Finally

DARÆY'S P.O.V.

We got into my car and drove off. I had to admit—I had a blast today. It wasn't just fun; it was different. The kind of fun that left you grinning for no reason, replaying moments in your head, wondering when you'd get to experience it again.

"I saw today that Daræy can actually be a fun person," Justin teased, smirking.

I knew exactly where this was going. He was about to say it was because of her.

Before he could, I cut him off. "It's not entirely because of her," I defended myself.

"I know," he said with a shrug. "It's the crew."

"The crew?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. When they're all together in one place, they're honestly the best people to be around," he said.

"I know, right?" Joshua added, his lips curling into a smile.

That was when I noticed it.

The way he smiled too much. The way his eyes softened like he was thinking about something—or someone.

I wasn't about to let that slide.

"Alright, Josh. Spill." I smirked, eyeing him.

"Spill what?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"Come on, man, don't play dumb. We can literally see love written all over your face," Justin teased.

Josh didn't even deny it. Instead, his smile grew, like he was holding onto some beautiful secret.

"Well, if you already see it, then there's nothing left to say," he admitted.

"And yet, that smile refuses to leave your face," I added, watching him closely.

I knew that look. I'd seen it before. I'd had that look before. That was the face of a guy in love.

"So, if you're so sure about your feelings, why haven't you told her?" I asked.

Josh let out a small breath, his fingers tapping lightly on his knee. "She knows."

And just like that, the smile disappeared.

Justin and I exchanged glances. We knew exactly what that meant.

"Hey, man, we've all been there," I said, trying to lift the weight from his shoulders. "It's okay. Someone always comes around."

Josh frowned. "What?"

"Everybody gets rejected now and then—it's nothing to be ashamed of," Justin added.

Josh's frown deepened. "What? No. I didn't get rejected."

"Oh." I blinked. "You didn't?"

"No."

"Then what's going on?" Justin asked, leaning in slightly.

Josh hesitated. Then, after a moment, he sighed. "She's… thinking."

A pause.

A long, deep, knowing pause.

We understood immediately.

"We're still in the ring, then," I said, offering a hopeful nod.

"No need to be shaken," Justin reassured him. "You're a great guy—she'll definitely say yes."

Josh exhaled slowly. "I'm just afraid she'll pick someone else."

And there it was.

That fear. That quiet, nagging voice in the back of your head that told you what if it's not you?

For a few seconds, none of us spoke.

But we didn't need to.

We just felt it—the unspoken language of understanding between friends. Sometimes, silence was more comforting than words.

I drove the rest of the way, letting the quiet linger, knowing that sometimes, that was enough.

Eventually, I dropped them both off at their houses and headed home.

---

Now I had Tessa's number.

Which meant… I could talk to her now.

Before, the only time I saw her was in class, but now? Now I could actually chat with her. Anytime.

Excitement bubbled up in my chest, but I tried to play it cool.

Tried.

I got home, dropped my bag, took a shower, got dressed, and settled onto my bed.

Then, as casually as possible, I checked my phone.

She wasn't online.

Fine. No big deal.

I could wait.

…Right?

I waited.

And waited.

And waited.

Waiting was stressful.

I rolled on my bed. Up. Down. Sideways.

Got up. Took a walk around my living room. Three times.

Did some push-ups.

Read a book. Upside down.

Played a game.

Went out. Bought food. Ate.

Got tired.

I was just about to give up and go to bed when—

Ping!

A notification popped up on my screen.

"Hello!"

안녕!

(Annyeong!)

"Did you get home safe?"

집에 잘 도착했어?

(Jibe jal dochakhaesseo?)

"Are you up?"

자니?

(Jani?)

My eyes widened.

I stared at my phone in disbelief.

Then, without thinking—

"YES!!!!!!!!!!!! FINALLY!!!" I screamed.

Loudly.

Too loudly.

I froze, instantly checking if anyone had heard me.

They probably had.

But who cares?

Tessa was online.

Finally.