The final weeks of high school passed in a blur and Ella felt every second of it
. It was a strange mix of emotions-excitement for what lay ahead, but also a deep sense of nostalgia. Every moment felt more significant now, every shared laughter, every late-night study session, every lingering glance between Ella and Drevin that neither of them dared to acknowledge.
The Tension Between Ella and Drevin
The air was shifting, but neither Ella nor Drevin dared to acknowledge it. Every glance held something more, every accidental touch lingered a second too long, but neither was brave enough to say it out loud. Their feelings were growing, filling the spaces between them, yet they both remained hesitant-unsure, shy, afraid of ruining what they already had.Ella had always been comfortable around Drevin, but lately, something was different. There were moments when their hands would brush while walking, and both would pull away awkwardly. When their eyes met, Drevin would clear his throat and look away, while Ella would pretend to check her phone. It was as if an invisible wall of emotions had formed between them, both too afraid to address it.
One afternoon, after class, they sat at the café where Drevin worked. He had brought over two cups of iced coffee.
"You've been quiet lately," Drevin said, his eyes searching hers.
"No, I haven't," Ella replied, sipping her drink.
Drevin leaned in slightly. "Yeah, you have. You don't talk as much as before."
Ella shrugged, feeling her heartbeat quicken. She wanted to tell him everything-that she felt something more for him, that she found herself thinking about him even when they weren't together. But the words wouldn't come out.
Drevin let out a small chuckle and leaned back. "Never mind. Maybe I'm imagining things."
Ella exhaled in relief, but deep down, she knew he wasn't imagining it.
Drevin casually asked, "So, after exams, what's next for you?"
Ella sighed, kicking a small pebble on the floor. "Honestly? I have no idea yet. College, of course, but... I haven't really figured everything out."
"You'll be fine," Drevin said, giving her a small smile. "You always find a way."
Ella felt a warmth spread through her chest. She wanted to say something-maybe hint at the emotions swirling inside her-but she couldn't. Instead, she just nodded.
Meanwhile, Ava had been busy chatting with Liam, the guy she met at the club. They had been talking for weeks,Their WhatsApp conversations were constant-playful, flirty, and filled with long, late-night chats that made her blush. He was rich, confident, and charming, but surprisingly, he wasn't arrogant. Ava liked that about him.
One evening, Liam finally asked her out on a dinner date.
"It's time we meet properly," he texted. "No loud music, no club lights. Just us."
Ava agreed, though she felt a nervous excitement bubbling inside her
In their group chat, she excitedly shared the news:
Ava: "Guys! Liam asked me out on a dinner date! Like, an actual date!"
Ryan: "Didn't he already ask you out at the club? What's different now?"
Ella: "Ryan, you're so slow. This one's official."
Drevin: "Fancy place?"
Ava: "The most expensive restaurant in town!"
Ryan: "Oh, so you're a gold digger now?"
Ava: "Shut up. I actually like him, okay?"
Ella and Drevin laughed at Ryan and Ava's usual back-and-forth.
The day of the date arrived, and Ava dressed in a stunning red dress with heels that made her taller than usual. She looked like she had stepped straight out of a fashion magazine.
Liam was already waiting for her at the restaurant, dressed in a tailored black suit.Liam took her to a fancy restaurant,
everything sparkled-from the chandeliers to the silverware. The atmosphere was elegant, romantic.
"You look breathtaking," he said as she sat down.
Ava smirked. "I know."
Dinner was perfect. Liam was charming, funny, and genuinely interested in her.Throughout dinner, they talked effortlessly. He asked about her passions, and even playfully teased her about her love for designer handbags.
By the end of the night, as they walked outside, he turned to her.
"Ava, I like you," he said smoothly. "And I don't want to just be some guy in your texts. I want to be your boyfriend.
Ava was caught off guard, but in the best way possible. She smiled, trying to hide the warmth spreading across her face.
"Well... I guess that makes two of us," she admitted, making him chuckle.
"Yes," she said, smiling.
He drove her back home and they bidded themselves with warm hugs and soft kisses.
That night, she couldn't wait to tell her friends.
Ava: Girls, I have an announcement!
Ella: Spill.
Drevin: This better be worth interrupting my sleep.
Ryan: Did you get engaged?
Ava: "Guys! I have a boyfriend!!!"
Ella: "OMG! Congrats, Ava!"
Ryan: "Be careful. Rich guys always have options." Just don't let him brainwash you into moving to some private island or something.
Drevin: "As long as he treats you right, we're good."But yeah, just be sure he's really who he says he is.
Ella: I trust your judgment. If he makes you happy, then I'm happy for you.
Drevin: Here we go.
Ryan: Welcome to the club. Be careful, though. Boys are trouble.
Ava: As if you're not one of them.
Ella: I'm so happy for you!
Ava was too excited to care about Ryan's sarcasm.Ava grinned at her phone. She knew her friends were just being protective, but she appreciated them.
The Final Exams
Final exams arrived faster than expected. The pressure was intense, but they were determined to finish strong. Ella, Drevin, and Ava spent late nights at the library, buried in textbooks,
pushing through exhaustion with coffee, energy drinks, and inside jokes.
One night, after an intense study session, they sat on a park bench, enjoying the fresh air.
"I work because I have to," Drevin finally admitted after weeks of dodging the question. "My mom is sick. The medical bills are a lot, so I have to help out."
Ella and Ava exchanged glances, realizing the weight he carried.
"You're strong, Drevin," Ella said softly.
He glanced at her, something unreadable in his expression. "You are too, Ella."
There it was again. That tension, that moment where something unspoken passed between them. But just like before, neither of them dared to acknowledge it.
"If I fail math, I'm blaming the teacher," Ava buttered.
"If you fail math, it's because you never liked numbers," Drevin teased.
Ella was focused, but her mind kept drifting. She kept glancing at Drevin, watching the way his brows furrowed when he was deep in thought. He caught her staring once, and she quickly looked down, feeling embarrassed.
The exams were tough, but they pushed through. Finally, the last paper was submitted, and the moment they walked out of the exam hall, a sense of freedom hit them.the school erupted in cheers. Some students tossed their papers in the air, while others hugged each other.
The End of High School
That evening, in their school compound, students flooded the compound to take pictures, sign uniforms, and hug each other goodbye.
emotions ran high-excitement, relief, nostalgia.
Then, suddenly, a commotion broke out.
"Ryan's here!"
Students turned, and there he was-walking confidently across the campus, his presence commanding attention. As the school's former basketball star, he was still famous here, and students immediately swarmed around him, eager to talk, to take pictures, to reminisce.
Ella, Ava, and Drevin watched, amused.
"Wow," Drevin smirked. "He's still a celebrity here."
"Of course," Ava grinned. "Our Ryan is a legend."
When Ryan finally broke free from the crowd, he pulled them all into a tight hug. "I wouldn't miss this day for anything."
"Man, you really know how to make an entrance," Drevin commented, smirking.
Ryan shrugged, laughing. "What can I say? The fans love me."
Ava rolled her eyes. "You mean your ego loves the attention."
Ryan ignored her, pulling Ella and Ava into a group hug. "I couldn't let you guys graduate without me here. I had to come and cheer my favorite people."
"We made it," he grinned.
Ella sighed. "It feels surreal."
Drevin stood beside her. "No more school. What do we do now?"
Ryan smirked. "We live."
The four of them stood there, taking in the moment. Their time in high school was officially over.
As they laughed and took photos, Ella stole a glance at Drevin. She knew high school was ending, but something told her their story was far from over.
As the final bell rang, marking the official end of their time in high school, students poured out into the open grounds, screaming in excitement, signing uniforms, and taking endless photos. Ella was in the middle of laughing at one of Ryan's jokes when she noticed Ava suddenly freeze beside her.
"What's wrong?" Ella asked, nudging her.
Ava's lips curled into a smirk as she tilted her chin toward the parking lot. "Looks like I have a surprise visitor."
Ella and Ryan turned to see a sleek, black sports car pulling up smoothly. The engine purred before shutting off, and then the door opened to reveal a tall, well-dressed guy stepping out. His perfectly tailored designer shirt and wristwatch screamed wealth, but the confident smirk on his lips made him look effortlessly charming.
"Wait... Is that him?" Ryan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yep," Ava grinned.
Ella's eyes widened slightly. "Wow... You didn't tell us he looks like he walked straight out of a movie."
"I know, right?" Ava flipped her hair playfully, then turned serious. "But behave. Don't embarrass me."
Liam walked over to them with a relaxed yet confident stride, his gaze locking onto Ava first before shifting to Ella and Ryan.
"Hey, beautiful," he greeted Ava, slipping an arm around her waist.
"Took you long enough," Ava teased, nudging him playfully.
Then, turning to her friends, she gestured between them. "Guys, this is Liam. My boyfriend."
Ella smiled politely. "Nice to finally meet you. Ava hasn't shut up about you since that night at the club."
Liam chuckled, shaking her hand. "I'd hope it was all good things?"
"Mostly," Ryan chimed in, smirking. "Except for the part where she said you were too smooth for your own good."
Liam laughed, unfazed. "Guilty as charged."
Ryan then stuck out his hand. "Ryan, her most annoying friend."
"Pleasure," Liam said, shaking it. "I've heard about you too. Apparently, you're the 'flirt who never settles down.'"
Ryan placed a hand on his chest in mock offense. "Ava, how could you? I'm deeply hurt."
"You'll survive," Ava deadpanned.
Ella giggled as Liam turned back to her. "And you, Ella? The shy one who's actually got a sharp tongue when needed?"
Ella blushed slightly but shrugged. "I prefer to stay out of drama, but when I need to, I can hold my ground.
"So, you're the one who's been making Drevin fat with all the bread?" Liam teased.
Drevin rolled his eyes. "I work at a café, okay? I balance it out."
Their laughter filled the air, sealing the moment.
He shook hands with Ryan, shared jokes with Drevin, and immediately got on Ella's good side by complimenting her baking skills.
Liam grinned. "Good. Ava needs more level-headed friends."
"That's what I've been telling her," Ella joked.
They all laughed, and the conversation flowed easily from there. Despite his polished appearance, Liam was surprisingly easygoing, and within minutes, he had blended into the group like he had always been a part of it.
Ryan, of course, wasted no time testing him.
"So, rich boy, you taking her on a private jet for a graduation vacation or what?" Ryan teased.
"Not yet," Liam smirked. "But maybe a nice getaway after she convinces her parents I'm not a bad influence."
Ava rolled her eyes. "Good luck with that."
"Challenge accepted," Liam winked.
Ella watched the exchange with amusement. She had been worried that Liam might not fit into their dynamic, but it was clear he could handle Ryan's teasing and Ava's sass. He wasn't just some spoiled rich guy-he had personality.
After some more casual conversation, Ava pulled Liam aside for a moment.
"So, what do you think of them?" she asked, glancing back at her friends.
Liam followed her gaze, watching as Ella and Ryan bickered playfully over who should take the next group picture.
"They're cool," he admitted. "I get why you love them so much. They're real."
Ava smiled. "Yeah. They are."
Just then, Ryan called out, "Ava! Lovebirds, stop whispering and come take this damn picture with us!"
"Alright, alright!" Ava laughed, pulling Liam back into the group.
The four of them posed for a series of pictures, making funny faces, throwing their graduation caps in the air, and capturing the moment.
As they took their last group selfie, Ella looked around at her friends, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
To Be Continued...