The classroom door swung open, and the quiet atmosphere instantly dissolved into noise.
Students poured in, voices overlapping, chairs dragging loudly across the floor.
Bella stepped in among them, her smile bright and confident, like she already knew she would be noticed.
Her eyes scanned the room—and immediately found Owen.
She didn't hesitate.
Adjusting her hair slightly, she walked straight toward him, her steps slower now, more intentional.
"Hey," she said, her voice soft but playful.
Owen looked up from his book and smiled back. "Oh—hi."
Bella's smile widened just a little more.
She pulled out the chair beside him and sat down comfortably, closer than necessary. Her shoulder almost brushed his.
"What's up?" she asked, leaning in like she already belonged there.
"I'm reading," Owen replied, flipping a page. "Will you join?"
Bella smiled to herself before answering, as if that invitation meant more than it should.
"Of course I will."
Her eyes dropped to the small chocolate cake on his desk.
Before she could say anything, Owen broke off a piece and handed it to her.
Bella paused.
Her fingers hovered before taking it slowly, her gaze lifting to his face.
"You… gave me this?" she asked, almost in disbelief—but there was excitement hidden underneath.
Owen blinked at her reaction. "Yeah… I did. Is there a problem?"
Then, casually, "Aren't you my friend?"
Bella let out a soft laugh, but her cheeks warmed slightly.
Friend.
She ignored that word.
"Yes… I am," she said, her voice softer now.
She looked down at the cake again, smiling to herself as if it meant something deeper.
"And I want to say a big thank you."
Owen raised a brow, amused. "A big thank you… for this small cake?"
Bella shook her head slightly, still smiling. "It really means a lot."
She took a small bite, glancing at him from the corner of her eye, almost expecting him to be watching her.
Owen wasn't.
His attention had already drifted elsewhere.
Bella didn't notice.
She leaned in again. "So… what's up?"
"Nothing," Owen replied, flipping through his book absentmindedly.
In front of them, Lillian sat quietly.
Her posture was straight, her pen moving steadily—but her fingers tightened slightly around it. She had heard everything.
Bella leaned forward slightly, peeking past Owen.
"Hi, Lillian," she called brightly.
Lillian paused, then slowly turned her head.
"Hi, Bella," she replied in her usual calm, cool voice.
Then she turned back immediately, her attention returning to her book.
Bella turned back to Owen—but caught him looking at Lillian.
For a second too long.
Her smile faltered.
Just slightly.
Owen leaned back in his chair, a small smirk forming.
"Are you two besties?" he asked, his voice loud enough for nearby students to hear. "Because Lillian barely talks… and Bella is a complete social butterfly."
A few students laughed quietly.
Bella straightened immediately, slipping into confidence again.
"We are besties," she said, almost proudly.
She shifted closer to Owen again, her arm brushing his this time—as if to silently claim her place.
Owen's gaze, however, remained fixed on Lillian's back.
"That's interesting," he said slowly.
Then, louder—more intentional:
"So how do you cope with your social butterfly friend, Lillian?"
Lillian's pen stopped.
The air around her seemed to tighten.
Bella quickly answered, laughing lightly. "She doesn't talk much in school, but when we get home—like to our dorm—she's always gossiping about one thing or the other."
She nudged Owen lightly as she said it, as if sharing a private joke.
Owen didn't react.
His eyes were still on Lillian.
Lillian didn't turn this time.
But her voice came—soft, controlled, and slightly sharper than before.
"You can always be like that."
Silence fell for a brief moment.
Bella blinked, a little confused by the tone.
Owen's smirk faded slightly, replaced by something more thoughtful.
Bella glanced between them again.
Then, almost instinctively, she reached for Owen's arm, holding it lightly.
"So… are we still reading together?" she asked, her voice softer now, almost possessive.
Owen finally looked at her.
"Yeah," he said.
But his eyes drifted back to Lillian almost immediately.
Bella noticed this time.
Her fingers tightened slightly around his arm—but her smile didn't fade.
Not yet.
Across from them, Lillian's pen moved again.
But she wasn't writing.
She was pressing the pen too hard against the paper.
And Owen?
He noticed.