✷ CHAMPAGNE COAST... 🌊🌺☀️
twenty twenty five  (2025)

oh, kiss me beneath the milky twilight

THANKSGIVING BREAK HAD COME AND GONE

The Monday after Thanksgiving break hit like a cold slap.

The school hallways were sluggish, the fluorescent lights buzzing a little too loudly, and everyone looked half-awake, dragging their backpacks like anchors. Priya weaved through the crowds, her hoodie pulled up, clutching a half-empty iced coffee she wasn't old enough to need.

Lana wasn't here today—out sick, or maybe just skipping. Normally, they would've sat together, laughing over inside jokes and trading half-burnt fries from the cafeteria. But without her, the day stretched out lonelier, heavier.

And Luke... she hadn't seen him much. He was somewhere, orbiting Sarah, still locked in a reality Priya couldn't bear to watch.

Strangely, she had started seeing more of Manny.

It began in the library. Manny sat slouched at a corner table, a perfectly organized spread of books and notes around him. He wasn't just good at sports and art—he was one of those annoying people who was good at everything. Every homework sheet, every quiz, every random trivia contest. He just knew stuff.

Priya, desperate for somewhere to sit away from reminders of Luke and Sarah, slid into the seat across from him without a word.

At first, they didn't say much. A muttered "hey" here, a sarcastic comment there. But slowly, the conversations grew.

Today, she dropped into the seat across from him again, her books thudding on the table. Manny looked up, raising an eyebrow.

"You look like someone ran over your dog," he said, flipping his pencil between his fingers with lazy precision.

Priya gave a bitter laugh. "Feels worse."

Manny leaned back in his chair, waiting. He was good at that—waiting without pushing. It made it easier.

Priya stared at the tabletop for a long moment, gathering herself. Then, she exhaled shakily.

"It's Sarah," she said finally, voice low. "I know something. About her. About Luke."

Manny's pencil stilled.

Priya twisted the sleeve of her hoodie between her fingers, heart hammering.

"She cheated on him," she said. "In Vegas. There are pictures. She was with some other guy, not even trying to hide it."

Manny blinked once, slowly, absorbing it.

"You're sure?" he asked—not doubting her, just confirming.

Priya nodded tightly. "I saw it all. And Luke... he has no idea. He still thinks she's perfect."

Manny frowned, drumming his fingers on the notebook. "That's cold. Even for Sarah."

Priya let out a short, humorless laugh. "Yeah. Cold doesn't even cover it." She looked down, the words spilling faster now. "I wrote letters. I almost gave them to Luke. I wanted to tell him so badly. But... he wouldn't believe me. He'd think I was jealous or trying to start drama."

Manny leaned forward, elbows on the table, voice low and rough around the edges.

"It's no use telling him," he said. "Luke's been pining after Sarah since, like, seventh grade. He's not gonna drop her just because she cheated. She'd have to do something way worse. Like... hurt somebody he really cares about."

Priya swallowed.

"Hurt someone he cares about?" she echoed, almost afraid to ask.

Manny shrugged, casual but knowing. "Like you."

Priya blinked, thrown.

"He... he cares about me?"

Manny grinned a little, almost smug. "He can't stop talking about you. Seriously. Even my stepdad—Luke's grandpa—knows who you are. You're not invisible to him, Priya. Far from it."

For a moment, Priya couldn't breathe.
The library noise faded, the buzzing lights disappeared, and all that existed was the words Manny had just said.

Luke talked about her. Luke cared about her.
She mattered.

Manny tapped his pencil again, breaking the moment. "You don't have to light yourself on fire to make him see the truth. He'll figure it out eventually. And when he does... he's gonna need someone real. Someone who actually gives a damn."

Priya pressed her lips together, feeling the sharp burn of tears behind her eyes.
She nodded once, quickly.

Manny gave her a lopsided, almost brotherly smile.

"And until then," he added casually, "you've got me. Someone's gotta keep you from writing a hundred more angry letters."

Priya let out a broken laugh, wiping the corner of her eye. Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't as alone as she thought.

✷

Lana was already sitting under the courtyard's awning when Priya approached, a half-eaten apple in her lap and her earbuds out for once.

"Hey," Lana said softly, moving her backpack so Priya could sit. "I saved you a spot."

Priya dropped into the seat, her bag sliding off her shoulder, heavy with unspoken thoughts. "Thanks. I needed this today."

Lana glanced at her. "Still thinking about Sarah?"

Priya didn't answer right away. Instead, she took a shaky breath and looked across the empty space where Andrea had sat for about five minutes on the first day of school before disappearing for good.

"She ruined my sister," Lana said suddenly, her voice quiet but edged with old anger. "Sarah. Everyone thinks she's just shallow and annoying, but she's mean, Priya. Cruel. She pretends she's just playing, but she knows exactly what she's doing."

Priya turned, stunned. "Wait—Andrea?"

Lana nodded. "Sarah thought it would be funny to have Brock—the most popular guy in school—pretend to like Andrea. My sister was... different. She loved anime, was quiet, kind of in her own world. Sarah called her the 'loner anime freak.' Convinced Brock to ask her out. He dated her for two weeks, and then dumped her in front of the whole cafeteria. Called it a 'favor.'"

Priya felt her chest seize. "Oh my god..."

"After that," Lana said, voice breaking a little, "Andrea stopped eating. Started whispering things to herself that made no sense. One night she just... snapped. My mom pulled her out of school, and now she does classes online. She came back the first day just to pick up her Chromebook."

Priya swallowed hard. "Did Sarah ever admit it?"

"No. She laughed it off. Said Brock did it on his own. But a few of us knew. A few of us heard her bragging about the plan before it happened."

There was silence between them for a while, heavy and raw.

Then Priya whispered, "I like him, Lana."

Lana blinked. "Luke?"

"I don't just like him. I love him. I know it sounds ridiculous. I know he's with her. But I can't stop thinking about him. I can't stop wondering what it would be like if he knew. If he actually saw me."

Lana reached out and grabbed her hand. "He does see you."

"No, he doesn't," Priya said, her voice cracking as the tears finally spilled over. "Not really. He thinks I'm the girl at the locker who gave him a birthday invite. That's all. And I'm just sitting here—watching Sarah cheat on him, watching her ruin people—and I hate it. I hate how much I love him."

Lana pulled her into a hug without hesitation, holding her tight.

"I see you," she whispered. "You're not alone. And he'll figure it out one day. I just hope it's before she does something else to someone who can't come back from it."

Priya cried harder into Lana's shoulder, grateful beyond words for a friend who knew pain, who didn't need her to explain why this all hurt so much.

✷

The smell of sizzling garlic and caramelizing onions hung thick in the air. Frank stood proudly at the backyard grill, a pink apron over his jeans and polo, tongs in one hand and a beer in the other. Inside, the kitchen buzzed with quiet chaos. Neha was chopping fresh herbs while Sloane galloped around the dining room, deciding—very dramatically—on the best napkin folding technique.

"Frank, you're burning the garlic bread!" Neha shouted from the window.

"It's not burned, it's just... extra crisped," Frank yelled back, flipping a steak with more confidence than skill.

Jacquette peeked into the oven and muttered, "Yeah, it's basically toast charcoal now."

Priya, watching the chaos unfold, kept glancing at the clock. Her palms were a little sweaty—nerves creeping in even though she tried to act cool. Tonight was the first time Lana and Austin were coming over for dinner. They had been her closest people at school this semester, and for some reason, it felt like... a big deal. Like letting two worlds crash together.

The doorbell rang.

"I got it!" she called, practically bolting from the kitchen.

Standing on the front step were Lana and Austin. Lana looked classic and simple—fitted black sweater, denim skirt, tights and Doc Martens. Her hair was in a clean braid. Austin stood beside her in a slightly wrinkled collared shirt and jeans, holding a small plant in a coffee mug.

"Is this a bribe?" Priya asked, smirking.

"It's a peace offering," Austin said. "For whoever cooked. I didn't want to come empty-handed, so now your house has a new succulent named Hank."

Lana smiled. "Hi."

"Hi," Priya said, hugging her quickly. "You look really cute."

Lana raised an eyebrow. "You look like you tried not to try."

"Exactly the goal."

Frank opened the door wider from behind her. "Come in, come in! I made too much food and someone has to help us eat it. That someone is you."

Inside the house, the atmosphere was warm and comfortably chaotic. Sloane was arranging cups in the shape of a heart on the table, Jacquette was scooping rice into a serving bowl, and Neha was offering everyone lemonade before they could even sit.

"You must be Lana and Austin," Neha said, smiling warmly. "Priya's told us all about you."

"Only good things, I hope," Lana said.

"Suspiciously good," Jacquette added, leaning on the counter. "Too good. I've been assigned to investigate."

"You scare me," Austin said, laughing nervously.

"Good."

They all moved to the dinner table, crowding around the rectangular wood slab covered in dishes—tandoori chicken, turmeric roasted cauliflower, naan warmed in foil, a giant salad with feta and pistachios. Frank brought in the last plate, proudly announcing, "And yes, before anyone says anything, I did burn the garlic bread, and I stand by it."

"Bold of you," Jacquette said. "But wrong."

Once everyone sat down, Sloane took it upon herself to be the host. "This is my chair. That's my chair too. You can sit there, Austin, but only if you tell me if you like Priya."

Priya kicked her under the table.

"Ow!"

"She's ten," Priya muttered. "Ignore her."

Austin grinned. "I like her. But not like that. She scares me a little too."

"You're a smart man," Frank said. "Pass the chicken, Sloane."

Conversation blossomed quickly as food was passed around. Jacquette asked Lana about their history class, and Austin impressed Neha with his love of foreign films and cooking. Sloane tried to challenge Frank to a naan-eating contest and only lost because she got distracted telling Lana about the trampoline park.

Eventually, Austin leaned back in his chair and said, "Honestly, I don't think I've had a dinner like this since... ever."

"What do you mean?" Neha asked.

"My parents divorced when I was seven. Mom stayed in El Paso, and my dad moved here. They're both nice people, but family dinner kind of died with the marriage."

Frank gave a sympathetic nod. "That's tough. You still see them both?"

"Yeah. I live with my dad mostly. He's gay—came out after the divorce—and he's trying to date again, but it's hard finding someone who gets him. He builds furniture and watches baking shows obsessively. Says there aren't many gay men into DIY and dough."

"That man sounds incredible," Neha said.

"Thank you," Austin said. "He is. Just... very single."

The table laughed, even as the air turned a little softer. Lana, though, stayed quiet, pushing bits of salad around her plate.

Neha turned to her gently. "Lana, how about you? Do you live nearby?"

Lana nodded, but didn't elaborate.

"She's from here," Priya said quickly, sensing Lana tighten. "We met on the first day of school. She saved me from dying of boredom."

Lana gave her a grateful smile. "That's true."

Dinner continued, with a shift toward lighter chatter—favorite childhood cartoons, worst school lunches, whether or not pineapple belonged on pizza. Austin made Frank laugh so hard he almost choked on his soda.

After dessert—boxed brownies warmed up with vanilla ice cream—Sloane dragged Lana and Austin to the living room to play Mario Kart.

Later, when Priya walked them to the door, Lana lingered behind Austin as he stepped outside.

"That was... nice," Lana said. "Your family's really nice."

"They're weird. But yeah. They're good people."

"I kind of forgot what dinner with a full table felt like."

Priya wanted to say something. Maybe ask about Andrea, or how things were at home. But Lana looked tired in a way that didn't invite prying.

So instead she said, "You're always welcome here. Even when we're not eating."

Lana gave a tiny nod, and hugged her before walking out the door.

Back inside, Jacquette was cleaning up with Frank, Sloane was brushing her teeth while narrating a dramatic retelling of her Mario Kart win, and Neha smiled at Priya as she passed her a stack of plates.

"You brought good people into your life," she said.

"Yeah," Priya said. "They're the best kind."

✷

AUTHOR'S NOTE━━━━━━━
luke , what have you done?

i rwally wanted to include a scene with manny because he and luke are close

also some filler to add more depth, the andrea plot line will kinda come up and down, it was a way to bring priya and lana closer