Maya lay sprawled across her bed, idly twirling her phone in her hand.
After staring at the screen for a few seconds, she finally tapped Lav's contact.
The call connected after two rings.
"Hello?"
"Hey."
Lav smiled at the sound of her voice.
"Hey. What's up?"
Maya hesitated for a moment.
"Are you free this evening?"
"I should be. Why?"
"I was thinking... do you want to go to the mall this evening?"
There was a brief pause.
"The mall?"
"I need to buy a few things, so I thought we could go together."
Lav chuckled softly.
"That's convenient."
Vedh's words from yesterday echoed in his mind.
Maybe today...
"I actually do need to pick up a few things."
Maya smiled to herself.
"So... is that a yes?"
"It's a yes."
"What time should I pick you up?"
"Around five?"
"Five it is."
"Don't be late."
Lav laughed.
"I was about to say that to you."
"Excuse me? I'm always on time."
"Really?"
"...Most of the time."
She huffed.
"Bye, Lav."
"See you this evening, Maya."
The call ended.
Maya stared at her phone for a moment before a nervous smile spread across her face.
"...Perfect."
She slipped her phone into her pocket, already picturing the evening.
We'll pick out something nice to wear...
Change into it...
And head straight to the beach.
Her cheeks warmed.
Hopefully, everything goes exactly as planned.
Later in the evening....
Maya stood in front of her wardrobe, staring at her clothes.
"No..."
She put one dress back.
"Too formal."
She picked up another.
"Too casual."
With a sigh, she flopped onto her bed.
"Why is this so difficult?"
She blinked.
"...We're literally going shopping."
"They're going to be changed anyway."
Yet...
She still wanted to look nice when she saw him.
After another few minutes of debating with herself, she finally chose a sage green floral dress that fell just above her knees. She paired it with white sneakers, a delicate silver bracelet, and small pearl earrings.
She gave herself one last look in the mirror.
"...Good enough."
A nervous smile spread across her face.
"...Today's the day."
"I'm going to tell him."
Her phone suddenly buzzed.
She glanced at the screen.
I'm waiting outside.
Maya's heart skipped a beat.
"So early?"
She grabbed her small sling bag, took one last glance at herself in the mirror, and hurried out of her room.
Before he could reach for his phone, someone knocked lightly on the passenger window.
He looked up.
His friend stood outside with a grin.
Lav unlocked the door.
She slipped into the front seat.
"Ready?"
Lav let out a quiet sigh.
"I still think this is a bad idea."
She laughed.
"Relax. We're just helping you with your little experiment."
Lav didn't reply.
Vedh's words echoed in his mind.
"Just make her a little jealous."
He wasn't convinced.
But he had agreed.
A moment later...
The front door opened.
Maya stepped outside.
A smile instantly appeared on her face...
...until she noticed someone sitting in the front passenger seat.
She stopped.
The smile faded almost imperceptibly.
Who's that...?
Her eyes lingered on the girl for a second before she looked at Lav.
He watched her expression change.
The excitement in her eyes...
...vanished.
A strange feeling settled in his chest.
...I shouldn't have done this.
Regret hit him almost instantly.
The plan that had seemed harmless only minutes ago...
...suddenly didn't feel funny at all.
His friend noticed the change in his expression and quietly whispered,"...You already regret it, don't you?"
Lav's gaze never left Maya.
"...I do."
...and he already wanted to apologize.
Maya got into the back seat, forcing a small smile.
"So..."
Lav cleared his throat.
"Maya, this is my childhood friend, Anya."
Anya turned around with a bright smile.
"Hi! I've heard a lot about you."
Maya smiled politely.
"Hi."
The drive continued...
But Maya couldn't help glancing at the two of them.
Anya casually nudged Lav's shoulder.
"Remember the amusement park?"
Lav chuckled.
"The one where we got lost?"
"Exactly."
"I still blame you."
"Excuse me? You were the one who wandered off."
The two laughed together.
Maya quietly looked out the window.
Looks like they're really close...
Lav caught her reflection in the rearview mirror.
She wasn't smiling anymore.
The guilt in his chest only grew heavier.
A few minutes later, they reached the mall.
The place was already buzzing with shoppers, bright storefronts glowing under the afternoon lights.
As they walked through the mall, Anya suddenly grabbed Lav's wrist.
"Come on!"
Before Lav could react, she started pulling him toward a nearby clothing store.
Maya slowed her steps.
"..."
She watched the two disappear into the store together.
For the first time that day...
She felt strangely left out.
Maybe... I shouldn't have come.
Just then, Lav looked back.
His eyes immediately found Maya standing several feet behind them.
She looked...
...hurt.
He gently removed Anya's hand from his wrist.
"Anya."
She turned around.
He sighed.
"...Enough."
Anya folded her arms.
"Seriously? You planned the whole thing, and now you're making me look like the villain?"
Lav shook his head.
"I know. But this wasn't funny. I'll stop it here."
Without another word, he walked back to Maya.
"Sorry."
Maya looked at him, surprised.
"For what?"
"...For making you walk alone."
He didn't mention the jealousy plan.
But in that moment...
He knew one thing.
He never wanted to see that look on her face again.
Maya looked at him for a moment.
"...It's okay."
Lav shook his head.
"No. It isn't."
He looked past Maya.
"Anya."
Maya turned around.
Anya, who hadn't gone very far, stopped and walked back.
"...Yeah?"
Lav took a quiet breath.
He looked back at Maya.
"I have to tell you something."
Lav rubbed the back of his neck.
"This whole thing... was a stupid idea."
Maya stared at him.
"What do you mean?"
"Vedh suggested I try to make you jealous."
"I agreed."
He glanced at Anya.
"She was just helping me."
Anya immediately added,
"I'm really sorry, Maya. We thought it would just be harmless teasing."
Lav looked straight at Maya.
"It wasn't funny."
"I'm sorry."
Maya stared at him for a long moment.
Then she slowly narrowed her eyes.
"...You're an idiot."
Lav sighed.
"...I know."
She crossed her arms and gave him a death glare.
"...Buy me a boba."
Lav blinked.
"...What?"
"A large one."
"With extra pearls."
"...That's your punishment?"
Lav looked at her in disbelief.
"A... boba?"
Maya kept her arms crossed, still glaring at him.
"...Don't make me repeat myself."
He blinked a couple of times before a relieved smile escaped him.
"...I thought you were going to kill me."
Maya raised an eyebrow.
"I considered it."
She pointed at him.
"Now buy me a boba, you fool."
Lav chuckled.
"...Deal."
An hour later...
The apology was quickly forgotten.
Or at least... mostly forgotten.
Lav ended up buying Maya her boba.
Then somehow...
One shop turned into three.
Three turned into five.
Before he knew it, he was carrying almost every shopping bag.
"Anya, look at this!"
"Maya, that's so cute!"
The two girls had somehow become friends within a single afternoon.
They wandered from store to store, laughing over matching accessories, teasing each other over outfits, and completely forgetting Lav existed.
Lav trailed behind them, loaded with bags.
"...I feel used."
Neither of them looked back.
"Hold these too," Maya said, handing him another bag.
Anya nodded in agreement.
"Thanks, Lav."
Lav stared at the growing mountain of shopping bags in his hands.
"...So this is my life now."
The girls exchanged a look...
...and burst into laughter.
By evening, they finally made their way to the underground parking lot.
The cheerful chatter slowly faded as they walked between the rows of parked cars.
The sound echoed through the otherwise empty level.
Rows of cars stretched into the distance, the concrete pillars casting long shadows beneath the dim lights.
Lav unlocked the car with a click.
"I'll put these in the trunk."
He and Anya walked toward the back of the car, their arms full of shopping bags.
Maya stood nearby, happily sipping her third boba of the day.
Lav glanced at the cup in her hand and sighed.
"...That's your third one."
Maya nodded proudly.
"Who's the one that came up with the jealous prank?"
Anya laughed.
"She's really making you pay for this."
Lav sighed dramatically.
"...I deserve it."
Maya took another satisfied sip.
"You absolutely do."
Lav finished loading the last shopping bag into the trunk and dusted off his hands.
"Done."
He closed the trunk with a soft thud.
"Let's head home."
Maya hummed in agreement, still sipping her boba.
She glanced around the underground parking lot.
Maya frowned.
"...Is it just me..."
"...or is it creepy down here?"
Anya glanced around.
"...It is a little quiet."
"Probably because it's almost closing time," Lav said, locking the trunk.
Maya nodded slowly.
"...Yeah. Maybe."
A cold breeze drifted through the parking level.
Somewhere in the distance...
A car door slammed shut.
The sound echoed through the empty garage.
Maya instinctively looked around.
"...Did you hear that?"
"Probably another customer," Lav replied without looking up.
For some reason...
Maya felt like someone was watching her.
She turned.
Nothing.
Just rows of parked cars.
"...Weird."
"I'll be right back," she said, holding up her empty cup. "I'm throwing this away."
"Okay," Lav replied.
Maya walked toward the nearby trash bin.
She tossed the cup inside.
As she turned—
A shadow slipped silently from between two parked cars.
A gloved hand covered her mouth.
Strong arms locked around her.
Her eyes widened.
Before she could scream—
She felt the prick of a needle against her neck.
She fought with everything she had...
Her vision blurred.
Her body instantly went weak.
Through her fading vision...
She saw Lav standing beside the car, talking to Anya... completely unaware. She tried to call his name.
No sound came out.
Her fingers reached toward him...
...but he never turned around.
Darkness swallowed everything.