After their talk with Yunjin, Jimin and Minjeong move about the other guests and mingle. By now, Minjeong met most of Jimin's family and so far everyone seems to like her. Jimin knows from past experience that it's still too soon to tell though, but Minjeong seems to be holding up a lot better than she expected.

"For the lovebirds," Yunjin says as she waltzes over with a couple party crowns and hands them off.

"Nice!" Minjeong grins happily and puts on the crown with ease. Jimin sighs, "These are so lame."

"I'll tell your mom you said that," Yunjin quips.

"Snitch."

"Grump."

"I like them," Minjeong interrupts with a flick at the crown, the new year in bulky, sparkly numbers. "I feel very festive."

"Aren't they? And they match your sweater which is super cute by the way," Yunjin compliments before looking to Jimin. "I still don't understand why she's with you."

"You don't need to," Jimin tells her before sliding her out the way in favor of standing closer to Minjeong. "We should get our bubbles now. I see Grandma walking around with them."

They leave Yunjin once again and make their way over. Grandma's returned to a small table lined with champagne flutes and holds a bottle of something expensive in her hands.

"Need a hand?" Minjeong asks, ever so helpful.

Grandma looks between them and shakes her head before speaking to Jimin, once again in Korean only. Jimin finds herself feeling a little annoyed by Grandma's behavior, but she only listens and nods. She's not trying to pick a fight and Grandma knows how to cause a scene.

Meanwhile Minjeong looks away, attempting to mask the dejection.

"I said I understand," Jimin suddenly says. She softens when she realizes her tone and quietly takes the two flutes Grandma holds out for her and Minjeong.

"Thanks," Minjeong says softly as Jimin leads the way elsewhere. It takes her a moment before she asks, "What was that about?"

Jimin shakes her head, "She's just being petty."

"Oh," Minjeong goes to take a sip of her champagne. "Is it me?"

"It's not."

"Are you sure? I've been trying to bond with her but the language barrier makes it a little hard. I didn't know that she doesn't speak English."

Jimin shakes her head, "Oh no, she does. She's just fucking with you."

"Wait what?" Minjeong looks to Grandma in disbelief. "Why would she do that?"

"Like I said, she's petty."

Minjeong looks back at her, wanting more information.

"She doesn't think you'll last," Jimin clarifies. "She's tired of spending the time to learn someone new just to never see them again so...she's just not going to do it this time. She's not going to try."

Minjeong frowns and Jimin actually feels a little bad about being so truthful. Her grandma is as stubborn as they come, so Minjeong shouldn't really take it that personally but the look on her face tells Jimin she's a little too late.

"Look, who cares what she thinks," Jimin reasons. "The person we really need to focus on convincing is my mom."

Minjeong nods, "Okay. Right."

"Yeah, so don't mind her," Jimin says and clinks Minjeong's flute with her own. "Drink up, I'm winning."

"It's always a competition with you," Minjeong smirks before taking another sip.

─

For the next hour, they snack on all the various dishes and continue drinking until Taecyeon announces that they're fifteen minutes away from ringing in the new year. Most of the guests have on some type of party hat or party glasses and Taecyeon goes to turn on the live stream of Times Square Ball Drop while flutes are topped up.

Jimin and Minjeong join the others as everyone migrates to the living room, everyone awaiting the screen to fill with the countdown.

"Do you have a resolution in mind?" Minjeong asks.

Jimin glances to her at the unexpected question, but Minjeong's eyes are focused on the screen before them.

Jimin's never been one to make a resolution because she doubts she'd ever commit to actually keeping it. However, for the sake of answering Minjeong, she thinks about it. Most resolutions are about losing weight or getting fit which doesn't apply to her because she's already got a smoking hot body. Other popular resolutions relate to a career – which she doesn't have yet – or her love life – which is set since she already has a fake girlfriend.

At a loss for an answer, Jimin shrugs.

"I don't think so," She says. "How about you?"

Minjeong shrugs too, "I don't think I know yet either. Maybe travel more or learn a language? Something like that."

Jimin nods, "Well I can definitely help with the traveling one. Thank God I've got access to my dad's frequent flyer miles."

Minjeong chuckles before they're interrupted by Jimin's family beginning to count down the last minute before the new year. Jimin laughs at their enthusiasm while Minjeong joins in, shouting just as loud as everyone else. The walls are practically rattling as everyone counts down together.

"5...4...3...2...1!"

"Happy New Year," Minjeong tells Jimin in a much calmer voice.

Jimin replies, "Happy New Year."

There's suddenly an awkward tension between them because couples around are kissing each other, family members hug, meanwhile they just stand there not moving a muscle. Jimin tries to relieve the tension before anyone notices and quickly kisses Minjeong's cheek.

"The cheek?" Yunjin points out.

She's hanging off her fiancé Bruce – who really did turn up in time – and there's a look of pure judgment on her face. She's also drunk as hell, but Jimin tenses at being called out anyway.

"Woah. Chill babe," Bruce tells her coolly.

"You saw that right?" Yunjin asks him.

"See what?"

"Honestly, Bruce!"

The louder she gets, the more attention is pointed their way and it makes Jimin feel even more antsy. Maybe this is it? Maybe this is where they get found out? Jimin can't say they're not into PDA because that's so not her so what other excuse could there be?

"Just do it," Minjeong whispers suddenly.

Jimin looks at her in surprise while Yunjin's wrapped up Bruce trying to feed her a glass of water. She can't have a whole debate with Minjeong right now, she can't point out that they've yet to kiss each other anywhere else besides the cheek, she can't opt for a different way out because the blonde is already pulling her in.

Minjeong's hand cradles Jimin's cheek while the other falls to her waist. It's hard for Jimin to stay in character because she really didn't anticipate having to do something like this in front of everyone – which is pretty silly considering it's New Year's Eve and people usually kiss their partners.

God, why didn't she think of this?!

There's no time to beat herself up about it though. She braces herself, giving Minjeong total control for the first time. The last thing she sees is piercing brown eyes flickering between hers before they flutter shut.

The next thing she feels are the soft lips pressing into hers with a kind of gentleness that she isn't used to. What Jimin's used to is hard and fast, all teeth and an insatiable need – not this...tenderness.

Then just as fast as it happened, it's over.

Minjeong pulls away, blinking slowly while Jimin does the same. There's a split second where those around them cheer – even Yunjin – but Jimin doesn't really hear it. She's too busy staring at Minjeong, still in complete disbelief that she just did that.

She just kissed her.

Once the novelty wears off, everyone goes back to mingling with each other around the house while Jimin and Minjeong stay put.

"I'm surprised I didn't throw up," Minjeong comments lowly.

Jimin's taken aback by the comment and snorts, "I'm a little nauseous if I'm being honest."

"Oh really?"

"It was a real struggle for me."

Minjeong snorts this time, "How do you think I feel? I thought you were meant to be the experienced one, but kissing you was like kissing a wall – you didn't even move!"

"I was clearly taken by surprise..."

"Bullshit. I gave you a signal."

"What?" Jimin laughs, "What signal?"

"The look," Minjeong recreates a stare that doesn't really give Jimin much.

"Was that it?"

"Yes!"

"It's not a very good signal."

Minjeong rolls her eyes, "Seriously though...that was a close one."

"Very," Jimin agrees.

─

Jimin and Minjeong hang around downstairs awhile longer before guests begin to head home for the night. With a late morning flight the next day, Jimin and Minjeong retreat to Jimin's room too to get ready for bed.

Again, they do their familiar dance of taking turns in the bathroom and getting changed into their pajamas in private until they find themselves standing in front of the bed. Jimin glances to Minjeong, seeing if she'll be setting up the makeshift bed again.

She gets her answer when Minjeong reaches for a couple pillows and starts pulling off the comforter.

"Really?" Jimin jokes as she plops down on the bed. "Can I at least get another pillow?"

Minjeong shakes her head as she builds her nest of cushions and blankets.

"You're up there and I'm down here on the floor," Minjeong replies. "Who needs more pillows?"

"You chose to be down there."

"Because I'm not getting in a bed with you."

"So you've said a million times," Jimin replies as she gets comfortable under the covers.

"Well get used to it because it's not happening," Minjeong tells her. "Ever."

"You know, you're probably the first person that has said that to me?"

Minjeong snorts, "With your reputation, I believe it."

Jimin's jaw drops a little, "Ouch."

Minjeong pokes her head up from the end of the bed, "Don't act like your feelings are hurt."

Jimin raises her chin, "They're not."

Minjeong eyes her before sinking back down. Once she's out of sight, Jimin slumps wondering why the brunt of how everyone views her actually relies on other people. Her mom and Grandma, even Minjeong, don't see her for her but instead the people she surrounds herself with.

It starts to really set in that her accomplishments, her fantastic grades, her near-perfect GPA don't seem to mean much when she has the kind of reputation she does. Does no one see how ridiculous that is? It's her personal life, so what if she doesn't want to be tied down?

She can understand her mom and grandma taking that stance, because they're old school but Minjeong too? Not that she cares about her opinion, but she figured she'd have a different point of view considering she wasn't raised in the dark ages.

Apparently though, it doesn't matter and the frustration she feels upon the realization keeps her up for another hour or so before she finally tires herself out.

─

Despite the late-night, Jimin awakes earlier than usual. She finds that even Minjeong's still asleep before she quietly sneaks out of the room and heads downstairs. She can hear Jessica in the kitchen and the smell of fresh coffee fills the air.

"This is a sight," Jessica notes from her spot at the counter.

Jimin just grunts and scuffles her way over to the coffee pot where a mug awaits her.

"Hungry? I'll make some breakfast soon."

Jimin shakes her head, "This will be okay for now."

Jessica hums and together they sit at the counter and sip their coffees in silence. Jimin's slowly starting to feel like a person again as the brew goes down, but Jessica doesn't let the silence stick around.

"So, Minjeong," She says.

Jimin's brows rise as she glances at her mom. She couldn't even last five minutes without bringing up her relationship.

"I think she's really lovely," Jessica admits. "Not the usual kind of girl you bring home, but it's a nice change. A welcomed change."

Jimin nods, biting her cheek in the process because those feelings she fell asleep to are still strong. The last thing she wants to talk or even think about is how happy Jessica is with Jimin solely because she is with Minjeong now. Yes, that's the point but it still.

"I just hope that she'll stick around a little longer," Jessica adds.

"She will," Jimin answers resolutely.

Jessica only sips from her mug slowly.

─

A few hours later, Jimin and Minjeong are on their flight back to campus.

Like the first flight over, Minjeong's tense until they get to cruising altitude and she can busy herself with homework.

Jimin on the other hand keeps her earbuds in and tries tuning out the world. Unlike before, Jimin doesn't have any interest in helping Minjeong cope with her dislike for flying. She just wants to listen to her music and disappear in a bag of gummy bears after an exhausting past couple of days.

Not that they were physically exhausting, but try pretending to be into someone as annoying as Minjeong. It's a lot of work, especially for Jimin, and she's just about hit her breaking point.

She does pretty well in holding everything inside until Minjeong leans over the armrest that separates them, breaching her personal bubble. Her hand is going for Jimin's bag of gummies and like a spoiled toddler, Jimin jolts the bag away before Minjeong can reach it.

"Can I help you?" Jimin snaps.

Minjeong frowns, "Are you really not going to share?"

"These aren't for you."

"What happened to what's mine is yours?"

Jimin gives her a look, "We're not married. We're barely even dating."

Minjeong's frown deepens and the way she stares makes Jimin focus hard on the bag in her hands. But even when she avoids eye contact, Jimin can still feel the judgmental glare.

"Can you stop staring at me?"

Minjeong huffs, "What's going on with you?"

"Nothing."

"Then what's your problem with me?"

Jimin scoffs, "That's a pretty loaded question."

"Well, answer it because I'm sick of the attitude."

For Jimin, those words are like lighting a firecracker within her.

"You wanna know what my problem is?" She snaps. "Ever since you transferred to Columbia you have been nothing but a pain in my ass."

"What? You can't be serious."

"It's like you've made it your mission in life to one-up me every chance you get," Jimin tells her. "I used to have the highest GPA and I was on track to be valedictorian until you came along. You know how it feels to work your ass off to get to where I am only for it to be taken away? A second time? I bet you don't."

Minjeong slumps in her seat, "I-I'm not doing it on purpose."

Jimin doesn't hear her reasoning. The floodgates within her have been blown wide open.

"Not to mention your head is so far up Professor Kang's ass you might as well wear it as a hat!"

Minjeong stiffens, "You don't know a thing about me, Jimin."

"Please," Jimin scoffs. "I know your type. Pretty, blonde, and smart? You're the epitome of privilege."

Minjeong's jaw drops but she quickly grits her teeth, "And what about you? Hot-headed with a chip on her shoulder because she was probably burned by someone like me in the past?"

Jimin's taken aback, but there's no way she's going to waver in front of Minjeong. It doesn't seem to matter though, because Minjeong sees the crack in Jimin's façade.

"See? I can stereotype too," Minjeong tells her upon the silence.

Jimin shakes her head, "I don't need this."

"There you go quitting again," Minjeong points out. "Probably a result of this girl. God, she really must've done a number on you. Makes sense why you can't commit to anything."

"Why are you so sure there's a girl?"

"There's always a girl."

Jimin feels like she's beneath a microscope, but she looks back at Minjeong challengingly.

"Well congrats, Minjeong. You've got me all figured out. Great job," Jimin replies, her words full of sarcasm.

Minjeong shakes her head, "You know what your problem is?"

"I'm sure you're about to tell me."

"You're afraid," Minjeong tells her simply. "And it's so obvious. You're afraid of commitment. You're afraid of opening up. You're afraid of your own mother because if you weren't we wouldn't be in this mess. You wouldn't be in this mess."

Jimin bites her cheek even though Minjeong's words really struck a nerve within her. She can't react though, she can't let Minjeong know that she has successfully landed a blow. So Jimin does what she does best and retreats.

"You're lucky we're stuck on this stupid plane together because the moment it lands, that's it," Jimin tells her. "This is over. I'm done. I don't care about the job or what my mother thinks. It's not worth the headache of being stuck with you in this stupid relationship!"

"Good!"

"Fine!"

"Great!"

The two of them practically huff and cross their arms, turning away from each other since they can't stomp off for dramatic effect. The silence is heavy and thick though and it only intensifies the longer it weighs down on them.

Jimin knows she might blowing things out of proportion, they both might be guilty of that, but how else was she meant to react? In reality, she knows she can't give up this easily. They've already laid down the groundwork, she can't let it be for nothing.

Swallowing pride has never been something Jimin's particularly good at doing, but she needs to figure it out before their plane touches down. She just hopes that whatever the reason might be that Minjeong's doing this is enough for her to give this a second try.

"Look," Jimin says timidly a long while later. "I'm sorry for how I acted." Minjeong glances to her but doesn't say a word.

"I know I can be a bitch sometimes and it's something that I struggle with," Jimin admits. "But from now on, I can try to be less of a bitch to you. That is if you want to keep doing this, because as much as I hate to admit it – I can't do this without you."

Minjeong mulls it over before nodding, "That was a much better apology."

Jimin smiles back in relief. There's a somewhat more relaxed quiet, but it doesn't last very long.

"I'm sorry for what I said before," She says. "About you being afraid. That wasn't very nice."

Jimin smirks, "Honestly, I didn't know you had it in you."

"Yeah," Minjeong sighs. "I don't know why I said that. I don't even know if there is a girl. I guess I was on a roll, being around you really brings it out of me I think."

Jimin chuckles lightly, "Well...there was a girl so you weren't entirely wrong."

Minjeong turns to her with brows raised, but Jimin keeps her eyes averted elsewhere.

"Well, while we're on the topic of not being wrong," Minjeong pauses. "I am a little bit of a kiss-ass in Professor Kang's class."

"I knew it."

"I just never had a teacher like him, okay? I might've gotten a little excited about it."

"A little?"

"What?" Minjeong replies timidly. "It's nice to be praised for thinking outside of the box rather than being punished for not staying in it."

Jimin quirks her brow at that.

"For once, being different is seen as something good," Minjeong continues. "You have no idea what it's like to be belittled, to be seen as this dumb person for so long just because my brain worked differently, to be pushed aside because no one thought I'd amount to anything."

"But you said you went to MIT," Jimin replies. "Unless you were just saying that to impress my mom?"

"No, that was true," Minjeong nods. "MIT was where I realized I was gifted. It was like I went from one extreme to another. I went from no one caring to suddenly everyone caring. They didn't care about me though, they cared about what I could do for them."

Jimin stays quiet and listens. She's not familiar with this side of Minjeong and if she's being honest it's kind of eye-opening.

"I didn't know," Jimin replies softly.

"Most people don't. I've had a lot of people just...give up on me," Minjeong tells her in a sigh. "You have no idea what that feels like, to be left behind."

"Yeah," Jimin frowns as Minjeong's words strike a chord, "I kind of do."

That takes Minjeong by surprise, "Really?"

"Maybe not the same context but I definitely know the feeling," Jimin replies then holds out her bag of gummies to share. There's a kind smile on her face for once as she says, "It sucks."

Minjeong looks down at the bag and smirks before she takes a couple pieces and pops them into her mouth.

"You know," She says as she chews. "I kind of hate that we have this much in common."

Jimin chuckles, "Me too."

____

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