Chapter 3: Shadows of Tension

The beach house glowed in the soft light of lanterns strung along the porch, their gentle sway in the breeze belying the crackling tension inside. The evening had started as a celebration, but there was something about the mix of personalities that made it hard for any real harmony to last. Everyone laughed and clinked glasses, but the smiles were stretched thin.

Mia leaned against the counter in the kitchen, a slice of cake in one hand and her phone in the other, scrolling through comments on her latest livestream. She glanced up as Sandy strolled in, grabbing a drink from the fridge.

“You know, you’re kind of scary,” he said, popping the cap off his bottle.

Mia grinned, tilting her head. “Scary? How so?”

“You’ve got this way of knowing everything about everyone. Makes me wonder what you’ve got on me.”

Mia smirked, taking a bite of cake. “Oh, Sandy. If I told you, where’s the fun in that?”

Sandy chuckled, leaning against the counter opposite her. “You’re something else. Always stirring the pot, always watching.”

“Someone has to keep things interesting,” Mia replied. “Besides, it’s not my fault everyone has secrets they’re dying to keep.”

Sandy raised his bottle in mock salute. “Fair enough. Just don’t put me on blast in one of your streams.”

Mia’s grin widened. “No promises.”

In the living room, Ruby sat stiffly in a corner, her eyes flickering toward Jack, who hovered awkwardly near the drinks table. His presence had thrown her off completely, and she was still fuming at Mia for inviting him. She wanted to scream, but she settled for glaring at Mia whenever their eyes met.

Moon sat on the couch beside Sana, nervously twisting the edge of her sleeve. Her thoughts kept circling back to what Mia had said earlier. Jack’s arrival had set her on edge, and Mia’s uncanny ability to know things no one else did was terrifying. She had been careful—so careful—not to let her feelings for Jack slip, and yet Mia had teased her about it so casually, as if it were common knowledge.

Out by the bonfire, Soel and Ishi had wandered away from the group under the pretense of gathering firewood. Under the shadows of the palm trees, Ishi leaned against Soel, her arms wrapped around his neck.

“She keeps looking at you, you know,” she murmured, her voice low and edged with jealousy.

“Who?” Soel asked, though he already knew.

“Sana.” Ishi’s lips curled in a half-smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You’re enjoying it, aren’t you?”

Soel sighed, pulling her closer. “Ishi, come on. You know it’s nothing.”

“Then why do you keep glancing at her?” she pressed.

Before he could answer, she silenced him with a kiss, her fingers tangling in his hair. It was fierce, almost possessive, a reminder that he was hers—even if no one else knew.

Back at the bonfire, Richard took a seat next to Megara, who was poking at the embers with a stick.

“Careful,” he said with a grin. “You’ll put the whole fire out.”

Megara rolled her eyes but smiled. “I’m just keeping it alive.”

“Speaking of keeping things alive,” Richard began, his tone teasing, “what do you think about carving out some time for just the two of us tomorrow?”

Megara raised an eyebrow, her smile playful. “Are you asking me out, Richard?”

“Maybe,” he said, leaning slightly closer. “Depends on your answer.”

Megara laughed softly, the sound carrying over the crackling flames. “We’ll see.”

On the other side of the fire, Ruby finally had enough of Jack’s quiet, lingering presence. She stood abruptly, heading into the house and slamming the door behind her. Mia caught her retreat and followed, finding her in one of the bedrooms, pacing furiously.

“Seriously, Mia?” Ruby snapped as soon as she entered. “What were you thinking, inviting Jack?”

Mia leaned casually against the doorframe, entirely unbothered. “It’s my birthday, Ruby. I invited everyone I wanted to see.”

“You know what he did to me!” Ruby hissed, her voice low but venomous.

Mia shrugged. “And? It’s been, what, a year? Maybe it’s time to let it go.”

Ruby glared at her, her fists clenched at her sides. “You’re unbelievable.”

Mia smirked. “Relax. It’s just a week. Try not to let him ruin it for you.”

Before Ruby could respond, Moon appeared in the doorway, looking uneasy. Mia’s smirk widened as she glanced between them.

“What’s wrong, Moon? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Moon hesitated, her gaze flickering to Ruby. “I—nothing. Never mind.”

Mia’s grin didn’t waver. “Good. Now, let’s get back out there. Can’t have a party without the birthday girl.”

As Mia sauntered away, Moon remained in the doorway, her thoughts racing. She was sure Mia knew far more than she let on, and it terrified her. For the rest of the night, Moon kept a wary distance, her eyes constantly darting to where Mia sat by the fire, her laughter ringing out like a warning bell.

The night stretched on, but the warmth of the bonfire did little to thaw the tension simmering beneath the surface. No one spoke of it, but everyone felt it—the sense that this weekend was teetering on the edge of something irreversible.

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