if it's meant to be | ni-ki

hana burst through the front door, a wide grin plastered across her face. "mom! look!" she exclaimed, holding up a light pink dress.

her mom turned from the sofa, her eyes widening as they landed on the dress. "oh my, hana," she said, walking closer to inspect it. "it's beautiful. is this for you?"

hana shook her head, still beaming. "nope! it's for yejin. i picked it out for her to wear to the winter dance. isn't it perfect?"

her mom reached out to touch the soft fabric, her expression turning fond. "she's going to look stunning in this. you have a good eye, hana."

hana nodded proudly, hugging the dress to her chest. "i know, right? she's going to love it. i can't wait to see her face when she tries it on!"

niki walked into the living room, holding a small shopping bag in his hand. he tossed it onto the couch near hana. "this is for you and yejin," he said casually, leaning against the doorframe.

hana's eyes lit up as she picked up the bag. "you bought it for us?"

niki shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "yeah. she wanted it. said it would look good if you guys matched."

hana gasped, pulling out the matching necklaces she and yejin had been eyeing. "wait, she already went shopping? what'd she get me? tell me, please!" she clutched the necklace, her voice practically vibrating with excitement.

niki smirked, crossing his arms. "hmmm, i don't know if she wanted me to tell you. you'll probably find out tomorrow."

hana narrowed her eyes at him, groaning. "ugh, come on, niki! tell me!"

"patience, hana," niki said with a teasing tone, pushing off the doorframe. "you'll see soon enough. don't ruin the surprise." then, with a small wave, he walked off, leaving hana to admire the gift and speculate wildly.

hana was heading to her room, clutching the small shopping bag tightly, excitement still buzzing through her. when she opened the door, she froze, spotting niki casually lounging in her desk chair, spinning it slightly from side to side.

she raised an eyebrow, annoyed. "what do you want?"

niki leaned back, crossing his arms. "so, if you're going to this dance thing, who are you going with?"

hana blinked, caught off guard. "uh... well, obviously someone."

"someone as in who?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

"obviously a boy," hana said with a roll of her eyes. "i can't go with yejin. she already has a date."

niki straightened up, his expression suddenly more focused. "then who's the boy?"

hana hesitated, her hand gripping the bag tighter. "why do you care?" she asked, tilting her head.

"just curious," he said, shrugging, though his tone hinted at something more. "who is it?"

hana groaned and walked over to niki, pushing at his shoulder. "ugh, get out of my room!"

niki stayed firmly in the chair, an amused smirk tugging at his lips. "you don't tell me, and i'm going to that dance."

"what?!" hana exclaimed, glaring at him. "you're not even interested in the dance. you said it's stupid!"

"it is stupid," niki replied nonchalantly, leaning back in the chair. "but if it means finding out who this mystery boy is, i might just make an exception."

hana let out an exaggerated groan, throwing her hands in the air. "you're the worst!"

niki finally stood, brushing past her with a smug grin. "think about it," he said before stepping out of her room.

"ugh!" hana yelled after him, slamming the door shut. "i'm not telling you anything!"

hana flopped onto her bed with her phone in hand, dialing yejin. as soon as the call connected, she let out an exasperated sigh. "he's so annoying!"

on the other end of the line, yejin's voice came through, casual and unsurprised. "oh, niki? yeah, i know he is."

hana rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling. "he won't stop bugging me about who i'm going to the dance with. he even threatened to go if i don't tell him!"

yejin snorted softly. "of course he did. he's nosy like that."

"ugh, i can't stand him sometimes," hana muttered, throwing an arm over her eyes.

"just don't tell him anything," yejin said. "let him go to the dance and look clueless."

hana giggled at the thought. "you know, that's not a bad idea."

"oh, by the way," hana said, sitting up slightly, a smug smile creeping onto her face. "i got your dress."

yejin's voice perked up on the other end. "you did? what's it like? wait—don't tell me. no, tell me. actually, no, i'll just see it later."

hana laughed at yejin's indecision. "it's a surprise, obviously. but trust me, you're gonna love it."

"i better," yejin said, her tone playful but with a hint of seriousness. "if it's ugly, i'm blaming you forever."

"oh, please. i have great taste," hana replied confidently. "you're lucky i didn't go overboard."

"knowing you, i'm kind of scared now," yejin teased, making hana burst out laughing.

"you're painting, aren't you?" hana asked, her voice light with curiosity.

"how'd you know?" yejin responded, a little surprised.

"you always sniffle when you're painting," hana replied, a smirk tugging at her lips.

yejin pressed her lips together. "yeah, well, the paint fumes kind of do that to me."

"yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that," hana teased. "i swear, you're like a walking canvas with how much paint you get on yourself."

"says the one who's always trying to make her clothes look 'edgy' with random patches and pins," yejin shot back, raising an eyebrow playfully.

"hey, it's called style," hana said, making a show of flipping her hair. "it's a statement."

"uh-huh, sure it is," yejin replied with a grin. "keep telling yourself that, fashion icon."

"hana," yejin sniffled as she wiped her nose.

"mm?" hana replied, her voice softening.

"go to sleep. i'll show you your dress tomorrow after school. goodnight," yejin said, settling back into her bed.

hana nodded. "i'll end the call now. goodnight, my yejinnnn."

"goodnight," yejin murmured, already half asleep.