WINRINA ONESHOTS

YOU FINALLY NOTICED

Winter had always been content staying in the background, a shadow among the brighter stars of the school. She wasn’t interested in being noticed or admired. It was easier to stay invisible, to bury her head in books and music, blending into the walls like she was never really there.

But all of that changed the day she met Karina Yoo.

---

It was the beginning of their second year in high school, the day that Winter would never forget. She’d been running late, rushing to class when she accidentally bumped into someone and dropped all her books. Her stomach clenched in embarrassment as she crouched down to gather them, murmuring an apology.

"Careful there," a voice said, soft yet playful.

Winter looked up and felt her heart skip a beat. Karina Yoo stood over her, the infamous girl everyone admired—the girl who seemed so perfect it was intimidating. Her long, dark hair framed her face perfectly, and her eyes sparkled with a confidence that left Winter speechless.

Karina bent down, picking up a book and handing it to her. “You okay?”

Winter nodded quickly, fumbling with her things. “Yeah, I’m fine. Sorry.”

“No worries,” Karina smiled, her tone light, almost teasing. “Try not to run into any more walls today.”

Winter had chuckled nervously, too flustered to respond properly. Karina’s teasing had stayed with her the whole day. Little did she know, it wasn’t the last time Karina would throw her off balance.

---

Fast forward a year and a half, and not much had changed. Winter still kept to herself, head buried in her notes at the back of the classroom. She still listened to music more than she listened to people, and she still avoided drawing attention.

The only difference now was that Karina noticed her.

Noticed her—and never left her alone.

---

Winter sat at her usual table in the cafeteria, picking at her lunch while trying to drown out the noise around her. She wasn’t particularly close with anyone, but Giselle and Ningning, her two classmates, had plopped down beside her that day.

“Hey, why aren’t you eating?” Ningning asked, giving her a concerned look.

Winter shrugged, keeping her eyes on her plate. “Not that hungry.”

“You say that every day,” Giselle added with a smirk. “Maybe it’s because someone keeps staring at you from across the room.”

Winter’s head snapped up, her eyes widening. “What? Who?”

Ningning grinned, nudging her. “Come on, Winter. Don’t act like you haven’t noticed Karina looking at you. She’s been at it all week.”

Winter flushed, her heart skipping a beat. She immediately averted her gaze from the table where Karina was sitting with her friends. “She’s not looking at me.”

“Uh, yeah she is,” Giselle said, her tone half teasing, half serious. “You’re just too scared to look back.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Winter muttered, focusing on her untouched food. “She doesn’t even know I exist.”

Ningning raised an eyebrow. “Oh, Winter. Trust me, she knows. You’re the only person she ever talks to when we’re in class, and you’re definitely the only person she ever teases.”

Winter’s stomach tightened. It couldn’t be true, could it? Karina was popular, always surrounded by people. She didn’t have time to notice someone like Winter.