The next day at school felt longer than usual. I couldn't focus on my lessons. Every time I tried to listen, my mind wandered back to yesterday — to him.
Why did he ignore me like that? After all his messages… after apologizing… he just walked past me like I was a stranger.
"Cha, are you okay?" my classmate asked." Yeah, I'm fine," I said, forcing a smile. But I wasn't.
When the bell rang for dismissal, I decided to take a detour through the school garden before heading home. The place was quiet — just the sound of the wind brushing through the trees. I needed some peace.
Until I heard someone's footsteps behind me.
I turned around, and there he was. Jinho.
Seriously? Him again?
He looked at me for a moment, hesitant. Then he said softly, "Can we talk?"
I crossed my arms. "About what? I thought you didn't know me. Remember? You just walked past me yesterday."
He sighed and scratched his head, looking embarrassed. "I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you. I just… didn't know what to say. I was afraid you'd get mad again."
"Wow," I said sarcastically. "So ignoring me was your best solution?"
He looked down, then back at me — his eyes sincere this time. "I really wanted to apologize properly. I shouldn't have acted arrogant before. I just didn't know how to talk to you without sounding dumb."
I didn't know what to say. He sounded… different. Not the cocky, overconfident Jinho I used to know.
"Well," I finally said, "apology accepted… I guess."
His face lit up a little. " So… we're friends now?"
I rolled my eyes but smiled faintly. "We'll see."
He grinned. "I'll take that as a 'maybe.'"
Ugh. This guy.
But deep down, I could feel something strange — something warm. Maybe… just maybe, this time, he meant it.
Author's Note: Is Jinho really changing for Cha? Or is it all just part of his charm? 💬Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow
_– Cha's POV –
It's funny. I got used to his texts.
I'd find myself checking my phone, waiting to see if he'd messaged me. And when he did, I'd smile without even realizing it — especially when he told me not to skip meals or to sleep early.
When he didn't text, or when he replied late… I'd get irritated. Why? I didn't know. Or maybe… I did.
Am I falling for him?
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my phone still in my hand.
But… he's not even courting me, I thought.
Months passed, and our daily messages became a part of my routine — something I couldn't imagine a day without.
Then one afternoon, I received a message from him.
Jinho: "Cha, there's something I want to ask you… but I'm afraid you'll get mad."
My heart skipped a beat. I had a feeling I already knew what he was about to say.
Cha: "Go ahead. Ask me."
Jinho: "Are you sure?"
Cha: "Yup."
Jinho: "Ahmm… Cha, can I court you? Please don't get mad. But if you don't want to, it's okay."
I stared at the message for a long time before replying.
Cha: "I'll think about it."
Jinho: "Ah, okay."
Cha: "You'll know my answer in one week."
Jinho: "Alright. I'll wait."
_jinho pov
I smiled to myself after sending that message. Somewhere deep inside… I already knew what my answer might be.
Author's Note:Sometimes, love starts with irritation and ends with butterflies. 🦋Will Cha finally say yes? Stay tuned for Chapter 2:1: One Week Promise.💬 Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow for updates! 💕
Chapter 2:1
– Cha's POV –
It's been six days since Jinho asked me that question.
"Can I court you?"
Six days of overthinking. Six days of reading and rereading his messages. And six days of trying to convince myself that I wasn't falling for him… even though deep down, I already knew the truth.
He didn't rush me.
He didn't pressure me.
He just kept texting like he always did — cheerful, funny, and surprisingly sweet.
He never failed to greet me good morning, to remind me to eat, and to say good night. It was as if nothing changed — except my heart, which started to beat faster every time I saw his name light up my screen.
Sunday came. Exactly one week since I told him, "You'll know my answer in one week."
I stood in front of the mirror, fixing my hair for no reason at all. Why was I even nervous?
Then my phone buzzed.
Jinho: "Good morning, Cha. It's Sunday. The one-week promise… remember?" Me: "How could I forget?"Jinho: "So… can I ask for your answer now?"
I didn't reply right away. Instead, I took a deep breath and smiled to myself.
Me: "Let's meet. Same cafeteria." Jinho: " On my way."
When I arrived, he was already there — sitting at the same table where we first met. Funny how this place used to remind me of irritation, but now… it made me nervous in a different way.
He stood up when he saw me, smiling shyly. "Hey," he said softly.
I sat down. "You really waited, huh?" "I said I would," he replied.
There was silence for a moment — the kind that made my heart race.
Then I looked at him and said, "You can court me."
His eyes widened, and a slow smile spread across his face — that genuine kind of smile that reaches the eyes. "Really?" "Yeah. But don't get too confident. I'm not that easy to win over."
He laughed. "I don't mind. I'm not in a hurry. I just want to do it right this time."
And somehow… I believed him.
As we talked, I realized something: The boy I once thought was arrogant — the one who annoyed me so much — was the same boy who now made me smile without even trying.
Maybe people really do change. Or maybe, he was just showing me the side of him he'd always wanted me to see.
End of Chapter 2
Author's Note: Sometimes, the heart just needs time — and one week is enough to realize what it truly wants. 💞Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow for Chapter 4:The Beginning of Us. 🌹