Daniel and Diana walk out of class and head toward the schoolyard, where they were told to meet up. Diana feels her hands growing sweaty—it's her first time in many years eating with someone else, not counting herself, for obvious reasons. She notices Daniel shifting beside her, clearly feeling a bit nervous himself.
They exit the building, momentarily blinded by the bright midday sun. Squinting, they look around the crowded schoolyard and spot Luna sitting alone on a bench, her eyes closed as if meditating.
Diana approaches her and says, "Hey."
Luna doesn't even flinch. She sits there for a beat, her eyes still half-closed, then slowly stands up and begins dusting off her clothes with a casual flick of her hands. "You scared me," she says in her usual deadpan, her expression as unreadable as ever.
Without waiting for a response, she gives a small nod toward the schoolyard. "Let's go."
Without waiting, Luna starts walking toward a group of girls gathered in a loose circle nearby. The girls are deep in conversation, laughing and chatting, completely oblivious to Luna's approach. Luna circles the group, her eyes scanning until she spots a tall, blonde girl who's laughing hysterically at something one of her friends just said.
Luna reaches over and pokes her sharply in the ribs. "Hey, Ava," she says, her tone flat but pointed.
"Ouch!" Ava yelps, spinning around, her face twisted in annoyance. But as soon as she sees Luna, her expression softens, and she rolls her eyes.
"We're going to eat," Luna says simply, jerking her thumb over her shoulder. "Come on."
Ava gives her friends a quick, "See ya," before they turn to wave their goodbyes. She then turns to join Luna. Together, they regroup with Daniel and Diana, the four of them now standing a little awkwardly in the bustling schoolyard.
The four of them stood together in the schoolyard, each one glancing around, sizing up the others in their small, newly formed group. Ava was dressed in a fitted sports top and short jeans, her tanned arms and legs showing off a strength that matched her confident posture. She was watching Diana, sizing her up with a look that was equal parts curiosity and mild amusement, though her gaze would flick over to Daniel now and then, as if she were trying to figure him out as well.
Daniel, meanwhile, wore his usual hoodie and sweatpants, despite the warmth in the air. He looked out of place, almost like he was hiding within his own clothes. His eyes kept drifting toward Luna, who was dressed in a long-sleeved t-shirt paired with jeans, seemingly unbothered by the heat. She sat with a calm, almost serene expression, but her gaze was intense, fixed on Diana with a curiosity that bordered on scrutiny.
Diana, feeling the weight of Luna's stare, shifted her feet slightly. She wore a simple t-shirt and shorts, her attire blending in with the sunny day, yet she felt strangely exposed under Luna's gaze. Her eyes met Luna's for a brief moment before she felt a flush rise to her cheeks. Quickly, she looked away, her face warm with sudden embarrassment.
Then, without warning, Ava reached over and smacked Luna lightly on the head. "You're staring again," she muttered, her voice teasing but with an edge of exasperation.
Luna blinked, her expression barely changing, but she looked away from Diana, her mouth set in a slight pout. "I wasn't staring," she said, as if she truly believed it, though her tone was as deadpan as ever. She adjusted her shirt, brushing off the imaginary dirt from her shoulders, as though it had been Ava's hand that had somehow disrupted her focus.
Daniel watched the exchange with interest, a small flicker of amusement in his eyes. He didn't know these girls well yet, but their interactions were oddly entertaining—there was an unspoken ease between them, a familiarity he and Diana were only beginning to understand.
Diana cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "So, uh… where should we go eat?"
Ava and Luna stopped their bickering, both turning to look at her. Ava tilted her head, a smirk creeping onto her face. "Where do you usually eat?"
Diana hesitated, glancing at Daniel before answering. "The roof," she replied, trying to keep her tone casual.
Ava's eyebrows shot up. "The roof? How do you even get up there?" She looked toward the three-story building, eyebrows knitted in disbelief, as if she were trying to picture the two of them scaling the walls like some kind of rooftop ninjas.
Diana chuckled nervously. "There's a secret passage on the third floor. It's… it's not exactly a part of the school, more like a hidden staircase the janitors use."
Luna didn't wait for further explanation. "Let's go," she said abruptly, and before anyone could respond, she turned and started walking toward the school building with a determined stride.
Ava rolled her eyes, casting an amused glance at Daniel and Diana. "Guess that's settled, then. Let's go," she said, following after Luna with a confident stride.
Daniel and Diana exchanged a quick glance, then trailed behind Ava, each of them silently taking in the strange new rhythm of this unexpected group.