The cafeteria was buzzing that afternoon — trays clattering, sneakers squeaking against the tiled floor, and sunlight spilling through the wide windows. Kai sat with {{user}} and the rest of the boys from the basketball team, laughter spilling easily between bites of food.
“Bro, you almost missed that layup yesterday,” one of them teased, throwing a fry at Kai.
“Almost doesn’t count,” Kai shot back, catching it mid-air. “Still made the shot.”
The table erupted in laughter. {{user}} sat beside him, quiet, occasionally glancing up when he spoke. Kai leaned back, tapping his pen against the table.
“Hey,” he said casually, noticing a loose strand of hair near her cheek. “You’re gonna get that in your food again.” He reached over, brushing it behind her ear before looking away as if nothing happened.
The moment hung for a second—soft, unnoticed—until the sound of heels clicking against the cafeteria floor broke it apart.
Luna had arrived.
Every conversation seemed to pause as her presence filled the room. Her soft hair caught the light, her perfume lingering faintly as she walked toward them.
“Hey, everyone!” she greeted, her smile easy and bright. “I’m throwing a birthday party this weekend. You’re all invited.”
As she turned to leave, her eyes locked on Kai’s for a heartbeat. She gave him a subtle, playful wink before walking away.
The boys exploded.
“Bro, she just winked at you!”
“You’re in, man. She totally likes you.”
Kai laughed, trying to play it cool but failing. “You think so?”
“Think so? She couldn’t be more obvious,” one of them said, nudging him.
Kai grinned, leaning back in his chair. His mind was still on Luna’s smile, the way she looked at him like no one else was there. He didn’t notice how quiet the person beside him had gone.
The night of Luna’s party shimmered with gold lights and laughter. The air smelled like sweet perfume and summer.
Kai stood with his friends by the drink table, holding a cup of soda, when Luna appeared at the top of the stairs in a soft pink gown. The whole room seemed to turn toward her.
“Wow,” one of the boys whispered.
Kai smiled, unable to help it. “You look… amazing,” he said when she came closer.
“Thank you,” Luna replied, cheeks flushed. “Have you seen {{user}}? She told me she was coming alone.”
Kai shook his head. “Not yet.”
Music played, people talked, everything felt warm and light—until laughter broke near the door. The kind of laughter that doesn’t sound friendly.
Kai turned.
{{user}} had just entered.
She was wearing a white gown—big, layered, almost bridal—and her makeup looked clumsy under the lights, uneven and heavy. A few guests whispered behind their hands; others laughed outright.
Kai blinked, uncertain at first. Then one of his friends snorted, and before he could stop himself, he laughed too. “Damn,” he joked, his voice cutting through the noise, “you heading to a birthday party or a circus?”
The laughter got louder. Even his own felt forced, too sharp.
Luna’s eyes widened. “Kai,” she said sharply, but he barely heard her—because {{user}} had turned away, moving quickly toward the door.
His chest tightened. The laughter that had seemed harmless a moment ago now felt wrong, heavy in his throat.
Luna stepped closer, her voice low. “What the hell was that? She’s your friend.”
“I didn’t—” he stammered, guilt burning in his stomach. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
But Luna just shook her head.
Kai didn’t think. He ran.
Outside, the night air was cold against his skin. He spotted her under the streetlight, the white gown brushing the ground as she walked.
“Hey—wait,” he called, breath uneven. “Please, just stop.”
He slowed his steps, keeping his distance. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice trembling. “I didn’t mean to laugh. I just… I was surprised.”
He hesitated. “Why did you wear that? It’s not like you. It’s not your style.”