Whispers In The Moonlight

The weeks after the picnic flew by in a blur of schoolwork, hanging out with my friends, and, of course, thinking about Min-jun. But it wasn't until the school dance announcement that things really started to get interesting.

I had always been the kind of person who thought dances were overrated. They were just an excuse to wear fancy dresses and try not to embarrass yourself in front of everyone. But when the flyer went up in the hall with bold, colorful letters that read "Spring Dance: A Night to Remember," something inside me shifted. I don't know if it was because I had actually kissed Min-jun or if it was because the idea of going to the dance with him felt like something straight out of a movie, but suddenly, I was invested.

The thing was, I didn't know if Min-jun would ask me to go. We hadn't really talked about it, and I didn't want to come off too eager or pushy. So I kept it to myself, nervously staring at the dance flyer every time I passed it in the hallway.

The days dragged on, and I kept hoping he would ask me. But, as the dance drew closer, I started to doubt it. What if he wasn't actually that interested in me after all? What if it was just a passing thing? After all, we hadn't exactly had a heart-to-heart about our feelings. We'd kissed, yes, but there was still so much uncertainty in the air.

By the time the day of the dance finally arrived, I was a bundle of nerves. I spent the whole day with Hye-jin, pacing in my room as we tried to figure out what to wear. I had tried on about five different outfits, and none of them felt quite right. They were all either too fancy or too casual. I just couldn't get it together.

"Okay, seriously. Just pick one already," Hye-jin said, rolling her eyes as I threw another dress on the bed.

"I can't decide!" I groaned, running my hands through my hair. "What if he doesn't even notice me?"

"Eun-ji," she said, sitting on the bed and looking at me seriously. "He already notices you. Trust me."

I gave her a skeptical look, but before I could respond, there was a knock on my door. I opened it to find Min-jun standing there, holding a single rose.

I froze.

"Uh… hey," he said, a little sheepishly. "I've been thinking about the dance, and I wanted to ask you something."

My heart was beating so fast that I was sure it would explode. "What is it?"

Min-jun took a deep breath, as if trying to steady himself. "I was wondering if you'd like to go with me? To the dance, I mean. If you're not busy or anything."

I couldn't believe it. My mind went blank, and I couldn't even form words. This was it. He was asking me to the dance.

Finally, I managed to say, "Yes. I'd love to go with you."

Min-jun smiled, and I swear the room lit up. "Great. I'll pick you up at 7?"

"Perfect," I said, grinning from ear to ear.

He handed me the rose, and as he turned to leave, I couldn't help but watch him walk away, feeling like I was floating on air. He had asked me. Min-jun had actually asked me to the dance.

When I turned back to Hye-jin, she was grinning at me like a Cheshire cat. "Told you."

The rest of the evening was a whirlwind of getting ready, double-checking my hair, and trying not to freak out. As I stood in front of the mirror, staring at myself in my dress, I couldn't believe I was actually about to go to the dance with Min-jun.

The clock struck 7, and just as promised, Min-jun was at my door, looking absolutely stunning in his suit. He smiled at me when he saw me standing there, and for a moment, everything else disappeared. It was just us.

"You look amazing," he said, his eyes soft as he took in my appearance.

"Thanks," I said, feeling my cheeks heat up. "You look pretty good yourself."

He laughed and offered me his arm. "Shall we?"

I nodded, and as we walked out of the house, I couldn't stop smiling. This was really happening. I was going to the dance with Min-jun. It felt surreal.

When we arrived at the dance, the gymnasium was decorated with twinkling lights and balloons. The music was loud, and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. We made our way to the dance floor, and I felt the butterflies in my stomach come back full force. The moment we stepped into the crowd, Min-jun took my hand and pulled me toward the middle of the floor.

We danced, and for the first time, I felt completely at ease with him. The music was the background, but all I could focus on was him—his smile, the way he looked at me, the way our hands fit together perfectly. I was in my own little world, and nothing else mattered.

Later on, after we had danced for a while, Min-jun led me outside to the balcony, where the night air was cooler. The stars twinkled above us, and I felt a sense of peace wash over me.

"This has been amazing," I said, smiling up at him.

He nodded, his expression serious now. "I'm glad we came together. I've been wanting to do this for a while."

I looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

Min-jun took a deep breath. "I mean... I like you, Eun-ji. More than just a friend. I know I've probably said it before, but tonight, I really just want you to know that I'm serious."

My heart skipped a beat. "I like you too, Min-jun."

He smiled softly, leaning in just enough for me to feel his breath on my face. "I'm glad."

And then, with the stars as our backdrop, he kissed me again—slow, sweet, and full of promise. I didn't know what the future held for us, but at that moment, it didn't matter. I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Love,

Eun-ji