chapter thirty five

the house was silent.

aeri lay on her side in bed, wrapped in a thin blanket, phone resting on the pillow beside her. the glow from her desk lamp had long faded, and her math notebook was still open across the floor, half-covered by her hoodie.

her eyes burned from too much reading.

but sleep wouldn't come.

her heart was racing—not from anxiety this time, but from something quieter. warmer.

she turned over, unlocked her phone, and opened their conversation.

it was already there waiting.

wonwoo: you still awake?

she smiled softly.

aeri: barely. why?

wonwoo: couldn't sleep. was thinking about tomorrow's exam.

aeri: ugh don't remind me.

wonwoo: sorry. just wondering if you were nervous too.

she paused.

then typed:

aeri: i'm nervous. but i think i'll be okay.

wonwoo: you will. you've worked really hard.

aeri: so have you.

there was a moment of silence between replies.

then her phone lit up again.

wonwoo: i like when we study together. even when you steal my pens.

she laughed softly to herself, typing:

aeri: you have too many. and you only use like three of them.

wonwoo: still. you took my favorite one.

aeri: i'll give it back after the exam. if you ask nicely.

wonwoo: do i have to say please?

aeri: yes.

he didn't reply right away.

then, finally:

wonwoo: please.

her cheeks warmed.

she turned over again, hugging her pillow to her chest.

her fingers hovered over the keyboard.

then:

aeri: i'm glad you texted.

wonwoo: me too.

the minutes passed slower after that, like time was giving them space to breathe.

aeri stared at the screen, thumb tapping gently against the edge of her phone. her room felt still, and yet her heart was beating like something was about to happen.

and then:

wonwoo: i'm really happy you're going to prom with me.

her breath caught.

she stared at the words for a long time before answering.

aeri: i'm really happy you asked.

wonwoo: i almost didn't. i was scared.

aeri: why?

wonwoo: i didn't want to ruin anything. i didn't know if you felt the same.

she swallowed hard.

then slowly typed:

aeri: i was waiting for you. the whole time.

there was no immediate reply.

just the familiar "typing..." that made her heart flip.

wonwoo: i think about you all the time.

she blinked.

her thumb trembled slightly.

aeri: even now?

wonwoo: especially now.

she curled deeper into her blankets, pressing her phone to her chest for a second, like it would somehow hold the moment in place.

then:

aeri: get some sleep, okay? big day tomorrow.

wonwoo: you too.wonwoo: and aeri?

aeri: yeah?

wonwoo: you're going to do great.wonwoo: goodnight.

aeri: goodnight, wonwoo.

she left the messages open until her eyes drifted closed.