Fiona's POV

I spotted Kayla in English class, her usually bright demeanour replaced by a cloud of sadness, and I made a mental note to check on her after school.

During lunch, the atmosphere felt different without her. Lila and I dove into an animated discussion about our favourite novels, while Luca and I exchanged sports stories, thanks to the countless games I’d watched with Taylor. Ashley shared her insights on the latest fashion trends, and Jake and I explored the captivating world of astronomy. Despite Kayla’s absence, the camaraderie among us was palpable.

“Kayla!” I called as she walked through the hallway, her pace quickening.

“Hey,” she responded, stopping mid-step.

“You seem a bit down. Everything okay?” I asked gently.

“I’m just tired,” she replied, avoiding eye contact.

“Are you sure that’s all?” I probed, concern tightening in my chest.

“Yeah, I’m alright,” she insisted with a faint smile.

“If something’s bothering you, just let me know, okay?” I pressed.

“Okay. Now let’s get to class,” she said, pushing off the conversation.

After school, the usual clubs were silent today since everyone involved in the play was busy rehearsing for Friday’s performance. I eagerly anticipated seeing Kayla in her costumes; her talent had always amazed us.

As I settled into my seat among the audience, the curtains drew back, revealing Maddie, the lead actress, delivering her lines with such passion that I felt drawn into the story. The energy was electric!

Once the rehearsal ended, we gathered in the parking lot, the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow on our faces.

“Kayla, your costumes were stunning!” Lila gushed, her eyes sparkling.

“Thanks,” Kayla said softly, her cheeks flushing with shyness.

“You were incredible out there!” Luca added, a sincere smile lighting up his face.

“Yeah, absolutely! You nailed it,” the rest of us echoed, offering praises.

“Thanks, everyone! I’m really tired now, so I’m going to head home. See you all tomorrow,” Kayla said, slipping into her car before driving away.

“Anyone up for hanging out tonight?” Ashley asked, breaking the momentary silence.

“Not this time; remember, it’s a school night. We’ll all catch up tomorrow!” Luca replied as he and Lila got into their car and waved goodbye.

“My mom will be here soon,” I mentioned, glancing at my watch.

A few minutes later, she pulled up, and I waved goodbye to Jake and Ashley before getting into the car.

“How was school?” Mum asked, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

“It was great! We just had rehearsals for the play, and the costumes Kayla designed were mind-blowing. I had no idea she was so talented!” I exclaimed excitedly.

“You really seemed to enjoy your day,” she observed, smiling.

“Definitely! Oh, by the way, Mum, can I ask you something?”

“Of course! What do you need?”

“One of my friends is having a study sleepover this weekend to prepare for finals, and I was invited,” I said hesitantly.

A moment of silence lingered as she processed this.

“How many people will be there?” Mum finally asked.

“Six of us,” I replied nervously.

“Are her parents going to be home?”

“I’m not sure; I’ll find out,” I answered, trying to ease her concerns.

“I’ll text Dr. Morris to see if you can come in for a check-up tomorrow,” she said, prompting a sigh from me.

“Mum, being around people won’t make me worse. I’ve told you that,” I countered.

“Fine, but I’ll only say yes if there’s adult supervision, understood?”

“Yes, ma’am! Thank you so much, I love you!” I beamed.

“Love you too, darling! But remember, nothing is decided yet,” she said, a knowing smile crossing her face.

“Guess what?” Sam chimed in suddenly, pulling me back into the moment.

I was on a video call with her and Taylor, intrigued by her tone.

“What?” I asked, leaning forward.

“You know how you told me to confess to Derek? Well, he confessed to me first, totally unexpectedly!” she squealed.

“Wait, seriously?” I gasped, excitement bubbling up inside me.

“Yes! I couldn’t believe it either. I was in total shock!” she said, her smile contagious.

“It would’ve been a huge loss for him if he hadn’t,” I replied enthusiastically.

“Thanks, Fiona!” she beamed.

“So, are you two officially together now?”

“We are!” she exclaimed, practically bouncing in her seat.

“And now, he’s all she talks about,” Taylor cut in with a playful smirk.

“Are you jealous, Taylor?” I teased.

“Not at all! I just hope she doesn’t regret this,” Taylor shot back, her brow furrowed.

“Come on, Taylor,” I said. “You don’t have to say it like that.”

“Fine. I’ll keep my thoughts to myself,” she replied, ending the call.

“Don’t worry, Sam. I’m sure Taylor will warm up to Derek,” I reassured her.

“Bye, Fiona!” Sam called out, still buzzing with excitement.

“Bye!”

Friday arrived with a swift sense of urgency. The day seemed to fly by, and before I knew it, we were already in third period.

As our teacher droned on about the topic, I felt my eyelids droop, fighting against a wave of sleepiness.

“Miss Yamen, if you’re determined to nap in my class, maybe you shouldn’t be here,” she pointedly remarked, sending me to the Principal’s office.

Mrs. Williams merely sent me back with a warning, a wry smile playing on her lips.

Finally, the bell rang! We all gravitated to our usual spot in the cafeteria, buzzing with excitement.

“Are you guys stoked for the play?” I asked, scanning their faces.

“Not especially. I just want the grade,” Jake replied, shrugging nonchalantly.

"I absolutely adore my dress, even if it feels like I'm wearing a ton of bricks. I can't wait to try it on again!" Lila exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Luca chimed in, a broad grin on his face, "Who knew directing would be so much fun? I'm really loving it!"

I turned my attention to Ashley, curious about her thoughts. "What about you, Ashley?"

She shrugged, a wry smile on her lips. "Honestly, I’m just here for the grade. Jake and I are on the same page about that."

"I can’t wait to see how all of you pull this off," I said, anticipation coursing through me.

"Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly," Luca replied, his brow slightly furrowed.

"It will," Kayla assured him, her confidence radiating.

As the final bell rang, signalling the end of the school day, a wave of parents and teachers flooded into the theatre, buzzing with excitement. I settled into my seat next to Mum and Dad, my heart racing in anticipation.

"I’m going to check on my friends backstage. I’ll catch up with you two soon!" I told my parents before darting backstage, eager to see the chaos behind the curtain.

There, I found Luca barking instructions to the crew, his energy palpable.

"Hey, Luca! You look worried," I said, making my way over.

"Hey!" he replied, noticing the tension in his expression.

"Yeah, I am. It's one thing to say I enjoy this, but man, it’s stressful!" he admitted, running a hand through his hair.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" I offered, genuinely wanting to ease his burden.

"No, but I appreciate it," he said, offering a grateful smile.

"Alright, I’ll check in with the others," I said, turning to navigate the bustling backstage area.

Fast forward about an hour, and the play was in full swing. It captivated the audience for an hour and a half before the curtain call erupted into applause.

After the final bow, I waved goodbye to my parents, filled with excitement for the night ahead. Luca had promised us dinner at a fancy restaurant, and I couldn’t wait!

"Order whatever your heart desires," Luca encouraged, a flourish in his voice.

"I’ll go with the pasta and meatballs," Kayla declared, her eyes gleaming.

"I’m feeling the fish and chips," Ashley chimed in.

One by one, we placed our orders, laughter and chatter filling the air.

When our meals finally arrived, we dove in with gusto. In the midst of our feast, I noticed Kayla with a dab of pasta sauce on her lips. Luca, ever the gentleman, reached over with a napkin to gently wipe it away, his touch tender.

From her spot across the table, Ashley shot them a look filled with envy, and I couldn’t help but feel the tension simmering beneath the surface.

I knew Kayla preferred to steer clear of drama at all costs. She wouldn’t want to navigate the storm of feelings for Luca, especially if it meant risking their friendship.