⋆ 𐙚 ̊.CHAPTER 6 ✶⋆.˚

🇽​​🇴​, ​🇪​​🇻​​🇪​​🇱​​🇾​​🇳

"FAKING IT? THAT'S A BOLD CLAIM, KITTY", Evelyn said, folding her arms.

Kitty shook her head, her voice resolute. "It's not just a claim, Evie. I know it. Dae's face says it all. And Yuri? She's way too calculated to let something like this happen without her pulling the strings."

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"You look so cute in the high ponies!!" Kitty squealed, as the two girls were getting ready for their first day at KISS.

"I'll go get some juice from the fridge. Be quick, Kitty." Saying this, Evelyn headed towards the common area. 

"Come in, come in. Okay, that can go there. And that one here, please." Minho said to his entourage of workers. 

"What are YOU doing here?" Minho dramatically pointed his fingers at Evelyn.

"You hired movers?  C'mon how long are you going to annoy aunt with you little tantrums?" Evelyn spat.

Minho raised an eyebrow, his signature smirk curling on his lips as he crossed his arms. "Oh, I'm sorry, are you the new dorm inspector now? Or just mad because your side of the room doesn't have my impeccable style?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes, arms akimbo. "Impeccable style? You mean cluttering up the place with oversized furniture and designer rugs you probably can't even pronounce the names of?"

"Excuse me," Minho retorted, placing a hand dramatically on his chest. "It's Versailles Chic, not that you'd understand. But go ahead, keep pretending those department store throw pillows you call décor are trendy."

Evelyn huffed, stepping closer. "At least my side of the dorm doesn't scream 'spoiled celebrity with zero taste.' What even is that lamp? A space station?"

Minho leaned forward slightly, his tone mockingly sweet. "Ah, jealousy. It's a terrible look on you, Evelyn. Don't worry—I'm sure I can find you a discount version of my lamp. Maybe on clearance?"

"Why are you even here?" Evelyn shot back, ignoring his jab. "Shouldn't you be off somewhere hosting a press conference about your superiority complex?"

"And miss the chance to see you storm around, huffing like a grumpy cat? Never."

"Oh, please," Evelyn snapped, rolling her eyes so hard it practically hurt. "You're just afraid I'll outshine you at literally everything."

Minho let out a low chuckle. "Oh, sweetheart, you couldn't outshine me if you were wrapped in fairy lights and standing in the middle of Times Square."

Evelyn's eyes narrowed. "Keep talking, Minho. I'm this close to replacing your designer chairs with lawn furniture."

"And I'm this close to donating all your sad little sweaters to goodwill," he shot back.

Before Evelyn could respond, Kitty's voice rang out from the hallway. "Guys, if you're done flirting, we have a class to get to!"

Both Minho and Evelyn turned to Kitty in unison, shouting, "We are NOT flirting!"

Kitty smirked knowingly, walking past them with an air of nonchalance. "Sure you're not. Let me know when you two decide to admit it."

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The chemistry classroom buzzed with energy as students filled the seats, chatting and laughing. Evelyn entered with Q, scanning the room for a good spot.

"There's one near the front," Q said, leading the way.

Evelyn smiled, following him as they slid into their seats. "Perfect. Close enough to actually learn something."

Kitty arrived moments later, her face lit up with determination. But as she looked around, her smile faltered. Every seat was taken except one—right beside Minho.

Her heart sank. "You've got to be kidding me."

Minho, already seated and casually leaning back in his chair, smirked as he noticed her hesitation. "Something wrong, Portland Stalker? Or are you just standing there because you're admiring me?"

Kitty shot him a glare, her lips tightening. "Don't flatter yourself."

With no other option, she stomped over and dropped her bag onto the table with a thud, sliding into the chair beside him as if it physically pained her. Minho chuckled softly.

"Relax, Kitty. I don't bite."

Meanwhile, Evelyn and Q exchanged amused glances from across the room. Q leaned closer to Evelyn, whispering, "How long do you think they'll last before they start bickering?"

Evelyn smirked. "I'm betting two minutes. Tops."

"Lucky for you, poopy baby," she snapped, crossing her arms and refusing to meet his gaze. 

Evelyn, who had been unpacking her notebook, froze mid-motion. Her head whipped around to look at Kitty, her eyes wide. 

"Wait. What did you just call me?"

Minho's smug expression evaporated, his jaw tightening. "Who told you that?" he demanded, leaning closer to Kitty, his voice low and sharp, in its own funny way.

Kitty grinned innocently. "Oh, wouldn't you like to know?"

"Dae," Minho muttered under his breath, glaring daggers at the empty seat where his best friend should've been. "When I get my hands on him—"

"Poopy baby," Kitty repeated, her tone sing-song as she reveled in his irritation. "What? It's kind of cute if you think about it."

Minho muttered something under his breath and raised his hand. "Professor Finnerty, can we change seats? I'm allergic to..." he motioned vaguely toward Kitty, "...this."

"Not happening, Mr. Moon," Professor Finnerty replied. "The seating chart is first-come, first-serve."

Minho groaned, slumping back in his chair. Meanwhile, Kitty couldn't help but smirk.

After a few minutes, Kitty leaned forward, trying to catch Evelyn's attention. "Ev!" she whispered loudly, gesturing for her to come back.

Evelyn sighed, turning to look at her. "What?"

"Switch seats with me!" Kitty pleaded, her voice urgent. "I can't sit next to him for an hour. I'll lose my mind."

Evelyn frowned, shaking her head. "Kitty, no. I'm not moving. You got yourself into this."

"Please, Evie!" Kitty whined. "I'll owe you one. A big one."

"Kitty, no way. I'm staying put. You'll survive."

Kitty pouted dramatically, slumping back in her seat. Meanwhile, Minho smirked, leaning closer to her. "Looks like you're stuck with me, Portland stalker."

"Don't push your luck, poopy baby," Kitty shot back, refusing to back down.

Evelyn turned back to her notebook, shaking her head with a sigh. Chemistry class was definitely off to a chaotic start.

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The bell rang, signaling the end of chemistry class. Evelyn was the first to grab her things and head out the door, eager to escape the chaos. Kitty followed closely, her bag swinging as she tried to keep up with her friend. The hallway was bustling with students, but Evelyn and Kitty managed to find a quieter stretch of the corridor.

Evelyn glanced sideways at Kitty, her curiosity finally bubbling to the surface. "Okay, spill it. What did Dae tell you this morning?"

Kitty hesitated for a moment, looking down at her shoes as they walked. "He didn't say much, honestly. Just... that I should let him explain."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, stopping mid-step and turning to face her. "Explain what? The fact that he's dating Yuri now? Or that he's suddenly front and center in Mr. Han's apology video?"

Kitty sighed, leaning against the lockers. "I don't know, Evie. He sounded serious, though. Like... he really wants me to hear him out."

Evelyn crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "And you're actually considering it?"

"That's why I'm asking you," Kitty said, her voice quieter now. "Do you think I should let him explain? I mean, part of me wants to just—" She mimed slamming a door in someone's face. "—shut him out. But the other part..."

Evelyn softened, leaning against the locker next to her. "You still care about him."

Kitty looked away, biting her lip. "I don't know what I feel. But this whole thing—him and Yuri—it doesn't make sense. You saw the video. You saw him. Doesn't he look... I don't know... off?"

Evelyn nodded reluctantly. "Yeah. He didn't look happy, that's for sure. But Kitty, if he's asking to explain, maybe you should let him. At least then you'll know the truth, whatever it is."

Kitty sighed again, running a hand through her hair. "I hate that you're making sense right now."

Evelyn grinned, nudging her. "It's my specialty. But seriously, Kitty, you deserve answers. If he can't give them to you, then he's not worth your time."

Kitty smiled faintly, nodding. "You're right. I'll let him explain. But he better not try to pull any of that charming smile stuff. I'm immune now."

Evelyn laughed, pulling Kitty into a quick side hug. "Sure you are."

"But all the time I tried talking to him, Yuri always comes out from nowhere." Kitty said.

"I'm sure you'll get time together, you live in the same dorm as him." 

"By the way, I have something exciting to tell you! Did you see the way Q was looking at Florian? He definitely likes him!" Kitty jumped in joy after finally finding her first match, here in Seoul.

"Did he? Well, I was too busy taking down notes, so.." Evelyn said.

"You are a bummer."

"I can't help."

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Night had settled over the campus, and the dorm was quiet except for the soft hum of the blender in the kitchen. Evelyn stood at the counter, carefully blending a smoothie, the faint scent of fresh fruit lingering in the air. Meanwhile, Kitty was in the common area, setting up her phone's timer to take her 11th-grade photo. Her movements were deliberate, but there was a tension in her shoulders that hinted at the emotional weight she was carrying.

The sudden creak of the dorm door opening made Kitty jump, her heart racing as a small yelp escaped her lips.

"Oh God, sorry!" she exclaimed, clutching her chest as Q stepped inside. "I thought you were Dae."

Q raised an eyebrow, his usual playful expression softening with concern. "Yeah, I heard that. You okay?"

Kitty let out a nervous chuckle, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "I'm fine. Really. I just... wasn't expecting anyone."

Q stepped closer, his gaze steady. "If you're not fine, you can cry on us. Seriously, we could, like, jump it out together or something." His attempt at humor was accompanied by an exaggerated bounce, earning a small, reluctant laugh from Kitty.

"No," she said firmly, shaking her head. "I'm not going to cry. I can't. Puffy eyes and Covey family traditions don't mix." She held up her phone with a small smile, though her voice wavered slightly. "My mom started this thing—taking a photo every year. She'd always say it's about capturing who we are in the moment, no matter what's happening. So... I'm here, for her."

Evelyn, listening quietly from the kitchen, paused mid-blend and exchanged a quick glance with Q. They both saw through Kitty's facade, the brave front she put on to mask the cracks underneath.

Q broke the silence, his tone light but warm. "Give it here. I'll take it for you. We'll make it perfect."

Kitty hesitated for a moment before handing him her phone. "Thanks, Q," she said softly, her eyes glistening just enough to betray the weight of her emotions.

Q nodded, stepping back to frame the shot, but before the tension could linger, he blurted out, "Oh! By the way, Florian followed me on Instagram today."

Kitty froze for a second before her expression transformed completely, the sadness melting away as excitement took its place. "Oh my God, really?" she squealed, bouncing on her toes.

Evelyn peeked out from the kitchen, smoothie in hand, and smirked at the sudden shift in Kitty's mood. "Wow, first match, and it's already smooth sailing, huh? Didn't even need your help, Kitty."

"I know, right?" Kitty beamed, momentarily forgetting her worries as she grabbed Q's arm and shook it playfully. "Florian's a catch! You've got to keep this going."

Q laughed, the energy in the room lifting. For a moment, the weight of Kitty's earlier thoughts was replaced by laughter and lighthearted teasing. Evelyn leaned against the counter, sipping her smoothie, content to see her best friend smiling again—even if just for a little while.

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(ruka: im skipping the part where the baby bracelet falls from the diary, because this ff is not about kitty. we'll only show kitty when evelyn will be with her)

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EVELYN'S POV

Sitting peacefully in my room was never really an option. There was always something—or someone—pulling me out of my own space. If it wasn't Kitty spiraling over her mom's mysterious past, it was the endless chatter about the Dae-Yuri drama that hung over our heads like a dark cloud. Quiet moments were a luxury I didn't get to enjoy, not with the constant hum of chaos filling the air around me.

Today was no different. I hadn't even managed to grab lunch—though, honestly, skipping meals was becoming a bad habit I couldn't seem to shake.

Instead, I found solace in my go-to comfort: smoothies. For some, smoothies were just a drink, a quick fix for hunger or a healthy boost. But for me? They were more than that. They were food, a satisfying blend of everything I could find to throw into the blender—bananas, berries, spinach, yogurt, even a dollop of honey for sweetness. Each ingredient carried its own flavor, its own story, and together they formed something vibrant, something whole.

The familiar routine of cutting fruit, measuring yogurt, and hearing the blender whir was oddly therapeutic. It was the one time in my day when I felt in control like I could create something good out of a mix of whatever I had on hand.

With the first sip, a small smile crept onto my face. It wasn't much, but it was enough—a little anchor in the storm that was my life lately. The sweetness of the berries, the tang of the yogurt, the earthy touch of spinach... it all reminded me that even in the chaos, there were tiny moments of balance. Moments where, just for a second, the noise faded into the background, and it was just me and my smoothie—a small victory in a world that rarely gave me any.

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But like all good things, it didn't last long.

The door creaked open, followed by the distinct sound of purposeful, almost arrogant footsteps. She didn't need to look up to know who it was. Her personal space had just been invaded by none other than Minho.

"What are you doing?" his voice drawled, laced with that infuriating mix of smugness and curiosity.

Evelyn exhaled sharply, gripping her glass a little tighter. "Drinking a smoothie. You know, something normal people do. Not that you'd understand."

Minho raised an eyebrow, stepping further into the kitchen. "A smoothie? Let me guess—some tragic attempt at being 'quirky.' Is this your whole personality now?"

Evelyn narrowed her eyes, her grip on the glass tightening. "At least I have a personality, unlike you, who just walks around like some overly groomed mannequin with a superiority complex."

Minho smirked, leaning casually against the counter opposite her. "Big words for someone who's drinking fruit puree like a toddler. What's next? Sippy cups?"

Her jaw clenched. "At least I don't need an entourage to move a few boxes or throw a tantrum every time things don't go my way."

"Oh, here we go." He folded his arms, tilting his head slightly. "Still stuck on that, huh? Look, I can't help it if people actually want to help me. It's called being likable, Raven. You should try it sometime."

"Likable?" Evelyn let out a bitter laugh, setting her glass down with a thud. "You mean intimidating people into doing what you want? Or maybe just throwing money at the problem until it disappears. That's not likability, Minho. That's pathetic."

His smirk faltered for a fraction of a second before returning, sharper this time. "And what's your excuse? Let me guess—you're too busy playing the self-sacrificing, misunderstood girl to actually do anything worthwhile. Must be exhausting being the main character in your own pity party."

That was it. Evelyn felt the simmering frustration boil over, her composure snapping like a brittle thread. "You know what, Minho? I'm so sick of your entitled, holier-than-thou attitude. You walk around like the world owes you something, but you're just—" She stopped, her voice shaking with anger.

"Just what?" Minho challenged, stepping closer, his expression unreadable now. "Go on, Evie. Say it."

"You're just a spoiled, arrogant jerk who thinks he can waltz into anyone's life and make everything about himself. But newsflash, Minho—not everything revolves around you. Maybe if you spent less time tearing other people down and more time looking in the mirror, you'd see how miserable you actually are."

The words hung in the air like a challenge, both of them staring each other down, the tension between them thick and electric.

Minho's smirk faded completely, replaced by something darker, something unreadable. For a moment, Evelyn thought he might fire back. But instead, he straightened, his expression hardening.

"Funny," he said quietly, his voice cold. "Coming from someone who's clearly projecting."

He turned on his heel and walked out, leaving Evelyn standing in the kitchen, her heart pounding, the smoothie forgotten.