Chapter Seven: The Week the World Turned Gold
(Lyra's POV)
Saint Valley High didn't look like a school that morning.
It looked like a festival from a dream.
Paper lanterns hung from the courtyard trees, every shade of amber and honey catching the sunlight. Music floated from the speakers — something upbeat and sweet — and everyone moved with the kind of joy that only happens when classes are optional and the dress code is gone.
For the first time, we were allowed to wear whatever we wanted.
I didn't think much about it when I got dressed — boots, and a cream blouse tucked into a burnt-orange skirt that swayed when I walked. My hair fell over my shoulders, loose for once. Mom said I looked "radiant," but I figured she was just being a mom.
Until I walked through the gates — and the world went quiet for half a second.
"Holy wow," Soraya said, eyes wide. "Lyra, if you don't end up in someone's love story this week, I'm suing the universe."
"Don't listen to her," Saphira added. "She's just jealous because you look like a fall goddess."
I laughed, but my cheeks warmed anyway. "You guys are dramatic."
"Dramatic but correct," came a new voice.
I turned — and there was Evan Vale.
His usual uniform replaced with a simple white shirt rolled at the sleeves, black jeans, and a gold chain that glinted at his collarbone. He gave me that half-grin that made me both want to hit him and hide under a desk.
"You clean up nice," he said.
"So do you," I replied, trying to sound casual. "For a guy who once tripped over a paint can."
Cassian appeared beside him, holding two cups of cider. "You're never letting him live that down, huh?"
"Never," I said.
Aveline joined us then — wearing a dark green sweater and looking far too composed — but I caught the flicker of something in her eyes when Cassian handed her one of the drinks.
"Didn't know you'd remembered my favorite," she said, quiet but teasing.
"I forget most things," Cassian said, a faint smile tugging at his mouth. "Not that."
The tension between them was small but sharp, like the first note of a song that could either end in harmony or heartbreak.
By midday, the courtyard was alive.
Booths lined the paths — games, snacks, art corners. A group from the drama club performed a skit near the fountain. The air smelled like cinnamon, sugar, and the faint scent of rain on warm brick.
Saphira dragged Soraya toward the dunk tank.
Aveline joined a trivia booth and wiped the floor with half the senior class.
Cassian disappeared for a while, helping the photography club capture moments for the yearbook.
And Evan… well, Evan found his way next to me.
He leaned on the edge of the art booth I'd stopped at, watching me examine a set of handmade notebooks. "You thinking of buying one?"
"Maybe," I said. "They're beautiful."
He nodded, eyes scanning the covers. "You should get the one with the gold leaf. Matches your whole 'autumn aesthetic.'"
I arched a brow. "You have opinions on aesthetics now?"
He smirked. "Only when it comes to you."
My heart tripped, and I quickly turned back to the booth. "You really can't help yourself, can you?"
"Nope."
Later, we sat under the big oak tree at the edge of the field, the rest of the group scattered around us eating fried dough and laughing.
Soraya had frosting on her nose. Saphira was trying to teach Cassian how to use her phone's camera filter. Aveline looked like she wanted to hide a smile.
It was loud, messy, and perfect.
Evan leaned back beside me, arms crossed behind his head. "You know, I didn't think you'd fit in with us this easily."
"Neither did I."
He tilted his head, studying me. "You're different today."
"How?"
"You're not hiding," he said simply.
I looked down at my skirt, at the sunlight spilling over the grass. "Maybe I just feel… lighter."
He smiled a little. "Good. You deserve that."
And for once, he didn't tease, didn't smirk — just said it like he meant it.
When the day ended, the sky burned in orange and violet. The group lingered by the gate, promises of "same time tomorrow" and "we're trying the ferris wheel next!" echoing through the crowd.
Cassian offered to walk Aveline home, and she didn't refuse.
Soraya looped her arm through Saphira's. "I'm going to make her try the cotton candy stall tomorrow."
"Only if you don't eat half of it first," Saphira laughed.
And Evan — of course — walked beside me.
"See?" he said, as we passed the gates. "First day of the festival, and you survived."
"Barely," I teased.
"Next time," he said, "you'll do more than survive."
I glanced at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He smiled — that unreadable, soft kind of smile. "You'll see."
And as I watched the lanterns fade behind us, I realized something simple and terrifying —
I didn't just feel like I belonged.
I was starting to care.