Hyejin jumped onto her bed with a loud exhale. She just finished taking a shower and expects a quiet evening. Afterall, she needs to think of what to talk about with Wheein tomorrow. There are a million things that she wants to know more about her but she doesn’t want to scare Wheein away either. So, it is best to take it slow. Let their relationship develop organically as much as possible without rush. 

Hence the reason why Hyejin wants to have lunch with Wheein tomorrow. Lunch is the best time to get to know a person. Not only do they expose themselves to the kind of person they are just by how and what they eat, but it’s also a comfortable enough time that people generally lower their guard. Well, in Hyejin’s honest opinion, they are already comfortable enough around each other now but she still wants to know more.

Like, what colour does Wheein like? Does she think that reality is a matrix or just a self made illusion? What about food? What’s her favourite?  What about animals? Or better yet, what type of environment does she enjoy the most? Hyejin feels like she has a good idea what the answer is for the last question but it’s dangerous to assume. Afterall, Wheein has surprised her more than on a couple occasions. 

Turning to face the ceiling, Hyejin contemplated some more. Though, at this point, it was more like going around in circles. She went over every question she had and thought of the possible scenarios that could happen. And of course, her response to such scenarios. In each of those scenarios, her responses were educated and articulate. The best way to make a lasting impression.  She wants another image besides a bloody stranger to be. She wants the new image to be something more positive. To let Wheein know that Hyejin’s here now. No longer just a bloody stranger saving a puppy, but as a friend to rely on. A friend to share memories with. A friend to enjoy life with now and in the future. Hopefully that future is still them together as friends. Or maybe even best friends. Or maybe something more. Something like--
Before she could truly fathom the consequence of what she was about to think, her phone buzzed. Upon inspection, it was Ji Yeon and a simple question of ‘Can you talk?’ And after sending a quick thumbs up, her phone rang.

“Yeeeeeesssss??” Hyejin lazily answered. Her nightly talks with Ji Yeon before bed always put her in a playful mood.

“Just checking in to make sure that you are not overthinking what you are going to do tomorrow.” Ji Yeon said with a hint of laughter in her voice. Maybe it was a mistake in telling Ji Yeon about her plans to meet Wheein tomorrow. 

Hyejin playfully scoffed

“I’ll have you know that I’m perfectly sane, and totally not thinking of every possible question I can ask her. Seriously, who do you think I am?”

Soft laughter filtered through the phone.

“I think you’re a baby lion who has a wittle crush.” Ji Yeon stated matter of factly. 

This time, Hyejin’s hitch in caused Ji Yeon’s soft laughter to escalate to a wonderful chorus of glee. 

“I-I don’t know whatcha talkin bout.” Hyejin said with defiance in her voice. Despite not talking to Ji Yeon face to face, that isn’t stopping her from scrunching up her face. 

A crush? The nerve. Hyejin barely even knows Wheein, so why would a crush even develop? Sure, she’s cute. Sure, she’s smart. Sure, she’s artistic. Sure, sure, sure. But isn’t everyone like that in their own way? No, Wheein was more than that. She was more than just cute. She was breathtaking. She was more than smart, she might as well be a genius. She was more than artistic, she was the art.  

Before Hyejin could get lost in the trail that is known as listing all of Wheein’s amazing attributes, Ji Yeon finally spoke up. 

“You’ve been silent for like the past five minutes. I guess you got lost in thinking about Wheein again.”

“Damnit Ji Yeon! I’m not thinking about her!” Hyejin lightly squirmed around on her bed out of frustration. 

“Sure, whatever you say, “ Ji Yeon’s laughter carried through the phone and fell on deaf ears. “Anyway, so, where are you guys planning on going tomorrow?” The playful tone shifted to a more curious tone. Seems like Ji Yeon dropped the crush subject. For now. 

Hyejin gently hummed before giving her response. 

“We just agreed to meet for lunch tomorrow. That’s it basically.”

“Ah, where at?”

Hyejin shifted positions and was now sitting up. She needed a good stretch and after a few satisfying pops from her spine, she responded.

“I’m just meeting her at the tables. Nothing big.”

“Wait, you’re meeting her at school?”

“Hah? Well, yea?? Where else am I supposed to meet her? After school??” She never considered meeting with Wheein after school. But giving the event that happened earlier today, she would rather not test her luck. She did not want to have another meeting with a bush. Even if it was for a cute girl.

A long, deep sigh emminated from Ji Yeon. Deep and long enough that Hyejin became concerned.

“What’s wrong?” Was something wrong? Was one of Ji Yeon’s demons haunting her again? Who did Hyejin have to beat up this time? As she went through the mental list of potential offenders, Ji Yeon answered.

“ Ahn ing Hyejin. Tomorrow is SATURDAY.”

Oh.

That changes things.

Guess they need an actual place to meet. Well, that’s easily fixable. All she has to do is let Wheein know. Simple enough. Except for one thing.

“ A DUCK JI YEON.”

“Ok, one, let me know when you are about to yell cuz rip my eardrums. Two, excuse you?”

“I don’t have her number!! How can I get in contact with her?!”

A deep breath was the only response she got.

“I swear to god, you’re such an ignoramus sometimes.” Hyejin could picture Ji Yeon just shaking her head at the antics Hyejin finds herself in. 

There was only one way to respond in the middle of this crisis. The Ahn Hyejin way. 

“Your face is an !”

A beat.

Another beat.

Then another.

Finally, Ji Yeon finally snapped out of the haze of being transported back to 2014.

“Did you just ing quote--”

“I did but that’s beside the point. Now, help me!” Hyejin whined. She also added some pitiful noises to really sell it. 

Another loud and long groan was the only response she could hear before Ji Yeon gave in.

“ Fine, Fine. I’ll help you. “ Ji Yeon’s voice sounded tired at the end. Might as well make it quick. 

“Great! Now, do you have her number?” Hyejin asked with such hope in her voice that Ji Yeon couldn’t help but smile. This lion cub truly has a crush, and it’s cute to witness. 

“Ugh, I don’t even know  why I help you sometimes.” Ji Yeon signed in defeat, she can only imagine the nonsense Hyejin will find herself in with Wheein's number. But that isn’t going to stop her from supporting her best friend for life. 

“It’s because you love me.” Hyejin said with a eating grin that was easily transferred over the phone.

A resigned sigh floated to Hyejin’s ears, but they failed to hear the softly muttered, “I do.” before Ji Yeon caught her slip and quickly gave Hyejin Wheein’s number. 

Shortly afterwards, the two bid each other goodnight. Ji Yeon wished Hyejin luck and gave some last parting advice. Something along the lines of not coming on too strong. Or something like that. To be honest, Hyejin couldn’t really hear Ji Yeon after receiving Wheein’s number. She was too ecstatic. A feeling she hasn’t felt over anyone since….actually she never felt that way over anyone before. All of these feelings, all of these butterflies, the nerves, were all new to her. But that wasn’t going to stop her from marching on. Nay, it is encouragement to continue marching on. Who knows what may await them at the end of this journey. Hyejin could only hope for a close friendship.

Laying in bed, she contemplated. She contemplated on what to send Wheein. A simple ‘Hey, this is Hyejin.’ isn’t enough. No, it has to be lasting. A good, long lasting impression. So good that neither will forget it. 

After several hours of contemplation, Hyejin finally gave in to simplicity. So, after typing up the message and hitting send, Hyejin quickly hid her phone underneath her pillow. Thus she waited. Waited for a response. Hopefully Wheein won’t find it too weird that she had to go through a third party to get her number. Oh man, what if she does find it weird? Why didn’t she try to search her on social media first and connect there? Well, that could’ve taken too much valuable time. 

Before Hyejin could delve into the abyss known as over thinking a simple text, she felt the text notification from her phone. Hyejin quickly opened her phone to look at the message, to see if Wheein passed judgement, but to her glee, Wheein understood. In fact, it seemed like Wheein was going to ask Ji Yeon the same thing right before Hyejin texted her first. So, with a silly lopsided smile on her face, Hyejin and Wheein nearly spent the entire night texting each other. But before they went down that rabbit hole, they decided on a place to eat and at what time, and how they were going to get there. Hyejin offered to drive Wheein there but she declined. Stating that she has to help her mom in the morning at the gym and that the restaurant is in walkable distance so there was no need.

Hyejin felt a little disappointment in that response. But soon enough, that disappointment was erased and was replaced by the feeling of utter giddiness. Wheein suggested that after lunch they can take a walk around the square and look at all the little shops. A fun little afternoon adventure. And after that adventure is over, then Hyejin can take her back home. Hyejin quickly agreed to such an idea, and then the conversation quickly branched off. It branched off to the both of them finding out more about each other. 

And that was how they spent the rest of the night texting each other till Wheein fell asleep. Once it was apparent that Wheein most likely fell asleep, it was two am after all, Hyejin debated on sending a goodnight text. Was it too soon? Is a good night text even something to consider as too soon? Saying goodnight is a courtesy but why does she feel nervous when typing it? Why does it feel more intimate than all the other times she has told others goodnight? Why is she overthinking this?

Shaking her head, bracing her resolve, Hyejin sent the goodnight text before deciding to finally turn it. She does have an interesting day ahead of her so she needs all the rest she can get. Little does she know that her goodnight text brought a soft smile upon the Wheein’s face.