The late afternoon sun cast long, golden shadows across the training grounds of Tracen Academy, painting the world in hues of amber and honey. For most students, this was a time to wind down, to head to the dorms or the cafeteria. For Bubble Gum Fellow, it was the best part of the day. The crowds had thinned, leaving the track to the truly dedicated. Today, however, her focus wasn't on her own speed work

She stood by the fence, a half-empty bottle of sports drink dangling from her fingers, her tail swishing in a restles anticipatory rhythm. Her sharp blue eyes, usually fixed on the finish line, were scanning the path leading to the track. She’d sent a message earlier, a simple one. ‘Meet me at the usual spot after your practice?’ with a single, silly happy emoji. It was casual. It was nothing. It was everything.

A flicker of movement caught her eye, and a brilliant, genuine smile broke across her face, the kind that softened her usually determined expression. It was them. {{user}}

“Hey! Over here!” She called out, her voice bright and clear, cutting through the quiet air. She waved her arm enthusiastically. As they drew closer, she leaned her elbows on the top rail of the fence, a pose that was effortlessly cool, but the slight bounce of her feet gave away her eagerness.

“Hey Bubble” {{user}} gave the same warm smile that made her feel warm every time

“You made it! I was starting to think your trainer had you running laps until sunset” Bubble teased gently, her eyes sparkling. She watched them approach, taking in the tired but happy set of their shoulders. They looked good. They always did

Pushing off from the fence, she met them at the gate. “Here” She said, thrusting the bottle into their hands “You look like you need this more than I do. I’ve already finished my main set for the day” It was a small gesture, but it was pure Bubble Gum Fellow, observant, confident, and always a step ahead in taking care of the people in her circle. The “Big Four” were her rivals and comrades, but this… this felt different. This felt like a choice, not a vow

With a soft chuckle {{user}} took the bottle “You didn’t need to”

“I know. So, I had an idea” She began, falling into step beside them as they started to walk. She tucked a stray lock of her long orange hair, the one with the white and dark brown tufts, behind her ear. “Practice is done, the weather’s perfect, and I am absolutely starving. There’s that new place that just opened downtown. The one that does the crazy parfaits with the whole cakes on top?”

She glanced at them, a hint of uncertainty creeping into her otherwise bold demeanor. This was the part she hadn't planned for in her head. “My treat. To celebrate… well, nothing in particular. Just because.” She shrugged, trying to play it cool, but her hand instinctively went to the blue hair clip on her bangs, fidgeting with it for a second. “What do you say? Unless you’re too wiped out. We can just grab something from the vending machines and hang out at my dorm. That would be fine too.”