Chapter 11

Minji's POV

"Are you sure about this, Hanni?" I ask.

"Just try it on!" she says, her voice muffled behind the walls of the changing room.

"I don't know if this'll fit."

"Did you even try it on?"

"Uh…"

I stare at the mocha brown one piece dress Hanni and Hyein picked out—and all I can imagine is what Yuno will think about it. It's cute, but will he like it? Does brown clash with my skin tone? Will he think my arms look weird in it?

A knock comes from the other side of the door. "Haerin found more clothes for you," I hear Danielle say. "I tried to talk her down, but she's persistent."

With a sigh, I put on the dress. My reflection doesn't look half bad. Maybe my arms do feel a tad bit exposed, but it is getting warmer. I could try a jacket, or a cute cardigan, but will my glasses look good with—

Another flurry of knocks. "Minj, hurry up, we wanna see!" Hanni groans.

"Okay, just give me a sec!"

Tentatively, I smooth down the dress before pushing open the door. Four pairs of eyes look back at me in silent judgment. "Well?" I ask. "What's the verdict?"

"It's cute!" Hyein exclaims, clapping like a seal.

"Definitely a change from what you usually wear," Danielle adds. "A good change."

"You think so?" I glance down at the dress, watching how the fabric contorts to my body. "I feel like my arms look kinda awkward, and—augh!"

Haerin dumps a mountain of clothes into my arms, each one with some kind of crazy pattern or feathers where there definitely shouldn't be feathers or way too many metal adornments to be considered clothing.

"Try these on next," she utters flatly.

"M-maybe we can take a break? We've been at it for an hour, I feel like a barbie doll." I nearly collapse from the weight of the clothes. Haerin simply squints at me before walking off without another word, dragging Hyein along with her to no doubt find more clothes. I wonder if this is some weird prank she's pulling or she actually thinks these look good.

"See? I told you it would suit you," Hanni says, marveling at her pick. "And I bet your new boo thang would love it—"

"Hanni!" I clap my hand over her mouth, barely stifling her giggles.

"So, you two are official now?" Danielle asks.

Warmth spreads through my cheeks. "Kinda? We agreed to start things slow and not worry about any labels. Neither of us have any experience in, um, dating, but I'm optimistic."

I can't help but smile at the thought. Is this what those two sweethearts in the art club feel like every day? My heart feels like it's about to explode in the best way possible.

"Oh, to be young and in love," Hanni teases. "Seriously though, I'm happy for you, Minj."

"Me too." Danielle pats my shoulder, and I have to physically restrain myself from bursting into tears of joy.

Suddenly, Hyein comes running back with a panicked look on her face. "Uh, a coat rack fell on Haerin."

"Oh my god, is she okay?!" I exclaim.

"Well, she's not hurt, but she won't get up," she explains. "She said it's too comfy."

Danielle sighs, getting to her feet. "I got her. Lead the way."

The two of them go off to solve the Haerin-related predicament, giving me a break from playing dress up. Between home, school, and now this whole new relationship, it's been a while since I've gotten a moment to myself. Here, I get to feel like everyone else—just a normal girl, hanging out at the mall with her friends.

"You should wear that out," Hanni says, eyeing my dress.

"You think so? I feel kinda… exposed." I wrap my arms around myself, unused to the breeze on my arms.

"Nothing wrong with showing a little skin."

"Hanni."

She giggles. "Just saying, all you wear is jeans and sweaters, and the only time you ever dress up is for your parents' business stuff. Wouldn't it be nice to get all dolled up on your own terms?"

My gaze falls onto a nearby mirror, tracing my reflection. It is a cute dress. I shift in my seat, crossing my legs, brushing my hair over my shoulders—I'll admit it, I look good. Hot, even.

"Alright," I sigh. "I'll wear it out."

Hanni pumps her fist in the air. "Noice!"

I furrow my brow at her. "Since when did you start saying 'noice'?"

She shrugs. "I don't know. Just now. It felt right."

Danielle and Hyein come back, pushing along a smirking Haerin. "We have to leave," Danielle says with the air of a disappointed mother.

"Why? Are they kicking us out?" I ask.

"No, but I'm too embarrassed to show my face in here ever again," she sighs. Haerin's grin only grows wider at the sound.

"Alright, then…" Haerin as usual, I guess.

As we head towards the cash registers, I hear my phone buzz in my bag with a text from my father:

Father: How is the studying going? It's good to see you so focused on your academics.

I type up a quick response and shove my phone back into my bag, pushing down the gnawing feeling I get every time I lie.

Minji: It's going great! I'll be back home by dinner.

What they don't know won't hurt them.

The air in the plaza feels a little colder on my shoulders, but at least for a little while, they feel free of any burden. In this little bubble with my friends, I don't have to be the refined daughter of my parents, or the upstanding student council president—I get to be me without any other mask.