Tangled hearts ❤️

chapter 2

The soft glow of my desk lamp flickers over my open textbooks, but my mind is not absorbing a single word. It’s not my fault, though. How can I concentrate when Hanna is lying on her bed, completely immersed in a FaceTime call with him?

Jinwoo.

Hanna’s older brother. My ultimate crush.

Ever since I first saw his photo, something in me just clicked. Maybe it was his sharp jawline, his deep eyes, or the effortless way he carried himself in every picture. But here’s the thing—he doesn’t even know me. Sure, Hanna has tried to introduce me to him before, but I’ve always dodged it. Too much of a risk. Too much pressure.

And now, my eyes keep betraying me, darting toward Hanna as she lies on her stomach, giggling into her laptop. Her fingers play with the ends of her hair as she talks, completely lost in conversation.

Some days, I do the most ridiculous things just to grab his attention—funny noises, random outbursts, anything—but it never works.

With a sigh, I slam my textbook shut. There’s no way I’m getting any studying done tonight. Instead, I grab my laptop and open my latest K-drama obsession, curling up on my bed.

Not even five minutes in, Hanna’s voice pulls me from my screen. “What episode are you on, Zora?”

I yawn, stretching my arms. “Episode ten.”

A deep, unexpected voice chimes in.

“Hanna, are you seriously still watching those dramas?”

I freeze.

That voice.

Jinwoo.

“They’re so unrealistic,” he scoffs.

Before I can stop myself, the words slip out of my mouth. “Oh, please, that’s such a low mindset.”

Silence.

Then, his amused chuckle. “Excuse me?”

I sit up straight, eyes wide. I can feel Hanna’s smirk without even looking at her. But I’m in too deep now. There’s no turning back.

I clear my throat, forcing my voice to stay steady. “There are men out there who love someone with their whole heart. Just because you don’t believe in that kind of love doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

There’s a pause, then his voice, smoother this time. “When your friend finds that love, I should be the first to know.”

Hanna cackles. “You know what? You two just fight it out amongst yourselves.” Then, before I can protest, she flips the laptop toward me.

Panic sets in.

Nope. Nope.

I grab my phone, scramble off my bed, and bolt out of the room, heart racing.

By the time I reach the hallway, I stop, pressing my phone to my chest. My face is burning. What the hell just happened?

I exhale sharply, shaking my head. “This—this is exactly how enemies-to-lovers starts in K-dramas.”

Letting out a deep breath, I start walking toward the café, trying to shake off the flustered feeling.

Then, as I pass Clara and her group, I barely register them. Usually, I’d brace myself for an eye roll, a scoff, or a passive-aggressive comment, but tonight? Tonight, I’m too busy replaying my accidental face-off with Jinwoo.

Until—

Something makes me stop.

I don’t know why, but I feel it before I see it.

Turning my head slightly, my gaze falls on a guy standing at the edge of Clara’s group.

He’s different. He stands out.

Not in the flashy way most rich guys do, but in a way that makes the rest of the room seem a little dimmer.

Dark hair, sharp features, an air of quiet confidence. There’s something about him—something I can’t quite place.

But before I let myself dwell on it, I shake the thought away and keep walking.

I don’t have time for distractions.

Off to Korea

The dorm is a mess of half-packed suitcases and clothes scattered across the floor as Hanna frantically shoves things into her bag. Meanwhile, I’m sitting cross-legged on her bed, folding her sweaters because, let’s be honest, she’s terrible at packing.

“Oh my gosh, Zora, I cannot wait to go home!” Hanna squeals, zipping up one of her overstuffed suitcases. “The food, the shopping, my mom’s nagging—okay, maybe not that part, but still! It’s going to be amazing.”

I smile, nodding along. I love seeing Hanna this happy. “Yeah, it sounds like a dream.”

Then, as if remembering something, she suddenly turns to me, her face dropping slightly. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay here alone in the dorm?”

I roll my eyes playfully. “For the tenth time, Hanna, I’ll be fine.”

“But—”

I raise a hand before she can argue. “I have the whole holiday planned out. It’s the perfect time for me to take on more side gigs and save up some extra money.”

Hanna sighs, clearly unconvinced. “I hate that you have to do that.”

I shrug. “It is what it is. The scholarship covered tuition and dorm fees this year, but travel expenses weren’t included. And flights home are insanely expensive.”

She watches me for a moment, then suddenly grins. “Well, surprise.”

I blink as she rushes over to her study table and pulls out an envelope, waving it dramatically. “Zora, you’re coming to South Korea with me!”

My brain short-circuits. “Wait—what?”

Hanna opens the envelope and shoves a plane ticket in my hands. “I bought you a ticket!”

For a second, I just stare at her, my mind struggling to catch up. Then, in a rush of excitement, I throw my arms around her.

“Oh my gosh, Hanna! This is the best news ever!”

We jump up and down, doing our secret handshake before hugging each other again, squealing like absolute maniacs.

That’s when Clara, our ever-charming dorm mate, walks past us, rolling her eyes. “I’ll come back when you people stop behaving like animals.”

We ignore her completely.

Hanna grabs my hand. “Come on, we need to pack for you right now.”

I laugh as she drags me toward my closet. “So this is why you’ve been acting so weird lately.”

Hanna smirks. “Do you know how hard it was to keep this secret from you?”

I shake my head, stuffing a pair of jeans into my suitcase. “You’re unbelievable.”

She nudges me with her elbow. “And finally, you’ll be able to meet Jinwoo.”

I groan. “Oh, stop it.”

Hanna gasps dramatically. “You’re blushing.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

I grab a pillow and throw it at her. She cackles.

---

At the Airport – First Class, Baby

“This is insane.”

I sink into my seat, running my hands over the plush armrest. First-class seats? Spacious legroom? A menu with real food? This is nothing like the cramped economy seats I’d imagined myself in.

Hanna grins beside me. “Anything for my best friend. Just relax and enjoy the experience.”

I glance around in awe before settling into my seat. “This is my first time flying first class.”

“Well, get used to it,” Hanna says, flipping her hair dramatically.

I just shake my head, laughing. The flight attendants come by with drinks, and while Hanna casually sips champagne like the rich girl she is, I happily sip my pineapple juice, savoring every bit of it.

We decide to watch Clueless, and while Hanna is busy making a t****k video, I’m completely focused on the movie, stuffing my face with the unlimited snacks.

“Me and my bestie on our way to Korea!” Hanna announces, angling her phone toward me.

Without even glancing up from the screen, I lift a hand in a lazy wave, my mouth still full of food.

Hanna chuckles. “You are so into that movie.”

“Shhh,” I say, pointing at the screen, eyes glued to Cher’s iconic makeover scene.

Hanna rolls her eyes but continues recording, laughing at my snack obsession.

After a while, exhaustion hits, and we both drift off to sleep.

---

Somewhere Over the Ocean

I wake up with a jolt, excitement thrumming in my veins. We’re getting closer.

Glancing to my side, I see Hanna fast asleep, her phone still loosely held in her hand. Gently, I take it from her and place it aside before pulling the fleece blanket up to cover her properly.

Then, turning toward the window, I see the faint lights of a city below.

My heart pounds.

South Korea, here I come.