12. Dinner For Two
Somin and Mia
The water stopped and the playlist ended. Out of the bathroom came a small girl with pink hair in a messy ponytail. Her body was wrapped in a baby blue towel, and her face gave up how surprised she was to see another human in the space.
Mia greeted Somin with dinner.
"Hi, I'm Mia!" waving at her, "I couldn't help but overhear," she gestured around. "With that music and all. So I decided to make dinner for both of us," her smile was full of kindness and it only made her look more beautiful.
"I haven't seen you at school. What major are you?" Mia asked friendly.
She must have been here all along, how embarrassing. Somin cringed.
Somin hungrily accepted a bowl filled with salad, still clothed only in a towel and without any energy or motivation to change.
Hmm, I'm a bland, boring girl... that's why you didn't notice me. Somin reveled in her misery.
...
She wallowed in the darkness, despite everything her therapist advised her to.
"Ms. Lee, don't fall into the trap of reveling in your misery. The only way out is to reprogram your mind and think positively. In the moments of intense, overwhelming sadness, please try to focus on something that brings you joy or at least a feeling of contentment," her old therapist, Dr. Jansen, had advised.
But she declined to behave, despite knowing the mindset she had was doing her more harm.
...
"Painting major. I hate to stand out, that's probably why you didn't see me," replied Somin as she stuffed her mouth full, trying not to sound bitter or sarcastic.
"Why wouldn't you want to stand out?" a baffled Mia looked back at her.
"One of many reasons could be that the boy who was the whole reason I came here broke up with me," emotion overwhelmed Somin again with tears not far behind.
"Oh, exciting first day," Mia felt deep empathy for the apparently heartbroken girl.
"I'm sorry to hear that. If you want to, I can go kick his ass!" she proclaimed.
She's kinda cool. Somin felt bad. I shouldn't have shit-talked her in my mind.
"No, it's good. I'm too tired." Somin accompanied the statement by yawning, "I don't feel like talking about it, is that alright?"
Mia handed her a glass of wine, "It's fine, rest."
Her protruding eyes were studying the anguish on Somin's face, "Somin, right?" she smiled encouragingly.
"Yes, that's me. How did you know?" Surprise was tangible in Somin's voice.
"I always know my facts." Mia sipped her wine, smiling mysteriously.
"Are you a freshman from dance class?" Somin asked, eyeing the sporty bag in the hall.
"Yep. Let's talk tomorrow. You could use a good night's sleep. Stress is bad for your skin, you know?" Colorful nails brought the glass to her lips.
Every nail had a different sticker on it. One was a yellow star on a blue background, the other one a pink smiley face on green nail polish.
Still gorgeous and fun.
Somin felt a sudden pang of jealousy coming out of nowhere.
I like your nails.
She wanted to compliment her.
But only "No, I didn't know. Good night," came out.
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😳 Author's corner 😊
Do you judge people based on the first impression or are you open-minded? 💭
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🎨Illustrations of each chapter are available on my Wattpad acc, AO3 acc -klubickoArt🎨
