The night unfolded in a beautifully decorated hall, glowing beneath warm chandeliers. Guests were already seated, laughter and music filling the air as the party began—yet one presence was noticeably absent.
Yvette.
Her friends, dressed in vibrant, stylish outfits, sat together, glancing repeatedly towards the entrance. Their excitement slowly turned into impatience.
"Where is she?" Nicole muttered under her breath.
Just as it was time for the celebrant to receive gifts, the grand doors creaked open.
Yvette stepped in.
She clutched a small bag tightly in her hand, her eyes scanning the room nervously. Her steps were hesitant, almost as if the ground beneath her might give way. At that exact moment, Azan's mother was approaching Nicole with a gift.
Mrs Thompson suddenly gasped dramatically.
"Heeey! What are you doing here?" she shouted, her voice cutting through the music.
Nicole and Irin rushed forward, embracing Yvette tightly, but their mothers quickly stepped out of the crowd, their expressions filled with anger.
"Have you come to destroy us again," Mrs Thompson snapped, "just as you destroyed your parents?"
A hush fell over the hall.
Yvette swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "I only came to give Nicole her gift... so she knows I still care. I'll leave immediately."
Mrs Williams scoffed. "Oh, so now it's my daughter you need for your... strange intentions?"
"No, ma," Yvette replied softly, forcing a faint smile. "I expected this. It's not your fault. I chose to come... knowing I might be humiliated. Honestly, I would have preferred staying home, enjoying my chicken and chips. But I'll accept this as my mistake."
She turned to leave.
Before she could take another step, Azan pulled her gently but firmly towards him.
Startled, she rested her head against his chest, too overwhelmed to resist. Across the room, Quin watched, jealousy flickering in her eyes.
"You're staying for the sleepover," Azan said calmly.
"I can't," Yvette whispered. "I didn't bring any clothes."
"I'll get you some," he replied without hesitation.
Before she could protest, he lifted her effortlessly over his shoulder and walked towards a nearby building within the compound.
"Azan, put me down!" she protested, struggling slightly, but his grip was unyielding. In the process, her shoes slipped off. Lucas picked them up, while Nicole retrieved the gift Mrs Williams had discarded. Irin followed closely behind as they all headed in the same direction.
Inside the building, Azan gently placed Yvette on a sofa in the living room. One by one, the others entered.
Yvette looked at each of them, her eyes filled with emotion, before letting out a quiet sigh. Nicole opened the gift box and unfolded the note inside.
She read aloud:
"Dear Nicole,
I struggled to decide what to give you for your birthday, but I finally chose this little dress, which I made using my savings for this month. I want you to know that you are my best friend, and you always will be.
Happy birthday—I hope your day is as wonderful as you are.
Your friend,
Yvette."
Nicole's eyes filled with tears as she pulled Yvette into a tight embrace.
"I love it," she whispered. "I truly do."
Yvette smiled faintly. "Why don't you try it on?"
Nicole glanced at the boys. "Could some people kindly turn around?"
Azan chuckled. "Listen to this tiny girl."
Lucas laughed. "Let's humour her. She's still our little one."
They both stepped outside, laughing.
"These boys are ridiculous," Nicole said, shaking her head.
"Completely brainless," Yvette added playfully.
"Say that louder!" Azan shouted from outside.
"You're ridiculous!" Nicole yelled back.
"Not my fault—I left the room for you!"
"Then come back if you want!" she teased.
"Don't tempt me," Azan replied, attempting to open the door.
"Azan, are you serious?" Yvette called out.
"It's Lucas's idea!" Azan replied quickly.
"Excuse me?" Lucas said.
"Hurry up, or we're coming in!"
"Hurry up, or we're coming in!"
"Come in if you dare," Nicole said boldly.
The door opened slowly, and both boys stepped in.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Hmm... it doesn't fit you very well."
"Why do you always call me small?" Nicole protested.
"To be honest," Azan added, "the dress is actually beautiful."
Irin nodded thoughtfully. "What bothers me is that Yvette has so many talents she's wasting—singing, designing, even dancing. You've all never seen her dance. Yet she chooses to stay hidden, refusing help. If Azan won't get you a sewing machine, I will. I'll ask my dad."
"The day you finally leave that apartment," Azan added seriously, "you'll realise how much you've been holding yourself back."
"We've tried everything," Lucas said. "We even offered to support your education. But you keep refusing."
Nicole's expression hardened slightly. "This is your last chance, Yvette. Will you accept our help... or continue harming yourself?"
"What do you mean?" Azan asked sharply.
Nicole hesitated, then sighed. "She's been donating blood at my uncle's hospital. I saw her name in the records. I was furious. She had opportunities—yet she keeps suffering because of her pride."
Azan turned to Yvette. "Tell me that's not true."
Tears filled her eyes as she nodded.
"Do you want to ruin your life?" Azan's voice softened, but the hurt was clear. "I kept asking if you were okay. I noticed you were losing weight. You kept pushing me away."
"We begged you," Lucas added quietly.
"Everyone might give up on you," Azan said firmly, "but I won't."
Yvette's voice trembled. "I'm sorry... I just don't want to feel like a charity case."
Later that night, they laid a soft mat on the floor, sharing drinks and snacks, trying to lift the mood. But Yvette was exhausted. She lay down quietly and soon drifted off to sleep.
Azan covered her with a blanket, tucking it around her carefully, almost protectively.
"Come, I want to show you something," he whispered to the others.
They stepped outside and gathered around a bench in a quiet corner of the compound.
Azan pulled out his phone. "Should we give her this?"
Irin leaned closer. "A sewing machine would be perfect."
"What if she refuses again?" Azan asked.
"She won't," Lucas said confidently. "We'll support her whether she likes it or not."
Nicole smiled softly. "She needs us."
Azan nodded, scrolling through more options. "Then it's settled," he said. "We help her... no matter what."
Irin leaned closer. "A sewing machine would be perfect."
"What if she refuses again?" Azan asked.
"She won't," Lucas said confidently. "We'll support her whether she likes it or not."
Nicole smiled softly. "She needs us."
Azan nodded, scrolling through more options. "Then it's settled," he said. "We help her... no matter what."