The plan had been simple—just a fun double date for the four of them after the long holiday apart. Ariel was excited, Favour was glowing, and both Samuel and Divine had agreed. But the moment Emily heard of it, things started shifting.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Emily whined as she sat on Ariel's bed, arms folded tightly across her chest. "I thought we were close now, and you're just going to have a fun day without me?"
Ariel and Favour exchanged a quick glance. Ariel sighed. "Emily, it's not like that. It's supposed to be a double date… just the four of us."
"But I don't have anyone here yet," Emily said, her tone softening as her eyes shimmered almost dramatically. "I just wanted to hang out with you girls… can't I?"
Favour raised a brow. "You've been with us every day since you got here," she said gently. "Don't you think Ariel also deserves a private time with her boyfriend?"
Emily pouted, then tugged at Ariel's arm like a younger sister. "Please, Ariel… don't leave me out. I'll behave, I promise."
Ariel hesitated, then finally nodded. "Fine, but only this once. Don't make me regret it."
Emily squealed and hugged her. "You won't, I swear!"
---
The next evening, the restaurant buzzed with voices and laughter. Favour and Samuel had arrived first with Emily, sitting at a round table. Samuel and Favour were laughing quietly about something, their closeness obvious, while Emily sat upright, her eyes darting constantly toward the entrance as though expecting someone important.
Outside, Ariel tapped her foot impatiently. Divine was late. Just as she was about to text him again, she spotted him striding toward her, a bright smile on his face. Her heart skipped, but the feeling died quickly when she noticed the girl walking beside him.
Ariel's smile faltered. Who's she?
Divine caught the change in her expression immediately. He leaned close and whispered, "Don't frown, love. This is Sophie." He turned to the girl and gestured. "She's an old friend—someone I haven't seen in years. She just got admitted here too."
"Old friend?" Ariel's voice came out sharper than she intended.
Sophie offered a polite smile. "It's true. We were very close once. I didn't know Divine had such a beautiful girlfriend now."
Ariel swallowed, nodded stiffly, and walked beside them as Divine placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly.
---
When they finally reached the table, everyone greeted Sophie warmly after Divine introduced her. Samuel was polite, Favour smiled, and Emily gave a short wave, though her eyes flickered toward Sophie with quick calculation.
The evening carried on with casual conversation. Samuel leaned toward Favour, whispering about how much he had missed her during the break, and she blushed, nudging him playfully. Ariel tried to engage, but her attention kept drifting toward Sophie, who sat quietly through most of the evening, sipping her drink, her gaze darting occasionally toward Ariel and Divine.
Emily, on the other hand, was restless. She kept fidgeting and looking toward Divine, searching for opportunities to insert herself into the conversation.
When the meal was over and they walked home in groups, things shifted again.
Samuel and Favour slowed behind, their soft laughter trailing off as they enjoyed the night together. Up ahead, Divine walked hand in hand with Ariel, but Emily slipped closer to his other side.
"Divine," she started brightly, ignoring the way Ariel stiffened beside him. "I heard you're a senior in my department. That means you'll be seeing me often."
Divine gave her a tight smile, his grip on Ariel's hand tightening. "Yes. But I'm very busy, Emily. I mostly stay focused on my classes."
"That's fine," Emily said, giggling lightly. "I just thought it's nice to know we'll be in the same space. You could give me tips. You know… from one senior to a junior."
Ariel's lips pressed together, but before she could say anything, Sophie caught her eye and gave her a small, meaningful nod.
"Ariel," Sophie called softly, "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Ariel hesitated, glancing at Divine. He gave her a reassuring nod. "Go on, love. I'll be right here."
---
They walked a little slower, slowing their pace until they both lagged behind Emily and Divine, creating some space between them. Sophie's voice was gentle, almost hesitant.
"I hope I'm not intruding today," she began. "I can tell you weren't comfortable with me joining."
Ariel sighed. "It's not that. I just… didn't expect Divine to show up with another girl. It caught me off guard."
"That's fair," Sophie admitted with a small smile. "But I assure you, Ariel, I'm no threat. Divine and I were close when we were younger. After his brother's accident, he pulled away from everyone. I didn't hear from him for years until recently."
Ariel looked at her closely, surprised at the sincerity in her tone.
Sophie continued, "On the way here, he couldn't stop talking about you. How you make him laugh, how smart you are, how much you've changed him. Honestly, I think he's madly in love with you."
For the first time that night, Ariel relaxed a little, smiling. "He said all that?"
Sophie chuckled softly. "More than that. He wouldn't shut up about you."
They walked in silence for a while before Sophie leaned closer. "But Ariel… I want to be honest with you. Be careful with Emily."
Ariel blinked. "Emily? Why?"
"She looks innocent and beautiful, yes," Sophie said, her voice lowering. "But I've seen the way she stares at Divine. It's… not friendly. And Divine—" she paused, her eyes narrowing slightly— "he has a weakness for girls who seem innocent. I should know."
The words struck Ariel sharply, leaving her quiet. She wasn't sure whether to believe Sophie completely, but she couldn't shake the unease in her chest.
Sophie smiled kindly, patting her arm. "I just thought you should know. You seem like a good person. And Divine… well, he's lucky to have you."
They rejoined the group, but Ariel's mind was no longer light. Emily's cheerful chatter with Divine ahead of her suddenly felt heavier, and Sophie's warning echoed in her head like an unanswered question.