Wrong Number Mate (stray kids fanfic)

Yenne's eyelids felt like lead weights, her head a throbbing mess against the hard library table. The hushed murmur of turning pages and the soft hum of the air conditioning were the only sounds in the otherwise silent sanctuary. A gentle tap on her shoulder startled her awake. "It's 8:00 PM, miss. We're closing soon." The librarian's voice was soft, but the words hit Yenne like a physical blow.

Eight already? She’d fallen asleep again. Her gaze fell upon the mountainous stack of textbooks and notes still awaiting her attention – two more chapters, revision for another. A weary sigh escaped her lips. The thought of packing up, trudging back to her hostel, and facing another all-nighter was utterly soul-crushing.

Later, in the sterile comfort of her small hostel room, Yenne mechanically prepared for the long night ahead. A warm mug of coffee, a two-liter water bottle, and the familiar, comforting strains of lofi study music filled the quiet space. She pulled out her phone, a fleeting hope that her friends might be struggling as much as she was. But no, they were all far ahead, their progress a stark contrast to her own. Guilt gnawed at her. Why was she always so slow, so fragile?

At 10:00 PM, she pushed herself up, needing to move, to break the suffocating stillness. A pang of hunger reminded her she hadn't eaten dinner. She shrugged it off. Who cared? She'd lost her appetite anyway. 'Ma would be so disappointed,' she thought, the familiar ache of homesickness settling in. She missed the feeling of home, of having close friends, of being genuinely motivated.

Just then, her phone buzzed. A notification. She ignored it, her focus already drifting back to the daunting pile of books. But then, five more notifications chimed in rapid succession. Who could possibly want to talk to her with such urgency?