Bella tapped her phone and started texting Jake, her childhood friend and unofficial "guy behaviour translator."
Bella: "So Yunho came to school today. Asked for my number. Like, dorky awkwardly asked."
Jake: "Classic. He's into you. 100%. Guys get weird when they like someone."
Bella: "He limped a bit too. Totally distracted."
Jake: "Maybe he's faking an injury to get your attention. Smart move."
Bella rolled her eyes but smiled. Jake's clueless enthusiasm was oddly comforting.
Emily interrupted, holding up a floral dress. "Wear this! It's perfect, cute but not trying too hard. You want him to notice you, not feel intimidated."
Bella sighed. "I just wish I knew what this really means. Is it a date? Is it not? Why does he make it so complicated?"
Jake's reply buzzed in.
Jake: "Dude logic: if you're thinking about it more than him, you're probably overthinking. Just be you. He'll get it."
Bella stared at the message with the same response as Emily. Are they right about this?
Maybe Jake was right. Maybe she just needed to breathe and see where Saturday would take her. Bella was staring at her phone, still tangled in thoughts about Yunho, when a new message popped up from Jake.
Jake: "One more thing, you definitely need some sexy lacy lingerie under that dress. Just saying. Gotta be ready if you get lucky."
Bella blinked. Seriously?
She wanted to reach through the screen and smack him on the head. But all she could do was stare, horrified and amused.
Bella: "SERIOUSLY?! Jake!! I didn't even ask for this."
Jake: "Doesn't matter. I'm a guy. I just say it like it is."
Bella's phone buzzed again — another message from Jake.
Jake 🏀:
you wanna know the difference between the guy who says he wants you and the one who actually does?
honesty. we're all horny. some just admit it.
Bella stared at the screen for a second, groaned out loud, and sent back a single emoji:
🤢
Jake 🏀:
you're welcome for the wisdom.
Bella:
you're emotionally exhausting.
Jake 🏀:
and yet… you still text me.
Bella groaned. The following days felt like Bella was trapped under a glaring spotlight she never asked for.
Yunho was nowhere to be seen, a relief and a mystery all at once. But that didn't stop the school from buzzing about the hallway incident. Whispers trailed her everywhere:
"Did you hear about Yunho waiting for her?"
"Can you believe she stayed with him?"
"Wonder if they're a thing now."
Even teachers joined in, but with a more subtle touch. Mr. Chen glanced at Bella and remarked thoughtfully in class, "You know, swimming isn't just about strength or speed. It's about timing and flow, kind of like relationships. Sometimes you have to move together, sometimes you give space and when it all clicks, you glide."
The class murmured in agreement and Bella felt a blush creep up her neck, caught between embarrassment and something warmer.
One afternoon, as Bella stepped out of her class, she caught sight of Jason near the lockers. He was watching her.
Their eyes met and for a moment, the world seemed to freeze.
But before Bella could react, Jason hurried away, avoiding any further glance.
Instead of relief, a wave of guilt washed over Bella. She thought of how she had hurt him with her rejection and now, even his silent watching felt like a quiet plea she wasn't sure how to answer.
Her chest tightened. The school's whispers about Yunho might have been loud, but Jason's quiet distance weighed heavily on her heart.
She turned quickly, cheeks burning and hurried away.