This is a Music chapter! (Been a while, hasn't it?). The suggested music today is "Wish you liked girls" by the lovely Abby Glover. Enjoy!

Mystic Radio Ep.13: A Chance


Jaehee POV

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"Bye, MC," I say curtly as I watch her go out the door, hand in hand, with Zen. A nicely dressed Zen with a fresh blue shirt and brown leather jacket. Even MC had dressed up a bit for the occasion, dressed in a blue shirt that matches his and a black skirt that goes to her knees. I wonder if they dressed like a couple on purpose...

Soon enough I hear MC's car drive off. I guess it would be hard to ride a motorcycle in a skirt.

Did I blow my shot? Did I take to long to figure things out? I grab my head and attempt to push answers into my brain, obviously failing. I sit on the couch with a sigh, thoughts racing around my head like NASCAR.

The apartment is quiet tonight. Too quiet. It's only been mere minutes since they left, but I already miss her...

I cant handle the quietness of it all. Usually at this time, MC would be making dinner as I ask her about what she's cooking, or why the food is prepared in such a certain way. Whenever I ask her about anything she enjoys doing, her face lights up while she explains it. She gets so excited, its just... It makes me feel...

I let out an audible groan as I realize how absolutely, utterly, screwed I am.

I go go grab the old radio she gave me and bring it into the living room, hoping it will make things more tolerable.

I click it on and after the static dies away, the lyrics start to come though.

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'Always thought you looked at me differently

Than any other you'd see

Thought you were aching to see me

At any, any possibility

But you like boys, boys, boys

But you like boys, boys, boys

And you don't like me'

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The lyrics hurt but at the same time, it's oddly relatable and I don't know if I want to turn it off. Instead, I listen intently as I sit on the couch. My mind wandering about the whole scenario.

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"I could be a bitch and tell you a million reasons why

Being with me would be much better than with any other guy...

.

But could Zen treat her better? Probably...

.

But I know that you can't change someone

So I'll just leave you alone, although

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Do I swallow these feelings? Feelings that may never be reciprocated?

Do I hope and dream that maybe she wouldn't be disgusted by the idea?

...That she might actually feel the same?

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Wish you liked girls, girls like me..."


The song ends and I feel more like I've been punched in the gut than anything. I like her, so why does it have to be so complicated?

I try and distract myself by reading but my lack of focus doesn't allow. I re-read the same sentence four times before I decide to try something else. In the end, I wind up downstairs in the cafe. The natural evening light quickly fading, causing me to turn on some of the ceiling lights.

I gaze fondly at the scene. This is my coffee shop, our coffee shop that we designed and put our efforts into. I walk down the aisles, running my hand on the tabletops. It had taken us a long time to piece them all together, but it gave a much homier feel with the rustic wood. The dark stained tables clashing well with the warm yellow walls.

I then turn my attention back to behind the counter. The wall proudly displaying our, now framed, first dollar. MC had gotten so giddy that morning, it's a shame that we had needed Zen's help to get so many sales...

...I couldn't even do that right. I tried to bring in customers, I wanted it so badly. Not just for me, but because I didn't want to have wasted MC's efforts. The shop was my idea but she still puts in just as much work as I do, when I'm sure there's some other career she could be pursuing.

It had all been so spontaneous, at the time I didn't even question why she agreed. Despite me often asking if she was sure, she'd always say with certainty that she wanted to be my partner.

Even though we cleaned earlier, I go though with a rag and wipe down all the counters once again. I hum mindlessly to myself as I settle into the rhythm of cleaning, allowing my mind to wander even further. Allowing my thoughts to cluster and they end up flooding my brain.

'Would Zen be better for her? Could society even accept us?*'

'This is what happened in my dream..'

'Could I even give her what she deserves..?'

'What if I get too attached again?'

It's no secret, I have a bad history with these things. But MC has already gotten too close, yet, I'm not worried by it. I want to be closer with her.

In fact, even if I wont like the answer, I can't help but wonder what she's doing right now.

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MC POV

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"...And that's how I got my hand stuck in a jar.". I chuckle as Zen finishes his story.

I sip my glass of wine before adding,"The poor gerbil must have been traumatized." to which he laughs. "This was actually a lot more fun than I thought it'd be." I admit.

But it still feels off. It still feels like we're just two friends that are eating a fancy meal together. There's no romantic tingle.

"Yeah, I'm really enjoying this date." Zen agrees as he reaches across the table and takes my hands in his.

I almost jerk my hands out on reflex, but keep my hands in place when he does so. I shouldn't completely shoot him down, right? He's a nice guy. Handsome, caring, and getting more popularity by the day. He's already signed three autographs since we've been here.

Yeah, maybe this could work out. Maybe.

The bill comes and Zen takes it. I protest, "Let me pay for mine.".

"I asked you out. A gentleman never asks a lady to pay.".

"You didn't ask," I tell him. I feel somewhat guilty to have let him bring me here and it not even be a real date. It doesn't feel like it anyways.I harden my voice slightly and grab the bill. "Let me pay for mine at least, because I am an independent woman, and I want to exercise my ability to do so.".

Unsure of how to respond, he slowly relents, "Alright. Sure... Sorry if I overstepped?" uncertainty in his voice about the whole ordeal.

I give him the money to cover my part. He retrieves his jacket from the back of his chair and goes to pay the tab. When he comes back, I link my arm in his and we set out.

"I was thinking we could go for a nice moonlit stroll." he says, nodding his head towards the nearby park. "Before we go back to your car, anyways.".

Yeah. It's just a walk. I can do this. It would be better for everyone this way wouldn't it? Maybe if I get over Jaehee naturally, it won't be so bad.

"Well? What are we waiting for? Let's go!" I clasp his hand and speed up my pace, going from a stroll to a brisk walk, bringing him in tow.

I slow down once we get on one of the paths and he chuckles, "Someone's eager.". He shakes his head with a smile plastered on his face.

I don't know which I dislike more, the idea of leading him on, or the feeling that I should force myself to try, to enjoy this. 'Stop smiling. Stop enjoying this,' I silently wish. I should be happy, but I'm not.

We continue walking down the path, dimly lit by lamp posts. There are a few others scattered about on picnic blankets, stargazing, and a man on one of the wooden benches smoking a cigarette. A cool evening breeze blows by and I shiver slightly as if it were February, not May.

Zen notices and hastens to take his jacket off and drapes it around my shoulders.

"That's not necessary, I'm-"

He stops me mid-sentence "You didn't let me pay for dinner, at least take the jacket." he asks.

"Okay.". I wonder if he does this with everyone...

He smiles and I can see his eyes light up a little despite the dark night sky. "Good." he tells me, obviously happy I didn't resist his offer this time.

Crap. I have to tell him. I can't drag him on, that wouldn't be fair and he doesn't deserve it.

"Hey Zen, let's take a seat.". I lead him to an empty bench and free my hand from his grasp. "I was thinking..." I turn my body towards him, "This has been a really great evening, Zen.".

"It really has, and... I want to make it even better.".

Before I can question him, he cups my cheek and leans in. In shock, I jerk my head back and shove him back. He flails his arms and falls over the side, half of his body still on the bench.

"Oh my gosh Zen I'm so sorry.". I go over and help pull him upright again. "I'm so so sorry I didn't mean to do that." I say a bit panicked.

He sits back on the bench, with me still standing in front of him. He rubs the back of his head and winces a little, "...Guess I should have asked first." he says in a half joking tone.

"Are you okay?" I ask, concerned he might have a concussion.

"I'm fine don't worry, I didn't hit it hard. I'll just have a sore spot there. And... Probably get a headache soon." he answers, tenderly rubbing his head.

I sit back down next to him. "I can't do this.".

He stops rubbing his head and turns to me, "Wait what? If this is because I tried-"

"No no!" I quickly stop him, waving my hands. "I just mean, I don't like you like this, Zen. I don't think I ever will, and that's not fair for you." I explain.

He mulls it over, shifting his jaw. "Oh." he mutters. His face flushes and he hangs his arm from his neck as he slowly rubs it, even though that's not where he got hit. "I'm sorry to have wasted your time then." he smiles, but it doesn't have the same sparkle it usually does.

"I'm sorry Zen.".

"Don't be, It cant be helped." he says flatly. He heaves a deep sigh before standing up. He holds his hand out to me, "Friends? I can get a taxi and come pick up my bike tomorrow if you want some space.".

I grin slightly as I take his hand. "It's fine, I'll take you back. We're friends, aren't we?".

He stands me up, then puts his hands in his pockets. "Shall we go?" he nods down the path. "I don't want to take any more of your time.".

I nod and we trudge our way back to the where my we parked my car.

I turn key in the ignition but it chokes out. "Is your car okay? That doesn't sound good," Zen says.

"Yeah, it does that sometimes," I tell him. "I'll get it checked out sometime though, so don't worry.".

After another try, the car starts and we spend the ride in awkward silence. I park in my usual spot on the sidewalk about a block down, and Zen decides to walk me to the shop, finding the sidewalk and dining lights are on.

"Jaehee must have left them on for us.". Such a simple gesture, but it's nice for her to be so considerate. I guess she was rooting for us...

We stop in front of the doors and he shrugs. "Guess this is it.".

"Yeah.".

"Thank you for the nice evening, it was fun.". He takes one of his hands out of his pocket and holds it out to me.

"We're still friends." I say. I wrap my arms around him and give him a hug. I can feel his hand hovering over my back, not quite sure if he should hug back. I let go and give him his jacket back. "I'll see you around, Zen.".

"I still like you, I wont bother you with it, but if you change your mind," he puts his jacket back on and straightens it out, "you know where to find me.". He walks off and waves over his head without looking back.

I head in and that's when I'm hit by the smell of cookies baking. Curious, I poke my head into the shops kitchen. I find Jaehee, apron on, putting cookie dough on a sheet. Both ovens are on, and she has another tray ready to be put in.

"Jaehee?"

She startles and tenses up before relaxing again. "How was your date?".

"It was good-"

"Oh, I see.".

"But I told Zen I just wanted to be friends." I tell her.

She pauses for a moment when I say this, "You did what?".

"Told Zen I just wanted to be friends." I repeat.

"Oh. Well, that's... that's certainly interesting.". She smiles to herself as she puts the last ball on the tray. She checks the wall clock and then puts on her mitts. "So... Are you mad at me?" I ask, "Because you've been a little off lately..." I point out.

"Have I?". She takes out the cookies and puts the others in. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push you away. I've just had a lot on my mind.".

"Because of Zen?" I ask.

She hesitates before replying, "Sort of...".

Maybe she's happy I'm out of the way now, "Well, he's up for grabs now. I have no interest in him." I tell her. She smiles again but quickly hides it. Deciding it's best to change subjects, I ask "Why are you baking down here?".

"It was too quiet upstairs." she simply states. "And down here I can use both ovens so it wont take as long.".

"I figured.". I take a cookie and sit on the counter as I watch her bake. The only sound in the room is the clock ticking, but it's comforting. After a few minutes of this, I excuse myself, "I'm going to go to bed, it's been a long day.".

I hop down and head towards the stairwell, "MC, wait." she says. I turn around, "I just wanted to say... um. Uh...". My eyes widen.

Maybe I'm just tired, but for a moment, she looks nervous. My hopes rise and I want her to say what I think she will. "Yeah, Jaehee?" I manage out.

She takes a deep breath, then smiles. "I just wanted to say goodnight, MC.".

I smile back, "Goodnight Jaehee.".

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Jaehee POV

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MC goes upstairs and I allow myself to let my smile show.

She told Zen she wanted to be friends! The disappointment I got from seeing them hug has now become pure joy. I find myself bouncing on my heels as I finish the last batch of cookies.

I have to tell her. I just have to tell her how I feel. I'm sure of it now, now I just need to wait for the right moment. Preferably when I'm don't have sweat on my brow from stress baking.

I have a chance.

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Chapter 13. End


*The story is set in Korea where there's a lot less acceptance of gay/lesbian relationships. Yikes.

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The spaceship's sensors have caught the RFA members meaningless thoughts...

Zen: "At least she told me sooner rather than later I guess..."

Yoosung: "I miss playing LoL... She did this for two years?"

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Thank you for reading this chapter of Mystic Radio! If you liked it, make sure to leave a like and subscribe so you know when the next update is! Now, go enjoy some Honey Buddha chips, and I'll see you next chapter! ~Des