Sunday mornings always felt a bit different-quieter, slower, filled with a lazy sense of freedom. Raya woke up without the sound of an alarm this time, feeling rested and refreshed. She took her time getting ready, slipping into her favorite outfit, and adding a light touch of gloss to her lips. Today, she'd be meeting her friends in the afternoon, and she was looking forward to a day free of studying and schoolwork.
By noon, her phone buzzed with a message from Jake. "We're meeting at the main square at 4 . Don't be late, Raye!"
Smiling, she replied with a quick thumbs-up emoji and set about gathering her things. After a quick lunch with her family, she headed out, making her way to the familiar meeting spot where her friends were already waiting.
"Raya! Over here!" Lili called, waving energetically.
Raya joined the group, exchanging hugs with everyone. The afternoon sun was warm, the streets bustling with people out enjoying the weekend.
"So, where to first?" Kren asked, glancing around with a grin. "I vote we hit up that new ice cream place everyone's been talking about."
"That's fine, as long as we get some street food after," Josh chimed in, his eyes lighting up at the thought. "I've been craving spicy rolls all week."
They strolled through the streets, chatting about everything and nothing. They talked about their school assignments, laughed at the latest viral memes, and shared stories from the past week. The conversation eventually turned to relationships, as it often did with friends.
"Alright, serious question," Lili began, leaning in with a mischievous grin. "If you had to date anyone in our grade, who would it be?"
Raiza laughed. "Oh, come on, Lili! Do we have to do this?"
"Yes, we do! Come on, let's hear it," Lili insisted, crossing her arms playfully. She glanced over at Raya. "What about you, Raye? Anyone caught your eye?"
Raya felt her cheeks warm. She hadn't thought much about relationships, at least not with anyone from school. If she was honest with herself, her heart was already a little too occupied with thoughts of her dreams and, of course, Jungkook. But instead of saying that, she simply shrugged and laughed it off.
"No one in particular," she replied, keeping it vague. "What about you, Jake?"
Jake raised his hands defensively. "Hey, don't look at me! I'm just here for the food."
They all burst out laughing, and the conversation shifted again, moving on to lighter, funnier topics. They continued exploring, stopping at different stalls to try various street foods-spicy rolls, crispy fritters, and refreshing lemon drinks. They even managed to snag a table at a small restaurant for a quick bite, snapping photos and making silly faces for the camera.
As the sky darkened and streetlights began to glow, the group finally decided to head back home, exhausted but happy. They parted ways with hugs and goodbyes, promising to meet again soon.
Back home by eight, Raya changed into her comfy pajamas and settled down in the living room. She decided to put on a feel-good movie, grabbing a bowl of popcorn and curling up under a blanket. Halfway through the movie, her phone lit up with a call from Jake.
"Hey," she greeted, pressing the phone to her ear.
"Hey, Raye! Did you get home okay?" Jake's voice was warm, a familiar sound that made her smile.
"Yeah, got back just a bit ago. How about you?"
"Same here," he replied. There was a brief silence before he spoke again. "Today was fun. I miss us all hanging out like that."
"Me too. It felt good to just relax, you know?" she said, leaning back into the couch.
They fell into easy conversation, talking about everything from their favorite parts of the day to random memories from school. As they talked, Raya found herself feeling grateful for Jake. He was more than just a friend; he was someone who truly understood her, someone who never made her feel like she had to hide any part of herself.
"So, Raye," Jake said after a while, his tone slightly more serious. "Do you ever think about... you know, the future?"
Raya paused, thinking it over. "Yeah, I do.i wanna be a doctor..Sometimes it's hard to imagine where I'll be in a few years, but I have my dreams." Her voice softened. "You know how much I want to meet BTS, to tell them how much they mean to me. I don't know how or when, but it's something I think about all the time."
Jake chuckled softly. "I know. And honestly, I think you'll get there someday. You're more determined than anyone I know."
His words made her heart flutter a little. There was something comforting in the way he spoke, like he genuinely believed in her, even when she had doubts herself.
"What about you, Jake?" she asked, curious. "What do you dream about?"
Jake hesitated for a moment. "I guess... I dream about finding something that makes me feel the way BTS makes you feel. Something that makes me want to work hard and push through anything. And... maybe having someone by my side who understands me."
Raya's cheeks warmed, and she was thankful they were only on the phone. "I'm sure you'll find that, Jake. You're one of the kindest people I know."
They continued talking for hours, diving into deeper topics, sharing secrets, and sometimes just sitting in comfortable silence. They talked about life, about school, and the uncertainties that lay ahead. And as the night stretched on, Raya found herself wondering if maybe, just maybe, Jake was starting to mean a little more to her than she'd realized before.
Finally, as midnight approached, they both began to feel the effects of the long day.
"Alright, Raye," Jake murmured, his voice heavy with sleepiness. "I should let you get some rest. Thanks for today.... I had a really good time."
"Me too," she replied softly. "Goodnight, Jake."
"Goodnight, Raye."
As she hung up, Raya lay back in bed, her mind replaying bits of their conversation. There was a warmth in her heart, a feeling she couldn't quite name, but it left her with a smile as she drifted off to sleep.
And as she closed her eyes, a quiet thought floated through her mind-a hope, a wish, that maybe dreams weren't only for idols and far-off worlds. Maybe, sometimes, the most beautiful dreams were the ones waiting quietly beside her.
YOU ARE READING
Chasing Tomorrow
Fanfiction"Raya, why dream so big? Do you think anyone will really notice you?" Raya glanced at her BTS poster, a quiet determination in her eyes. "It's not about being noticed. It's about proving to myself that I'm capable. They may be stars, but they're als...
