Chocolate Pt. 2
Title: Chocolate Pt. 2
Author: limnological
Rating: PG
Pairing: JeTi
Description: AU, Fluff
Chocolate Pt. 2
Jessica folded and unfolded the pink handkerchief for the 37th time while waiting for 1st period to end. She had made sure to thoroughly wash it a few times last night. After all, she did use it to clean the drool on her face yesterday.
She was positive it was Tiffany's. The chocolate gift on her desk had given her the clue.
However, a small part of her was hoping it wasn't Tiffany. Whoever had tied it to her hand had obviously seen the drool.
Jessica blushed at the thought.
How embarrassing.
**
In between class periods, Jessica stood outside of her next class, hoping to catch a glimpse of Tiffany. She wanted to confirm if the handkerchief was truly hers.
But luck wasn't on her side.
**
She tried again during lunchtime, wandering throughout the hallways. But she just couldn't seem to find her. She walked down an empty hallway, glancing around.
"Hey."
Jessica turned around.
Yoona and Yuri were standing behind her.
"Are you lost?" Yuri asked kindly.
Jessica shook her head.
Maybe I can ask them about Tiffany.
Jessica frowned at the thought.
No, I only know Tiffany's first name. There could be a lot of girls named Tiffany in this school.
Yuri and Yoona looked at her curiously as she frowned.
DING!
Jessica bit her lip. Lunch was over.
"What's your next class?" Yoona asked Jessica.
"Gym." Jessica whispered.
"Oh, if you're looking for it, it's just down that hall." Yoona turned around and pointed towards the specific hall.
Jessica nodded.
"Thanks."
But that's not what I'm looking for.
**
"Take the cosine of that angle, then subtract it from your first answer, and you'll get the answer to the side." Tiffany tutored the younger student carefully.
The girl, whom Tiffany did not know her name, nodded.
Tiffany leaned back into her chair and stretched. She stood up.
"I have to get going now. Excuse me."
"Wait. I'm sorry, could you show me again?" The younger girl asked sweetly.
Tiffany sat back down.
"Sure."
Somehow, it was always like this.
She could never really refuse someone.
**
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
The wall clock taunted Jessica as she fidgeted in her seat.
Curiosity was getting the best of her.
And she didn't understand why.
She clutched onto the handkerchief tightly, praying that Study Hall would end faster.
For once, she didn't want school to be over so she could work.
She wanted it to be over so she could see Tiffany.
**
Jessica counted the minutes tick by as she waited after school. She had been waiting for 25 minutes.
What time does Tiffany usually show up?
She furrowed her eyebrows together, pondering the thought.
Is she going to show up today?
The thought crossed her mind.
What if she doesn’t show up?
She clutched onto the handkerchief tighter.
It was possible. After all, Tiffany didn't wake her up yesterday.
Despair wallowed up in Jessica's stomach.
What am I thinking? Why would she show up? It's not like she purposely showed up just to wake me up.
Jessica bit the bottom of her lip.
How stupid.
Jessica stuffed the handkerchief into her pocket. She grabbed her backpack and hastily stood up. She walked to the doorway and reached for the handle.
But before she could grab it, the door slid open.
"Are you leaving already?"
Jessica could not utter a word. She stared at Tiffany and remained as stiff as a board.
Tiffany glanced at her wristwatch.
"Hmm. It's only 3:30. Would you like to chat with me again for a bit?"
Jessica could only nod.
Tiffany smiled brightly.
"Lovely. Let's sit then."
Jessica nodded again and turned around. They walked towards the back of the room, both taking their usual seats.
As usual, silence enveloped them for a bit.
Jessica straightened the edge of her skirt, keeping her gaze on the desk.
How should I -
"Would you like some chocolate?" Tiffany offered to Jessica.
"No thank-you." Jessica murmured.
Tiffany smiled again and started to unravel the chocolate in hand.
"Umm... The chocolate yesterday-" Jessica muttered.
Tiffany looked up at Jessica and grinned.
"Did you like it?"
Jessica nodded, perhaps too eagerly.
"It was delicious."
"That's good. I was hoping you would." Tiffany placed the truffle in her mouth and started to chew.
Jessica waited for her to finish eating. Once she saw Tiffany swallow the chocolate, she took the handkerchief out of her pocket.
"This is yours, right?"
A wider grin appeared on Tiffany's face.
"It is."
Jessica blushed instantly.
Tiffany let out a soft chuckle, as if she could read Jessica's mind.
"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone about it."
Jessica remained silent and blushed deeper.
"I actually found it cute." Tiffany added.
Jessica fixed her gaze onto her lap and held out the handkerchief to Tiffany. She desperately wanted to change the subject.
"I washed it a few times. Thank-"
"Please stop saying 'thank-you.' It seems like half of our conversations consist of it."
"O-okay."
Tiffany took the cloth and tucked it into her pocket.
Curiosity started to creep into Jessica again.
"How did you know I was right-handed?"
"I noticed that you grab your backpack with your right hand."
"Ah..."
Jessica glanced at the clock.
She bit her lip.
Was it really already time to go?
She glanced back to Tiffany.
"I have to go."
Tiffany nodded.
Jessica grabbed her backpack and stood up. She made it halfway to the door when Tiffany called out for her.
"Wait."
Jessica stood still.
"What's your name?"
"It's Jessica." She whispered.
**
I actually found it cute.
Tiffany's words echoed in Jessica's head.
It was cute.
The drool.
Not her.
Jessica wiped the table harder, trying to erase her mind of such thoughts. She reached the edge of the table, and stopped for a second.
Was it ‘cute?’
She shook her head.
It's drool! How could it be 'cute?'
She continued wiping, finishing up the job. Once she was done, she tucked the chairs back under the table. As she tucked the last chair under, she furrowed her eyebrows together.
But Tiffany found it cute.
**
"Good afternoon." Tiffany greeted.
Jessica nodded groggily.
"Did you have a nice nap?"
"Yes."
Tiffany smiled and took the seat in front of her.
"Would you like some chocolate?"
"No thank-you."
Tiffany unraveled it for herself and quickly ate it.
"Um..." Jessica murmured.
"Yes?"
"Do you always have chocolate?"
"Sure do. I even have a secret stash in my drawer at home."
Jessica looked at her oddly.
Tiffany looked into her eyes with a serious face.
"It's for emergencies."
Jessica couldn't help herself from giggling. That was one of the strangest, yet amusing things she's ever heard in her life.
And Tiffany looked so serious when she said it!
Jessica burst out into a louder laugh. She continued until she noticed Tiffany was watching her.
"W-what?" Jessica asked insecurely. She looked down at her desk, feeling embarrassed.
Tiffany just smiled wider.
"You laughed."
Jessica's face flushed.
"I laugh." She mumbled.
Tiffany just giggled.
"Good."
**
"You must really love chocolate."
Tiffany nodded eagerly.
"I do." Tiffany frowned. "Everyone always tells me it's a bad habit."
She put the chocolate down and stared at it.
"I think you could have worse ones." Jessica said as she looked out the window.
Tiffany grinned at the remark.
"That's true."
Tiffany popped it into her mouth and chewed happily.
**
With one hand holding a pen in her mouth and the other hand rolling a truffle around, Tiffany sat by her computer at home.
It’s a bad habit.
She nibbled on the end of her pen, debating to eat the tempting chocolate in front of her.
I think you could have worse ones.
Jessica’s voice echoed in her ears.
Tiffany stopped nibbling.
She picked up the truffle and eyed it carefully.
I’ll save this one for Jessica.
**
"Do you only eat milk chocolate?"
Tiffany shook her head.
"Oh no. I eat all kinds."
Jessica raised an eyebrow.
"All kinds?"
Tiffany chuckled.
"Okay, maybe not all. Godiva has a chocolate bar with raspberries in it and -" Tiffany paused, distorting her face as she remembered the taste, "- it was eugh!"
Jessica laughed at Tiffany's expression. She stopped when she saw Tiffany grinning.
"What?"
"You laughed again."
"Is there something wrong with that?" Jessica asked defensively. She averted her eyes and felt embarrassed.
Tiffany flung her hands up in the air, waving them and shook her head.
"No, no, not at all."
Jessica bit her lip, still feeling a bit embarrassed.
"I just..." Tiffany started.
Jessica glanced back at Tiffany.
Was that a shade of red on her ears?
"... like it when you laugh."
**
Does that mean she doesn’t like it when I’m not laughing?
Jessica stood still, lost in the thought.
“Hey Jess!”
Jessica snapped out of her daze and turned to look at Wooyoung.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“I said take table 5’s order.”
Jessica nodded and quickly ran out to the dining area.
“I wonder what’s up with her these days. Spacing out here and there...” Wooyoung mumbled to himself.
**
Every answer that Tiffany gave her opened up possibilities for different questions.
And Jessica couldn't resist asking them.
Her curiosity would not be satisfied.
She wanted to know more and more about Tiffany.
And she didn't understand why.
**
“Tiffany-unnie, could you please help me after school? I need some help studying for the Chemistry test.”
Tiffany shook her head at the freshman she was tutoring.
“No, I’m sorry. Not after school.”
The freshman frowned.
“Why?”
Tiffany smiled softly.
“I have something important to do.”
**
"Do you always come to this room after school?"
"Yes, I do."
Jessica felt a tinge of disappointment.
Of course Tiffany didn't come solely for her.
"This room is like my sanctuary. It’s quiet and the farthest room away from the entrance of the school. I like to come here for some rest."
Jessica frowned.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know I was invading your space."
Tiffany chuckled.
"You're not invading my space or anything like that. Besides," Tiffany turned to look Jessica in the eyes. "I find our chats intriguing."
Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Jessica felt her nerves work up.
**
I find our chats intriguing.
Tiffany's voice echoed in her head.
A slight smile formed on Jessica's face.
She agreed with Tiffany.
Their chats were definitely intriguing.
Now that she thought about it, oddly, half of the conversations were about chocolate.
Jessica cocked her head to one side as she tapped her desk with a pen in hand.
Hmm... maybe we should try talking about something else for a change.
She smiled wider and sat up from her chair, continuing her homework.
**
I wonder if she drooled again today.
Tiffany pondered to herself as she slid the door open. She walked towards Jessica with a slight bounce in her steps. Her smile grew wider as she got closer and closer to her.
It faded once she got near enough.
She stood still, staring at the sharp, ugly writing on the desk.
On Jessica's desk.
Right next to Jessica, who was sleeping.
Tiffany's hand curled into a fist.
**
"Did you know that you're quite the heavy sleeper, Jessica?"
Jessica blushed instantly.
"Y-yes." She muttered.
"Do you always sleep in class?"
"Only in Study Hall." Jessica replied.
"Oh I see." Tiffany fixed her gaze onto the window.
Jessica cocked her head to one side.
There was something strange about Tiffany today.
"Is there something the matter?" Jessica asked.
Without turning to look at Jessica, Tiffany spoke.
"I think... you shouldn't sleep in class anymore."
"Wha-" Jessica started.
Tiffany turned to smile at Jessica.
"Ah. Forget what I said. Sorry."
"O-okay."
Tiffany dug into her pocket and pulled out a truffle.
"Chocolate?" She held it out for Jessica.
Jessica looked down at the tempting chocolate.
"Sure."
She picked up the truffle from Tiffany's hand.
"Eh?"
"What is it?" Tiffany asked.
"What's on your hand?"
Jessica pointed to a black smudge on Tiffany's hand.
Tiffany closed her hand and dug it into her pocket. She turned to face the window again.
"...I don’t know. Thanks for telling me. I'll be sure to wash off whatever it is at home."
**
How strange.
Jessica watched the snowflakes fall outside the window. Her mind still fixated on the conversation yesterday with Tiffany.
She was acting so strange.
Jessica started to tap onto the desk, restlessly.
Did I do something wrong?
With every tap, the next was louder and faster than the last.
Tok!
Jessica stopped tapping and looked down at her desk.
There was a scrunched up paper ball on it.
She looked around the classroom, trying to figure out who threw it.
But everyone had their backs to her.
Cautiously, she picked it up and unraveled it.
What the-
Jessica stared at the paper, confused and bewildered.
With black ink, the paper read,
Author: limnological
Rating: PG
Pairing: JeTi
Description: AU, Fluff
Chocolate Pt. 2
Jessica folded and unfolded the pink handkerchief for the 37th time while waiting for 1st period to end. She had made sure to thoroughly wash it a few times last night. After all, she did use it to clean the drool on her face yesterday.
She was positive it was Tiffany's. The chocolate gift on her desk had given her the clue.
However, a small part of her was hoping it wasn't Tiffany. Whoever had tied it to her hand had obviously seen the drool.
Jessica blushed at the thought.
How embarrassing.
**
In between class periods, Jessica stood outside of her next class, hoping to catch a glimpse of Tiffany. She wanted to confirm if the handkerchief was truly hers.
But luck wasn't on her side.
**
She tried again during lunchtime, wandering throughout the hallways. But she just couldn't seem to find her. She walked down an empty hallway, glancing around.
"Hey."
Jessica turned around.
Yoona and Yuri were standing behind her.
"Are you lost?" Yuri asked kindly.
Jessica shook her head.
Maybe I can ask them about Tiffany.
Jessica frowned at the thought.
No, I only know Tiffany's first name. There could be a lot of girls named Tiffany in this school.
Yuri and Yoona looked at her curiously as she frowned.
DING!
Jessica bit her lip. Lunch was over.
"What's your next class?" Yoona asked Jessica.
"Gym." Jessica whispered.
"Oh, if you're looking for it, it's just down that hall." Yoona turned around and pointed towards the specific hall.
Jessica nodded.
"Thanks."
But that's not what I'm looking for.
**
"Take the cosine of that angle, then subtract it from your first answer, and you'll get the answer to the side." Tiffany tutored the younger student carefully.
The girl, whom Tiffany did not know her name, nodded.
Tiffany leaned back into her chair and stretched. She stood up.
"I have to get going now. Excuse me."
"Wait. I'm sorry, could you show me again?" The younger girl asked sweetly.
Tiffany sat back down.
"Sure."
Somehow, it was always like this.
She could never really refuse someone.
**
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
The wall clock taunted Jessica as she fidgeted in her seat.
Curiosity was getting the best of her.
And she didn't understand why.
She clutched onto the handkerchief tightly, praying that Study Hall would end faster.
For once, she didn't want school to be over so she could work.
She wanted it to be over so she could see Tiffany.
**
Jessica counted the minutes tick by as she waited after school. She had been waiting for 25 minutes.
What time does Tiffany usually show up?
She furrowed her eyebrows together, pondering the thought.
Is she going to show up today?
The thought crossed her mind.
What if she doesn’t show up?
She clutched onto the handkerchief tighter.
It was possible. After all, Tiffany didn't wake her up yesterday.
Despair wallowed up in Jessica's stomach.
What am I thinking? Why would she show up? It's not like she purposely showed up just to wake me up.
Jessica bit the bottom of her lip.
How stupid.
Jessica stuffed the handkerchief into her pocket. She grabbed her backpack and hastily stood up. She walked to the doorway and reached for the handle.
But before she could grab it, the door slid open.
"Are you leaving already?"
Jessica could not utter a word. She stared at Tiffany and remained as stiff as a board.
Tiffany glanced at her wristwatch.
"Hmm. It's only 3:30. Would you like to chat with me again for a bit?"
Jessica could only nod.
Tiffany smiled brightly.
"Lovely. Let's sit then."
Jessica nodded again and turned around. They walked towards the back of the room, both taking their usual seats.
As usual, silence enveloped them for a bit.
Jessica straightened the edge of her skirt, keeping her gaze on the desk.
How should I -
"Would you like some chocolate?" Tiffany offered to Jessica.
"No thank-you." Jessica murmured.
Tiffany smiled again and started to unravel the chocolate in hand.
"Umm... The chocolate yesterday-" Jessica muttered.
Tiffany looked up at Jessica and grinned.
"Did you like it?"
Jessica nodded, perhaps too eagerly.
"It was delicious."
"That's good. I was hoping you would." Tiffany placed the truffle in her mouth and started to chew.
Jessica waited for her to finish eating. Once she saw Tiffany swallow the chocolate, she took the handkerchief out of her pocket.
"This is yours, right?"
A wider grin appeared on Tiffany's face.
"It is."
Jessica blushed instantly.
Tiffany let out a soft chuckle, as if she could read Jessica's mind.
"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone about it."
Jessica remained silent and blushed deeper.
"I actually found it cute." Tiffany added.
Jessica fixed her gaze onto her lap and held out the handkerchief to Tiffany. She desperately wanted to change the subject.
"I washed it a few times. Thank-"
"Please stop saying 'thank-you.' It seems like half of our conversations consist of it."
"O-okay."
Tiffany took the cloth and tucked it into her pocket.
Curiosity started to creep into Jessica again.
"How did you know I was right-handed?"
"I noticed that you grab your backpack with your right hand."
"Ah..."
Jessica glanced at the clock.
She bit her lip.
Was it really already time to go?
She glanced back to Tiffany.
"I have to go."
Tiffany nodded.
Jessica grabbed her backpack and stood up. She made it halfway to the door when Tiffany called out for her.
"Wait."
Jessica stood still.
"What's your name?"
"It's Jessica." She whispered.
**
I actually found it cute.
Tiffany's words echoed in Jessica's head.
It was cute.
The drool.
Not her.
Jessica wiped the table harder, trying to erase her mind of such thoughts. She reached the edge of the table, and stopped for a second.
Was it ‘cute?’
She shook her head.
It's drool! How could it be 'cute?'
She continued wiping, finishing up the job. Once she was done, she tucked the chairs back under the table. As she tucked the last chair under, she furrowed her eyebrows together.
But Tiffany found it cute.
**
"Good afternoon." Tiffany greeted.
Jessica nodded groggily.
"Did you have a nice nap?"
"Yes."
Tiffany smiled and took the seat in front of her.
"Would you like some chocolate?"
"No thank-you."
Tiffany unraveled it for herself and quickly ate it.
"Um..." Jessica murmured.
"Yes?"
"Do you always have chocolate?"
"Sure do. I even have a secret stash in my drawer at home."
Jessica looked at her oddly.
Tiffany looked into her eyes with a serious face.
"It's for emergencies."
Jessica couldn't help herself from giggling. That was one of the strangest, yet amusing things she's ever heard in her life.
And Tiffany looked so serious when she said it!
Jessica burst out into a louder laugh. She continued until she noticed Tiffany was watching her.
"W-what?" Jessica asked insecurely. She looked down at her desk, feeling embarrassed.
Tiffany just smiled wider.
"You laughed."
Jessica's face flushed.
"I laugh." She mumbled.
Tiffany just giggled.
"Good."
**
"You must really love chocolate."
Tiffany nodded eagerly.
"I do." Tiffany frowned. "Everyone always tells me it's a bad habit."
She put the chocolate down and stared at it.
"I think you could have worse ones." Jessica said as she looked out the window.
Tiffany grinned at the remark.
"That's true."
Tiffany popped it into her mouth and chewed happily.
**
With one hand holding a pen in her mouth and the other hand rolling a truffle around, Tiffany sat by her computer at home.
It’s a bad habit.
She nibbled on the end of her pen, debating to eat the tempting chocolate in front of her.
I think you could have worse ones.
Jessica’s voice echoed in her ears.
Tiffany stopped nibbling.
She picked up the truffle and eyed it carefully.
I’ll save this one for Jessica.
**
"Do you only eat milk chocolate?"
Tiffany shook her head.
"Oh no. I eat all kinds."
Jessica raised an eyebrow.
"All kinds?"
Tiffany chuckled.
"Okay, maybe not all. Godiva has a chocolate bar with raspberries in it and -" Tiffany paused, distorting her face as she remembered the taste, "- it was eugh!"
Jessica laughed at Tiffany's expression. She stopped when she saw Tiffany grinning.
"What?"
"You laughed again."
"Is there something wrong with that?" Jessica asked defensively. She averted her eyes and felt embarrassed.
Tiffany flung her hands up in the air, waving them and shook her head.
"No, no, not at all."
Jessica bit her lip, still feeling a bit embarrassed.
"I just..." Tiffany started.
Jessica glanced back at Tiffany.
Was that a shade of red on her ears?
"... like it when you laugh."
**
Does that mean she doesn’t like it when I’m not laughing?
Jessica stood still, lost in the thought.
“Hey Jess!”
Jessica snapped out of her daze and turned to look at Wooyoung.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
“I said take table 5’s order.”
Jessica nodded and quickly ran out to the dining area.
“I wonder what’s up with her these days. Spacing out here and there...” Wooyoung mumbled to himself.
**
Every answer that Tiffany gave her opened up possibilities for different questions.
And Jessica couldn't resist asking them.
Her curiosity would not be satisfied.
She wanted to know more and more about Tiffany.
And she didn't understand why.
**
“Tiffany-unnie, could you please help me after school? I need some help studying for the Chemistry test.”
Tiffany shook her head at the freshman she was tutoring.
“No, I’m sorry. Not after school.”
The freshman frowned.
“Why?”
Tiffany smiled softly.
“I have something important to do.”
**
"Do you always come to this room after school?"
"Yes, I do."
Jessica felt a tinge of disappointment.
Of course Tiffany didn't come solely for her.
"This room is like my sanctuary. It’s quiet and the farthest room away from the entrance of the school. I like to come here for some rest."
Jessica frowned.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know I was invading your space."
Tiffany chuckled.
"You're not invading my space or anything like that. Besides," Tiffany turned to look Jessica in the eyes. "I find our chats intriguing."
Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Jessica felt her nerves work up.
**
I find our chats intriguing.
Tiffany's voice echoed in her head.
A slight smile formed on Jessica's face.
She agreed with Tiffany.
Their chats were definitely intriguing.
Now that she thought about it, oddly, half of the conversations were about chocolate.
Jessica cocked her head to one side as she tapped her desk with a pen in hand.
Hmm... maybe we should try talking about something else for a change.
She smiled wider and sat up from her chair, continuing her homework.
**
I wonder if she drooled again today.
Tiffany pondered to herself as she slid the door open. She walked towards Jessica with a slight bounce in her steps. Her smile grew wider as she got closer and closer to her.
It faded once she got near enough.
She stood still, staring at the sharp, ugly writing on the desk.
On Jessica's desk.
Right next to Jessica, who was sleeping.
Tiffany's hand curled into a fist.
**
"Did you know that you're quite the heavy sleeper, Jessica?"
Jessica blushed instantly.
"Y-yes." She muttered.
"Do you always sleep in class?"
"Only in Study Hall." Jessica replied.
"Oh I see." Tiffany fixed her gaze onto the window.
Jessica cocked her head to one side.
There was something strange about Tiffany today.
"Is there something the matter?" Jessica asked.
Without turning to look at Jessica, Tiffany spoke.
"I think... you shouldn't sleep in class anymore."
"Wha-" Jessica started.
Tiffany turned to smile at Jessica.
"Ah. Forget what I said. Sorry."
"O-okay."
Tiffany dug into her pocket and pulled out a truffle.
"Chocolate?" She held it out for Jessica.
Jessica looked down at the tempting chocolate.
"Sure."
She picked up the truffle from Tiffany's hand.
"Eh?"
"What is it?" Tiffany asked.
"What's on your hand?"
Jessica pointed to a black smudge on Tiffany's hand.
Tiffany closed her hand and dug it into her pocket. She turned to face the window again.
"...I don’t know. Thanks for telling me. I'll be sure to wash off whatever it is at home."
**
How strange.
Jessica watched the snowflakes fall outside the window. Her mind still fixated on the conversation yesterday with Tiffany.
She was acting so strange.
Jessica started to tap onto the desk, restlessly.
Did I do something wrong?
With every tap, the next was louder and faster than the last.
Tok!
Jessica stopped tapping and looked down at her desk.
There was a scrunched up paper ball on it.
She looked around the classroom, trying to figure out who threw it.
But everyone had their backs to her.
Cautiously, she picked it up and unraveled it.
What the-
Jessica stared at the paper, confused and bewildered.
With black ink, the paper read,