Ava takes a big bite out of her chicken, tearing into it with gusto. Each chew is deliberate, her expression one of complete satisfaction as she savors every piece. She's eating like someone who really appreciates her food, practically inhaling it with a confidence that makes the whole process look easy and natural.
Beside her, Luna eats with meticulous precision, her chopsticks held delicately between her fingers as she picks up each piece of food with practiced grace. Every movement is controlled, her fingers barely shifting as she maneuvers her meal with an almost meditative focus, lifting it gently to her mouth. She seems completely absorbed in the rhythm of eating, calm and unfazed by the activity around her.
Ava glances over at Daniel and immediately stifles a laugh. He's chewing with his mouth full, his cheeks puffed out like a hamster storing food for winter. Each bite only seems to add to the mess, and for a moment, she's struck by how funny he looks—completely unbothered, just enjoying his food, stuffing his face like he hasn't eaten in days.
Then she turns her head toward Diana, expecting to find a more delicate approach. But to her surprise, Diana's cheeks are even fuller than Daniel's, her face almost comically round with food as she tries to chew it all down. Diana senses Ava's gaze and looks up, smiling with her mouth still full.
Ava can't hold back her laughter this time. "Slow down, both of you!" she says, her voice filled with amusement. They look like a pair of chipmunks, she thinks, grinning as she watches them try to swallow.
They finish their lunch, settling back on the rooftop, basking in the sunlight and letting the comfortable silence stretch out between them.
Luna, however, isn't entirely at ease. She keeps glancing at Diana, imagining her in different outfits and wishing she could ask her to come over and try them on. But she recalls Ava's blunt advice from the past: "You can't just invite someone over the day you meet them, Luna. It's weird." So, she holds back, telling herself, Maybe I just need to get closer to her first.
Then, as if struck by inspiration, Luna suddenly stands up and moves to sit right next to Diana. Diana, surprised, looks up at her, but before she can ask anything, Luna says, "There's more sunlight over here," as though that fully explains her decision. Diana gives her a puzzled look but decides to just go along with it, turning her attention back to the others.
Ava watches Luna's movements, suppressing a sigh of exasperation. She knows Luna too well; this is clearly part of some plan. What are you up to, Luna? Deciding to steer the conversation to keep things light, Ava casually starts talking about badminton, mentioning how she plays it as a hobby sometimes with her other friends. She says it's a good way to stay active and have some fun outside of school.
Diana nods along, saying she likes playing badminton too, a small smile forming as she recalls that time she played with Daniel and when she still used to play. The memory brings a warm feeling, reminding her of the simple joy of playing without worrying about anything else.
Daniel, listening quietly, chimes in that he used to play too. He thinks back to those moments, feeling a mix of nostalgia and surprise at how much he'd missed it.
As the conversation winds down, Luna's restlessness starts to show. She fidgets, glancing between them, her fingers tapping slightly on her knee. In her mind, they're all friends now, right? So why would it be strange to invite them over? Just as Ava pauses, Luna can't hold back any longer.
"Diana," she blurts out, "do you want to come over tomorrow?"
Ava resists the urge to facepalm. There she goes, she thinks with a sigh. Diana looks genuinely surprised, blinking a few times—not because she doesn't want to go, but because she can't remember the last time someone invited her over. She stammers, searching for a response.
Seeing her hesitation, Luna quickly adds, "Daniel can come too, if you'd feel better with him there."
Diana takes a deep breath, a strange mix of surprise and gratitude filling her. This is like Aiden all over again, she thinks. I need to stop saying no. She nods slowly, a shy smile forming. "Sure… I'd like that."
Luna's expression softens, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. She turns to Daniel. "You'll come too, right?" Her gaze is direct, almost challenging, and Daniel finds himself nodding without even thinking.
"Good," Luna replies, looking pleased. Then she turns to Ava, fixing her with the same expectant look. "You're coming too."
Ava raises an eyebrow. "Wait—since when did I agree to this?"
Luna shrugs. "You don't want to?"
Ava sighs, glancing sideways at the others before giving in. "Well… I guess I'll come."