The city buzzed in that slow, golden way it always did in late afternoon — warm air, people everywhere, and iced drinks sweating in everyone’s hands. Aurora and Maya sat on a low ledge outside a café, waiting for their other friends to show up.

Aurora was half-listening as Maya talked about Leon again — the same Leon she’d liked for weeks now. “He totally looked at my story last night,” Maya said, scrolling through her phone. “I swear he’s into me.”

Aurora hummed softly, stirring her drink with the straw. “Maybe,” she said, non-committal. Maya didn’t notice her tone. “I mean, he’s just shy. Guys like him always take a while.” Before Aurora could answer, a voice called out from across the street. “Hey, Aurora!” She looked up to see Jacob, waving as he crossed toward them. Aurora smiled instantly — Jacob was easy to be around, one of those guys who treated everyone the same. “Hey,” she said. “Didn’t know you were around here.” “Yeah, me and Leon are heading to the court,” Jacob said, nodding toward the taller boy beside him. “You know Maya, right?” “Of course!” Maya said quickly, her tone just a little too bright. “Hi, Leon.” Leon gave a polite nod. “Hey.” Jacob grinned. “You guys been out all day?” Aurora nodded. “Pretty much. Just wasting time.”

They slipped into a short, easy conversation — mostly Jacob and Aurora talking about a mutual class, a few jokes, light teasing. Maya tried to jump in, laughing a bit too hard, brushing her hair back, hoping Leon would notice. But Leon barely reacted; his attention flickered between the group, then quietly back to Aurora as she talked. There was something different about her — the calm way she spoke, the way she didn’t try to fill every silence. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone.

Jacob eventually checked his phone. “We gotta go, man,” he said to Leon. Leon nodded. “Yeah.” “See you, Aurora,” Jacob said with a smile. “Bye, Jacob.” Leon’s voice was low, almost hesitant. “Nice meeting you,” he said, eyes meeting Aurora’s just for a second. “You too,” she said quietly. When the boys walked away, Maya exhaled dramatically. “Did you see the way he looked at me?” Aurora glanced sideways, fighting a small smile. “Hmm. Maybe.” But Leon, a few blocks away, wasn’t thinking about Maya at all. “That was Aurora?” he asked Jacob. “Yeah,” Jacob said, glancing at him. “She’s chill. Why?” Leon shrugged, but his eyes stayed on the pavement. “Just asking.” Later that evening, in his room, Leon opened Snapchat. It took him less than a minute to find her — Aurora M., profile glowing with a picture that looked exactly like her: simple, no filters, somehow perfect. He hesitated, then pressed add. Maya’s name was already in his list — but her messages sat unopened.