* saccharine dreams

“i think they gave you more balls.”

one would think after frequenting this quaint boba tea store on a daily basis, the owner would be more appreciative of their loyal customers. caixia, in particular, doesn’t believe she’s pushing her luck by expecting a few extra goodies to be added as reward. she always says her please and thank yous, never forgetting to wear a smile while her manners are on full display, but alas, it’s to no avail.

“but i’m not pissed about it though,” she mumbles under her breath, as she lifts the cup to inspect the few pearls floating aimlessly near the bottom. that’s a lie, but yerim doesn’t need to hear about it. “it’s just a statement, is all.”

a statement about the injustice she’s experiencing over a regular sized cup of honeydew boba tea! which, yet again, yerim doesn’t need to hear about. another day, another time perhaps, when she can properly muster the strength to explain her current feelings over something so pointless.

chewing on her straw, a distraction is sought, and it comes in pointing a finger at the various items listed on the menu overheard. “hey, do you think we should get more stuff when we’re done?” caixia asks after a small pause, already craning her neck to read through the prices. “or have we had enough sugar? we’re young, we can get away with eating junk before our bodies say no.”

* starry eyed

standing at 5′5″, the struggle to manoeuvre around the volleyball players leaving the court is so real. they tower over her, resembling the giants from the attack on titans series, with their long limbs and equally long strides. it's a sea of gargantuan beings; the sight sending a shiver down her spine as she attempts to walk, or more accurately, shuffle amongst them.

who's the idiot going in the opposite direction? this shortass idiot right here.

caixia wants nothing more than to mope over her height in private, but she's on a mission. in the words of her grandfather, risks must be taken to reach a successful outcome. and goddamn it, she'll continue suffering in this forest of tall people until she finds the person she's looking for— which thankfully doesn't take very long.

"sid! sid! sid!" she exclaims in relief, excitedly running over and ignoring the strange looks for doing so. her image is the least of her worries when she has one of the best volleyball players in her midst. "are you ready to kick the opposition's butt? just totally annihilate them? gonna block their win?"

correction, shortass and fangirling idiot.

* dissonance

ladies and gentlemen, li caixia had screwed up. but a mix of denial, stubbornness and unrealistically high hopes often passed off as optimism had—so far, anyway—prevented her from truly acknowledging how much of a mess she had created for herself.

handing in a blank test was equivalent to committing a crime. in the words of masta wu, it was a massive “no no”. this wasn’t brand new information, caixia understood this better than anyone. responses containing partial reference to the topic was better than nothing at all; the deciding factor between receiving a passing grade and an awkward after school consultation.

( then why did she, little miss academics, decide to do otherwise? )

this was music. no other explanation was required to sum up caixia’s hatred for studying anything involving instruments and melodies. the typical reaction to the subject involved multiple vulgarities, as she struggled to grasp the most basic of concepts. even standing outside the classroom was enough to have her wanting to voice her frustration, and she would’ve done so, if not for the teacher inside waiting to kick her ass for her arrival.

there was a moment’s hesitation. a deep breath to settle any thoughts, before bearing her usual bright smile and walking in, as if everything was fine, a long list of fine, fine, fine.

“you wanted to see me, miss?”

as i casually keep an eye on this kim vs taylor drama 👀, i want to say thank you for the messages and all round cuteness! ♡ i’ll definitely be replying & checking out plot pages after i finally get some sleep. i’m just a smol sleepy cow with a shitty sleep schedule fam.

who tf is li caixia? gooood question, my friend.