before explaining, “Sana stormed out just before the other argument, we assume she and Tzuyu are fighting.”

“And are you fighting?” Mina asked Tzuyu, perplexed,

Tzuyu sighed, “We are, but it’ll be fine.”

“Gotta respect the confidence.” Momo chuckled, taking another drag,

So there the five of them sat, Chaeyoung and Dahyun filling Mina in on Jihyo and Nayeon’s fight. Momo chipped in a snarky comment here and there whilst Tzuyu stayed picking at the box. Mina’s remaining presence on the step was less to do with her interest in getting to know these people and more an attempt to stay away from her room until Nayeon was asleep. She really wasn’t in the mood for a Nayeon rant.

The group finished the retelling of the fight and instead began idly chatting about life, classes, gossip. It was pleasant in a way. Then Sana appeared at the glass doors looking sheepish and calling Tzuyu who quickly stood up and went with her to their room. They all dispersed after that, it was late and Mina was dying to sleep. Luckily, Nayeon had fallen asleep watching some drama and Mina was able to roll into bed and let fatigue overtake her.

Eyes closing and slowly drifting to sleep, Mina thought back to the goal she had set herself tomorrow.

Tomorrow I will achieve perfection.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Jealousy (Satzu)

Tzuyu was not stupid.

Aloof? Yes. Oblivious? Also yes. But stupid, she was not.

Tzuyu was smart enough to understand that she had only gotten into this college based on her Grandmother’s influence. Nana Chou had attended this school in her youth, Tzuyu’s father had attended and both her elder siblings had followed. It was expected that Tzuyu would also follow suit, it was her turn. Nana Chou had insisted, saying it made Tzuyu a more attractive partner to whomever the highest bidder was. And what Nana Chou wanted, she got. The matriarch of the Chou Dynasty had inherited wealth from generations before her. Tzuyu’s grandfather had died before she was born and so all his business assets went to Nana. Nana never remarried, never wanted or needed to. She lived off of her immense wealth and handed off the business side to Tzuyu’s father.

They had moved in with Nana Chou after Tzuyu’s eighth birthday. Her mother had just run off with her…Tzuyu wanted to say tennis coach? Leaving Tzuyu’s father, Kang, to raise his children alone. Kang was a good man, but not an overly involved father. He was fine with Tzuyu’s big brother, Jackson. Priming him to take over the family business. But his daughters? He had been completely out of his depth. So they all moved in with Nana Chou. The house had been quiet growing up, eerily silent to the point newly hired staff would be shocked that three children lived there. As they all began to grow up, each child was expected to learn a skill that would allow them to become legacy students at Bis Optimus.

Jackson had already been in piano lessons as a child, he had wanted to copy someone of television and their mother had played so took him to see a friend of hers. When she ran off the lessons stopped but Nana Chou ensured they resumed with a much stricter teacher. He had graduated the college last year minoring in music but majoring in business management at their father’s insistence.

Victoria decided to go into acting, she wanted to be on television. Out of the three of them, Victoria was the wild child. Whilst their father always treated his daughters with kindness, he never really showed them any love. In response Victoria acted out, becoming far too good a liar and an even better actress. She was still attending Bis Optimus in her third year. She was studying acting, hoping to use Nana Chou’s contacts to get a roll on a big drama somewhere in Asia. Tzuyu didn’t think her sister cared where she ended up as long as she was in the spotlight.

Meanwhile, Tzuyu…well Tzuyu had been forced into playing the violin. With Jackson being their father’s favourite and Victoria being defiant to both adults in the house - Nana Chou had gotten her clutches into the youngest very quickly. Nana Chou had been a fantastic violinist in her day and demanded Tzuyu follow her footsteps. Whilst her school friends spent afternoons shopping or hanging out somewhere together, Tzuyu would be in her Nana’s cramped study playing the same songs over and over.

Her only freedom were her Saturday archery lessons but those had been stopped in her final year of highschool so that she could focus on the violin. She HATED that violin. She would often entertain fantasies of setting it on fire, maybe stick it in a boat and light it with a flaming arrow. But Nana Chou wanted her to learn the violin and what Nana Chou wanted she got. It was the only way Tzuyu was allowed to major in her real passion - veterinary science. She loved animals, she had thought of them as the only things that brought her joy.

Then Tzuyu came here.

She had been desperate to get out of the manor and so agreed to start early, arriving a month before school was meant to begin. On her first day she had been walking up the pathway to Twice House and witnessed a girl trying to unlock the door. As she had finally gotten the key up high enough to reach the lock all of her bags fell from under her arms and knocked her three suitcases over.

It was then Chou Tzuyu met Minatozaki Sana.

Sana was different from anyone else Tzuyu had met. She was loud and bubbly, a vast contrast to Tzuyu’s trained silence. Sana was kind and gentle, friendly to everyone and anyone. She showed Tzuyu a kindness that the tall woman had never truly felt before. It hadn’t been surprising that Tzuyu fell for her, hard. Tzuyu had long accepted her attraction to women, not that she would call herself “out” necessarily. Tzuyu just didn’t think such things were anyone's business but her own. When Sana admitted to reciprocating those feelings one late night, that’s when the problems began.

Tzuyu wanted to be with Sana, wanted to pursue something they both wanted but she couldn’t. One day her Nana would either find a suitable bachelor or her father would find a business partner he wanted an in with and that would be that. Tzuyu would be married off no matter her own thoughts on the situation. She had no agency in her family and lacked her sister’s fierce side. Sana understood, she always did, but something between them did change after that conversation.

They were dating. That was painfully obvious, though neither of them really admitted it. Kisses traded late at night, sneakily meeting between classes when they could, little dates off campus now and then - all these intimate moments and yet Tzuyu couldn’t admit the truth. Sana could, she told Tzuyu all the time that she loved her. She would hold her hand, kiss her cheek - show off her heart for the world to see. But Tzuyu couldn’t.

Which leads to the reason for Tzuyu to be walking around campus in the rain, as she often did when trying to organise her thoughts. The walking part…not specifically in the rain, in fact she’d much rather it stop since her umbrella kept trying to blow inside out.

Sana and Tzuyu had been fighting a little lately. Whilst Sana understood Tzuyu didn’t want to cause her any pain, it didn’t hurt any less. So now and then it would all come to ahead. Sana would start flirting with someone else, showing off to Tzuyu in order to get a rise from her. Usually Tzuyu would just wait it out until Sana finally blew up at her. They’d argue, they’s make up - the same dance over and over. But recently Sana had been hanging out with Wendy, another photographer. It started as Sana just trying to mess with her but tonight Sana brought Wendy over for dinner and Tzuyu decided she’d rather be anywhere else.

Tzuyu knows Sana just wants a rise out of her. She knew nothing would happen. That even if something DID happen, they weren’t exactly together-together. They were play acting a relationship without any of the conversations surrounding it. Still, the thought of Sana doing something made Tzuyu feel a type of way she couldn’t describe.

“Emotions are for the weak child. You feel, you leave yourself open to hurt. Push it down.”

Tzuyu sighed, finding herself somewhere between wanting to laugh and wanting to scream. She had lapped the college grounds three times now. She had walked past the education buildings, down to the train station, across to the leisure buildings and back up to main street. As she approached the street Twice House was on, the cold of the rain finally hit her and Tzuyu decided to head inside. Everyone would be in their rooms now, it had been a few hours.

She snuck into the darkened house, careful not to disturb anyone as she took off her shoes. A few people were chatting in the living room but Tzuyu didn’t really care who. They didn’t seem to notice her as she went up the stairs. The lamp was on in her and Sana’s room when she went in. Tzuyu paused for a moment as she spotted Sana curled up asleep on top of her bed covers - obviously dozing off whilst waiting for Tzuyu to come back. With a sigh, Tzuyu grabbed a blanket off of Sana’s desk chair and draped it over the sleeping woman. Then she collected her shower things, turned off the lamp and went to the bathroom to clean up.

The hot water instantly made her feel human again and as she entertained the thought of using all the hot water, a sudden sound made her pause. Unsure if she had really heard anything at all, Tzuyu turned off the water and listened. There it was again. The low rumble of thunder outside. It was loud, almost as though it was overhead. Getting out of the shower, Tzuyu quickly dried her hair as much as she could in a minute and pulled on her pyjamas. Then, quickly, she ran back to her room.

A little whine was heard when she went in and her eyes locked with Sana’s. Sana hated thunder. Tzuyu’s own fears melted away with how clearly scared Sana looked. Tzuyu knew Sana didn’t want to ask Tzuyu to help her - especially not whilst they were fighting. Then another clap of thunder nearly sent Sana through the ceiling and their fight was over. Tzuyu crossed the room and guided Sana under the comforter. Holding the older woman as she shook with each booming noise.

Push it down, Tzuyu.

Sana needs you.

Push it down.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Greens and Blues (Chaeyoung)

There was a clear class divide at Bis Optimus.

Whilst those in gold and white badges were able to do as they pleased, those with blue or green badges were treated very differently. Blue badges (known also as blue bloods) were legacy students. They were typically from old money, from generations of wealth and prestige. For the most part they were revered and kept together, usually knowing one another from before they came to the college. Green badges (aka greenies) were the polar opposite. They were usually immensely talented students but required scholarships to afford their tuition. Often looked down upon by other students, greenies also tended to stick together. Blue hated green and vice versa.

Blue bloods had money to burn, they thought those without such advantages to be lesser than them. Inferior even. In fact Chaeyoung’s philosophy lecturer gave a quote that explained it best: Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants. Chaeyoung had never wanted for anything, the blue bloods seemed to be demanding new things all the time. They spent money like it burned a hole in their pockets, never worrying that mommy or daddy’s credit card would reach its limit. But Chaeyoung and Momo had found their own way.

Ironic really, rich or poor, good or bad a person - they had all ended up at the same place at the same time. The only real difference was that blue bloods thought they were better.

Chaeyoung and Momo were the only greenies in Twice House and there were two blue badges under the same roof. Chaeyoung usually went out of her way to avoid them but sometimes it couldn’t be helped. The worst of the three had to be Nayeon.

The Queen Bee.

_____

Chaeyoung always had lunch at home on a Monday.

She had worked her classes so that she finished bothe her art class and philosophy class by midday. This meant she could go home, have lunch and go back to sleep. Momo had dance Monday evenings so was around to sit at the table with Chaeyoung. They’d talk and catch up on how their studies were going. That Monday however, some idiot had broken a radiator and the leak caused a power outage in the music building. This meant the usual serene Monday lunch was interrupted by the loud voices of the music students…and Tzuyu.

Nayeon usually hung out with a clique of other blues and golds, but occasionally Sana and Jeongyeon would join them. Sana liked everyone and everyone liked her back, plus it was the only way to get Tzuyu to join them. Jeongyeon had known Nayeon for a while and they got along underneath the petty bickering. Typically the group also included Mina, the dancer being closest with Nayeon out of everyone at the school. The dance building must have also suffered as Mina walked in with the other music students, normally she would stay at the building until dinner.

As the group loudly came in, Chaeyoung and Momo exchanged eye rolls. Kim Jennie, Bae Irene and Kim Bora were also with them - also blue music students. Given their food was already dished out, Momo and Chaeyoung attempted to ignore them. However, Nayeon’s voice tended to reverberate and she was clearly feeling impassioned about something. Dahyun and Jeongyeon smiled at the duo, deciding to join them rather than get involved with whatever argument the blues were having.

“Tzuyu-ah!” Nayeon whined, “Can’t you just ASK!? It’s going to be the only decent Halloween party this year.”

Chaeyoung’s view of where Tzuyu sat was blocked by the staircase but she assumed the tall woman shook her head to whatever Nayeon had requested because sounds of protest echoed from the others. The only silent ones being Tzuyu herself and Mina who looked at her phone completely uninterested.

“You don’t even have to go.” Jennie tried, “Just ask if you can bring some friends.”

Tzuyu sighed, “Just ask her yourself.”

“We don’t have the same in with her as you do.” Nayeon explained simply,

Momo leaned over to Jeongyeon, finally bothered enough to feign interest, “What’s happening?”

Jeongyeon huffed in amusement, leaning forward so that Chaeyoung and Dahyun could also hear.

“Tzuyu’s older sister is having this big Halloween party.” She explained, “Invite only. Victoria is not aware of Nayeon’s existence and so did not invite her.”

“So they’ve been begging Tzuyu all afternoon to get Victoria to invite them.” Dahyun concluded, shaking her head, “Tragic really.”

The noise from the living room continued and Tzuyu seemed to be firm on her no. Unsurprising,Chaeyoung thought, as all the blue bloods were known around campus and even she had no clue Tzuyu even HAD a sister. Obviously they weren’t all that close. Still the barrage didn’t cease and when Nayeon said:

“Come on! Don’t be such a fucking wimp!”

Chaeyoung couldn’t stop the words coming out.

“Leave her alone already.”

Silence

“What?” Nayeon asked, walking from the living room through to the dining room, “Something to say greenie?”

Chaeyoung’s earlier bravado began to fade under Nayeon’s gaze. Whether you liked her or hated her, Im Nayeon was not someone to cross. Chaeyoung never was all that confrontational, she had a short fuse but was all bark and no bite really. Nayeon had the power to not only ruin her, but to get her expelled if she pulled the right social string. Despite the blatant classism, Chaeyoung was grateful for her place at this school. With the dangerous look Nayeon was giving her, it became apparent that Chaeyoung should choose her next words carefully.

Only she didn’t have to.

“Leave her alone, Nayeon.” Momo rolled her eyes, bored, “You burst in, try to bully Tzuyu into giving you a party invite and then whirl on Chaeyoung for breathing. Are you PMSing or just functioning at higher bitch levels than usual?”

Nayeon’s mouth opened and closed for a moment, strongly resembling a goldfish. Chaeyoung could almost see the gears whirring in the blue bloods head as her gaze switched to Momo’s blank expression.

“How dare you–”

“Enough, Nayeon.” Jeongyeon finally stepped in, getting up to lead Nayeon back into the living room,

She turned back to give Momo an impressed thumbs up.

Chaeyoung, for her part, turned to thank her friend for the quick save but found her already stuffing her face with the rest of her lunch. Dahyun was trying desperately not to laugh next to them but when Chaeyoung caught her eye, the two of them couldn’t help themselves.

Cackling like hyenas until Nayeon and her friends stormed out in outrage.

_____

Tzuyu was like the anti-Nayeon.

Quiet, borderline anti-social, typical black cat energy.

Chaeyoung hadn’t really interacted with the taller girl one on one. Whilst Chaeyoung mainly hung around with Momo and Dahyun, Tzuyu was usually swept up into Nayeon’s clique. Though she never seemed to be engaging with her fellow blues. Dahyun’s theory was that Tzuyu knew the only reason Nayeon wanted her around was because Victoria was the it girl of the upperclassmen. Sana seemed to bring out a gentler side to Tzuyu, Chaeyoung much preferred seeing them hanging out than seeing Tzuyu with Nayeon. To be honest, Chaeyoung didn’t really know what to expect from Tzuyu.

Tzuyu was the only one in the house that focused more on her academic classes than her artistic ones. That seemed weird to Chaeyoung, why would someone attend Bis Optimus if they didn’t want to perform? To be perfectly honest, Chaeyoung had just written the younger girl off as another spoilt rich girl who just coasted through school without any fear of really working. The air of disinterest made more sense that way. Or at least it did, until one night when Chaeyoung went searching for a muse.

Her art class assignment was to draw something you either had never drawn before or felt unconfident drawing. Seeking an easy answer to allow herself a homework free weekend, Chaeyoung went out to the music building one Friday night looking for a guitar. She’d never drawn a guitar before and with everyone back at their houses, Chaeyoung could explore uninterrupted. Well, that had been the plan anyway. When Chaeyoung walked into the building, scanning her student pass on the door and causing the motion sensitive lights to nearly blind her, she heard music.

Gentle, sad, beautiful music.

Following it despite how many horror movies she had seen, Chaeyoung found herself outside one of the practice rooms. Inside was Tzuyu, playing a violin with the skill of a master. Her fingers expertly moved to the next note like she had been programmed to do it. Each note is perfect, no mistakes or retries. Before Chaeyoung could really think about it, she took her phone from her pocket and took a picture through the glass on the door.

With the flash on.

Tzuyu immediately stopped playing and her eyes left the sheet music in front of her to glare holes through Chaeyoung. In response Chaeyoung swore to herself and opened the door sheepishly.

“Sorry about that…”

“Do you often creep around the music building at night?” Tzuyu asked, eyebrow raised and expression unreadable,

“Do you?” Chaeyoung countered,

The stare broke and Tzuyu began to pack away her instrument. Chaeyoung instantly felt guilty and began to dig her grave, “You don’t need to stop on my account! You were really good and so in the moment and I thought it’d be cool to try and capture that in my art assignment and I know I look like a creeper…okay I might actually be a creeper but it’s completely innocent I swear–”

Snapping the violin case shut, Tzuyu stared back up at Chaeyoung looking alarmed.

“--and I’m talking to much.”

The tall girl’s expression softened slightly, “It’s okay. I’m glad for the excuse to stop.”

“Why?” Chaeyoung’s word vomit again, “You’re really good, how come you never play at the house?”

Tzuyu shrugged, “I have a graded performance for the music teacher on Monday. I wouldn’t be here so late otherwise.”

Chaeyoung blinked in response, “You didn’t answer my question…”

Surprisingly, Tzuyu gave the smallest smile ever, “I don’t play at the house because the singers force Dahyun to help them rehearse their pieces.”

“And you know better than to get into that situation…” Chaeyoung realised, slowly sitting in the available stool opposite Tzuyu, “You might be a genius.”

Tzuyu hummed.

“Have you played for Sana before? I’m surprised she’s not here swooning.”

Chaeyoung knew she had said something wrong by the way Tzuyu’s face momentarily cracked, but didn’t correct herself. She didn’t think Tzuyu would want more attention drawn to it.

“I hate the violin.” Tzuyu confessed, deciding to divulge enough to stop Chaeyoung blabbing to the others, “I only play because my grandmother demanded.”

“Damn…that sucks.”

Tzuyu shrugged again.

“Why don’t you quit?”

The tall girl shook her head, “For the same reason I hang around with Nayeon - expectations.”

The two of them talked politely all the way back to the house. Chaeyoung getting permission from Tzuyu to make her playing the violin her art project - provided that Chaeyoung got rid of any identifying features. However, as they walked, one question hung in the air.

“Hey…did you ever get Nayeon an invite to that party?”

“Nayeon got Irene to ask Victoria for invites.”

“What did Victoria say?”

“She said: I don’t care, their whole house can come whatever.”

Sounds about right

.

*sigh* Rich girls.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Truth or Dare Part 1 (Dahyun)

Thumping bass vibrated in Dahyun’s chest as the group made their way towards the party.

You could probably hear the music from pretty much all over campus, Dahyun mused.

Nayeon had been delighted to receive the invite to Chou Victoria’s Halloween party, even if the greens had also been invited. The eldest of the house was dressed as the devil, Momo had commented that such an outfit seemed fitting and Dahyun was inclined to agree. Devil horns, tail, pitchfork and a VERY short dress that almost gave away far too much.

Having been forced to match her roommate, Mina was dressed as an angel. She seemed to have borrowed one of her white tutus for the look which vaguely reminded Dahyun of a swan. A halo adorned her head but her face was in its usual stern expression. Mina was not a partier, much like Dahyun herself. But unfortunately Im Nayeon could be incredibly persuasive. Mina hadn’t even been allowed to leave the angel wings at home, despite them catching on everything.

The duo walked ahead with Jeongyeon and Jihyo not far behind. Jeongyeon could not be bothered to arrange an actual costume and so acquired a dragon onesie. Chaeyoung had been kind enough to use makeup to give the house mother some glittery scales in order to sell the look. Jeongyeon had been uncharacteristically excited for the party, seemingly looking forward to getting drunk and not being in charge for a night.

Jihyo had run to the campus store earlier that day and got herself a witch hat. Add on a black dress and a stick she picked up from Twice House’s back garden, she was looking the part of a witch. Out of all of them Jihyo had been the best drinker, learned quickly from the first party the group attended shortly after they arrived. The singer had been far too excited for tonight and now walked along chatting animatedly to Jeongyeon.

Next came Chaeyoung and Momo. Chaeyoung, in Dahyun’s opinion, looked the coolest. She had gotten her hands on some temporary hair dye and dyed her hair green. She slicked it back and painted her face pale with hand drawn tattoos. The addition of the smiling scars put on with artistic makeup ability and she looked every part Jared Leto’s Joker. Meanwhile, Momo had gone for a Lara Croft look. Apparently she had stolen some prop guns from the costume department in the theatre building. The two of them seemed wary about attending but Dahyun was sure the only people that really cared about greenies were blue bloods.

Victoria may be a blue blood but some of her housemates weren’t.

Dahyun walked alone behind them, with Tzuyu and Sana trailing at the back. Dahyun may not like to drink or party, but she LOVED Halloween. As a child her parents hadn’t ever let her participate during the holiday due to their religious beliefs. So when she got old enough to rebel, she would sneak out in a costume and attend whatever party her classmates hosted that night. Tonight was no difference, she had gone all out on her Annabelle costume and looked, in Jeongyeon’s words, “terrifyingly awesome”.

The last two, Sana and Tzuyu, were somewhat matching. Sana was wearing some sort of sexy nurse outfit that left very little to the imagination, hidden under Tzuyu’s coat. The Japanese woman had been adamant before leaving the house that she wouldn’t get cold. Then she did get cold and Tzuyu gave up her jacket. Tzuyu, who hadn’t wanted to attend her sister’s party, was wearing what she usually wore around the house. T-Shirt, jeans, coat stolen by Sana. The only sign of costume was a single bandaid on her chin. Tzuyu had simply labelled her costume as “patient” which worked, so long as she stood near Sana.

Points for quick thinking and creative problem solving, Dahyun supposed.

As the group approached the house, Dahyun noted the sheer amount of people attending. The house was full to the point some people had spilled out over the front yard. Costumed individuals stood drinking or smoking and chatting. Manoeuvring their way through, the group got to the open front door and entered into the heat that could only come from a load of sweaty dancers. Dahyun watched in amusement as Nayeon stopped sharply in the hallway, Jeongyeon and Jihyo crashing into the back of her.

“Victoria!” She called over the music,

Looking past the eldest, Dahyun saw Chou Victoria who had been talking with a handsome upperclassman. She turned questioningly at Nayeon’s voice and raised an eyebrow in confusion. Then her eyes drifted to something past Nayeon and the elder woman rolled her eyes, walking towards them. She completely ignored Nayeon and Dahyun quickly scampered out the way as Victoria stomped towards her sister.

“Seriously?” She asked, ripping the lone bandaid off of Tzuyu’s face,

Tzuyu shrugged and Sana answered for her, “She’s my patient.”

Victoria looked back at Tzuyu who shrank a little under her gaze.

They argued briefly in what Dahyun assumed was Mandarin, then Victoria grabbed a reluctant Tzuyu’s arms and dragged her upstairs. The poor girl looked back at the others with a “save me” expression. Dahyun locked eyes with Chaeyoung and both visibly held back their laughter as the tall girl disappeared up the stairs. Nayeon huffed, seemingly irritated that Victoria hadn’t given her the time of day, then the group split off. Nayeon and Mina went towards their friends, Sana spotted someone she knew in the crowd, Jihyo and Jeongyeon headed for the drinks table - leaving Dahyun, Chaeyoung and Momo behind.

Momo gestured her head to the makeshift dance floor in the living room, both girls readily agreed and they all went to dance.

Thus the night began.

_____

It was an hour or so later when Momo, Chaeyoung and Dahyun had gone out back for some air (and in Momo’s case, for a cigarette) that a wild Jihyo appeared. Jihyo seemed sober and steady but her eyes gave it away that she had been drinking. Momo and Chaeyoung had both been nursing drinks all night but Dahyun had brought a bottle of water with her, happily sipping it through the night.

“Hey, I’ve been looking for you guys.” Jihyo told them with a grin, “We’re playing truth or dare in the basement, wanna join?”

Dahyun looked at the others, “I don’t want to play, but I’ll watch.”

Momo shrugged and flicked away her cigarette butt, “Sure.”

“Let’s do it.” Was Chaeyoung’s contribution,

Then the three of them followed Jihyo inside and down the stairs. There was a sizable group waiting for them. Nearly all members of Twice house, some of their friends, some upperclassmen etc. Dahyun went to sit on the sofa by the circle of people with Chaeyoung and Momo joining said circle by sitting in front of her. Nayeon was babbling about something drunkenly to Irene, Mina next to her seemingly staring into space with glassy eyes. Jihyo, Jeongyeon and a singing student named Park Rosé were loudly singing along to the music playing upstairs. Sana, meanwhile, was sitting with her friend Wendy and some of Wendy’s housemates, laughing with them about something whilst clinging to Wendy’s arm. Sana showed her intoxication more than anyone,

The door to the basement opened and Victoria walked in with a bottle. Followed quickly by Amber, one of her housemates, and someone who looked incredibly uncomfortable. Tzuyu awkwardly shuffled in, coming to sit next to Chaeyoung and trying in vain to pull her skirt down. Seems Victoria had not been pleased with her little sister’s lazy Halloween preparation and so had decided to dress the girl herself. Victoria wasn’t that much shorter than Tzuyu but clearly the skirt was far too short for the younger woman's long legs. Black mini skirt, black tube top and a black leather jacket. On her head were a pair of cat ears and a black nose and whiskers had been drawn on with what Dahyun hoped was eyeliner and not sharpie.

Taking pity on the younger girl, Dahyun grabbed a pillow from the couch and handed it to her.

“What happened to you!?” Chaeyoung asked, shocked,

Tzuyu simply nodded towards her sister, grumpily.

“I wondered where you had disappeared to.” Momo mused, “Thought you’d have slipped out at your first chance.”

“This was not the first outfit Victoria made me try on.” Tzuyu admitted, she shuddered, “You don’t want to know.”

“Sana seems to like it.” Chaeyoung teased,

All eyes went to drunken Sana, still clinging to Wendy’s arm but eyeing Tzuyu like a lioness waiting to pounce. Tzuyu simply sighed and looked back at the other, looking very tired.

“So what have you guys done tonight?”

“Dancing mostly.” Dahyun accepted the change of subject, “These two agreed to truth or dare and I agreed to observe.”

“Simply observe?”

Dahyun grinned evilly, “I am not drunk enough to embarrass myself so easily.”

“Neither am I, yet here I am.” Tzuyu groaned,

“You’re simply weaker than she is.” Chaeyoung added, helpfully,

There was a laugh from Momo and Dahyun as Tzuyu glared playfully at her, “Thanks for that.”

“OKAY!” Victoria shouted, getting everyone’s attention, “Spin the bottle and whoever it lands on will be asked truth or dare - you all know how that works. Don’t want to answer the truth? Drink. Don’t want to do the dare? Drink. Everyone understand?”

Murmurs of agreement.

“Good!”

She placed a glass soju bottle in the middle of the circle with a grin.

“Who’s first?”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Truth or Dare Part Two (Dahyun)

The first few rounds were pretty uneventful.

Victoria had been asked to recount her most embarrassing party story. It had involved three rubber ducks, two live ones, a packet of ramen and six Disney World employees. By the end of it Dahyun was completely lost. The turn after Minhyuk had been dared to sit in Namjoon’s lap to the laughter of the circle. The two had dramatised the performance, trying to act as if there were in a new KDrama. A few more rounds had gone by before the bottle finally landed on a member of Twice House. The bottle spun once, twice, three times and then pointed at Jeongyeon.

“Jeongyeon - Truth or Dare?” Victoria asked,

Jeongyeon thought for a moment, “I’ll stick with the truth for now.”

Whispers started around the circle as the group tried to think up a good question. It was Jungkook, another acting student, whom spoke up.

“Your the house mother for Twice House, right?”

“That’s a lame question.” A drunken Sana chided unsteadily,

The group laughed a little and Jeongyeon rolled her eyes, “Yes I am.”

“What’s something you’ve done when nobody else was home that you would hate to admit?”

Almost instantly Jeongyeon took a drink of the beer in her hand and a series of “oooohs” echoed around the circle. Jihyo immediately swatted Jeongyeon’s arm in shock.

“What did you do!?” She shouted, loud voice going up several decibels,

“I drunk,” Jeongyeon countered, “Therefore I do not have to tell you.”

“Even me?” Jihyo asked batting her eyelids,

Dahyun exchanged a look with Chaeyoung, Jihyo was DEFINITELY drunker than she looked.

“Even you.” Jeongyeon confirmed, sticking her tongue out,

Nayeon booed and Sana whined but rather than cave to their complaints, Jeongyeon reached out and spun the bottle again. It went round a few times before settling on Mina. Mina clearly hadn’t been listening and so they had to call her name a couple times before she blinked back into life. She leant heavily on Nayeon’s shoulder and Dahyun wondered whether Mina would be better off going home soon.

“Truth or Dare?” Jeongyeon asked, keen to get the eyes off herself,

“Hmm…” Mina’s voice sounded far away, “Truth.”

There was a small expression of disappointment when the group heard there would be another truth. Dahyun didn’t comment though and, surprisingly, Nayeon glared at anyone complaining. Clearly Nayeon had also recognised Mina didn’t need to do a dare right now.

“I have one!” Sana cheered gleefully, “Have you ever hooked up in dance studio B?”

Now this requires context. Dance Studio B was on the second floor of the dance studio and it contained the dance costume cupboard. That cupboard was the one spot outside of the Houses that didn’t have CCTV, therefore it had become a well known hook-up spot. Mina, being a gold, would never have much reason to go into studio B which was mainly used by white badge students. However, no matter the badge - if you couldn’t hook up at the house, you went to studio b.

Mina thought for a second and shook her head, “No, never.”

A disappointed sound echoed round the circle but nobody pushed. Lazily, Mina slumped forward towards the bottle and gave it a short spin. It went around once before landing on Amber and the questions/dares continued. It was only five minutes later that the bottle once again picked someone from Twice House, this time it was Jihyo.

“I’ll do a dare! I’m not a wimp!”

A cheer sounded and Jihyo grinned teasingly at Jeongyeon. Jeongyeon, for her part, grinned back and loudly shouted out a dare, “I dare you to sit on Nayeon’s lap.”

“WHAT!”

“NO FUCKING WAY!”

Two voices sounded out at the same time.

Jeongyeon looked evilly between them, eyes settling on zero, “Go on then, you’re not a wimp right?”

Jihyo glared daggers at her. Chanting of “do it!” came from everyone else and Jihyo, never one to
back down, stood up shakily. She took a swig of her drink, for courage and not for surrender, then crossed the circle to where Nayeon sat and plopped herself down. Nayeon squealed in anger and everyone burst into hysterical laughter as Jihyo was shoved off. It was agreed that counted and a smug Jihyo went back to where she was sitting.

“I feel violated…” Nayeon muttered,

“How do you think I feel?” Jihyo griped back,

Mina, who had been knocked from Nayeon’s shoulder in the scuffle, spoke up, “I got elbowed in the fash..I was violatittted.”

The game went on. Momo was dared to let Chaeyoung write something on her forehead in sharpie, which everyone then decided not to read aloud to the dancer. Chaeyoung in turn was asked to read out her last google search (“Naked women” - for an art piece! She swears!). Then Rosé span the bottle after being dared to down a mix of everyone else’s drinks that had been poured into a cup. It went round and round, until it finally landed on Wendy.

Dahyun, at this point, was actually scrolling through her phone - a little bored. Whilst watching her housemates embarrassing themselves was amusing, everyone was at a point now of being way too incoherently drunk. Given Dahyun was nowhere near her level, she instead checked out for a while. However, when the bottle landed on Wendy, the girl shouted “DARE!” far too loudly and Dahyun looked up.

It was Joy who gave her the dare, a knowing smile on her face, “I dare you to kiss whoever you find most attractive in this circle.”

“Ooohs” sounded again and Wendy turned pink. All the boys in the circle straightened up, each silently hoping to be the one deemed most attractive. But instead, Wendy pretended to think and then turned to her left - kissing Sana on the lips. Sana giggled drunkenly and kissed back, egged on by cheers and squeals of excitement. Dahyun saw Chaeyoung turn to look at Tzuyu and the youngest sighed, handing the pillow back to Dahyun and standing up. She left the room and Chaeyoung looked back at Dahyun worriedly. As they and Momo, who was more along for the ride than anything else, stood to go after her, Dahyun noticed someone else wasn’t watching the display.

Victoria was staring at the door Tzuyu had just walked out of, a peculiar expression on her face.

____

Tzuyu was in the back yard when they found her, she was sat on a bench at the very back of the garden. It was nearly hidden behind some bushes and even the music seemed to barely reach back here. She was nursing a bottle of soju when they got to her. Chaeyoung and Dahyun sitting either side of the violinist and Momo standing a little in front, lighting a cigarette.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.” Was Tzuyu’s short reply, “Why wouldn’t I be?”

The swig of soju she took made it clear she was indeed not okay.

“Well…” Chaeyoung began tentatively, “Aren’t you and Sana…y’know…”

“Fucking.” Momo added bluntly,

Dahyun turned and sent her a stern look, “Together.”

Tzuyu snorted, “Yes to fucking, no to together. She’s single, I’m single and she can kiss whoever she likes.”

Chaeyoung played with her hands trying to think of something to say and Dahyun was in a similar boat. What on earth could they say to that!?

“Can I have one?” Tzuyu asked, pointing to the cigarette between Momo’s fingers,

Momo raised an eyebrow, “You smoke?”

Tzuyu shrugged, “I used to steal them from Victoria’s purse when we were younger. Stopped when my brother caught me and threatened to tell our father.”

“What a snitch…” Momo muttered, fishing her jacket for the cigarette pack and holding it out to the younger,

“Momo!” Dahyun chided,

“What?” Momo shrugged, “She’s an adult, it’s her decision.”

“Smoking kills y’know.” Was Chaeyoung’s teasing contribution,

Tzuyu took a puff and breathed smoke into the air, “It does indeed.”

Dahyun sensed the change in subject would be good for Tzuyu and so said nothing more about it. Still, she couldn’t help but give her friends a displeased look.

“I’ve never smoked a cigarette,” Chaeyoung mused, “Smoked weed though.”

“Oh God,” Momo laughed, “Can you imagine getting caught with a joint here!?”

“The scandal!” Chaeyoung wailed, laying her arm over her eyes dramatically,

“The outrage!” Momo agreed,

Dahyun couldn’t help but laugh at them along with Tzuyu. The tension easing into an easier mood.

“I’ve never done any of that.” Dahyun confessed,

“Any of what?” Chaeyoung asked,

“Any of…well anything.” Dahyun shrugged, “Never smoked weed or tobacco or gotten too drunk. Never…f-fucked.”

Her voice trailed off at the end as her ears went pink, suddenly she felt very self conscious.

Momo hummed, “Nothing wrong with any of that. I never really liked weed myself.”

“Yeah, I’ve never smoked weed or been drunk either. Sana is the only person I’ve been with and we didn’t meet until after I got here.” Tzuyu commented,

“No shame in doing or not doing anything,” Chaeyoung added, “Everyone has different experiences and lives. Some people want to try those things, others want to wait a while and a few never do them at all. There’s no shame in any of it.”

Dahyun smiled a little nervous smile at them, feeling a little better that she hadn’t been met with judgement.

“One thing you should know though,” Momo stated, “Is that this party is crap.”

“Agreed.” Chaeyoung grinned, “But the best part of a night out is the takeaway you get on the way home.”

Tzuyu checked her watch, “The burger place on campus closes at 2am on weekends, we’d probably get there in time. My treat?”

“I never say no to free food.” Was Momo’s reply,

Then Tzuyu stood and looked down at her outfit nervously. It really was risque. Dahyun would call herself a bit more conservative than her friend but it was clear the violinist was uncomfortable. Chaeyoung shrugged off her long jacket and handed it to Tzuyu. Despite their height difference it allowed Tzuyu a bit more cover. Dahyun’s heart warmed at the action. Chaeyoung could be very sweet when she wanted to be. Dahyun often hung out with Nayeon or Jeongyeon simply out of convenience. She’d never spoken much to the trio she was currently leaving the party with, at least not on a deep level.

Maybe it would be worth getting to know them more?

Momo was clearly a lot softer than one would think first meeting her.

Tzuyu was clearly more fragile than Dahyun thought.

And Chaeyoung…

…well there was just something about Chaeyoung.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Winner (Nayeon)

Monday morning, Nayeon’s alarm went off early.

She all but jumped out of bed when she woke, ready to get to her classes this morning. Today was the day the soloists were announced and Nayeon was positive she had it in the bag. Her only real competition had been Jihyo but, as Nayeon had heard her practising, Nayeon knew she was a million times better than the younger woman. In fact, Nayeon was so confident, she sung her audition song in the shower - hoping everyone in the house would awaken to her beautiful voice. Jeongyeon could bang on the bathroom door all she liked, she loved it really.

Once showered, Nayeon returned to her room to get dressed. Mina seemed to have gotten up by this time as she wasn’t in the hangover cocoon she had spent all of Sunday in. They had all been quite wrecked the morning after the party. Things got super hazy after truth or dare but Nayeon vaguely remembered dancing most of the night with some upperclassman boys. Somehow everyone made it home okay. Apparently the greenies, Dahyun and Tzuyu had gone home sometime before the rest of them. They’d gotten food and all passed out in Momo and Chaeyoung’s room.

The four of them were the only ones able to get up on Sunday without wanting to vomit and rather than rescue the hungover household, they disappeared to the campus movie theatre all day. Jeongyeon had diligently cooked for them all in the evening, but Nayeon still thinks the greenies should have made themselves useful. Eitherway, today the sun shone brighter (and didn’t hurt her eyes) and the birds sang louder. Nayeon’s energy was at an all time high as she skipped downstairs to the kitchen. Quickly making some toast and cutting up half an avocado, Nayeon made her way to where most of the house were sat.

“Good morning.” She chirped,

Jihyo rolled her eyes but Nayeon decided she’d offer the poor girl some grace.

“You’re chipper this morning.” Jeongyeon stated, pouring some coffee into Chaeyoung’s mug,

“Why wouldn’t I be!?” Nayeon answered happily, “It’s a beautiful Monday morning!”

Momo leaned over to the house mother, “She’s scaring me.”

“Me too.”

“Maybe she’s been pod-peopled.” Chaeyoung whispered to them, eager to join in the joke,

Dahyun giggled and Nayeon flicked some avocado at the group.

“Oh!” Sana suddenly shouted, dots connecting,

Mina winced, somehow still reeling from her hangover, “Shh…not so loud.”

“Sorry,” Sana blushed before looking back to Nayeon, “You and Jihyo find out about the soloist parts today, don’t you?”

“That’s right!” Nayeon grinned, “Today I find out how many solos I’ll be preparing for this year.”

“Or me.” Jihyo snipped, “Or Irene…a lot of us went for solos too.”

Nayeon snorted, “Only two soloists get chosen every year - you’d know that if you were a legacy.”

“Know what?” Another voice sounded,

Tzuyu turned to look at the table after getting to the bottom of the stairs. Her bag was on and she had stopped to put on her shoes when Nayeon had caught her attention. Nayeon smiled widely at her, Tzuyu would understand - even though the younger girl often pretended not to.

“That Bis Optimus only choose two singing students to have choir solos.”

Tzuyu hummed non-commitely, “Well two main soloists at least.”

“Not the point.” Nayeon dismissed her with a wave, “Point is: getting named best of the best. Which I am.”

Tzuyu finished tying her shoe and said no more.

“Tzuyu? Are you not having breakfast?” Sana asked, voice significantly softer than it had been before,

Nayeon saw Tzuyu barely look at Sana before replying, “I’m not hungry.”

Then Chaeyoung stood, drawing all eyes to her, “If you’re heading to the music block, Tzu, I’ll walk with you - I need to go to the store for some paints.”

Tzuyu looked at her and nodded. The youngest two quickly rushed out, eager to get Chaeyoung to the store before her class started. Everyone else quickly went back to whatever meaningless thing they’d been talking about before Nayeon came downstairs. Except Sana, who was staring at the front door still. Unable to help herself Nayeon reached out her foot to kick the other girl’s shin, gaining her attention.

“Trouble in paradise?” Nayeon teased,

Sana shook her head, seemingly to clear whatever fog it had created, “You really think you’ll get the soloist spot then?”

“One of them, guaranteed.” Nayeon accepted the change in conversation,

“She was singing in her sleep at one point.” Mina grouched, “So you certainly prepared enough.”

“Not that I needed it.” Nayeon grinned,

Deliberately ignoring the look Jihyo was sending her.

_____

She met with Irene and Jennie outside the music building.

The three of them were buzzing with excitement as they swiped their cards to enter the building. A crowd had already formed around the noticeboard where the choir solos would be announced. There were two positions, first chair and second chair. First would get the majority of the solos, second would get less and there would be a few others throughout the year people could be chosen for. Nayeon knew her legacy status would get her a solo, her talent would make her first. Irene would more than likely be second but given she too was a legacy, Nayeon would tolerate losing first to her.

The crowd parted for them, as it should, allowing the trio to go straight to the board. Nayeon looked at the list excitedly…

First Chair - Bae Irene

Irene!? Okay…okay, that wasn’t too bad. Irene was her friend after all and they needed two legacies soloing to ensure funding continued. She grinned happily at her celebrating friend before turning to see the name (hers) beside second chair. And there it was, in black and white:

Second Chair - Park Jihyo

…what?

WHAT!?

Nayeon blinked and out of the corner of her eye saw a figure come to stand beside her. Turning, Nayeon was met with the smug face of one Park Jihyo. Jihyo shrugged innocently at her, as though it was MEANT to have happened. That it wasn’t some typo or a sick joke by their music teacher. Nayeon’s heart hammered in her chest and blood rushed in her ears. Suddenly the crowd around her was far too much, too overstimulating. So she turned and bolted back the way she had come. Ignoring Jennie and Irene calling after her.

Out the doors, down the path, shoving past other students as she sprinted back to Twice House. Her eyes stung but she refused to cry, she was better than that. How could Jihyo have gotten second chair over her!? Nayeon was a legacy! A talented legacy! Her mother had been first chair. Second chair would have been embarrassing sure, but no chair?! Relegated to some sort of normie, vying for the slightest sense of recognition. This was a mistake it had to be. No way in HELL was Park Jihyo better than her. As Nayeon burst into her bedroom she crumpled on to her bed, grateful that no one else was home.

Phone in hand she dialled her mother’s number, letting her know the results as promised. Dreading what her mother would think after she listened to the crying voicemail Nayeon left.

Nayeon was nearly hysterical and with a scream she picked up a pillow and flung it towards the window…not realising Mina had left it open this morning. The pillow flew out and after a second someone let out a cry of shock from downstairs.

“WHAT THE FUCK!?”

Nayeon momentarily forgot her fury and ran to the window, looking down to see a confused Momo holding her pillow in one hand and a cigarette in another. Nayeon wanted to say something snarky about a greenie holding something of hers. But she was too tired to care.

“Nayeon?”

“Didn’t know the window was open.” Was all Nayeon said,

Momo stared at her a moment, “Are you okay? You look red.”

“Do you even care?” Nayeon snapped viciously,

“Woah, chill out–”

“Y’know what?” Nayeon growled, “Keep the pillow, it probably smells like smoke and poverty now.”

As she slammed the window, Nayeon heard Momo swear at her and the pillow flew up to hit the now closed window. Collapsing back on her bed, Nayeon glared at the ceiling.

Stupid pillow…

Stupid Momo…

Stupid Park fucking Jihyo.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Yoo Jeongyeon’s Day Off

Jeongyeon loved Wednesdays.

Her acting teacher was actively a recurring character in a KDrama and so would leave campus to film on Wednesday and Thursday each week. Whilst Jeongyeon had her minor architecture classes on Thursday afternoons, Wednesday was a day of blissful nothingness. Or at least it would be, had Jeongyeon not been Twice’s House Mother. Sure, the gig came with her own room and a little money off the accommodation cost per year - but as they were one of the bigger houses that meant bigger fires needed putting out. Luckily, Jeongyeon had always found cleaning relaxing. The repetitiveness of the tasks allowed her to let her mind wander.

Which was her job today. It had been a week since her last deep clean of the house and given the eight other girls that lived in the building, it was a mess already. So bright and early that Wednesday morning, she rolled out of bed to begin her day. A shower, a quick teeth brushing, comfy clothes on and she was on her way down to breakfast. The others were all present, Dahyun having been in a waffles mood having cooked for the house. Jeongyeon patted her head as she passed the pianists chair, Dahyun was a good kid.

It was a little quieter than usual.

Jeongyeon had noticed it had been almost silent in the house recently, very different from the previous bickering or music accompaniment that usually filled the halls. Sana, normally very bubbly and chatty with everyone, had been more subdued. Only speaking when spoken to now. Everyone in the house knew she and Tzuyu were fighting but nobody knew why. Jeongyeon had noticed that after Victoria’s party, Tzuyu hadn’t been sleeping in her own bedroom. Instead she had set up a little nest on Chaeyoung and Momo’s floor.

Nearly scared the crap out of Jeongyeon one morning when she walked in to collect laundry and stepped on the innocent legacy napping on the floor. Surely, her own bed would be more comfortable but clearly Tzuyu was avoiding her roommate right now.

The other usually loud housemate has also been oddly quiet lately. Nayeon had lost her soloist position to Jihyo and clearly the elder was still sulking. Served her right, in Jeongyeon’s opinion, some of the legacies needed bumping down a peg or two. Jihyo wasn’t exactly a good winner though, in Nayeon’s defence. She rubbed it in every chance she had which only created more tension. The house overall was just…awkward. Very, very awkward. As Dahyun, Chaeyoung and surprisingly Mina tried to keep up a conversation it wasn’t enough to hide the multiple elephants in the room.

Then she spotted it.

In the living room, on the carpet - nibbling on the corner of it.

Now, for some context, Jeongyeon had a nemesis of her own in the house. It started the week they all moved in. Sana had become convinced the house was haunted after hearing scratching in the walls, that was the first sign. The next was when food kept disappearing from the pantry. Then finally, Jeongyeon caught the little bastard rummaging through the bin in her bedroom.

The mysterious ghost?

A raccoon. The girls had named him Herbert.

“He’s back.” Jeongyeon muttered leaning closer to Jihyo, eyes not leaving the tiny bandit,

“Huh?”

“He’s. Back.” Jeongyeon repeated, much slower this time,

Jihyo followed her eyeline and watched for a second as Herbert choked on a bit of carpet fluff.

“Jeongyeon,” Jihyo began carefully, “Don’t do this again…”

“Do what!?” Jeongyeon asked spinning to her friend, eyes manic,

Jihyo shifted away from her slightly, “Destroy the house trying to catch him. Last time Nayeon ended up in one of your traps and as funny as it was to see her dangling by her feet - she nearly scratched your eyes out when you got her down.”

“What’s going on?” Chaeyoung asked,

“Herbert.” Jihyo replied so the table could hear,

All eyes flicked towards the uninvited guest, then back to Jeongyeon who glared at him. Her eye beginning to twitch.

It was Momo that moved first, hastily grabbing her bag and making for the door, “Save yourselves!”

Then they all scattered, leaving Jeongyeon and Herbert alone.

Let the better mammal win.

_____

Jeongyeon didn’t know how long she had been suspended in this net but she’d have doubled her time so long as she didn’t need to feel this level of embarrassment.

Once everyone else had escaped, Jeongyeon had gone for the little shit - chasing him from the living room and up the stairs. Unfortunately, in the clutter of Sana’s bedroom Jeongyeon had lost sight of him. So she decided to set some traps, one in every room in the house. In the living room, where she currently was trapped, she had rigged up a net trap (don’t ask where she found a fishing net on campus) to capture anything that walked on top of it. Then she sprinkled some crackers on it, Herberts favourite and waited.

After a while she heard a noise coming from behind the sofa where she lay in wait. Peaking her head over the back of the sofa she watched Herbert on the net, nibbling the crackers. The trap hadn’t triggered, but Herbert also hadn’t seen her. So, taking her chance, Jeongyeon carefully manuevered over the back of the sofa and made a grab for the raccoon.

Only, in true looney tunes fashion, Herbert scurried away quickly and the moment Jeongyeon landed in the net it tightened and pulled her into the air. To add insult to injury, Herbert came back over to eat the rest of the crackers and then left through the open back door. Leaving Jeongyeon alone in the house. Trapped in a net.

Which is exactly how Jihyo and Sana found her. Both doubling in laughter at the sight.

“Would you two shut up and cut me down.”

“Just–Just let me take a picture.” Sana got out between laughs as she snapped some photos on the camera around her neck,

“Please send me those.” Jihyo cackled,

“Yes, yes.” Jeongyeon snapped, “This is hilarious now GET ME DOWN!”

Sana came to lean on the sofa whilst Jihyo went into the kitchen for something sharp.

“How did this even happen?” Sana asked, checking over the photos,

Jeongyeon merely grumbled out, “Stupid fucking raccoon.”

She then let out a scream as Jihyo returned unnoticed and cut the rope holding her up.

Herbert 1 - Jeongyeon 0

Picking herself up and brushing herself off, Jeongyeon watched Sana carefully. She had suddenly gone quiet again whilst flicking through the pictures on her camera.

“Sana, why are you and Tzuyu fighting?” Jeongyeon asked finally, eager to get the conversation off of herself,

Sana paused and looked up, “What makes you think that?”

Jihyo snorted, “The fact that she’s sleeping on Chaeyoung and Momo’s floor.”

Jeongyeon sent Jihyo a stern look, “Plus,” She looked gently back to Sana, “You’ve been…quiet.”

Sana sighed, “We’re not fighting, but she is avoiding me. Which is stupid because she has no right to be mad at me.”

Something clicked in Jeongyeon’s brain, “Because you and Wendy kissed?”

“I love Tzuyu.” Sana said plainly, “But I know she’ll never say it back, not out loud. If I act out now and then usually she’ll prove to me that I’m not making this all up in my head. That she does actually feel the same way. This is the first time she hasn’t addressed the issue with me.”

Jeongyeon placed her hands on Sana's shoulders and smiled at her kindly, “Just talk to Tzuyu. If she’s shutting herself away it’s probably because she’s hurt and doesn’t know how to move on.”

“I know. I’m just scared of what she’ll say.”

Not knowing what else she could offer, Jeongyeon pulled Sana into a hug. Ignoring the camera now digging into her chest. When Sana hugged back it made Jeongyeon smile, happy to know that she had helped. Happy that she could be relied on, that the girls respected her enough to listen to her advice.

“Sooo how did you end up in the net exactly?” Jihyo asked after a moment,

Sana began to giggle again and Jeongyeon groaned.

Yep, they definitely respect me.