---
The sun rose golden over the beach, waves lapping lazily against the shore as the warm morning breeze played through the air. FJ4 and SuperNova members were bursting with energy, laughing as they played volleyball under the bright sky. The sand flew beneath their feet with every jump and dive—but two girls remained seated on the shore, their minds elsewhere.
Jenna sat beside Ameya, watching the game without truly seeing it. Her thoughts swirled with confusion and emotions she couldn't name. Michael's kiss the night before kept replaying in her mind like a stubborn melody.
Ameya glanced at her. "You look like you're buffering. What's wrong?"
Jenna hesitated, still stunned. "Michael... kissed me last night."
Ameya almost choked on her drink. "What?! Wait—are you saying you both... compromised?"
"What? No! I don't know!" Jenna flushed, gripping the sand.
Ameya leaned in. "Then what do you mean?"
Jenna sighed, brushing her hair back. "Last night, I met Zack at the beach."
"Zack?" Ameya raised a brow.
"Hendrix Vincent's son."Jenna replied
"Ohhh," Ameya nodded. "Go on."
"He was just talking to me. Michael saw us... and got jealous."
"Jealous?"Ameya Smirked
"I—I don't know... We argued. He asked are you flirting with another guy ?... I asked who are you to ask me ?... And then..." She looked down. "He kissed me."
Ameya's eyes widened, then she grinned. "Michael in love with you, Jenna. He just doesn't know how to say it... so he used action instead of words."
"Is that what it means?" Jenna whispered.
"Just give him time. He'll confess... eventually." Ameya smiled warmly.
On the volleyball court, Michael suddenly missed the ball, his gaze locked on Jenna.
"Where's your attention?" Suha huffed.
"Let it be," Rico said.
"I'm done," Michael muttered and walked away.
"Bro—" Nicky called after him.
But Michael had already disappeared toward his room.
Meanwhile, Nicky caught the ball and passed it to Ruby. "Hey, can I get your number?"
Ruby narrowed her eyes. "Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Nope."
She smirked. "Still... you can't handle me."
Nicky chuckled. "Try me."
Linda clapped. "Do we continue?"
Suha and Sofie shouted, "Yes!"
Ameya and Jenna were called to join. Jenna held her head. "I've got a headache. Ameya, you go."
Ameya hesitated. "Mm... okay."
She joined the game, on Rico's team.
During a tense rally, Ameya stumbled as she reached for the ball—but in a flash, Rico appeared. With one hand he caught her mid-fall, and with the other, passed the ball perfectly.
Ameya looked up, heart fluttering. Michael's sharp jawline, calm gaze, and steady grip had her speechless.
Rico's stare melted as he watched her.
"Nice shot!" Ruby called.
Linda and Sofie exchanged awkward glances. Nicky and Suha continued unfazed.
"Are you okay?" Rico asked as he helped Ameya back.
"Mmm," she nodded, cheeks warm.
---
In Michael's Room...
Michael sat on his bed, brooding. A knock came.
He opened it—and froze. "You?"
Jenna stood there. "Do you have headache pills?"
"Yes. Come in."
"No thanks—"
"You don't want the pills?" He narrowed his eyes.
"I never said that—"
"Then come in," he chuckled.
Jenna stepped inside. Michael pretended to search, hiding the pills in his pocket.
"Try that drawer?" he suggested.
Jenna leaned to search. Michael stepped behind her, close—too close. When she turned, she startled into his chest. He caught her instinctively.
Their faces inches apart, his fingers brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. Her breath hitched.
Then she quickly stood up, flustered. "I'll go now."
"Where are you going?" Michael teased as he 'searched' again.
He pulled the pill from his pocket. "Here. Found it."
Jenna took it, avoiding his smirk. "Thanks."
Michael smiled as she walked out, clearly amused.
---
Back on the Beach...
The game went on until Rico dove for a shot—and fell hard.
"Rico!" Ameya rushed to him.
He winced, clutching his palm. Ameya gasped. "You're bleeding!"
A sharp shell had sliced his hand.
Nicky helped him up. "You okay, bro?"
Linda ran to fetch the first aid.
Ameya's hands trembled as she wrapped her scarf over his wound. "Don't move..."
"I'm okay," Rico whispered, even though his face was pale.
Ameya blinked back tears. Linda returned with the kit. Nicky cleaned the wound and winced. "This is deep. He needs stitches."
They rushed Rico to the nursing home.
The nurse stitched him up. "Remove the stitches in 5 to 7 days. Redress after 2."
Suha whispered, "But our stage performance is tomorrow…"
Rico sighed. Ameya stepped forward. "His health comes first."
"Right," Nicky nodded.
---
Later, in Rico's Room...
Ameya helped Rico to bed.
"If you need anything, call me."
Before she could leave, Rico gripped her hand.
"Are you still angry with me?"
"Yes," she said. "But that doesn't mean I don't care."
She gave him the painkillers.
"I swear I didn't know about my mom planning about My engagement. I was ambushed too. My only mistake... was not telling you are girlfriend in public."
Ameya's eyes filled with tears.
"I love you," Rico said softly. "Now and always."
"And the engagement posts?"
"Deleted. I told my mom I won't marry Alice."
Ameya stepped closer. "Then... can you stand for me, from now on?"
Rico hugged her tight, despite the pain. "I will."
He kissed her forehead. She smiled at last.
---
Evening – Café Area Balcony
The group gathered at the café. Ameya leaned on the balcony railing.
Rico approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her. She smiled and unwrapped his hands.
"You think I've forgiven you?"
"You haven't?" Rico grinned.
"I want actions, not words."
He hugged her tighter. "Challenge accepted."
Behind them, Sofie and Linda stared.
"Wait, what's happening here? "
Jenna strolled in casually. "Where've you all been?"
"Jenna," Linda asked, "You and Rico... are together, right?"
Rico stepped forward. "No. Jenna's not my girlfriend. Ameya is."
He wrapped his arm around Ameya's waist. Ameya blushed but nodded.
Sofie's mouth dropped. "But... what?! You were so close with Jenna!"
"Exactly!" Ruby said.
"Jenna?" Linda turned.
Jenna smiled awkwardly. "Girls, it's true. Nothing's between me and Rico."
Linda turned to Ameya. "What about Michael?"
"I never liked Michael. I always liked Rico," Ameya said gently.
Everyone turned to Jenna again.
Sofie: "Your turn now. Who do you like?"
Linda: "Yeah, spill it."
A hand landed on Jenna's shoulder.
"Of course, she's mine," a familiar voice said. "Only mine."
Jenna turned—Michael stood behind her, smirking with that signature wink.
Sofie gasped. "Oh. My. God."
Linda shook her head, laughing. "Their love stories are twisted!"
Ruby giggled. "Am I dreaming?!"
Sofie muttered, "I thought Rico liked Jenna and Ameya liked Michael..."
Nicky stretched. "Of course I knew."
Ruby elbowed him. "You what?! Why didn't you say?"
Suha smiled, "We're the same group. I sensed it."
Linda pointed at them all. "So we're the only ones who didn't know?"
Everyone laughed.
And under the star-kissed sky, the tangled hearts of SuperNova slowly found their rhythm.
---
To be continued...