・❥ lounge

why was she looking at her like that? there was something about the lady that kept her on her toes. was it her doe-like pair of eyes filled with curiosity? was it her gentle voice that seemed to hold balance in everything she was doing? was it her calm disposition that reminded her of her past self?

no matter what it was, gayoung was no stranger to strangers doing a double take whenever her identity's revealed, yet it was unusual for her to get this reaction given the concept of the show. "i did. you're fox, right?" the woman returns the inquiry, using her free hand to swipe at the female from head to toe. "i assumed you were given the whole fit. correct me if i'm wrong."

she barely reacts to the other female contestant's startled cry. "sorry..." younjung mumbles, hoping that it's enough to convey meaning, despite how thin it sounds. she doesn't need to be told twice to get moving, especially when the other begins to further extend their conversation.

"goodnight." she quickly waves to mouse. younjung then turns, taking a step up the stairs, already tuning the other woman out. her social battery is dwindling—anymore social interaction and she might just combust and implode. younjung turns around again however, when she somehow hears the latter's introduction. "did you say lamb?" she asks, some vigor returning to her voice.

one moment she was searching for her belongings through the pile, and in a matter of seconds, she was already carrying her barrel bag by her shoulder while pulling her stylish hardshell luggage with her other hand. gayoung stays still for a few seconds, contemplating how in the world would she be able to carry her stuff up the stairs while nursing a limp. "guess i'll die trying." a soft groan escapes past her plump lips, exasperation already taking over her system when she shifts in her position to be met by a pair of doe eyes that happened to be looking at her in passing, her heart leaping out of her chest once more.

"kamjagiya!" that was the second time she had said it tonight, and she was hoping it was not becoming her branding in the show. "have you been there long? can i help you?" she knocks an eyebrow towards the female, eyeing her getup from head to toe only to realize her identity. gayoung was staring at a fork of what to feel, either she was baffled or she felt concerned for the female who seemed to have a good head on her shoulders—keyword: seemed. the onesie was not helping her. 'must have been pranked,' she muses, letting out a sigh of frustration not meant for the other. "let's get moving." gayoung carefully takes her place beside fox as they approached the staircase. "soon as we get there and choose beds, you should freshen up. i'm gayoung, by the way, formerly lamb."

she was exhausted. all younjung could think about was sleeping. although she hadn't drank a single ounce of any alcohol, younjung felt intoxicated. her mind felt as if it were buzzed and slow, whilst her body felt limp and uncoordinated. her social battery was dwindling. a bonfire of new faces and the reappearance of her ex-boyfriend had made her want to become the opposite—antisocial.

on auto-pilot mode, younjung trudges into the sharehouse, still clad in her fox onesie. kicking off her crocs lazily, she lets out a soft sigh, feeling the daunt of having to bring her bags in, and then possibly up, to her room. in no way would she have enough energy to bring up all of her bags tonight. taking her main carrier by the handle, she started pulling and rolling in her carry-on luggage with her. as she heads for the stairs upstairs, she passes by the lounge. she spots two contestants; one she knew (just met) and one she didn't. the familiar contestant was 'mouse', the other was a woman; gorgeous, but with an energy that was steely and bold—almost unapproachable. inherently, younjung felt as if she shouldn't ever on her bad side, unless she wanted to suffer more crippling emotional damage.

the grip on his arm softens in response. “aw,” a honeyed coo escapes past her tiers, regarding him through her gaze with playful fondness. “did you miss it? don’t worry, we have all the time in the world to play house, just like old days, yeobo.” there was finally someone she can entertain herself with in a sea of strangers and one bothersome variable. gayoung feigns dramatic offense, “though it looks like you’re already out to replace me.” with a quiet sigh, she releases her hold from him to gesture to her sprain, “spun myself a little funny in training.” it was not true, but she did not want to bother him any further. “let’s get our things inside and settle before they come over.”

“How did you know my- Gayoung.” A glimmer of recognition coats over his eyes and a small grin tugged at the corner of his lips. He tilts his head towards the hand on his arm. “Still have that habit of grabbing onto me out of no where,” he teased, his larger hand blanketing over hers to steady her. “Now how did you manage to hurt yourself?”

convinced that she was the only participant in the vicinity for now, the stranger’s sudden interruption made her heart jump out of her chest. “kamjagiya!” she exclaimed, stumbling a bit from where she stood that caused her to hold onto the nearest thing—in this case, his arm. “where did you come fr—“ she snapped, turning her attention to the visibly taller male, her face painted with a mix of confusion and amusement. “joohyuk?”

joohyuk wasn't sure how to feel about living in a shared space with other contestants. though they had gotten closer over the past couple of weeks, they were essentially strangers. it felt like living in a college dorm again, with the only difference being that these people smelled better. probably. he spotted a woman taking her time walking—or rather, limping—toward the sharehouse entrance, and he patiently kept his distance, ready to assist if needed. "congrats, you made it. what's your name again?" he asked, stepping forward to assist in finding her bags despite not sparing her a glance.

"thank you." she bowed her head to the staff who assisted her towards the sharehouse an hour earlier than scheduled for the rest of the cast members to come in due to her sprain. careful footsteps lead her to the sharehouse's entrance, sliding the door open slowly to be greeted by their luggage lined up. "where are my bags..."