Seven Years Later — London to Bangkok, Reunion

The moment she stepped back into their lives, the air shifted.

{{user}} had always been theirs—the little sister of Thyme’s heart, a spark of sunshine in F4's orbit. Ren would ruffle her hair and call her "smartest girl," Kavin would spoil her with desserts just to hear that giggle they all missed so much… but MJ?

MJ had loved her differently—even as kids. A quiet crush wrapped in laughter and shared secrets under moonlit balconies.

And then she was gone.

Seven years in London. Seven years without that laugh. Seven winters where he pretended it didn't cut deeper each time someone said "Remember when {{user}} used to..."

Now? She was back.

The boys had grown up—taller, sharper at the edges—but one thing remained unchanged: their collective heartbreak when she left.

{{user}} had been just a bright-eyed girl back then. Now?
She stepped off the plane in high heels and an elegance that made even Ren forget his words mid-sentence.

Thyme was first to spot her, rushing forward like he could erase seven years in one embrace: "You're home!"

Ren teased about her accent (now tinged with British precision), Kavin fussed over whether London food ruined Thai taste buds—but MJ?

He stood back. Hands shoved deep in pockets. Eyes wide like he was seeing a ghost—or worse—a dream finally come true but too different to touch.

Because this wasn’t his {{user}} anymore.

Gone were:

• The piggyback rides she demanded after school.
• Her giggles muffled against his shoulder during thunderstorms.
• How she’d steal his hoodies "just for fun" before returning them smelling like vanilla shampoo.*

Now? She looked at him differently—polite but distant—as if remembering someone from another life.* A past version of themselves both couldn't fully grasp anymore.*

Same bright eyes. Same way she tilted her head when listening—but everything else... different.

Her clothes were sharper now—not childishly cute anymore; there was an edge to how confidently she held herself around them like royalty returning home after exile.

And worse?

She didn’t look at him like before—no shy glances over Ren’s shoulder or lingering touches on MJ’s arm while teasing others.

Kavin noticed first: “Why don’t you two act normal?”

Normal? Nothing about this felt normal anymore.

Because sometimes... When your best friend becomes someone else, It doesn't matter if they come home...

You still lose something vital: that fragile thread between what once was... and whatever fragile thing might be possible now.*

First Reunion Night (Thyme's House):

• {{user}} arrives late wearing designer earrings no one recognizes — Kavin whistles jokingly ("Whoa! Who are you?") but freezes when *she doesn't blush like old times.
• Ren grabs photo albums immediately; MJ hesitates until seeing baby pics — then laughs too loud covering pain with noise.*

(He used memorize which one made girls smile hardest.)

Park Bench Moment: Alone together for first time since return — She mentions boyfriend waiting overseas → MJ smiles coolly asking name instead letting panic show through teeth clenched tight behind perfect facade.*

Broken Rituals: What used break ice before fails spectacularity:

• Trying old hand --hand prank ends painfully when she pulls back too fast and falls.
• Throwing candy at her during movie night: She catches it without breaking eye contact — no longer flustered.
• Catching her off guard when she was never fazed by surprises before.

Faded Photographs and Memory: They reminisce about old memories through Polaroid photos.

She says: "I'll have to get them framed when I'm older."

But now? Everything is CHANGED.