The weekend came with a promise of clear skies and soft winds—perfect weather for something new. Something a little terrifying, a little exciting… like a first date.
Lia Chen paced her bedroom, biting her bottom lip as she held up two different outfits—one cream-colored sweater dress, the other a navy-blue skirt with a white blouse.
"They're both cute," Rina Ann said from the bed, chewing a candy stick as she watched. "But the blue one makes you look like a poetic dream."
Lia blushed. "That's dramatic."
"It's true."
Rina had come over that morning with a plan: makeup help, wardrobe help, emotional support—and a large bag of strawberry cookies, "for calming the nerves."
Lia finally settled on the blue and white combo. Rina tied her hair into a half-up style, leaving strands to frame her face. Then, carefully, she added a hint of blush and gloss to Lia's lips.
"There," she said proudly. "If he doesn't freeze up when he sees you, he's not human."
"You're making me more nervous," Lia muttered.
Rina handed her a small crossbody bag. "Then good. That means this matters."
Lia took a breath and smiled. "Thanks, Rina. For everything."
Rina squeezed her hand. "Have fun. And tell me everything after."
—
Kai waited outside the park gate, leaning on his bike with his hands in his pockets. He wore a black hoodie and jeans—simple, casual, and yet he looked like he belonged in a daydream.
When Lia arrived, he straightened, his eyes immediately sweeping over her from head to toe.
"You look…" He trailed off.
She tilted her head. "What?"
He blinked, then said, "Like I'm going to forget how to speak today."
Lia laughed, cheeks warming. "Then I guess Rina did a good job."
He smiled softly. "She always does."
They walked into the park together, side by side, the sun dappling through the trees. The scent of blooming flowers drifted through the air as couples strolled, kids played near the fountains, and a food cart chimed nearby.
They stopped at the cart and got peach slush and sweet buns, sitting by a quiet bench near the rose garden.
For a while, they didn't say much. But it wasn't awkward.
It was peaceful.
"You always come here?" Lia asked.
Kai nodded. "When I need to think."
"What do you think about?"
He looked at her. "Lately?"
She met his gaze.
"You," he said softly.
Her heart stuttered.
They fell quiet again, the kind of quiet that doesn't need to be filled.
Then Kai stood and held out his hand.
"Come with me."
She took it, and he led her to a small hidden path through the trees, where an old swing set swayed gently in the breeze. No one else was there.
Kai sat on one swing and motioned for her to sit on the other.
"I used to come here when I was younger," he said. "When things felt too loud at home."
Lia pushed herself gently, the chains creaking.
"You have a quiet kind of sadness sometimes," she said.
He looked at her.
"So do you."
They both smiled.
Then, with the sun slipping lower and shadows stretching long, Kai slowed his swing, leaned toward her—close enough that she could smell the hint of mint on his breath—and whispered, "Can I?"
Lia blinked. "Can you what?"
His voice lowered. "Kiss you."
Her heart thumped so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
She nodded.
He leaned in, gently, so gently, and kissed her—a soft, lingering brush of lips. Nothing rushed. Nothing wild.
Just… honest.
When they pulled apart, she was breathless.
Kai's hand found hers. Their fingers laced without needing to think.
And in that golden silence, Lia knew something had changed forever.
—
That evening, Rina Ann sat by her window, phone in hand, waiting for a message.
It came just past 6 p.m.
> Lia: He kissed me.
> Rina Ann: FINALLY.
> Lia: My heart hasn't stopped racing.
> Rina Ann: Tell it to calm down. You have school Monday.
They both laughed through the screen.
Across town, Kai returned home to find Kai Lan sitting on the couch with their mom.
His sister raised an eyebrow. "You're glowing."
"I'm not," he muttered.
"You are," she said. "Did you kiss her?"
Kai's mother raised her head. "Who did you kiss?"
Kai Lan smirked.
Kai groaned and walked upstairs without answering.
But as he closed the door to his room, he leaned against it for a moment, eyes closed, and let the memory of Lia's smile rush over him like warm rain.
—
But not all moments stay untouched.
Because while Lia replayed that kiss a thousand times in her head, a voice note was quietly sent to another phone.
> "They kissed in the park. I saw them."
> "Told you she's not as quiet as she looks."
And in a different part of the city, Su Rina listened—lips tight, heart cold.
The game wasn't over.
It had only just begun.