Karina settled into her bed, letting out a long, relieved breath as she glanced about this small dorm room.

It felt weird to call it home, but there she was, and honestly, not so bad for a place like this. The little edifice was cozy, and Yeji had gone out with friends, giving her much-needed peace after the day's whirlwind.

Dinner at the campus café had proven surprisingly nice, and she already felt an easy camaraderie with Yeji and her friends. Even Ryujin, with that unreadable, almost smug look she had whenever she glanced Karina's way, intrigued her in ways she couldn't quite explain.

But all those thoughts just disappeared when she pulled out her phone. She scrolled down to Winter's name, feeling a warmth bloom inside, and tapped to call.

Winter picked up almost immediately, her voice coming through soft and a little shy, and just hearing it was enough to make Karina's lips tug into a wider smile.

"Hey," Winter murmured, and Karina could almost see her-the way she'd probably be curled up in her bed, a little blush on her cheeks.

"Hey, you," Karina replied, her voice softening.

"Did you miss me?"

Winter let out a light huff of annoyance, but Karina could hear the smile in her voice.

"Nope," Winter replied, but then quickly added, almost as if she couldn't help herself, "Maybe a little."

Karina felt the tickle of warmth spreading through her, and she laughed a little.

"A little? I'm pretty sure you missed me a lot."

Winter's voice dropped a little lower.

"Fine. Maybe more than a little."

There was vulnerability there, soft and unguarded, and Karina could feel it settle deep in her heart.

She rolled onto her side, held the pillow tight to her chest, and sank into the sound of Winter's voice.

"You should see this place, though. My bed's right by the window. It's small, but... it's kind of perfect. You'd like it."

Winter sighed on the other end, and there was a long pause.

"I wish I could be there. I'd fight for that window bed, you know."

Karina smiled softly. "Oh, you'd lose, easily. But I'd let you look out the window whenever you want."

The line was silent only for a second, and Karina almost heard Winter's heartbeat in as clearly as her own.

"It's weird. you being so far away," Winter whispered.

"Feels like. I don't know, like there's this distance that I'm not used to."

Karina's smile relaxed, her heart swelling as she held the phone a little closer.

"Hey, I'm right here," she whispered.

"And we're still us. This-" she waved her hand around her at the room, though Winter couldn't see it-"this doesn't change that."

Winter sighed, the sound thick with unspoken feelings.

"Yeah... I know." Then a teasing note crept into her voice, lightening the moment.

"But you better not look at anyone else. I don't care if your new friends are cool or whatever."

"Oh, don't worry," Karina said, a playful smirk pulling at her lips.

"I told everyone I'm taken. Ryujin's flirting didn't work on me."

Winter settled into an uneasy quiet, and a smile spread across Karina's face.

"Wait, wait, wait. Ryujin? That's the girl you were texting me about? The one who gives you that look?"

"Mm-hmm," Karina confirmed, biting back laughter.

"She's cool, don't worry. But yeah, I didn't give her any reason to think I'm interested. I've only got eyes for one girl."

Winter's voice softened again, warm and earnest.

"Good. Because. I don't know what I'd do if you forgot about me."

Karina's chest tightened, a wave of longing washing over her as she imagined Winter's face.

"Winter, that's impossible," she whispered, her voice tinged with a gentle, steady conviction.

"You're the only one for me, you know that."

Another beat of silence passed, then Winter's voice came, soft and a little shy.

"I know. I just needed to hear you say it."

Karina settled back, eyes fluttering shut as a contented smile spread across her lips. For a moment it seemed like they were here, not separated by miles and walls, but right there together.

"Well," she said, her voice light, "you'll probably have to keep hearing it, because I'm not about to let you forget."

Karina sank deeper under her pillow, waves of warm tingles spreading through her from the undertones in Winter's voice. Conversation skidded off into silly territory with the kind of banter that found them laughing over nothing, discourses on all the weird things Karina had already seen of her dorm room.

"Oh, and guess what?" Karina grinned, thinking back on her dinner.

"The cafeteria lady already knows I'm a coffee addict. She raised an eyebrow when I asked for a second cup, and I was like, 'Oh, it's going to be a long semester.'"

Winter snickered softly. "I can see it now. By the end of the week, you'll be their favorite customer. You'd better not be sweet-talking the coffee lady, though."

"Oh?"

Karina smirked, loving the note of playful jealousy. "You jealous of the cafeteria staff now?"

"No," Winter said, but her voice dipped slightly, a little more serious, a little possessive.

"Just... don't forget you're taken, alright? No charm overload on the strangers."

Karina laughed, biting down hard on her lip with the flat of her teeth to get it under control.

"Please, like anyone can compare to you. All yours."

The discussion might have dragged on for an hour if the door hadn't cracked open then.

Yeji walked in, glancing between Karina and her phone with a sly smile and raised eyebrows, clearly amused. Karina gave her a sheepish grin, knowing exactly what her new roommate was thinking.

"I have to go," Karina said, smiling into the phone.

"Don't worry, Winter. I'll call you tomorrow. Maybe twice."

Winter huffed, the hint of a pout obvious even over the phone.

"You better. And don't let anyone get ideas just because you're far away, okay?"

Karina's heart gave a little squeeze at Winter's possessive tone.

"Relax, I'm yours, remember? And I'll be back soon enough. Sweet dreams, love."

"Sweet dreams," Winter said softly. A warm tenderness had filled her voice.

Karina hung up and broadened her grin, crossing her arms as she slumped against her bedpost.

"Okaaay, look at you! Got someone missing you already, huh?"

Karina rolled her eyes, storing her phone away.

"Don't start. You're already going to make this hard for me, aren't you?"

Yeji guffawed, shoving her hair behind her shoulder as she drew out her pajamas.

"Tough? No way. I'm here so you can have the best time. And apparently, I need to keep an eye on every wannabe suitor." She winked.

"Especially when someone's already getting their claim."

Karina blushed but couldn't help grinning as she gathered her things. "You have no idea."

As they prepared for bed, Yeji teasingly questioned her about Winter, and Karina, her cheeks flushed from being sat on the floor to have dinner, told stories of how they met and all the reasons why Winter was. well, worth every drop of missing her, even with a whole new world of college opening before her.