Wednesday – Morning Bell
The mood in Class 1-A was… quieter than usual.
Not tense. Just... cautious.
After the clash between Emma and Sofia a day ago, followed by silence, everyone was playing it safe. Amaya had been extra soft-spoken, and I'd noticed even Noah hadn't made a single explosion joke since.
But this morning?
Something shifted.
Girls – Their Own Way
Sofia entered first—messy bun, large sunglasses, extra-large coffee.
She didn't say anything dramatic.
She just sat.
Emma came in next—polished as always, eyes sharp, lips tight. She looked over at Sofia. Their eyes met for one brief moment.
Then—Emma walked over.
No clipboard. No hesitation.
They talked. Quietly.
No shouting. No sass.
Just… real words.
I didn't try to listen.
It wasn't my moment to.
But when Sofia took off her sunglasses and nudged Emma's shoulder?
I exhaled.
They fixed it.
Their way.
By lunch, the shift was clear.
Emma and Sofia were joking again—half-serious, half-sarcastic.
Amaya giggled softly as Noah spilled his rice.
Even Luna smirked when Tyler nearly got glitter bombed again by leftover festival supplies.
Balance was back.
For now.
Tyler – Acting Weird (Again)
After class, Tyler didn't race out to soccer or nap like usual.
He was… fidgety.
Adjusting his collar.
Checking his hair.
Even brushing his teeth in the hallway bathroom sink.
"Okay, what's going on?" I asked as we walked toward the front lawn.
"Nothing."
"You wore cologne. Don't 'nothing' me."
Tyler glanced around.
Then whispered like he was about to confess a felony.
"You know that girl from the Drama Club booth? Class 1-C?"
I paused. "The one who made the whole 'festival monologue entrance'?"
He nodded rapidly. "Iris."
Oh.
That girl.
Open smile. Bright eyes. Constant motion.
She was like a one-person musical number. During the festival, she'd introduced herself twice with two different accents.
"Yeah, I remember."
"I—she's cute, okay? And funny. And weird in a good way. And loud, but like, fun-loud. Not Noah loud."
"And?"
"She said she's doing a mini showcase in the Drama Room today after school… and invited me."
I blinked.
"She invited you?"
"She grabbed my hand and said, 'Tyler with the eyebrows! You're coming, or you're lame forever.'"
"…Yeah, that's definitely her."
After School – Drama Room Encounter
I walked past the Drama Room on my way to return some library books.
Tyler was already inside—standing awkwardly while Iris twirled around in a long coat, pretending to be some brooding war general in love with a pirate.
She finished her scene with a fake swoon, then snapped back up.
"Okay, how was that?" she asked the room.
Tyler clapped way too hard.
"That was… amazing. Like full-on movie stuff."
She beamed.
"I improvised half of it," she whispered like a secret.
Then she turned to him. "Your turn."
Tyler blinked. "Wait—what?"
She tossed him a fake dagger. "You're the rival prince. Challenge me!"
"What am I supposed to say?!"
"Make something up!"
"I—uh— I challenge you to a duel… for the kingdom!"
She burst out laughing.
"You sound like you're reading cereal instructions!"
He laughed too, face red, but didn't stop.
She walked closer.
"Okay, okay. Try again. But this time… believe it."
Tyler stared.
Tried again.
"I challenge you… for the kingdom."
Better.
"Now say it like you mean it."
He straightened his back, grinned, and said,
"I challenge you. Not for the kingdom. For the right to stand beside you."
That made her pause.
Then, softly—
"…Okay, drama boy."
And she handed him the dagger like it was a rose.
Later – On the Way Out
I waited for Tyler near the front gate.
He came out grinning like he'd won a lottery.
"She's insane," he said.
"In a good way?"
"In the best way."
I smirked. "You're smitten."
"She said I could come back next week."
"That's a date."
"She didn't say it was a date."
"It's a date."
He didn't argue.
Just stared up at the sky and whispered,
"She called me Tyler with the eyebrows again."
"Yeah, you're done for."
Evening – Group Chat Ping
Tyler: guys
Tyler: her name's Iris
Tyler: she made me act
Tyler: I think I love her
Sofia: omg not the theatre kid
Emma: just don't let her write your life script
Amaya: she seemed fun during the festival
Noah: dibs on being the sarcastic best friend in your romcom