Four years ago
“I’m pretty sure you can come up with better outfit ideas, Jasmine,” I say, raising a brow.
“Alright, alright! It was just a suggestion,” she huffs, crossing her arms. “FYI, twinning with friends on purpose doesn’t mean our moms forced us into matching outfits.”
I smirk. "Debatable."
Jasmine frowns but doesn’t argue further. We’re sitting outside on the grass during recess, the sun warm against our backs. The conversation drifts toward the carnival happening this Saturday, everyone throws in their ideas and plans. Meghan munches on chocolate-covered strawberries, completely in her own world. Alyssa, Jasmine, and I exchange a look.
“What?” Meghan blurts out, chocolate smeared on the corner of her mouth.
“Nothing,” I say, tilting my head. “Just wondering how you managed to bring dessert—not just any dessert, but chocolate-covered strawberries—for lunch.”
Meghan laughs and holds out the container, offering us each a piece. I take one and bite in. The chocolate is smooth and sweet, melting perfectly against the tangy burst of strawberry. The best combination ever.
Meghan has dark brown, wavy hair and round brown eyes, with a smile so sweet and clear it’s almost unfair. I’ve always envied how perfect her teeth are—no braces, no struggle, just naturally straight.
We’ve known each other since kindergarten—eleven years now. She was my first friend in school, back when making friends was so much easier. Now? It feels way more complicated.
“Anyway, Mads... when are you planning to talk to Nathan?” Jasmine teases, nudging me playfully. “You’ve been crushing on him for a while now.”
I groan, she grins, adjusting her black hijab as the wind tugs at it.
Jasmine has almond-shaped eyes, rosy full cheeks, and this warmth about her—like a human comfort blanket, always there to make you feel better on the rough days. We’ve been friends since seventh grade. From the moment I met her, I loved how humble and caring she was. That same night, we added each other on Skype, and it turned out to be the best decision ever. Our conversations would stretch past three hours almost every weekend, and somehow, she always understood me in a way no one else did.
“Nathan Brooks?” Alyssa asks, glancing between me and Jasmine, eyebrows raised.
“Yep.” I take a sip of my orange juice, letting the taste linger for a moment.
Alyssa and I... well, we don’t go way back, but in just a year, she became one of my closest friends. Our friendship started the day I finally walked away from my old friend group—one I later realized was toxic. At first, I didn’t even recognize the ways they were tearing me down. But every night, when I was alone, the weight of it sank in. I’d cry, wishing things would get better. And eventually, they did.
Alyssa was the first person to truly listen—to let me share my side of the story and trust me with hers in return. She told me she had been through something similar, that she understood in a way most people didn’t.
That day, when I felt like a complete mess—like I had no one—Alyssa chose to sit with me. While I drowned in a playlist full of songs about broken friendships.
She picked me up when I felt like everything was going downhill.
Alyssa has curly hair, cocoa colored eyes and pale skin. She was paler than all three of us. And also wore a pair of black rimmed glasses.996Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtNkowBhiX
“I thought you just said you found him cute,” Alyssa says, adjusting her glasses as she narrows her eyes at me. “But you never mentioned that you’ve actually been crushing on him for a month?”
I shift uncomfortably, licking the last bit of chocolate from my finger. “Well... I figured you would’ve picked up on it by now. It’s obviously more than just finding him cute.”
Jasmine sneers, pretending to hold a mic. “The audience would like some pointers on How to Be a Clueless BFF 101!” She thrusts her imaginary mic toward Alyssa.
“Oh, please! I’m not that clueless,” Alyssa groans, swatting Jasmine’s hand away.
Jasmine and I exchange a look—the kind that says yeah, right—before all three of us crack up.
Nathan is a senior, two years older than me. I’m fourteen, he’s sixteen, and he doesn’t even know I exist (yet). That’s why I’m planning to at least say hi, see if he notices me, and let things play out from there.
But my friends love to tease me about how he’s one of the very few crushes I’ve actually been loyal to.
It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way about a boy, okay?996Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyE3JYNBDxD
The bell rings and it's time to head upstairs for our English class.
“The carnival is this week on Saturday. We need to at least decide on a
theme regarding our outfits.” Meghan says dusting off her skirt as she gets up. We close our empty lunch boxes and walk towards the door that leads us inside the school building.
The kids are pushing each other to get through first and the smell of BO fills the air. I gag when a smelly kid with ketchup all over his shirt runs past me.
“I think I like the idea of us wearing denim. What do you say? We can each incorporate something denim in our outfit, it’s not limited to just jeans.” Jasmine says.
“Hmm, not bad.” Alyssa says.
“Nice! That’s a way better idea than the last one, Jaz.” I add.
We reach our class and settle down for our next period. It’s science
which I prefer over math any day. Algebra is the bane of my existence. “There’s a new arcade that just opened nearby! I’d love to check it out with you, Fio!” Divya says excitedly the moment our science teacher, Ms. Monica, gives us some time off.
“Alright, I’m down for that,” Fiona replies, barely looking up from her freshly painted nails. I have no idea how she manages to get away with it—our teachers always check for long nails during assembly. She’s a sneaky one, that’s for sure.
“Hey, Maddie!” Fiona suddenly appears at my desk, her big brown eyes lighting up. “Would you be sweet enough to braid my hair before school ends? You have to try that trending hairstyle on me—it’s the one with two braids on each side-”
“Dutch braids?” I cut in, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. Her face lights up. “Yes! Exactly!” She snaps her fingers in excitement. “Sure, just remind me when you’re ready,” I tell her, then glance over
at Meghan. We exchange a knowing look—one of those silent conversations only best friends can understand.
Fiona nods in satisfaction and turns to leave, but before she can take a step, Jasmine’s voice rings out from across the room.
“Hey, Fiona. Finally found your Shrek? Is that who you’re trying to impress?”
My eyebrows shoot up so fast they practically touch my forehead. Meghan’s and Divya’s expressions mirror mine.
Jaz did not just say that. Out loud. In class. While the teacher is still in the room.
This... is definitely going to cause a stir. And while I’m not the kind of person who enjoys drama... I might be a little here for this.
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and then Add to home screen.