Jemma spent the entire weekend restless, torn between unspoken words and tangled feelings. When Monday came, she dragged herself to school as usual—only to notice a brand-new café had opened just down the street, offering special discounts for students.
An idea struck her.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMGo1kcnXBi
Maybe if I bring them both here… if I can create a lighthearted atmosphere, they’ll finally get along. Then maybe I won’t have to feel stuck between them anymore.
She tried first with Lia.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCWb8xuZwNn
“Lia, let’s go check out that new café tomorrow at three?”
Lia’s face lit up instantly, her agreement almost too eager.
Later, between classes, Jemma leaned toward Andrew and whispered,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzoFPBhNJZ
“Hey, are you free tomorrow afternoon? There’s a café doing a discount event. Want to go check it out?”
Andrew nodded at once. For just a moment, Jemma thought she saw something soften in his eyes—like a quiet, long-awaited warmth.
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And so, the next afternoon, golden sunlight streamed through the café’s wide windows as the three of them sat down together at the same table.
Three pairs of eyes met. The air grew so taut that even the clink of water glasses on the table sounded sharp.
Jemma plastered on her usual cheerful smile, feigning innocence.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8TgxMv3RV
“Oh wow, what a coincidence! You two came too? Let’s all have coffee together, then~”
She stirred her latte with studied nonchalance, but she could feel it—the invisible frost forming between Lia and Andrew. Lia shoveled bites of cake into her mouth as though trying to get it over with, while Andrew kept his gaze fixed on the rim of his cup, tapping the table with restless fingers.
Jemma’s smile began to crack.
Then Lia suddenly drained the rest of her coffee in one gulp, the bitterness hiding whatever was churning inside her chest. She stood abruptly, grabbed Jemma by the wrist, and pulled her toward the bathroom.
The door slammed shut. Jemma’s back hit the cold wall. In the next instant—
Smack!
Lia’s palm landed hard beside her ear, pinning her in place. She leaned in so close their breaths mingled.
“Why was Andrew here?” Lia’s voice shook with restrained anger, laced with fear. “Didn’t you say it was just me?”
Jemma faltered, words tripping over themselves.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrkiZLWxbK
“I… I never said it was only you. And I thought—if you two just spent time together—you could get along…”
But Lia didn’t hide her frustration. Her brows knit, her eyes sharp like knives.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMYSfVAbwD
“I don’t like how close you are to him. I don’t like him being around you. I—I hate him!”
Jemma froze. It was the first time she had ever seen Lia lose control like this.
“Why?” she whispered, frowning in confusion. “Why do you hate him so much? Did he ever do something to you?”
Lia’s lips trembled, words caught in her throat. At last, she forced out, barely audible,75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLCjrh5tKaa
“…That’s not for you to know. Just—don’t stay close to him. Please. Just listen to me!”
Her tone was harsh, almost commanding, but her eyes betrayed her—shimmering with a desperate plea, like someone terrified of losing something precious yet too afraid to confess it outright.
Jemma stared back, her chest tightening with heat she couldn’t name.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLYP9I4at9
“So you are hiding something. Aren’t we friends? Why can’t you just be honest with me?”
Lia’s jaw clenched. And then the words tore out of her, raw and sharp.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0z2ti65UuF
“I don’t want to be your ‘friend’!”
She stepped closer, voice rising, trembling.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSH0FAp2oKv
“You’re not honest with me either, are you? Then tell me, right now—between me and Andrew, who do you like? Who do you choose?”
“I—” Jemma’s throat locked. Her mind stuttered between anger, confusion, and the sting of being cornered. Something inside her snapped.
With a shove, she pushed Lia away and stormed toward the door.
That motion was both rejection and escape.
Lia stayed where she was, her shoulders trembling. She clenched her fists, fighting the tears—but in the end, she lost. Silent drops slid down her cheeks, one after another.
To be continued...
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