Angel Baby

Yu Jimin’s days were always busy. She woke up early to answer student council emails, went to class, tried to keep up with her animal science major and stayed on campus late to attend meetings or band practice. She liked to think of herself as someone who had everything under control, but it was sometimes hard to manage it all. 

She hated being late, but had unfortunately missed her bus this morning. She walked quickly across campus, her tote bag stuffed with papers and a cold coffee in hand. Most of the students council members were already there when she barged into the room, breathless. “I-I’m sorry I’m late!” 

Chaewon let out a laugh seeing the state of her friend. “Yu Jimin, you know that this meeting is important right?” 

She slid down into her chair and arranged her messy hair. “I know I just– I missed my bus.” She pulled out her notes from her bag and set them down on the table. 

Breathe Jimin, she muttered to herself and cleared her throat. “Okay so, today we’re assigning co-leads for the festival,” she scanned the papers in front of her. “Clubs and sports teams have submitted proposals but we’ll need to coordinate–” 

“Sorry I’m late. Coach kept us longer than expected.” A girl walked inside the meeting room, quickly apologizing before sitting down. She was wearing a football team jacket, her brunette hair still damp from the after practice shower. 

Jimin knew who she was, Uchinaga Aeri, quarterback and captain of the school’s football team. She was one of the most popular students on campus. She didn’t know her personally, but she’d heard from friends that she was nice. At least thanks to her, she wasn’t the only one to be late. 

Jimin nodded. “It’s okay no worries. Okay so I was saying, we need to pick someone to help with the preparations, someone from a club or a team to co-lead with me.” 

Aeri raised her hand. “Football’s team already signed up, I can do it.” 

Jimin was taken aback for a second, blinking at her. “You? You want to co-lead? But aren’t you busy with your responsibilities already?” 

Aeri shrugged. “I can manage just fine. I’d like to help. Plus, the team needs more budget for equipment so I might as well be useful.” She said with a smile. 

Some of the council members whispered among themselves in surprise and Jimin cleared her throat. “Alright then, you’ll be paired with me. We’ll coordinate everything together.” She wrote down Aeri’s name next to hers on the form. To be honest, she had not expected it. She had expected someone from a not so busy club to co-lead with her. 

“Sounds fun president,” Aeri said lightly and rolled her pen in between her fingers. 

Jimin shot her a look and adjusted the glasses perched on her nose. “Don’t call me that.” 

Aeri let out a soft chuckle. “What should I call you then?” 

“Just call me Jimin.” 

“Okay Jimin.” Aeri winked and leaned back into her chair casually. 

Jimin could feel her ears burning, turning back to the members with a smile that didn’t look natural at all to continue the meeting. By the end of the hour, everything was settled and students gathered their things to leave, chatting among themselves as they left the room. 

Jimin was shoving her stuff back into her bag when she realized that Aeri was waiting by the door, looking at her. 

“Are you heading to class?” Aeri asked with a smile. 

“I am yes.” Jimin adjusted the bag on her shoulder with a shy smile. Was she really nice or was it because her team needed more budget? She didn’t know yet. “Biology, you?” 

Aeri arched her brows in surprise. “No way, same for me!” 

“Really?” Jimin asked with genuine surprise in her voice. 

“Yep! I guess I’ll see you in ten minutes then.” Aeri flashed her another smile before waving goodbye. 

Jimin wasn’t sure what to do with the information. Since they were going to spend a lot of time together, they might as well get along, and Aeri seemed nice.