CHAPTER 2
607 Words
It was a typical Friday night. The college artist organization was hosting a small get-together in the campus lounge—music, snacks, and the familiar hum of friendly chatter. Sari sat with her friends, trying to blend in, but her mind kept drifting to Johanne.
Her friends, Marco and Lina, noticed her distracted gaze.
Marco: "Hey, Sari. You’ve been quiet all night. What’s on your mind?"
Sari: (shrugs, forcing a smile) "Nothing. Just tired, I guess."
Lina: (teasing) "Come on, Sari. You’re not the type to zone out like that. Spill it."
Sari hesitated, then sighed. “It’s… just that I wish I could tell her how I feel. But I don’t know if I ever will.”
Her friends exchanged glances but said nothing, knowing how much Johanne meant to her.
Later, in a quieter corner, her phone buzzed. She glanced at it—an incoming message from Johanne.
Johanne: "Hey, Sari. Hope you’re having fun tonight. Just wanted to say good night."
Sari’s heart skipped a beat. She hesitated, then typed back:
Sari: "Good night, Johanne. Thanks for everything."
A few seconds later, her phone buzzed again.
Johanne: "Sweet dreams. Talk tomorrow?"
Sari’s fingers trembled as she responded.
Sari: "Yeah, I’d like that."
That simple exchange felt like a spark igniting inside her. She looked up, her cheeks flushed, and saw Johanne across the room, laughing with some friends. Johanne’s eyes caught Sari’s for a moment, and she offered a small, reassuring smile.
The night went on, and Sari felt a strange mix of hope and nervousness.
Later that night, Sari sat alone in her dorm room, staring at her phone. Her thoughts raced.
Sari: (muttering to herself) What am I even hoping for? Maybe she’s just being polite. Maybe I’m just imagining things.
Her phone lit up again. She almost didn’t want to look, but curiosity got the better of her. It was a message from Johanne.
Johanne: "I know this is random, but… I’ve been thinking about how much I appreciate you. You’re really special, Sari."
Her breath hitched. Her heart pounded so loudly she thought Johanne might hear it through the phone.
Sari: (softly) "Johanne…"
She stared at the message, unsure if she should reply. But her fingers moved on their own.
Sari: "Thank you. That means a lot coming from you."
Silence. Then, a reply.
Johanne: "Good night, Sari. Sleep well. Hope you wake up feeling good tomorrow."
Sari’s eyes shimmered with tears—whether from happiness or sadness, she wasn’t sure.
The next morning, Sari woke up feeling conflicted.
She thought about the night before—about Johanne’s words, about the way her heart fluttered whenever she saw her. But she also remembered the doubts, the fears, and how she’d promised herself to move on.
She took a deep breath and texted her best friend, Lina.
Sari: "Lina, do you think… do you think Johanne feels the same way?"
Lina responded quickly.
Lina: "Honestly? I don’t know. But I’ve seen how she looks at you sometimes. Maybe she’s just afraid to say it."
Sari stared at her phone, pondering. Part of her wanted to believe that Johanne’s feelings were real—that maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something more.
But another part, tired and weary, told her to be cautious.
Later that evening, as she sat on her bed, her phone buzzed again.
Johanne: "Hey, Sari. I’ve been thinking… I miss talking to you. Want to grab coffee tomorrow?"
Her heart raced. Sari bit her lip, then typed:
Sari: "I’d like that."
And in that moment, she realized that maybe, just maybe, the silence was finally breaking.
- Writer
