chapter thirty three

aeri couldn't stop smiling.

she smiled through last period. she smiled the whole walk home. she even smiled while brushing her teeth that night, cheeks sore and heart so full she didn't know how to hold it all in.

wonwoo asked her to prom.

he gave her a flower, a sketch, and a note that made her chest tighten in the best way. she had hugged him so hard she almost forgot to answer, but the way he had whispered, "is that a yes?" would replay in her mind for days.

the next morning, she burst through the classroom door before homeroom and found yejin by the windows.

"he asked me."

yejin turned. "what?"

"wonwoo." aeri said, beaming. "he asked me to prom."

yejin's mouth dropped open. "finally?!"

"in the library. he gave me a daisy. and this sketch of me. and—" she covered her face, squealing into her hands.

yejin clapped, grabbing her by the shoulders. "i am so proud. he actually did it."

"you made him, didn't you?" aeri narrowed her eyes.

yejin shrugged, smug. "i nudged him. slightly. okay—maybe i showed up at his house. whatever."

aeri laughed, still buzzing.

yejin leaned in. "we're going dress shopping after school. no arguments."

"okay," aeri grinned. "you didn't even give me a chance to say no."

"that's because it wasn't a question."

after school, they grabbed smoothies and took the bus downtown.

the streets were busy, stores lit up, prom dresses lined behind glass like glittering candy. aeri had never really imagined her dream dress before—but now she couldn't stop thinking about it.

she walked into the first boutique with yejin, eyes wide.

there were racks of every color—soft pastels, jewel tones, bold reds, deep navy. satin, tulle, lace, sequins. it was overwhelming, but in the best way.

"how am i supposed to choose one?" she whispered.

yejin linked arms with her. "you try on all of them until something feels right."

they tried on at least six each.

yejin twirled in a blush pink dress that sparkled like stardust. "this makes me feel like a fairy princess."

aeri laughed from behind the curtain. "you are a fairy princess."

"your turn! let me see."

aeri stepped out in a long pale blue gown. it was pretty, but something didn't feel quite... right.

yejin tilted her head. "hmm. it's cute. but it's not you."

aeri sighed. "yeah. i want something that feels like—i don't know. like me. but also a little more. special, i guess."

she stepped back into the dressing room and pulled out her phone, opening her messages.

wonwoo: hey. where are you?

her heart fluttered just seeing his name.

aeri: shopping with yejin

wonwoo: for the dress?

aeri: yep

wonwoo: let me know the color... so i can match

her fingers paused on the keyboard.

then slowly, she typed:

aeri: haven't found it yet. but i'll know when i do.

twenty minutes and two stores later, she found it.

aeri wasn't even sure what made her stop.

maybe it was the soft lavender color—dusty and elegant, not too bright, not too pale. maybe it was the delicate draping of the fabric over the shoulders, or the way the skirt fell in quiet folds, flowing but light. maybe it was the little satin bow at the waist, barely there.

but when she slipped it on and looked in the mirror—

she knew.

she stepped out slowly.

yejin gasped. "oh my god. that's the one."

aeri turned side to side, heart fluttering.

"do you feel it?" yejin asked.

aeri nodded. "yeah. i really do."

yejin held up her phone. "okay. i'm taking a picture. wonwoo needs a sneak peek of how lucky he is."

"no!" aeri laughed, reaching for the phone.

"fine, fine," yejin said, putting it down. "but send him the color at least."

aeri looked down at the dress again, her reflection soft in the mirror.

aeri: lavender

wonwoo: got it.

she smiled to herself.

everything was starting to fall into place.