Kim moved with purpose.
Not quite running—but close enough that her pace drew the occasional glance.
She ignored them.
Her steps carried her past the turn that led to the library without hesitation.
People would assume she was heading there.
They always did.
After all, if anyone belonged in the library, it was Kim—the top student, the one who spent hours between shelves and pages, the one others quietly associated with Kacy's results.
It was an easy conclusion to make.
A wrong one.
Kim exhaled softly, turning instead toward a quieter path.
The rose garden.
---
She found her almost immediately.
Kacy lay stretched across the grass, completely at ease, as though the world had agreed to pause just for her. One arm rested above her head, the other draped loosely across her waist. Her uniform was slightly creased, her black hair spread out beneath her like ink spilled across green.
Her eyes were closed.
Still.
Peaceful.
For a moment, Kim just stood there.
Watching.
There was something about it—something effortless.
Untouched.
---
"I know I'm pretty."
Kim's lips twitched.
There it was.
Of course.
"You're unbelievable," she muttered, stepping closer before dropping onto the grass beside her.
"You see me like this every day without the artificials," Kacy added, voice soft, lazy, as though she hadn't just been caught in complete stillness.
Kim's gaze shifted—and landed on the discarded face wipe nearby.
A faint smudge.
A quiet confirmation.
"You wiped it off today," she said.
Kacy opened her eyes.
And just like that—
Kim paused.
Blue.
Clear.
Striking in a way that didn't try to be.
She looked away almost immediately, exhaling softly.
"…You're ridiculous."
Kacy smiled.
"Mm. I know."
Kim turned back, a small pout forming despite herself.
"Honestly, if I were a guy, I'd have married you already. No hesitation."
Kacy blinked—then tilted her head slightly, watching her.
"Really?"
"I'm serious," Kim insisted. "No competition. I'd win."
A soft laugh slipped from Kacy.
Then, after a brief pause—
"Do you think…" she began, her voice quieter now, more thoughtful, "if I went to him like this…"
She gestured lightly to herself.
"…he'd fall for me?"
Kim stilled for a fraction of a second.
Her expression shifted—just slightly.
"Fall for you?" she echoed, glancing back at her.
Kacy's gaze drifted upward, unfocused.
"Or would he just see me?"
A small silence settled between them.
Then Kim nudged her lightly.
"Anyone with sense would fall," she said simply.
Kacy smiled—but there was something softer in it now.
"Then I don't want that."
Kim frowned faintly. "What?"
"I don't want him to fall for this," Kacy said, her voice calm, certain. "I want him to see me."
Kim watched her for a second.
Then nodded.
"Fair."
---
Kacy blinked once.
Twice.
And the blue faded.
Replaced by hazel.
Quieter. Safer.
She reached for her mirror and pencil.
Tap. Tap.
The change was quick.
Familiar.
Kim puffed her cheeks slightly, folding her arms.
"Every time," she muttered.
Kacy glanced at her, amused. "You're still not over it?"
"No," Kim replied flatly. "I refuse."
Kacy laughed under her breath.
Kim nudged her shoulder again.
"Unfair," she added, softer this time.
---
Silence followed.
Comfortable.
Easy.
---
"Are you okay?" Kim asked after a moment, her tone shifting.
Kacy tilted her head slightly. "About?"
"Earlier. In class."
A pause.
Then—
"I'm fine," Kacy said, her voice light but steady. "It wasn't a big deal."
Her gaze drifted toward the open sky.
"There was that… strange urge again," she added quietly. "But I handled it."
Kim's fingers pressed lightly into the grass.
She didn't interrupt.
"It's okay," Kacy continued. "Really."
Kim exhaled, then nodded.
"Good."
---
"How are your parents?" Kacy asked, turning her attention back to her.
Kim leaned back slightly, resting on her hands.
"They're alright," she said. "Mom's just been a bit under the weather."
Kacy's brows knit faintly. "Is it serious?"
Kim shook her head. "No. Just minor stuff."
A small pause.
"She hates hospitals," Kim added with a faint smile. "So I try not to make it a big deal."
Kacy nodded slowly.
"I understand."
---
Another quiet moment passed.
Then—
Kacy leaned in, resting lightly against Kim's shoulder.
Kim didn't react.
Her hand moved instinctively, fingers slipping into Kacy's hair, brushing through it slowly.
---
"You know…" Kacy murmured softly, "you're like the big sister I never had."
Kim's hand stilled for a brief second.
Then resumed.
"But from another mother," Kacy added, a small smile forming.
Kim huffed quietly. "That's oddly specific."
"Mhm."
A pause.
"If you ever need anything… just come to me, okay?"
Kim didn't answer immediately.
But her hand didn't stop moving.
"…I know," she said finally.
Of course she did.
Because Kaitlyn Woods never joked when she made a promise.
She knew... And was very much afraid of that.
---
The bell rang.
Sharp.
Kacy sighed, pulling away as she stood, brushing grass from her uniform.
Kim followed.
"Another class," Kacy said lightly.
Then—
Kim paused.
"…Wait."
Kacy glanced at her.
"Did you notice our schedules clashed today?"
A brief silence.
Kacy smiled.
Slow.
Knowing.
"I didn't even have to lift a finger," she said as she started walking.
Kim frowned, falling into step beside her.
"What does that mean?"
Kacy glanced at her, that same quiet smile lingering.
"Kaiden and I are clearly fated."
---
Kim stopped for half a second.
Then groaned.
"Narcissist."
But she followed anyway.
Because as ridiculous as that sounded—
Today didn't feel like coincidence at all.
I just hope everything goes well.