☾︎✿︎☽︎
Saja Boys 🦁♌😈
Abby:
[Attaches image]
Made it to Burbank in one piece 😌
Roobin:
Wait?
IS THAT YOU AND ZOEY WITH CALEB DELA CRUZ?! NBA ROYALTY 🤯🤯🤯
Bohyun:
That's photoshopped right? 🤨
Abby:
Nope, that's really me with them 😌👍
Did you guys know Zoey went to the same High School AND is friends with THE Caleb Dela Cruz?
I did.
And I found this out today 🙃
Bohyun:
Well damn 💀💀💀
Myungho:
Who's the lady beside him?
Jinu:
And why does it look like you were at a diplomatic dinner?🤨
Abby:
That's his fiancée and Zoey’s bride friend.
And to answer your question: that's coz we were.
The fiancée was..... pleasant to put it lightly 🙂
Jinu:
Explain
Abby:
Let’s just say this woman makes Azula from Avatar The Last Airbender and Sumin from Marry My Husband look like saints 🙂
Roobin:
Damn the shade 💀💀💀
Bohyun:
Wait wait wait. Why were YOU having dinner with them 🤨?
Abby:
Coz I'm Zoey’s boyfriend obviously 😚
Jinu:
FAKE boyfriend 🙄
Roobin:
Okay what phase of Mercury is this 🙃
Jinu:
Long story short: I'm assuming the woman in the picture is the childhood best friend is getting married to the guy next to her. Zoey needed a plus one and a fake boyfriend to keep up appearances.
Abby:
And I naturally offered my services 🙂↕️🙂↕️
Bohyun:
Of course you did 😐
Roobin:
Fake dating? Olala, this is delicious.
Keep talking 👀 ☕️
Jinu:
Also Zoey didn't tell her parents that she dropped out of university and had to fake a graduation picture.
Roobin:
She never told her parents she dropped out AND faked a graduation photo?! 🤯🤯🤯
Bohyun:
That some Mission Impossible type shit 💀
Abby:
THAT'S WHAT I SAID.😆
Bohyun:
Wait, is that what caused her Shutdown?
Myungho:
Well... I guess that explains it. From what she told me about her parents, I can't exactly blame her, especially if she never told them that she dropped out
Abby:
Are they THAT strict?
Myungho:
Her dad seems like the chill but passive parent. Her mom is who I think she's the most afraid of out of the two.
Abby:
Now that I think about it, she’s never really talked about her family or her life in Burbank 🤔🤔🤔
Roobin:
Oh, this is better than every K-drama I've seen, and I'm here for it. Popcorn. Spicy drama. someone call Netflix. 👀
Abby:
If this were a drama, I'd be the charming distraction while she sneaks the truth past like a ninja 🥷😚
Jinu:
You mean FAILS to sneak past.
Abby:
Says the Unc 😒
Jinu:
Wow 😐
Bohyun:
Low blow 💀💀💀
Abby:
Hey, my charm is 98% effective.
The other 2% is just bad timing and one unfortunate incident involving a goat at a wedding back home🐐😳
Jinu:
Sometimes I wonder how you're a functioning adult 😶
Roobin:
Functioning might be a bit of a stretch😬
Abby:
Rude 😒
Bohyun:
Why would Zoey ask YOU to be her fake boyfriend instead of Myungho 🤨
Abby:
Yah! I'll have you know that I do theatre on the side and can make a convincing fake boyfriend. This is method acting.
Roobin:
He's not wrong. He actually convinced this one foreign girl that he's from Texas.
Abby:
And it worked since I'm actually a country boy 😁
Bohyun:
Okay but don't you think it would make way more sense since Myungho and Zoey have enough history to make it convincing 💁🏽♂️
Abby:
Dude, I've known Zo since she was a freshman. We have PLENTY of history 🤨
Bohyun:
I'm talking about romantic history. Not platonic history 🙄
Myungho:
Why are we even having this conversation? 💀
Roobin:
Because drama is the lifeblood of our friend group 🙃
Jinu:
Zoey did say that it would be awkward since she and Myungho broke up.
Myungho:
Plus, I'm not big on social gatherings. My social battery depletes way too fast. Inviting Abby makes sense.
Abby:
See? Even the ex agrees I'm the superior choice 😌
Bohyun:
🙄
Roobin:
Honestly, I think fake dating someone who isn't your ex sounds healthier astrologically.
Jinu:
Please don't bring astrology into this 😐
Roobin:
Too late. I've already checked the chart, and it's going to end badly.
Bohyun:
That's an understatement if I ever heard one.
Abby:
Fuck off. I think we'll do great.
Bohyun:
You're fake-dating a girl who has a double life her parents don't even know about 😐.
And don't you think it's weird to be fake-dating Myungho's ex?
Abby:
At least I'll look hot doing it 😚
Bohyun:
…
You brought a cowboy hat just in case you had to “improvise” as Texan Abby again.
Abby:
It’s called being prepared for ✨️contingencies✨️
And fashion.
Main character energy requires wardrobe variety 😎
Jinu:
Just don't make it worse.
Roobin:
Make it worse. I'm bored. And I NEED drama.
"Why is your group chat called Saja Boys?" Zoey asked.
Abby glanced up from her phone and caught Zoey's eye. They were stuck in an Uber, having to bail on dessert early to get to their Airbnb. Caleb offered them a place for the night, saying they could leave in the morning, but Zoey was polite and said they were good. Abby jumped in with, “Yeah, some personalities are better in small doses,” and that got a pretty icy look from Gigi.
"Because it’s fitting since everyone is a Leo," Abby explained.
Zoey raised an eyebrow, amused. "Seriously? All five of you are Leos?”
Abby smirked, leaning back in his seat. "Yep! And the coolest ones, too. Jinu's July 25, Roobin's July 30, I'm August 2, Myungho's August 18, and Bohyun's August 10. That's the whole crew."
Zoey shook her head, trying to hide her amusement. "Only you guys would have a group chat based on astrology."
Abby chuckled, looking back at his phone. "Hey, this was all Roobin’s idea since he’s big on astrology and all that hippie stuff with crystals, auras and shit. He even assigned us roles."
"And what roles are those?" Zoey asked.
"Jinu's the Papa Saja. He's like the tired dad of the group."
Zoey nodded with a nod. "That actually checks out. Plus, he's a 99 liner."
“Right! He always insists that he’s not that old. Like dude, you’ll be 30 in like three years.”
Zoey cackled. “What about Roobin?”
"Roobin calls himself the Romance Saja because he thinks of himself as the Romance guru who ‘gives the best advice when it comes to love and relationships,’" Abby air quoted. “He even developed an ego about it ever since he and Mira started dating.”
“Till this day, I wonder how he did it,” Zoey said, shaking her head. “I’ve seen that girl reject countless guys since Uni, and she’s not the easiest to sway or impress. She even rejected him like forty times.”
“Well, Roobin is patient and doesn’t give up that easily. Once he’s locked in on what he wants, he’s locked in. But,” Abby said, putting heavy emphasis on the word ‘but.’ “If I had to theorise, I’d say witchcraft. He probably bought one of those cheap love potions for like three thousand won on Amazon or eBay.”
Zoey lidded her eyes, unimpressed. “Really, Abby?”
“What? It’s possible!” he insisted.
“There’s no way a potion would work,” she rolled her eyes. “Obviously, he went to a shaman.”
Abby let out a gasp and grinned. “I love the way you think.”
Zoey rubbed her nails on her jacket, arrogantly. “Of course you do. I’m the Queen of conspiracy theories.”
Abby barked a laugh and raised his hands. “Okay. Message received.”
“What about you?”
“I’m the Abs Saja. For obvious reasons.”
"Because of your abs?" She arched an eyebrow.
"And my biceps. I put a lot of time and love into Ruby and Rose." He said, flexing his biceps.
Zoey let out a laugh. "Oh my god. You named your biceps. You're insane."
Abby grinned, pretending to be offended. "Hey, they're my babies. And must I remind you that Ruby effortlessly picked you off the ground? You better put some respect on my girls, geobug-i."
Zoey rolled her eyes. "What about Myungho?"
"Myungho? He's the Mystery Saja. Because he barely speaks and disappears for days. Honestly, I think he’s secretly a spy." Abby whispered conspiratorially.
"I dunno. He seemed more like the mysterious, brooding bad boy when I first met him. But after dating him, he's more of a quiet homebody who just needs a good book, a video game and a good TV show." She shrugged.
Abby chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "Yeah, he's pretty low maintenance. Although the whole 'mysterious brooding bad boy' thing is really just his default setting. Underneath that, he's a giant puppy."
Zoey snorted. "True, but he's more of a husky."
"Huskies are loud. And he most certainly ain't loud. I'd say he's more of a wolf."
Zoey gasped, her eyes lighting up. "Oh my gosh! Yes! That fits him perfectly! Shin Myungho, the mysterious lone wolf."
"Exactly. The lone wolf who secretly just wants cuddles and head pats." Abby said, grinning.
Zoey laughed again. "What about Bohyun?"
"He's the Baby Saja," Abby said.
Zoey blinked. "The Baby Saja?"
Abby nodded. "The Baby Saja."
"Why the Baby Saja?"
"Well, for one: he's the youngest, obviously. Two: Roobin gave him that name just to spite him after he said the astrology reasoning for Saja Boys is stupid." Abby explained.
Zoey snorted. "Sounds about right. And Bohyun is probably really annoyed by that."
Abby smirked. "Oh, he is. He gets grumpy every time Roobin calls him the Baby Saja."
Zoey shook her head, amused. "You guys are like a bunch of overgrown man-children."
Abby shrugged, unbothered. "Hey, you and your home girls dated/are dating the one who dated three of us."
"Yeah, but at least two of you are low maintenance and normal. I have to deal with wondering when you're going to have your hand stuck in a jar again."
"Hey! That was one time!" Abby said, mock-offended. "And that jar was tight."
Zoey snorted. "That's what she said."
Abby spluttered at her joke, trying to hold back a laugh and failing.
"God, you're awful." He said with a shake of his head.
"Not my fault, you didn’t see that coming."
Abby groaned, running a hand through his hair. "How are you so good at these jokes?"
Zoey smirked and shrugged. "Being friends with you comes with a cost."
"Totally worth it," Abby said, flashing a grin.
They both laughed, the sound feeling nice and light in the air, then fell into a chill silence that felt like a warm blanket around them.
"Hey..." Abby suddenly got serious. "Are you fine with this? Like really?"
Zoey blinked at the sudden change in tone. "Fine with what?"
"This. Us fake dating."
"Are you having second thoughts?"
"No. Of course not. I offered. I'm totally fine with it," he said. "I just want to know if you're fine with it. Especially since I'm friends with Myungho. I mean... he is your ex."
Zoey's expression softened. She looked out the window, considering her answer.
"I appreciate you asking," she said finally, turning back to him. "But I'll be fine. We broke up amicably, and we've both moved on since then. Plus, we'll only be 'dating' for the next month or so. What could go wrong?"
Abby pondered her words, then smirked.
"You falling in love with your hot gym himbo bestie," he wiggled his eyebrows.
"Abby," Zoey said, giving him a light shove. "Don't make this weird."
Abby laughed, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm just saying—the chemistry is straight out of a Wattpad story. Might as well write the whole rom-com."
"You're the worst," Zoey shoved his shoulder again.
Abby chuckled before falling silent for a brief moment
"So..." he started. "The dinner...."
Zoey tensed. She already knew where this conversation was going.
"What about it?" She averted her eyes from his to the window, folding her arms to her chest.
"It was.... intense," he started casually, but carefully. "Especially your friend. She was... pretty interesting for a person who claims to be ‘honest.’"
Zoey let out a breath that sounded like it had been sitting in her chest all night. “That’s one way to put it.”
"Are you okay, though? Genuinely?"
"Of course, I am. She's always been like that. I'm used to it," she answered, her gaze still stuck on the window, the grip on the sleeve of her jacket tightening.
Abby looked over at her, sensing the shift in her mood.
"Hey," he said softly, reaching out to touch her arm. "I’m not trying to stir shit. I just..." he trailed off. "I'm worried about you. She said some pretty nasty stuff back there, and it's honestly surprising she could even say that in front of her fiancé and even more surprising that you allowed it."
Zoey finally looked at him, her expression stoic. But her eyes betrayed her. Abby noticed the vulnerability in her eyes—the uncertainty that she was attempting to conceal—until she eventually looked down at her feet.
"I know she's not exactly the warmest person, and you're not the first person who's not exactly fond of her personality."
"That's not reassuring," Abby pointed out.
"I know, I know," she let out an exasperated sigh and looked back at him. "But she's not all bad, you know? She just had a difficult childhood with her parents divorcing when she was just five. So, I always give her grace."
"A little too much grace if you ask me," he muttered under his breath.
"Be nice," she pinched his side, making him yelp in pain.
"What? You're a little too kind for your own good sometimes," Abby replied, rubbing his side. "And should she really be lashing out just 'cause her parents split when she was a kid at her big grown age?"
"It's complicated, okay?"
Abby sighed, seeing that she was clearly getting defensive.
"Look, I know you want to think the best in people and give them the benefit of the doubt, and yeah, maybe her parents splitting up really messed with her as a kid. But that doesn't give her the right to talk to you like that and treat you like a doormat—"
"Just drop it, okay?" She cut him off, her tone firm and final.
Zoey was tuning him out, and he knew he wasn’t going to get anything else from her. So, he figured he might as well respect her wishes and drop the matter.
"Wish I didn't leave the disco ball at the airport."
Zoey blinked. "Seriously?"
"Hey! Don't judge my coping mechanisms." He retorted.
"Your coping mechanism was going to take up space."
"And my heart is aching from the lack of disco ball right now," he said, feigning a melodramatic sigh.
Zoey rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You're insane."
"You wouldn't have me any other way." Abby leaned back in his seat, a smug grin on his face.
The Uber pulled up outside the apartment Zoey had booked on Airbnb, tucked along a dimly lit street—clean, modern, and almost aggressively minimalist. It was one of those types that looked better in photos because the host renting out the place couldn’t be bothered to show the inside.
Zoey thanked the driver before making her way to the house, with Abby following not too far behind, carrying their luggage in hand. He eyed the Airbnb with a raised brow and let out a low whistle.
“Either this place is very minimalist, or the host is scamming you, Zo,” he commented, taking in the simple exterior.
Zoey frowned, tilting her head. “It looked bigger online.”
“It always does,” Abby replied. “Or the host forgot to upload half of the listing of this place.”
They stepped into the apartment building and made it to their door. It actually looked way better than what was outside. Sure, the place was a bit snug—more like a motel-sized room—but at least it didn’t feel empty and cold.
"Nice," Abby said with a nod of approval. "A bit small, but nice."
"Well... it was the cheapest one I could get on such short notice," she replied, taking off her shoes.
"Well, for a cheap Airbnb, it's pretty nice," Abby said, dropping the luggage on the floor. He looked around the place. "Where's the bedroom?"
"Probably the door on the left."
"Sweet." Abby nodded, then moved to the left door and went inside.
Zoey took a look around her new place. The tiny kitchenette had just enough space for her coffee maker and a few snacks. The living room was super cosy, with a comfy couch that looked perfect for kicking back after a long day, a little table for pizza or books, and a flatscreen TV on the wall for those binge-watching sessions. She peered out the window at the park across the street and thought, “Yeah, I can totally work with this,” while smiling to herself.
Abby poked his head out from the bedroom. "Hey, Zo."
Zoey turned to him. “Yeah?”
"There’s only one bed." He stated.
There was a beat of silence. "What?"
"There's only one bed," he repeated, pointing into the room.
Zoey's eyebrows furrowed as she moved closer to check out the pretty, decent-sized room. A sliding door leads directly to the backyard, making it ideal for creating a relaxing patio area. The ensuite bathroom would be super handy for those rushed mornings. The wardrobe might be on the smaller side, but it could definitely hold her stuff, and that cute dressing table with the mirror looked just right for her makeup. And as Abby mentioned, there was only one bed.
Not a mistake bed.
Not a maybe, two single beds were pushed together.
A very intentional, double-sized, centre-of-the-room, tucked-in-like-it-knew-what-it-was-doing bed with two nightstands and lamps on either side.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me," she muttered, mortified.
"Oh, don't be so dramatic," Abby teased. "It's not that bad.
Zoey shot him an incredulous look. "Not that bad? Abby, there's only one bed!"
"Zo, we've slept in the same bed watching movies. This is totally fine."
"Yeah, but this is different! We're going to be sharing a bed. On purpose!"
He held back a laugh at her reaction. "You're really making this out to be a bigger deal than it is."
Zoey huffed. "It is a big deal."
'No, it isn't. We're adults, we can act like it." He walked into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. "Come on, stop being overdramatic and come here."
"Uh-uh. I ain't doing that." Zoey put her arms in an 'X.'
Abby rolled his eyes and grabbed her wrist. "Just get over here."
Zoey let out a squeak as Abby yanked her over to the bed, making her bounce on the mattress beside him.
Abby chuckled at her indignant ‘oof’ as she landed on the bed, enjoying the way her cheeks flushed. "See? Not that bad."
He leaned back on the bed, propping himself up on his elbows. "You're making a big fuss over nothing."
Zoey scowled at him, although it didn’t do much except make her look like a pouting child from the way her cheeks were flushed. "I'm not overreacting."
He chuckled, lifting an eyebrow at her. "Really? Because you're acting like sharing a bed with me is the worst thing ever."
"Because it's going to be weird!" she argued.
"Why would it be weird?" he replied with a cocky smirk. "It's not like we're going to be doing other things in bed all night."
"Yeah, ‘cause your junk is going to end up in a blender if you even try anything."
Abby couldn't help but wince at the thought. "Wow, Zo. I knew you were into kinky stuff, but that takes the cake."
Zoey flushed and slapped his arm. "You know that's not what I meant!"
"Hey, your mind went there on its own," he chuckled, enjoying the way his teasing made her flustered. "I’m just here for vibes."
"I fucking hate you sometimes," She said through her gritted teeth.
"Oh, come on. You love me, and you know it," he grinned, reaching out to poke her butt.
"Is it too late to revoke my love and demand a refund?”
Abby feigned a look of betrayal. "You hurt me, geobug-i." He put a hand to his chest and slumped back dramatically against the bed.
"Tough cookies, country boy." She got up and headed to the bathroom. "I'm taking a shower. And we're sleeping with a pillow wall."
Abby sighed dramatically, rolling onto his stomach. "You always take the fun out of everything."
"It's either that or I'm taking the couch." She entered the bathroom and shut the door behind her.
He scoffed and muttered under his breath, "Pillow wall... so dramatic."
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