I had introduced Mom to Nena.
And honestly?
Big mistake… for my peace.
Because my mom didn't just like her.
She loved her.
Like, full-blown "why didn't you bring her home earlier" energy.
At one point I swear she looked like she was considering adopting her on the spot and forgetting I existed.
Even Jake met her.
And shockingly—no chaos.
No teasing.
No annoying attitude.
Just Jake trying to act cool, leaning against the wall like he was in some comic book panel.
"You look like you'd fit perfectly in my comic collection," he said.
Nena blinked. "Is that… a compliment or a threat?"
Jake smirked. "Both."
I sighed from the side. Of course.
Some things in my life just refuse to make sense.
Now I was walking alone through the school hallway.
Clutching a pink envelope.
Emma's handwriting.
Liam's name on it.
My hand gripped it like it was evidence in a crime case. I wasn't even sure why I cared this much—it was just a letter—but somehow it felt important.
My ponytail bounced as I walked, bag hanging off my shoulder like I was pretending to be in a slow-motion movie scene.
Then—
"AYANA!"
Liam.
He came running down the hallway like his life depended on it.
Hair messy. Breath gone. Still somehow smiling.
"Why did you call me here? I skipped class—don't ask why, I just did," he said, stopping right in front of me. "You said it was urgent!"
I raised an eyebrow and silently handed him the envelope.
He took it like it was treasure.
Turned it over.
Smirked immediately.
"Ohhh. A secret letter? From you?"
I froze.
"No—"
He cut me off instantly, eyes sparkling. "Ayana, you could've just told me in person. You didn't have to go all mysterious like this."
I groaned. "It's not from me. It's from Emma."
"Emma?" he repeated blankly.
"Cheerleader. You know her."
"…Never heard of her."
I sighed so hard my soul left my body.
He shrugged, sliding the envelope into his pocket like it was nothing.
"I'm not opening it," he said casually. "I already have tons of these at home."
I blinked. "Tons?"
He grinned. "Yeah. Love letters. They're basically collecting dust."
That hit my brain wrong.
This man was casually collecting heartbreak like it was a hobby.
I stepped closer. "At least open this one. It might be special."
He laughed lightly. "Nah. I'll open it tonight. Then I'll be the proud owner of another love letter… and probably forget it exists."
Then he started walking away.
Paused.
Winked at me.
"Thanks, four eyes. Next time, write me one yourself."
And just like that—he ruffled my hair like I was some random kid and disappeared.
I stood there frozen.
"…He's insane."
Later, I walked through the hallway again.
Trying to survive Physics class mentally.
Then I saw him.
Jasper.
Class clown.
Short wolf cut hair. That annoying confident grin. The kind of guy who looks like trouble even when he's just standing still.
I immediately muttered, "Nope."
I turned.
Nowhere to go.
So I did what any normal, sane person would do.
I opened a locker.
Climbed in.
Closed it.
Perfect hiding strategy.
A few seconds later—
Jasper stood exactly where I was.
He scratched his neck. "Huh… I thought I saw Ayana. I'm definitely hallucinating."
He walked off.
Safe.
Silence.
Then—
A breath.
Right next to me.
I froze.
Slowly turned my head.
"…Nena?"
She was already inside the locker with me.
I nearly screamed but whispered instead, "WHAT are you doing here?"
She immediately shushed me. "Don't make noise!"
I stared at her.
She looked stressed.
Nena.
Stressed.
That alone felt illegal.
"Okay," I whispered, leaning closer. "Why are YOU hiding in a locker?"
She hesitated.
Then mumbled, "I'm shy."
I blinked.
"…You?"
"I'm not social," she added quickly.
I almost laughed out loud. "Nena. You argued with a teacher yesterday over extra homework."
"That was confidence," she snapped.
Then she lowered her voice. "New people are scary. Especially ones who look like they can eat you emotionally."
I snorted. "You're literally fearless."
"I'm only brave when I'm angry," she muttered.
That made me laugh harder.
We quietly slipped out of the locker after Jasper left.
Fixing our hair like nothing happened.
Nena straightened her jacket like she hadn't just survived a metal closet.
I sighed. "So… you were hiding in a locker because of fear?"
She shrugged. "It was strategic avoidance."
"Sure," I said. "Totally normal behavior."
We walked together down the hallway.
Then I slowed.
"Wait," I said. "You were comfortable with my mom and Jake though."
Nena nodded instantly. "Because I already knew them."
I frowned. "You didn't."
"I did," she said simply. "From you. You talk about them like they're characters in a series."
I laughed. "That's… actually accurate."
She glanced ahead. "But strangers? No thanks."
Then she pointed slightly. "And that guy over there keeps staring."
I followed her gaze.
Some random student.
I shrugged. "That's just Creepy McStare-alot. Ignore him."
Nena looked at me. "You name people weirdly."
"I survive weirdly," I corrected.
She smiled slightly. "Fair."
We stopped near her class.
I nudged her shoulder. "Come on. I'll take you."
She looked at me, then grinned again.
"Then let's go."
And just like that—
Nena walked beside me like she belonged in my chaos.
Which, honestly?
She did.