The evening breeze was cool as Samuel, Ariel, Divine, and Favour walked home together, the streetlights casting soft shadows on the quiet road. They were all laughing about something Divine had said at the restaurant, but gradually, the conversation split into two.
Samuel and Favour naturally slowed down, falling a few steps behind, while Divine and Ariel walked ahead, their voices mixing with gentle laughter.
Favour glanced at Samuel. She had been thinking about his earlier message all day. Now was the moment.
"So," she said, folding her arms slightly, "what was that thing you wanted to tell me?"
Samuel hesitated, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Ah… yeah, that. I've noticed you've been… kind of distant lately. And, honestly, I don't like it."
Favour stopped for a second, blinking at him. "That's it?" she asked, trying not to sound disappointed.
"What do you mean 'that's it'? It matters to me." He chuckled lightly, but his tone was a little awkward.
She sighed, forcing a smile. "I thought… Never mind. I guess I've just been busy."
Samuel knew exactly what she had expected to hear—he could see it in her eyes—but the street, the casual walk, the presence of the others… it didn't feel right to him. He had wanted to tell her he liked her, to finally make things official, but something in him said, not here, not now.
Meanwhile, a few steps ahead, Divine and Ariel's conversation flowed easily.
"You know," Divine said, glancing sideways at her, "I had a really good time today."
Ariel smiled shyly. "Me too. It was… nice. Different."
"Different in a good way, I hope?" he teased.
She laughed softly. "In a good way."
They talked about random things—the café's music, the strange dessert Samuel had ordered, and even a funny thing that happened in class the other day. But no matter the topic, Divine always found subtle ways to slip in how much he enjoyed being around her.
"You're really special, Ariel," he said at one point, his voice lower, more serious.
Her cheeks warmed. "You say that a lot," she murmured.
"That's because it's true," he replied with a smile.
By the time they reached the girls' house, the air between them was lighter, warmer. The guys waved goodbye, and the girls went inside.
Not long after, Favour's phone buzzed. It was a message from Samuel:
I had a great time today. Maybe we could go out again next weekend?
She stared at it for a moment before typing back:
I don't know if I'll be free. I'll let you know.
She set her phone aside with a small sigh. The disappointment from earlier still stung, and in that moment, she decided—No more thinking about him.
Across the room, Ariel lay on her bed, a faint smile on her lips as she thought about her day. Divine's voice, his words, his laughter—they kept replaying in her mind. She hugged her pillow and closed her eyes.
I think… I like him even more now.