As I turn to leave, I can feel him watching me all the way until I disappear through the massive sliding-glass doors of the hotel. As a blast of air-conditioning hits me, I feel a wave of regret at our short-lived evening together, but it’s quickly replaced by a flutter of excitement. We may have said good night for now, but I did choose option C. I wrap my fingers around the phone in my pocket, his number tucked safely inside. I figure there’s no harm in texting him as a friend—it’d be just like my group chat with the Cho twins. Totally innocent. Just a chance to build a friendship outside of K-pop. Like they said, I need more friends outside the industry! I can keep my weird obsession with his ankles and sporadic desire to make out with his face and slightly disturbing fantasy of cuddling together while watching Toy Story at bay… right? Just then my phone buzzes and my heart nearly leaps out of my chest.

Alex: Just wanted to make sure you got inside safely. Thanks again for a great night. Not sure if I should count elementary school, the train, or the café… but whichever one counts as our official first encounter, I’m so glad I met you, Rachel Kim.

The grin on my face is unbearably ridiculous, and I can’t wipe it off even as the elevator rises to my floor. Something tells me I’m in big trouble.

SIX

The next morning, our flight is delayed. Something about the flight crew exceeding their hours. Normally I’d be anxious to get back home and annoyed at having to hang around a hotel for a few extra hours, but today it feels nice to lie in bed a little longer. I stare at Alex’s name on my phone, replaying everything about our time together last night. The way he smiled. How easily he was able to make me laugh. The effortless flow of our conversation. How I wanted to kiss him in the middle of the street.

My phone pings with an incoming message, and I nearly drop it on my face. Oh my god. It’s Alex. It’s almost like I conjured him up just by thinking of him.

Alex: Guess what I did last night?

Me: Did you try to find your PS 41 school-wide photos? Bc I definitely thought about asking my mom to dig them up for me.

Alex: NO I did not, but that is genius. It’s now my mission to find a photo of elementary school Rachel in my archives.

Alex: I did something just as fun, though. I watched Toy Story 4.

Me: LOL

Me: Thoughts, Grandpa?

Alex: The fork (spoon?) character was fun. But I 100% cried more during Toy Story 3. I’m not sure I missed out on much these last ten years, tbh.