The Library Cat || Ryeji

First date: part 2

A/n: I'm finally back on here. Thank you for all of the kind messages 🥰🖤 I am determined to make time to finish this little story so I will be writing as much as possible over the weekend and hope to post quite a bit in the next week.

After about an hour of driving along empty country lanes, they finally reached a main road that contained a few shops and restaurants.

"Ooh there's a McDonalds coming up, we should stop for some lunch." Ryujin suggested.

"Oh, umm ok" Yeji agreed halfheartedly.

"What? You think you're too good for McDonalds?" Ryujin teased.

"No! It's just... I've never eaten there before." Yeji felt slightly embarrassed, though she couldn't quite pinpoint why. Probably because this was just another reminder of her boring, sheltered upbringing that stood in contrast to Ryujin's exciting life.

"Never?" Ryujin sounded shocked.

"Nope." Yeji replied and looked down. "My grandparents never let us and it's not exactly close to school so I just never had the chance."

"Ok, well, let me introduce you to some great road trip food." Ryujin parked the car. "Lisa would kill me if anything happened to this thing so one of us should probably stay here, just in case. I'll be right back."

Before Yeji had time to respond, Ryujin had shut the door and was walking towards the restaurant. As she waited, Yeji once again reflected on the strange turn that her day had taken. Would life with Ryujin always be like this? Spontaneous and full of excitement? Her brain began to run wild with thoughts of the future; images of her roommate as a carefree university student, a determined businesswoman, and a loving wife flashed through her mind. Yeji quickly tried to control herself before she got too carried away.

I might not even see her again after we graduate. Most people don't keep in touch with their high school friends.

Be prepared for the worst, don't get your hopes up.

She was startled when the door on the driver's side suddenly opened again, revealing Ryujin with a paper bag that smelled of fast food.

Ryujin placed the bag between them and settled herself back into her seat.

"Ok, I got a selection so you can try some different things." Yeji watched as she opened the bag and started pulling out various small boxes. Ryujin picked one out and passed it over to Yeji. "You have to try the chicken nuggets."

Yeji opened the box and curiously took a bite of one of the small nuggets.

"Well?" Ryujin raised her eyebrows expectantly.

"It's... ok. Different to what I'm used to but ok." She took another bite and thought some more. "Actually, it's pretty good."

"Ok and now some fries." Ryujin handed them over for Yeji to try.

"Hmm, salty" Yeji commented after tasting them. "But addictive."

"Try dipping them in here!" Ryujin said with the excitement of a little kid.

"Is that a milkshake??"

"Don't question my methods Yeddeong, just eat." Ryujin pushed the cup forwards and Yeji reluctantly dipped a fry in the liquid.

She immediately wrinkled her nose in disgust at the bizarre combination but she felt compelled to try another, just to be sure.

"Thoughts?" Ryujin asked and ate some herself.

"I think that my family would fly me back to Korea if they could see what you're making me eat." Yeji said honestly.

"So I'm corrupting you?" Ryujin chuckled.

"I really don't mind." Yeji said quickly. Perhaps too quickly, a slightly awkward silence followed.

"Let's put some music back on." Ryujin suggested. Yeji nodded and turned her attention back to the food as the other girl handled the music. A relaxed song started to play, something by a Korean boy group that Yeji couldn't name.

"So, how do you think the date is going?" Ryujin asked before taking a bite from a burger.

"The date?" She stole a quick glance at Ryujin and smiled at how cute the girl looked with her round cheeks bulging with food. Then she caught herself and remembered that they were only here for Lia. "Hmm, getting stuck in the middle of the countryside for hours with no one else around could probably be either one of the best or one of the worst first dates. I guess it depends how well they get on."

"Yeah, I guess."

The girls became lost in their thoughts as they continued to eat. The quiet atmosphere was broken when an upbeat song that Yeji recognised came on.

"Our competition song!" Ryujin's eyes lit up and she turned up the volume.

"Careful, not too loud." Yeji said quickly, looking around outside the car.

"Yeji, we're in an empty car park outside a McDonalds. I don't think anyone will care if we play a bit of music." Ryujin reassured her.

She was about to protest but was silenced when she was struck once again by Ryujin's beautiful singing voice.

"Really really really really, oh wah." Ryujin sang and placed the food back into the paper bag. "Let's live a little."

"Huh?"

Ryujin got out of the car again and walked round to Yeji's side. She opened the door and held out her hand.

"May I have this dance, Miss Hwang?"

"You've got to be kidding me, we're literally in a McDonald's car park." Yeji couldn't tell if Ryujin was being serious or not.

"We're miles away from school and there's no one here." Ryujin took her hand and Yeji let herself be gently pulled out of the car.

Once they were both standing outside, Ryujin began to twirl Yeji around and the two girls laughed at the somewhat ridiculous scenario they had found themselves in. They swayed to the music and Ryujin placed her hand on Yeji's waist. It was easier to forget their surroundings when she was so close to the other girl.

Before Yeji could get too lost in the moment, Ryujin released her and started to lightly go through what she assumed was the dance routine for the upcoming competition.

"C'mon Yeddeong, dance with me. Where are those moves from Halloween?" Ryujin grinned.

"We were at an actual party and I wasn't sober on Halloween." Yeji folded her arms and stood awkwardly by the car.

"Ok, so I have to get you drunk if I want to see those body rolls again?" Ryujin chuckled as Yeji blushed.

"I'm starting to think you might be drunk right now..." Yeji rolled her eyes and tried not to show how flustered she was.

"Nope, just totally given up on what other people think." Their eyes locked as Yeji considered Ryujin's words.

The music suddenly stopped and was replaced by Ryujin's ringtone. The girl rushed back over to the car and pulled out her phone.

"Hey Lia"

"Yeah, we're on our way, we'll be there soon."

Reminded of why they had come all the way out here, Yeji followed Ryujin's lead and climbed back into the car. They pulled out onto the main road and Yeji gazed out of the window, excited for what lay ahead.