The bell rang, echoing through the hallways and signaling the end of another monotonous day. Charlie gathered his things, feeling the weight of the lingering tension in the air. He had mended his friendship with Isaac, but the unspoken rift between Clara and Isaac hung over him like a storm cloud. As he walked out of class, he spotted Clara and Raya deep in conversation, their heads bent together, whispering conspiratorially.
"Charlie!" Raya called out, her voice a mix of excitement and nervousness. She waved him over.
Charlie hesitated, glancing at Clara. They hadn't spoken much, and he didn't want to intrude on whatever plan they seemed to be hatching. But curiosity got the better of him. He approached them cautiously.
"Hey," he said, forcing a smile.
"Hey," Clara replied, her tone bright yet strained. She glanced at Raya, who seemed to be brimming with ideas.
"Can we talk later?" Clara added, her gaze earnest. "I'd really like to catch up."
"Sure," Charlie said, but his mind was already elsewhere, thinking about Isaac and the awkward distance that had settled between him and Clara.
Once class was over, Raya found Charlie sitting alone at a lunch table, tracing the patterns on his plastic tray. She took a deep breath, approaching him with an unusual mix of courage and nervousness.
"Mind if I sit?" she asked, surprising both of them with her boldness.
"Uh, yeah. Of course, go for it." Charlie gestured to the empty seat across from him.
Raya settled down, looking at him with curiosity. "So, how've you been?"
Charlie, feeling a bit awkward, responds "I've been alright. Just… you know, just dealing with things…and stuff"
Raya nodded, her expression sympathetic. "Jeez it's like you've never talked to a girl before" Raya says laughing "'Things and stuff...Seriously?"
Charlie, overtaken by the hole of emotions in his chest, abruptly blurted out his next words. "I just wish they would talk. I hate seeing them like this."
Raya realizes the seriousness in Charlie's tone "I know. They both really care for each other, yet when it comes to each other they never seem to ask for help or fight for their relationship"
Charlie sighed. Raya chewed on her lip, pondering. Charlie raised an eyebrow. He spotted Etien making his way over, a grin plastered on his face. "Hey, man! Mind if I join?"
"Uh, sure," Charlie said, shifting slightly to make room for him.
As Etien sat down, Raya glanced between the two of them, her resolve solidifying. "I'll catch you guys later," she said quickly, standing up before Charlie could protest.
"Wait, where are you going?" he asked.
"To fix my tampon boy brain," she jokes. With that, she left, leaving Charlie and Etien to their conversation.
"Hey, what's up with Clara and Isaac? Any new news" Charlie asked, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Etien sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I don't know. It's like they're both too proud to talk to each other. It's like trying to get two wild animals in the same place without them murdering each other." Etien scratches the back of his head and clicks his tongue.
Charlie nodded. "So I've noticed. It's kind of ridiculous, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Etien agreed. "But hey, welcome to Corsica." Etien laughs awkwardly. "I just wish they would stop avoiding each other. It's uncomfortable." he says putting his cup of orange juice to his mouth and looking to the side.
"Maybe we should do something about it," Charlie suggested, his eyes lighting up with a playful gleam.
Etien laughed "And what are we gonna do about it? You wouldn't stick your hand in a meat grinder so why the hell would you stick it in between those two."
Charlie raised an eyebrow, smirking "that's the thing, who says we have to be in between them as far as my plan concerns, we're just bystanders" Charlie says in a snarky tone.
Etien leans in "Go on~"
"What if, coincidentally, on Friday night, some second and third years threw a big party. Somehow Clara and Isaac are there and absolutely wasted. We manage to get them in a room with each other and get them to spill their emotions and boom. Problem solved" Charlie says with mischief in his eyes.
Etien hadn't been the one to involve himself in others' issues. He likes to hang back and watch life move on with a can of beer in his hand. However Charlies plan of setting the scenario but not actively being involved sparked a new viewpoint for him "Dude…I am so in"
Charlie grinned. As they talked, the plan began to take shape, each detail bouncing off the other like a game of ping pong. They would make it a night to remember, where Clara and Isaac could both relax and let their guards down.
"Speaking of the Devil, where is he?" Charlie asks, having not seen him all day.
"Ditched with Mathias, Something about wanting to enjoy water or some bullshit" Etien says brushing it off.
Across town, Isaac was enjoying a different kind of escape. He had ditched school with Mathias, heading to the docks to his boat. The salty sea breeze felt refreshing against his skin, a welcome distraction from the weight of his thoughts.
"Man, this is life," Mathias said, stretching out on the sun-warmed deck. "No school, just us and the ocean."
Isaac chuckled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah"
"'Yeah'" Mathias says mockingly "Dude, you've gotta move on, or at least allow yourself to have the slightest bit of fun" Mathias said, leaning back and tilting his face toward the sun. "What do you think about getting on Tinder or something? Meet new people, take your mind off her or something. She occupies your brain more than football."
Isaac snorted. "Tinder? Seriously?"
"Why not? You never know what you might find. It could be fun," Mathias urged, nudging him playfully. "Just give it a shot. Plus the Corsica baddies are all 10s" Mathias punches Isaacs shoulder.
With a resigned sigh, Isaac pulled out his phone and downloaded the app. "Fine but no promises that I won't delete it by tomorrow"
As they lounged on the boat, the sun dipped lower in the sky, painting the water with hues of orange and pink. Isaac swiped through profiles, laughing at some of the ridiculous bios and pictures he encountered. Mathias joined in, pointing out the best and worst candidates, both of them enjoying the lighthearted banter.
Back at Clara's house, Raya sat quietly, her heart racing. After school, she had invited Clara over to talk about everything that had been going on. She wanted to support her friend, to help bridge the gap between Clara and Isaac.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Clara asked, noticing Raya's distracted demeanor.
"Nothing, just thinking," Raya replied, trying to sound casual.
Clara tilted her head, concerned. "About what?"
Raya hesitated. Raya wanted to throw her opinion into the ring, let Clara know that she has valid opinions too. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. It felt like a betrayal. "Just… school stuff. You know how it is."
"Yeah, I guess. You and your perfect grades" Clara shrugged, her gaze distant. " UGGHHH It's been a week, and it's like he's just… gone."
Raya felt a pang of guilt but held her ground. "Maybe he just needs time, Clara. You both do."
"Yeah, maybe," Clara replied, her voice laced with uncertainty.
As the evening wore on, Clara opened the app on her phone, a small part of her hopeful that maybe Isaac would have reached out. But to no surprise there was no new notification. The rest of the night was spent watching videos and eating ice cream and cookies. As Clara was focused on the TV, Raya couldn't help but have her mind flooded. For her the reality that the two might not get back together was closing in on her.