You had known Jungwon for years—three, to be exact—but for most of that time, he was just… there. Someone you waved at in the hallways, someone whose name you remembered but whose presence never made you feel anything beyond casual familiarity.
This year had been different. You got close, actually close, and it had changed everything. Suddenly, hanging out didn’t feel like an anxious obligation or a social minefield. Talking to him for hours on the phone—even if it was just while he was with other friends—felt effortless. He was fun. He didn’t pressure you or make you overthink every word. Two group hangouts had been enough to realize it, even if both times you were surrounded by other people, but that was fine. That was safe. That was you easing into something you weren’t ready to define yet.
Winter break arrived, and it meant two whole weeks of freedom. No classes, no homework, no awkward transitions between semesters.
You wanted to spend time with Jungwon. You didn’t even have to admit to yourself that a tiny crush had started to bloom—it was obvious in the way you thought of him first when making plans, in how you imagined laughing at dumb jokes just the two of you, and how even his texts made your chest lift slightly. So, naturally, the first thing you did when the break started was text him.
He responded a few minutes later, and your excitement faltered.
Jungwonn: Hey, I’m sick Maybe hang out with someone else
You blinked at the screen, quickly typing back a casual, nonchalant reply.
You: No worries, I get it. Friends are around anyway.
You didn’t say what you were feeling—what you really wanted was to spend time with him—but you kept it light. That was your compromise: hiding the flutter in your chest while keeping the friendship alive.
Five days passed. Every day, you tried not to think about him too much, tried to fill the gaps with other friends or binge-watching series. And then, today, your phone buzzed, and your heart did a small flip.
He said he felt better, apologized for not going out earlier, and—most importantly—offered to hang out. Relief and excitement flooded through you simultaneously. You immediately started getting ready, doing your hair, picking out an outfit you secretly hoped he would notice, texting him to “dress nice.” It was a small, silly request, but one that felt meaningful—you wanted this moment to feel special.
Thirty minutes later, the text you were waiting for never came. Instead, a single message appeared, making your stomach drop.
Jungwonn: Can’t go. My parents said no because I told them too late
You blinked at the screen, frozen, and left him on read—not out of malice, just because you didn’t know what to say. How could he be so casual, canceling after making plans? The mix of excitement and disappointment churned in your chest.
Jungwonn: u got other friends to go w/ too 😁
Your fingers hovered over your phone. Part of you wanted to laugh, part to cry, part to shake him for making you feel second. Instead, you just stared at the screen, cheeks warm and chest tight.