Chapter Text
Shuhua’s first night in New York was busy with moving into her new loft, and despite how exhausted she felt with the jet lag and time difference, Shuhua still managed to settle in before midnight. Her older cousin, Yuqi, was no help, complaining the whole time, telling Shuhua she should just hire a crew to do this for her because she was rich enough to do so.
“We could’ve saved hours, Shu. I could’ve taken you to your first college party instead.” Yuqi grumbled from her spot on the floor, chest heaving dramatically as if she had carried boxes up the stairs, instead of using the elevator like they actually did.
Shuhua groaned, moving to lay next to her cousin on the floor. “I would have been too jet lagged to go to a party, Yuqi.” She chuckled when Yuqi let out a whine, turning onto her side to cuddle up to the older girl.
“Thank you for being here with me.” Shuhua genuinely said, a content smile on her face.
Yuqi was the only family Shuhua felt close to. Shuhua was an only child, which she was very relieved about, knowing no one else had to grow up lonely and suffer the neglect her parents had put her through all her life. She did grow up very fortunate though, being born into one of the richest families in all of East Asia, but Shuhua didn’t really care about all that. If she could, Shuhua would have traded her grand life for a normal one, if it meant having her parents give her love and actually be present in her life.
Yuqi smiled, eyes empathetic for her cousin. She knew how Shuhua grew up, and Yuqi would be forever angry at her aunt and uncle for taking away so much of Shuhua’s childhood, and for being the cause of all Shuhua’s pain. Yuqi’s mom is sisters with Shuhua’s mother, but the two siblings were completely different from each other. Shuhua’s mother was cold and distant, focusing on her career that seemed to be more important than anything else, even her own child. Yuqi’s mother had all the maternal instincts that a mother should have, and for that, Shuhua was thankful that she had an aunt and uncle that looked at her like she was their own.
When Yuqi told her that she was going to study abroad for college, Shuhua knew she wanted to do the same. She spent all of last year listening to Yuqi’s freshman experience at NYU, while Shuhua suffered one more year of loneliness in Taiwan, awaiting her graduation day. When Shuhua told her parents that she wanted to go to New York for college, it didn’t take much persuasion. They even encouraged it, telling her it was good on their family image that she was able to attend such a prestigious university in the states. Shuhua, of course, was not expecting any genuine praises from her parents. She stopped hoping for any sort of attention or love from her parents when she was old enough to understand what kind of people her parents were. Shuhua was just happy that she was a step closer to leaving, wanting to start living a life for herself.
“It’s just you and me now, kid. Living the life in the city.” Yuqi placed a comforting kiss onto Shuhua’s forehead, cradling the younger girl’s head on her chest.
“I’m kind of scared. All those college stories you told me about over the phone did not sound…. well, legal.” Shuhua said, grimacing at the many disturbing college tales of Song Yuqi’s freshman year at NYU.
“This is America, Shu. The line between legal and illegal, are very very thin.” Yuqi tapped Shuhua on the shoulder, sitting up to stretch her aching limbs from all the lugging and carrying. “It really worries me that you say that.” Shuhua deadpanned, shaking her head at her older cousin.
Yuqi ignored Shuhua’s comment, grinning at the younger girl with pride. “You’ll see, Shu. The city either changes you or helps you find yourself.”
Shuhua rolled her eyes, “I know myself.”
Yuqi shrugged, “we’ll continue this conversation in a month, and till then, I will be practicing the best way to say “I told you so” because, well, I’m always right.” Shuhua scoffed, nonetheless biting back a smile. Having Yuqi beside her, it started to feel like she wasn’t alone anymore, knowing that this was going to be their life now. In the city, together, doing whatever crazy things they wanted to do.
_
Shuhua held the paper to her face, reading the building name and room number of her first class over and over again till she had it memorized, before folding her schedule back into her backpack. The campus was huge, being in the middle of the city, it was also very busy.
“U-Uh.. excuse me, can—,” Shuhua stepped back, as people ignored her and zoomed past her, mouth gaping at how rude people could be.
She huffed, blowing her disheveled hair out of her face. Her first day of college would have been easier if Yuqi stuck to her words and showed her around campus like she promised, but apparently Yuqi had drank too much last night and was suffering from a bad hangover in her bed.
“Need help?” A blonde girl approached her with a friendly grin. Shuhua turned toward the voice, and smiled shyly. “Y-Yes. I’m a bit lost, actually.”
Shuhua averted her eyes towards the raven haired girl next to the blonde. She looked intimidating, eyes piercing, and arms crossed. Shuhua blinked her gaze away, focusing back onto the nice blonde girl who seemed willing to point her into the right direction of her Psychology class.
“It’s only normal for a freshman to get a bit panicky and lost on the first day. It’s part of the whole college experience.” The blonde girl laughed, her eyes smiling at Shuhua. The raven haired girl showed no emotion, just tilting her head at Shuhua, eyes raking up and down her body, as if forming an assumption in her head that she was going to keep for herself.
“I’m Minnie, by the way. This is Soojin.” Minnie pointed to herself, then to the girl next to her, who only nodded her head towards Shuhua to acknowledge her. Shuhua smiled, awkwardly shifting in her spot at how intense Soojin’s gaze burned her skin. “I-I’m Shuhua.”
“Nice to meet you!” Minnie outstretched her arm, initiating a handshake, to which Shuhua responded like it was an instinct with how much hands she had to shake within her many forced attendances in her parents business events.
“We’re in our third year, so we know this campus pretty well. Maybe we can help you find your classes.” Minnie offered, and Shuhua let out a sigh of relief, “oh, that would be amazing. I’m trying to find the Psychology building.” She took her schedule out of her backpack, unfolding it to show the blonde girl.
“Ah, right, the psychology building could be tricky to find. It’s hidden behind the library, so it’s easy to miss.” Minnie turned her body to the right, pointing towards the path that Shuhua should head towards to get to her destination. “If you go straight that way, then turn left, you’ll pass the health building, right? Then you just keep walking past it—,” Minnie turned to look at Shuhua who already looked even more lost with her directions, and immediately stopped talking, chuckling at how cute Shuhua looked.
“You know what, it’s too much to remember. I have class in ten minutes, but Soojin is free till 3, and I’m sure she has no problem walking you to class. Right, Soojin?” Minnie turned towards her friend with an expectant look. Soojin raised a brow, then looked at Shuhua who fiddled awkwardly with her fingers.
“I have shit to do.” Soojin responded.
“Seo Soojin. Be nice.” Minnie gritted between her teeth, giving the younger girl a warning look. Soojin rolled her eyes, trying to be subtle, but it wasn’t hard to miss when Shuhua kept shifting her eyes from Soojin to the ground every second that had gone by.
“I— no, that’s okay. I can just—,” Shuhua scratched her head, but Minnie seemed adamant with trying to help her out, “no, no. Soojin will walk you. Right, Soojin?” Minnie raised her eyebrows at the younger girl, trying to communicate and persuade Soojin with her eyes.
“Fine.” Soojin said, a bored look on her face. Even though Shuhua was grateful that she’ll finally be able to find her first class of the day, she was a little hopeful that Minnie would have just let her go on about her poor sense of direction and find it herself. It was clear that Soojin wasn’t as friendly as Minnie was, and it only made Shuhua feel like a burden, seeing that Soojin hated the idea of taking a few minutes out of her day to show Shuhua where her class was.
“Here. Why don’t I give you my number just in case you get lost again.” Minnie grabbed a sharpie out of her backpack, taking Shuhua’s hand and scribbling her number on her palm. “Don’t get the wrong idea, kid. She has a girlfriend.” Soojin scoffed, shaking her head.
Minnie snapped her head towards Soojin, eyes glaring. “Soojin! Oh my god, I’m so sorry about her, Shuhua.”
Shuhua shook her head, offering an understanding smile. “It’s okay. Your girlfriend is just looking out for you. I totally under—,” Minnie quickly cut her off abruptly, waving her hands in front of her in defense. “Oh no, no. Soojin is not my girlfriend. Never. Ew. She’s like a sister to me. And besides, Soojin is very incapable of being in a relationship anyway, because she’d rather sleep around, but that’s not a conversation she’s ready to have.” Minnie shook her head at her friend, to which Soojin rolled her eyes at.
“I’d really appreciate it if you don’t tell stranger’s about my sex life.” Soojin said, her eyes piercing into Shuhua’s uncomfortable gaze for a split second, before glaring at her friend. Shuhua felt like she wasn’t supposed to be hearing certain things and looked away respectfully.
“Okay, Shuhua, well I have to go to class. I’ll see you around, okay?” Minnie smiled one last time, touching her shoulder in a comforting manner, before walking the opposite direction.
Shuhua stood there, fiddling with her fingers, as she waited for something to happen. She realized how much Soojin liked to stare, and she wasn’t worried about being perceived weird for doing so. Well, Shuhua didn’t think of her as weird, not when Soojin’s eyes were so piercing, it just made Shuhua feel hot and bothered.
“This way.” Soojin sighed, her expression unchanging, as she started to walk the direction Minnie had pointed to earlier. Scurrying on her feet, Shuhua caught up to walk with Soojin side by side.
“U-Uh.. thanks for w-walking me…” Shuhua shyly said, feeling very intimidated.
“Don’t feel flattered. If you couldn’t tell, I’m being forced to do this.” Soojin muttered, making Shuhua frown. Soojin’s aura was cold and blunt, a vast contrast from Shuhua’s character.
“You know, you’re very rude.” Shuhua said, trying to be blunt like Soojin had been this whole time. Soojin abruptly stopped in her tracks, causing Shuhua to stop as well. She faltered when her eyes met Soojin’s sharp gaze, probing into Shuhua’s soul.
Soojin slowly stepped closer, bursting Shuhua’s personal bubble, a smirk on her lips. Shuhua slightly leaned her head back when Soojin’s face was getting a little too close for comfort. “And you’re quite annoying.” Soojin retorted impassively.
Shuhua gaped, eyes following the taller girl’s figure as she continued walking towards the direction they were heading. “The audacity she has… I’d rather be lost then escorted by someone so rude.” Shuhua muttered under her breath, crossing her arms and stomping to follow behind Soojin.
It didn’t take long till they arrived in front of the Psychology building. Shuhua looked at it with awe, eyes shining with wonderment. “Are you a psychology major?” Soojin questioned, eyes staring at Shuhua who seemed to be admiring the building with great reverence.
Shuhua snapped out of her trance, turning her head to Soojin, and she wondered why she was still standing next to her. Shuhua would have expected Soojin to have left the second she had fulfilled what Minnie had asked her to do.
“Y-Yeah… Yes, I am. I’m actually double majoring in Social Work and Psychology.” Shuhua stuttered, clearing her throat to regain herself.
Soojin hummed, scanning her up and down again, and Shuhua shifted uncomfortably in her spot yet again. “Again, thanks for walking me here. I know you could’ve been doing other things.” Shuhua genuinely said, despite Soojin’s recent behavior that proved that Shuhua did not owe Soojin her respect.
Soojin shrugged, “yeah, whatever. Try not to get lost again, kid.”
_
So far, Shuhua has made one friend, and she thinks that's pretty good for the first day of classes. Shuhua wasn’t too much of a social butterfly, though she should be, since she’s met and shook hands with many people in her life, due to her status back home, but that’s different. Most of them were adults, and if she had to meet peers her age, none of them interested Shuhua enough to form a friendship. A lot of the peers she’s met were at her parents business events, and they were all stuck up and snobbish.
She was quite the loner at school as well. Shuhua graduated from a private school for the rich, and a lot of them were also very uptight and spoiled, so meeting Jeno in her Psychology 101 class was a new experience. He was intelligent, friendly, and made Shuhua laugh in the first five minutes of their meeting.
“So you’re a dance major? What do you plan on doing with that?” Shuhua asked, sitting in front of Jeno, as they sat down for a cup of coffee at a Starbucks on campus.
Jeno shrugged, “I don’t know, I just like to dance.”
Shuhua chuckled, “you’re very simple minded. Don’t you worry about the future?”
Jeno hummed, “it’s not ideal, right? That’s why I’m planning on declaring a double major next semester. Probably business? It’s easier compared to Psychology. I just want to dance, if I’m being honest, but of course my parents don’t feel assured about it.”
Shuhua clapped her hands quietly, “psychology rocks.”
Jeno gave her a look, “that’s the dorkiest thing I’ve ever heard anyone say.”
Shuhua ducked her head shyly, hiding behind her Starbucks drink as she sipped it slowly. Jeno chuckled, quite enjoying Shuhua’s company.
“What do you want to do with psychology?” Jeno questioned, breaking a piece out of his croissant and throwing it up in the air and catching it with his mouth, a proud fist to the air once it landed in his mouth. Shuhua watched, and chuckled at Jeno’s boyish behavior.
“Well, psychology is just really interesting to learn about. The brain and people, you know, but social work is really what I’m passionate about…. I-I want to be a child and family social worker…” Shuhua said, a proud smile on her face. She knew she always wanted to work towards giving the less privileged a better life, realizing how she grew up. Shuhua wanted to make sure that children out there grow up with a lot of love, and support from a family that would nurture them. Shuhua didn’t want children to grow up lonely like she had.
Jeno returned her smile, a soft look in his eyes, “that sounds amazing, Shuhua.”
“It really sounds like you’re passionate about it. I know the salary for social workers isn't that large.” Jeno pointed out, and Shuhua knew, but he doesn’t know that Shuhua’s background where money wasn’t something she needed to worry about.
“I don’t care about the money.” Shuhua shrugged.
Jeno smiled, “you’re a good person, Shuhua. I’m glad I sat next to you.”
Shuhua beamed, “I’m glad you sat next to me too! You’re the only person that’s been nice to me so far. Some people can be really rude here.” Her mind drifted to Soojin, her remarks echoing in her brain, making Shuhua roll her eyes. She ignored the way Soojin’s piercing gaze still burned her skin at just the thought of the older girl.
“New York is wonderful, isn’t it? It’s definitely a different scene from California, where I’m from.” Jeno sighed, and his eyes drifted over the beauty that is New York, that surrounded them from where they sat in the middle of campus.
Shuhua smiled, doing the same. She couldn’t believe that she was actually here, and not in Taiwan. She’s never felt so content, and never had she thought that conversing with someone could be this fun and interesting, since it’s not about money or business, or any of that sort. Just about life and other random mindless topics.
“Yeah, I can’t believe that I’m actually he—,” Shuhua’s words abruptly stopped, her eyes connecting to the same piercing brown eyes etched in the back of her brain. Soojin sat a few tables away, lips connected with a girl on her lap, eyes intensely gazing into Shuhua’s brown orbs. Shuhua’s mouth dropped slightly, ears closed off to Jeno’s call for attention.
“Shuhua? Are you okay?” Jeno waved his hand in front of her face. Shuhua blinked, breaking her gaze away from Soojin’s, not missing the way the older girl had sent a smirk her way.
“U-Uh.. yeah, I just—, do you wanna walk around campus? We can look for our other classes, so we don’t get lost again.” Shuhua suggested, gulping and refraining from diverting her gaze towards a scene she’s not supposed to be watching. Shuhua wonders what kind of person in their right mind would be sucking faces in public? Maybe Taiwan was a bit more conservative than the states were, but that was not the point. Shuhua shouldn’t feel so bothered, but she was.
“You mean, so you don’t get lost again.” Jeno laughed, standing up to gather the trash on their table, “my sense of direction is pretty great.”
Shuhua laughed uneasily, “y-yeah, well, then you lead. I suck at directions.”
Jeno nodded, taking the lead, and leading them towards the table that Soojin had been seated at. The girl that was situated on her lap was now sitting in her own chair. Soojin’s eyes followed Shuhua’s figure as they walked closer, and Shuhua made the mistake of looking up and directly into her amused gaze. Soojin acknowledged her with a smirk, and a raise of her eyebrows. Shuhua only looked away as fast as she could, feeling the same burn on her skin, as her steps hurried, pulling Jeno to walk away faster with her.
_
“I’m sorry to drag you with me. My cousin just needs to pick up a few things for her at this photography shop nearby.” Shuhua apologized to Jeno, who only turned to flash her a smile to make her feelings of burdensome go away.
“It’s probably for the best, we don’t want you getting lost in the middle of the city, now do we?” Jeno playfully said, bumping shoulders with Shuhua who pouted. It wasn’t her fault she wasn’t able to develop the ability to find places when she’s been driven to and from everywhere by her family chauffeur her whole life. It’s not like Shuhua was allowed to go about on her own anyway.
“You get lost one time, you get labeled for life.” Shuhua shook her head, arms crossed and sulky. “Not once, Shuhua. Multiple times. You dragged me out of class yesterday, so that I can lead you to and from the bathroom because you were scared of getting lost and missing the rest of the class trying to find your way back.” Jeno argued, and Shuhua pouted even more, because she did not have an excuse to retort back.
They walked into the photography store, and the vintage design of the shop made Shuhua’s eyes shine with interest. Jeno smiled, watching Shuhua’s curious eyes scan the film portraits that were hung and framed on the wall. “You like photography?” Jeno asked, hands folded and eyes following along the path of film on the wall as they both proceeded forward into the aisle closest to the entrance.
“Mm, I think any form of art is fascinating. My cousin is the one majoring in photography. That’s why I’m stuck doing this errand for her, while she’s in her night class.” Shuhua responded, stopping once they’ve come across the end of the aisle.
“Well, I’m glad to have taken the role as your guide today.” Jeno playfully said, bumping their arms, as they made their way to the counter to pick up Yuqi’s orders.
Shuhua pressed on the bell, once she noticed that there was no one at the counter. Jeno strode off, admiring the vintage film cameras on the shelves, as Shuhua waited to be assisted. “Hello?” Shuhua called out, lips frowning, as she pressed the bell again.
The sound of giggling was faint, but Shuhua could hear it. Her eyes bored through the wooden door behind the counter, ears peeking up to hear the muffled sounds of whispers and chaotic movement.
Before Shuhua could press the bell again, the door swung open, a blonde girl walking out with a disheveled appearance, lipstick smudges all over her chin. The girl flashed Shuhua a smile, before walking out of the store. Shuhua’s eyes followed her, eyes blinking in confusion.
“Well, if it isn’t the stray freshman.”
Shuhua’s head snapped towards the door the blonde came out of, and leaning against the doorframe was none other than Soojin, the same smug smirk on her lips. Shuhua’s eyebrows furrowed, realizing that the girl that Soojin was sucking faces with on campus was not the same girl that had just walked out of that room.
“Are you stalking me?” Soojin tilted her head, clearly teasing the younger girl.
Shuhua scoffed, “no. I didn’t even know you worked here. Or… whatever it is you do here….” She didn’t mean to sound rude, but Shuhua didn’t think it was professional to be fooling around with someone while at work. Especially leaving the store unattended while customers were walking in and out of the shop. It was the business professional etiquette that Shuhua was forced to act upon that was forming her opinions.
Soojin raised her eyebrows, the corner of her lips lifting in amusement. She stared at Shuhua, trying to read her. “When I met you, you were shy. Who knew you were so critical.” A chuckle left Soojin’s lips, as she walked away from the door and sat on the chair behind the counter. She rested her chin on her palm, eyes still focused on Shuhua.
“I think you said I was annoying when we met. And I told you that you were rude. And now here we are, and you’re still quite rude.” Shuhua retorted, arms crossing in frustration. Soojin’s smirk grew, eyes glimmering in interest. She couldn’t deny and say she didn’t like the attitude Shuhua gave off, because she did. It was something fun for Soojin to engage in. Shuhua was shy and clumsy, but she could also be blunt and sassy. It was kind of hot.
“What can I do for you?” Soojin asked, eyes diverting to the moving figure in the corner of her vision. She noticed the tall man to be the same one Shuhua was walking with the last time Soojin saw her.
“I’m here to pick up an order for my cousin.” Shuhua replied, pulling out the receipt with the order number displayed on it. Soojin took the piece of paper between her pointer and middle finger, eyes scanning the paper.
“Be right back.” Soojin stood up from the chair and disappeared behind the same door she walked out of earlier. It took the older girl a few minutes to gather three boxes from the back, coming out with it stacked and balanced in her arms.
Soojin placed the boxes on the counter, covering her whole figure. Shuhua was slightly startled when Soojin popped up from the side of the boxes, leaning closer towards Shuhua to whisper, “might wanna ask your boyfriend to help you carry these home.” Soojin nodded her head towards Jeno, who was still enjoying the contents of the shop.
Shuhua frowned, “he’s not my boyfriend. We just started being friends.” She didn’t know why she felt the need to explain to Soojin what Jeno meant to her. For all she cared, Soojin could think whatever she wanted of her, even if it wasn’t true. Shuhua shouldn’t care less. It’s not like Soojin hadn’t been making assumptions about her already.
“Well, he looks at you like he’s in love.” Soojin pointed out, and Shuhua gave her a look. She hated the way there was always a smug smirk on her lips, looking confident in every assumption that came out of her mouth. “What do you know about being in love? Minnie said you’re incapable and I’ve seen you fooling around with two different girls in the past two days.” Shuhua retorted. Soojin raised her left brow, amusement only growing.
“You must think of me a lot to be so critical about me.” Soojin chuckled, piercing eyes lowering slightly to Shuhua’s lips, not caring if she got caught.
The younger girl gulped, “I-I should say the same about you.” Shuhua blinked, cursing herself for stuttering because she wanted to sound cool and not unnerved saying it, but Shuhua faltered slightly when Soojin’s eyes diverted back to stare into Shuhua’s brown orbs.
Before the older girl could respond with something witty and probably rude, Jeno made his way towards the two, “I’ll carry these. We don’t want you to trip on your own feet, now do we, clumsy?” Jeno giggled, carrying the boxes in his arms with ease. Shuhua bowed her head in embarrassment when Soojin laughed with Jeno, “clumsy.” Soojin repeated, giving Shuhua a mocking look.
Shuhua glared, a frown on her face. “Uh… is this everything in the order?” Jeno questioned, looking back and forth at the two girls exchanging heated looks.
Shuhua inhaled, pushing away all of her frustrations in her body, before nodding. “Y-Yeah…” Her eyes lingered on the older girl a little longer, before turning to Jeno, and flashing him a smile. “Let’s go?” She quipped, and Jeno nodded, turning to head to the door.
“T-Thanks.” Shuhua quickly said, not sparing Soojin another look and bolting out the door before the latter could say anything else. All Shuhua heard was a faint giggle, before she was out the door.
_
Shuhua watched Yuqi barge into her room, suddenly feeling a huge wave of regret at the decision of giving the older girl a spare key to her loft. “Gee, I certainly don’t regret giving you a key to my loft. I love it when you come over unannounced.” Shuhua deadpanned, voice sarcastic and monotonous with no amusement whatsoever.
She closed the book that she had been reading, placing it on her nightstand next to her bed. Yuqi plopped next to her on the king size bed, “I’m bored. Let’s go out.”
Shuhua clicked her tongue, annoyed, “Yuqi, it’s late. Normal people just read books or watch tv before bed. Try it sometime. Maybe you’ll get fewer hangovers and a better attitude.”
Yuqi rolled over onto her back, “you mean boring people do that. Who reads books nowadays? Well, besides you, nerd.” She teased, reaching up to ruffle the younger girl’s hair into a mess. Shuhua huffed, blowing her now disarranged hair out of her face.
“Come on, I’ll take you to the bar my friends and I usually hang out at. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet someone and finally get laid after such a long time. What was her name? Tzuyu?” Yuqi persuaded, which did not really do much after she mentioned Shuhua’s ex, who she refused to talk about or mention anymore. Shuhua thought she was in love, but it turns out Shuhua had just been so naive that it was just so easy for people to take advantage of her.
“You know I don’t like talking about her.” Shuhua said, eyes lowering to fiddling hands. Yuqi knew the story, she just didn’t know how much it affected her cousin because the relationship only lasted a couple of months. It was more of the fact that from that point on, Shuhua found it really hard to trust people without there being an intention to hurt her, especially when they know about her status. That’s why it was kind of nice that no one in the city knew about her background.
“And that’s why I think we should definitely go out and get you booed up again. Come on! It’ll be fun, Shu, please.” Yuqi got up from her bed, rounding around it to Shuhua’s side, so she could pull on her arms to get out of the comfy duvet.
Shuhua groaned, making her body flimsy and relaxed, so that all the weight of her body pulled against Yuqi. “Yeh Shuhua, I will tickle you until you agree.” Yuqi roughly let go of Shuhua’s arms, the younger girl’s body plopping onto the bed and fingers trailing against her sides.
Shuhua squealed, “okay, truce. TRUCE!”
Shuhua huffed, “how am I going to get into a bar, Yuqi. I’m underaged.”
“They don’t ID you to get in. Just when you order drinks. But, if you want to get fucked up tonight, my friend works there, and she won’t ID you if she knows you’re with me.” Yuqi said, her mood getting excited.
“That’s illegal, Yuqi.”
Yuqi clicked her tongue, “have I not taught you anything about the states? What was the first lesson I taught you about the city?”
Shuhua hummed, “uh… that sometimes the meat that they sell on the street isn’t really meat?”
Yuqi gave her a weird look, “no—well yeah, but no. The line between legal and illegal—,”
Shuhua rolled her eyes, “are very very thin,” she finished Yuqi’s sentence, to which the older girl gave her a proud look with a series of small claps.
“People mind their own business here, Shu, your goodie goodie mindset does not need to worry about getting caught.” Yuqi patted her head.
“You’re such a bad influence. Mama Song would be so disappointed.” Shuhua shook her head, mentioning the older girl’s mother who had taught both of them their right and wrongs because Shuhua’s parents were too busy to do so.
“My mother does not need to know about my whereabouts. Don’t be a snitch, brat.” Yuqi flicked Shuhua’s forehead before swaying her hips dramatically towards the door. “Dress up sexy, Shu! I’ll be waiting in the kitchen and raiding your fridge.”
Yuqi’s head popped back in for a split second, “but don’t take too long. Like, long enough to present yourself in panty dropping clothes for all the gays and straights, but not too long to the point where I get super bored waiting for you and die.” Yuqi grinned, before disappearing fully, and Shuhua could only roll her eyes at how dramatic her cousin could be.
It only took Shuhua half an hour to get ready, throwing on a tight fitted black crop top underneath a Jean jacket, and black shorts and combat boots. Shuhua wasn’t dressing to impress anyone, rather wanting to be comfortable instead, since she was being dragged to go out anyway.
“Okay, okay, I see you, baby cousin. You’re going for the sexy and mysterious in black look tonight.” Yuqi said, mouth filled with fruit that she stole from Shuhua’s fridge. Shuhua gave her a look, “stop calling me baby cousin. I’m only a year younger than you.”
“A year that I will take advantage of.” Yuqi grinned, sticking her tongue out at the younger girl.
They took a taxi, Yuqi not wanting to drive because she was determined to get drunk, and because Shuhua was incapable of driving, since she never had to worry about getting a ride or having to learn to in her whole life. Of course, there was an option for Shuhua to hire helpers and a chauffeur, while she’s in New York, but Shuhua refused it, because it would have been a little much. Especially when the whole point was to get away from that lifestyle.
The bar seemed laidback, and not too busy. Considering that there had been bars at every corner of every street, it wasn’t surprising to Shuhua that the place wasn’t crowded.
“Hey, go order me a drink, please. I’ll be right back.” Yuqi pushed Shuhua towards the bar, pointing towards two empty stools. Shuhua watched Yuqi run off to a booth, greeting familiar faces, probably from college.
Shuhua sighed, before sitting down at the bar with a bored expression on her face. She would really rather be in the comfort of her own loft, reading a few chapters from the novel she was currently reading.
She cleared her throat, trying to get the attention of the barista behind the counter who had her back turned towards Shuhua. “E-Excuse me, can I get—,” the worker turned around, the familiar smirk embedded into Shuhua’s brain staring right at her.
Shuhua’s eyes widened at the sight of Soojin. The older girl set the cup she had been wiping with a rag back in the racks, before walking closer towards Shuhua.
“Are you sure you’re not stalking me, stray girl? Got something to tell me?” Soojin leaned forward, forearms resting against the counter. Shuhua scoffed, backing away because Soojin obviously did not know the concepts of personal space, always being too close for comfort.
“As if. I didn’t even know you’d be here. I thought you worked at the photography shop.” Shuhua rolled her eyes, no energy to be polite towards the older girl anymore. She believed in being respectful and kind to people, unless given a reason not to, and Soojin had given Shuhua many reasons to act indifferent. It was obvious to Shuhua that Soojin was just incapable of being kind towards her, and Shuhua doesn’t know if she had rubbed Soojin the wrong way, or had also given the older girl a reason to act so rude, but until Soojin gave off the same energy that Shuhua was willing to give, Shuhua was not going to take the time to be kind to someone who was not going to treat her the same way.
“I do. And just in case you’re blind, or have no common sense, I work here too.” Soojin says flippantly, tilting her head. Shuhua let out a deep breath, controlling herself from blowing up in her face. “You know, I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to be talking to customers this way. Aren’t you supposed to be nice and helpful?” Shuhua sounds annoyed, and her expression clearly portrays that she was.
Soojin sighs, putting on a fake smile, “what can I get for you tonight?” Her smile catches Shuhua off guard, making the younger girl a stuttering mess.
“U-Uh… j-just a Gin Fizz and—,” Shuhua cursed herself for being so affected by a simple smile that wasn’t even genuine.
Soojin chuckled, “I’m pretty sure you’re underaged, kid. Nice try though.”
Shuhua blinked, “no— well, yeah I’m only twenty—, It’s not for me, it’s for—,” she turned her head trying to find Yuqi to point to, but her cousin had appeared right on time, walking towards her with a grin.
“Sup, Jin! My original please.” Yuqi sat on the chair next to Shuhua, greeting Soojin behind the counter.
Shuhua gaped, “wait, you know her?”
Yuqi gave her a confused look, “yeah, she’s the friend I was talking about. The one who works here.” She looked to and from Shuhua and Soojin, “do you two know each other?”
Soojin smirked, looking at Shuhua expectantly and letting her take whatever route she wanted to. Shuhua rolled her eyes, “no, we don’t know each other. All I know is that she’s quite rude, and should not be working in customer service.” Shuhua said through her teeth.
Soojin only laughed, not phased by Shuhua’s words at all, “is this the cousin from Taiwan?” She ignored Shuhua, directing all her attention to her friend.
Yuqi nodded, “yup that’s her. Shuhua, meet my friend, Soojin. Soojin, meet my cousin, Shuhua.”
Soojin hummed, acknowledging the new information that she had just learnt. “I’ll get your drink ready. What will you be having, Shuhua?” The younger girl was surprised to hear her actual name come out of Soojin’s lips, and not another mocking nickname like how Soojin had been addressing her so far.
“J-Just a club soda, please.” Shuhua said.
Soojin smirked, eyebrows raising in amusement. “She’s too much of a goodie goodie to break the law, even though she’s passed the drinking age in Taiwan.” Yuqi informed her friend after seeing Soojin’s amused expression.
“I’m not going to snitch, if that’s what you’re worried about.” Soojin assured Shuhua.
The younger girl refused to meet her gaze, “no, thanks. I’m good. Just a club soda.” Soojin chuckled again, and Shuhua was starting to find it mocking, like every other think Soojin does.
“Alright, I’ll be back with your drinks.” Soojin said.
“Your friend is rude.” Shuhua huffed. Yuqi chuckled, not sounding surprised. “She can just be… very blunt sometimes, but Soojin is one of the kindest people I know.”
Shuhua scoffed, “that’s very hard to believe.”
Yuqi looked at her, confused at her judgment, “is there something I should know?”
Shuhua sighed, “no. Just a first impression.”
Yuqi shook her head, “no, Soojin only comes off as rude and tough. That girl has been through a lot, so she always seems guarded, but trust me, Shu. Soojin is one of the kindest people I know. Just get to know her, and maybe you’ll earn a great friend like I did.” Shuhua blinked, slightly being swayed by the way Yuqi spoke about Soojin. They clearly were not thinking of the same person, but considering Yuqi knew Soojin longer than the quick encounters Shuhua had with Soojin, so Shuhua was starting to feel quite guilty about her quick judgement.
Shuhua sighed, “Y-Yeah… maybe…”
Soojin came back with their drinks, placing their glasses in front of them respectively. Shuhua stared at Soojin, as she spoke with Yuqi, eyes scanning and trying to read through the facade that Yuqi spoke of.
“Hey,” Yuqi rested her hand on Shuhua’s thigh, snapping the Taiwanese girl out of her trance, “my other friends are almost here. You can finally meet Lucas properly.” Shuhua’s eyes lit up at the mention of Yuqi’s boyfriend. She’s only ever met and exchanged a few words with Lucas through the screen on the many FaceTime calls she’s had with Yuqi while she was still in Taiwan. All Shuhua knew about them was that Yuqi and Lucas met during their freshman year of college at a frat party that Lucas was a part of. He seemed like a genuine guy who made Yuqi laugh a lot, and Shuhua had a good impression of Lucas after hearing the many lovely stories about his romantic gestures for Yuqi.
“Lucas? I’ve been waiting to meet him.” Shuhua clapped, a huge grin appearing on her face. The corner of Soojin’s lips twitched at the sight of Shuhua’s smile. It was the first time she’s seen Shuhua smile so brightly, and Soojin had to admit that it wasn’t a bad sight to see. She found it cute, actually.
“Has Yuqi met your boyfriend yet?” Soojin interrupted, causing the smile to disappear from Shuhua’s lips. Yuqi’s eyes widened, “boyfriend? You?” A look of betrayal splayed on Yuqi’s face, and Shuhua had to quickly deny it, shaking her head violently.
“No! I don’t have a boyfriend. Jeno is just another freshman I met in my Psychology class. We’re friends.” Shuhua explained, glaring at Soojin in the process.
“I don’t know… they seemed like a couple when they walked into the shop today.” Soojin smirked, shrugging her shoulders.
Yuqi laughed, “I doubt it. She’s the gayest person I know, Soojin. You’re probably mistaken.”
Soojin’s smirk widened upon learning yet another new, and very interesting detail about Shuhua, “hm… maybe I was mistaken…” Shuhua clenched her thighs together, the way Soojin was staring at her made her feel extremely uncomfortable in the best of ways, and Shuhua was not proud of it.
Shuhua was thankful that they were able to move past the topic of her sexuality when a group of people that Shuhua was not as familiar with started to greet Yuqi and Soojin. Not that Shuhua was ashamed of her sexuality, she was pretty open about it, but more bothered by the way Soojin’s eyes stared at her differently upon learning that Shuhua swung her way.
Lucas must have recognized Shuhua’s face from the FaceTime calls because after greeting his girlfriend with a kiss on the head, his eyes lit up and he pointed directly at Shuhua. “Hey! Little Shu! It’s nice to finally meet you.” Lucas prompted to greet her with a fist bump, to which Shuhua returned happily. “Nice to finally meet you too!”
“Shu, this is Soyeon and her boyfriend Chan.” Yuqi pointed to the girl with short brunette hair, and the man next to her who had his arm slung over Soyeon’s shoulder. “That’s Miyeon, and her girlfriend, Minnie.” Shuhua diverted her gaze to each person being introduced to her, a kind smile on her face, and when her eyes met a familiar blonde, her eyes widened, “Minnie!”
Minnie’s smile widened, “Hey, Shuhua. Nice to see you again.”
Shuhua smiled, feeling happy that she was able to interact with new people without having to worry about the things she did before.
Shuhua felt content so far. Less lonely than she’s felt in a long time.