Blessing in Disguise

Chapter Thirty-Three

Y/N

4/8/2020

It was early April, and Y/N found himself nervously pacing back and forth in his room, his mind spinning with anticipation and a little bit of self-imposed pressure. For the past three months, things had felt almost like a dream. Since Yunjin's return, they'd fallen back into a rhythm that felt as natural as breathing—going to school together, sharing lunch in the cafeteria, joking and flirting like they'd done for years. He thought about their dates, simple and sweet, like late-night drives to their favorite lookout spot or cozying up on the couch with a marathon of her favorite movies. And then there had been their big night out—the one where he'd surprised her with tickets to a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.

That night had been perfect. They'd taken the train into the city together, his arm around her as she leaned into him, the rumble of the train and the city lights flying by. When they arrived at the Garden, her eyes had lit up with a look of pure excitement that he knew he'd never forget. They'd shared nachos, cheered on the Knicks, and yelled at the refs over what they agreed were very questionable calls. Y/N had even managed to grab them matching Knicks caps, which she wore with a grin, her head leaning on his shoulder as they watched the game play out. It had felt like one of those moments he'd treasure forever, the memory of it as bright as the lights of New York.

But now, back in the present, he had something else on his mind—asking Yunjin to prom. They'd been together for what felt like forever, through most of middle school and now deep into high school, but she had never actually been there for prom season. This was his chance to finally make it special, and he wanted it to be perfect.

As he paced, his teammates lounged on his bed, watching him with barely concealed amusement. Jackson, sprawled out and scrolling on his phone, shot him a smirk. "Dude, you're wearing a trench in the carpet with all that pacing. Chill out—she's totally going to say yes."

Y/N sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know, I know. It's not that I think she'll say no; it's just... I want it to be good, you know? Special."

Rachel, Yunjin's little sister, who had become his honorary accomplice, rolled her eyes from where she was sitting on his desk chair. "Y/N, you're being dramatic. Just ask her, and she'll be over the moon. You know she's obsessed with you, right?"

Y/N chuckled, but the nervous energy didn't leave him. "Thanks, Rachel. But I still want it to be memorable." He paused, glancing over at his teammates and Rachel, a little sheepish. "You guys have all the signs ready, right? 'Cause I'm not about to mess this up."

Mark, who was holding the signs in question, lifted them with a proud grin. "Got it all covered, man. After the game, you and Yunjin take your cute little 'just-finished-playing' couple photo, and bam—'Want to take a shot at prom with me?' Nice and cheesy, just the way it should be."

Rachel smirked, folding her arms. "You have no idea how much she'll love it. Trust me. She thinks you don't go all out for things like this, but you're about to blow her mind."

Y/N laughed, shaking his head as he imagined the moment. "That's the plan. Besides, I've been waiting way too long to ask her to prom." He paused, adjusting his jersey in the mirror and giving himself a once-over. "You guys really think she won't see it coming?"

"Not a chance," Jackson replied, patting him on the shoulder. "She'll be all wrapped up in the game hype, won't suspect a thing."

Rachel tilted her head thoughtfully, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "And don't worry," she said, almost too confidently. "I'll make sure she's ready for the picture. She's going to love it, Y/N. You're finally going to get that picture-perfect promposal."