chapter 29

Diana's pov

Monday mornings were never my favorite, but today felt different. There was a warmth buzzing under my skin, something light, something exciting. And I knew exactly why.

As I lay in bed, half-awake, my phone vibrated against my pillow. I already knew who it was before I even looked.

Minji.

I reached for my phone, unlocking it with a sleepy smile.

Minji: Morning, beautiful. Hope you slept well. I would’ve wished you goodnight, but I figured I’d let you get some rest… this time.

I bit my lip, my stomach doing that stupid fluttery thing it always did whenever she texted me.

Me: Good morning. I slept okay. Maybe I would’ve slept better if you HAD texted me goodnight.

A reply came almost instantly.

Minji: Noted.

I rolled onto my back, staring at the screen, waiting. And of course, she delivered.

Minji: You looked so good on the date. Can’t stop thinking about you.

That sent a rush of heat straight to my face.

Me: It’s too early for you to be saying things like that.

Minji: Oh? Should I stop?

Me: …no.

I tossed my phone onto my chest and let out a sigh, trying to push away the goofy smile threatening to take over my face. If anyone saw me like this, blushing over my phone like some lovesick fool, I’d never hear the end of it.

But honestly? I didn’t care.

Minji had this way of making me feel special, even through a screen. And it was ridiculous how much I looked forward to these little moments with her.

After stretching, I finally got out of bed and started getting ready. Mondays called for comfort, so I pulled on an off-the-shoulder sweater that draped just right, paired with my favorite mini skirt and thigh-high socks. It was a mix of cozy and cute—exactly what I needed to survive the day. Thank god the teachers in my school don't care about the dress code.

I grabbed my phone, another text from Minji waiting for me.

Minji: What are you wearing today?

I rolled my eyes, typing back.

Me: Wouldn’t you like to know.

Minji: I would, actually.

Minji: Send me a pic.

I let out a laugh, shaking my head as I grabbed my bag.

Me: Patience.

Minji: You’re killing me, sweetheart.

I was still smiling as I made my way downstairs, slipping my shoes on as I passed through the kitchen. My dad sat at the table, drinking his coffee and reading something on his tablet.

He glanced up at me, giving me one of those knowing looks that made me pause.

“What?” I asked, raising a brow.

He smirked. “Nothing. You just seem… chipper.”

Chipper? Who even says that?

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I grabbed a granola bar, unwrapping it as casually as I could.

Dad just hummed, taking another sip of his coffee. “Right. Sure.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, but before I could say anything, my phone vibrated again.

Minji: Have a good morning, love.

Love.

Oh god.

“Gotta go,” I mumbled, grabbing my bag and making a beeline for the door before my dad could say anything else.

“Have fun at school,” he called after me, his voice laced with amusement.

I swear, if he somehow knew—

No. Impossible.

I shook the thought away as I stepped outside, the crisp morning air waking me up completely.

The walk to school was just long enough to let my thoughts wander, and of course, they drifted right back to Minji. Her stupid texts. Her voice in my head. The way she looked at me, all confident and composed, but still somehow impossibly soft.

And the fact that, as of last weekend, she was officially mine.

I hugged my arms around myself, a small shiver running through me—not from the cold, but from the thought of seeing her soon.

Yeah. Monday didn’t seem so bad after all.

The crisp morning air nipped at my skin, but I barely felt it. My thoughts were too tangled up in Minji—her texts, her voice, her everything. It was still kind of crazy to think about. Ms. Collins, my teacher, was also Minji, the woman who texted me first thing in the morning, who looked at me like I was the only person in the world. And now she was mine.

I bit my lip, shaking my head at myself as I walked. I needed to get it together before I saw my friends because if Chloe so much as glanced at me, she would know exactly what was going on in my head.

As I neared the school, I spotted them near the entrance. Nora was leaned against the wall, scrolling on her phone, while Abby and Chloe were deep in conversation—well, mostly Abby talking, using her hands a lot, and Chloe looking half amused, half exhausted.

When Chloe saw me, her expression shifted immediately.

“Oh my god,” she said, straightening up. “Look at you.”

“What?” I asked, trying to sound normal.

She crossed her arms, smirking. “You’re literally glowing.”

Nora looked up from her phone, Abby’s attention also snapping to me.

“I’m not glowing,” I argued, walking up to them.

“You so are,” Chloe insisted. “Like, actually. Did something happen? Did someone text you this morning?”

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “You’re imagining things.”

Abby raised a brow, looking me over. “Nah, I think she’s right. You look suspiciously… happy.”

“I’m always happy,” I said, which was a terrible lie because I was absolutely not always happy at school, especially on a Monday morning.

Chloe just grinned, clearly enjoying this too much. “If you say so.”

I nudged her with my elbow, muttering, “Shut up.”

Nora finally put her phone away, giving me a once-over. “Well, whatever’s got you in a good mood, keep it up. I need some of that energy today.”

I let out a breath of relief. Thank god at least one of them wasn’t grilling me.

Abby threw an arm around my shoulders, pulling me in like she was about to share some grand secret. “So, guess what.”

“What?” I asked, adjusting to the sudden weight of her on me.

“I have zero motivation for school today.”

I deadpanned. “That’s not new information.”

“Yeah, but today it’s worse. Like, I might actually die in class.” She turned her head dramatically, her chin resting on my head. “If I pass out, just leave me. Let me go.”

“Noted,” Chloe said dryly.

Nora snorted. “What’s the reason this time?”

Abby sighed, releasing me and stretching. “I stayed up watching an ungodly amount of crime documentaries. Now I’m sleep-deprived and paranoid.”

Chloe blinked. “Again?”

“I was invested, okay?” Abby said defensively.

I just shook my head with a small laugh. This was the usual routine—Abby rambling, Chloe judging, Nora somewhere in between. And me? Usually just enjoying the chaos.

But today, I felt… different. Lighter. Like I had a secret tucked away, something just for me. Well, almost just for me—Chloe definitely knew way too much.

“Okay,” Nora clapped her hands once. “Before the bell rings, let’s discuss something important—”

“Oh god,” Chloe groaned.

“—where are we eating for lunch?” Nora finished.

I let out a breath of relief. That I could handle.

We all started talking at once, throwing out suggestions, arguing about food, and just generally being ourselves. And for a moment, I let myself forget about everything else—Minji, the stolen glances in class, the fact that I had to somehow act normal when I saw her today.

But the second my phone buzzed in my pocket, my stomach flipped.

And I already knew who it was.

I pulled it out, subtly tilting the screen away from my friends as I unlocked it. Sure enough, Minji’s name popped up on Instagram.

Minji: Morning, beautiful. Miss me already?

I bit my lip to hold back a smile. God, she was so extra.

Me: You literally texted me like an hour ago

Minji: And? That’s a long time.

I rolled my eyes at my screen, but the warmth in my chest was undeniable. Before I could type back, another message popped up.

Minji: Actually, I was thinking… maybe it’s time you get my real number.

My fingers froze over the keyboard.

Her real number.

Minji and I had been talking through Instagram since the beginning, which was already risky enough, considering she was my teacher, but this? This felt different. More real.

Me: Oh? Are you finally upgrading me from Instagram DMs?

Minji: I’d say you’ve earned it ;)

Then, before I could respond, another message came through. A phone number.

Minji: There. Now you can text me whenever you want. No more waiting for me to log into Instagram like a teenager.

I stared at it for a moment, my brain weirdly short-circuiting. It wasn’t like this was that big of a deal, but… it kind of was.

Having her number meant more direct access, less risk of getting caught at school, but it also meant—

“Diana.”

I snapped my head up, locking my phone instantly. Chloe was watching me with a knowing look, her arms crossed.

“What?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“You have the guiltiest look on your face right now,” she said.

“No, I don’t.”

“She definitely does,” Abby added, leaning in.

Nora just raised an eyebrow. “What are you hiding?”

I scoffed. “Nothing. You guys are so paranoid.”

Chloe hummed like she didn’t believe me for a second but thankfully let it go.

I exhaled and looked back at my phone, quickly saving Minji’s number before anyone else could notice.

And, just because I couldn’t help myself, I sent a quick text.

Me: There. Now you have my number too. No more Instagram like a teenager ;)

She responded almost instantly.

Minji: I like the sound of that.

The morning dragged on as we headed to our first class—math. Not my worst subject, but definitely not my favorite either.

I sat between Chloe and Nora, tapping my pen against my notebook as the teacher droned on about something I wasn’t even pretending to pay attention to. My mind was elsewhere—more specifically, on my phone, where Minji’s number now sat in my contacts like a secret waiting to be used.

I snuck a glance, wondering if she’d texted again, but nothing yet. Probably for the best. I couldn’t risk my friends catching me again.

The lesson crawled by, and by the time the bell rang, I was more than ready to get out of there.

We packed up our stuff, and as we stepped into the hallway, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket.

Minji: Surviving without me?

I smiled down at my screen.

Me: Barely.

Abby slung an arm around my shoulders, pulling me away from my thoughts. “You seem distracted,” she said, narrowing her eyes playfully. “Thinking about someone?”

“Nope.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, clearly not buying it.

I shoved my phone back in my pocket, steering the conversation away. “Let’s just get to class.”

And then, finally, it was time for chemistry.

I walked into Minji’s classroom with the others, and the second I stepped inside, I felt it—her eyes on me.

Minji sat at her desk, flipping through a textbook like she wasn’t just watching me walk in like she owned the place. She looked good, annoyingly good, in her usual crisp white blouse and tie, black slacks perfectly tailored. And those glasses. God, those glasses.

I tore my eyes away before I got too obvious.

Nora and Chloe sat beside me, oblivious, but I felt the weight of Minji’s gaze every time I moved.

I took out my notebook, acting like a normal, innocent student, but then—

My phone buzzed.

I knew who it was before even checking.

I swallowed, sneaking a glance under the desk.

Minji: Pay attention, darling.

I bit my lip. This was going to be impossible.

I clenched my jaw and slipped my phone back into my bag before I did something stupid, like smile in the middle of class.

Minji started the lesson, her voice calm and steady as she explained the topic—something about molecular structures. I should’ve been listening, really, but how could I when she was right there, looking the way she did?

“Diana,” Minji called suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I looked up, pretending I hadn’t just been spacing out. “Huh?”

Chloe stifled a laugh next to me.

“I asked,” Minji said smoothly, adjusting her glasses, “if you can tell me the number of valence electrons in a sulfur atom.”

I blinked. Sulfur. Right.

My mind scrambled for an answer, but I barely heard the question in the first place.

Minji’s lips twitched in amusement, but her eyes were sharp, waiting.

“Uh,” I stalled, flipping through my notebook like I actually had a clue. “Six?”

Minji let the silence stretch just a second too long before nodding. “Correct.”

I exhaled, slumping in my chair.

“Good thing you were paying attention,” she added, and I swore she smirked just a little before turning back to the board.

Chloe nudged me under the desk, mouthing, Busted.

I ignored her, keeping my eyes on the board.

The rest of the class dragged, Minji occasionally glancing in my direction, and every time, my pulse jumped a little.

When the bell finally rang, I shoved my notebook into my bag, ready to get out before Minji pulled anything else.

But just as I slung my bag over my shoulder, she spoke.

“Diana, stay a moment.”

I froze.

Nora and Chloe shot me a look, but I waved them off, pretending this was totally normal and not suspicious at All.

They left, and when the door shut behind them, Minji leaned back against her desk, crossing her arms.

“You weren’t paying attention,” she said, and it wasn’t a question.

I shrugged, feeling like a kid getting scolded. “I got the answer right.”

She arched a brow. “Barely.”

I rolled my eyes. “Sorry, professor.”

That made her smirk. “Professor now, is it?”

I flushed, realizing what I’d said.

Minji pushed off the desk, stepping closer. Not enough to be obvious, but enough that I felt the space shrink between us.

“I’ll forgive you,” she murmured, voice dipping lower, “if you text me later.”

I swallowed. “You were gonna text me first anyway.”

Her smirk widened. “Maybe.”

I stared up at her, the air suddenly feeling too thick, and for a second, it was like I forgot we were standing in a classroom, forgot about everything else except the way she was looking at me.

Then the door opened.

I jumped back like I was guilty, heart slamming against my ribs, but it was just another student coming in to grab their notebook.

Minji didn’t even blink, barely acknowledging them as she moved back to her desk.

“See you next class, Diana,” she said smoothly, like nothing just happened.

I didn’t trust my voice, so I just nodded and practically ran out of there.

I stepped out of the chemistry classroom, exhaling as I blended into the hall’s chaos. My heart was still racing, Minji’s words replaying in my head.

"If you text me later."

As if I wouldn’t. As if I wasn’t already planning on it.

I spotted Chloe and Nora near my locker, Chloe’s eyes locking onto mine the second I approached. She didn’t even wait for me to open my mouth.

“What was that about?” she asked, arms crossed.

Nora raised a brow, looking mildly intrigued but not nearly as nosy as Chloe.

“Nothing,” I said too quickly, fumbling with my locker.

“Uh-huh,” Chloe said, clearly not believing me. “Totally normal for Ms. Collins to keep you after class, again.”

I ignored her, grabbing my books and slamming my locker shut. “What class do we have next?”

“English,” Nora answered, still eyeing me like she knew I was hiding something.

Chloe didn’t press it—at least, not yet—but I knew this wasn’t over.

We made our way to English, and I tried so hard to focus, but my brain refused. Every few minutes, I’d feel my phone buzz in my bag, and each time, I knew it was Minji. I couldn’t check—not with Chloe basically breathing down my neck—but I wanted to. Badly.

English dragged. Lunch dragged even more. Abby sat with us, completely unaware of my internal crisis, laughing over some stupid joke Nora made.

I stabbed at my food, my eyes flicking to my phone every few minutes.

“You’re acting weird,” Abby said, narrowing her eyes at me.

“I’m not,” I lied.

“She is,” Chloe confirmed. “I bet it has something to do with—”

I kicked her under the table.

She yelped but grinned. “Oh, interesting.”

I groaned. “Can we not?”

Nora just looked amused. “You’re the one acting suspicious.”

I ignored all of them and finally checked my phone under the table. Sure enough, Minji had sent four messages.

Minji: You disappeared.

Minji: I’m offended.

Minji: Should I call the nurse? You seemed really out of it in class.

Minji: Or maybe I should call your girlfriend and tell her you need help focusing.

I nearly choked.

I locked my phone, resisting the urge to smile, but Chloe saw.

She leaned in. “Who. Was. That?”

“No one,” I said, too fast.

Chloe gasped dramatically. “It was her, wasn’t it?”

I groaned, shoving my phone in my bag.

Lunch ended, and we went to our last classes, but I wasn’t really there. My head was stuck on Minji, her messages, the way she looked at me in class like she was hungry for something.

When the final bell rang, I grabbed my bag and practically flew out of the building.

I was texting her the second I was outside.

Me: You’re annoying.

Her response was immediate.

Minji: And yet you’re texting me.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips.

As the school day ended, I found myself walking home with Nora and Abby, the three of us weaving through the familiar streets. The late afternoon sun stretched long shadows across the pavement, and the crisp autumn air carried the faint scent of burning wood from someone’s fireplace.

“So, are we actually studying today, or are we just gonna pretend like last time?” Nora teased, nudging me with her elbow.

Abby chuckled, adjusting her bag over her shoulder. “You’re acting like Diana doesn’t have other things to do.”

I shot her a look. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Abby just smirked, but before she could say anything, Nora cut in. “Ignore her. She’s been acting suspicious all day.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m the suspicious one? Says the person who literally sneaks energy drinks into home like it’s a crime"

“That’s different.”

Abby laughed, shoving her hands in her pockets. “Well, whatever. Let’s just get to your place, maybe eat, maybe actually study.”

The conversation drifted into lighter topics as we reached my house. The mansion loomed in front of us, tall and elegant against the sky. I pulled my keys from my bag, pushing the door open. The warmth of home washed over me, along with the faint smell of something good cooking in the kitchen.

“Dad?” I called out, stepping inside.

“In here!” His voice came from the kitchen.

We kicked off our shoes, and I led the way, finding my dad stirring a pot on the stove. He looked up, a knowing smile creeping onto his face.

“How was school?”

I shrugged. “Fine.”

He raised a brow. “Just fine?”

I ignored that, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge. “Nora and Abby are here. We might study.”

He smirked at that. “Might?”

I rolled my eyes and started walking away. “Don’t question it.”

Abby and Nora snickered behind me as we climbed the stairs to my room. The second the door shut behind us, I tossed my bag onto my desk chair and flopped onto my bed with a sigh.

“So,” Abby said, flopping next to me, “you gonna tell us what’s really going on with you?”

Nora sat on my desk chair, arms crossed. “Yeah. You’ve been weird.”

I grabbed my pillow and dramatically put it over my face. “Oh my god.”

Abby yanked the pillow away. “Nope. You’re not getting out of this.”

I sighed, sitting up. “There’s nothing going on.”

Nora narrowed her eyes. “I so don’t believe you.”

I grabbed my phone from my pocket, unlocking it out of habit. And of course, the second I did—

Minji: Are you home yet?

I swallowed.

I quickly turned off my screen before either of them could see, but I knew I wasn’t fast enough.

Abby tilted her head. “Who was that?”

I shoved my phone under my pillow. “No one.”

They definitely didn’t believe me.

Nora was the first to lunge.

“Give me your phone.”

I yanked my pillow over it, gripping it tightly underneath. “No.”

Abby smirked, already moving to my other side, trapping me between them. “You’re acting so suspicious. We just wanna see what’s so important.”

“You guys are acting like I’m committing a crime.” I tried to keep my voice even, but I could feel my grip tightening around my phone.

“You’re acting like you’re committing a crime,” Nora shot back, her eyes locked on the pillow I was clutching.

Abby reached for it, and I twisted away just in time. But then Nora grabbed my arm, laughing as she tried to wrestle my phone out from under me.

“Oh my god, stop!” I shrieked, half-laughing, half-panicking.

“Nope!” Abby grinned, grabbing at the pillow again.

Just then, my phone started vibrating.

The three of us froze.

The buzzing was loud against the mattress, and I could already feel the dread creeping up my spine.

“Who’s calling?” Nora asked, eyes lighting up with mischief.

I had to think fast.

“I don’t know,” I lied. “Probably a scam call.”

The screen was still hidden under the pillow, and thank god neither of them had gotten a glimpse. I had no doubt that Minji’s name was displayed right there, clear as day.

Abby narrowed her eyes. “Then pick up.”

My heart practically stopped. “What?”

“If it’s a scam call, prove it. Pick up.”

Nora crossed her arms. “Yeah. Put it on speaker.”

I laughed nervously. “That’s so stupid, why would I—”

Abby reached again, and I was so close to losing the fight when the call stopped. The buzzing silenced.

I exhaled, forcing a casual shrug. “See? It stopped. Guess we’ll never know.”

Nora narrowed her eyes. “We’re onto you.”

Abby huffed, flopping back against the bed. “Fine. But this isn’t over.”

I forced a laugh, trying to act normal even though my heart was still racing.

Yeah. This was way too close.

Just as I thought I was in the clear, my phone started buzzing again.

I froze.

Abby and Nora immediately sat up, eyes locked onto me like two wolves catching the scent of prey.

“Ohhh, mystery caller is back,” Nora said, grinning.

Abby smirked. “Pick. Up.”

My brain was running at a million miles an hour. I couldn’t decline—that would make it even more suspicious. I couldn’t leave the room—that would basically be a confession. And I definitely couldn’t let Minji say anything sweet.

I swallowed hard and grabbed my phone, pretending to be completely unbothered. “Fine.”

I answered and put it on speaker, praying to every god in existence that Minji’s voice didn’t sound exactly like it did in class.

“Hello?” I said quickly before she could say anything first.

There was a pause, and I swear it lasted a lifetime.

Then Minji’s voice came through, smooth and steady. “Hey.”

I had to resist the urge to exhale in relief. She sounds different enough.

“Who’s this?” Abby asked, arms crossed.

I shot her a look before turning back to my phone. “Oh, um. Min—” I barely caught myself. “—Mina.”

Nora squinted. “Mina who?”

Minji must’ve caught on, because her voice was neutral when she spoke again. “Sorry, I think I called at a bad time.”

“No, it’s fine,” I said quickly, trying to end the conversation before it started.

Abby and Nora looked at each other like they knew something was up.

Minji, thank god, stayed calm. “I just wanted to check in.”

I nodded quickly. “Okay, thanks, yeah, I’ll text you later—”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked, voice unreadable.

I felt like I was on the verge of sweating. “Yes. Totally. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

Another pause.

Then finally: “Alright. Later.”

I hung up so fast I nearly dropped my phone.

Abby and Nora just stared at me.

“…Who the hell is Mina?” Nora asked.

I shoved my phone under my pillow. “Just someone I know.”

Abby raised a brow. “Uh-huh. And what exactly do you two talk about?”

I forced a smile. “Literally nothing important.”

They didn’t look convinced.

But for now, at least, I was safe.

The next few hours felt like they stretched forever.

Abby and Nora weren’t stupid—they knew I was hiding something. They kept exchanging glances, whispering to each other when they thought I wasn’t looking. It was exhausting. Every time I so much as glanced at my phone, they’d snap their heads toward me, waiting for something suspicious to happen. They were too invested.

I tried to act normal. I laughed when they laughed, nodded along when they gossiped about some girl from our English class, even let Abby steal some of my snacks. But inside, I was dying for them to leave. My phone buzzed twice under my pillow, and it took every ounce of willpower not to check it.

“Okay, but for real,” Abby finally said, stretching her arms behind her head, “who’s Mina?”

I sighed dramatically, hoping it would sell the act. “She’s just a friend. Can we please let this go?”

Abby squinted at me like she was trying to read my soul. “I don’t buy it, but whatever. You’re lucky I’m too tired to interrogate you.”

“Me too,” Nora yawned, flopping back onto my bed. “I think I need to go home before I pass out here.”

I tried not to look too relieved. “Yeah, it’s getting late.”

They stayed for a few more minutes, slowly gathering their things, still shooting me suspicious looks every now and then. I walked them to the door, forcing my face into a casual smile as I said goodbye.

“Just so you know,” Abby said as she stepped outside, “I will find out what’s going on.”

I rolled my eyes. “Bye, Abby.”

Nora snorted. “Night, Diana.”

I shut the door behind them and leaned against it, finally letting out the biggest breath of my life.

Finally.

I practically sprinted back to my room, diving onto my bed and yanking my phone out.

3 messages from Minji.

I grinned. Finally, I can text her back.

Minji [9:27 PM]:

Survived?

Minji [9:29 PM]:

I assume you did, unless they actually kidnapped you for questioning.

Minji [9:32 PM]:

I miss you.

That last one hit different. I bit my lip, warmth spreading through my chest as I reread it. She missed me. God, she was so adorable sometimes.

Me: Barely survived. They were on my ass the entire time. I had to dodge questions like my life depended on it.

Me: Also… you miss me?

The second I hit send, my heart jumped. Why did that feel so teenager in love of me? My phone vibrated almost immediately.

Minji: Obviously. Did you think I wouldn’t?

I smiled like an idiot.

Me: Idk. Maybe you’ve been too busy being a “proper teacher” or something.

Minji: Oh, please. If I were “proper,” I wouldn’t have spent half of class today staring at you.

My face burned. I flopped onto my bed, kicking my legs like I was in some romance movie.

Me: Minji.

Minji: Diana.

Me: You’re impossible.

Minji: You love it.

I was doomed.

Before I could even think of what to say next, my phone buzzed again—this time, with an incoming call. Minji.

I hesitated for half a second, then answered.

“Hello?”

Her voice came through the speaker, smooth and warm. “Now that you’re finally alone, I get your full attention?”

I rolled onto my stomach, grinning into my pillow. “You’ve had my attention all day, Minji.”

She chuckled, and God, that sound was going to be the death of me. “Good.”

I closed my eyes, sinking into the sound of her voice. Finally, finally, I could relax.

A/N

Okay so basically Im too lazy, can't post every single day but I'll try to be more active now again 💪🏼

-Lucía🎸