Sunlight filtered softly through the sheer white curtains of Elle's bedroom. A light breeze danced through the slightly open window, fluttering the pages of a book resting on her nightstand. Elle sat at her vanity, brushing her long hair into a loose side braid. Her expression, as always, was calm—elegant even in simplicity.
Her phone vibrated. She glanced at the screen.
[Surprise Party 🎉💣💀]
Noah: He's going to ask you today. Be cold. You know the script 😎
Amara: Don't laugh afterward! Or he'll know it's fake!
Elle: Relax, I've got this. 😌
She smirked as she tucked her phone into her bag. The name of the group chat—Surprise Party—was misleading on purpose. It only had three members: Noah, Amara, and Elle. The mission? Plan a surprise birthday party for Kai Lennox happening the following week. Everything had been going smoothly so far, and today was a key part of the plan.
Later that morning, Elle sat cross-legged on a low stone bench tucked between tall hedges at the far end of the campus courtyard. It was her favourite spot—quiet, slightly hidden, and always peaceful. A worn paperback lay open in her lap, her eyes skimming lazily over the words. She had just turned the page when footsteps approached.
She didn't look up. She already knew who it was.
"Uh... hey," came Kai's voice, a little unsure.
Elle looked up slowly, marking her page with her finger. "Hi."
Kai scratched the back of his neck. "So, um... I wanted to ask you something. Next week's my birthday, and I'm having a small get-together. Nothing huge. I thought… maybe you'd want to come?"
She stared at him, her expression unreadable. "Next week?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "Saturday evening. At my place."
Elle tilted her head slightly and gave him the faintest smile—a polite one. "I'm sorry. I already have something planned that day. I won't be able to make it."
Kai blinked, caught off guard. "Oh. Right… I mean, yeah. Sure. That's okay."
She stood up, dusted off her skirt, and offered a nod. "Thanks for inviting me, though." Then she turned and walked away, leaving him standing alone.
As she stepped around the corner and out of sight, her calm expression shifted into a mischievous grin. She took out her phone.
Elle: Mission accomplished. He didn't look happy 🤭
When she reached her classroom, Elle slipped into her seat beside Amara as if nothing had happened. Noah was already there, looking too focused on his notes.
"Everything okay?" Kai asked them during a lull in the lecture.
"Hmm?" Elle looked up. "Yes, why?"
"No reason," he said, slightly confused.
The rest of the day passed with the trio expertly dodging any birthday-related conversations. Every time Kai brought it up, someone changed the subject. Kai grew increasingly irritated until he finally stopped talking about it altogether, retreating into silence.
That evening, as Elle lounged in bed with a sheet mask on, her phone lit up.
[Surprise Party 🎉💣💀]
Amara: He's not even making eye contact now 😂
Noah: Poor guy. Anyway, we meeting tomorrow, right? Mall? Sunday—holiday.
Elle: Yep. 2 PM. Let's pick the gift.
Amara: Eee I'm coming by bus! Gonna live my manga dream 🥹✨
The Next Day
Amara stood at the bus stop, fidgeting with the sleeves of her cardigan. Her driver had protested about her decision to go by bus, but she had been firm.
"I need to do this," she had said with dramatic flair, "for my manga arc."
Now, standing alone among strangers, she felt excited. The bus arrived with a loud hiss. She climbed aboard, clutching her bag like a seasoned traveler—though it was her first time. As the bus rumbled forward, Amara's eyes scanned the passengers, secretly hoping someone mysterious and charming would sit beside her.
No one did.
Instead, an old man fell asleep against the window, and a little boy sneezed loudly beside her. She sighed. No main character energy here.
When the bus reached the stop near the mall, she stood up too fast and nearly stumbled forward. Desperate to save herself from falling, she grabbed a metal pole and ended up clinging to it like a confused sloth. Several passengers snorted. Her face turned crimson.
"I'm never doing this again," she muttered, stepping off the bus in a flustered mess.
But then she saw Noah waiting by the entrance, checking his phone. Relief bloomed in her chest. She rushed over, waving.
"Noah!"
He looked up just in time to see her slip again—her ankle twisting as she stumbled forward. Reflexively, he stepped forward and caught her.
The world slowed for a second.
Amara clutched his shirt, breath caught. His arms were wrapped around her waist. Her face was inches from his. Her heart was thudding so loud she could hear it in her ears.
He stared at her, wide-eyed and frozen.
Neither of them moved.
Until a voice behind them broke the spell.
"Well, well," Elle drawled with amusement. "Dating behind my back now?"
They both jolted.
"I–I wasn't! I mean—" Amara pulled away, stammering.
Noah ran a hand through his hair, avoiding eye contact. "She slipped. That's all."
Amara scowled. "Don't make it sound like I'm clumsy!"
"You are clumsy," Noah teased, the awkwardness fading into familiar banter.
Elle grinned. "Should I leave you two lovebirds alone or…?"
"Stop it!" they said in unison.
The trio wandered through the mall, occasionally getting distracted by shiny displays or food stalls. Amara was still red-faced but had recovered enough to mock Elle's taste in scented candles. Noah carried most of the bags, pretending to be annoyed.
After much debate, they settled on a custom wristwatch for Kai, engraved on the inside with a quote from one of his favorite novels. They also picked a vintage-styled photo frame and agreed to collect printed pictures of the three of them with Kai for it.
As they walked out of the mall, the sky had turned a shade of golden-orange.
"I'll drop Amara home," Noah offered.
"You sure?" Elle asked.
"She'll probably trip again," he said with a sideways smile.
"I will push you," Amara warned, though her voice lacked bite.
Elle watched them walk off together, Amara playfully swatting Noah's arm as he laughed. The air around them was light, unburdened. For the first time in a while, everything felt... normal.
Elle's smile faded just slightly as she looked at the watch box in her hand.
Soon, the shadows would return.
But not tonight.