The next day Ariana woke up earlier than usual.
Not because she had to.
Her mind just wouldn't stay quiet.
She opened her wardrobe and stared at it for a full minute.
"Why am I even thinking about this," she muttered.
It was just meeting Nick.
Not a big event.
Still… she changed her shirt twice.
At school Lily noticed immediately.
"You look suspicious."
"I always look like this."
"No you don't."
Lily leaned closer.
"You're meeting him today, aren't you?"
Ariana looked around quickly.
"Lower your voice."
Lily's eyes lit up.
"I knew it!"
Ariana tried to focus on the lesson after that but her attention kept drifting.
Every time her phone vibrated in her bag, her heart reacted automatically.
When school finally ended she checked the screen.
Nick: Reached.
Just one word.
But it made her smile instantly.
Ariana: Already?
Nick: Yes.
She sat on the edge of her bed after reaching home.
The room felt quiet again.
Ariana: So when are we meeting?
Nick: Tomorrow afternoon.
She exhaled slowly.
Good.
That gave her time to breathe.
Ariana: Walk or café?
Nick: Walk first.
She liked that answer.
It felt simple.
Normal.
Then another message appeared.
Nick: Also.
Ariana: What?
Nick: Stop overthinking what to wear.
Her jaw dropped.
Ariana: I was not thinking about that.
Nick: Sure.
She threw her pillow across the room.
"How does he always know," she muttered.
Ariana: You're annoying.
Nick: I know.
She leaned back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
The feeling in her chest wasn't panic.
It wasn't even nervousness anymore.
It was something softer.
Like the quiet excitement before something good happens.
Before sleeping she sent one last message.
Ariana: Don't disappear tomorrow.
The reply came almost immediately.
Nick: I won't.
She placed the phone beside her pillow.
For the first time in weeks she wasn't thinking about exams.
She was thinking about tomorrow.
And about seeing him again.