imessage, real life

twice first everyone else second
(sumin, jaehyun, aika)

loser jj
kim sunoo is coming to school tmrw

aikadeeznuts
omg?? fr??

does that mean i'll get to see jay??

loser jj
yeah u never see sunoo or jay without each other

aikadeeznuts
im so excited

tomorrow is going to be a good day, i can feel it!

sumin
hes the dude from enhypen right

aikadeeznuts
YES

sumin
my sister wont shut up about that band

she's asking me to get their autographs since i go to school with them

i always tell her to enrol into hanlim herself if she wants to see them

she says no and walks away

???

aikadeeznuts
enhypen talented kings

have u seen their dancing?? INSANE!! JEALOUSY!!! i wish i was as good as ni-ki (T_T)

loser jj
i can put in a good word for you

jay's also good at dancing, sunoo too!

aikadeeznuts
no its fine i'll stick with watching their dance practices and trying to copy their movement

sumin
why havent they been at school??

wait thats a stupid question

loser jj
the dumbest question to ever be asked

they had a comeback last month

they're in their short break period before working on another comeback, so they're coming back to school full time for a while

aikadeeznuts
i have to come up with a way to win over jay

maybe i could speak japanese with him

i bet he sounds hot speaking japanese!

sumin
i hope u embarrass urself in front of jay

aikadeeznuts
RUDE.

in tears bc of u

sumin
Good.

loser jj
i can always talk to jay for you, aika....we're literally friends....

aikadeeznuts
i always forget u have friends other than myself and susu

sumin
dont call me thar

aikadeeznuts
ok susan

sumin
?? SUSAN???

aikadeeznuts
thats ur english name from now on

sumin
oh my god i hate u

aikadeeznuts
ok susan

and no jj don't do it. i need to woman up and approach jay on my own.

loser jj
goodluck!

aikadeeznuts
i could sense ur sarcasm from here......

loser jj
ten thousand won aika won't talk to jay tomorrow

sumin
ok deal ten thousand won she will and it will be embarrassing

aikadeeznuts
RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME??

loser jj
im gonna be ten thousand won richer this time tmrw!!

sumin
whatever u say, whore

this is abt to be the easiest ten thousand ive made!

aikadeeznuts

RATHER than Sumin's alarm waking her up, it was the sound of a door slamming shut. Groaning, Sumin rolls over in her bed and glances across the room to the other bed occupying the room. Her younger sister, Nari, still sleeps peacefully, oblivious to slammed door. It's in moments like these, that Sumin curses herself for being such a light sleeper.

Sumin decides that there's no way she'll be able to get back to sleep, so she should get up now. Slipping out from her warm covers and into the lukewarm summer air, Sumin steps out of her bedroom and into the brightly lit up hallway. Her parents were obviously up, and so were a few of her siblings since there had been such a loud ruckus.

Sumin pokes her head into the bathroom to find her eldest sister, Hana, standing at the sink, her face covered in foam facewash. They make eye contact through the mirror and Sumin gives Hana a sleepy smile, "what was that?" The cold works its way up from Sumin's feet and she can feel her toes go numb. It's mornings like these when Sumin curses herself for losing her slippers.

"Mom and Beom again," Hana says, her hands massaging the foam against her cheeks, "he says he feels sick but I'm pretty sure he was up until four last night talking to his friends from America. Mom told him he couldn't miss four consecutive days of school and Beom got angry."

"Ah," hums Sumin, resting her body against the doorframe, "perks of having a room all to yourself."

Hana doesn't say anything as she washes off the soap covering her face. Sumin waits patiently since she has more than enough time to get ready for school considering Hana was up. Hana was always the first one up because she needed longer in the bathroom than the time they're allowed. Their parents didn't care because it meant one less person fighting over the bathroom in the morning.

"I overheard mom and dad talking a couple weeks of go," Hana finally speaks as she dries her face with a towel, "Beom won't be roommate-less soon."

Sumin gasps, "really?"

"Yeah, they're thinking of fostering this time instead of adopting."

"Boy or girl?"

"Probably a boy," Hana hangs up her towel and grabs her toiletry bag that held her skincare stuff. Sumin trails after Hana who shuffles out of the bathroom and down to her room. "I just hope he doesn't distrupt the peace we finally have after Hyun-Woo left."

"Yeah," Sumin sighs and wraps her arms around her. "Mom's awake?"

"Dad left for work early this morning. You should probably get ready for school," Hana says, nudging Sumin, "don't you want to look your best for when Kim Sunoo and Park Jay get to school?" Hana wiggles her eyebrows and Sumin rolls her eyes, playfully pushing her sister's shoulder.

"I couldn't careless about them, Nari on the other hand, she's begging me to get a photograph with them, and then print it out and make them sign it for her. I told her no and that's why she was having a tantrum last night." Sumin shakes her head, "what fourteen-year-old still has tantrums?"

Hana's eyes soften and she ruffles Sumin's hair. "People like us, Min-Min."

Sumin scowls, "I thought we left that nickname behind. I'm seventeen now, not seven."

"You'll always be the seven-year-old who dreamt of becoming a ballerina to me, Sumin." Hana flicks her younger sister's chin affectionately, "go on, get ready for school, I'll give you a ride."

At the prospect of getting a ride from Hana instead of having to hang around with her three other siblings Sumin skips over to her room and creates chaos, not bothering to keep quiet for her younger sister Nari who was still asleep, even after Sumin's perfum bottle fell to the floor. Sumin would take driving in Hana's clean and roomy car over having to fight for the front seat in their family car, only to end up squished in between her two younger siblings.

The gropchat Sumin shares with Aika and Jaehyun was alive as she sat down to eat her breakfast, their texts coming in quick as Aika sends photos of how she should wear her uniform today and if she should take the risk and accessorize her outfit. Jaehyun told Aika to do it so she can get expelled and he won't have to ever see her again, and Sumin just told Aika to wear the one that's the most embarrassing so she can get her ten bucks from Jaehyun.

"Sumin, honey," her mother speaks up from pouring her coffee. Sumin hums in response, stuffing her mouth with peach slices, "did you sleep well last night?"

After swallowing, Sumin responds, "if you're trying to see if I stayed up until 4 AM last night, no I didn't and I went to be at a respectable time."

"And that would be?"

"11 PM."

Her mother sighs, wrapping her hands around her coffee cup, "that's not a respectable time, Sumin. A respectable time is nine, or even ten! Eleven is too late."

"It pales in comparison to 4 AM," Sumin remarks, gulping down the last of her juice, "you should make Beom sleep outside and give me the room. Or better yet, make him room with Kaiya and give Hana his room."

"I just don't understand why he needs to stay up that late."

"Maybe he's a vampire."

"Sumin."

"Mom." Sumin clicks a photo of her scowling and sends it to the groupchat in response to Jaehyun insulting her. "I'm catching a ride with Hana today so you don't need to worry about me. I don't know what time I'll be home. Definitely before dinner, unless Aika invites me over to her place then I'm never coming back." Sumin presses a kiss to her mother's cheek.

"Sumin," her mother sighs.

"You're the person I talk to the most, mom," Sumin shoots her mom a finger gun, "don't abuse your privileges. See you later!"

"I love you!" Her mother calls out.

Sumin doesn't respond.

The drive to school was for once, quiet. There was only the sound of Hana's music playing faintly in the background. The conversation was light and enjoyable, Sumin found herself enjoying listening to Hana for once, instead of blocking out her voice with her wire earphones, which is something Sumin often did when she was spoken to at home by her other siblings.

"Have fun as school, Sumin," Hana says, "I won't be able to pick you up since I go straight to work."

"I wasn't expecting you to pick me up," Sumin responds as she looks through her bag for her earphones, "you giving me a ride was a surprise in itself. You don't usually hang out with me, or our other siblings that much." Sumin finally finds what she was looking for and puts them on, "enjoy your day." She sends a quick, barely-there smile to Hana and slides out of her sister's car.

With one last wave, Hana drives away from the curb and Sumin relishes in being alone for the first time that day. She fiddles with her phone and the familiar tune of TWICE blasts through her earphones as she makes her way into school early in the morning, her feet dragging along the pavement as her appearance of 'being-a-happy-and-not-mentally-exhausted-daughter' finally slips into nothing.

School was overwhelming for Sumin. There were too many people and everyones voices became one single loud noise. Sumin hated it. She hated being put into groups with people she didn't know well and expected to work well with them and share her ideas confidently when all Sumin wanted to do in those instances is listen to her music. School was too much for Sumin, too many people walking past her and smiling, too many people to socialize and interact with — it all takes a toll on Sumin who collapses face first into her bed for a couple of minutes before collecting herself and focusing on her homework to drown out the loud noises and arguments floating through her house.

Sumin spots Jaehyun leaning against a wall scrolling through his phone. Sumin approaches him and turns down her music instead of taking out her earphones. "Hey," Sumin says, resting against him and shoving her hands into her hoodie pocket that wasn't school regulated, but Sumin will take it off before she arrives in class.

"Hey," Jaehyun responds, sparing Sumin a glance before going back to his phone. It was open on TikTok. Like always. "Oh, you're here early."

"Hana told me she could drive me."

"Damn," Jaehyun pouts, "you could've told me. I would've waited for you outside."

"Because you want to see Hana?"

Jaehyun scoffs, "no. Because I —" he sighs, "fine. Because I wanted to see Hana."

Sumin snorts and slightly turns up the volume as Heart Shaker plays. The fall into silence and it's a welcomed silence. Sumin is happy listening to her music and watching wave after wave of students flow through the corridor, and Jaehyun is content with watching his TikToks, laughing every now and then and nudging Sumin to show her a TikTok he knows she'll like. These are the kinds of moments Sumin enjoys at school, even as she catches what people think are conspicuous glances at the pair of them, Sumin enjoys standing beside her friend and not worrying about what was to come.

Sumin's well aware of what others think and say about her. About her friendship with Jaehyun and Aika — how could an quiet, closed-off girl like her be friends with people as loud and bright as Jaehyun and Aika? Truthfully, Sumin doesn't know how it happened either but she wouldn't trade their odd friendship for anything else because when she's with them, they understand her more than anyone else has. They give her the space and silence she's too afraid to ask for, they treat her normally — not like she was this fragile thing that will shatter if you spoke louder than a normal, indoor voice.

Sumin's aware of her reputation within Hanlim. Closed-off. Cold. Bitchy. How is she in the dance department? Emotionless. Quiet. Don't talk to her unless you want your hand bitten off. Sumin's okay with that because it means less people approach her. It means she's bothered less. If Sumin's reputation gives her the space she wants, she won't make any move to change it.

Aika finally arrives and the three move into the waves of students passing by. "So," Aika grins as bright as the sun, "have you seen Sunoo or Jay yet?" Her question was more pointed towards Jaehyun, but Sumin shakes her head as Aika stares at her.

"No," Jaehyun responds, pocketing his phone and running a hand through his hair, pulling his mask off his face and into his bag, "I'm not expecting to hear from Jay. He's probably a bit busy with idol stuff."

"I can't imagine being an idol," Aika sighs, "that just seems so stressful. I think being an actor is better!" Her smile is blindingly bright, "that's why I'm here!"

"We know," Sumin responds in a voice that would be perceieved as disinterest to those who didn't know her, but to Aika and Jaehyun, it's her normal tone. "You like to mention it every morning."

"Just making sure you didn't get amnesia over night," Aika winks at Sumin.

Sumin rolls her eyes. "That's not how it works, Aika."

"Okay, Dr. Han."

"Let us know if Jay texts you, JJ," Sumin says, staring at her phone as she tries to find a song to play that wasn't some random song from JYP that was currently blasting throug her wire earphones. Probably Beom's doing.

"Why?" Jaehyun asks, curious at Sumin showing a display of interest for once.

"So I can collect by ten-thousand won quicker."

Aika scoffs and Jaehyun snickers. "Don't worry, I'll announce it in the groupchat. If they get here before lunch I'll invite them to sit with us," Jaehyun nudges Sumin's shoulder, "you'll be okay with that?"

"Yeah," Sumin shrugs, "it's not like I'll ever be friends with them. I just want Aika to embarrass herself."

Aika slaps Sumin on the shoulder. "You're the worst. Also, you should take off your hoodie before we go into class."

twice first everyone else second

loser jj
they're here

aikadeeznuts
OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

im gonna go to the bathroom brb

loser jj
jay's in the dance dept sumin in case u forgot

sumin
how could i when its what everyone talks about?

aikadeeznuts
in the bathroom taking a nervous pee rn

#nervous

loser jj
they're not gonna fall in love with you aika

aikadeeznuts
they're not gonna fall in love with YOU either, jj

loser jj
fuck off

i know u love me :)

aikadeeznuts
ur like a mosquito i cant kill

annoying bitch. die. kys.

do i look okay??

everyone send selfies so i can assess how u look pls!

loser jj
that isn't your uniform aika....

aikadeeznuts
yeah i changed out of it. to be seen u have to stand out.

loser jj
why change out of it now when we still have class for another hour????

aikadeeznuts
it was a DRESS REHERSAL jj. jeez.

sumin

sumin

seflie pls

u too jaehyun

loser jj
no

sumin
no im in class

aikadeeznuts
MEAN.

u two are MEAN.

loser jj
ok wtv.

sunoo is in ur homeroom sumin

im pretty sure

idk we can check at lunch when they eat with us

aikadeeznuts
i cant believe we're gonna be sitting with them!!!! everyone should be jealous!!!

omg will we make an appearance on their instagram accounts.....?

loser jj
probably not

aikadeeznuts
i think we have a good chance.

lauren and yuri are half of sunghoon's posts. i think we have a good chance!

loser jj
sunghoon won't want to be anywhere NEAR you aika

aikadeeznuts
eff you.

sumin
oh jay's here

aikadeeznuts
WHAT

SEND PHOTO???????????????

loser jj
jay my bro

he likes to talk, sumin. he's an extrovert.

sumin
where are all the introverts of the world. why do i have to constantly be surrounded by extroverts. this is annoying.

also no photo sending im not a saesang, aika. i respect his privacy!

u will see him later anyway???

aikadeeznuts
fine. don't think i won't forget this moment.

i need to go back to class before people think im pooping

loser jj
tmi

see u at lunch!!

if u want, say hi to jay, sumin :)

sumin
i'll see

aikadeeznuts
put in a good word for me!!

SUMIN walks through the halls to get to the classroom Jaehyun and Aika wait for her in. She had to stay behind to talk to the teacher about an upcoming assessment which made her late for lunch which also meant she'll be late to their meet up with Jay and Sunoo. Stupid Butterfly effect or whatever it was called. Sumin just hopes she hasn't missed out on Aika embarrassing herself in front of Jay.

As usual, TWICE plays in Sumin's earphones as she approaches the classroom. Through the music, laughter spills out of the classroom and Sumin falters. She wonders what Jaehyun and Aika would think of her just ditching lunch and staying her talk with the teacher went on longer than she thought instead of saying she hid in the toilets because she didn't want to meet Jay and Sunoo, two strangers — two perfect strangers.

Sumin steps forward again deciding she doesn't want to ditch another lunch with Aika and Jaehyun. Upon entering the classroom, Aika's smile brightens and she waves at Sumin eagerly which immediately tells Sumin the girl is feeling nervous. Jaehyun laughs easily with the two unfamiliar backs Sumin can guess who they belong to easily.

Jay's easy to spot as his face comes into view. They share a couple classes so Sumin got used to staring at him whenever he talked or danced — he was very good, there was no doubt in any of his movements and he executed them cleanly. Sumin had a lot to learn from him. Then there was Sunoo who had fading bleach-blond hair and a never-fading smile. Two more extroverts added into Sumin's quiet life.

"This is Sumin!" Aika says, grabbing the girl's hand and pulling Sumin down into the chair next to her.

Sumin turns down her music and offers a nod and a little wave. "Han Sumin."

"I'm Sunoo!" Sunoo says eagerly, a bright smile on his face and his voice sounded sweeter than any honey Sumin drinks when her throat feels sore.

"Jay," the sharp-faced boy says, "we share a few classes."

"You're very good at dancing," Sumin notes, pulling out her lunchbag her mom packed for her.

"Ah, thank you."

"Jaehyun said we have the same homeroom!" Sunoo eagerly says, leaning forward and Sumin can see the sun in his eyes. "I'm glad I know at least one person in my homeroom! Anything you can tell me about Mrs. Song?"

"She likes people like you," Sumin says, picking up her chopsticks, "bright, bubbly, eager, participates in class."

"Oh," Sunoo's cheeks turn red slightly, "thank you."

In response, Sumin pulls out her phone and turns up her music.

Lunch passes and aas the bell rings Sumin places her lunch back into her bag. "What class do you have, Sumin?" Jaehyun asks.

"Maths," Sumin rolls her eyes.

"Oh!" Sunoo perks up, "me too! Is Mr. Hong your teacher?"

Sumin nods her head.

"Can we sit together?"

"Um, no," Sumin says, her words sharp. "I don't like to sit with people I don't know." Something strikes her heart as she watches Sunoo's expression dampen. "You can walk with me, though."

"Oh! Okay," Sunoo throws his bag over his shoulder and beams at Sumin, "shall we?"

Sumin steps forward and turns up her music.

author's note,
i should mention: idk how school works in korea, or how hanlim works since its an arts school and has departments to focus on certain aspects so...uh...dont call me out on any inaccuracies i dont really care, im just writing whatever fits the narrative for the story. if u want a more real/factually written one, write it yourself.