Cherry stepped forward slowly, her voice trembling.
"I… I'm sorry, Chloe," she said. "I came to apologize for everything I said… and to bring you a gift. You're my friend, and I should be happy for you."
Chloe smiled faintly, but there was something cold behind her eyes.
"Don't you see? I don't need friends anymore," she murmured. "But I'll accept your apology… and your gift. For old times' sake, of course."
She turned toward Andrew.
"Could you put this ring on for me, dear?"
"Of course, my love," Andrew replied in a stiff, hollow tone.
Cherry's eyes widened.
"Is he… alright?"
Chloe shrugged casually.
"Oh, he's fine. We had a little argument and he kept questioning me… so I made a few adjustments."
A chill crept down Cherry's spine. Whatever Chloe had become, it wasn't the Chloe she knew. She had to act—fast.
Not just for Chloe… but for everyone.
"Um, Chloe," Cherry said nervously, "the moonlight at the football field will be beautiful tomorrow night. I was thinking maybe you, me, and Andrew could hang out there. It's been so long."
Chloe tilted her head.
"A moonlight dinner? That is beautiful. What time?"
"Uh… maybe 8 p.m.?"
"Alright then!" Chloe exclaimed. "A moonlight dinner at the field. But you don't have to come, Cherry. As I said… I need subjects, not friends."
Cherry forced a smile.
"Oh. Alright then… I'll be on my way."
---
The next day, Cherry and Facilier prepared desperately to bring Chloe back before it was too late. Meanwhile, Chloe was crafting her perfect moonlight dinner with Andrew—written into reality with a few strokes of her enchanted pen.
The moment the clock struck eight, the football field transformed: glowing lanterns, floating petals, a silver-lit table set for two. Chloe admired her creation proudly.
Just then, Cherry appeared. Moments later, Facilier stepped out of the shadows with an ancient enchanted book.
Chloe's expression darkened.
"What are you doing here, Cherry? And why with him?"
Cherry stepped forward, voice shaking.
"I'm sorry, Chloe… but you really need to come back to us."
Chloe's eyes turned black with rage.
"For defying me… I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget."
She pulled out the pen and her diary—
But before she could write a single word, Facilier opened his book and began chanting powerful, ancient incantations.
The ring on Chloe's finger flared with silver light. Her eyes rolled white. A piercing scream tore from her throat as the magic fought back.
"Take cover, child!" Facilier yelled to Cherry.
The field shook. Light crackled around Chloe. And then—
Everything went silent.
Chloe stood frozen, eyes blank white, her mind trapped in a blinding trance. Her entire life flashed before her eyes—memories only she could see. Then, with a sudden gasp, she collapsed to the ground.
A burst of brilliant light exploded from the field, rippling across the entire city.
Cherry ran forward, catching her.
"Chloe! Chloe, please—wake up!"
Chloe's eyes fluttered open.
"Ch… Cherry?" Tears spilled down her cheeks. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"
Cherry pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Shhh, it's okay, sis. I'm sorry too."
Chloe stood slowly and walked toward Facilier, her head bowed as she placed the pen in his hands.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't understand your warnings before. I thought I knew everything. You… you must be so disappointed in me."
Facilier shook his head gently.
"My dear, no one is perfect. In fact, I'm proud of you. You found your way back."
He rested his hands on her shoulders.
"Your insecurities blinded you from seeing your own worth—and how much people care about you. You carried everything alone, and the pen took advantage of that. But from now on… be more confident, more hopeful, and stronger in your heart. Promise me."
Tears shimmered in her eyes as she embraced him.
"I promise… thank you."
Facilier smiled.
"Then let's set things right."
Chloe nodded, picking up her diary and holding the pen tightly.
With a deep breath, she wrote her wish—for everything to return to normal.
The pen glowed brighter than ever before, humming with power. Magic swept across the city in a brilliant wave.
A moment later, Chloe's phone buzzed.
It was her mother calling.