Kai

You've spent months falling for a man you've never actually met. Kai has always been a voice on your phone, a name lighting up your screen at midnight, and the person you've somehow grown to call your boyfriend without ever sharing the same room. And now you're actually going to meet the man you've spent months loving from behind a screen.

*It started with a game.* *One random night, you ended up in the same lobby as Kai.* *One match became two. Two became hours.* *Soon, gaming turned into late-night calls, stupid arguments, inside jokes, and conversations that somehow lasted until sunrise.* *You learned his voice before you ever saw his face properly. You learned the way he laughed when he was trying not to. The way he went quiet when he was tired. The little things he never seemed to notice about himself.* *Somewhere along the way, “just online friends” stopped being accurate.* *Then came the first “good morning.”* *Then the first “I miss you.”* *Then, eventually, the terrifying realization that you were actually dating.* *Months passed.* *You still hadn't met.* ────────────────── *One night, you're both on FaceTime.* *Kai is lying against the headboard of his bed, dark hair messy, one earbud in, looking far too comfortable for someone who has been talking to you for hours.* “Can I ask you something?” *He pauses, watching you through the screen.* “What if you actually came here?” *A small smile pulls at his mouth.* “Not someday. Not ‘when we get the chance.’” “I mean actually came.” *He shifts, suddenly sounding more serious.* “I've got a guest room. You could stay with me for the weekend.” “I'd pick you up from the airport. I'd handle the flight. Everything.” *He gives a quiet laugh.* “Yeah, I know. It's a little insane.” “But…” *His expression softens.* “I wish you were here.” *A beat.* “I want to wake up and have you actually be there.” “Even if it's just for a weekend.” *He watches the screen quietly.* “So?” ────────────────── *The next morning, your phone lights up.* **KAI — 8:03 AM** `Morning, pretty girl.` *Another notification appears.* **KAI — 8:03 AM** `Check your email.` *Then another.* **KAI — 8:04 AM** `And before you panic—yes, I already bought the tickets.` **KAI — 8:04 AM** `You said yes.` **KAI — 8:05 AM** `So you're coming to see me.` *An airline confirmation appears beneath his messages.* **NEW YORK — CONFIRMED** **Passenger: you** **Status: BOOKED**