Ch. 37
Fries, Fun, and Fierce Friendship
After the first basketball game, the whole gym still buzzed with excitement. Cheers echoed down the hallways, and students lingered to celebrate their first win. Liana grabbed Selene's wrist the moment they stepped outside.
"Let's eat! I swear, cheering used up all my calories."
Selene raised an eyebrow. "You literally ate six booths worth of snacks this morning."
"That was warm-up food," Liana said proudly, hair bouncing as she dragged her friend toward the field where food stalls glowed under string lights.
The sky had deepened into twilight streaks of violet and peach spread across the horizon. The air smelled of fries, buttered corn, and caramelized sugar.
Selene and Liana found a small food stall run by the Culinary Club, the tables covered with colorful cloths and fairy lights. They ordered cheese fries and cold soda before sitting on a patch of grass a little farther from the crowd.
"Ugh, my throat hurts from shouting," Liana groaned dramatically, sipping her drink.
"I can't believe you didn't even scream once!"
"I cheered," Selene said flatly. "Silently."
"You're hopeless! Everyone else was jumping, and you just stood there clapping like a royal guest." Liana burst out laughing.
Selene smirked.
"Because I am one. Someone has to maintain grace while everyone else looks like they're auditioning for a zoo."
"Savage!" Liana giggled, almost choking on a fry.
"You're lucky you're pretty. If I said that, I'd be canceled on the forum."
Selene just shrugged, then popped a fry into her mouth.
"Maybe they should cancel me. Then I'll have my peace"
Liana shook her head, still grinning.
"No chance. You literally broke the forum after your violin performance last night. People still can't get over it! Did you see the edit with sparkles and dramatic text?"
Selene gave her a please no look.
"Unfortunately, yes."
"I love that you pretend you don't care," Liana teased. "But your performance was really beautiful, Selene. You looked like someone out of a movie so mysterious and elegant. Everyone was like, 'Who is she?'"
Selene stayed quiet for a moment, fiddling with her soda cap.
"I didn't do it for attention. I just wanted to play." She honestly said.
Liana's smile softened.
"I know. That's what makes it even better."
The two girls sat in comfortable silence for a while, the chatter of other students fading into background noise. Fireflies glowed faintly between the trees.
Then Liana spoke again, tone playful.
"So... between us girls, which of the basketball players did you find the cutest?"
Selene glanced at her sideways. "None."
"Come on~"
"Fine, the ball."
Liana gasped.
"You did not just say that!"
"I did," Selene said, straight-faced. "At least the ball listens when you pass it around."
Liana laughed so loud, nearby students turned their heads. "I swear, you're gonna kill me someday."
Selene smiled faintly, hiding it behind her straw.
"That's the plan."
They both broke into laughter again. For once, Selene didn't feel like the quiet, mysterious girl everyone whispered about.
She just felt... normal.
And Liana, loved it like that.
Later that evening, the lights dimmed across the field as a short fireworks display began bright colors bursting across the night sky. Students cheered, couples took photos, and Liana let out a dreamy sigh.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Selene leaned back on her hands, eyes reflecting the glow of gold and red sparks.
"Yeah. It is."
For a moment, she allowed herself to just exist no rumors, no expectations, no pressure. Just the laughter, the fireworks, and a friend beside her who made the world feel a little less complicated.
Maybe,
she thought as she watched another burst of light bloom above them,
this is what high school is supposed to feel like.