♫ : snow flower (feat. peakboy) - v, peakboy

It felt like there was a weight on your chest you couldn't shake. Ever since that night, when you asked Jake to stay for New Year's, your mind had been spinning non-stop. You barely remembered how the words left your mouth. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.

And now, here you were, pacing in the café storage room during your break, overthinking everything.

"Are you okay?" your barista friend asked, poking her head in. "You've been staring at the wall for like ten minutes. Creepy, by the way."

You sighed, leaning against one of the shelves. "No, I'm not okay."

She stepped inside, wiping her hands on her apron. "Spill. What's going on?"

You hesitated. She wasn't just your employee, she was one of your closest friends, the person you trusted most outside of your family. If anyone could give you honest advice, it was her. So you told her everything.

"Wait, wait, wait." She held up a hand halfway through your explanation, her eyes wide. "So this Jake guy is your childhood best friend? The one who moved to Australia?"

"Yeah," you said, crossing your arms.

"And now he's hot and back in your life, and you're catching feelings?"

You groaned. "It's not that simple."

"It sounds exactly that simple."

"It's not," you insisted, although even you weren't sure what you were trying to argue anymore. "I don't even know if these feelings are... real. They just came out of nowhere, you know? Like, we've only been talking for a few weeks. How can I like someone that fast?"

She tilted her head. "Do you like him, though? Like, really like him?"

You opened your mouth, then closed it. Did you? It felt too sudden to be real, but... you can't deny how your heart raced whenever he was near.

"It's too strong," you admitted. "It feels real, but it's happening too fast. It's just too much."

Your friend leaned against the doorframe. "Look, maybe it's real, or maybe it's just attraction. But either way, it sounds like you really like him. And he sounds like he really likes you, too."

You raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think that?"

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, I don't know, maybe the fact that he's been hanging around you constantly and literally agreed to stay for New Year's just because you asked?"

You frowned. "That doesn't mean anything."

"Yes, it does," she said. "He doesn't even know you as an adult. And yet, he's showing all the signs of someone who's, like, head over heels. So why not just go for it? What's the worst that could happen?"

You hesitated. "He could reject me?"

She shrugged. "Yeah, maybe. Or maybe he won't. Either way, at least you'll know. Better than sitting here driving yourself insane, right?"

You sighed, running a hand through your hair. "I don't know..."

"Well, think about it," she said, patting your shoulder. "But if you ask me? You should go for it. Whether it's short-term or long-term, at least you won't have regrets."

-

The rest of the morning passed with your friend's words stuck in your mind. You were on your break again when your phone buzzed with a message from your mom.

Mom: [Don't forget, we're meeting at the house for New Year's!]
Mom: [Leaving early on the 31st?]
Mom: [Let me know.]

You smiled to yourself. Spending New Year's at your parents' house had been a tradition for as long as you could remember, ever since they moved away from downtown. It was a little far from the busy areas, in the outskirts of Seoul, but you didn't mind the drive.

Your fingers tapped on the screen, typing a quick reply.

[of course!]
[i'll head out in the morning]

The doorbell rang, pulling you from your thoughts. You glanced up from your phone, expecting another customer, but your heart skipped a beat when you saw who it was.

Jake.

The café was quieter than usual, with only a few customers around, so it was easy to spot him.

"Hey," he said, making his way over to the counter.

You tried to keep your expression neutral, but your pulse was already racing. "Hey. What brings you here?"

He grinned, leaning casually against the counter. "Got a message from your parents."

Your eyebrows shot up. "My parents?"

"They invited me to the New Year's thing at their place," he said, his tone light. "I guess they figured I'd be alone otherwise."

"Oh." You looked away, suddenly feeling awkward. "Well, are you going?"

Jake shrugged. "Not sure. It's a little weird, isn't it? Just me against you and your parents."

You forced a laugh. "I don't really mind bringing you along, though. If you want to come, that is."

He smiled. "Well, let's go together, then."

Your heart nearly stopped.

"Yeah, okay," you said, trying to sound nonchalant. "That works."

Behind you, your friend cleared her throat loudly. You turned to see her peeking out from the storage room, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement.

"Wait," she said, pointing at Jake. "Is this the Jake?"

You groaned. "Yes. He's the Jake. Now, can you not embarrass me in front of him?"

But Jake just chuckled. "Nice to meet you," he said, nodding at her.

After he grabbed coffee and cookies, Jake waved goodbye and walked out, leaving you alone with your friend. She wasted no time grabbing your arm and pulling you into the storage room.

"Okay, so you're going to spend one night with him under the same roof?" she asked, her tone borderline hysterical.

You rolled your eyes. "I guess so."

Her grin widened. "Oh, my God. We're doing this."

"Doing what?"

She grabbed your hand, practically dragging you out of the café. "We're going to your apartment and packing. You need to look amazing."

You protested, but she wasn't having any of it. By the time you reached your apartment, she was already rifling through your closet like she owned the place.

"Okay," she said, holding up a cute knit sweater. "This is nice. Shows off your figure without looking like you're trying too hard."

You groaned. "I'm not trying to attract him."

"Yes, you are," she said matter-of-factly, tossing the sweater onto your bed. "Now, put this on."