AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Unfortunately, the notification cuts off her message there.
Heard about what?I wonder. Finally giving in to my curiosity, I swipe to read the full message.
Hey, I heard about everything going on with you and Bryan, it says in English.And I saw all the comments. Hope you’re doing okay. Always here to talk if you need.
Compared to how wild and ecstatic our conversations were back when we used to talk regularly, Minjee’s newest messageseems cold and impersonal. But even so, I can’t help but be touched that she’s reaching out all the same.
My desperation for a sympathetic ear cuts through all pretenses of keeping things professional.
Hey, thanks for reaching out, I reply in Korean. Minjee’s English is amazing compared to the fact that she’s lived in Seoul her whole life, but I know Korean is still easier for her.Honestly, I’ve really been struggling. But I’m hoping it’ll all blow over soon. How have you been?
I don’t expect a response anytime soon, but before I can even put my phone down, it starts ringing with an incoming video call.
Oh crap!I jump out of bed, panicking for a split second before I remember that I can just not accept the call. Idowant to talk to Minjee, though, if only to catch up with her. So, I quickly tie my hair into a low, loose bun and throw a knit sweater over my tank top.
When I video call her back, Minjee picks up almost right away. She’s in her pink silk pajamas with her hair up in curlers. She’s still as pretty as always, with her soft lips and large, doe-like eyes.
“Hey,” I say softly. “Long time no see.”
“Hi,” she replies with a small, cautious smile. “Yeah, it’s good to see you. Just wanted to check in face-to-face. You look tired, but your skin is somehow still amazing, as usual.”
It’s a long-running joke between Minjee and me that despitethe fact that she’s the one with a twelve-step Korean skin-care regime, I still have better skin out of the two of us. Thank you, genetics.
I laugh. “I appreciate you calling like this. Means a lot.”
“No problem. People online can be the worst when they’re hiding behind their avatars and usernames. It’s also totally unfair how everyone’s attackingyouwhen Bryan’s the one who broke their hearts.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking! And it sucks because most of the hatred I’m getting is from othergirls.”
Minjee lets out a sympathetic groan. “Internalized misogyny is the worst.”
There’s a moment of awkward silence between us before she continues, “But you’ve been doing really well on the show. I’ve been watching every episode. You’re doing alotbetter as Sora than I could have ever done.”
“Oh, come on,” I say. “I’m sure your audition was great, too.”
Minjee gives me a mischievous grin. “Hey, I never said I wasn’t great. You’re just the better Sora.”
After months of having to navigate through on-set politics and now the fake-dating lies, Minjee’s honesty is refreshing. I laugh, and just like that, it’s like we never stopped talking to each other. I tell her about random, awkward moments on set, like when I accidentally walked in on Bryan changing and when I caught Director Cha snoring in his chair betweentakes. She yells, “No!” and giggles along with my stories, and I’m happy just to be talking with Minjee again.
“So how have you been?” I ask.
“Oh, you know. Modeling for some ads, auditioning for shows, trying to keep up with homework, the usual.”
“How’s everyone at school?”
“Pretty much the same. I have to admit, though, school’s pretty boring without you. I miss my all-time nemesis.”
She says the last bit with a quirky grin, and I don’t need a mirror to know I’m smiling at her, too. “What, none of the other girls are at my level?”
“Nope. I wish they were more of a competition like you were. But, eh, it’s fine. It’s great to see you on the show. And on entertainment headlines! Congrats on the new relationship, by the way. Hope it works out, both off-screen and on-screen.”
She says it so genuinely, with no malice at all—because despite our rivalry, that’s the kind of friend Minjee really is. Utterly supportive.
But instead of making me feel great, Minjee’s words make my stomach plummet to the ground like I’m on the roller coaster again. I’ve never kept anything big from Minjee before, and even though it’s been months since we’ve freely talked like this, I desperately wish I could tell her that my relationship with Bryan is fake. But, of course, I can’t. I try my best to not let the smile fall from my face as I say, “Thanks.”
Minjee and I end up talking for almost the entire night,with her catching me up on all sorts of random things like how one of our old drama teachers is now on maternity leave and how a new cute café opened up a block away from our school.
“We should go sometime when you’re attending classes in person again!” Minjee says. “Remember that amazing mango shaved ice we had in Ikseon-dong? They have desserts like that!”
“Oh God, yes! It practically melted in my mouth!”
Minjee and I had a tradition where we’d go out for desserts whenever we got our audition results for school plays. The person who got the role would always pay, sweetening the loss for the loser.
“You weresucha good Éponine, by the way,” I add. “I wasn’t even sad that I lost that one.”
“Thanks! And you were a good Cosette.”
“Eh, she wasn’t my top choice, but I did try my best!”
By the time Minjee and I finish talking, my hands are sweaty from holding my phone, my throat is sore, and my upstairs neighbors are stomping around again. But despite all this, I fall asleep instantly with a smile still on my lips.
