s.jy || falling for the starboy.

chapter 13: vacation week

first person pov.

it was the night after finals, and i was sitting with jiah and haneul around a cozy table at our favorite restaurant, the one that felt like a hidden gem just off campus.

the warm lighting cast a soft glow over our faces as we leaned back in our chairs, finally free from the grip of exams. plates of food lay scattered across the table, half-eaten as we soaked in the first moments of our one-week break.

"i swear, i haven't seen daylight in days," haneul said, her chopsticks hovering over the last dumpling on the plate. "i don't even know what it's like to not feel tired anymore."

jiah laughed, tipping her head back. "right? we were literally living in the library for weeks. i'm just glad we survived."

i smiled, nodding along. "we really deserve this break. i don't think i've ever been this stressed about finals before."

but it wasn't just the finals and the midterms and the oral exams that was stressing me out-my whole secret relationship with an idol is starting to wear out on me. its draining me slowly. its getting harder and harder to keep it a secret from people i literally live with everyday. but its not like i can just tell them about jake.

i twirled my fork in my noodles absentmindedly, still feeling a little dazed from the whirlwind of exams. "i'm heading home tomorrow, though. feels like forever since i've seen my family."

jiah tilts her head. "you're from boseong-gun, right? that's really far from here. you sure you want to travel without any company?"

"it's fine," i immediately responded, shaking my head with a smile. "i've managed to go here alone. so going back there won't be a problem at all."

"you're lucky," jiah said, poking at her bowl of rice. "i kinda miss my family too, but i think i'll spend the whole week just binge-watching dramas. i need a mental reset."

"same," haneul added. "i'm not moving from my bed until next week."

i chuckled, but i was definitely excited about the idea of seeing my family again.

it had been months since i last went home, and even though the travel might be long, the thought of mom's cooking and the familiar smell of home made it all worth it.

"it'll be nice to just relax with them, though. no deadlines, no lectures, just home."

we kept chatting, the conversation floating between our plans for the break and catching up on all the things we'd missed during the finals grind.

after dinner, i headed back to my dorm, feeling the weight of my exhaustion start to hit. my suitcase was already packed, sitting by the door, and before heading to bed, i pulled out my phone to send jake a quick message.

with the message sent, i collapsed into bed, my tired body grateful for the rest. sleep came quickly, and the next morning, i woke up to the soft vibration of my phone.