"I don't think I want to come to your party," Irin said, folding her arms with a hint of reluctance.
Nicole frowned. "Why? Because we've agreed to wear the same outfit .
Yvette scoffed, her tone sharp. "Oh, so that means I'm not coming. I get it now. What if I show up and the four of you are dressed alike? I'll be the only one standing out like a misfit."
Lucas shrugged casually. "It's only the girls doing that."
"Irin, you need to control your friend," Yvette snapped, her frustration bubbling over.
"Irin said cooly, "Yvette, you need to control your anger."
"Ugh! I'm clearly not needed here anymore!" Yvette exclaimed before storming off, her footsteps heavy with irritation.
Irin rolled her eyes. "Your running mouth will not kill you one day, I swear."
Nicole sighed softly, watching Yvette disappear. "She'll come back. She's just dealing with a lot. It makes her seem like she
has anger issues, but it's more than that."
Azan crossed his arms thoughtfully. "Aren't you going to go after her?"
"She's upset," Irin replied calmly. "We'll wait for her to cool down."
Lucas raised a brow. "And why exactly is she like this?"
Nicole hesitated before answering. "It's because of where she works. She's constantly exposed to violence and corruption. It's taking a toll on her."
Azan shook his head. "She's being too hard on herself. Can't we help her find something better? Those menial jobs aren't worth it."
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly. "Wait... did you plan something behind her back?"
Nicole sighed. "Not really. We just didn't want to stress her or make her spend money on things that aren't important."
"She might see it as mockery," Azan warned.
Irin nodded. "Please, help us apologize to her
We didn't mean to insult her—we only wanted to help."
Nicole stood up determinedly. "I'll go myself. She's my best friend. She won't stay angry with me for long."
Without another word, she hurried off, Irin following closely behind.
Not too far from the garden, in a quiet and nearly deserted part of the school compound, Yvette sat alone on a bench. Her legs were crossed, and her head rested on her palm as though weighed down by invisible burdens.
Nicole and Irin spotted her and rushed toward her.
Nicole gently sat beside her. "Hey..."
Yvette didn't look up. "What? Came to insult me again?"
Irin sat on the other side. "Still upset?"
"I'm not upset," Yvette muttered. "I just need some time alone."
Nicole softened her voice. "Are you worried about something? You can talk to us."
"I don't know," Yvette replied quietly.
"What's going on?" Irin asked.
Yvette exhaled deeply. "I'm just tired. I worked a lot at the restaurant last night."
Irin leaned closer. "You know Azan shouldn't hear that. He deliberately gave you—"
"Food, shelter, and a free scholarship?" Yvette interrupted sharply. "Yes, I know."
Nicole frowned. "You really need to stop thinking like that. Can't you find something else to do?"
Yvette shook her head. "If he keeps doing all that for me, I'll be too shy to ask him for what I truly want. I'm a lady—I should be able to get things myself. Must I depend on him for everything?"
"He wouldn't complain," Nicole said gently. "He's a good guy."
Irin added softly, "I'm sorry, Yvette."
"It's okay," Yvette replied, her voice calmernow.
Nicole brightened slightly. "You'll be at my party by nine, right?"
"Why?" Yvette asked flatly.
"Because you're my best friend," Nicole said, smiling. "You have to be there. The party will starts by ten."
Irin chuckled. "I just need to stay on good terms with my dad. If we argue, he won't let me go."
Yvette gave a faint smirk. "No one can stop me. Only I can stop myself."
Nicole giggled. "Yvette, can you sing at my party?"
"No."
"Please?"
Yvette sighed. "Do you think I'm coming to sit around all night? Once I drop your gift, I'm heading straight home."
Irin laughed lightly. "You think Azan will allow that? He already said his driver will take us there and back."
Just then, a curious question slipped out. "Why do most girls in this school fear Azan?" Yvette asked. "Some even bow to him. Is it because he's rich or because he's too handsome?"
Irin grinned. "Azan is definitely cute, and you know it."
"Ew," Yvette scoffed. "I don't like him."
Nicole laughed. "You're the first person in this school to say that. Be honest—isn't he fine?"
"He's just a flirty guy," Yvette replied dismissively.
"Honestly, I don't like him like that either," Nicole admitted. "He's just our friend."
"Well, he is nice," Irin added.
Yvette smirked. "In your dreams."
Before the conversation could continue, Azan and Lucas approached.
"Ladies," they greeted.
Yvette hissed under her breath, avoiding eye contact. Azan glanced at her briefly before looking away.
"What's up?" Nicole asked.
"Nothing," Lucas said casually.
Yvette crossed her arms. "I'm not going to Nicole's party."
Azan frowned. "Why?"
"I'll come late," she replied. "I have a night shift."
"Can't your boss give you the day off?" Azan asked.
"I already have my off," Yvette said.
Nicole suddenly stood up, her expression hurt. "I feel like you're avoiding my party. If you really cared about me, you'd want to be there. But it's fine... maybe I don't mean that much to you."
She turned to leave.
"Nicole, wait!" Yvette called out, her voice trembling. "That's not it!"
She swallowed hard, tears forming in her eyes. "I'm just scared," she confessed. "I don't want to be embarrassed by your parents. Azan's mum already insults me like I'm nothing... like I'm not even human. I can't go through that again—not in front of your family, your friends, everyone..." Her voice broke as she sobbed. "It's not that I don't care about you. I do. You're my best friend. I just... can't handle the humiliation."
Azan gently held Nicole's hand. "She's really sorry. Please understand her."
Before anyone could respond, Yvette ran off, tears streaming down her face.
The school bell rang loudly, signaling the end of the day. Students poured out of classrooms, their chatter filling the air. The group, now quiet and heavy-hearted, made their way to their car.
Inside, silence dominated.
Irin finally sighed deeply. "Why is everyone so quiet?"
Lucas leaned back. "I was about to ask the same thing."
"Damn..." Azan muttered.
Suddenly, Yvette sneezed repeatedly, covering her mouth.
"Bless you! Are you okay?" they all asked in concern.
"I'm fine," she replied softly.
"You need water," Azan insisted.
"No," she cut in.
He hesitated, then spoke again. "Why do you hate me so much these days? You avoid me, barely talk to me, and reject my gifts. What happened to us?"
"Us?" Yvette echoed.
"Yes," he said. "You and I. We used to be close."
Yvette looked away. "I'm confused... I don't understand your actions."
"About what?"
"You flirt too much," she said bluntly. "With me, with other girls. It's confusing."
"Flirt?" Azan repeated.
"Yes," she continued. "At the school prom, the way you looked at me—it was like you wanted to devour me."
Azan sighed deeply. "That's because I... because I..."
"Just erase those feelings," Yvette interrupted. "Your parents will never accept me."
Azan's voice softened but remained firm. "My parents don't control my choices. And one day... I'll marry you."
Before the words could settle, Yvette signaled the driver to stop. The car came to a halt, and without hesitation, she grabbed her backpack and stepped out, leaving behind a stunned silence.
The car drove on, but nothing felt the same anymore.