The ride back felt quieter than usual.
Not awkward.
Just… calm.
The wind rushing past, my hands lightly holding onto Ethan's jacket—like if I held too tight, it would mean something.
Which it already did.
When we got to school—
Of course they were already there.
Waiting.
Watching.
Judging.
Nena was the first to notice.
She straightened immediately, eyes narrowing like she just spotted gossip walking toward her.
Jake stood beside her, arms crossed.
Mark too—already looking unimpressed.
The moment I stepped off the bike—
Mark spoke. "You ran away like you saw something dangerous."
I blinked. "…I did."
He raised a brow. "…Was it your emotions?"
I stared at him. "You need hobbies."
Nena stepped closer.
Slow.
Suspicious.
Then she smiled. "…Why are you smiling like something good happened?"
Before I could even answer—
Ethan spoke.
Calm. "Something good did happen."
And then—
He reached for my hand.
And held it.
Just like that.
Silence.
Then—
Nena's eyes widened.
Then— "Oh."
Then louder— "OH??"
She grabbed Jake's arm. "I knew it. I KNEW IT."
Jake smirked. "…Yeah, I saw this coming."
Right on time—
Liam and Emma walked in.
Liam pushing his blonde hair back, the faint birthmark on his cheek visible as he squinted at us.
He paused.
Looked at our hands.
Then grinned slowly. "…Ohooo. So we're doing this now?"
I frowned. "What about you and Emma?"
Liam didn't even hesitate. "We're something."
Emma nodded beside him. "Definitely something."
"Defined?" Jake asked.
Emma tilted her head. "Soon."
Liam laughed. "I feel like I just signed a contract without reading it."
Nena clapped her hands once.
"Okay. Focus."
We all looked at her.
"Prom. This weekend."
She pointed around.
"Who's going?"
Everyone raised their hands.
Jake.
Liam.
Emma.
Mark.
Nena.
Then—
Me and Ethan, at the same time:
"I really don't want to go."
Pause.
Everyone blinked.
Then—
They burst out laughing.
Liam pointed.
"That's actually insane."
Jake shook his head.
"Matching behavior."
Nena smirked.
"Disgusting."
She suddenly stepped forward.
"Okay. First to pinch—no revenge."
I stepped back immediately.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"I'm doing it."
"Nena—"
Ethan laughed softly beside me.
Then gently tugged my hand.
Pulling me away from the chaos.
"…What?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
He looked at me.
Calm.
Simple.
"Since you don't want to go to prom…"
A small pause.
"Do you want to go on a date with me instead? This Saturday."
I blinked.
Then tilted my head slightly.
"…Will I want to?"
He frowned.
Confused.
"…What does that mean?"
I smiled.
Then nodded.
"Yes."
"I will."
Before he could react—
From behind us—
Nena's voice exploded:
"MAKE SURE YOU SEND PHOTOS!"
Jake added, "Evidence. We need evidence."
Liam shouted, "For research purposes!"
Emma laughed, "We're documenting this!"
Ethan turned.
Glared.
They waved.
Unapologetic.
He sighed.
Then looked back at me.
Still holding my hand.
"…Ignore them," he said.
"I am trying," I replied.
"You're failing."
"Completely."
We both smiled.
And walked back to them.
Together.
Like it was already normal.
Like it had always been this way.
-----
Saturday felt… suspiciously peaceful.
Like the universe was giving me a break before doing something dramatic again.
I woke up slowly.
No alarm.
No panic.
Just sunlight slipping through the curtains like it had nothing better to do.
I blinked once.
Then again.
"…Okay."
I rolled over, stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, then sat up.
Stretch.
Crack.
"…I'm alive."
Very important daily confirmation.
I dragged myself to the bathroom, brushed my teeth while half-asleep, and then stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection like I was trying to remember who I was.
"…You have a date today," I told myself.
Pause.
"…Don't be weird."
Another pause.
"…Actually, you're always weird. Just be less loud about it."
I took a shower, humming softly.
Then singing.
Badly.
Then talking mid-song.
"No one is here to judge me—"
I slipped slightly.
"—okay maybe the floor is judging me."
By the time I changed into something comfortable, my energy had fully returned.
Which was dangerous.
I walked downstairs—
And immediately smelled food.
Real food.
Not snacks.
Not survival meals.
Actual breakfast.
Mrs. May was already there.
Effortlessly elegant.
Like she woke up looking like that on purpose.
"Good morning," she said warmly.
"Morning," I replied, already sitting down.
I started eating.
Peacefully.
For once.
Then—
The door opened.
Loudly.
Of course.
Jake walked in.
And right behind him—
Nena.
Or maybe Jake was following Nena.
At this point, it was unclear who belonged to who.
They walked in like they lived here.
Which… honestly, they kind of did now.
Nena dropped into the seat beside me immediately.
No greeting.
No warning.
Just presence.
She looked at my plate.
Then at me.
Then—
She took food.
From my plate.
I paused mid-bite.
"…Excuse me?"
She chewed calmly.
"You weren't eating it fast enough."
"That's because I'm a civilized human being."
"Unfortunate."
I reached over—
Took something from her plate.
She narrowed her eyes.
"…We're doing this?"
"We're doing this."
Jake sat across from us, watching like he had accepted this as his life now.
"…You two are exhausting."
"Mind your business," we said at the same time.
Then—
A pair of arms wrapped around Nena from behind.
Suddenly.
She didn't even flinch.
"…Hi, Luca."
Luca rested his chin on her shoulder, soft curls falling into his eyes, wearing the most questionable flower-patterned pajamas known to humanity.
Pink lips.
Sleepy eyes.
Zero awareness of personal space.
"I missed you," he mumbled.
"You saw me yesterday."
"Still counts."
Jake immediately frowned.
"Go hug your sister."
Luca blinked.
Turned.
Then—
Came straight to me.
And hugged me.
I sighed.
"…Of course."
He squeezed tighter.
"I missed you too."
"I was asleep."
"Still counts."
Jake shook his head.
"I'm surrounded by clingy people."
Nena patted his arm.
"You love it."
"I tolerate it."
Then Nena suddenly turned to me.
Serious.
Too serious.
"We need to get you ready."
I blinked.
"…For what."
"Your date."
"…Oh."
She nodded firmly.
"I'm helping you pick a dress."
"I didn't ask for help."
"You don't have a choice."
I leaned back in my chair.
"At this point, Nena, you should just move in here."
She rolled her eyes.
"I would if I could."
Then added casually—
"I'm an only child. I like people."
I paused.
Then nodded.
"…Okay, that actually makes sense."
She smirked.
"Good. Now eat. We have work to do."
I frowned.
"…Why does this feel like a mission."
Jake answered immediately.
"Because it is."
Luca raised his hand slightly.
"Do I get to be involved?"
"No," everyone said.
He sighed.
"…Unfair."
And just like that—
Breakfast turned into planning.
Chaos.
Energy.
And somehow—
The start of something that felt important.