Chapter Text
It was a Saturday in early June, the kind of day that feels like a fresh start wrapped in sunshine. The sun was already casting a gentle warmth through the blinds when I woke up, stretching with a soft smile on my face. Today was going to be the best day ever—I had plans with all of the NewJeans girls. One by one. All on the same day. And yes, we were ending the night with boba and a sleepover. I had everything planned, down to the minute.
-
10:00 a.m. — Thrifting with Hyein
I met Hyein outside a cozy little vintage shop downtown, the smell of fresh coffee and old leather wafting out the door. She was already there, sitting on the curb in chunky sneakers and a baseball cap pulled low, waving at me with that huge grin that always made me feel like the luckiest person in the world.
“You ready to find something iconic?” she asked, hopping up with that easy confidence.
“More than ready,” I said, feeling the buzz of excitement in my chest. “You better not snatch all the good stuff before I do.”
She laughed, bumping my shoulder playfully. “No promises! I’ve got serious first-dibs skills.”
Inside, the store was a treasure trove of colors and textures. We combed through racks bursting with vintage jackets, funky sunglasses, and retro tees. Hyein held up a jacket covered in patches—bright flowers, band logos, and even a little rainbow heart. “Okay, but this is so me.”
“You’d make it look even cooler,” I said, reaching out to touch the soft fabric.
“You’re just saying that because you want me to buy it.”
“I’m saying it because it’s true.”
She rolled her eyes, but I could tell she was pleased.
We tried on ridiculous sunglasses that made us look like we belonged in a 70s movie and posed in front of a spotted mirror. At one point, she draped a feather boa around her neck and strutted like she was on a runway.
“Does this scream fashion icon or bird attack victim?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Both. And somehow, it works.”
She threw an arm around me. “See? We’re basically style legends already.”
We ended up each with our own little haul—her, the patch jacket; me, a pair of checkered pants I never thought I could pull off. As we paid, she smirked. “You ate with those.”
“We ate. Together,” I said, bumping her fist before we stepped back outside into the bright morning light.
-
12:00 p.m. — Carrot Picnic with Danielle
At the park, Danielle was already busy spreading out a bright blanket covered in carrots—carrot-themed pillows, carrot-patterned plates, and even a tiny carrot plushie sitting like a mascot at the center.
“You weren’t kidding about loving carrots,” I said, eyes wide as I took in the whole scene.
“Never joke about carrots,” she said with mock seriousness, handing me a baby carrot like it was the most precious thing in the world.
We both burst out laughing.
She’d packed a full picnic: sandwiches layered with fresh veggies, bowls of juicy fruit, homemade lemonade with just the right amount of tartness, and yes—carrot cake. “You have to try my mom’s recipe,” she said, slicing me a generous piece.
“This might be the best carrot cake I’ve ever had,” I said between bites, eyes closing in bliss. “Don’t tell my grandma.”
Danielle winked. “My mom’s secret ingredient? Love. And maybe a little extra cinnamon.”
We lay back on the blanket, staring up at the sky as clouds drifted lazily by.
“That one looks like a bunny,” she said, pointing.
“That one looks like a carrot,” I added, smiling.
“You’re learning,” she said with mock pride.
We took a bunch of silly selfies with the carrot plushie, and when she held it up, she grinned and said, “Say root vegetable!”
I groaned, but played along. “Dani, no.”
“Say it!”
“Root vegetable!”
Click.
Danielle giggled. “We should make carrot-themed merch.”
I laughed. “Only if you’re designing it.”
-
2:00 p.m. — Jam Session with Hanni
At my place, Hanni was already sprawled on the couch, guitar in hand, the afternoon sun filtering through the window and casting a golden glow. There was some gỏi cuốn on my coffee table, as I had asked my mom to make us some earlier before I left the house for the day. She strummed a few chords and grinned at me.
“Ready to make some noise?”
“Always.”
We decided to challenge each other to see who could come up with the weirdest, funniest riffs and sounds. She started with a funky bluesy lick, and I responded with a goofy, offbeat rhythm. We laughed as we tried to outdo each other, sometimes playing silly melodies that sounded more like cartoon sound effects than music.
“Okay, your turn,” I said, handing her the pick.
She grinned mischievously and played a riff that sounded like a sneaky cat tiptoeing across a rooftop.
“That’s… oddly impressive,” I admitted, laughing.
“Bet you can’t top that,” she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
We took turns improvising, making up goofy “musical stories” with the guitars — a chase scene, a clumsy dance, a midnight snack raid — letting the sounds paint the picture.
“Bro, this is way too fun,” she said, chuckling softly.
“Totally. We should record this nonsense and send it to the group chat,” I said, giggling.
We captured a few of our silly jams on my phone, promising to keep the goofy vibes going next time.
-
4:00 p.m. — Seafood with Haerin
We met at a small seafood restaurant tucked away in a quiet street, cozy booths and warm lighting making it feel like a little hidden gem. Haerin gave me a soft nod when I arrived and slid me a menu.
“You like squid?” she asked quietly, voice barely above a whisper.
“Yeah. Only if it’s crispy though.”
She smiled slightly. “Good choice.”
We ordered way too much—grilled mackerel with crispy skin, spicy squid that tingled on the tongue, and steamed clams dripping with garlic butter. Haerin wasn’t much of a talker, but her expressions spoke volumes. She’d widen her eyes at a particularly good bite or silently slide her favorite dish toward me so I could try it too.
As I talked about the day, she nodded thoughtfully, occasionally adding a soft, “Mhmm,” or a quiet laugh that felt like a secret only I was in on.
“This is really peaceful,” I said after a while, savoring the calm between us.
She nodded again, looking at me with gentle eyes. “You don’t always need words.”
I smiled, feeling the comfort in the silence. “That’s true.”
When dessert came—a bowl of patbingsu topped with sweet red bean and chewy mochi—she motioned for me to take the first bite.
“You’ve never had bingsu?” she asked, eyes wide with surprise.
“Not until now,” I said, tasting the cold, sweet flakes. “Oh my God.”
Her eyes lit up like I’d just discovered something magical.
She softly said, “It’s like summer in a bowl.”
We ate in quiet comfort, occasionally catching each other’s eyes and smiling without needing to say much more.
Afterward, she finally spoke a little more, asking about my plans for the rest of the night with a small, hopeful smile.
“It’s a sleepover with everyone,” I explained.
She nodded shyly, “Sounds nice.”
I asked if she wanted to come early next time, maybe cook or dance.
She smiled a little bigger, “I’d like that.”
-
6:00 p.m. — Mall Movies with Minji
I met Minji at the mall just as the evening sun was sinking behind the buildings, painting the sky in soft oranges and pinks. She wore a soft knit top and high-waisted jeans, looking effortlessly cool, like she stepped out of a vintage magazine.
“Finally,” she said, a small smile playing on her lips. “Our time.”
“I saved the best for last,” I teased back, matching her grin.
“You better have,” she said, smiling fondly.
We wandered through the vintage stores first, surrounded by racks of retro clothes and old vinyl records. She picked up a record and held it up between us.
“You know this band?” she asked, eyes sparkling.
“Only because of you,” I admitted, feeling a little proud myself.
“You’re learning,” she said, smiling proudly, like a teacher pleased with her student.
At the movie theater, we bought tickets to a cheesy horror flick, the kind that makes you both laugh and jump at the same time. Both me and Minji weren’t really big fans of horror, but earlier in the group chat and throughout the day, the other girls were daring the two of us scaredy cats to watch a horror film. We both got some ice cream before the movie started. I got mint chocolate chip, and Minji chose cookies and cream.
During the scariest part, she jumped and grabbed my arm.
“Okay, that one got me,” she whined, cheeks flushed.
“You screamed louder than the girl in the movie,” I teased.
“Shut up,” she said, laughing, shaking her head.
After the movie, we sat on the food court steps eating fries and talking about literally everything—school, dreams, weird mall people we’d spotted.
“This was fun,” she said softly, leaning her head on my shoulder.
“Yeah,” I agreed. “Today was perfect.”
-
8:30 p.m. — Boba, Dessert, and Home
We all met up at a boba café near my house, the neon sign flickering softly as the night settled in. The shop was buzzing with quiet chatter and the clinking of cups, cozy and warm inside.
I got myself some thai tea boba, Dani got strawberry milk tea, Hyein went with taro, Hanni chose honeydew, Haerin got matcha, and Minji stuck with brown sugar.
“We’re gonna be so hyper,” Hanni said, slurping up her drink enthusiastically.
“Speak for yourself,” Haerin mumbled softly, poking at her matcha with a boba straw, eyes flickering around shyly.
“Can we get dessert too?” Danielle asked, eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Already on it,” I said, pulling out my wallet to pay and nodding toward the display case filled with chocolate cake slices, brownies, and a variety of cookies.
We grabbed a big booth table and dug in, passing plates around and sharing bites.
Hanni handed over a dense, 60% cacao dark chocolate brownie, looking way too pleased with herself. “Brace yourselves,” she said with a smirk.
Hyein took a bite, paused mid-chew, and blinked. “Why does this taste like it has secrets?”
I leaned in. “Because it probably does.”
“It’s giving… villain origin story,” Danielle whispered, clutching her chest.
Haerin, quietly but with complete conviction, added, “This brownie knows things.”
“Like how to ruin my life and still have me thank it,” Minji muttered, already going in for another bite.
We all burst out laughing while Hyein just stared at the rest of the brownie like it had just told her a prophecy
We talked about the day, teasing each other about the weird sunglasses, Danielle’s carrot obsession, and Hanni’s and I's goofy guitar riffs.
At one point, Minji pulled out her phone to show us some old photos of the group, and we all melted a little at how far we’d come.
Dani and Hanni debated whether carrots could actually be a fashion statement, while Hyein argued that sunglasses with rhinestones were the true peak of style.
Haerin smiled quietly through it all, occasionally adding a soft word or two, her eyes sparkling when she laughed.
“This feels like one of those perfect days you don’t want to end,” Dani said softly.
“I’m not ready for the sleepover to start,” Hanni added, yawning while she stretched her limbs.
I looked around at all of them, warm and tired but happy. “Me neither.”
-
10:00 p.m. — The Sleepover
We piled into my room after taking turns showering and throwing on pajamas. The queen-sized bed was big enough, barely, and somehow we all fit—Minji and Haerin by the wall, Dani next to Haerin, me next to Dani, then Hanni, then Hyein at the edge.
The room smelled faintly of lavender and vanilla from the candles I’d lit earlier. Pillows were scattered everywhere, and soft blankets tangled around our legs.
“Don’t kick me,” Hyein warned, pulling her blanket up to her chin.
“No promises,” I said, grinning as I pulled the covers closer.
We whispered and giggled under the warm glow of fairy lights strung across the ceiling, sharing silly stories and secrets.
Danielle yawned, snuggling into my shoulder. “Today was the best.”
“Can we do this again sometime, pleaseee?” Hanni mumbled, her voice heavy with sleep.
“Same time next month?” Minji offered, her eyes already half-closed.
“Deal,” I whispered.
Haerin shifted slightly, her voice soft but clear as she added, “Thank you for today. I had so much fun with you all.”
I reached over and squeezed her hand. “Thank you for being here.”
“Goodnight!” Hyein added. She then accidently let out a muffled burp.
We all burst out laughing quietly, the sound soft and comforting in the dark.
And with that, we drifted off into sleep, tangled together in warm blankets and even warmer memories.