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...
The week following their coffee date was one of the easiest Haerin had experienced in a long time. The tension that had previously hung between her and Danielle was gone, replaced with something quieter, more comfortable. It was like they'd crossed a threshold, and even though they hadn't talked about the big, serious things that still loomed between them, everything just felt... right.
It wasn't perfect, not yet. They were still navigating the weird limbo between friends and something more, and Haerin couldn't help but wonder if they ever would have the conversation about what they 'really' were. But for now, she was content with the small steps, the little moments that said more than words ever could
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On Friday afternoon, Haerin was walking out of school when she saw Danielle waiting by her car in the parking lot, her hands shoved deep in her pockets and her back leaning against the hood. The moment their eyes met, the air between them felt different, like something was shifting again—like the ground was about to move beneath them.
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"Hey," Danielle greeted with a casual grin, though there was a flicker of something deeper in her eyes. "You ready to go?"
Haerin nodded, forcing herself to smile, even though her stomach was doing that familiar fluttery thing. There was something about the way Danielle looked at her now—a way that made her feel seen in a way no one else ever had. It was still strange to think about, this quiet bond they were building. A part of her couldn't believe how quickly things had shifted.
"Yeah, let's go," she said, trying to sound cool, but her voice betrayed her, soft and unsteady.
As they drove toward the park, Haerin kept sneaking glances at Danielle, her eyes fixed on the road, but her lips quirking in that signature smile she had come to love. There was a comfort in the silence between them, but also a strange tension. It wasn't the kind that felt awkward, though. It felt... promising. But promising in a way that scared her. 'What if this was the moment it all fell apart?'
"Are we still going to the diner?" Haerin asked, breaking the quiet.
Danielle glanced over at her, that familiar warmth returning to her eyes. "Nah," she said, her voice teasing. "I thought we'd do something a little different today. You up for some adventure?"
Haerin raised an eyebrow. "Adventure? What kind of adventure?"
Danielle shot her a sideways glance, the mischievous glint in her eyes. "Trust me. I think you'll like it."
They pulled up to a small, secluded trail leading into the woods near the edge of town. Haerin blinked, confused. "You're serious? You want me to hike?"
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