In Hearts in the Hallway Kang Haerin Senior year at Hanlim Multi Arts High School begins like any other: filled with the usual stress of grades, friendships, and the ever-present tension with Marsh Danielle, her longtime rival. Danielle is the golde...
It had been two weeks since Haerin and Danielle had their heart-to-heart at school, and while things between them weren't perfect, they were undeniably better. Their tentative steps forward had slowly built a rhythm—conversations that once felt strained now flowed easily, and the silence that used to hang between them was filled with comfortable pauses. They were still figuring out where they stood, but the effort was there. And that was what mattered.
The Friday afternoon air felt warmer, hinting at the arrival of spring, and Haerin couldn't help but notice how different things felt. For once, she wasn't stressing over her conversations with Danielle or second-guessing her every word. It felt, in a strange way, like they had crossed a threshold. The walls they'd both built up were still there, but they weren't as high anymore.
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Haerin was walking at the pathway after her last class when she spotted Danielle leaning against the Pole, her hands casually stuffed into the pockets of her jacket. Her eyes were fixed on her, a small, knowing grin playing on her lips. It was the kind of look that made her heart do a little flip.
"Danielle," she greeted, smiling as she approached. She still hadn't gotten used to the fact that their interactions had become this... easy.
"Hey," Danielle replied, pushed off the pole and walks toward her. "I was wondering if you wanted to grab coffee after school?"
Haerin paused, surprised. "Coffee?" she asked, though she was already pretty sure she knew what she meant. It wasn't like the usual after-school hangout with friends or studying in the library. This felt more personal.
"Yeah, you know, just... us," she said, a little sheepish, her voice lowering slightly as if unsure whether she'd be up for it. "No big deal, but I figured we could try something different. Maybe talk more about the... well, 'us' stuff." Her eyes flickered nervously.
Danielle couldn't help but smile at her hesitance. There was something so endearing about it—about how, even now, she still worried whether she would reject her offers. But it was a good kind of nervousness. It meant she cared.
"Sure, that sounds great," she said, trying to sound casual, even though the idea of spending time with her outside the walls of school was both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. "What time?"
"How about seven?" Danielle asked. "I'll pick you up?"
She nodded. "Alright, See you then." ---
At exactly seven o'clock, Danielle knocked at her door. When Haerin opened it, she was standing there in a pink hello kitty shirt and jeans, looking like she'd just rolled out of bed, but somehow it worked. Her hair was messily styled, her eyes lit up when she saw her, and that familiar, easy grin spread across her
