Hopelessly yours

Mizi was, in every possible way, a hopeless romantic. She dreamed of grand gestures and love-at-first-sight, of stolen glances and lingering touches. The only problem? Love seemed to be evading her entirely.

“Face it, Mizi,” Ivan teased, lounging against her locker with that infuriatingly smug grin. “You’re going to die alone.”

Mizi scowled, shoving him lightly. “You wouldn’t even have a boyfriend if it weren’t for me! I basically played Cupid and what thanks do I get? Relentless mockery.”

“Relentless love,” Ivan corrected, grinning. “And yes, you did get me and Till together. Which is why I owe you, remember?”

Mizi’s eyes lit up. “Exactly! You owe me! So why haven’t you set me up with anyone?”

“Because your standards are impossible,” Ivan drawled, inspecting his nails. “You want a fairy-tale romance. Those are in short supply.”

Mizi groaned. “I just want someone who’s nice and pretty and—”

“Hopeless,” Ivan said under his breath.

Mizi opened her mouth to retort when the warning bell rang. “We’ll continue this later,” she promised, pointing at him dramatically before hurrying off.

She was so busy digging through her bag, trying to find the right notebook, that she didn’t notice the person rounding the corner until it was too late. She collided straight into them, her books spilling everywhere.

“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry!” Mizi yelped, dropping to her knees to gather her things.

“It’s okay,” came a calm, melodic voice.

Mizi froze.

Slowly, she looked up and promptly forgot how to breathe.

The girl in front of her had sleek black hair and the most stunning violet eyes Mizi had ever seen. She was beautiful in a way that made Mizi’s heart flutter and her brain short-circuit.

“Are you okay?” the girl asked, tilting her head slightly.

Mizi nodded. “Y-Yeah. Totally fine. Super fine. The finest.”

The girl smiled, and Mizi felt herself ascend.

“Here,” the girl said, handing Mizi one of her notebooks. Their fingers brushed, and Mizi was sure there was no coming back from this.

“Thanks,” Mizi whispered.

“No problem.” The girl stood up, graceful and composed. “See you around?”

Mizi could only nod, watching as the girl walked away.

When she finally remembered how to move, she turned the corner and ran straight into Ivan.

“So,” Ivan said, eyebrow raised. “Why’s your face red?”

“I’m in love,” Mizi announced.

Ivan groaned. “Oh no. what do you mean your in love?.” ivan asked as he sweatdropped, mentally preparing himself for mizi’s ramblings.

She’s perfect, Ivan!” Mizi clasped her hands dramatically. “She has this beautiful black hair and these incredible violet eyes– like, have you ever seen someone with violet eyes? It’s like she stepped out of a romance novel! And her voice? It’s so soft and pretty, and when she smiled at me, I swear I saw my entire future flash before my eyes. We were running in a field of flowers—”

“Okay, okay, dial it down, Shakespeare,” Ivan interrupted, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Did you even get her name?”

Mizi blinked. “...No.”

Ivan stared at her. “Of course you didn’t.”

“But she said, ‘See you around!’” Mizi said hopefully. “That means she wants to see me again, right?”

“Or she was being polite,” Ivan deadpanned.

Mizi ignored him, already lost in daydreams. “I’m telling you, Ivan. This is fate. This is destiny. This is–”

“--gonna be my problem, isn’t it?” Ivan muttered.

Later that day, Mizi was still floating on cloud nine. She barely heard a word their teacher said and spent most of the class doodling hearts in the margins of her notebook. Violet eyes, black hair, graceful and cool it was like something straight out of a movie.

As soon as the bell rang, Mizi practically skipped out of the room, spotting Ivan waiting for her outside. "So," he said without preamble, "did you run into your mystery girlfriend again, or did she ride off into the sunset without you?"

"Not yet," Mizi sighed, hugging her books to her chest. "But I will! I feel it, Ivan. The universe wouldn’t just introduce me to my soulmate and then keep us apart!"

"Right. The universe is definitely invested in your love life," Ivan said dryly.

Before Mizi could respond, a familiar figure passed by them sleek black hair, graceful walk and Mizi’s heart nearly leapt out of her chest. "Oh my gosh! That’s her!" she hissed, grabbing Ivan’s arm and shaking him.

Ivan turned to look and immediately choked. "Oh no," he said, eyes widening. "No. No way."

"What?" Mizi demanded. "Why are you making that face? Do you know her?"

"Uh, no," Ivan said way too quickly, turning on his heel and walking in the opposite direction. "Forget it. This is a terrible idea. Let’s go. You should stay single forever."

"What?! Ivan!" Mizi stared after him, then turned back to see the girl, her girl walking into the courtyard, completely unbothered by the attention she drew. And Mizi wasn’t about to let Ivan ruin this for her.

"I’m going after her!" Mizi declared.

"Please don’t," Ivan groaned.

Mizi was about to go until Ivan grabbed her wrist. “Wait, wait what’s your plan here? You're gonna just… I don’t know, confess your undying love after one meeting?”

Mizi scoffed. “Of course not. I’m gonna introduce myself. Like a normal person.”

Ivan groaned. “This is gonna be a disaster.”

But Mizi was already walking away.

She marched toward the courtyard with purpose, ignoring Ivan’s very dramatic sigh behind her. The closer she got to Sua, the faster her heart pounded which was unfair, really. No one should be allowed to look that pretty and mysterious while just… existing.

Sua stood by the edge of the courtyard, leaning casually against a railing as she scrolled through her phone. She looked completely unbothered by the world around her, and Mizi had approximately two seconds to psych herself up before she was right there.

“Hi!” Mizi said, way too brightly.

Sua glanced up, those violet eyes locking onto her, and Mizi immediately forgot every word in the English language.

“…Hey,” Sua said after a beat, her expression unreadable.

Okay. Words. She knew those. “I– I’m Mizi! We met yesterday, remember? The notebook situation?”

For a second, Sua just stared, and Mizi wanted to melt into the ground. But then, slowly, Sua nodded. “Right. The finest.”

Mizi’s soul left her body. “You remembered!” she squeaked, and then immediately wanted to die because of how high-pitched her voice just got.

That tiny, almost-smile tugged at Sua’s lips again. “You’re… hard to forget.”

Mizi was about three seconds away from passing out.

Behind her, she heard Ivan make a strangled noise like he was physically in pain. She ignored him.

“So,” Mizi continued, determined to be cool for once in her life, “do you… come here often?”

Sua tilted her head like she was considering the question. “I guess you could say that. It’s quiet out here.”

“Oh, right, yeah! Quite good. Peaceful.” Mizi was nodding too much. She needed to stop nodding. “You seem like someone who… likes peaceful things.”

There was a long pause. Then Sua said, “Not really.”

Mizi blinked. “Oh.”

She was about to spiral when Sua added, “But I guess it depends on the company.”

Mizi’s brain short-circuited.

Ivan hissed from somewhere behind her. “Abort mission, Mizi. Abort.”

But Mizi wasn’t about to quit now. Not when Sua was looking at her with that calm, curious expression.

“Maybe we could… hang out sometime?” she blurted, then immediately wanted to slap herself. Too fast! Too soon! Disaster!

Sua blinked at her, clearly surprised.

For a moment, Mizi thought Sua was about to say yes. She could feel it — the stars aligning, the universe smiling down on her and then, of course, disaster struck.

“Hey, Sua!”

Mizi’s stomach dropped. She turned slowly, dread pooling in her chest, and saw Ivan heading toward them with his usual easygoing smile.

When Ivan reached them, he slung an arm around Mizi’s shoulders like he was saving her from herself. “Fancy seeing you here, Sua,” he said with that infuriatingly smug tone he always used when he was about to make things worse.

Sua’s eyes narrowed. “You again.”

“Miss me?” Ivan grinned.

“Like a headache,” Sua deadpanned.

Mizi blinked, eyes darting between Ivan and Sua. “Wait… you know each other?”

“Oh, we go way back,” Ivan said, his voice dripping with fake nostalgia. “Right, Sua? Best buddies, lifelong friends”

“Unfortunately,” Sua interrupted, her tone flat. She crossed her arms, eyes narrowing at Ivan like she was debating whether or not to kick him. “He’s my very annoying little brother.”

Mizi’s brain short-circuited. “WHAT.”

“Younger by a year only!” Ivan chimed in cheerfully. “But she never lets me forget it.”

“I have no brother,” Sua said, staring ahead like she was manifesting it into reality.

Mizi gawked. “You’re siblings?! How did I not know this?!”

“Because I’m the good-looking one,” Ivan said, flipping his hair dramatically.

“And I’m the one with patience,” Sua muttered. “Barely.”

Mizi was still trying to process this absolute bombshell when Sua turned to her. “If I’d known you were his friend, I would’ve reconsidered talking to you.” But there was the tiniest hint of a teasing smirk on her face.

Mizi’s heart leaped anyway.

“You wound me,” Ivan said, clutching his chest in mock pain. “And after all the love I give you–”

“Go away, Ivan.” sua said abruptly

He grinned but backed off, winking at Mizi as he went. “Good luck,” he whispered. “You’re gonna need it.”

Mizi was already dying inside. And somehow, she wouldn’t have had it any other way. Mizi stood there, her brain still trying to catch up with the absolute chaos of the past five minutes. Ivan. Sua. Siblings. This felt like some kind of cosmic joke.

“You okay?” Sua asked, one perfect eyebrow arching.

“Totally fine,” Mizi squeaked. “Just…processing.”

Sua’s mouth twitched, like she was trying not to smile. “It’s a lot, I know.”

“That’s an understatement.” Mizi glanced over her shoulder, where Ivan was watching them from a safe distance with the most infuriatingly entertained expression. She turned back to Sua. “I am so sorry you have to deal with him.”

“Thank you,” Sua said gravely. “Finally, someone understands my pain.”

Mizi laughed before she could stop herself, and Sua’s eyes softened just a little. “So… you really didn’t know we were related?” Sua asked, sounding almost curious.

“Not a clue,” Mizi admitted. “Ivan never mentioned having a super cool, terrifyingly gorgeous older sister.”

The words were out before she could stop them. Mizi wanted to melt into the ground.

But Sua…smiled. A real, honest to goodness smile. “Terrifyingly gorgeous?” she repeated, and Mizi swore the teasing lilt in her voice was going to end her.

“I said what I said,” Mizi mumbled, face burning.

Before Sua could respond and oh, Mizi was dying to know what she’d say the school intercom crackled to life, announcing something about an assembly. Sua glanced toward the speakers and sighed. “Guess we should head that way.”

“Right, yeah. Good idea.” Mizi fell into step beside her, wondering if she looked as awkward as she felt. “So, uh… how come I’ve never seen you around before? If you go here, I mean.”

“I’m a senior,” Sua said. “Different classes. And I keep a pretty low profile.”

“Not that low,” Mizi muttered. “You’re kind of hard to miss.”

Sua tilted her head, and Mizi braced for teasing but instead, Sua looked thoughtful. “You’re not exactly easy to miss, either.”

Mizi blinked. “Me?”

“You’re…bright,” Sua said after a moment. “You stand out.”

Mizi was ninety percent sure her heart actually stopped.

Before she could figure out how to respond or start breathing again Sua shifted, adjusting the strap of her bag. “I should probably get going,” she said, her voice soft. “But… I’ll see you around, Mizi.”

Mizi’s name sounded nice in Sua’s voice that she nearly blacked out.

“Yeah! Totally! See you!” she called after her, and then immediately turned around and walked straight into a pole luckily Sua had already left so she didn't see Mizi embarrassingly crashing into a pole but Ivan’s cackling can be heard echoing across the courtyard…

—

Later that evening, Mizi lay on her bed, phone held above her face as she stared at the ceiling with the most ridiculous, lovestruck grin.

“I’m doomed,” she whispered.

Her phone buzzed. It was Ivan.

Ivan: So. How’s your tragic love story going?

Mizi: Shut up.

Ivan: Did you walk into any more poles?

Mizi: I hate you.

Ivan: Love you too ❤️

Mizi groaned, burying her face in her pillow. The day had been… a lot. And yet, all she could think about was Sua’s smile.

Another buzz.

Ivan: You know you’re gonna have to ask her out eventually, right?

Mizi stared at the message, fingers hovering over the keyboard.

Mizi: What if she says no??

Ivan: What if she says yes???

Mizi: STOP BEING USELESS I CAN’T HANDLE THIS

Ivan: 😂

Before she could respond, a new message popped up from an unknown number.

Unknown: Hey. This is Sua. Got your number from Ivan.

Mizi’s soul left her body.

She stared at the screen so long her phone locked itself. By the time she unlocked it, she had managed to form exactly one coherent thought.

Mizi: hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Too many exclamation points. She wanted to throw the phone out the window.

Sua: Hope you don’t mind me texting. Figured it’d be easier than bumping into you again.

Mizi: I don’t mind!!!

Mizi: wait I mean yeah no problem totally normal very cool

Sua: …You’re cute.

Mizi rolled off her bed and lay face flat down on the floor.Mizi flopped onto her bed, phone clutched in her hands as she stared at the screen in disbelief. Sua had actually texted her back. Mizi buried her face in her pillow. Ivan was going to lose his mind when he heard about this.

Mizi: IVAN. SHE TEXTED ME.

Ivan: Who??

Mizi: SUA. SUA TEXTED ME. WE’RE TEXTING RIGHT NOW.

Ivan: WHAT??? SHOW ME.

Mizi sent a screenshot, and Ivan’s response was instant.

Ivan: OMG SHE USED A SMILEY FACE SHE LIKES YOU.

Mizi: DON’T SAY THAT I’LL DIE.

Ivan: YOU’RE GONNA DIE ANYWAY IF YOU DON’T KEEP TALKING TO HER.

Mizi: WHAT DO I SAY NEXT.

Ivan: IDK ASK HER ABOUT HER HOBBIES OR SMTH.

Mizi took a deep breath and went back to her chat with Sua.

Mizi: So, uh… do you like music?

Sua: Yeah, I do. I enjoy singing

Mizi’s jaw dropped. Cool and talented? This was unfair.

They kept talking well into the night about music, school, random things and by the time Mizi finally fell asleep, her heart was full.