The calendar on Lili's wall was marked with big, bright circles — every day ticking down to the moment she would finally see Dewdrop in person. Three months felt like both forever and a blink of an eye.
She flopped onto her bed, phone in hand, video call already connected. Dewdrop's face appeared, smiling lazily as if he had been waiting just for her.
"Morning, sleepyhead," he teased.
"Morning," she replied, yawning. "Can't believe it's only ninety days left."
Dewdrop: Ninety days? That's… less than a hundred! I'm counting them all.
Lili: You really are ridiculous.
Dewdrop: Ridiculous and excited.
She laughed softly. "I'm excited too. But also… nervous."
Dewdrop: Nervous? Why?
Lili: Meeting you in real life… it feels so different.
He leaned closer to the screen, eyes soft. "You don't have to worry. We'll just… be us. Nothing changes. I promise."
She smiled, feeling a little of the nervous knot unravel. "I know. It's just… a big step."
Dewdrop: The biggest. But also the best.
For the next hour, they planned tiny things for the days after his arrival — morning walks, ice cream by the park, quiet talks in coffee shops, and long stretches where they would just sit, laughing or being silent, enjoying the comfort of each other's presence.
Lili: We should take a selfie the moment we meet.
Dewdrop: Only if you promise not to trip over your own feet in excitement.
Lili: Very funny. But I'll try.
Dewdrop: That's all I ask.
They laughed, tossing imaginary hair ties across the screen for old times' sake, teasing and smiling until their stomachs hurt. Even through the distance, their bond felt unshakable — built on patience, trust, and shared joy.
Dewdrop: I've been thinking… I want to bring something small. Something to mark this first step.
Lili: What?
Dewdrop: A necklace. Just… a little reminder. That no matter how far, we're always connected.
Her chest tightened. "I… I can't wait. That's so thoughtful."
Dewdrop: Thoughtful? Only for my favorite girl.
She blushed, smiling so wide it almost hurt. "You're impossible."
Dewdrop: Only for you.
As the call ended, they waved, lingering just a little longer, hearts full. Across oceans, the countdown continued — each day a tiny step closer to the moment they would no longer need screens, no longer need long calls, no longer need to imagine the touch and warmth of the other.
And in their hearts, the promise was clear: no distance, no time, nothing could diminish what they had. Ninety days, or a hundred, or a thousand — they would wait, together, for the day they could finally close the gap.